This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
Latin America
Brazil and Mexico: COVID-19
Case numbers remain high in Brazil and Mexico. In Brazil this week, it was highlighted that indigenous young people are particularly at risk, as high numbers of indigenous children have lost their lives to the virus. In Mexico, widespread shortages of oxygen are once again causing horrendous situations for many, while the country’s first vaccination programme proceeds at a very slow pace.
Argentina: transition to national and indigenous leadership
Pray for the ongoing transition of leadership from mission partners to national and indigenous leadership in the Anglican Church of Northern Argentina. Remember Bishop Nick Drayson and Catherine Le Tissier working on this transition and praise God that the indigenous church is recognising the need to assume leadership and decision making. Pray especially for local partners Bishops Crisanto Rojas and Mateo Alto as they continue in their leadership roles in the church.
Argentina: returning to the UK
Pray for David and Shelley Stokes who are preparing for travel to the UK from Northern Argentina. The province where they live, Formosa, has had particularly strict travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 so do pray they are able to travel on to Salta province, and from there safely on to the UK in due course. Pray that good farewells may be possible amid the tight restrictions. Do also remember in prayer all those people in mission who will be affected by the new obligatory quarantine hotels on entry to the UK from countries where virus mutations are known to have been found. Latin American nations form a large part of that list of countries.
Africa
Africa-wide: 28 Too Many
Mission partner Ann-Marie Wilson, founder of the charity 28 Too Many, asks for prayer for the board of the charity as they consider their future direction and legacy in the fight against female genital mutilation. Please pray, too, for protection and good health for Ann-Marie as she awaits her second vaccine and returns to her work of hospice chaplaincy here in the UK.
DR Congo: COVID-19
Hoping to return to Aru soon, Patricia and Peter Wyard write that the country’s official figures of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality are much lower than those of the UK, but treatment facilities are minimal for those who catch it. Pray for Patricia and Peter to be able to interact effectively, wisely and lovingly in churches, during teaching and when visiting patients on their return. Pray for the Congolese COVID situation to remain manageable and for vaccines to become accessible in a timely manner and at a fair price.
Europe, Middle East and North Africa
Egypt: school strategy
Joe and Sarah are thankful for being busy. They ask for prayer for strength and energy and for God’s leading for Joe as he works on the school strategy, vision and mission.
Middle East: more volunteers
Local partner Medhat writes that more volunteers are needed to follow up with people who are asking questions about faith through Facebook. Pray for more volunteers to come forward to help those who are exploring faith.
UK: CMS pioneer students
Please pray for our CMS pioneer students. Many are homeschooling children and working while also studying. For some there is financial hardship in lockdown and decisions and choices to be made about study/work/life, etc. Please keep them in your prayers.
Asia
Philippines: Jigsaw death
Jigsaw Ministries’ programme coordinator Beth passed away earlier this week after a six-month battle with cancer. As Beth was part of Jigsaw since its beginning 17 years ago and was so involved, she will be very much missed by many, and it is hard for Jigsaw staff to imagine Jigsaw Ministries without her. Pray for her family and all who are mourning this great loss.
