Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Europe, Middle East and North Africa
UK: pioneer open day
Pray for those who will attend our CMS Oxford pioneer open day via Zoom on 23 February. Please pray for all who are seeking the right path ahead for training and for ordained ministry. Please pray those running the open day to be an encouragement to everyone who attends.
North Africa: house churches
A local partner in North Africa asks for prayer for his ministry in discipleship and reaching North Africans, as well as house churches he is ministering to. Pray for God’s leading in every aspect of his ministry.
Middle East: Bible translation
Please pray for mission partners in the Middle East who are translating the Bible into a local language. Pray for resilience and strength and for wisdom in organising their lives for a good work/life balance.
Africa
South Sudan: continuing conflict and destitution
Reports of cattle raids, revenge killings and unprovoked attacks have come from many locations. Many thousands have been displaced by floods and cattle raids, livelihoods and homes have been destroyed and 80 per cent of the land remains uncultivated. In one village alone, 13 children have starved to death. Local fighting has escalated in both frequency and violence, and can include burning houses, rape and kidnapping. National leaders show little interest in stopping or curbing the violence. Pray for the leaders and people of South Sudan to find a way forward and for God’s healing for this nation.
Sudan: conflict
The Sudanese government continues to face conflict on several fronts. Ethiopian forces are crossing the Sudan border in the east and building up troops on the border, there is widespread looting and sabotage by Islamist supporters in Darfur in the west and Kordofan in the south (finally curbed by deployment of security and police, with some arrests). Pray that Islamist opposition to national reforms will be contained and that the government will be able to continue on its path to full democracy.
Tanzania: recovery from COVID-19
Pray for mission partner Stephen Hatch as he recovers from suspected COVID-19. Having spent time in hospital and several more days unwell at home, Stephen has now returned to teaching part-time. Pray for his restoration to full health.
Latin America
COVID-19 numbers going down across the region
The situation as regards COVID-19 in Latin America is generally improving as numbers of new cases continue to go down across the region. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay all appear to be on the road to lower numbers again. Peru appears to be at something of a peak in the second wave while numbers in Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras appear difficult to read but generally stable. Paraguay appears to have stable numbers of new cases too [https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/].
Ecuador and Paraguay: recovery from COVID-19
Pray for CMS’s people in mission in the region currently suffering from COVID-19. Sharon Wilcox in Ecuador and Alison and Chris Hawksbee in Paraguay have tested positive and are all having their health monitored and receiving treatment. Please pray for a quick and full recovery.
Argentina: AMARE
Please pray for the continuing growth of AMARE (Mother’s Union-affiliated ministry) in the Anglican Province of South America led by a team including mission partner Catherine Le Tissier. Churches in more countries are joining the ministry and this year’s planning is ongoing. Pray for continued flourishing of this ministry and for the women involved to see their lives changed by Jesus.
