Malawi: Hungry not able to access food
27 Oct 2012The following is taken from a report giving two examples of the challenges faced in Malawi. ‘I have been staggered at the increase in prices of items in shops. Basics of sugar, bread and salt are very expensive for most and out of reach for many to buy. Meat is inaccessible for most in the villages. Maize (the staple food) has doubled in price and most of those we visited have had no harvest. (I heard on the radio that ‘there is 800,000 tonnes of maize in the silos from previous years') This is appalling. The folks in the villages and mountain areas are the forgotten people. Also, ‘A young man came, whose father had died. He had a growth on his neck and some bush doctor cut it and it spread. The young man is now responsible for his mother and siblings; plus his own wife and one small child. He just sunk into a chair; he was so weak from walking, gaunt from hunger, with nowhere else to go. Could I help him with little money to buy some corn husks? He brought a lump to my throat. I knew his father well’
Pray: that the hungry would have access to food banks, and may God strengthen those working amongst the disadvantaged and disabled. (Mt.25:34-36)
More: http://www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/international/malawi
Malawi: Church warns of 'dictatorship'
07 Sep 2010
‘Malawi is sliding into dictatorship where it is a crime to hold dissenting views to government policy.’ warned leaders of the Church of Central Africa. The charges came after the arrest and subsequent release of the synod's general secretary the Rev. Levi Nyondo. ‘We are shocked and surprised that government could stoop so low to arrest a general secretary of a reputable church,’ synod moderator the Rev. Mezuwa Banda said. Nyondo was arrested after speaking at the funeral of former Cabinet minister Moses Chirambo who died just days after being dismissed from the government. Nyondo was charged with sedition for uttering words that could incite public anger and has since been granted bail by the Mzuzu Magistrate Court. Synod moderator Joyce Banda said the arrest of Nyondo would not intimidate the church into submission, but rather invigorate it to preach the truth. Joyce Banda is sitting vice president and may run for the presidency in 2014 elections. Pray: for the church to deliver God's prophetic message and continue to stand against wrongdoing. (Ps.18:33-34)
Madagascar: Elections and education
26 Oct 2013Madagascar parents’ desire to send their children to school is strong. When President Tsiranana came to office in 2009 his main priorities were to reform primary education. It was conducted in a disorderly fashion leading to a dramatic reduction in teacher training and professional development for primary school teachers. As the demands for teachers grew, parents’ associations recruited unqualified children’s parents to teach. These teachers are called ‘FRAM teachers’. FRAM teachers now constitute about two-thirds of all primary teachers and the education system is failing. Teachers are insufficiently qualified, have received no or only very little training and face difficult working conditions. On Friday October 25th Madagascar holds its first presidential elections since the 2009 military coup. We can pray that this event will end years of political crisis that, amongst other things, has failed the education system. See also http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/22/us-madagascar-elections-idUSBRE97L0YE20130822
Pray: that the new government of Madagascar will ensure future primary school education prepares children for life and higher education through math, reading, and other diverse lessons. (Ps.72:3,4)
More: http://www.issa.int/Observatory/Good-Practices/Access-to-social-protection-for-community-teachers
Libya: War shrinks Christian communities
29 Apr 2011
Tripoli's Roman Catholic bishop focuses on keeping Moammar Gaddafi’s men and anti-government rebels out of his church since most of his congregation has fled Libya's violence. After a recent Mass several Muslim women, all Gaddafi supporters, followed Bishop Giovanni Martinelli into the vestry tearfully demanding he call the Vatican asking the pope to halt NATO airstrikes. Some of his parishioners, especially African migrant workers, are using St. Francis Church as a sanctuary because they dread going into the streets where they are harassed by Gaddafi's security forces. The war has battered and scattered Christian African migrant labourers, Filipino health care workers, and European expatriates living in Tripoli. Missionary activity is not allowed, though clergy say the regime has respected Christians's freedom of worship. Pray: for the Christian communities to be in a place of hope and faith, used by God to minister in love to their neighbours. (1Th.5:21-22)
The US ambassador to Libya has died after an attack by militiamen on the US consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi, reports say. Ambassador Christopher Stevens is said to be among four US officials killed in a protest over a US-produced film that is said to insult the Prophet Muhammad. Protesters have also attacked the US Embassy in Cairo over the film. In the attack in Benghazi, unidentified armed men stormed the grounds, shooting at buildings and throwing handmade bombs into the compound. Security forces returned fire but Libyan officials say they were overwhelmed. A Libyan official has said Ambassador Stevens died from smoke suffocation as a result of the attack.
Pray: that peace will descend on Benghazi and Cairo and this situation will not esculate into more conflict - see below. (Pr.10:12)
Libya: Refugees need help
02 Mar 2011
Tripoli Bishop Giovanni Martinelli needs help for refugees sheltering in his church. ‘We are worried for hundreds of Eritreans stranded here - no one cares for their evacuation. Italy is trying to take fifty four, such a small number. Conflict is keeping people away from Church services but the building is filled with Eritreans wanting to leave the country. Last week Martinelli entered into contact with the Red Crescent and other Muslim organizations appealing for protection of the churches, convents and sisters working in the hospitals. Thousands of refugees on Libya’s borders need tents food water and emergency supplies to avoid a humanitarian disaster. France sent heavy-lifting planes and a ship to create a land and sea bridge to ferry 5,000 Egyptian refugees home from the Tunisian border and is also seeking ways to send tents and emergency supplies to vulnerable people who have not yet left Libya. Pray: that the 80,000 Christians in Libya will be Gods hands, feet and voice in every situation, and equipped by Gods spirit in all they do. (Hab.1:5)
Libya: Praying into the crisis
09 Jun 2011
The following statements are posted to aid informed prayer for Libya. 1.The West’s military campaign and attendant instability present strategic threats to Libya’s neighbours. 2. There is a large-scale refugee crisis. 3. The risk of infiltration by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb whose networks of activists are present in Algeria, Mali and Niger. 4. Mounting bitterness on both sides constituting a heavy legacy for any post-Qaddafi government. 5. When pressures finally force Qaddafi out there’s a possibility the transition to democracy could face a vacuum due to no second choice government waiting in the wings. 6. Political and security implications for Libya’s neighbours during government transition may well aggravate an already serious humanitarian crisis. 7. The prospect for Libya and North Africa is increasingly ominous, unless a negotiated compromise for an orderly transition to a post-Qaddafi state that has legitimacy in the eyes of the Libyan people is achieved.
Pray: for God to be in every detail of resolving Libya’s civil war. (Ps.4:1)
Libya: Prayer for new future
28 Oct 2011Arab World Media are sharing with you so you can pray with understanding. Pray for those 1) who need to work through what they have seen and experienced 2) the hurt and grieving 3) for healing, peace and a sense of community to prevail against fear or despair for the future 4) Many women have been raped - rather than being made to feel dirty and ashamed may they be supported and loved by families and community 5) Those who have committed war crimes to be brought to justice and that those bringing them to justice would do so lawfully 6) the National Transitional Council as it seeks to rebuild Libya and bring stability and for future leadership 7) Government to be just and fair, working against corruption and for the people 8) That all the hurt, suffering and pain would result in something greater than we can imagine and the name of Jesus to be known and glorified by many Libyans!
Pray: for mission agencies and tent makers to reach out to Libyans with the message and hope of Christ while tackling difficult subjects and questions. (Ro.15:21)
More: http://www.arabworldmedia.org/index.php/discuss/40-blog/206-hope-found-libya