MALAWI

Jonathan and Ruth Newell (Blantyre) ask us to pray for Bethel Chapel’s church meeting about the future, being held on 13th December; for the Christmas services at the Fire Stations in Blantyre and Zomba; for the plans for the development of the land that they have been able to secure; and for a suitable house to rent in Blantyre. In addition, praise God that Jonathan and a Malawian colleague were kept safe in an accident on the main road to Lilongwe.

RWANDA

Chrissie Mulindabigwi, Peter Andrews and a team from Inkuru Nziza Church plan to travel across the border to Goma on 10th December. They will be met by Israel, one of the Goma church leaders, who coordinates the work in that area, and together they will visit one of the displaced people’s camps where a substantial number of believers from partner churches have taken refuge. Please pray for this visit, and pray, too, that the talks currently taking place between the various groups will lead to a lasting solution so that the hundreds of thousands of displaced people can return to their homes.

TANZANIA

Ron and Maria Cunningham (Moshi) express thanks to all who prayed for the week of children’s meetings with the Bethel assembly at Moshi last week. The average daily attendance was 84 children, who listened well and memorised Bible verses. Please continue to pray for these youngsters. In addition, Ron and Maria say that they have met with some local opposition over a plot of land, so ask for prayer that this problem will be solved in a satisfactory way.

INDIA

Ian and Anita Elliott (Delhi) request prayer for Susheela, one of their foster children who is studying in Mumbai. The college was closed for a day and she was confined to the hostel during the recent attacks, but she has now returned to her studies. Pray for her continued safety, as her fieldwork sometimes requires her to work in slum areas which are known crime spots. Pray, too, for wisdom for Indian leaders as they consider their response to what has happened.

JAPAN

Noel Hamilton (Koshigaya) asks prayer for various Christmas outreach events. These include a ladies’ Christmas outreach on 11th December, open-air evangelism on 13th, a children’s Christmas outreach on 14th, and the English coffee house on 15th. Please pray that many folk will go along, and will understand and respond to the gospel messages given on these occasions.

Ken and Christine Cowell (Kushiro) request prayer for a special women’s Christmas outreach being held on 10th December. Usually around 30 unsaved ladies attend, so please pray that the Lord will speak to their hearts, and remember Christine, too, who will be giving a short message. Give thanks that on Sunday, Miss Sasaki, one of the leaders of the gospel choir, trusted the Lord. Another of the leadership team of three is also a Christian, so please pray for the third member to follow the Lord. On 12th December there will be a concert at a restaurant in a village 15 miles from Kushiro. This is a new outreach with the vision of starting a cell group in the village, as there are three believers there. Guests will enjoy a meal during the concert, and afterwards a short message will be given by one of the believers who has a real burden for an outreach in this place. On 13th December there is a Christmas outreach at the local prison. A choir will sing part of the Messiah, after which Ken will give the message. Usually around 100 prisoners attend. That evening, there is a gospel concert in Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido. Ken and Christine and about 15 choir members will be going along, and the audience could be as large as 1,000 people. As well as the singing, there will be a gospel message. Please pray that the Lord will add His blessing on all these events.

PAKISTAN

Liz Greig (Ghari Habidullah)  (left) asks us to pray for a lady doctor to come and work at Kunhar Christian Hospital. This is an urgent need, as their obstetrician has gone on extended leave and they are trying to run a maternity unit.

Sylvia Tarring, who served in  Pakistan from 1969-2001, had a major operation last week and is recovering steadily. Please continue to pray for her.

 

MEXICO

Pamela Jewitt (Mexico City) would value prayer for evangelical Christmas concerts being held on 12th-14th Dec.

FRANCE

Chris and Michelle Hall (Chateau-Gontier) and the other members of the SOLA singing group will be performing at a French Christmas service on 14th and a bilingual Christmas carol concert on 20th. All these events will take place in Chateau-Gontier. Please pray for good numbers to attend and that the gospel message will be plainly understood by all who listen.

Ronnie and Heather Skene (Figeac) ask for prayer as they begin distributing gospel calendars for 2009. Please pray for some good contacts from this work.

Gerry Seed (Nantes) reports  thanks that at a recent, much-protracted meeting with city officials, he was offered the one piece of land which he had previously identified as being an ideal location for the church in Nantes East to be built. This is a great encouragement to the believers at Nantes East as they have witnessed the Lord going before them and preparing the way. Please continue to pray that all the necessary paperwork will be completed and passed through speedily so that the real building work can be started.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

John and Linda Stanfield (Enniscorthy) are holding an outreach coffee morning in the church on 13th December. Please pray that people will go along and accept the books, calendars and free literature.

"Echoes of Service" have received an update on Robert McAlister’s condition (see here) following test results and your prayers would be valued for him and his family. Robert has an aggressive brain tumour and it is felt that surgery and/or treatment will not help him, so he is being kept as comfortable as possible. Please pray that Robert will receive peace from the Lord for his troubled mind, and that the family will receive strength to cope at this time.

ITALY

Paul and Nesta Volle (Montespertoli) (right)would value prayer for a good take-up of the Bible reading calendars which are being offered in Montespertoli on 9th and 23rd December and in Tavernelle on 11th and 18th December. Pray for reasonable weather and good conversations. Please also pray for Nesta, who has some health issues at present.

NORWAY

Nat and Jennifer Rodgers (Skien) ask us to pray especially for the protection of a male prisoner who has been saved and baptised, but because he has converted to Christianity has been assaulted by other prisoners. He has also received death threats. This brother needs our prayers.

SPAIN

Ken and Carmen Stunt ask for prayer, that they will receive replies from the leaflet distribution around Almazan offering a free Gospel.

Ken and Alison Barrett (Madrid) request prayer for a Christmas outreach supper being held on 13th December, at which some unsaved will be present. Please also pray for an English carol-singing initiative in a residential block of Azuqueca taking place on 15th December. Pray for fruitful contacts and that the Word of Christ will shine through.

LOCAL

"Coffee & Chat" on Wednesday morning from 10:30 am

Wheatacres.  A Carol Service is planned to take place with the Senior Citizen residents on Sunday, 14th Dec at 5:15 pm.

Peter Hartridge (Harrogate) is planned to be with us on the 14th for the preaching of the Gospel. Do remember in prayer.

Next week (D.V.) a group of 6 brethren will be involved in the distribution in the immediate area of the Hall of 1,400 to the  Carol  Service  on the 21st.