Praying for the Maranatha Workshop in Chilabula

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

From November 1st – 5th, there will be a Maranatha Workshop for the Care Workers in Chilabula Community, Zambia. The purpose of the workshop is to share about who Jesus is and can be in their lives and what it means to care for the vulnerable in their community.

Pray for the Care Workers to come with a heart that is willing and open to hearing God and His word.

Pray for our Care Workers to experience healing and freedom from the pain and trauma that they have experienced in their lives.

Ask God to give each Care Worker a deeper understanding of what it means to serve the most vulnerable.

Pray for each person who will be facilitating the workshop. Pray that they would be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Praying for Rain

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” – Acts 14:17

When there is too much or too little rain, it has a direct impact on the day-to-day lives of the most vulnerable across Africa. In many countries, the rainy season will start in the next month and continue until April. Please pray for the rain needed to ensure that crops grow well, and for people to have a sufficient harvest, allowing them to provide for their families until the next harvest. Yet also pray that there will not be so much rain that the crops are ruined and the homes of the most vulnerable families are destroyed.

Praying for Our Children aged Zero to Five

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40, NIV

As Hands at Work, we are continually seeking ways that we can grow in our ability to holistically care for the most vulnerable children. One way that we are doing this in the coming year is through intentionally investing in our children aged zero to five. 

Recognising that a significant amount of a child’s development happens between the ages of zero to five, Hands at Work is keen to maximise the time that children spend at the Care Point with the Care Workers. Instead of simply coming to the Care Point for lunch, the children will come in the morning for breakfast, and then after have a safe place to play, have naps and learn basic skills while their older siblings are in school. 

Please pray for the local Hands at Work teams across Africa as they share this vision with the Care Workers and Primary Caregivers. Pray that they will grasp the vision and see the importance of investing in the zero to fives. Pray that the Primary Caregivers will want to be involved in what is happening at the Care Point.

Praying for Our Young Girls

He LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.  - Zephaniah 3:17

Across Africa, an ongoing challenge is early marriage and teenage pregnancy. This issue has only been increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of schools for much of 2020 and 2021. In some circumstances, girls have left school to work because of the economic situation and wanting to support their families. In others, they have entered into unhealthy relationships or been pressured to get married as a way for their families to earn an income. 

In the midst of these challenges, there is hope as men and women commit to serving the children with Christ-like love. 

Today we invite you to join us in praying for: 

• Our girls to experience the love and hope of Christ. Pray that they will know their worth and value. 

• The Care Workers to continually grow in the way that they relate to the girls. Pray that they will be voices of truth, hope and encouragement in their lives. 

• The Care Workers and the local Hands at Work teams across Africa as they seek to find creative ways to engage the girls in the day-to-day activities at the Life Centre.

Meet Nancy

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17

When Nancy’s* father forced her out of the family home because of bad behaviour, Nancy was left with no choice but to come to Apatuku in Nigeria to stay with her aunt. Nancy’s vulnerability and feelings of rejection increased once again when her aunt also became overwhelmed by Nancy’s bad behaviour and she was forced out of the home in the middle of the night. Suddenly, Nancy was totally alone with nowhere to go and no one to rely on. 

Wandering around Apatuku, she met Mama Taiwo, who after hearing Nancy’s story and hearing from the aunt about the challenges at home, brought Nancy to stay with her. Soon after, Nancy began attending the Life Centre in Apatuku. Today, 16 year old Nancy attends the government school in Apatuku and helps Mama Taiwo by working in the family shop after school. Mama Taiwo is committed to teaching Nancy responsibility and helping her grow into a healthy adult. 

Thank God for the work that He is doing in the lives of the most vulnerable children across Africa like Nancy. Pray that each child will come to know God's love and will experience His healing and restoration.

Praying for Primary Caregivers

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galations 5:1 

Primary Caregivers are the men and women who care for our children and are often the children’s grandparents, aunties, uncles or other relatives in the absence of their parents. Struggling with their own brokenness, several Primary Caregivers struggle to care for the children in the way that they need in order to grow into healthy and whole adults. 

• Pray for each Primary Caregiver to know God’s love and believe in His truth instead of believing the cultural norms and traditional practices in their community.  

• Pray that they will experience God’s healing, transformation and freedom through the love and compassion of the Care Workers and local Hands at Work teams. 

• As they experience healing, pray that their newfound freedom will overflow to the children that they are caring for.