Day 32 – Relationship Groups

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

There is power in knowing that you are not alone in the challenges that you face. Relationship Groups are a safe space where the Care Workers, Primary Caregivers and children can share their challenges, hear from God’s word and pray together. For many people, these groups will be the first time that they have shared their story. Ask God to give each person a spirit of openness, vulnerability and courage. Pray that they will grow in their relationships with one another, and where there is bitterness between people, pray that they will experience freedom and healing.

“Relationship Groups have changed my life! I used to struggle with bitterness and anger but now I am able to share freely with the other Care Workers about what is challenging me at home and it has helped me to move past those feelings. They have also helped me grow spiritually.”

- Venomigue, a Care Worker in Kambove Community, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Day 31 - Community Living

…. I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Across Africa, Hands at Work volunteers live in multi-cultural communities, reflective of our Father’s vision for interdependence and Kingdom Culture. We believe that for us to serve the most vulnerable in the poorest communities in Africa, we must first serve the people we live and work with every day. Pray for our communities to be ones of love, grace, generosity and vulnerability, with Christ at the foundation.

Day 29 - Holy Home Visits

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

At the core of a Holy Home Visit is what Christ has done for us. We visit because Christ visited us first, and in our state of brokenness and pain accepted us as His children. Pray for each Holy Home Visit to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ask God to give each person the spiritual eyes to see what is happening beneath the surface. Through these visits, pray that each child and their family will see Christ at work in their lives. Pray for our Care Workers to be bold in sharing the hope of the gospel.

Holy Home Visits are an opportunity for Care Workers to connect and build strong and loving relationships with whole families, as can be seen with Elizabeth’s family.

Having been identified as one of the most vulnerable families in the community of Mwaiseni, Zambia, Elizabeth’s children now attend the Care Point there.

One of Elizabeth's children, Ezra*, was in poor health, but since receiving a hot and nutritious meal daily, his health has started to improve. Ezra still requires regular medical attention, something the Care Workers are committed to providing.

The family are visited in their home by Care Worker Rebecca, who brings support and encouragement. Elizabeth shares, “Rebecca is like a little sister to me in how she cares for Ezra”.

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Day 28 –Community Investment Projects

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. – Psalm 127:1

We are committed to the safety and security of the most vulnerable children in their own homes as well as at the Life Centre. Projects including regular home repairs and upgrades to facilities, including toilets, cooking shelters, shade structures and play areas, help to strengthen communities towards greater sustainability. Pray that God will make a way for each project that has been planned for 2022. Pray for the safety of each person who will be involved in the construction of these projects. Pray that these projects will be seen by the Care Workers, Primary Caregivers, children and wider community as examples of God’s faithfulness, love and provision.

Day 27 – African Leadership Development

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:40

We are committed to continually investing into and raising up African leaders who love Jesus and long to be a part of His calling to serve the most vulnerable. This is done through intentional discipleship, regular exchange visits, skills development and the addition of new team members. Pray for each person who will be joining Hands at Work; that they will have a heart of grace and compassion, and a desire to see God at work in the lives of the most vulnerable. Pray for each of our African leaders, that they will continually grow in humility and servanthood as they serve the children in the communities.

Earlier this year, there was a two-day Young Leaders’ training session facilitated by Hands at Work leaders at Kachele Village in Zambia. It was a time of going deep into God’s word and learning what it means to live by the Spirit and have Godly character.

Luwis Lengwe, (Young Leader, Zambia) reflects on the impact of this training and discipleship on his life: “Thank you to everyone who organised the meetings that we had. It was a huge encouragement to hear how people were praying for us, and sending us messages saying that they were praying for us. We had a good time. One of the things that touched me was when we spoke about the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself that is in us. We live in this body but we need to be in charge of our bodies. We need our body to know that we are in charge. Whenever the body feels like it wants to get tired of doing the things of God, we need to stand firm and say that our body needs to submit. It is a choice each day that comes. A seed was being planted in our lives. It was a time of weeding but also of fertilising and application in our lives.”

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