Praying for Hands at Work Volunteers

‘I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ – Galatians 2:20

Today we invite you to join us in praying for Hands at Work volunteers who are serving across Africa. 

For those individuals who have left their families to come and serve with Hands at Work, pray that they will experience God’s peace and comfort. Pray for good ways of communication and that they will continue to build upon those family relationships from afar. 

Ask God to give each volunteer a renewed understanding of what it means to serve the most vulnerable. 

Pray for each volunteer to continually grow in love, accountability, humility, unity, and passion. 

Pray that Christ will remain the centre of everything that we do!

Meet Henri

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. - Psalm 68:5

For the most vulnerable families living in Luhonga, the threat of rebel invasions and armed conflict is a constant reality. Most people have personal stories of how they or their loved ones were impacted by war. Henri*, who is 18, and his family, are no exception. They have lived through the pain and trauma that the ongoing conflict has caused. 

In 2011, local Care Workers identified Henri and his family as being among the most vulnerable but right at this time, because of the constant threat of rebel attacks and the trauma of their father being killed by rebels a few years earlier, the family along with many others in the community, sought refuge in various refugee camps over the next two years. Care Workers continued to visit these families in the refugee camps and support them. 

In 2013, the attacks became infrequent enough that Henri’s family and others felt safe enough to resettle in Luhonga, allowing the Care Workers and Goma team to resume consistent holistic care. Henri’s mother is now able to work, although the little money she earns from making charcoal isn’t enough to fully provide for her family. Acting with Christ-like love and compassion, the Care Workers help to shoulder her burden. They ensure that Henri and his siblings receive a hot, nutritious meal daily and are loved and cared for. A testament to their impact on Henri’s life can be seen in how he is giving back to his community. At the Care Point, he faithfully washes the hands of the younger children and helps serve their daily meal. 

- Luhonga Community, Democratic Republic of the Congo 

Today we invite you to pray for the most vulnerable children like Henri, who have lived through so much pain. Pray that they would experience healing and restoration in their lives.

The Story of Nehemiah Part 4

At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” - Nehemiah 4:22

The response of the people to work together in unity, with each one doing their part with single-minded devotion and purpose, was the positioning for the miracle, which transpired when the wall was completed in only 52 days!

Their enemies were afraid and dismayed because they realised that God had miraculously done the work and was with them. (Nehemiah 4)

In the devastating and overwhelming situation of AIDS and poverty in Africa, each person, wherever they live, can play a part in helping to build the wall of protection around these vulnerable children. Each brick built in the wall is a child cared for through local community volunteers who advocate on behalf of the children and provide access to food security, basic health care and education. This is the foundation for the wellbeing of the children, so that they are protected from those who would abuse and take advantage of them.

Behind this wall of protection, the children are free to grow in peace and security into the people that our Father has destined them to become!

Pray that each one of the children will grow in the love of their Heavenly Father. Pray that they would feel secure in knowing that they are loved and accepted. Pray that each person building the wall of protection will have wisdom and discernment. Pray that Christ would remain the foundation.  

The Story of Nehemiah Part 3

I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. - Nehemiah 2:18

Nehemiah wanted to do something about this situation. He challenged the people about the state of the wall and encouraged them to rebuild it. They responded by saying, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to do this good work (Neh. 2:18).

Nehemiah answered those who criticised and mocked their cause, proclaiming, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us, therefore, we His servants will arise and build.”

It was an enormous task to build the wall, which was 1.5 miles long and 8 feet thick!

Some people moved to work on certain sections of the wall, but many built right in front of their houses. There were goldsmiths, perfumers, priests and many other people not accustomed to building, but with the heart and vision for a completed wall to protect their vulnerable people, they all wanted to do their part. (Nehemiah 2:18-3)

The Hands at Work model focuses on empowering the local church in Africa to take ownership of caring for the most vulnerable in their communities. Christ is the foundation of the Church and all that we are and all we do as Hands at Work. It is from this position that the local volunteer Care Workers support the most vulnerable, with all the layers of Hands at Work providing scaffolding around this vision. 

Pray for each person caring for the most vulnerable, in each layer, that they will continue to grow in their understanding of what it means to serve. Pray that they will stand firm in the face of opposition.  

The Story of Nehemiah Part 2

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” - Nehemiah 2:4-5

The people’s vulnerability was mainly due to the state of the wall around Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by fire and was in ruins (Nehemiah 1:3-4). The wall was supposed to be their defence and protect them from their enemies and those who would hurt and oppress them.

Now parallel this story to that of the thousands of children newly orphaned in Africa each day. They are God’s children, yet they are defenceless and exposed to many dangers due to the situation they find themselves in.

Nehemiah left the comfort of the king’s courts to go and inspect the wall, as many have also done by visiting the most vulnerable in Africa. Nehemiah went. He saw the true state of things, and his heart was broken. (Nehemiah 2) 

Across Africa and around the world, people have left their normal lives to care for the most vulnerable. Care Workers, who are dealing with many challenges themselves, sacrificially give of themselves to care. International Volunteers have left their family and friends to serve the vulnerable in Africa. 

Spend time in quiet reflection, asking how God is calling you to respond. 

The Story of Nehemiah Part 1

"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” - Nehemiah 1:11

Nehemiah was living a comfortable life in the king’s courts in Babylon. His life was good, and he could not have asked for a more senior position. But his heart was not there. Hearing about the distress and defencelessness of his people living in Jerusalem, Nehemiah was overcome with grief. (Nehemiah 1:4-11)

As Hands at Work, we are called to care for the most vulnerable children living in the most vulnerable communities across Africa. We are serving people who, in many situations, are unable to advocate for themselves.

How do you respond when you hear about challenges in Africa, your own home country and around the world?

Pray that as followers of Christ, we will respond with hearts of compassion and grace like Nehemiah. Pray that we will not be okay with the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world.