Praying for a Spirit of Discipleship

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16

Hands at Work is committed to discipling one another and helping each other grow in our spiritual maturity. Busie Sityatha-Jones (African Leader, South Africa) reflects on the importance of discipleship:

“When we disciple people, there are those who are learning to stand – we need to have grace with these people and understand that we were once learning to stand. There are also people who are learning to walk and are figuring it out, asking questions like how does this kingdom work? How is it different from the kingdom I've been part of? This stage also requires us to have grace. It’s easy to give up on each other, but people didn't give up on us; that's why we are here. There are also other people who are learning to engage in the battle. That's maturity, but you don't just get there. You have to learn to stand, learn to walk and learn to engage in the battle. What are we doing with those that are walking with us? Do we even know where they are? Are they standing or learning to walk?”

Pray that as a Hands at Work family, we will understand the importance of discipleship. Pray that we will go deep in our relationships with one another, understanding that Jesus didn’t give up on us and so we must not give up on others. Pray that we will be filled with grace, compassion and a willingness to hold one another accountable and ask the tough questions. 

Meet Jacob

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 Jacob* was only eight months old, his mother brought him to live with his grandmother. His father found work in another town and does not make it back to see Jacob. In a small government-built brick house, they stay with some extended family. The house originally belonged to his grandmother’s late husband, who was a South African citizen, but she is not South African and so does not have access to other government resources and support that could help care for Jacob and his half-sister. Jacob’s grandmother recently had a stroke and finds many things in life difficult to manage, including finding an income to support all of her dependents. The financial shortcomings lead to anxiety and feelings of desperation.

In 2019, local volunteer Care Workers discovered the needs of the family and stepped in to offer a hand. Sylvia, one of the Care Workers who has built a close relationship with the family, shares that she feels it is her responsibility to walk alongside Jacob’s grandmother and support her in easing the burden. The Care Workers invited Jacob and his half-sister to the Care Point, and for the past three years, they have seen Jacob blossom into a more energetic child who loves to play with his friends. With the Care Worker’s help at their home, Jacob no longer has the sole responsibility of caring for his grandmother. He is free to be a child.

Thank God for the way that Sylvia and the other Care Workers have surrounded Jacob and his family. Pray that they will have the boldness to share about Jesus with him. Pray that Jacob will know the unconditional love of his Heavenly Father. 

Ask God to give Care Workers across Africa the eyes to see and the ears to hear the needs of those in their community. 

Praying for Hands at Work's Bible Story for July and August

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 9:17

Every two months, Hands at Work chooses one story from the Bible to focus on for those months. A few questions are put together for these stories which help guide discussions and make the story accessible to everyone; from a child under five to the oldest grandmother, and Hands at Work volunteers. 

For the next two months, we will be focusing on the story of Saul and Ananias from Acts 9:1-22. 

As the story is shared in our communities, pray for each person who will be hearing it. Pray that they will see themselves in the story and understand that when we meet Jesus, our lives are never the same.

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.