Day 39 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across the Democratic Republic of Congo (#40Days2024)

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. - Philippians 1: 3 to 5

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are 128 Care Workers who have committed to caring for the most vulnerable children. In many communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children they serve. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• Ask God to continue providing for the Care Workers who are struggling to provide for their own children.

• Ask God to give Sons and Daughters to these Care Workers, who have committed themselves for so many years to serve the community, so that when they get older, they can see the young generation continue supporting this work, even taking it to other communities where there is still more need.” (Angel, Local Leader, DRC).

• Pray for peace and acceptance in the Primary Caregivers’ hearts because many of them face rejection within their families and communities. Pray for them to know Christ and find healing from their wounds because many are bitter; they have a spirit of unforgiveness. They also mistreat their children as a way of showing their brokenness. Some smoke and drink alcohol, thinking they won’t mind about anything, but in reality, they are causing more stress to themselves and others.

• Pray for them to be released from the devil and be set free by Jesus Christ who can comfort them and bring peace, love and joy to their hearts.” (Angel, Local Leader, DRC)

“My name is Asie and I became a Care Worker in 2018. The reason I joined is because I felt challenged by the church mobilisation workshop. I like the teaching that I receive at the Care Point, which helps me know how to live with other people – in my own family and the people around me. I have a second family being among the Care Workers and I feel as though I am living among brothers and sisters who care for me and pray and encourage me anytime.”

Day 33 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Malawi

In Malawi, there are 134 Care Workers who have committed to caring for the most vulnerable children.

• Pray for all the Care Workers in the communities. They’re all vulnerable and have their own children to care for but they have committed to caring for other children in their communities.

• Please let us pray for God’s wisdom on how best they can care for and support their families well. Pray also for God’s intervention in their situations.

• Please let us pray for the Care Workers that they will continue serving the most vulnerable children with the same zeal that they had at first, in showing love and care to these children. And when they meet together, may they find encouragement and restoration in their lives.” (Ritha, Regional Support Team Leader, Zambia)

“My name is Leticia, and I am married with five children. I am from Mcheneke, and I have been a Care Worker since 2009. When I saw the vulnerable in our community, my heart wanted to help them and I wanted to be part of the work. Being a Care Worker changed my heart and now I love everyone which was something I learned from being a Care Worker.”

Day 27 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across South Africa and Eswatini (#40Days2024)

In South Africa, there are 54 Care Workers and in Eswatini, there are 47 Care Workers who have committed to loving and caring for the most vulnerable children.

• “Many of the Care Workers are in abusive marriages or relationships. They are being abused physically, emotionally or even financially. They have to care for the children alone. Their husbands are not supporting them. They have so much responsibility while also being abused. Some Care Workers have shared that they would save money but the husband ends up taking that money and buying alcohol. Pray for God’s hand upon the situation.” (Pinky, Regional Support Team Leader, South Africa)

• Growing up, the Care Workers have experienced a lot of problems in their lives and have grown up with without healing. What we see today is what happened when they were young and they are not able to share. “Pray that they will trust the Service Centre and other Care Workers with their challenges. Pray for Relationship Groups to be a safe space where they can share challenges and heal together.” (Pinky, Regional Support Team Leader, South Africa)

• Pray for the Care Workers to have love and unity as they serve the children. “Pray that God will strengthen them in all they do for children.” (Mnelisi, Local Leader, Eswatini)

“My name is Dudu. I am married and have five children. I have been a Care Worker for three years and I became one because my own children were also being cared for at the Care Point. The best part of being a Care Worker is serving, because I was also broken and wounded.”

Day 22 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Zimbabwe (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Zimbabwe and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children they serve. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• “Pray for more and more Primary Caregivers to come to know the Lord so that they better care for the children. A lot of them carry very heavy burdens and have many wounds from injustices that have happened to them or, in some cases, are still happening. Please pray that God brings healing.

• Pray for open doors for income-generating activities for the Primary Caregivers so they have enough to support their families and themselves. We pray for open doors.” (Kupa, Regional Support Team Leader, Zimbabwe)

Day 21 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, there are 107 Care Workers who have committed to caring for the most vulnerable children.

• Pray for unity and trust among the Care Workers.

• “Pray for our Care Workers to understand the word of God because they are being robbed of the word from some of their traditional churches.” (Terry, Regional Support Team, Zimbabwe)

• “Please pray that the Care Workers do not get weary of doing well, knowing that their reward is indeed from the Lord. Pray that even in uncertainties, they continue to stand firm in their calling to serve the children.

• Please pray for God’s provision for our Care Workers. Pray for their income-generating projects and any source of income they may be getting, that they never run dry and they continue experiencing God’s supernatural provision.

• Please pray for our Care Workers families (marriages and their children), for stability and support from them.” (Kupa, Regional Support Team Leader, Zimbabwe)

Barbra is a Care Worker in Chinyausunzi Community in Zimbabwe. She shares, “My name is Barbra. I am married with four children. I have been a Care Worker for 12 years. I volunteered to be a Care Worker after the vision was shared at my church. I have a passion for children, especially orphans because I grew up as an orphan as well. I love being amongst the children.”

Day 10 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Nigeria (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Nigeria and across Africa, the Care Workers are also the Primary Caregivers of the children that they are serving. A Primary Caregiver is the mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives of the children coming to the Care Point.

• “Pray for the Primary Caregivers in Nigeria who are in a season of harvesting palm oil. Pray that they will be safe, there will be no accidents, and they will earn a good profit, which is used to provide for their family.” (Toyin, Local Leader, Nigeria)

• Pray for protection from ill health for each Care Worker and Primary Caregiver, as many of them suffer from swollen legs. “Sometimes I wonder if it is physical, spiritual, or both.” (Vivian, Local Leader, Nigeria).

Kehinde (pictured far right) represents many of the many Care Worker and Primary Caregivers in Nigeria. Toyin shares "she has a heart to serve the most vulnerable and often lets the children come and stay in her house over the weekend. She will wash the children’s clothes on her own time and has a passion for serving. The way that she cares is on a different level.”