”For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.“ - Psalm72:12-14

When Xolani was asked, “If you could ask people to pray for one thing in your country, what would it be?” he shared, “Pray for our Primary Caregivers – they carry much pain and brokenness. Some have started drinking, which can put the lives of the children that we are caring for at risk. Pray for healing; many have been abandoned and have been left with young children to care for and they are struggling. The need is huge.

This year, as we go deeper into what it means to care for our Primary Caregivers, I will invite people to pray for us for wisdom. Pray for the Primary Caregivers as Relationship Groups take shape, as we spend time in their homes and bring Jesus. Pray for the word to set in and for them to find freedom. Pray for the Care Points to become a place of life for them where they can come and be served. Pray that they will get more involved and take full ownership of the work happening in their community and in the lives of their children. Pray that they will experience Jesus.” (Xolani, Zambian Regional Support Team Leader)

Day 16 - Care Workers and Primary Caregivers across Zambia (#40Days2024)

In many communities in Zambia 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.

• “Many of the Primary Caregivers are women, and though the husbands are around, they are not involved in caring for their children and many struggle with alcohol abuse. Some have even left the family to get remarried. With only one source of income, many Primary Caregivers struggle to put food on the table. They end up doing piecework instead of working in their fields because they are desperate to earn anything so that they can put food on the table. They are hardworking, but they are the poorest of the poor, doing work for other people. We can continue praying that they find peace even in the midst of storms, and when they feel alone, we pray that they would have peace.” (Sylvia, Local Leader, Zambia).

Day 14 - Children across Zambia (#40Days2024)

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. - Psalm 127:1-2

Within Zambia, there are 2,955 children being loved and cared for. Today, we invite you to pray for children across Zambia:

• Pray for protection from illnesses like cholera, malaria and typhoid. Pray that they will get the treatment needed.

• “Pray for children who are born to parents who have a disability like epilepsy or blindness. Also, we can pray for children whose parents suffer from severe learning disabilities and poor mental health. We can pray that God will protect them and will raise many people like the Care Workers who can help and take those children into their homes like our own children.

• We know that if God doesn’t build, we are building in vain. We know that God is the one who can protect and care for these children. Unless God does it, if we are just doing it, we are just doing it in vain.” (Michael, Regional Support Team Leader, Zambia)

Semba* is one of the 2955 children across Zambia. He lives in the community of Amlew.

Four-year-old Semba and her family face great challenges every day. Semba’s mother suffers from epilepsy. Her father works hard to find and sell firewood, but this is a very meagre income. Much of his income goes towards medication and care for his wife, leaving them without enough. The Care Workers at the Life Centre have hearts to care for children like Semba; and her family is a testament to their efforts! Care Worker Rosemary has drawn this family into the Life Centre, ensuring Semba and her baby brother are bathed, fed every day, and get to enjoy the Under 5’s program. Semba’s mother loves coming to the Life Centre too, and even joins the Relationship Group with the Care Workers. This family knows what it is to be loved wholeheartedly.

Day 13 - Meet the Chisamba and Kabwe Service Centres (#40Days2024)

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Across Africa, Hands at Work has local teams comprising of Christian men and women who have answered God’s calling on their lives to serve the most vulnerable. Each of these teams exists to encourage, challenge and support local volunteer Care Workers as they care for the most vulnerable children in the most broken and desperate communities across Africa. We call these teams Service Centres.

In the Chisamba Service Centre are: Cecelia, Bukisan, Niza and Victor. They serve four of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• “Pray for us to walk humbly with God because it’s not enough to simply follow the rules or do what we think is right, rather it requires us to put ourselves in positions where we are constantly asking God for guidance on how best to interact with others especially our children, Care Workers and Primary Caregivers in our communities.

• Ask God to give us strength and wisdom as we want to reach out to the Primary Caregivers to bring Jesus into their lives because they are the ones who spend more time with our children.” (Cecelia, Local Leader, Zambia)

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In the Kabwe Service Centre are: Belindah, Lewis, Monica, Ruth and Stephen. They serve six of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• “We pray for unity and oneness as a Service Centre.

• We pray for God’s guidance, wisdom and direction as we support our communities.

• Pray for us as a team that we walk with integrity.

• Pray for our own families, that God should continue protecting them.” (Lewis, Local Leader, Zambia)

Day 12 - Meet the Luanshya and Kitwe Service Centers (#40Days2024)

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber. - Psalm 121:2-3

Across Africa, Hands at Work has local teams comprising of Christian men and women who have answered God’s calling on their lives to serve the most vulnerable. Each of these teams exists to encourage, challenge and support local volunteer Care Workers as they care for the most vulnerable children in the most broken and desperate communities across Africa. We call these teams Service Centres.

In the Luanshya Service Centre are: Belita, Mavis, Quinn and Sylvia. They serve eight of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• “Katetaula is one community where there is a spiritual struggle. There was a church, but it is no longer in operation because no one was going there. Pray for us to have guidance on how we can work with the leadership of the community so that there can be a church in that community. If there is no church in Katetaula, it is not healthy for the children because they need to know Jesus, and only hearing it at the Care Point is not enough.” (Sylvia, Local Leader, Zambia)

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In the Kitwe Service Centre are: Clara, Cosmas and Emeldah. They serve seven of the most vulnerable communities across Africa.

• Ask God to give discernment to the team as they address the many health challenges that the children are facing in the community. Pray for the team as they implement what they learned about supporting the Primary Caregivers at our annual meeting in Zambia. “We want to ‘walk in Shema obedience’ (hear to do)”. (Haggai, Regional Support Team, Zambia)

Day 11 - Welcome to Zambia (#40Days2024)

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Zambia is one of eight countries Hands at Work is serving in across Africa. Zambia has a population of 20,488,240 people, with 58% of the population living in extreme poverty. Ranking 154 out of 187 on the Human Development Index, there are 66,000 children living with HIV/AIDS and 580,000 children who have been orphaned because of this life-threatening illness. –Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock

As we start the week, please join us in praying for the country of Zambia:

• “In Zambia, we can be praying against illnesses like cholera, malaria and typhoid. Pray for our children who are drinking water in the community, which is not safe, that God will protect them.

• We can pray for the rain. Since the rain started, we have experienced some drought in some areas for two or three weeks, and, in some areas, the rain didn’t come on time. We can pray that we receive enough rainfall so that people can have a good harvest and have food for their families.

• We can also pray that our church leaders across Zambia will stand for the truth. Some church leaders or pastors can be caught up, misleading the politicians and not speaking on behalf of the most vulnerable people and their communities. Pray that the church will stand for the truth.” (Michael, Local Leader, Zambia)

As you pray, remember the International Offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US who serve with Hands at Work to care for the most vulnerable in Africa. Pray for each of the advocates and churches in these countries that partner with with Hands at Work. Pray that they will remain steadfast in their calling to serve. Pray that they will be encouraged even in times of difficulty.