Prayer Room
WEEK 5 – RAISING AFRICAN LEADERS AND YOUTH
Levy Mwenda, African Volunteer (Zambia), shares the prayer focus for this week: Raising African Leaders and Youth
Hands at Work is committed to investing into the youth in our communities across Africa, knowing that they are the next generation and are continually looking for ways to grow and develop our existing and new African leaders.
#40Days2019
On Sundays, we pause to anticipate the coming of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. - Matthew 16:24-25
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Day 22 – Primary Caregivers
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
In many of the most vulnerable communities in countries like Swaziland, orphaned children are being cared for by their grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings or other relatives who have themselves experienced trauma, similar to the children under their care. Pray for complete healing and restoration in the lives of Primary Caregivers, that they will be set free from their inner brokenness. Pray that as they experience the transformational love and grace of Christ, they will feel compelled to pour out this same love and grace to the children that they are caring for. Pray that they will see the Life Centres as a safe place where they can share their burdens with and encourage one another.
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Nonhle and her grandmother, Gogo Mavembela, live in the community of Sthobela on the border of Swaziland. Gogo Mavembela is one of thousands of Primary Caregivers dedicated to caring for their children alongside their Care Workers. Lift up in prayer Gogo Mavembela and other Primary Caregivers that you know by name.
Day 21 – Life Centres
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
– John 10:10
A Life Centre is not simply a physical place, but it is an emotional, spiritual and relational place where the most vulnerable people can come knowing that they are loved, accepted and cared for. Our dream for the most vulnerable children and their families is that they will experience healing and restoration from their trauma and brokenness. Pray for more Care Points to be transformed into Life Centres across Africa. Pray that in their time of brokenness, they will experience the love of Jesus and desire a personal relationship with Him.
#40Days2019
Hands at Works envisions these different aspects of a Life Centre that, when thriving, transform the lives of the most vulnerable.
The basic physical needs faced by the most vulnerable children are access to food, education and basic health care.
A crucial physical aspect of a Life Centre is safe and easy access to basic facilities for the children to use such as a toilet, a fence surrounding the Life Centre, and a secure and clean water source.
Hands at Work identifies local churches within the communities who demonstrate a passion for serving the poorest of the poor, and challenge them to develop a locally operated Community Based Organisation (CBO) uniting the church and mobilising congregation members to take action to care for the most vulnerable.
Hands at Work begin a long-term partnership serving those organisations and work to increase their ability to provide effective, holistic care: physically, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.
It is vital for a Life Centre to have healthy leadership among the Care Workers and those involved from the local church as they work together and stand in unity to serve the most vulnerable.
At Hands at Work, the foundation of the care is Holy Home Visits. A home visit is beneficial, not just in assessing and understanding the external needs, but in spending quality time with a child and his or her family, therefore bringing them value and worth. Home visits may carry a high personal cost of time, emotion, and energy, but like the gospel, they bring transformation.
At Hands at Work, the foundation of the care is Holy Home Visits. A home visit is beneficial, not just in assessing and understanding the external needs, but in spending quality time with a child and his or her family, therefore bringing them value and worth. Home visits may carry a high personal cost of time, emotion, and energy, but like the gospel, they bring transformation.
Many times children defined as the ‘most vulnerable’ are put in positions requiring more maturity than would be expected for someone of such a young age. A Life Centre gives children the freedom to play, laugh and smile. It provides them with a safe place where children can be children.
A healthy and necessary element of a Life Centre is for young children to have a safe space where they can come to learn from teachers who love and care for them.
It is crucial that Care Workers, Primary Caregivers and children have a place where they can share their challenges, fears, hurt and pain with others who have been through similar situations. Hands at Work helps to create safe spaces called Relationship Groups which are a daily practice at the Life Centre.
Many Care Workers and their families are vulnerable themselves and so it is essential that they are properly supported in caring for the most vulnerable. The type of support that Care Workers receive looks different in each community. It can be discipleship, emotional support or help setting up income generating activities which benefit the Care Workers and the Community Based Organisation.
Day 20 – Recommit
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. – Galatians 6:9
Today, we encourage you to recommit yourself to the second half of 40 Days. Be thankful that we have a Heavenly Father who unconditionally loves and desires to have an intimate relationship with each one of us. Pray for God to give you a deeper understanding of His heart for justice and a closer relationship with Him as you recommit to interceding on behalf of the most vulnerable. Believe the words of Galatians 6:9 and let them sink deep into your heart; infiltrating into every part of your life.
#40Days2019
Today, we encourage you to remind yourself of Nonhle's story, remembering that she represents thousands of the most vulnerable children across Africa, and to recommit yourself to interceding on their behalf.
Day 19 – Education
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. - Deuteronomy 10:18
In 2019, due to a change in Government policy, children who do not have proper legal documentation to attend school in South Africa will no longer be permitted. The vulnerability of children increases, not only due to the lack of education, but in the routine of day-to-day living. Hands at Work sees Life Centres as opportunities to facilitate growth and development. Ask God to give Hands at Work wisdom and discernment. Pray for each child to enjoy learning at the Life Centre and that they will feel safe, even though it may look different than being in school. Pray for each child, that despite not being permitted to attend school, they will belong and will be accepted.
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