Latin passion. Over the past year we’ve been encouraging people to ‘develop a Latin passion’ with Latin Link, and this was theme of our recent conference. To be passionate means to be fervent, to feel strongly enough to act. Passion can bring joy, but it can also mean pain.

At Christmas we celebrate with joy the birth of Christ – yet his passion refers to his later suffering. Joy or pain – are we prepared to embrace passion?

diary

7-8 The last of the Couples Retreats led by Nat and Doreen Davies. It will be held in Quiteni, about 14 hours drive from Cusco, southern Peru. Pray for marriages to be strengthened, and for safety in travel during this rainy season.

8 The infant school in Rio Pequeno shantytown, São Paulo, Brazil, will be having its ‘graduation ceremony’ and Christmas festivities today. About 35 children will be graduating – the Brazilian school year ends in December. Gwen Griffin asks you to pray for the Christmas message to reach the hearts of parents and non-Christian supporters.

24-25 Amid world problems and local tensions, pray for a peaceful Christmas, and that the Christmas message would be clear through Latin Link supporters and members. Pray for Latin Link Striders and new members far away from home, family and friends, perhaps for the first time.

1 Flying north. While on home leave, Hans and Priscilla Breekveldt will spend time in the Netherlands with family and friends and with their Dutch supporters. They hope to sell some crafts from Siwok (see Latinfile, page three) and develop commercial openings for Siwok Crafts there.

3 New freedom! ‘It’s hard to believe how many answers to prayer we have had over the last few months,’ say Charles and Suzanne Windsor, whose work with women and children in prison is featured in the latest Latinfile. ‘We want to say thank you to God and to all those faithful in prayer to us.’ Please pray for:

• CUPCA (United Christian Women Producers from Prison), a group of former prisoners organising the production and sale of crafts. Pray they will work well together and that the love of Christ may be evident.
• the new market stall in the tourist quarter of the town. Pray Charles and Suzanne will get it running smoothly.
• workshop premises for many recently released prisoners, who now have to look for an honest way to feed their families.
• the prison Bible study group, looking at pacts made between God and humankind in the Old Testament, leading up to the birth of Christ, to coincide with Christmas.

One Minute Window on Argentina

Early in December Argentina’s school holidays begin. But this year many teachers are starting their holiday without pay, and with little hope of receiving any during the long summer recess.

The economic crisis is now so serious it’s affecting everyone. The country is entering its fourth year of recession with 18 per cent of the population unemployed and exports down to eight per cent of output.

The crisis is compounded by Argentina’s external debt burden of £90bn, most of it in government bonds held by thousands of non-residents. The cost of servicing the debt mountain in 2002 will be so high experts say the country simply cannot afford it. President Fernando de la Rua has outlined a proposal to restructure the debt by issuing new bonds bearing a lower interest coupon, which he will back with tax revenue.

The textbook response to an economic downturn is to cut taxes, slash interest rates, and increase public spending. Yet Argentina’s debt dictates it must do the opposite until

budgets return to surplus and the debt is paid off – a painful process few would choose. The alternative seems to be devaluation or default.

Unless you’re an economist, it’s hard to get to grips with the full implications and the pros and cons of possible solutions – but there’s no disputing the size of the problem. According to The Independent (3/11/01), ‘Argentina is the biggest sovereign debt crisis ever… potentially the biggest bond default in history’

Please pray for:

• the government and its advisors to find workable and fair solutions
• the poor, feeling the pinch the most
• Latin Link’s Argentina Team working under difficult circumstances
• the church’s role in offering hope and a different kind of security

10 The house that Nat built! Nat and Doreen Davies are grateful that a number of things have come together recently. For instance, Nat is the go-between for getting a small house built for a semi-retired church worker, María Grajeda. ‘It could have happened three years ago!’ says Nat. ‘But there have been countless snags. Now at last, it is actually being built, and should be finished well before we leave Cusco for retirement.’ Pray that it will bring joy and security to María.

14 Think Europe! Jon Jarratt from the London office recently toured Spain meeting with members of the newly formed Latin Link team there. Please pray for good communication between team members, for plans to send a Step Team to Spain next Summer, and to place Striders with projects. Please pray also for Jon who is looking to the future after moving on from his job as Step Assistant Co-ordinator.

18 Finding faith. ‘In the International College in Arequipa, Peru, we're praising God for the conversion of Hilarión Chaco, a secondary teacher,’ writes head teacher and Latin Link member Rosemary Gibson. ‘Two other teachers are also showing interest in the gospel. Please pray for them all.’

22 Churches to close? The Cuban government has plans to close down all ‘churches’ opened since 1990, according to Cuba for Christ. This would include any Christian meeting or house church. As transport is a problem, such a move would leave Christians living in country areas isolated. Please pray that Cuban Christian leaders would deal with this proposal wisely.

26 One year on. Last December we prayed for Lindomar (left), a Brazilian street boy who had just returned to rehab. News is that he has had some set-backs recently, though continues in the programme. His mother died recently, of drink-related problems; he has no other known family, other than a brother on the streets. Please pray for his preparation to reintegrate into society and his future prospects; for wisdom and discernment for those working with him; and for Lindomar, himself, to be fully open to God transforming him, to find hope, a home, and opportunities for work.

31 A new year. Please pray for Jo Heywood, featured in Latinfile, preparing to return to Lima, Peru, in January for a second year on the Stride programme. She plans to develop the income generation project she set up last year with Lucía, who is taking care of things in Jo’s absence.

The Breekveldt family

28 Hans and Priscilla Breekveldt will represent Latin Link at the European Mission Congress in the Netherlands, for young people from all over Europe, until 2nd January 2002. This year’s theme is Just Jesus. As well as manning the stand Hans and Priscilla will be available in the Missions Advice Centre for those personally seeking the Lord's will with regard to mission. Last time 7,000 people attended: ‘It's an exhausting few days, but very stimulating and worthwhile. Pray for many to commit themselves to service.’

More ways to pray:

Prayer Guide, sent on request by post or email each month, is one of a number of Latin Link prayer resources:

• Latinfile is our regular publication, with news and stories from Latin America
• Members’ prayer letters – an insight into their work and country of service, as well as personal and family news – on request
• Prayer groups – join with others in praying for the work of Latin Link. Ask for your nearest group, or we can help you start your own
• Prayer cassettes, with recorded news and interviews, are produced bi-monthly to provide additional material for prayer groups
• Prayerline – call 020 7939 9018 any time, updated weekly
• 2001 Prayer Calendar features all current Latin Link members, with a brief description of their country, their team and their work. With pages dated 1 to 31 and prayer points for each day

For further details, please telephone or email us.