may conferences HIV/Aids Spain schools
Uncertainties. As the UK postpones elections because of the foot and mouth outbreak, and as we pray for those suffering heartbreak, hardship and an uncertain future, may our hearts also go out to so many in Latin America who find themselves in a similar position: people so poor they are unable to plan further ahead than the next meal; people who wonder whether the newly-elected government will fulfil promises to improve their lives; people whose jobs are constantly on the line; people who live in fear of terrorism touching their family at any moment; people caught up in natural disasters which have robbed them of home and family. Life is uncertain, but we can be sure of the God who brings light into the darkness.
The Prayer Guide is designed for flexible use and the points may be used at any time during the month. We include a Diary of events, and for those who prefer to pray systematically, suggested dates against each prayer point.

diary

1 Stride Selection day in London. Please pray for Jo Hassoun and Sarah Ainscough interviewing prospective Striders who have applied to spend up to a year with a project in Latin America. Pray they will choose people who will be able to use their gifts and skills to God’s glory.

3 The Easter camp for teenagers in Presidente Prudente, Brazil, mentioned in the April Prayer Guide, went very well, Jan Greenwood tells us: ‘There was a lovely atmosphere between the youngsters, the talks were excellent, the sports and games went well, and there were no accidents! We praise God for this and pray that the messages given will continue to work in the hearts of the 50 or so youngsters there, especially those who were guests, and not Christians.’
6 Schools workers with Scripture Union in Peru, Elmer and Kathryn Rojas, give thanks that a new worker, Pilar Matos, joins them this month, which will mean they can move into other districts of Lima. Please pray for ideas as they prepare 30 classes on Christian values for both primary and secondary schools – and then as they start work on an exciting, new course, ‘Bible Explorer’, from the UK, which they are keen to use in Peru.
Elmer and Kathryn Rojas with sons, Kevin and Samuel
Current Strider, Jenny Cox

1 May is a public holiday in Brazil. The church in Guaratinguetá, where Steppers are finishing putting up Sunday School classrooms for a new church project, is holding a big inauguration service. Churches in the region are hiring buses to take their members to it. John and Ann Barnett who are supervising the Step Team ask us pray that this will make an impact on the neighbours around the church.

12 A day conference in Bangor is being run by Latin Link Ireland Co-ordinators, Hilary and David Morrell. Called ‘Shaped for the Task’, the speakers are Barry and Anthea Harrison, Paul and Wilma Davies and Mark and Violeta Walker – Latin Link members on home leave. On Sunday 13th a larger team, including ex-Steppers/Striders, will be speaking in 11 different churches in Dungannon town. Pray for a real impact on the local churches, and growth in support and vision for Latin mission.

7-18 Andrew Buxton will be giving classes on the Old Testament to the first year students. At the same time he is revising a book on the New Testament for a Distance Learning Course. Pray for Andrew and his team of typists working against the clock to produce a unit a week for a group in Viçosa to test!

14-18 Winifred Every-Clayton is teaching a doctorate-level module at the Baptist Seminary in Recife, Brazil. Four students will be studying the Old Testament. Meanwhile, husband Glenn starts teaching a course at the Child Evangelism Fellowship training school, with over fifty students, from 16th until the end of June.

18-20 Weekend conference in Scotland organised by Gavin Smith, Latin Link’s Scotland Co-ordinator. The Walkers and Davies (see above), along with Scottish Action Group members, will be taking part. Pray that the whole programme will be encouraging for supporters, and that God will fulfil his purposes through this gathering.

9 Latin Link is pleased to announce the formation of Latin Link Spain, set up in response to the increasing number of Latin Americans coming to Spain, either looking for work, or as missionaries. Please pray for Lesley Smith and Jill Spink at Las Cascadas, a retreat centre set in the mountains northwest of Madrid, which provides pastoral care, cross-cultural orientation and training; pray that Latin Link Spain will become a central reference point nationally and that it will help mission in Spain, where less than one per cent of the population is evangelical.
13 In the November 2000 Prayer Guide we featured the Siwok Craft workshop in Salta, Argentina, which had burnt down, threatening the livelihood of the indigenous Wichi workers. Good news is that generous international support has enabled the centre to be restored and operational again. ‘I’m deeply touched by the way brothers and sisters in the Lord from the northern hemisphere have reacted, ’ says the manager. Alex is looking for more sales outlets and representatives in Britain and Ireland, for, he says, ‘If someone sells the goods, he or she is pulling a long chain, and some family far away in the Chaco forest feels that pull.’

17 ‘Joni and Friends’ has started in Arequipa, Peru, following a course given by Rosemary Gibson and Ruth Green in their church, using material from Joni Eareckson Tada’s local representative. 23 people finished the course, and they have 12 visiting disabled people in different parts of the city. Please pray for one friend, Veronica (17) who is bed-ridden due to continual fits, and has been silent since she was five. One of the team’s aims is to get a cell group operating, though they find it hard to see, at this stage, how some of their friends could get to it. Pray for these first steps: for sensitivity and love and constancy in visiting, and to be able to raise the profile of Joni and Friends in church.

21 Quechua marriage manual. Many Peruvian couples have been greatly helped by studying a Latin Link workbook on marriage. Doreen and Nat Davies now want to produce something similar for use with those of Quechua culture, and plan to work with four or five couples who will help with the adaptation, and be trained in the use of the material. Pray for ideas, for cultural sensitivity, for good relationships, for God’s inspiration – and for time to complete it well.

25 A new Bible, the Portuguese New International Version, has been launched in Brazil. Please pray that this good, modern translation will be well used in Brazil’s churches, as an alternative to the widely-used traditional versions, which use archaic language; pray also that it will be taken up in other Portuguese-speaking countries – Portugal – and those in Africa.

28 Harry and Betty Bacon, retired Latin Link members in Brazil, ask us to pray for the effects of the May/June issue of Ultimato, an independent evangelical magazine, which this month focuses on spiritism, which beguiles and ensnares many Brazilians. Harry has contributed an article. Free copies are to be sent to the many spiritist institutions.
30 Matt and Tricia Hart, who started working in the areas of HIV/Aids and diabetes care last year write poignantly of the tragic situations they see in Ecuador. Sonia, a mother from the Orphaids project, was diagnosed diabetic two years ago, but wasn’t started on medication or given any dietary advice. Her diabetes often got out of control to dangerous levels until Tricia was able to help her – she has since improved remarkably. Matt, working in a local clinic, came across José, a 14 year old who contracted HIV when he was only eight through an infected kidney dialysis machine. There’s been no money for drugs and he now has hepatitis B too, and tumours on his face, which no-one will treat because he has Aids. Says Matt, ‘Very few people are interested in being involved in any way with HIV/Aids. The stigma is enormous and people have a great fear of the disease.’ Pray for Matt and Tricia as they respond to needs like these, continue to survey the overall situation and meet other professionals.
Matt and Tricia Hart with James, Peter and Jonathan