june
children at risk
Children at risk. In Peru, 55 per cent* of the population is under the age of 15. In the shantytowns, desert coastline settlements, Amazon jungle, Andean highlands, there are few organised activities for children, so Sunday School and Christian events draw them in hoards. The opportunities are great. But the locations are small, teachers and resources are few, and the children’s needs are huge. Saturday 2 June is the Worldwide Day of Prayer for Children at Risk, so this month we focus particularly on some of the work Latin Link is doing with children throughout Latin America.
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.
Only a minute to pray, or just want to pray one thing? See the One Minute Window, a new feature this month.

Children need to be taught God’s Word
4 Thank God for the team who prepare Sunday School materials in Peru, under Brenda Parkins’ guidance, and for successful training sessions in the use of the series, La Biblia Dice Así (The Bible Says So). On 14-15th the new branch of the El Inca bookshop, under Abel Vega’s management in Cusco, is organising a Sunday School teachers’ training course especially for rural churches. About 100 teachers are expected. Eirwen Harris and Brenda will be teaching.

diary

2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Children at Risk. Pray for all those who care, who are trying to make a real difference in the children’s lives, especially those who can also point them to Jesus. (For more information, look under ‘Prayer’ at www.viva.org)

3 Peru goes to the polls for the second round of presidential elections, with two remaining candidates. Churches are concerned for good leadership and justice, so please pray.

12 Inauguration of a new group of churches in Vilcabamba. Praise God for this encouraging news of church growth in Peru. Pray the churches will soon become established, and for the overall leadership of Victor Cuchillo, who will be accompanied by Latin Link’s Nat Davies at the opening ceremony.

14-17 Brazil’s University Bible Alliance (ABU) is running a time of reflection and planning for its travelling secretaries, who give support, ideas, motivation and encouragement to the many Christian student groups trying to share their faith. Pray for Ricardo Wesley (ABU General Secretary) and for Latin Link’s Phil Greenwood, as he leads a session on reviewing evangelistic methods and strategy.

17 Britain and Ireland Team Leader, Alan Tower has been invited to speak to the Spanish congregation in Muswell Hill, London. Pray for Latin Link’s response, through Latin Partners, to the needs of the growing number of Latin churches in Britain.
Children need to be given hope
8 Adriano and María Figliuolo have contact with about 200 street kids in Lima’s centre, and praise God for growing trust and confidence shown by these children. Pray for God’s timing as they look for a property to rent, somewhere the street kids can drop in, relax, wash themselves and their clothes, and have some food. They also need staff for the project. Pray the children will come to understand how lasting change is possible in Jesus. Pray too that local churches will develop a greater vision for the ministry and get more involved practically.
Adriano washes the wounds: Verónica was run over by a taxi while high on glue and pills. She was upset after the father of her daughter had taken her away.
12 Alfonso, a deaf ten-year-old boy, whose parents and baby sister died, is finding hope and a new life with Sonia, a houseparent in the Orphaids project in Ecuador. Directors John and Brenda Hart praise God for answered prayer in that they now have government approval for the Orphaids scheme and can move forward towards their objectives to provide Christian homes for children whose parents have died from Aids-related illnesses.

One Minute Window with Alison Worrall, Brazil

On the streets of Recife, Alexandre, a nine-year-old street boy asked me to take his photo for a place at a local martial arts centre. I said I could take his photo for another purpose – for prayer. I shared the gospel with him, asking if his life on the streets held much, and if he was happy. A small, one-minute window opened. He shed a tear, and we repeated a prayer together for Christ to come into his life. Then he put his defences back up and wandered off, inhaling shoemaker’s glue from a Coke

bottle. I turned to watch the group of 20 street children – playing dominoes, colouring, girls having their nails varnished, others having hot chocolate and bread. Then came a tap on the back: ‘That photo, the one for prayer.’ It was Alexandre reminding me of the promise. So we went to one side to take the picture I believe can offer hope. One of millions on the streets, yet important to God.

Pray that Alexandre would agree to be helped by the YWAM team, who work in the city centre park every Thursday night. Pray God will watch over him, for release from addiction, and for his future.

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
  • Team prayer letters – the Argentina, Brazil and Peru Teams produce their own regular prayer letters, by email only
  • 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

16 In Britain from the beginning of June, Charles and Suzanne Windsor are hoping to sell crafts made by women prisoners in Bolivia. Young children stay with their mums in prison, so this craft work project not only encourages them to earn an honest living, but provides money to give their children adequate food and a balanced diet.

Children need to be helped and healed
20 At the Rainbow Home in Huáraz, Peru, María Jesús Hernández and helpers look after nine abandoned children at present. None of the children has had any previous contact with the gospel. Pray for them as they join in events at church and come to know more about the Lord.

23 In Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador, Elsa Pawson works as a dentist. On Thursdays she treats pregnant mums and pre-school children at extremely low cost. She is now arranging dates to visit local schools, attending to the kids’ teeth and having fun with a large plastic jaw, teaching the children for the first time how to clean their teeth. She’s already seeing results in improved dental health.

26 A feeding project for children in Huaycan, Peru, under the leadership of Pastor Manuel and Naomi of the Filadelfia church, aims to provide a safe place for children left to roam the streets during the day. They offer educational help and games, as well as a nourishing meal. Strider Alicia Baker helps with the project. She writes: ‘It’s very rewarding, as the children are very enthusiastic and will play for hours without becoming bored. But the project needs to find a way of funding itself.’

Children need to learn
30 In the Rio Pequeno infant school in a Brazilian shanty, Gwen Griffin asks prayer for Renata, a qualified teacher and member of the Free Methodist church, sponsors of the project internationally. Renata has recently taken over from Gwen as director of the school; she only works part-time at present, and needs more time to devote to the job. Pray for her and the 25 children.

*Accurate statistics can be difficult to obtain. This figure was supplied by Latin Link in Peru, but we have found that UNICEF places it lower at 40 per cent of the population under 18 in Peru.