27.

Nepal
Communities in the mountainous region of
Bajura are deeply steeped in traditional Hindu
values and the hierarchies of the caste system,
which has the power to keep people locked in
long established roles. The gospel is seen as a
threat to the existing social order and there is
resistance to change. There is also opposition
to baptisms in local streams as it is believed to
spiritually pollute the water. Give thanks that in
the harsh, barren region of Bajura the spiritual
soil can be made fertile for the gospel. Pray that
fear of Christianity would be transformed into
freedom through the gospel. (INF)
28. Armenia
Armenians are predominantly Orthodox
Christians, but many have little knowledge of
Scripture or a personal relationship with Christ.
The evangelical community is often persecuted
and considered untrustworthy. Christian student
groups are not officially allowed to enter
universities because any Christian group
outside the state church is considered to be a
cult. However, that has not prevented the
movement from implementing their vision
through evangelistic camps, leadership
conferences and training events for students.
They also have weekly Bible study groups,
movie clubs and other evangelistic activities.
Give thanks that, by the grace of God, the
gospel is making an impact on the students
lives and on the society. (IFES)
29. Pakistan
Pakistan has the worlds second highest
number of children out of school, and two-thirds
of these are girls. Tearfunds partner, the
Primary Education Project (PEP) is working
hard to change this situation. They currently run
84 schools in marginalised, rural areas of
Pakistan, with a particular focus on reaching
girls. Theyve also trained 106 teachers in high-

quality, child-friendly teaching methods.

Tragically, schools in Pakistan have recently
been targeted by extremists. A violent attack on
a Peshawar school in December left around
150 people dead. Ask God to comfort all those
mourning the loss of loved ones, and pray that
children will be able to attend school safely.
Pray for PEP as they plan to open 20 new
schools in 2015, as well as setting up 15
womens empowerment groups. (Tearfund)
30. Bangladesh
It is challenging to be a Christian in Bangladesh
but there are many opportunities to share the
gospel with other faiths. Christians are not
allowed to establish Bible study groups on
campuses so most groups are located in
Christian hostels, school compounds and
churches. The Christian student movement has
been issuing a challenge to action through its
leadership training events to encourage student
leaders to establish new Bible study groups.
Pray that they will see lifelong, committed
graduates to support the ministry sacrificially, as
many are so involved with their professions that
they forget the blessing of student ministry.
(IFES)
31. Afghanistan
Christianity in Afghanistan is growing rapidly
right now. Following the great demand for
programs focusing on everyday issues affecting
all Afghans, SAT-7 PARS are releasing Secret
of Life. The program focuses on important
topics such as the role of women in society,
family life and drug addiction problems. It is
risky for people in Afghanistan to call SAT-7
PARS programs. Viewers could be imprisoned
or even killed for choosing to follow Christ.
Despite this threat, many do call. Please pray
for the launch of Secret of Life and its impact on
viewers, pray for their safety, and pray for lives
to change through discipleship. (SAT-7)

March - April 2015

Now strengthen my hands

I think this qualifies as an arrow prayer. Its
certainly a short, sharp cry for help shot up to
heaven in a moment of crisis.
Its 445 BC, about 14 years after Ezra had
arrived in Jerusalem. Nehemiah is in Susa (now
in south-west Iran), which was used as a winter
retreat by the Persian kings. As cupbearer to
the king, he is a man of influence. Bad news
arrives from Jerusalem. The Jewish remnant is
in disgrace and the walls of the city are broken
and its gates burned. What was Nehemiahs
response?
When I heard these things, I sat down and
wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and
prayed before the God of heaven (1:4).
Nehemiah prays to God who he knows is
awesome and faithful (1:5). He confesses the
sin in which he shares (1:6). He appeals to the
work of salvation that God has already done
(1:8-9). And then he makes his request. Its very
specific. He asks God to move the heart of the
king.
About four months later his prayer is answered.
Noticing Nehemiahs sadness, the king
enquires as to its cause. Though afraid,
Nehemiah makes his request: permission to
return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.
Chapters 3 to 7 describe this activity for which
Nehemiah is most well-known. This was not a

Vol 60 No 2

(Nehemiah 6:9)

project to restore a beautiful building. What

Nehemiah longed for was restoration after
brokenness. One that required spiritual
rebuilding as well as physical rebuilding. One by
which God would be glorified.
By chapter 6, the gaps in the wall are filled. It
has not happened without opposition.
Nehemiahs enemies had insulted and
intimidated him (4:1-3). They had plotted to kill
the Israelites (4:11). But Nehemiah instructed
the people to take up weapons and the work
continued.
So the wall was rebuilt. Next the doors needed
to be set in the gates. Opposition ramped up.
The Israelites enemies were trying to frighten
them, hoping to make their hands too weak for
the work that it would not be completed (6:9).
Now strengthen my hands, Nehemiah prayed.
By day 52 the wall was finished and everyone
knew it had been done by the help of the God of
Israel. The wall was complete but the
intimidation wasnt.
Thats real life. Days of victory and days of
opposition. We throw ourselves on Gods
strength. It doesnt necessarily take very many
words.
Tracy Cotterell
The London Institute for
Contemporary Christianity

Editor: Paul Tuckwell

The annual cost including postage for copies sent to the same address:
One copy per issue
5.00 UK only
8.00 Europe
All subscriptions should be addressed to:
Global Connections, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1QD
Telephone: 01926 487755
Email: info@globalconnections.org.uk
Registered in England & Wales as Evangelical Mission Association.
Company number 3886596. Charity number 1081966

Hon. Editor: Martin Lee

12.00 Rest of world

22. Mongolia
Today, there are about 40,000 believers
worshiping in Mongolia in around 600 churches
across the country. The challenge is that the
40,000 believers represent only about 1.2
percent of the nations population. Thats why
Reach Beyond and FEBC have committed to
put a Christian radio station in each of the
countrys 21 provinces, blanketing the nation
with gospel broadcasts. There are currently six
partner stations on the air, pray as they plan to
add another three stations this year, and for a
good response to the current broadcasts.
(Reach Beyondformerly HCJB Global)
23. Japan
Praise God that he works constantly, in the
quiet, preparing hearts to receive the truth of
the gospel. Pray that he will send many workers
into the ready harvest field of Japan, both from
inside and outside Japan. Pray that God will
raise up many young leaders within the
Japanese church, that they will be people filled
with confidence in their identity in Christ,
passion to live a life that glorifies Christ and
conviction in the life-transforming power of
Gods Word and his Holy Spirit. Pray that many
more Japanese Christians will be equipped,
encouraged and emboldened to share their faith
openly with family members, co-workers and
friends who are not yet believers. (Japan
Christian Link)
24. China
The province of Sichuan in South West China
has been at the forefront of the countrys
unrelenting economic development. Everything
from tea to cars is produced here in the Land of
Abundance, so called due to its rich natural
resources, temperate climate and fertile soils.
14 million of its 90 million population live in the
capital, Chengdu. But the greatest challenge
facing Sichuans growing church seems to be

the enormity of the task of reaching their

neighbours. It is directly connected to Yunnan,
Tibet, Qinghai and Xinjianghome to some of
the least reached peoples in the world. Large
portions of this population are ethnic minorities
with little or no witness in their language. Pray
for the miraculous spread of the Good News to
the unreached people. (AsiaLink)
25. Thailand
The skill to create life-altering goodies is what
BMS World Missions Freedom Bakery offers
the women who choose to leave Bangkoks red
light district and make a new life for themselves.
BMS mission worker Sarah Brown never
thought she would be teaching, encouraging
and inspiring women who used to work in Nana
Plazas bars and brothels. Now Sarah spends
her days reminding them that they are worthy
and deserving of respect and dignity. Please
keep Sarah, her team and students at the
Freedom Bakery in your prayers. Pray for
improved language skills, strength,
perseverance and wisdom as she teaches.
(BMS World Mission)
26. Burma (Myanmar)
The Shing Kachin refugee camp in Burma
burned down back in December. Over 180
families displaced by the ongoing conflict in
Kachin State were living in the camp. No one
died, but the one church in the camp and more
than 100 temporary shelters were destroyed
along with food and personal belongings. The
refugees face severe difficulties as winter in this
region near the Chinese border is cold. Please
pray that food, warm clothes and rebuilding
materials would be delivered to them despite
the Governments blockade of aid to these
camps. (AsiaLink)

17. Cross-cultural training

There has been amazing numerical growth in
the Evangelical Church in Latin America in the
past 50 years, from around 23 million in 1970 to
228.5 million in 2010. Theres also been
incredible growth in the Latin mission
movement: there are now about 18,000 Latin
American mission workers worldwide. Sadly,
many return home before time due to lack of
finance and inadequate training. Pray for
organisations such as ProMETA, which is
developing into an online university offering five
Masters programmes to help give mission
workers the tools to be successful in a crosscultural situation. (Latin Link)
18. Chile
Mission partners in Chile ask us to pray about
big social changes proposed in Chile. Last
week Civil Unions became law and President
Bachelet has tabled a bill in Congress to
legalise abortion in cases of rape or when there
is a threat to the mothers or the babys life.
There is currently a total ban in Chile, as in
seven other Latin American countries. These
issues are painful and often divisive. Please
pray into the situation. (CMS)
19. Costa Rica
A Students International team reaching out to
the women of three poor communities of San
Jos have found that the key is to mix the
spiritual and the practical. Most of the women
dont have jobs and stay at home with children
or grandchildren. Some are married, some not.
They try to earn money by selling their handmade products or re-selling (clothes, perfumes,
etc) in the community where they live or in the
city centre. Over 40 women attend meetings
each week with each tailored to the needs of
the group - including elements of Bible study,
craft session or short business guidance talks.
Give thanks that lives are being changed, with

women being encouraged both spiritually and

professionally. (Latin Link)
20. Colombia
Last year the Wayuu people of La Guajira
struggled to survive a devastating drought
which destroyed their crops. Levels of
malnutrition were so serious that 15 indigenous
children were reported dead. Thanks to your
prayers and the quick response of Tearfunds
partner Red Viva, Wayuu families have been
provided with medical care as well as vital food
packages. At the start of the project, the
children were listless and sad. But now they
have the energy to attend school again. Praise
God for the restored health and hope of the
Wayuu people, and pray for the rains they
desperately need to come this year. Red Viva is
helping the Wayuu community to advocate to
the authorities for longer-term solutions to the
lack of water, such as wells and water cleansing
systems. Please pray that they will be
successful in finding a way forward. (Tearfund)
21. Bolivia
Bolivia is a multicultural country that has
experienced various social changes over the
last ten years and is starting an economic
stabilisation process, the impacts of which will
only be seen in the long run. The level of
corruption is still high and it is one of the
poorest countries of Latin America. Most
students can only get into state universities,
which generally offer teaching of lower quality.
The challenge for Christian students is to
contribute to their society through their faith in
two areas: the academic excellence and the
fight against corruption and poverty. Pray for
students to be moved by God in both mind and
heart to share his message with passion and
with tenderness to a suffering nation. Pray also
for continued financial provision for CCU, the
Christian student movement. (IFES)

1. Iran
Marriage is in a mess in Iran. Divorce ends one
in three marriages in Tehran. Under-30s make
up 55% of the population. But most cannot
afford marriage, and brief flings have become
prevalent: temporary marriages can last for as
little as an hour. Over 300 Western-style dating
websites have sprung up of late to facilitate
young people meeting. Christians have a role to
play in this matrimonial mess. Pray for Christian
couples in Iran as they seek to model healthy,
committed, and self-sacrificial marriage to their
friends and neighbours. Lets pray for pastors
as they guide and counsel couples in their
churches. If marriage is given to mankind by
God primarily as a picture of Christs covenant
love for his church, lets pray that as Christians
seek to live out godly marriages, many more
Iranians would be drawn to Christ. (Elam
Ministries)
2. Libya
The brother of two of the 21 Coptic Christians
murdered in Libya used live television to thank
their killers for including the men's declaration of
faith in the video of their execution. Christian
channel SAT-7 ARABIC has become a
mouthpiece for the families of the young men
over the last six weeks since they were first
abducted. Please pray that the martyrdom of
these men will have significant impact on those
who hear about it. Pray for their families as they
display forgiveness showing the love and mercy
of Christ in the face of persecution. (SAT-7)
3. Lebanon
Lebanon has maintained a Christian identity
around 40% of the population is Christian.
Freedom of religious practice, speech and
human rights are protected under the Lebanese
constitution. Religious freedom allows LIVF to
work with students without any restrictions.
They thank God that they are seeing new

students committing their lives to Christ and

new leaders stepping forward to serve the Lord
through the movement. They are also grateful
for the continuity of the ministry over many
decades, a result of hard work and prayer. Their
major challenge is that graduating student
leaders have a tendency to leave the country to
work abroad so the movement loses out on
their experience and support. Pray for the
continued growth and discipleship of students
coming to faith and for the equipping of student
leaders to minister to the next generation.
(IFES)
4. Turkey
Women in the city of Erdogan have been
dressing in black and protesting on the streets
and on Twitter in response to the recent murder
of a woman after she resisted rape. Turkey
based Human Rights Association estimates that
the number of women killed by men in 2014
was at least 257. Women are resorting to
dressing ultra conservatively, carrying pepper
spray, feigning phone calls to men, and
avoiding being alone with a taxi or bus driver.
Pray that the men and women of Turkey will
learn of the love of Isa (Jesus) for women, and
that they would begin to value one another as
Gods beloved creation. (Youth With A Mission)
5. Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died at the age of
90 on 23rd January after two decades in power.
Pray for the nations stability as the new
monarch, King Salman, takes charge. May all
those entrusted with leadership act justly, love
mercy and walk humbly before God. Praise God
for how He is changing lives in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the ban on Bibles, Christmas and
Christian websites, Gods arm is not too short to
reach into Saudi palaces, homes and hearts.
May this new chapter open doors for the
extension of Gods Kingdom in this precious
land. (Arab World Ministry of Pioneers)

6. Spain
Give thanks again for the work of Latin partner
Noel Diaz leading St Andrews church, and for
the great initiatives in outreach. There are
several brothels in our street and
neighbourhood. For Mothers Day we wanted to
make contact with some of the women to
express our concern and love, so we invited
them to our service. None came, but many of
the women were really touched that we had
thought of them. We gave them gifts to
celebrate Mothers Day as many of them have
children. Pray for those women and for
encouragement for Noel and the congregation
in their ongoing outreach. (CMS)
7. Romania
Rock of Ages ministry has been operating in
Romania for many years and its work has gone
international with individuals taking the ministry
ideas back to their own countries. Please pray
for this coming year and the programmes ready
to go out to prisoners. May the prison doors
remain open to Rock of Ages so that their
ministry can continue to be abundantly fruitful.
Pray for prisoners who have prayed to accept
Christ. May their lives be forever transformed
and their new birth help with their life outside
prison walls. (Transform Europe Now)
8. Albania
Way of Hope Baptist Church in Tirana, Albania,
celebrated its 20th anniversary in February. The
church has come a long way since it was first
planted by BMS World Mission in 1995. Its
focus has been on encouraging Albanians to
engage with the Christian faith after decades of
enforced atheism came to an end in 1990,
when the countrys communist regime
collapsed. A football ministry that has attracted
men to the church, a prison ministry and a
young peoples outreach in a suburb on the
outskirts of Tirana have all been part of its

toolbox. Pray for the next 20 years of mission

and ministry for Way of Hope Baptist Church
and for the people of Albania to receive Christ
into their hearts. (BMS World Mission)
9. Malta
Malta is a popular holiday destination and
tourism is the main source of income. It has a
community-based culture with a lot of pressure
to conform. Christians therefore have a hard
time because others think that they have
rejected their culture. Student ministry in Malta
is just beginning but creative ways are being
explored to reach out to students. For example,
students were invited to post their questions to
God on a wall on campus. The leaders are
seeing the power of the gospel as they read the
Bible with students in small groups. Students
eyes are being turned from their own good
works onto Christ's good work in their place and
they are seeing that salvation, and the freedom
that follows, comes through Christ alone. (IFES)
10. Ukraine
When bands of balaclava-wearing gunmen
seized government administration buildings in
eastern Ukraine, many local Christians
prepared for the worst. It became evident that
religious freedom was not valued by the selfproclaimed leaders of the new so-called
peoples republics. When abuses started,
thousands of Christians began to flee separatist
-controlled regions, and churches from around
the country began taking in suffering believers
from the occupied territories. It has been a
wonderful expression of brotherly love on a
significant scale. Please pray that through the
abuses, persecutions and suffering, the work of
Lord will happen. Pray that thousands of
Ukrainians will come to know Jesus and put
their trust in Him, and that in time, Ukraine will
send forth many missionaries to lands still in
need of Him. (Operation Mobilisation)

11. Chad

14. Niger

When five-year-old Yousef arrived at Guinebor

Hospital in Chad he weighed just 6kg. Severely
malnourished, he hadnt walked for two years;
he was so weak he couldnt even sit up. Listless
and seemingly disconnected from everything
around him, he was dangerously close to death.
Five weeks on, BMS nurse Rebecca North is
joyfully able to tell a different story; Yousef has a
life to look forward to. Yousef is an example of
the people who come to us who will not live if
they dont get the care and the treatment that
we offer, says Rebecca. Pray for other children
like Yousef who suffer with severe malnutrition,
for miracles of healing. Pray too for doctors and
surgeons to join the team. (BMS World Mission)

As they began clearing up after groups of

extremists in Niger vandalised their home and
destroyed their possessions, a family of
Christians associated with YWAM has been
encouraged and supported by the sincere help
of their Muslim neighbours. Other local
Christians have been supported by the help of
churches, missions and other local residents in
the aftermath of the attacks. Things are
reported to be calm in Niger at present but
further unrest is anticipated. Pray for the Church
in Nigernot for the restoration of the buildings,
but for the preservation of the people, their faith
in Christ, and their role as ambassadors of
peace. (Youth With A Mission)

12. Central African Republic (CAR)

15. Uganda

As the sun sets and the darkness descends,

fear of violence drives people off the streets of
the CAR capital. More than 2,000 of them arrive
at a theological college known as FATEB, where
classrooms become dormitories for dozens of
frightened people. In a year of conflict following
a coup, thousands of people have been killed in
the CAR and some 714,000 have been made
homeless. Another 250,000 have fled to
neighbouring countries such as Chad,
Cameroon and Congo. Pray for an end to the
violence and for the efforts to provide food and
shelter for people living in fear. (Tearfund)

Three Ugandan policemen have become

Christians in one village and the number of
children raped each month has dropped by over
90% in another, thanks to safeguarding training
written by BMS mission workers. Praise God for
working through the Guard, Guide and Grow
training ,and pray for the policemen to have an
ongoing impact on their village. (BMS World
Mission)

13. South Sudan

The World Council of Churches has highlighted
a new course titled Reconcile Moving Forward
in Peace, inviting people to be peace-builders
this Lenten season. Themes include tribalism,
causes of friction, domestic violence and the
understanding of peace. Pray for its wide use
and fruitfulness amidst the conflict in South
Sudan which has gravely affected all
communities since the countrys independence
from Sudan in 2011. (CMS)

16. Mozambique
Give thanks for the leprosy control work being
carried out in Mozambique, which will diminish
the leprosy disease burden, prevent leprosy
complications and ensure that people affected
by leprosy will have access to quality diagnostic
and treatment services. Pray that this will also
help reintegration into mainstream society and
improve quality of life for leprosy-affected
people. Please pray that awareness about
leprosy will be increased through the training of
healthcare workers and through radio
messages and other health education
opportunities. (The Leprosy Mission)