Bridget Hathaway - Tanzania |
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Prayer Update December 2009
Dear Friends,
My thoughts are moving towards a well earned break over Christmas and the New Year. No doubt there will be various clients communicating with us, even turning up at the office or at my gate, but hopefully I’ll get a few days without any crisis occurring!
I am hoping that most of you will have received a copy of my Prayer Letter, or downloaded a copy from the Crosslinks web-site, so this will be an ‘extra’ to that one!
Last Monday we attended the court once again regarding the rape case of our 13 year old client. This time she, her mother and 9 year old brother had to give evidence. I prayed hard that she would cope with it, and apparently she was impressive! (It’s held ‘in chamber’ so only her mother was allowed to be with her). She was even given 2,000TSh (£1) to buy herself something! Praise God that after much heartache and prayer and time, it looks like we may see justice done.
This month we still have 4 clients in hospital, 3 in Uganda and 1 in Kagondo. Pray for patience for them, as they face a fairly long stretch of treatment, and pray for wisdom for the doctors as they decide the best procedures. Give thanks for the Smile Train Team in Uganda, as they specialise in the cleft lip and palate treatment. Their work is amazing (and free for the children!)
I am continuing to pray for guidance regarding my future ministry. Time is moving on, but God does know the plans he has for me, and the perfect timing to let me know.
This month has been particularly busy, but we are thankful for an excellent Eye Clinic in one of our villages, where we had 122 people attending! Our team worked well with the Eye Specialist from Nyakahanga Hospital; I eventually arrived home 9.00pm! Thanks to Vision Aid Overseas for assisting us with many pairs of spectacles that brought great joy to our ‘Senior’ clients! The quote of the day was a client who, when asked how he felt with the new specs, replied “Raha” which means “Joy”! I had really meant “Do they fit OK?” but a much better reply was given!!
In all these activities we always begin with a Bible reading and explanation, with a distribution of tracts. The seeds are sown; we pray for God to water those seeds, especially as possibly a good number of those attending our clinics do not/cannot attend church, or are of other faiths.
Pastor Fredrick and his wife, Henerico (our Evangelist) and I meet every Saturday evening in church for 1 hour to pray seriously and specifically for our church, for protection from all that we are battling against and for the Holy Spirit to enter hardened hearts. Join with us in this prayer.
Our Diocese continues to struggle in many ways; pray for wisdom for the Bishop and the strength to stand strong in all matters.
Give thanks for Crosslinks and their hard work to ensure God’s word is indeed taken to God’s world. Pray all staff and Mission Partners have time to rest over Christmas.
Oh dear, what a lot of points I have written! Maybe just choose a few to pray over!
“While they (Mary and Joseph) were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:6,7
Let’s ensure we make room.
With my love to you all for a very Happy Christmas and New Year of Peace and Fulfilment,
From
Bridget Hathaway