Accusations of sorcery : Accusations of sorcery are a constant community problem in many remote areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG). An article in PNG’s The National Newspaper states, ‘the United Nations has estimated that there are 200 killings of “witches” in PNG annually, while local activists estimate up to 50,000 people have been chased from their homes due to sorcery accusations.’ Pray that this practice will cease and those involved can find peace in the truth of Jesus Christ.
Domestic violence against women: Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of violence against women and girls in the Asia-Pacific region. During their lifetime, nearly 60% of ever-been-partnered women will have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from their intimate partner. Among all women aged 15 to 49, 14% have been raped by someone other than an intimate partner in their lifetime, and 10% in the past 12 months. Please pray for those affected, particularly for women scared to leave their partners due to fear and stigmatisation. Pray also for organisations like The Asia Foundation and the Australian Embassy who are working to raise awareness of this plight on Timorese girls and women.
Ebola epidemic in DRC: Please pray for the people of DRC who are experiencing the second largest Ebola epidemic in the world. Over 3,200 cases have been reported, leading to 2,150 deaths and just over 1,000 survivors. The disease not only poses a risk to those in DRC, but in neighbouring countries too, where steps are in place to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Pray for all the health workers on the ground from WHO and other NGOs who are assisting in the response efforts.
Pray for the orphaned and disabled children of Bhola, Bangladesh: For the approximately two million people who live on the island of Bhola in Bangladesh, life is defined by hardship. With practically no medical facilities or social provision available, Bhola’s name: ‘forgotten place,’ is sadly apt. Thank the Lord for the work of Bhola’s Children UK, a NGO that supports the orphaned and disabled children of Bhola, through cleft-lip surgeries and medical help, sign-language lessons, academic education and life skills such as farming and cooking. Pray that through the support these children receive, they can grow up to live full and healthy lives.
Landmine clearances in Angola: The Angolan Government has recently committed $60 million to clearing a large area of land around the Okavango river watershed. Please join us in praying for the safety of those involved in landmine clearance, and praise God for organisations like The HALO Trust, Mines Advisory Group, and the Angolan Government that are making mine clearance a priority. Pray that by the Ottawa Treaty deadline of 2025, Angola would be landmine-free.
Medical NGO teams treat ebola and malaria: Ebola continues to spread in DRC. As of December 2018, there have been nearly 500 confirmed cases and 285 lives lost. Malaria has also begun spreading in the same areas. Pray for the medical NGO teams working to treat the sick and contain the spread of the diseases through public health campaigns. Pray especially for the people in North Kivu Province, where the current Ebola outbreak is centred, and where more than a million people have been displaced by ongoing conflict. Pray for healing, comfort and strength for families touched by the disease and an end to the outbreak.
Mission Aviation Fellowship in Guatemala: Working in partnership with hundreds of other Christian and relief organisations, Mission Aviation Fellowship enables practical help, physical healing, and spiritual hope to be delivered to many of the most remote and inaccessible communities on the planet. In Guatemala, please pray those attending training programmes for pastors in remote areas will be equipped and encouraged for ministry. Pray also for engineers and support staff who maintain the Cessna 206 aircraft. Give thanks for their skills, experience and Christian witness.
Bringing Jesus to Tanzania: Pray for the people of Tanzania who are living in spiritual darkness, following their traditional religious beliefs. There are many Christian evangelists preaching the gospel to villages and, in a recent trip into villages in the South Maasai area, a few evangelists preached to 325 people and 20 gave their lives to Jesus. Please pray for these new Christians, that their faith will grow and their relationship with the Lord will strengthen, and they will be a light in their communities. Pray also for the evangelists as they faithfully continue to make Jesus known in Tanzania.
WIFIBibles available on buses: Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF), a branch of Mission Aviation Fellowship based in Papua New Guinea, is installing WIFIBible devices onto buses used by the public. The WIFIBible allows people to download a wide range of free Christian resources like music, the Jesus film and access the Bible in their own languages on their smartphones, without the need for an internet connection. Please join us in praying that, through these WIFIBibles, many people would get to read and hear the gospel, accept Christ into their hearts, and bring those they know into relationship with him too.
Rebuilding: In early March, Papua New Guinea (PNG) experienced a series of earthquakes which caused widespread damage to the infrastructure there and many lives were lost. People’s homes were destroyed and their plots of land damaged, meaning a shortage of food supplies. MAF assisted in disaster response, helping distribute much needed food, water and other essentials to those areas worst affected. We ask you to pray for the people of PNG as they begin the process of rebuilding their livelihoods and peace for the families who are grieving loss of loved ones.
Malnutrition in refugee camps: Babies born to mothers in refugee settlements are at risk of malnutrition and can suffer due to a lack of medical care in the camps. Good nutrition is especially critical during the first 1,000 days of life to allow for normal development. Medical Teams International run a maternal and child nutrition programme which provides food and immunisations to the children. Please pray for the health of expectant mothers and those in refugee camps with young children. Pray that, through work of NGOs, children will grow up healthy and happy.
Community Based Rehabilitation: Sudan Evangelical Mission (SEM), works to raise the quality of life for disabled people in their own communities, where they are most vulnerable. They commonly have nobody to take care of them. In areas where a Community Based Rehabilitation programme has been implemented by SEM, people with disabilities will tell you they have experienced a positive change in attitudes, whereas before they were hidden from public view by family members. Pray for real acceptance throughout South Sudan towards disabled people.
Praise for Pilots: In just two short weeks pilot Paul Woodington flew 14 medevac patients from the eastern Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea. A man bitten by a Death Adder “had lost his speech and some ability by the time I picked him up, praise God he survived! Then there was a retained placenta patient and another woman in childbirth who was also suffering a heart attack. Praise Jesus she lived!” Give thanks that these patients reached hospital in time remembering the many others who don’t because they live in remote communities far from needed healthcare.
Wings of Encouragement: The remote area around Uganda’s Lake Victoria, called the Ssesse Islands, is inhabited by poor fishing communities. Evangelist Sam Sapwe flies there regularly to encourage the growing church, once organising a picnic to encourage them. “It broke my heart when I spoke to the pastor and he told me they had been feeling worthless. [But] when he heard that these people were coming from so far away [it] showed them that they mattered and were loved!” Pray for Christians facing the challenges of life in remote communities with many social problems. Pray that God would strengthen them, and help us to remember to pray!
Coping with disability: Idris is a 12 year old boy with cerebral palsy. He continually radiates a smile despite the fact that he is unable to walk or speak. He travelled to the temporary clinic in Bailli by donkey with his mother and father from a village 5 kilometres away. It is obvious to Dr Ann Fursdon that Idris is cared for well by his parents and she is able to reassure and encourage the family. Pray for Idris and his family, giving thanks that, despite the challenges, they were doing all the right things for Idris. The shame associated with having a disabled child in Africa is immense, pray that children like Idris will be seen for what they are, God’s precious gifts to their families.
Drought in PNG: Pray for drought-struck communities in Papua New Guinea, many of which are yet to receive the assistance they need. Papua New Guinea produces almost all of its own food with an estimated 85% of the population engaged in agricultural production - many of these living in remote and isolated villages served by MAF. PNG is affected periodically by droughts as part of the El Nino weather phenomenon, with the last significant event happening in 1998. Recent assessments suggest that up to 2 million people have been affected this year. Pray for an accurate assessment of the needs of drought effected communities, for the logistics of getting food to the communities that need it most, and that the region will receive more rain so crops can start growing once more. Pray particularly for communities at risk of starvation and disease.
Nepali mountain people: Mansari was gathering food for her animals when a rock, loosened from the cliff during the Nepal earthquake, knocked her unconscious – causing her to fall some 1,150 feet to the bottom of the cliff. The 23-year-old’s family thought she was dead, but when they saw she was still breathing, they took her to the local health post where she was taken by helicopter to hospital in Kathmandu. Although Mansari sustained extensive injures including a badly broken hand, she survived and made a miraculous recovery. Give thanks that Mansari was able to get the help she needed without which she wouldn’t be alive today. Pray for safety for Nepali mountain people who walk treacherous mountain paths – made even more unstable since two earthquakes struck the country in 2015.
Crucial preparation: Salma lives with her son Abdul in the remote Padma village near Patharghata Bangladesh. Her circular homestead garden is raised to avoid flooding, with a compost pile in the centre to make sure nothing is wasted. The vegetables she grows feed her family all year round helping to fight malnutrition which is so common in cyclone prone coastal villages. Praise God for projects that help communities in climate vulnerable communities to remain resilient in the face of extreme weather and rising floods, and for people like Salma who work hard to feed their families despite the difficulties.
Physical to spiritual healing: In the village of Chidudu lives Velonkia, who suffered from a terrible illness. One day she accepted prayer from the evangelist team and became well. “I believed in Jesus because of that ministry”, she explains. But life didn’t miraculously turn around to be trouble-free - her one-year old baby boy became seriously ill with malaria and died. Despite the difficulties and loss she has experienced, Velonika loves the Lord and is grateful for the clinic and evangelists that visit each month. Give thanks for the witness of evangelists and medical staff through monthly safari clinics in Tanzania. Pray that many like Velonika will receive physical and spiritual healing.
Healing workshops: Pray for the work of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) as they travel throughout South Sudan carrying out workshops on healing and reconciliation. Pray that this work would be effective and bear fruit and that many would receive the comfort, strength and healing in this war torn country.
Medical Care in Liberia: Po River Medical Clinic is the only clinic in the district of Lower Yarnee, Rivercess County, Liberia. The closest hospital in Cestos City is 10 miles away. It takes two hours to get there via motorbike and canoe. If there are no doctors there the next hospital is another six to eight hours. Pray for isolated Liberians with only limited access to medical care and essential services. Give thanks that those at highest risk, including children, pregnant mothers, elderly and disabled people, will soon have access potentially lifesaving flights with MAF.
Remote community reached: A new airstrip into the remote community of Kaiam, Papua New Guinea, was opened earlier this year after fifteen years of hard work by local missionaries and the community. Give thanks that the airstrip was opened before a measles epidemic reached the community, allowing vaccinations to be administered. The community will benefit from increased services, including essential medevac flights of the ill and injured to hospitals. Pray for the remote community of Fiyawena, Papua New Guinea, home to several women accused of causing the deaths following the epidemic. An intervention team including a PNG School girl Nes, visited the community with proof that the accusations were false and persuaded the community to lay down their weapons and turn away from their ‘pisai’ beliefs. Pray that the cycle of fear and violence associated with witchcraft in the area will be broken once and for all.
Recovering from cyclones: The Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia, are recovering from two cyclones that hit the area within six weeks of each other earlier this year. Cyclone Lam and Nathan uprooted trees and destroyed homes and buildings in the homelands of Milingimbi, Ramingining, and Elcho Island. Pray for the clean-up operation that is now under way, that life will soon get back to normal for those affected and for a special touch on those suffering stress and mental trauma from the two storms.
Hupla Bible translation: Praise God that the Hupla people of the Soba valley, Indonesia, now have a complete Bible translation in their own language. Nearly 3,000 community members celebrated together as 5,000 copies of the new translation were flown in to the remote mountain community. Thank God for the Hupla people and for those who assisted in the translation. Pray that the word would bear fruit and that lives would be changed and set free through it.
Trapped in conflict: The Borana and Rendille peoples of Northern Kenya have been trapped in conflict for decades. But efforts to bring peace have started to bear fruit. Having borrowed animals from the new Community Livestock Bank, impoverished young widows on both sides repay the loan by giving away the first female calf born to women from the other tribe. Pray for healing and restoration as these women who have lost husbands to tribal conflict are brought together and that the seeds of peace will be sown for future generations to live side by side.
The Rufiji delta: The Rufiji delta in Tanzania is nearly 370 miles long and has the largest mangrove forest in East Africa. Many of the villages are located on islands only reachable by boat or plane. Pray for the inhabitants of these remote villages which are vulnerable to flood and have only limited access to healthcare and other essential services.
Recovery for Yolgnu people: The Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia are recovering from two cyclones that hit the area within six weeks of each other earlier this year. Cyclone Lam and Nathan uprooted trees and destroyed homes and buildings in the homelands of Milingimbi, Ramingining, and Elcho Island. Pray for the clean-up operation that is now under way, that life will soon get back to normal for those affected and for a special touch on those suffering stress and mental trauma from the two storms.
Evacuating the sick: Last year MAF served people living in more than 270 remote locations in Papua New Guinea. One of the most important ministries is the evacuation of the sick and injured from remote communities with pilots often having to respond to requests for flights at very short notice. Pray for fast and effective treatment for their patients like Naha - a young boy recently medevaced from a remote village called Owena after suffering a bite from a venomous Death Adder. Naha was flown out to a main centre to receive successful treatment. Praise God for his full recovery and pray for positive outcomes for the hundreds of patients MAF flies in PNG each year.
The ‘Good News’ Hospital: The ‘Good News’ Hospital serves the needs of a large area of north central Madagascar from its location in Mandritsara. People walk for miles to access healthcare at the hospital but the doctors and medical staff, not content with serving just the local community, also use MAF to fly eight medical safaris each year to people in inaccessible areas of the country. Give thanks for the skill of Malagasy eye surgeon Dr Hanitra Razanamampionona. In a country with one of the highest incidences of cataracts in the world, she undertakes around 500 cataract operations a year bring to back sight and quality of life to those she treats.
Fleeing their homes: Please pray for the world’s youngest country, South Sudan. Since violence erupted in December it’s been estimated that thousands have died and a staggering 600,000 have had to flee their homes leaving them incredibly vulnerable. Pray for the safety of the South Sudanese. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in a recent visit to the country, encouraged the South Sudanese to “plant trees of reconciliation” instead of “trees of bitterness”. Pray for leaders to find a new way, that Jesus would invade the culture, and for justice and mercy to rain down on this nation.
The Yolnu: In Arnhem Land, Australia, MAF services over 80 airstrips and reaches many small groups of people scattered in isolated areas known as homelands. Please pray for the Yolnu people whom they reach in these homelands. The Yolnu have shown a real hunger to know Jesus and to live like ‘Christ Christians’ realising that being a Christian is more than just what you call yourself. Many face challenges as they seek to live out their Christian beliefs.
Expectant mothers: Pray for mothers in Mongolia, the least-densely populated country in the world. For expectant mothers living in the remote steppe in the far west, to have an ultrasound scan often involves squeezing into the back of a van for a 100-hour roundtrip to the capital Ulaanbaatar along non-existent roads, navigating around 13,000 foot high mountains. When medical emergencies arise with babies, getting access to the medical services is that much more challenging. MAF’s aircraft support mothers through organisations such as Reaching the Light and Nurses Heart to Heart. Pray that healthcare and infrastructure will improve in this vast country, and for mothers and young families isolated from healthcare when it’s urgently needed.
Dedication of a New Testament: Give thanks for the dedication of the New Testament with the Dhao people in West Timor (Indonesia). Among those who visited the tiny island of Ndao for the celebration was a team from the Bible Translation Centre in Elcho Island, Australia. The team spent two-weeks on a ‘study tour’, having fellowship with the translators and sharing common issues. This, along with witnessing the ordination of 51 new ministers in Kupang, brought them great encouragement as they returned to Elcho Island to continue their mammoth task of translating God’s word into their clan languages. Pray that the work of translating the Bible will prosper and bless many in the years to come.
Communities affected by flooding: January’s flooding in Mozambique also affected South Africa’s Limpopo province - the poorest region in the country. The Limpopo river burst its banks and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and communities based there. Relief efforts were hampered by damage to over 50 bridges and roads, preventing assistance reaching those who needed it most. Pray for those affected, particularly those whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed.
A new generation: Please pray for growth in a new generation of missionaries in Suriname as the first generation, many of whom are now 75-80 years of age, are retiring. The Indian tribes need biblical education: the harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest field!
Resistant to the gospel: Pray for the Ye'kuana or Maiongong people groups who live alongside the Sanumá (Yanomami) in Auaris. They broke off from the main group in Venezuela in order to separate themselves from the evangelism that was taking place in their tribal group. They are very resistant to the gospel. Please pray for a breakthrough.
Spiritual awakening: In Arnhem Land, the spiritual awakening that started last year is continuing in most communities. At present, regular meetings are taking place in Lake Evella (Gapuwiyak), where young and old alike are giving their lives to Jesus and finding new hope. It is encouraging for the faithful believers to see a new generation touched in this way but there is also a need for good discipleship and teaching. Pray for the new believers as they grow and learn more about Christ and share God’s word in their communities.
Impact of HIV: Pray for the landlocked nation of Lesotho where as much as 23% of the population is infected with the HIV virus and 100,000 AIDS orphans live in mountain villages with little or no access to medical services. Households caring for orphans and chronically ill family members frequently have nothing to eat. While HIV/AIDS continues to be an alarming threat to Lesotho and its people, land degradation, capacity depletion, and economic decline hinder the assistance efforts of humanitarian, development, and mission organisations.
Aboriginal communities: In Arnhem Land, many Aboriginal communities are familiar with the Christian gospel message and have embraced it enthusiastically. Christian missionaries were active in the area since the early 1920s, particularly the Uniting Church of Australia in the north, east and west and the Anglican Church in the south. Several aboriginal elders - male and female - have joined church councils and become pastors, preachers and outreach workers. However, many people are in dire need of better health, education, communication and housing infrastructure. Their homes are often inadequate and in disrepair. Continue to pray for the witness among the aboriginal people and for an improvement in their living standards.
A nation with many needs: After the UN administered referendum in 1999, 70% of Timor-Leste economic infrastructure was destroyed by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 300,000 people fled. With international assistance, stability was restored and the country eventually gained its independence in May 2002. However, Timor-Leste remains a nation with many needs with unemployment still around 50%. Isolated communities in outer regions have very limited access to many of life's essentials and surface transport can be slow and dangerous with narrow, winding roads that often become impassable. Catholicism is dominant yet the Evangelical Church is relatively small (about 3%). Pray for the 1 million people who live in this small, new nation, as well as for the ministries of those seeking to help to secure their future.
Inadequate healthcare: Healthcare in much of Angola remains limited. In most rural areas there isn’t a single medical facility with trained staff. Many doctors remain in the city but even there the facilities are basic. People continue to die from diseases that may be easily treated if only they were able to see a doctor or a nurse. Landmines are also a major problem. Mines not only maim and kill but they prevent land being cultivated which affects the livelihoods of local people. Pray for the work of groups such as the HALO Trust that have years of gruelling work ahead to clear these areas and make the land safe.
