September 7, 2021
Gary and Joanne Akehurst (NSW, DPG Day 1)
Pray for Gary’s health to improve, he hasn’t been well in recent months. Pray for their website PromiseBoxAudio.com to be upgraded and more hacker-proof.
Ken and Daphne Harding (NSW, DPG Day 3)
Sorry, there’s a typo in their DPG entry – please delete the 7 at the end of the mobile number.
Gary and Louise Bryar (Brazil, DPG Day 4)
Pray for the recovery of Brazilian co-worker Claudemir who has been unconscious and in ICU from COVID since 20 July. Pray for Edinho, a musician and member of Jardim Santana Assembly, who is recovering from back surgery. Pray for Lidiane, his sister, to return to the Lord; praise God her husband Reginaldo and daughter Julie faithfully come to church. Pray for the Women’s Conference on 25 September which will be live at Camp Bethel. Pray for a safe and fruitful time for all attendees. Louise will speak on ‘Some Women who Cooperated with Paul in his Ministry’.
Alan and Isabel Knott (Colombia, DPG Day 4)
Pray urgently for Isabel who is in a lot of pain from a recently diagnosed pancreatic tumour. Before a biopsy could be done, Isabel contracted COVID. She is now off the ventilator — but Alan is now positive, with mild symptoms. Pray for the Lord to watch over her and Alan during this difficult time. Pray that she recovers well from COVID and medical specialists can biopsy her pancreas soon.
Bryson and Ruth Thomas (QLD, DPG Day 10)
Praise God the Emmaus Correspondence School Bible Study App and the computer-based Bible study programs are used in 203 countries, and the number of users of these digital courses is soaring, with more than 3500 new online students each month.
Tim and Anna Southcott (Timor-Leste, DPG Day 12)
Congratulations to Anna and Tim on the birth of their fourth child, Emma Claire, on 14 June. Pray that her mild hip dysplasia will not be a problem. Pray for their ministry future as it looks unlikely they’ll be returning to Dili, largely due to COVID lockdowns in Sydney and Dili and their application for home quarantine in Dili being rejected. The new MAF Country Director in Timor has also left, which means that Tim would have even more responsibility if they were to return. They will take a leave of absence and see where the Lord wants them to minister next.
John and Kathy Harris (Netherlands, DPG Day 16)
Thank God that their whole family here is fully vaccinated and they all remain healthy. Praise God that Amy has recovered from a serious infection in Uganda. Praise God for the new work year ahead after their summer break. Give thanks that John’s two sermons in August went well and were well received. Pray for Mathilde, their iTeams NL colleague, who retired in March but still does some care-related ministry for us — she was diagnosed with a reactivation of her breast cancer from years ago. She has several metastases on her bones and is undergoing hormone therapy, and radiotherapy for a spot on her spine — pray for successful treatment . Pray for John as he leads the second iTeams NL training and orientation weekend for new missionaries (24-26 September) — pray for wisdom and strength for him and the other teachers, and for good learning, equipping and interaction for the participants (the third weekend is 8-10 October). Pray for Kathy and John as they start back with their refugee English teaching on 9 September — they will teach weekly on a Thursday and are back with in-person classes. Pray for John as he teaches an in-person Leadership Basics course on four Wednesday evenings to migrant and refugee church leaders, starting 22 September. Pray for John and the iTeams NL core leaders as they prepare a new couple for service in Malawi. Pray that David and Marleen and the iTeams team will get all their required preparation done, and their support will come in to allow them to serve in a medical and community/church-based role starting in late October.
Leonie Johannesen (Fiji, DPG Day 18)
Pray for Lomani Au’s two older girls aged 18 and 19 who are ready to leave the children’s home. The staff are looking for appropriate places where they can exit. This is a difficult time for the girls as they are leaving the only real family they have known. Fiji is currently in a national state of emergency due to COVID, with some confirmed cases which restrict them significantly. Pray for ongoing protection from COVID. Schools have been closed since April this year due to the outbreak which means they are home-schooling the kids. Having 11 school aged children at different grade levels to educate each day is a challenge! Pray for Grace and Leonie as it is difficult to find time just for them as a family.
Woody and Bev Baker (Specialist, DPG Day 20)
Pray for Woody as he has hip replacement surgery today. Pray for a successful procedure and a fast recovery. Pray that they can return to Melbourne for Christmas.
Kevin and Eloise Dyer (Specialists, DPG Day 21)
Eloise is back home now. Pray for Kevin and the family as they decide how best to care for Eloise at home. She is on the hospice’s critical care list. Although less agitated and confused, she isn’t eating or drinking, and is heavily sedated on morphine.
Daniel and Emily (Restricted Access, DPG Day 27)
Pray for local believers in their host country, who have not been able to participate in a church community for so long now; pray that they will have opportunities to connect on a deeper level with other Christians and be encouraged in their faith. Daniel and Emily are thankful that their kids have settled well into their new school, despite having to begin their time there during a period of remote learning. Their home city’s extended lockdown continues to be challenging to their emotional and mental health — please pray that they will be renewed each day by their Father. Pray for opportunities to reach out to others, and that they will see the opportunities God places in front of them.
David and Stacie Coates (Restricted Access, DPG Day 27)
Praise God for the opportunity and confidence to start a new school year despite challenging circumstances. Praise God for staffing needs being met. Praise God for academic success and growth in godly character and faith amongst the students. Pray for the Lord’s comfort for families who have lost family members to COVID and for those who are still ill, and for others who have lost livelihoods. Pray for a political solution that allows peace, safety and some quality of life to be restored in the country. Pray for the physical and mental well-being of students, their families and the school community during this dangerous and stressful time. Pray for financial and practical relief to school families and locals in need.
Carol Luttah (CBMPNG)
Praise God for Lynn’s journey to PNG; pray for Lynn to settle quickly into life and work in PNG after quarantine. Pray for CBM as they prepare for an audit. Pray for safety and security in Mt Hagen as election campaigns kick in.
Kevin and Eloise Dyer (Specialist, DPG Day 21)
Our deepest condolences to Kevin and his family on the passing of beloved Eloise. Pray for God’s comfort and peace on them all at this time.