Prayer letter- December 2023

For Friend our dear prayer partner

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, 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; 4-7

As a child this story of the birth of Jesus always stirred my spirit. I was left in awe and wonder. How I wished I could have been present that Holy Night when Jesus was born so that I could join in the worship of the angels and shepherds. Even now my heart sings for joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Jesus came in love teaching us how to love;. Out of love he died for us so that our sins would be forgiven and we could enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven. It is an amazingly wonderful story of love; a love which still permeates our world regardless of attempts to quench it, deny it or commercialise it.

I thank you for being instruments of the love of Jesus into the lives of the children, the families and the communities Ohfi works alongside in various countries overseas. Thank you for fanning the grace of divine love into their lives through your prayers and generous financial support. Through this love lives are transformed and in a beautiful way given dignity and hope.

"Years ago now a friend and I visited Tanzania. In a village we came across an impoverished young teenage girl in a torn dress lying in the dust under a tree. The girl had dragged herself from her poor family home to this spot as her legs were paralysed. We gathered around the girl in the midst of interested onlookers and prayed for her. In my spirit I was convicted that we were to be part of the answer to our prayers. We talked with the leaders of the Christian organization we were travelling with and undertook to provide financial support from New Zealand if the organization could find suitable accommodation for the girl; accommodation that her family could not provide.

A Christian family in the village opened their home to the girl. Money was provided to build an extra room for the girl along with a toilet so that the girl did not have to use the communal toilet. A wheel chair was provided. The girl was given decent clothes and wonder upon wonder began her education at the local school. Her life was transformed.

The story does not end there. One day the girl asked to be baptised with the name of Christina. She was asked why she wanted to do this. She replied that she wanted to be like other Christians and to have the love of Christ in her heart. So Christina was baptised, in a bathtub with two people holding her and lowering her into the bath tub. It was a beautiful life giving occasion."

Through your love and prayers you are part of many stories like Christina's that reflect the transforming love of Christ bringing hope and dignity into the lives of impoverished and vulnerable children and families. We are deeply grateful for your involvement.  

Prayer requests.

Kolkata Lun Misao is our Director in Kolkata. Lun and his wife Ngaiching have three children. Recently Ngaiching has been unwell and has been diagnosed with a hole in her heart which seemingly has been present since birth. Currently Ngaiching is recovering in hospital in New Delhi having undergone corrective surgery. Please pray for Ngaiching's recovery and good health.

Manipur. The ethnic/religious unrest in Manipur continues and there is still outbreaks of violence, killings and burning of homes. The two Ohfi schools continue to be havens for refugees. Pleas pray for Manipur that Hindus and Christians can enter into a place of forgiveness and reconciliation and so be able to live in harmony together.

Uganda. Currently Ohfi is entering into a partnership with the Baptist Union of Uganda in their North East Region. This partnership will mean that the two organisations will work  co-operatively in providing services that enhance the lives of impoverished families and communities. Please pray for this partnership as it gets underway.

Rwanda. Ohfi is deeply grateful for a Trust that has donated the funds needed to build a school at Gicumbi. Ohfi with its Rwandan partner of PHARP (Peace building, Healing and Reconciliation Programme) have worked together for years in Gicumbi empowering families through training and the donation of pigs. The school will be a culmination of efforts to ensure all children receive an education, good health care and to know that God loves them. Please pray for the successful building of the school.

Zambia. Ohfi has handed over the school it funded in rural Chickonkoto to the local community to administer and upkeep. The focus now for Ohfi is centred on Misisi in the capital Lusaka. Misisi is a large area where extreme poverty and associated difficulties are prevalent. Ohfi with its Zambian partner has had a presence in Misisi for some years. Presently considerable thought and planning is going towards implementing a well-founded and sustainable micro enterprise project. It is planned that this project will empower up to 30 women and their families to increase their knowledge and skill and raise their income thus enabling their children to receive good education and health care. The aim is to give hope to families who often are without hope for a better future. Please pray for the success of this project.

Romania. Thank you for your prayers for Ken and Alice who over the last two months have been visiting their HANNAN project in Turgu Mures. While the visit has had its challenges Ken and Alice are returning home encouraged that the HANNAH ministry is positioned to develop its outreach to impoverished needy families and supporting them in the care and protection of their children and their education. Please continue to uphold their ministry in your prayers.   

Christmas greetings.  May you have a blessed and joyous Christmas with your family and friends. As you celebrate Christmas, I pray that the love of Jesus fills your heart to overflowing so that you are left in awe and wonder.

Ewen Laurenson

Prayer co-ordinator.