Livelihood Development in West Papua
Many indigenous people in West Papua have limited
opportunities to develop a livelihood. For indigenous
Papuans generating an income is not about status. Its
about access to basic services, such as education,
healthcare and transport. Its about feeding their families.
Our Partner Church, the Evangelical Christian Church In The
Land of Papua works closely with local communities,
offering training in farming and small business skills. The
goal of this initiative is self-reliance – equipping local
people to earn an income and to provide for their families
for the long term.
Abundant God, thank you for West Papua,
an ancient land of great beauty and
abundant natural resources.
We pray for the leaders in our Partner
church GKI in West Papua, one of the few
voices for indigenous Papuans. May
leaders be fully equipped to lead their
people, to speak on behalf of their
members on issues that matter. Grant
them wisdom, courage and strength.
As Papuans yearn, so do we on their
behalf, for a better life, that many believe
can only be achieved through developing
local capacity and self-sufficiency.
God, we pray for development in West
Papua to address widespread poverty with
justice and respect for Papuans as a
fundamental base.
May all development strategies take into
account the massive dislocation many
Papuans are experiencing and address the
real aspirations and needs of Papuan
people who long to be respected, valued
and encouraged without fear.
We loyally renew our commitment to our
trusted friends for the long term and may
our partnership have hallmarks of mutual
respect, dedicated to understanding,
listening to and serving each other.
At Easter, as God gave Jesus, may
we have a willingness to give,
receive, be challenged and
changed on a personal and
partnership level.
Amen.
Written by Jane Bassham
Livelihood Support in Philippines
Communities in the remote northern areas of the Philippines
face challenge in obtaining a fair price for their farming produce.
They struggle to provide the basic needs of food, education and
healthcare for their families.
South Australia has a long standing friendship with the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines in North Luzon where
community development projects provide hope to many in
developing better farming and mining practices, proving a better
standard of education for children and training in disaster
preparation and response strategies.
Dear gracious and good God.
We know that you are a God who
cares for his Children as well as his
creation. We pray for our brothers and
sisters in the Philippines, we pray that
you would show them your love and
compassion. We pray that you would
encourage them and that they would
know they are not alone.
God we thank you for the Love they
have, for you and their fellow
countrymen. For the passion they have
for your name to be preached.
God may you also help us to remember
them and share their stories. May we all
grow together as we love and support
each other as your body.
Amen
Written by Brendan Noolan
Peace Building in Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea, conflict threatens the already sensitive
fabric of life. Age old systems of compensation and retribution
perpetuate conflict between tribal groups. In other areas of the
country, armed groups compete for resources and power.
Our partner church, the United Church in PNG has been active
for the past decade working for peace. Their goal is to train local
people to become effective mediators in situations of conflict
and to assist communities to develop strategies to avoid
violence.
Luke 6:28 “Yupela i mas givim blessing
long ol man mekim tok bilong
bagarapim yupela. Na Yupela mas
beten bilong helpim ol man i tok bilas
long yupela” (Nupela Testamen)
That’s Jesus familiar message in New
Guinea Pidgin about loving enemies.
That's not easy for us, even harder for
our PNG neighbours where isolated
communities of 600 language and clan
groupings have survived for millennia
by fierce loyalty to their own clan and
suspicion of all others. The United
Church in PNG has been active in the
past decade to build ne relationships
and peace.
Let us pray:
For times when we have brooded over
past slights and grievances, Forgive us.
For courage to reach out to others who
are not like us, Strengthen us, Spirit
friend. For peace makers in the
governments and provinces and
congregations of our PNG partners, we
pray in the name of the Son of Peace,
Jesus who challenges us all:
Amen
“Yupelai mas sori long ol man, ol
sem papa bilong yupela emi save
sori”
(Luke 6:36)
Written by Rev Malcolm McArthur
Midwife Training School in South Sudan
In the worlds newest nation, South Sudan, women are more
likely to die during pregnancy or birth than nearly anywhere else
in the world. Despite high fertility rates, skilled health workers
are present at only 5% of births.
The training School, one of only four in the country, offers an 18
month midwifery program which equips students to become
highly skilled and experienced community midwives.
My prayer for the people of South
Sudan who live in the Rural Areas. For
those who travel miles to the nearest
Clinic or Hospital, and may die before
they reach Hospital or before they are
seen by a Doctor; may all have access
to a good Clinic in their local areas.
We pray for the women and children who
die every day in delivery because there is
no trained Midwife. We pray that each
State in South Sudan may have a
Midwifery Training Centre that can help
train local Midwives.
We pray that the few children that safe
should have a good health care, access to
clean water and an opportunity to go to
school.
We also pray for peace throughout the
Country.
May God bless these prayers and unite
with us in praying for South Sudan and
never forget those in need.
Amen.
Written by Rev Amel Manyon