Burma
· Please continue to pray for Karen children and their families who are being targeted for systematic displacement and destruction by the military government of Burma. Earlier in April, the Burmese military positioned artillery and heavy machine guns overlooking a refugee camp on the border of Thailand. This camp is home to more than 45,000 people, mainly ethnic Karen. (Human Rights Watch) Pray for divine intervention in this crisis. Pray that the hearts of the military junta in control will be softened towards this persecuted group.
Uganda (DEYWA)
· Give thanks to God for the successful adoption of a baby from an organization in Uganda that cares for orphaned children. Pray for this child as he or she adjusts to a new life situation. Pray for this baby’s adoptive parents and family as they bring their new child back to the United States.
· Please be in prayer for the six children found abandoned on a recent trip into Sudan. Pray that they will grow stronger and regain their health. Pray that these little ones will one day soon know the security and stability of a loving family. Pray that God will open doors for them to be adopted.
· Please pray that God will show favor and grace to the leadership of this organization as they travel to the United States in search of support and backing.
Brazil
A YWAM team is working in the Amazon region of Brazil, reaching out to street children and families in the slums of Macapa. Their rehabilitation program helps boys who have been on the streets, and a sponsorship scheme supports around 100 families living in poverty. The Pavement Project, run by Lifewords, is also being used to engage with street children and help them come to know God's hope for their lives.
· Pray that this work can be expanded to reach more of the river-dwelling communities in the Amazon basin
· Pray that volunteer staff with long-term commitment can be recruited to work on the rehabilitation program for former street boys
· Please pray for the salvation of whole families as they hear the gospel, and for good relationships with local churches
Costa Rica
A new group is beginning to work in the north of Costa Rica to counter child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the region. A team has been formed to explore how this is being done through churches and ministries there.
· Please pray for sexual exploitation to be reduced in Costa Rica. Pray that God would use God’s people to bring change and care for the children affected by it.
Adopted into a family...
God longs for all children to know the love and acceptance of a family. Adoption is extremely difficult in many countries and is often not encouraged or resourced - yet it can bring hope and life to children without a family. The Orphans First ministry supports adoption programs in Russia, Haiti and elsewhere, placing orphaned children into Christian families. Care Centres Network links up crisis pregnancy centres around the world, as they support mothers and fathers through stressful times of decision. Adoption can be a redemptive choice for the birth mother, the baby and the adopting family.
· Pray for God to equip and guide all those working to see adoption available as a positive option in their country.
· Pray that God would open the hearts of Christians to the needs of children at risk in their communities.
· Pray that many of these families would be able to welcome children into their homes as adopted sons and daughters.
