Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Algeria
The northern part of Mali has
long been a hotbed of violence as Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants struggle
for independence from the government of Mali. In January 2012, increased
fighting between these groups, followed by international intervention the next
year, caused a surge in refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. In January
2013, farmer Massaya and his wife Taghri and their six young children fled
central Mali along with half of the members of their village. They walked five
days to reach Mbera refugee camp across the border in Mauritania, part of an
influx of 15,000 refugees arriving in the camp that month. An estimated 60,000
refugees struggle to survive shortages of water and food in the 122 F degree
heat. Shortly after their arrival, Taghri realized she was pregnant. An
ultrasound revealed she was carrying quadruplets. With help from Medecins Sans
Frontieres (MSF), Taghri delivered the three boys and one girl five weeks early
by caesarian section. http://tinyurl.com/m7q8lwe http://tinyurl.com/qcehh39 http://tinyurl.com/p8re3e7
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Thanks be to God
for the safe delivery of the quadruplets who are now 4 months old and in very
good health.
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Give thanks to
God Taghri was able to access medical help—living in the refugee camp gave her
access to care she might not have had at home in Mali.
·
Please pray for
Massaya and Taghri as they raise their 10 children while living in a
swelteringly hot tent in the Mbera refugee camp. Give God thanks for the
compassionate neighbors who help out with the four babies and six other
children while Massaya tries to find work. Pray their children will be able to
continue their education and have hope for a future.
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Pray for all of
the refugees in this camp and in others in Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, and
Algeria. Please pray God will provide for their physical and spiritual needs
while living in such difficult circumstances.
·
Pray the
situation in Mali will stabilize and refugees will be able to return home.
Turkey
An explosion at a coal mine
in Soma killed 301 miners on May 13, 2014. An electrical fault is believed to
have triggered the blast and cut power to the elevators, trapping coal miners
more than a mile below the surface and several miles from the mine entrance. Many
miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning or were killed in the pit collapse. Four
hundred and fifty miners were rescued with 80 suffering minor injuries. Coal
mining is a major industry in Soma, but safety issues have long been a concern.
Protests about this mine disaster broke out in two of Turkey’s major cities and
three mine company personnel have been arrested and charged with negligence,
including the mine company’s operations manager. http://tinyurl.com/ngwvvp4 http://tinyurl.com/nahoshb
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Please keep close
in prayer the loved ones—the parents, spouses, children, grandchildren,
siblings—and friends of those killed in this mine disaster. Pray for the children
and loved ones of those still missing. Please pray each of them will feel God’s
comforting presence in this difficult season.
·
Please pray for
the survivors as they process this frightening experience and the trauma it may
have caused.
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Pray for the
safety of those still involved in the recovery process at the mine.
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Pray the cause of
this disaster will be revealed and, if there is negligence involved, that
justice will be obtained.
United States
Eight-year-old Tyler* and his
3-year-old sister Rebecca* were caught in a bitter custody battle between their
grandparents and their mother. Their mother Anna* is pregnant and unable to
take her medications for bipolar disorder, making her quite emotionally
volatile. *Name changed for
confidentiality and/or protection.
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Give God thanks
for answering prayers about Tyler and Rebecca’s custody. Their grandparents
were recently awarded custody of Tyler and Rebecca’s birth father has custody
of her. Please continue to pray Tyler and Rebecca will feel God’s loving arms
around them throughout this chaotic time.
·
Pray for Anna as
she struggles with her mental illness and her relationships.
·
Pray for peace,
reconciliation, and healing in all of these relationships.
Faces of Children
- Please continue to keep in prayer Louise, the mother-in-law of Faces of Children prayer partner Karen. Louise developed acute pneumonia following surgery and is now under hospice care. Pray for peace and comfort during this season of Louise’s life. Pray God will also comfort her beloved family members.
- Please keep in prayer 20-year-old Donnie, the friend of a Faces of Children intercessor, as he receives treatment for cancer. Pray God will bring healing to this young man and comfort him during his treatments.
