BURNING ISSUES OCT 2011
WHEN PEOPLE
FORGIVE SIMON PONSONBY +++ YOUTH MISSION FLAME IN THE UK +++ PRAYER DIARY PLUS ALL THE NEWS, UPDATES, REPORTS AND FEATURES YOU NEED
Jubilee Action rescues and protects the world’s most vulnerable children: • imprisoned • trafficked • prostituted • child soldiers • street children Will you help us rescue them? Send your life-changing gift to: Jubilee Action, Dept FI1, Carroll House, 11 Quarry Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UY Phone: 01483 230250 • Fax: 01483 546035 • Email: info@jubileeaction.org
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BURNING ISSUES OCT 2011
Cover Image: Acts of forgiveness are enabled as God’s love is shared between His people in South Sudan. See page 4
WHEN PEOPLE
FORGIVE SIMON PONSONBY +++ YOUTH MISSION FLAME IN THE UK +++ PRAYER DIARY
All photography by Gareth Barton
PLUS ALL THE NEWS, UPDATES, REPORTS AND FEATURES YOU NEED
CONTENTS 10.2011
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When People Forgive
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Flame in the UK
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Harvests and Hindrances (part 1) Rev Simon Ponsonby
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Youth Mission Twittering
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Three Questions - Val Batchelor
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Prayer Diary
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News & Reviews
Flame International is a Christian ministry with a passion to reach out with God’s love to broken and hurting people, particularly those in the poorest countries of the world, and to see nations healed and walking in forgiveness and reconciliation. Through healing conferences, trauma workshops and prayer ministry, we equip and train leaders in the church, the military and in the wider society, to impact their communities.
PO BOX 424, Aldershot, GU11 9ER Tel: 01252 336509 www.flameinternational.org office@flameinternational.org
OPENING REMARKS
After an amazing summer at New Wine we’re thrilled to welcome nearly two thousand new readers to this edition of Burning Issues. The team had a great time at the Somerset conference with so many people visiting our stand to play our quick reaction game and to learn more about our work. We were also thrilled to give away two iPads and you can read more about our New Wine experience on page 8. Our very first youth focussed mission was a great success and we would like to thank the team and their supporters for helping us to respond to the invitation from Bishop Samuel in Nzara, South Sudan. Many lives were changed as the team built relationships with young people across the diocese, at the military barracks and in the local school. Find out more about their experiences on page 14 as they ‘tweeted’ on each day of their African adventure.
UPCOMING EVENTS 12/10 Team to West Bank 29/10 Training Day at St. Saviours, Guildford, GU1 4QD 17/11 Mission trip to Burundi 18/11 Intercessors to Armenia 9/12 Trustees meeting
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
The Military Issue. Flame International always seeks to offer God’s love and healing to those in the military wherever there’s an opportunity - and with amazing results. Find out more in Feb 2012.
Registered Charity Number 1096374 www.flameinternational.org
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WHEN PEOPLE FORGIVE
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6 v14-15 On returning to South Sudan this year we met 70 year old Esbon. It wasn’t the first time we’d seen him, as one year ago he was in immense pain after the death of his wife at the hands of the much feared Lord’s Resistance Army just a year earlier. His role as a Rural Dean was suffering and he was struggling with chronic back and shoulder pain, neither of which stopped him carrying a knife and looking for revenge. Incredibly, Esbon decided to lay down his knife and forgive the LRA during a Flame International conference for pastors, and as the team prayed for him his back was instantly healed - he ran around the room and started doing press-ups in front of the team and the delegates. A year later and Esbon is perhaps even more energetic than ever. He has now begun an agricultural programme for the church that trains pastors to develop vegetable plots that yield sufficient food for their families and for the poorest in their community. He works the large nursery plot for 10 hours each day and is full of passion for the work the
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Lord is doing through him. It is an incredible testimony to the power of forgiveness and of God’s grace to those who find the courage to forgive even the most heinous crimes. But could this message of forgiveness also be an answer for those in one of the world’s most brutalised societies? Mark Leakey, the chair of Flame’s trustee board, travelled with a team of volunteers from the UK into a place referred to by the UN as the “Rape Capital of the World” to find out. “We are in Bunia, in the notorious Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 5 million people have died as a result of the recent war and more than 400,000 women are raped each year. It’s the start of Flame International’s first mission to this tortured country. As we listen to the welcome given by the Archbishop, I know how we’re going to have to respond to the heart-breaking account of the country’s tragic
WHEN PEOPLE
FORGIVE www.flameinternational.org
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past. I brood over the historical estimate that 10 million Congolese died, largely at the hands of the colonial ‘Force Publique’, at the turn of the last century. I find myself kneeling before the delegates, acknowledging and confessing the sins of our European forebears, and then asking the delegates for their forgiveness for what we, the ‘wazungu’, the white men, did to their land. Without hesitation, the church echoes with ‘ndiyo’, a resounding ‘yes’ in Swahili. “Forgiveness is one of the most significant topics that Flame teaches on every mission. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven for our sins; he came to ‘give His life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45). As a result, we must in turn forgive. If we do not then we sit as judge over those who hurt us – and that is God’s role, not ours. Deuteronomy 32:35 is clear: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’, says God. “Later on, Jan, the Flame Director, teaches on the subject. ‘We must obey the Lord and forgive those who sin against us’, she urges. Matthew 6:14-15 is one of Christ’s ‘hard teachings’; it lays out one important condition for our forgiveness: ‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’ She gently issues a challenge to the delegates - a challenge to come to the front of the church and enact their forgiveness of others by nailing a crimson disc to a cross. At first there is silence; nobody stirs. And then the delegates begin to sing a deep, sombre, beautiful song, with harmonies only Africans can sing. And with it come the forgiving ones, crowding over the cross, the 6
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sound of their determined hammering ringing in the rafters. I am unable to check my tears; as I look across at the others in the team, I see they too are weeping. It is a precious moment. “On the Sunday I preach at the cathedral – on forgiveness. I recount the story of Edith. Edith, her brother Oswald and I grew up together in Rwanda; Oswald and I played in the dirt of that beautiful country when we were six. He was my friend! Nearly 50 years later, Edith was a delegate at a Flame conference we held in Butare, in the south of Rwanda. She shared with us how Oswald had been killed in the 1994 genocide, and how she had been forced to watch her daughters being raped and slaughtered, and how a priest had hacked her husband to pieces before her very eyes. She told us how she wept every day for her lost family. But then I recount how on the last day of the conference we were all gathered together, arms linked, singing, some of us weeping. I recount how a pastor from the people group who had killed Edith’s loved ones knelt in the middle of us all, tears streaming down his face, his hands raised to heaven, and how Edith came and embraced him, kneeling beside him on the floor. I will never forget that moving act of forgiveness. “Still later we get a chance to speak to 300 prisoners; I’m speaking again on forgiveness. The stench and the squalor of the overcrowded prison are almost overpowering. Once again we act out the drama of the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). ‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart’, declares James, a 21 year old team member who is playing the king today.
WHEN PEOPLE FORGIVE
“I am unable to check my tears; as I look across at the others in the team, I see they too are weeping. It is a precious moment.” “The tough message rings out loud and clear in the prison yard. No hammers or nails are allowed in the prison. An ‘altar call’ is out of the question. But we have our cross. So I encourage the prisoners to ‘place’ the person they need to forgive in the palm of their hand. They then repeatedly ‘throw’ the contents of their opening fists towards the cross that is held high in the prison yard. Almost every prisoner takes part, shouting gleefully. It’s a powerful act of forgiving. We have found time and time again that true forgiveness brings healing into people’s lives. It is a key to unlocking the prison of bitterness and anger that can trap us. It can bring hope to the tragic country of Congo.”
Forgiving those that have hurt them, as they nail a red disc to a cross, women perform a simple symbolism that belies the magnitude of the act
Physical healing through forgiveness enables Rural Dean Esbon to work the land and develop sustainable crops to feed the poorest in his community
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OUT AND ABOUT WITH FLAME IN THE UK
SHOCKING RESPONSE AT NEW WINE "We weren’t quite expecting that!” was the reaction from founder Jan Ransom as Flame International’s new ‘shocking’ stand was inundated at this year’s summer conference in Shepton Mallet. An energetic volunteer team of all ages saw a total of 1,909 people sign up to hear about the work of Flame International and saw many others visit the stand to have fun with the team and to play our quick hand-eye reaction game. “We wanted to create a great atmosphere around the stand that would also contribute to every delegate’s experience of New Wine”, says Jan, “and as we put that together with
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the draw to win an iPad and the chance to explain some of God’s work with those who’ve suffered through conflict, well, it was quite a combination. I can’t tell you how thrilled we all are and the team are buzzing from the fabulous contact we’ve had with people who hadn’t previously heard much about us.” Our thanks go to the New Wine Marketplace Team who made us so welcome and to Rev Paul Perkin at St. Mark’s, Battersea Rise, London and Anita Cleverly at St. Aldates, Oxford for their help in presenting the iPad winners with their prizes. Thanks also to the amazing Flame team for their tireless service.
Our Area Representatives are now taking bookings and beginning to visit churches and small groups to share about the work of Flame International. These short talks with video clips and inspirational stories are perfect for home groups, mens and womens groups, Mothers Union meetings and prayer events.
BE PREPARED
Our next Training Day is on Saturday 29th October, 2011 at St. Saviour’s Church, Guildford, GU1 4QD. This is an essential day for all those considering joining us for short-term mission and is a day that will introduce you to many of the Flame team, as well as others who share your passion for mission. Training topics include specific modules for teaching in a postconflict environment, along with issues such as contextualisation and orientation.
C to aomin nea tow g r yo n u Call us on 01252 336509 or email office@flameinternational.org if you would like a speaker to visit your church or small group, or to become a Flame Area Representative and spread the word to more areas!
having experienced mission team members to talk to, question and pray with. Please call 01252 336509 or email office@flameinternational.org for more information and to book your place.
Delegates will also have the chance to pray with each other and those who are seeking to discern God’s calling will enjoy
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REV SIMON PONSONBY
Harvests & Hin
Celebrated speaker and author Simon Ponsonby challenges us to take a fresh look at mission in the first installment of a two-part study from Romans.
Romans 1:13: “I want you to know brothers that I have often planned to come to you – in order that I might reap a harvest among you as among the rest of the Gentiles.”
St. Paul was the ultimate missions man. His purpose in writing Romans was to prepare the way for a visit to Rome where he would be equipped for his last missionary push into Europe. Romans 15:19: “I’ve preached the gospel all the way round from Jerusalem to Illyricum” (Bosnia). The letter to Romans is a missions letter, revealing a missionary God who reaches out in the gospel of Jesus Christ to save Jew and Gentile.
Paul tells us in v10 that he prayed to come to Rome, in v11 that he longed to come and in v13 that he planned to come to Rome. There were several reasons, not least his desire to meet and encourage the church, but a major one was to preach the gospel to them and consequently to reap a harvest among them. Paul always had his eyes on the harvest (gk: karpos, lit. “fruit”) that was ready and ripe for reaping. He was driven by a desire to bring the harvest into the barn of God’s kingdom – through the preaching of the gospel. Our Jesus, as he hung
Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe, first the Jew, then the Gentile. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed – as it is written, the righteous will live by faith.” Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because it covers our shame and our unrighteousness can be covered by God’s righteousness. This offer is for all - Jew and Gentile – every category of humanity. No matter how far from God, no matter how dark your deeds, no matter your morality, history, pedigree or nationality – you are never beyond the reach of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus. This is the gospel - thrilling news, but the gospel must be ‘heard ‘n’ held’, and so Paul speaks of his passion for mission and inspires us to it. 10
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ndrances on Golgotha’s Gibbet, had his eyes on the harvest - eyes filled with blood, sweat and tears, and the vision of the harvest that his death would win and winnow. It was Jesus who first used this metaphor of a harvest for people ready for God: “Don’t say ‘there are yet another four months until harvest’ - look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see the fields are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35) The Greek uses two different words for look: idou, epairo – lit. “look, look up” and the doublet emphasizes the need to see the harvest field.
Donated bibles are given to many who are hungry for God’s word in South Sudan
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Many of us have our eyes closed, or we are looking in the wrong place. So often the church is looking at herself, preaching to herself, tending herself, concerned with herself, me, my, I – she doesn’t see the harvest. Church is often just looking at building bigger, better barns, not at the harvest. Proverbs 10:5: “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son – but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.” Paul saw the harvest – he saw the untold millions still untold, they were waiting, longing, hungering for the gospel he had to offer. Due to church advance, there are more Christians today on Planet Earth than in the preceding 19½ centuries since Pentecost put together. But due to population increase, there are more people alive today without Christ than the previous 19½ centuries put together – the harvest is huge.
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Three things recently indicated to me that the harvest is ripe A TV programme called Big Silence followed a group of non-religious people as they spent two weeks in silence at a Christian monastery. Most appeared initially cynical, indifferent, mocking of Church. But in a few days, as they stopped to examine their own lives, they became aware of their need of God. Two had profound experiences of Christ and converted. One, a cynical, hard businessman, said he was going to sell his businesses and spend time with family and God! Look, the fields are ripe to harvest. Then a church member told me he’d been sharing with some non-church mates and talking about spiritual matters. He suggested they get together and read a ‘soft’ Christian book “Blue like Jazz” (oblique evangelism). A couple of the guys said, “Sure, but perhaps we could also read the Bible?” Look, the fields are ripe to harvest. Just this morning someone walked into our church reception area and asked one of the welcome team, “Do I need an invitation?” They were told, “Just come in!” Look, the fields are ripe to harvest.
A FLAME REV SIMON SPECIAL PONSONBY REPORT So where is the harvest for us? Before our very eyes! Jesus said, “Look, look around you.” Who can you see in your family, your community, or simply in your proximity? Yes, God will call some to reap a harvest overseas and He will call some from overseas to reap a harvest here. You will never witness abroad if you haven’t learnt to witness at home. J John: “A missionary is not someone who crosses the sea but who sees the cross” and who sees the lost. St. Augustine noted that we are to love our neighbour (to love our neighbour surely involves sharing the gospel with them) but which ones? Since we cannot do good to all (care with all, share with all) Augustine says, “Pay special regard to those, who by the accidents of time or place or circumstance are brought into closer connection with you.”
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I recently made friends with a chap through our mutual interest in photography. He knows I’m a vicar and I even gave him one of my books when it came out. But I’ve been reluctant to push my faith and even to talk about it. Recently he said to me, “I don’t want to be presumptuous, but can I come to your church?” I said, “No!” (Just joking, of course!) We need to ask God to give us eyes to see the harvest all around us. Harvests need harvesting and harvesting needs harvesters.
In the next issue, Simon will look at those things that hindered Paul from mission and asks, “What hinders us?”
Simon Ponsonby left the meat industry to become an evangelist, then trained for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol. He holds a BA & MLitt in Theology and served a curacy in Bradford before becoming Oxford Pastorate Chaplain in 1998. Simon took up the position of Pastor of Theology at St. Aldates in 2005, a role that combines teaching, travelling and writing. He is the author of ‘More’ and is married to Tiffany, with two sons, Joel and Nat. www.flameinternational.org
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‘GENERATION Y’ MISSION TO SOUTH SUDAN GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Hello Team! At Heathrow Airport our 15kg bags somehow make a huge pile. Any snorers? Who am I sharing with? During the summer Flame responded to an invitation from Bishop Samuel in Nzara, South Sudan to send a team to minister to the youth of his diocese. For the first time Flame put together a team of young people in their 20s and 30s (collectively named ‘Generation Y’) who travelled to the newest nation on earth to share God’s love with those who have grown up in an atmosphere of violence and fear. Here they report back in their own style using the format of micro-blogging site, Twitter...
Sunday 28th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Arrived at Entebbe – this has been a long time coming! Chillaxing before the final push into South Sudan. Hotel propped up by wooden scaffolding. So good to be under African skies! Monday 29th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Up before the sun. Privileged to fly with MAF into South Sudan. Intense heat. Shock. Tuesday 30th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Emerged from straw huts to start the conference. These people are too beautiful for such sombre stories. Who knew teaching Frisbee would build such fellowship? Wednesday 31st
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Pit latrine now stinks. Taught on forgiveness, people released to forgive atrocities we can’t even imagine. Much healing released & faces now beaming. Thursday 1st
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Following teaching on emotional healing, many delegates learnt to express feelings through paint. 14
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Several delegates painted rainbows only to find an end to end rainbow 5m from the door! Friday 2nd
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team A biblical plague of ants swarmed our tukuls at 2am, forcing immediate evacuation!!! Friday 2nd
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Last day of the conference. Experiencing the Father-heart of God led to many people being physically healed. Saturday 3rd
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team We spoke in 5 different churches amidst much singing and dancing, saw salvation and more healings & enjoyed the spectacular beauty of this amazing place. Sunday 4th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Awoke to the melodic cacophony of the African night & watched the fiery colours of the sunrise. We took the gospel of peace to SPLA soldiers & their families. Many lives transformed. Monday 5th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Second day at the barracks: fun times ministering to whole families. Heard great testimonies from yesterday, more from today. Team visit to Yambio – great to explore a new place.
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Taught in a chronically underresourced school on forgiveness and God’s love. Had a blast – God showed up! Had an afternoon of community sport and answered kids’ prayers for Bibles. Wednesday 7th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Thankful for the prayers of our supporters which broke the ground for all God has done. Flying back in the safe hands of our MAF pilot, we reflected on the many miracles we’ve seen. God did so much more than we could have asked or imagined. Thursday 8th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team Caffè Lattes by the pool - what a contrast to where we’ve just been! Friday 9th
GENYTEAM Generation Y Team So sad to say goodbye. Gradually seeing off team members to various end destinations & already missing the wonderful folk of Nzara. It’s been transformational in so many ways. Mixed feelings about getting back but know we’re also going home changed. Saturday 10th
Tuesday 6th www.flameinternational.org
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THREE QUESTIONS... What impact has the work of Flame International had on the nations you’ve visited? I have witnessed amazing changes in South Sudan, where the people have embraced the teaching and ministry. Lives have been turned around from hopelessness and despair to a zeal for Jesus, bringing renewed life into the communities. Rural Dean, Rev Esbon is a fine example of how one life changing event can impact a whole community when the teaching is applied. Following cleansing of the land there are testimonies of rainfall in areas of drought, barren land turned fruitful, cessation of disputes and quarrelling, and where there was sickness the people now enjoy good health. Our early work in Rwanda brought similar testimonies and we are seeing positive signs of change in Burundi as our work progresses. Do you have a story that demonstrates the effect of Flame’s work? There are many stories from South Sudan, and I was really encouraged to discover that since the convention in March, when the Nzara ministry team witnessed significant numbers of physical healings; ministry teams are working with mission and evangelism teams across Nzara Diocese, ministering in their churches and communities and regularly seeing physical healings and lives changed. At least three witch doctors have been saved and are now preaching Jesus, much to the surprise of other witch doctors and their communities! Furthermore, since church land in Nzara was prayed over last March and scriptures planted, the witchcraft practices against the church have ceased, so too the disputes and quarrelling amongst the people. 16
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What are you hoping to see happen as Flame starts its programme in DRC? After two exploratory trips into the DRC it is clear to me that this is a challenging working environment that holds unique and exciting opportunities. This huge country seems as physically and spiritually impenetrable as in colonial times, but what a joy to work with church leaders who love Jesus and long to see change. Certainly the atrocities of today, to both the land and its people, are as traumatic as they were in the 1890/1900s. I would love to see the land of this nation healed because this will have the greatest impact on the lives of the people, and whole communities will be changed. The solutions to the DRC problems lie within its people, and this is where the work of Flame International can help produce lasting treasure. Working in partnership with Archbishop Henri Kahwa Isingoma, his bishops and church leaders, presents a huge and exciting challenge but as we work together under God’s leading we will see miraculous change.
VAL BATCHELOR
Taking time to catch up with a MAF pilot in Uganda.
PRAYER DIARY: OCT 2011 - JAN 2012
Thank you for supporting us in prayer - please feel free to cut out this guide if you’d like to place it in your Bible.
06 Nov: Give thanks for the growing number of Area Reps who speak in their home areas on Flame work, pray for opportunities for them to speak. 13 Nov: The Burundi team departs on Thursday
02 Oct: Give thanks for God’s leading at the Trustee
for the second visit to Gitega and Makamba. Pray
Away Day. Pray for continued guidance on the
for Val as she leads this team along with Rosemary,
discussions, decisions made and future actions. Pray
Christopher, Wesley, Ruth, Richard, Mike and Moira,
for the recruitment of new staff. Pray as we seek to
for team unity and for miracles of healing. An
develop young pioneers. Pray for peace in Burundi.
intercessory team departs for Armenia on Friday. Pray
9 Oct: The team depart for Israel and the West Bank
for Jan, Jeremy, Brian Mills, Mark, Josephine and the team as they seek the Lord in prayer.
on Tuesday. Pray for Jan, Mark, Stephanie, Joy, Jo, Cathie, Rosalind, Nick and the team at Bethlehem
20 Nov: The Burundi conference starts today in
Baptist Church as they minister on Friday and
Gitega. Pray for renewed friendships, fruit from last
Saturday.
year to be well rooted in God, for fresh revelation
16 Oct: Pray for the team as they minister at the Apostolic Church in Beit Sahour in the West Bank on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Also for the ministry as we take on more work, pray that God will raise up team leaders and members, particularly men and young people.
throughout the week, particularly for open hearts, and healings in the workshops. Continue to hold the intercessors in Armenia in prayer. 27 Nov: The Burundi conference starts today in Makamba. Pray for good relationship building from last year and for the Lord to work deeply in the lives
23 Oct: Pray for the facilitators and teachers at
of the delegates. Pray for strength, good health and
the training day in Guildford on Saturday, and for
safe travel for the team. The Armenia team return to
those who attend; that this will be a day of unity in
the UK on Monday, pray for their protection and that
spirit and blessing, as well as a challenge. Pray that
the seeds sown in prayer will take root. The Burundi
new supporters from New Wine will attend and be
team return to the UK on Saturday.
encouraged.
04 Dec: Continue to hold the Burundi and Armenia teams in prayer. The trustees meet on 9 Dec. Pray
charitable trusts. Give thanks for our relationships
for Mark as Chairman, and for the trustees to know
with Cornelius Trust, The Jerusalem Trust, Souter
God’s will as they take Flame forward. Give thanks
Trust, St. Boniface Trust and Barnabas Fund; and for
for all Flame supporters who pray for us, that we will
the many individuals who give so generously.
hear from God as we seek direction for 2012.
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30 Oct: Pray for Gareth as he seeks funding from
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PRAYER DIARY OCT 2011 - JAN 2012 11 Dec: Pray for the church in Armenia, for unity,
08 Jan: Pray for Burundi’s President Nkurunziza and
forgiveness and for the captives to be set free. Give
Archbishop Bernard for peace and stability, and
glory to God for His healing work in Burundi and for
for an opportunity to teach at ministerial level on
the favour we have with leaders in the land. Pray for
Healing the Land. Pray also for the ministry to the
the safety of President Pierre Nkurunziza and for him
military in Burundi who are interested in us helping
to really glorify the Lord.
them with Trauma and Reconciliation Ministry.
18 Dec: Pray for opportunities to develop
15 Jan: Give thanks for this amazing opportunity
partnerships with churches, suitable humanitarian
to work with Chinese missionaries as they move
organisations and charitable trusts. Pray for MAF
into South Sudan. Pray that the first team will have
Uganda who serve us in Sudan and Congo.
favour with God as they go.
25 Dec: Give thanks for our co-workers; Les,
22 Jan: Pray for the poverty and oppression to
Valerie, Joy, Natalie; for Gareth, and all our valuable
lift off the people of DR Congo as we work with
contributors who pray, donate and participate; for
Archbishop Henri and take the teaching across the
our pastors, Ken and Jean. Praise God for all His
land. Pray for peace in South Sudan, particularly in
goodness and provision.
Nuba and Abyei.
01 Jan: At the start of this new year praise God
29 Jan: Give thanks for the privilege of working
for His favour towards Flame “for He has done
with our partners in South Sudan, Uganda, Congo,
marvellous things”. Pray we will continue to call on
Burundi, Israel and the Far East; as we place the
His wonderful name and seek His will.
teaching in their hands, pray for multiplication.
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Remember Iris whose husband was killed by the LRA last year leaving her to raise their 10 children on her own
NEWS & REVIEWS BURNING ISSUES OCT 2011
WHEN PEOPLE
FORGIVE SIMON PONSONBY +++ YOUTH MISSION FLAME IN THE UK +++ PRAYER DIARY PLUS ALL THE NEWS, UPDATES, REPORTS AND FEATURES YOU NEED
Burning Issues is now available to view, download or print online. Visit www.flameinternational.org and click on the link to see our cool new viewer. Don’t forget to email your friends and family so they can be encouraged by what God is doing for hurting communities.
King Leopold’s Ghost-a Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. Why does the Democratic Republic of Congo need Flame’s trauma ministry? The answer is in this book by Adam Hochschild. This book has been finely researched and written, making the terrible history of the country clear, despite its complexity. Without hiding the abuses existing before colonialism, the author charts the appalling exploitation of the Congolese by King Leopold of Belgium. The result? 130 years of brutality, making DRC today the ‘rape capital of the world’. The 2006 edition contains the author’s worthwhile reflections on his previous findings. Jonathan Liggins
We sa y than a sad ‘fa rewe k you ll ’t has w orke o jeff kin and d wit last g who hu y mana ear as op s for the er ge have r. he and ations reloc his f a nativ a e usa ted back mily to je a new wher ff e p in da osition a he takes ’s llas up t mer an c our l ove a d they go y ships nd pr ayer with s.
Join our growing number of ‘fans’ on Facebook to stay up to date with all the news as it develops and to add your comments and encouragements.
Congratulations to Stuart Trimby and Rev Philip and Denise Evans who won our iPads at New Wine!
Earlier this summer Jan, Mark and Val were given an audience with Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi during which time he urged them to continue to help his country through Flame’s ‘Healing the Land’ teaching and actions. Having lost five siblings to war and conflict he is no stranger to the challenges that his country faces or to the ministry that he has invited us to do. www.flameinternational.org
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Send a message of hope through your church this Christmas...
Tearfund will take you back to the First Christmas with our fun and festive church resources to enhance your Christmas service Nativity play – this short drama for children to perform at a Nativity or Christmas service is designed to fit the scope of your children’s work. Christmas film – this three-minute DVD to show in your church tells the story of a family in Nepal at Christmas. Children’s craft activity – a simple and fun way to get the younger members of your congregation involved. Individual response leaflets – an invitation to journey with a community in need. Plus: great ideas for festive fundraising; PowerPoint presentation for speakers; inspiration to pray for people in Nepal. Registered Charity No. 265464 (England and Wales) Registered Charity No. SC037624 (Scotland) Photo: Ralph Hodgson/Tearfund
To order or download your FREE church resources, go to: www.tearfund.org/christmas England & Wales – phone: 0845 21 0021 email: churches@tearfund.org Scotland – phone: 0141 332 3621 email: scotland@tearfund.org N. Ireland – phone: 028 9068 2828 email: ir@tearfund.org