Indigenous Prayer Group

AIM Prayer Points August 2008

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

NORTHERN TERRITORY

1. Darwin Rhonda Coats Elizabeth Ham

Praise : Rhonda’s recent trip to many centres has enabled her to leave literature with the believers and encourage them to press on. She travelled in safety with no car trouble. Elizabeth has been able to continue her work at the Belyuen school and her pastoral care of many, Rejoice with us for the many, many years Elizabeth has worked in AIM and all the lives touched by her. She retires in December.

Pray for: Rhonda as she continues to encourage those she visited, prepares the AIM magazine; that she will know the Lord’s peace and assurance as currently some of her family in USA are undergoing serious health/personal issues and it is hard for her to be so far away. Elizabeth as she seeks God’s guidance as to how to use her retirement years, how to relinquish her current ministries, what new areas of ministry might open up.

2. Katherine : Greg and Debbie Piper and church leaders

Praise : the consistent leadership among the Indigenous people, especially Lisa, Noel and David; the church’s team work in the outreach ministry at the Gorge on some Sunday evenings; the faithful few at Barunga who keep walking straight, especially Anita.

Pray for: Greg and Debbie as they seek to train current and potential leaders; for the church members to be shining lights among their own families and community; more men to come into the church.

3. Borroloola Max and Doris Field and church leaders

Praise : Strong leadership of Vincent Charlie and his gifts in personal evangelism; Warren Timothy as he also leads; Miriam as she takes the Sunday School, Max and Doris as they quietly and wisely encourage the church folk.

Pray : Warren’s wife Joelene has asked for prayer that she will not be disruptive to Warren on Sunday mornings as he prepares to lead church. She recognises that satan is attacking her in this area and she wants to overcome it; opportunities to reach the young people.

4.Elliott /Marlinja Harold and Kaye Dalywaters Raymond and Thelma Dixon

Praise : these two families press on in spite of loneliness. They give a godly witness in their communities. They run Sunday School faithfully each week.

Pray for : their children to walk with the Lord and make wise choices about their futures; Harold and Raymond have many dreams for their communities and for their own ministries in them. They need God’s direction as to the best way to use their gifts in this work. They need to be encouraged to keep pressing on when they meet opposition from wider family.

5.Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies

Praise : The faithful Christians in the community; the opportunities to relate to the children who have a warm relationship with Richard and Sue; the blessing of Christian teachers leading the school programme. Pray for : good health for Richard and Sue; more men to join the church; those who have wandered away to come back in repentance, contact with families through children; the after school programme ;Ben and Suse Hollands as they lead the team of teachers at Canteen Creek.( While in Epenarra, we met an Education Dept Rep. who had just been to assess the Year 11 and 12 students at Canteen Creek School and met Ben and Suse for the first time. She was amazed at their commitment and achievements! We praise God for their testimony.)

6. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield, Wesley Ruth William Haydon

Praise : Rodney is leading the church services and teaching from the Word; Andrew and Cindy are quietly relating to the church folk and within the community, seeking to encourage the Christians to grow strong; the children are settled and happy

Pray for : Rodney and Derek to be strong for the Lord and grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus; for the Christians in the town not to be tempted by the gambling, drinking and fighting which is prevalent at the moment; the ladies teaching Sunday School to see children impacted; a godly witness in the community be all the Christians; for Cindy as she juggles the enormous pressure of schooling the two eldest and doing all the other tasks which fall to wife and mother, thus having little time for herself; Andrew as he seeks to help meet the family needs as well as ministry.

7. Tennant Creek Ruth and Eugen, church leaders

Praise: the government grant to buy a new bus has come through and the generosity of the church in passing the old bus on cheaply to Alice Springs; Ruth and Eugen are safely home from their trip to Canada to meet their first grandchild; the enthusiasm of the Men’s and Ladies’ Bible study groups as they share and interact each week.

Pray for :spiritual strength for the leaders. The men are growing older and the ranks are being depleted. New men need to be trained to lead. Many are suffering poor health due to cold weather, especially Phyllis Driver who has gone to Alice Springs to commence a kidney dialysis programme. She will be lonely; for Ruth as she grieves the loss of her father.

8. Alice Springs Margaret and Greg Duke Sharon Jude

Praise : Some local folk are helping with a simple Sunday morning service for a few folk; the imminent provision of a bus as the current one has died.

Pray for : the team of workers needed. Hospital visiting and pastoral care alone is a full time ministry with many coming from AIM centres elsewhere. Wisdom regarding possible workers for 2009; the family (especially his wife Mary) of Wally Long, one of the regular attenders, who died last week after a long period of poor health. Many folk in Alice Springs will miss him.

Reading Comprehension...

Does the Holy Spirit illuminate only the Scriptures for the believer?
Does He illuminate primary source documents, theological text books or novels?

How does the Holy Spirit illuminate words for the illiterate?

...

These questions have been floating around in my head in light of thinking about Indigenous Church ministry and also because of my own experience this week trying to comprehend ancient texts for college.

AIM PRAYER NOTES for JUNE 2008...

http://www.aimpa.com/

NEW SOUTH WALES
1. AIM Council: John Keane, Arthur Nicolson, Geoff Bartlett, Len Smith, Pierre Thielemans, Kevin Sylvester, Peter Dart, Cliff and Trevor. Field Members of Council: Jono Wright, Richard Davies, Elizabeth Ham, Dennis Tranter.
Praise: For the faithful work of the Council members, their general oversight and prayer support of AIM, and the special interest of those who visit the field from time to time.
Pray for: the meeting planned for 10th June, for wise decisions to be made.

2. Dubbo David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: More new faces, some are bringing others; Sunday-School is a blessing as well as the new teaching time on Tuesday afternoons; new faces at Men’s Breakfasts.
Prayer: Sunday-School children to be converted; men who attend breakfast to come to Sunday services; David and Rose as they lead the ministry team.

3. Moree Paul and Erin Strahan and Grace
Praise: Erin is expecting a new baby in December; good numbers at Kid’s church; more contact with adults.
Pray for: Paul as he prepares to speak at Collarenebri Convention on long weekend; guidance about reaching more teenagers in the time they have available; more like-minded people to share in the ministry.

4. Office Trevor and Pam, Rob and Jenni Alley, Cliff and Sue
Praise: For the financial gifts given to support the ministry; for the prayer support of many for the work of AIM; for the expansion of the team with the planned move of Rob and Jenni Alley and baby Miriam mid year to the office.
Pray for: A support team for the Alleys as they step out trusting God into the full time ministry of Mission Awareness Tours and Administration; for Cliff and Trevor in their various responsibilities; for Pam as she keeps things running smoothly.

5. Gilgandra Max and Tracy Conlon
Praise: For the acceptance of the Conlons; for the response of the young people to Max’s ministry
Pray for: Building of new relationships; more people to come back to the church fellowship.


QUEENSLAND
6. Camooweal Jono and Grace Wright and family
Praise: For cooler weather; visit of Grace’s parents; Grace’s renewed strength
Pray for: Jono and Grace as they go on deputation soon, that it will be rewarding and fruitful; that the Christians in Camooweal will continue to encourage each other in the Wright’s absence; Jono as he leads the studies at the Bible School over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

7. Cherbourg
Praise: That Church leader Sammy Murray has been elected as the Mayor of Cherbourg.
Pray for: Sam Murray and family as they grieve the loss of Doris; more men in the church; the breaking of the cycle of substance abuse among the young people; those who teach RE in the schools. Pray for Sammy Murray and Neil Simpson as they lead the church.

8. Rockhampton Bill and Lesley Power David Chambers
Praise: David is building strong friendships among the young people; growth in interest among those at the Milbi Rehabilitation Farm where meetings are held weekly
Pray for: Church leader Irene Currie, whose husband Alex died recently. The funeral was 23rd May; for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Sunday School children, the church council meeting to be held at Inala on 6-8th June.

9. Woorabinda Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: For open doors into the community; for various churches which want to help and support the ministry in Woorabinda
Pray for: The community as it becomes a dry community soon; for Martin as he has been approached by Dept of Communities to assist, especially with troubled youth; Rose as she does RE and helps in Day care.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
10. Darwin Rhonda Coats and Elizabeth Ham
Praise: Rhonda has been able to make an extended trip (about 8 weeks) to various centres with literature and to teach where possible; for the opportunities Elizabeth has in hospital ministry and in the school.
Pray for: Safety for Rhonda as she drives alone, for good openings to share and for people to be around when she visits their centres; for Neremiah, a young car accident victim from B’loola whom Elizabeth has met in Darwin hospital . Her family are very anxious about her.
Pray for: Marion Quinn, teaching at Woolaning Homeland Christian College, who has students from many centres including Belyuen. Each day is a challenge as they prepare students to face the future.

11. Katherine Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise: for the outreach already started at the Gorge and for God’s blessing so far.
Pray for: Continued blessing from the Gorge outreach; for the Lord to strengthen the church council and make them more committed

12. Borroloola Max and Doris Field Vincent Charlie Warren Timothy Miriam
Praise: For growth in Sunday School and Miriam’s faithful teaching; for the quiet confident way in which Shaelene faced her death, trusting in Christ and for the testimony at her funeral service.
Pray for: Shaelene’s young son in the care of family; Gemma who has turned her back o God but had contact with Max and Doris; health of the Fields; reaching out to those who have been baptised and drifted away

13. Elliott Harold and Kay Dalywaters; Raymond and Thelma Dixon at Marlinja
Praise: For Sunday School being run by Harold and Kay and the good number attending; for the faithful witness of the Dalywaters and Dixons in hard places

Pray for: These couples to live as examples in their communities and shine for Jesus in these dark places; for other Christians to be encouraged to reach out in the community.

14. Tennant Creek Richard, Cedric, Jeff , Ruth and Eugen
Praise: Growth in new converts, especially Brian Jakara; ladies and teenagers learning new sewing and tapestry skills; the church folk picking up extra responsibilities
Pray for: Ruth and Eugen as they travel to Canada to meet their new grand daughter, for safety and good health ; for the health of church members who struggle, especially in colder months; for those taking on new rolls in the church outside their comfort zones.

15. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: local ladies have taken over running the Sunday School and doing well; encouraging participation in Ladies’ meeting Tuesday night, men’s meeting Thursday afternoon. Praise for Rodney’s leadership
Pray for: continued growth in understanding among the church people; for Andrew and some men who are going to Elcho Island
3-10th June for dedication of New Testament. Andrew grew up there so will renew acquaintances and introduce the desert men to some Christians from salt water country. Pray for Cindy as she copes at home alone.

16. Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: For those who stand strong and resist pressure; for opportunities to teach RE at the school

Pray for: Those who made commitments at Easter meetings and now face loneliness as they are cut off from friends and facing temptation; for trusting friendships to grow within the church family; for a Christian teacher to respond to the advertisement placed by the School Principal ( Ben)for an English teacher.

17. Alice Springs Bob and Deb McKerrell
Praise : For the wonderful ministry of Bob and Deb over six months; Bob’s successful nerve block treatment in Brisbane recently for a chronic back problem; for God’s sustaining strength and help to meet each situation; for those who have assisted during the past six months.
Pray for: Bob and Deb as they return to Toowoomba on 9th June; their planned trip to Aurukun with a team of workers to do ministry; for the new short term workers.

SOS - We have just learned Terry and Olga Manton are now unable to go to Alice Springs to carry on the ministry after the McKerrells depart. We have nobody available at such short notice to fill in. Please pray with us about what the Lord wants us to do regarding Alice Springs.

AIM PRAYER NOTES for MAY 2008...

http://www.aimpa.com/

The tourist season is beginning in the north and many centres have visitors arriving. Please pray for our workers as they seek to balance hospitality with their ministry. It can create a lot of pressure.

New South Wales

Gilgandra: Max and Tracey Conlon and son Marley
Praise the safe relocation to Gilgandra and the opportunity for a new ministry
Prayer: settling in and adjusting; Marley as he misses his friends; wisdom in setting priorities in the ministry

Dubbo: David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: There are a steady number of new faces, one man inquiring about baptism.
The Sunday-School continues to be a blessing. The special monthly events held have been a real encouragement with increased numbers attending
Prayer: Wisdom to disciple inquirers, conversion of those showing interest, including the children, guidance concerning the starting of special classes, perhaps catechism.

Office: Leggotts, Letchers, Alleys
Praise: Safe arrival of baby Miriam Alley.
Prayer: Rob and Jenni as they adjust to parenthood and seek to be wise and godly in raising Miriam. Also that they will know God’s guidance concerning their future ministry with AIM.
Praise: Safe travel and valuable interaction with the Mission Awareness Tours recently completed - Cliff to Canteen Creek and Trevor to various centres in Qld, NT and NSW
Prayer: For ongoing impact from these trips among the young people involved and a willingness to serve Christ wherever He leads them in the future; for Cliff as he heads to Kuala Lumpur in mid May to do a training course in teaching Bible Storying in an Oral culture, that he will be able to use these skills within AIM.

Moree: Paul and Erin Strahan
Praise: Blessed school holiday programme for the children; the good way in which the helpers from Sydney fitted in.
Prayer: building on the holiday programme; continued opportunities to make contacts with Indigenous families.

Queensland

Rockhampton: Bill and Lesley Power, David Chambers
Praise for leadership team in the church - Bill, David, Irene, Jandalyn and Lesley; for the eight ladies going to the Women’s convention. For many answered prayers including success of Elsie’s operation and Selly’s visit.
Pray for Bill’s health and David Chambers as he leads the youth; Milbi farm outreach; guidance for the church leaders concerning the way ahead.

Palm Island: Solo and Akanisi
Praise for the opportunity to have a witness on the island; for Christians in various roles within the community to have a godly consistent witness
Prayer: there is a need for a bus to transport people to activities

Camooweal: Jono and Grace Wright
Praise: opportunity to go on outreach from 30th April for two weeks; the impending visit of Grace’s parents from W.A.
Prayer: for strength to cope with the stresses of family life and health issues; for safety on outreach and the children’s health during the trip; for growth in the believers in the various communities as Jono teaches them

Worrabinda: Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: One local man is coming to church regularly now and seems eager to earn about God; opportunities to share in the community as we participate in various local activities
Prayer: the community is preparing for the alcohol ban to come into effect on July 1st; all churches have suffered constant vandalism which proves very expensive to fix; pray for the youth who are involved in this vandalism; for Martin as he continues to work as a chaplain in the High School; for Rose as she mixes with the ladies seeking to model the love of Christ.


Northern Territory

Tennant Creek: Freudigmanns, Richard, Michael, Cedric, Jeffrey
Praise: Christians have stood firm against attacks from the evil one since Easter; Janet Mick has come back to the Lord; the weekly Bible study groups are well attended; godly and consistent leadership from church Elders, Eugen and Ruth’s faithful servant hearts.
Prayer: General physical health as the weather gets cooler; Rhonda O’Keefe and Annie Jones as they teach an average of 25 children each week in Sunday-School;
Phyllis Ricky and Annie Jones as they learn new patchworking skills, for Ruth as she spends time teaching them and chatting about the Lord as they learn.

Katherine: Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise for the good spiritual health of the church family, Greg and Debbie’s enthusiasm, success of the youth trips to Darwin, the growth of the weekly Bible Study groups
Prayer: The tourist season is beginning and the Sunday afternoon outreach service at the Katherine Gorge will commence from May 11th. Pray for good contacts between the church folk and tourists, for words in season from the church folk and a godly witness.

Darwin: Rhonda Coats, Elizabeth Ham
Praise: A young man recently became a Christian through the gaol ministry of the Community Church; other inmates have been showing interest. Elizabeth has the opportunity each week at Belyeun School tot each the Word of God.
Prayer: Continued growth of the new Christian in gaol and for the conversion of others. Elizabeth needs strength and wisdom as she counsels people around Darwin who have a variety of problems. Rhonda is planning a 4-6 week trip around the centres commencing in early May. Pray for safety in travel, opportunities for good fellowship and to share resources, for good health.

Barunga:
Praise: one Christian took a stand at a recent funeral against ceremony business being mixed up with a Christian funeral.
Prayer: the Christians will continue to grow string spiritually and God will add others to His church.

Alice Springs: Bob and Deb Mckerrell
Praise: for the work completed on the house, and the ministry of Phil and Cathy Stuart and Bob and Joy Wells; for a full time place for Alfred Norman at the Topsy Smith Hostel; Bob and Deb as they faithful care for the flock.
Prayer: Bob as he goes to Brisbane for a nerve block on his back in early May; safety for Debbie as she is there alone; for Terry and Olga Manton as they prepare to come in June for three months; full time workers for 2009; outpouring of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives so that the bondage of sin can be broken and growth occur.

Canteen Creek: Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: the government nutrition programme means each child in the community is receiving breakfast morning tea and lunch at school each day, which has not happened before. The local women are running the programme
Prayer: The breaking of the power of gambling. Some marriages are at breaking point because of it, children are being neglected as the gambling rings are going all night. Richard and Sue will be spending a week at SMBC as Missionaries in residence in early May. Pray for their impact on the students. Pray for healing for Richard’s eye, which has been causing trouble since he got a piece of wood in it.

Borroloola: Max and Doris Field
Praise: Good attendance at the meetings, including more men; some folk asking for bibles; camp meetings recommencing with Vincent Charlie giving a simple clear message;
Prayer: Max has to go to Darwin for scans related to an ongoing problem; continued drunkenness causes fights and constant noise all night. Pray for a conviction of sin among the people. Shaelene who has cancer is growing weaker but hopes to return home from Darwin.

Epenarra: Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: for growth in Rodney who has been a Christian for almost a year; for the visit of the Pastor and his wife from Sydney; for the children’s current good health
Prayer: Christian tentmakers to come to the community as teachers, health workers etc; coping with the pressures of daily like with the family and community demands; health and strength

Tentmakers:
Ben and Suze Hollands at Canteen Creek School;
Tim Letcher at Fitzroy Crossing School;
Becky Mohr at Alice Springs Hospital;
Marion Quinn at Woolaning Homeland Christian College;
David Young at Kalkaringi school.

Pray for these folk who are seeking to serve Christ in their daily jobs and support the Aboriginal church. Pray that their lives will honour God and point others to the Saviour.

March Prayer Update...

PRAISE GOD:

• I am very aware of his kindness to me in the transition into college life. I have found the last few weeks leaving home, moving in, making friends, starting study, leaving Matthias, starting at CBTB, and generally settling in a joy! There are lots of changes and things to get used to but I have to say it’s bee a pleasant few weeks.

• Thank God for people who lift your gaze from yourself to the infiniteness of God and his plans for the world:
  
  ➲ Friday Community Chapel we were challenge to think outside the box of Sydney by some folk from OMF. It was awesome to hear of the growth of God’s church in places like Africa and Asia and the need for people to GO!
  
  ➲ Last night I bumped into Jo (we both taught SRE at North Sydney Dem 2 or so years ago!) and she was great in challenging me to keep Indigenous Australia on the agenda. She knows my story and how the time spent out in Burringurrah Community impacted me and made me realise the urgency of the gospel. So she wanted to remind me of that passion and conviction I used to speak with. She shared with me the many opportunites she is aware of, the need for youth ministry and the lack of workers under the age of 40 out there!
  

PRAY:

• That I would be willing to be more prayerful about the future plans and that I would be open to heading into gospel work amongst Indigenous/Remote Communities. It has never slipped from my radar but in the last 2 years it has definitely become far less a priority and dream. Pray also that I would be prayerfully support the work going on already out there. (So partly why I am blogging about it is so that you will ask me about it and keep me thinking about it!)
  

• That I would wear my glasses and go get my eyes re-tested. I have had a really sore eyes and headaches over the last week. Some days are better than others, but it makes it hard to concentrate in class and studying - as it hurts to think (yep I said it).

• For my friends and that they would meet and love Jesus. Please pray especially for my friend Lisa who came to church the other week! Thank God for our friendship!