A prayer update from National Director, Peter Waddup

We invite you to join us in prayer for the people we serve and our dedicated colleagues in Myanmar and Mozambique. Both countries are making international headlines for the wrong reasons. There is immense suffering and hardship and sometimes it is difficult to know how to pray in such situations.

I have been privileged to have witnessed The Leprosy Mission’s work in both Myanmar and Mozambique and it breaks my heart watching the news. It’s at times like these that I need to remind myself of all God has done through the compassion and giving of our faithful supporters in the past year.

The global pandemic and lockdown saw so many of the people we serve without food and basic medical care. Only by the giving of our supporters, God enabled us to reach many thousands of people in need of basic provisions, hope and healing.

I remind myself of this each day when I think of the current situation in Myanmar and Mozambique. Peace sounds such monumental ask and almost unachievable in human terms. But then I remember that we serve an extraordinary God who continues to breakthrough and answer our prayers. Safe in this knowledge, please allow me to guide you through our current prayer needs in Myanmar and Mozambique.

Myanmar

Myanmar (formerly Burma) has been under military rule since 1 February, following a general election in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party had a landslide victory.

The military is now back in charge and has declared a year-long state of emergency. Ms Suu Kyi has been detained along with members of her party. Many people have taken to the streets in Myanmar to protest against military rule.

Praise God that our colleagues in Myanmar are safe and that we have been able to make daily contact with them. They are working hard to keep in touch with the people we serve.

• Pray for the people of Myanmar, especially those disabled by leprosy who often find themselves on the edge of society. There has been talks on sanctions from the international community in response to the military coup. We pray that any sanctions imposed do not push the most vulnerable in society into deeper poverty.
• Pray for the safety of our staff and their families in Myanmar at a time when there is fear on the streets. Pray that they will be able to reach and help those who need it the very most. We pray for a spirit of trust and unity between staff and the people we serve.
• Myanmar was a country under military rule from 1962 to 2011. At a time when national morale is low because of the global pandemic, we pray that the people of Myanmar will not lose hope of freedom and that democratic processes will be upheld.

Mozambique

The backdrop to The Leprosy Mission’s Unconditional Appeal to help rid Mozambique of leprosy is incredibly challenging. The threat of violence, homelessness, extreme weather, hunger and Covid-19 are a daily reality for the people of Cabo Delgado.

Since 2017 those living in Mozambique's most northern province have witnessed threats from men with guns and machetes. More than 2,000 civilians have been killed, property looted and homes destroyed. Government buildings, including schools and health posts, have been burnt to the ground. United Nations reports that half a million people have fled Cabo Delgado because of the violence.

Mozambique is ranked among the poorest countries and is one of the world’s least developed nations. Around two thirds of the population live under the poverty line of US$1.90 a day.

We thank God for the opportunity we have through UK Aid Match to make twice the difference in Mozambique through the generosity of our supporters giving to The Unconditional Appeal.

• Pray for the safety of our staff and government health workers who risk their lives each day to reach people affected by leprosy. Pray for God’s protection as they travel to remote villages to give the cure for leprosy and lifechanging care. Please pray for an end to the violence and for peace to prevail.
• Pray for the Covid-19 situation in Mozambique which has seen a rising tide of the South African variant. Please ask God that those needing medical treatment will be able access care.
• Pray for a good harvest for the people of Cabo Delgado who mainly survive through subsistence farming. Presently it is the ‘hungry’ season ahead of the harvest in Mozambique. Many farmers are still recovering from the devastation and flooding caused by Cyclone Kenneth and Cyclone Idai in 2019. Please ask God for opportunities for communities affected by leprosy to market any surplus crops they may have to increase food security.
• Pray for the those who have had to flee their homes and communities to escape the violence. Please ask God to bless the work of The Leprosy Mission and the churches in helping to feed and support those left homeless and traumatised by the insurgency. Please pray they have all they need to rebuild their lives.
• Pray for the success of The Unconditional Appeal which seeks to help rid Mozambique of leprosy by raising awareness, improving access to healthcare and challenging deep prejudice surrounding the disease. Pray that people affected by leprosy will be welcomed home to their villages. Please pray that those showing the early signs of leprosy will have the awareness and confidence to step forward and seek treatment.

Thank you for praying. God bless you.