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Solomon Islands
Japan
Myanmar
Philippines
Student movement in Solomon Islands: SIU-CF Solomon Islands, one of the new Christian student movements which affiliated to IFES in July 2019, have been hit hard by recent events. Not by Covid-19 itself, which has not touched their islands, but by preventative lockdown, university closures and very slow, expensive and unreliable internet connectivity. Student ministry is in ‘hibernation’, so please pray that God will grant wisdom to movement leaders as they seek to restart ministry. (IFES - August 2020)
Overworking in Japan: Life in a Japanese company can be incredibly demanding, largely due to Japan’s group-oriented culture in which people feel bound by the expectations of their peers. Overworking is a serious problem in Japan; workers often feel obliged to work unsocial hours and taking annual leave, although permitted on paper, is seen as shameful and often avoided. Thankfully, it would appear that some companies are gradually beginning to change, but there is still a long way to go. Long working hours make it difficult for workers to find time for church or evangelistic events. Praise God for the Christians God has placed in these companies and also that the issue of overwork is starting to be addressed by the government and society as a whole. Please pray for working Christians to be effective witnesses to their colleagues and also that unhealthy expectations in the workplace will change, leading to a healthier balance between work and leisure time. (Japan Christian Link - August 2020)
Access to necessities: Pray for an end to the underinvestment and neglect of families from ethnic minority states, pray for better access to infrastructure and necessities such as electricity and clean water for families supported through our Myanmar project. (Global Care - August 2020)
Food packages for city dump settlements: “We don’t have food on the table,” read one distressed message from a pedicab driver living near the Quezon City dump. As day labourers, no work means no pay. Emmanuel International Philippines is partnering with churches in the informal settlements of squatters around the city dump. Having been in lockdown since the start of Covid-19 in mid-March, as the Philippines starts to slowly lift restrictions, EI Philippines has begun distributing food packages in these Quezon City dump settlements. The food packages are going not only to church member families but also to a neighbouring family of each church member. In this way, the churches are demonstrating practically the message of hope and life in Jesus’ gift of love. (Emmanuel International - August 2020)