Bridget Hathaway - Tanzania |
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Prayer Update May 2008
Dear Friends,
I am looking out of my window at pretty pink blossom on a tree, & my orange & lemon trees full of fruit! Praise God for the immense variety in his creation. In fact this is the first time my orange tree has produced fruit since I moved in exactly 4 years ago. What a blessing!
It’s good to begin with points of praise, as it’s all too easy to focus on difficulties & forget to ‘count our blessings’. God never fails to bless us; may we have eyes to see these blessings.
- We are so thankful Mama Exon has returned safely from Mwanza with Exon; it was her first time to travel outside her home area! Exon has hydrocephalus (a very large head with fluid surrounding the brain.) After surgery he is doing well.
- We are also praising God for Anitha’s safe return from Uganda after a cleft lip operation. I could hear the families joy even when speaking on the phone!!
- Flavian, our Facilitator, is now in Uganda for a 4 month course to study CBR work. He was very nervous beforehand, but I know he will do well. Pray especially for his wife, who will give birth to their second child in his absence.
- Rev. Obadiah, our Programme Manager, will move back to his home area in Ngara to take up Parish work. It has been immensely difficult for him to accept this decision, so please pray that all goes well for him & his family & they will experience God’s protection & blessing.
- The new vehicle has arrived in Dar, but now the paperwork has to be completed. Please pray about this, as although all the papers are in place, it can take a long time to process. I have a very tight schedule as to when I am free to travel to Dar, it needs to be 15th May for about 10 days!
- Give thanks that the Tanzanian Government are taking steps to root out corruption in high places. Pray that these efforts might trickle down to local Govt. level & to Health Facilities.
- I am thankful I am managing to keep going under increasing workloads & stress. But please pray for me, as we are now left with Lewitha & I for all work, & Lewitha is only half time at present due to studies every afternoon. I am very tired indeed, but there is no chance of a let up, as reports must be submitted monthly, & financial reports take days to compile! In addition, we continue with field work, as we cannot stop Epilepsy clinics, & supervision of staff is also essential. People-based work cannot just stop! Please pray too for ongoing funding for our work, an added stress for me!
- ‘The wedding’ is getting nearer!! Preparations are continuing apace, & both parties are planning well! Give thanks that they do seem well suited to each other, & both are truly committed in their faith. It is a joy to be part of this excitement (if a bit tiring at times!!) Pray for good health & peace for them both.
Thank you everyone for your prayers & support; I know my strength comes from your prayers for me! I am looking forward to a visit from Jo Sayer from Crosslinks, who will be with me for 3 nights in May.
“You are my God, & I will give thanks; you are my God & I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever.” - Psalm 118: 28, 29.
With my love,
Bridget Hathaway