'Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.'    Daniel 12v3

Wednesday 1 February

Fundraising: Praise God for His answer to our prayer request December 14th. $28,800 was donated to our 'Cure One Person' fund from listeners to Pat Brittenden on Newstalk ZB in December. Our expectation was to raise funds to cure 50 leprosy-affected individuals and the funds raised will allow us to cure sixtysix.

Thursday 2 February

LMNZ Staff Day: Today Leprosy Mission NZ's staff are participating in an organizational development workshop. 2012 will be a challenging year from a financial point of view. Praise God for his unfailing faithfulness last year and pray that working relationships will be strengthened within the N.Z. team and the Global Fellowship.

Friday 3 February

China: HANDA has arranged for a video to be produced showing the current life of leprosy-affected individuals, their families, their stories and the challenges they are facing in China. Pray that this endeavour will be successful as today personnel from Guangzhou TV Centre follow the HANDA project team, filming their encounters, to produce this video.

Saturday 4 / Sunday 5 February

Nigeria: Last month a crisis in Nigeria was averted but police and army are still on alert with a curfew being established in Minna from 6pm to 6am. Pray for safety for Dr Sunday Udo (TLM Country Leader) and all the staff that they are able to avoid potential trouble spots when travelling. Keep Nigeria in your prayers.

Monday 6 February

China: Andrew Harding (LMNZ's Programmes Manager) is presently in Guangdong attending a socio-psychological rehabilitation project workshop with HANDA staff. While there he will be assisting the HANDA team with the writing of a Sustainable Development Fund application to enable the Leprosy Mission to obtain funding from the N.Z. Government. Pray that all goes well with the preparation of this application.

Tuesday 7 February

Nepal: Remember today the six Youth Advocates, Jo Burnett (Waimauku), Carinnya Feaunati (New Plymouth), Sam Illing (Hamilton), Nathanael Lucas (Wellington), Miriam Whitton (Hastings) and Stefan van Woerden (Hamilton) as they begin their Nepal experience. Pray that as they meet firsthand leprosy-affected individuals and their families, and see the medical and community rehabilitation projects funded by the LMNZ they will rise to the challenge of being an enthusiastic advocate for leprosy-affected people.

Wednesday 8 February

Bangladesh: A new Leprosy Mission National Director is being sought for Bangladesh. Pray that the right candidate will come forward and that the transition in leadership for TLM Bangladesh will be covered by God's grace.

Thursday 9 February

McKean Centre: Pray for Diana and Keith Noonan, LMNZ supporters who will be visiting the McKean Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 9^th-12^th February.  Diana will be writing an article about the work of the McKean Centre for LMNZ. Pray that Diana and Keith will have a productive time with their hosts Trevor and Heather Smith from TLM.

Friday 10 February

Annual Report: Our financial year end has been moved to coincide with TLMI's financial year ending i.e. 31 December. Presently the accounts are being audited for the Annual Report. Praise for Martin Malkaney, Finance Manager, as he expertly handles the finances along with extramural studies at University. Remember also Tracey Adamson, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, as together with the Programmes Team they produce the Annual Report detailing project work for 2011.

Saturday 11 / Sunday 12 February

Nepal: This weekend the Youth Advocates tackle the challenge of a two day trek in the Kathmandu Valley. This is a time for reflection and discussion on the impact of the Leprosy Mission work, everyday Nepali life in both an urban and rural context and for prayer. Pray for the group's general well-being and health while on the trek.

Monday 13 February

Leprosy in Pacific: Andrew Harding (LMNZ's Programmes Manager) is now attending a World Health Organisation three day meeting in Manila. Also in attendance are national leprosy programme managers in the western Pacific regions and health staff covering leprosy for the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands. Pray for successful outcomes as they work together on a leprosy control programme.

Tuesday 14 February

Niger: Short term and long term Doctors are needed to help out in Niger at the CSL Danja Community Hospital; pray that Doctors with a heart for mission will hear the call. In association with Danja Hospital the new Fistula Hospital opened this month. Pray for Thomas and Haoua Shelwa, involved in the leadership of both hospitals; also for Dr Mark Griffiths and his wife Faye as they daily face challenges living and working in an unpredictable environment that constantly has long periods without electricity.

Wednesday 15 February

Bougainville: Pray that the time spent in Bougainville by Matt Halsey (LMNZ's Programmes Manager) reviewing the Auditors Report and fine tuning Bougainville Healthy Communities Project's financial systems will achieve the desired outcomes. While in Bougainville, Matt will also work with the project team to obtain up-to-date detailed information on project work, which will be incorporated in our Annual Report.

Thursday 16 February

Youth Advocates: Pray for safety in travel as Brent Morgan (LMNZ's Executive Director) and Gillian Whitley (LMNZ's Donor Development Manager) wend their way back to Auckland with Youth Advocates Jo, Carinnya, Sam, Nathanael, Miriam and Stefan. Pray also that the students will honour their commitment to the Leprosy Mission NZ and will eagerly report their experiences via presentations through their social and educational networks as well as electronically and in printed media.

Friday 17 February

LMNZ Board: Praise God for the willingness of Vincent Naidu, an Auckland lawyer, who last year put himself forward for election to our Board. Vincent was successfully elected by members at our AGM in October. Board members play an important role in guiding and overseeing the work of the Leprosy Mission.

Saturday 18 / Sunday 19 February

TLM Trading: The Chair of TLM Trading (UK), Stephen Hammersley, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list to recognise his charity work. Stephen and his co-directors ensure the company operates successfully and profitably. TLM Trading sells products made by leprosy-affected people which helps provide them with the social and economic status that allows for a dignified life. Pray for continued success of TLM Trading's three yearly mail order catalogues.

Monday 20 February

Justice: Today is World Day of Social Justice which was observed for the first time in 2009. Give thanks for all advocacy work worldwide addressing human rights of leprosy-affected people. Pray for further changes in attitudes, practices and policies, so that leprosy-affected people may live free from stigma.

Tuesday 21 February

Bangladesh: Pray for God's blessing on the lives of the people who have attended and will attend business development training through LMNZ's Chittagong Sustainable Development Project. Pray they will be successful in achieving a sustainable income for themselves and their families.

Wednesday 22 February

Christchurch: On the anniversary of the disastrous Christchurch earthquake, pray for Cantabrians as they continue to suffer with repeated aftershocks. Psychologically, as they don't know when the earthquakes are coming or how strong they'll be, it must play havoc with their minds and nerves. Pray for a calming assurance to be spread over the city and that those who know the Lord will be able to be witnesses for Him in Christchurch's time of trouble.  'Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1v9

Thursday 23 February

China: Praise God for the way that HANDA staff are able to bring joy into the lives of leprosy-affected people in isolated villages. New Year Greeting activities will be conducted in six leprosy villages this month by project staff in Guangdong and seven villages by the Guangxi team.

Friday 24 February

India: Remember today participants in the Community camps being held for leprosy-affected individuals and their families at the Leprosy Mission Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Many people in Bihar state are illiterate.  Pray that staff will find creative ways to communicate the importance of self-care to those attending the camps.

Saturday 25 / Sunday 26 February

Disability: Disability caused by leprosy is one of the most heart-breaking effects of this curable disease - because it is so unnecessary. Pray for the early detection and education of leprosy-affected people so that treatment is received before nerve damage occurs. Pray also for the many Self Help Groups, who encourage and motivate each other to take more consistent care of anaesthetised limbs to reduce further disability.

Monday 27 February

NW Zambia: Pray for the welfare of villagers at the Kikonkomene Leprosy village. It is now in the rainy season and water sweeps down into the village off a nearby hill.  Praise God that a brick lined drain last year was dug the length of the village to channel the storm water away from the foundations of the homes. The rainy season brings mosquitoes and cholera. Pray that the leprosy-affected villagers will be protected from malaria and other diseases. Praise God that in answer to prayer requests Sept 7 & Nov 24, some long term doctors will be coming this year to serve alongside Dr David Friend.

Tuesday 28 February

LMNZ Committees: Over the next two days various committees will be meeting for the first time in 2012. All committee members volunteer their time and expertise; pray that they will be blessed in their daily lives for the work that they do on behalf of leprosy-affected people. Today and this evening the Marketing Committee and Resource Committee will meet to review and plan for this year.

Wednesday 29 February

LMNZ Committees: Please pray for wisdom for the Programmes Committee as they meet today to look at the many issues facing our project work. Remember also Dr Steve Withington, Chairman, who travels from his home in Christchurch to attend this meeting.