"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

Psalm 9v9

Saturday 1 / Sunday 2 October

Saturday is International Day of Older Persons which was established by the United Nations to promote the development of a society for all ages. Praise God that through our generous donors the Leprosy Mission NZ is able to support a Snehalaya (care home) for the elderly with disabilities in Bankura, India. Some residents, due to leprosy, have lost their sight; pray that staff will know how to best care for these elderly leprosy-affected people.

Monday 3 October

Niger is a drought-prone country on the edge of the Sahara desert where the average life expectancy is 53 years for men and 55 years for women. Pray today that the rainy season, despite the maggot infestation, will bring a fruitful harvest for the community in Danja, Niger, so that they will be able to feed their families adequately. Remember TLM Country Representative Bunmi Oluloto and staff.

Tuesday 4 October

The Bougainville Healthy Communities Program is holding its Annual Reflection over the next three days which will bring together a selection of people involved with the project; village health volunteers, Village Chiefs, District Health Staff, and Health Department staff to discuss the project's successes and challenges and to think about how to make the project even more successful next year.  Bougainville's Deputy President (who is also their Minister of Health) will be attending the opening session. Pray for wisdom and insight during the reflection and for a oneness for all.

Wednesday 5 October

Supporters will be receiving in their mail boxes this week the September Intouch magazine. Pray it will challenge and inspire readers to become more involved in the work of the Leprosy Mission NZ, by being the motivator in their church, work or social group bringing to the forefront of peoples mind that leprosy does still exist.

Thursday 6 October

Remember again today the participants of the BHCP Annual Reflection in Bougainville. Pray that community leaders, politicians and media people will learn what they can do to promote the program and good community health for all.  Pray also for Ruby Mirinka, Project Manager and Matt Halsey (LMNZ's Programme Manager) as they encourage all to achieve their program goals.

Friday 7 October

Pray for families and friends of the bereaved in the affected regions in Nepal and India as a result of last month's earthquake.  Pray for strength and endurance for the recovery teams and for calmness for the survivors. Remember the elderly and disabled who in times of disaster can often be overlooked.

Saturday 8 / Sunday 9 October

For the next week Matt Halsey (LMNZ's Programme Manager) will be working on a three year work plan and budget with project staff and Bougainville Department of Health staff. Pray for ears to listen and hearts to understand one another and that the end result will be a workable plan that reflects the needs of leprosy-affected individuals and families in Bougainville.

Monday 10 October

Over the next two days TLM project staff in Dhaka, Bangladesh, will be attending their Annual Country Learning. The Leprosy Mission strives to be an ever learning organisation. Pray for safe journeys for all stakeholders, for good facilitation and that all will be encouraged to aim higher as they look at the successes and challenges and seek to listen to the Lord.

Tuesday 11 October

Members of the Resource Committee will again be meeting this evening. Pray for continued wise stewardship of finances. Pray that each voluntary member will be blessed for their contribution to the work of the Leprosy Mission NZ. Praise God for the contribution made by Grant Pollock Resource Committee Treasurer.

Wednesday 12 October

Pray for wisdom for Natalie Smith, TLM Country Leader for Timor Leste, as she tries to negotiate a Participatory Needs Assessment to find out what the community needs and as she also leads the search to find a Timorese country leader. Pray that God is already preparing the right committed Christian person for the position.

Thursday 13 October

Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Leprosy Mission NZ Management Team as preparation of plans and budgets for 2012 are discussed and finalised ready for implementation in the New Year. Praise God for His faithfulness over 2011.

Friday 14 October

Give thanks that by God's grace and provision, the new 42 bed Fistula Hospital recently opened next to the Danja Community Hospital, Niger, enabled the fistula surgical team to treat fifteen women during August. Pray for the women who have received care and for the others who have to wait for their turn; that their treatments are successful and that they may come to know the Lord during their stay in the hospital. Remember also Dr Mark Griffiths and his family as they face the challenges of working and living in Danja.

Saturday 15 / Sunday 16 October

Pray for Dr Elisa Yule who because of medical concerns is presently in Sydney having tests. Elisa is Project Manager for two projects in Nepal. Pray for wisdom for Elisa's doctors and peace of mind and patience for Elisa as she fights the frustrations of her condition and from being away from her work in Nepal.

Monday 17 October

Pray for successful participation by nurses, paramedical and health workers in the ALERT training session being held today at their Health Course Centre located near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This course emphasizes planning, implementation, supervision and evaluation of control activities focusing on leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS at the district level.

Tuesday 18 October

Pray for Ruby Mirinka (Program Manager) and John Kemaroi (MEL Coordinator) as they undertake additional university studies which will further develop their effectiveness in carrying out their work for the Bougainville Healthy Communities Project. Pray for good health for both so that their work responsibilities will not be hindered in any way with the extra studies.

Wednesday 19 October

Pray for a safe and successful trip for Brent Morgan (LMNZ's Executive Director) and supporter Bill Wright from Hamilton as they meet up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review the Grain Mills Project and assess locations for future grain mills being supported by New Zealanders. Remember also ENAPAL's Chairman Leulseged Berhane and Director, Menberu Adane, as they oversee their 15,000 members, all of whom are directly affected by leprosy. ENAPAL is an association that plays a significant role in helping leprosy-affected people regain full participation in local society.

Thursday 20 October

Today our exciting Really Good Gifts 4 Families catalogue will be posted to supporters. RGG4F allow people to give a gift that will make a lasting impact for families affected by leprosy around the world. The recipients of these gifts will also be supported through self-help groups, training or ongoing medical care so that they are able to make the best of their gift. Pray this year's catalogue will be well received.

Friday 21 October

International Nepal Leprosy Fellowship (INF), a TLM partner, works in five districts of Eastern Nepal. Pray today for Prakash Wagle at Pokhara, Green Pastures Hospital, as he works through a new community based mainstreaming project which will have a key theme of advocacy for leprosy-affected individuals and families.

Saturday 22 / Sunday 23 October

Pray for the safety and health of TLM staff that live and work away from their home country. Pray that God will equip them to deal with cultures and climates that are unfamiliar to them and that He will protect and guide their children growing up in a different country.

Monday 24 October

Pray for journeying mercies for Brent Morgan (LMNZ Executive Director) as he returns from Ethiopia with a flight time of about 18 hours. Pray that Brent will arrive back in Auckland refreshed.

Tuesday 25 October

Praise God for bequests that the Leprosy Mission NZ has received over the last twelve months enabling commitments to the field to be met despite a reduction in Government financial support.

Wednesday 26 October

May to October in Thailand is the rainy season. Pray that the McKean Rehabilitation Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand will be protected from flooding and damage during the rainy season. The centre is built on an island, surrounded by river and canal, and even though steps are taken to sand bag the island for protection it still floods. The McKean Centre provides training in vocational activities, organic farming and life skills to enable leprosy-affected individuals to support themselves independently. The Centre has been in existence for over 100 years.

Thursday 27 October

Praise God for support groups and individuals around New Zealand who are diligent in prayer and financial support for the work of the Mission. 'And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4v19

Friday 28 October

This evening and tomorrow the Leprosy Mission NZ Board will be meeting. Pray for productive discussions, with key issues being effectively addressed and wise decisions made.  Also on Saturday afternoon the Annual General Meeting will be held where members vote in candidates for the Board, appoint the Mission's auditors and solicitors and view the financial statements and audited accounts. Pray for God's blessing on board members as they give of their time and expertise for the work of the Leprosy Mission.

Saturday 29 / Sunday 30 October

The Running 4 Rights team comprising of staff and supporters will again be running in the Auckland Marathon to raise awareness and project funding for families affected by leprosy. Pray that this will be a successful avenue to raise awareness within the New Zealand public arena.

Monday 31 October

Pray for Tina Mendis, TLM India Regional Support Manager, as she oversees LMNZ's Community Development Project in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pray for positive results and unified efforts as community workers and volunteers help their communities develop, find and treat new cases of leprosy.