Dear All,

            Thank you for your continued prayers.  Here are our prayer points for January 2007  

• The substantially (due to economic restraints) shortened 6th Diocesan Synod took place in December.  Give Praise for the good time of fellowship and fruitful planning for the next three years ahead which will see the hand over of the Diocese to +Jacob Chimeledya when he is consecrated as Diocesan Bishop next year.
• The 12-Bed ward is Practically Completed, just awaiting the beds to be delivered from Dar es Salaam .  Please pray for a good start to this new facility.  Meanwhile the Government is stepping up their campaign to encourage mothers to deliver in Health Facilities.
• With the onset of excellent rains so far, the extensive nationwide power cuts have been much reduced – now the challenge is safely driving around fallen bridges – if anything we are getting too much rain!
• New nurse midwives are still desperately needed for St Luke’s, with the remaining staff working very hard indeed.  There is a national shortage of qualified nurses
• We are working through the Alpha course as a staff team in the mornings, which has provoked some good discussion among staff, but we pray for it to bear fruit in changed lives – we are aware of a real spiritual battle happening around and among us.
• The Anaesthetic and Recovery Room Suite is currently being roofed – give thanks for this further development to the facilities available at St Luke’s.  Full details may be viewed @ http://www.tarlings.com/maternity_wing_progress_report_(phase_4).htm
• We have had a good Christmas, ignoring a very persistent ‘flu.  Pray for Esther and Chris as they return to the UK for the Lent Term that they may quickly settle back.