| News update and subjects for prayer - December 2008 |
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:14
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[Because of the Christmas holiday season we have taken the calendar into January. The completion of that month will be available around 10 January.]
It's the end of the year - and I would like to thank everyone who has supported the work of Hands of Mercy - making all things possible for the glory of God. This year has been the most challenging year for all of us, especially for me as this was my first full year as Director, as well as having to cope with the economic financial crisis, which has had a big impact on the ministry income. But praise God, all things have turned out well with the support of my husband Joey, the Hands of Mercy team, the UK Trustees, and all who have faithfully embraced the work and given generously through prayer and financial support. Together we can make things possible through Christ Jesus!
(Sally Escoto - Director)
View Prayer Calendar in PDF format 
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| December 1/2 |
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Give thanks to God that David Gunn arrived safely back in the Philippines. Please pray that God will provide a secure home for him as well as financial support each month (David does not receive a salary) Please continue to pray that David will know God's wisdom and guidance for his role and ministry as he re-enters the Hands of Mercy work.
David Gunn
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| December 3/4 |
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As Hands of Mercy continues to experience a big decrease in income, due to the drop in the rate of the peso to the pound, (Instead of getting 94 we are now only getting 73) This has a noticeable impact on the compassion programmes. Please pray that this discrepancy can be offset through increased giving. Please also pray that money given will be used wisely.
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| December 5/6 |
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Give thanks to God for those who give their time as UK Trustees. Please pray that as they meet on the 7th December, they will have wisdom and discernment in decisions they take and guidance they give to Hands of Mercy, especially over the financial situation.
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| December 7/8 |
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Please pray for the Christmas activities being planned for the sponsored children and young people. Please pray that funds will be available for each child to be given a Christmas gift.
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Gifts ready for distribution! |
Children receiving their gifts
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| December 9/10 |
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Please remember in prayer our Filipina volunteer workers as they prepare the Christmas meals for the malnourished children who attend the weekly Supplementary Feeding. Most of the meals are served out of doors in the communities - please pray that the weather will be dry so the children can enjoy their Christmas celebration.
Christmas meal being prepared by staff
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| December 11/12 |
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There is much corruption in the Philippines with the result that the poor are getting poorer. Poverty is wide-spread, even more so with the current rice shortage. Give thanks to God for His faithfulness that through Hands of Mercy families are being helped in Body, Mind and Spirit. Please pray for President Gloria Arroyo and the Philippine Government that they will govern the people with honesty and integrity.
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| December 13/14 |
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Please continue to pray for our college students. The college fees for students are much higher than the fees for elementary and high school children. Please pray for the families of: Framer, Ramoneto, Marie, Jackielou, Jennie, Mary Rose L, Trilyn, Matt and Chrissa, Marlon, and Dante, who struggle to provide the extra fees for their children's education.
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| December 15/16 |
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There are many families in Mandaluyong whose only income is through scavenging. The adults, as well as the children go out each day to see what they can find. Please pray that more sponsors will come forward to help these families receive food through the Family Support Programme. (If you can help a family, please contact the UK office on 01582 416151)
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Children scavenging
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Food being prepared to help needy families |
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| December 17/18 |
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Hands of Mercy continues to offer mothers tubal ligation (surgical sterilization) at the Friendly Care Clinic. A number of mothers are grateful for their recent operation. Please pray that funds become available for the Surgical Treatment Programme so that more women can benefit from surgical sterilization. Please pray that men will come forward for a vasectomy operation in an attempt to help with birth control.
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| December 19/20 |
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Please remember in prayer Elmer Aquino who audits the Hands of Mercy accounts in the Philippines, and also for Mila Espanola as she deals with the Philippine accounts. Please also pray for the Hands of Mercy and Mercy Community Church administrative tasks, which need to be accomplished on a daily basis in the Philippines.
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| December 21/22 |
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Please pray for Lourdes and Sevalyn our volunteer workers in Baguio/La Trinidad, as they serve the Child Sponsorship Programme beneficiaries with their educational and health needs.
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Sevalyn |
Lourdes
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| December 23/24 |
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Please pray that more sponsors will come forward to help children have an education through the Child Sponsorship Programme. There are many children and their parents who would be so grateful for help (for details, please contact the UK office 01582 416151) Through the Disabled Therapy Programme Hands of Mercy staff have a special ministry each week helping young children. Please remember in prayer the faithful volunteer staff who give care and support to a growing number of disabled children and their families.
Disabled child receiving therapy
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| December 25/26 |
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"Today... A Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" Let us praise God the Father for the gift of His Son, and pray for the Mercy Community Churches as they celebrate His birth.
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| December 27/28 |
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The Supplementary Feeding Programme is such a blessing to many hungry and needy families. Please pray that more people will come forward to help financially with the budget. So many children rely on the three meals provided each week by Hands of Mercy.
Child being fed a nourishing meal as part of the Supplementary Feeding Programme
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| December 29/30 |
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Please remember in prayer our volunteer workers in the communities of: Kapalaran - Tess M, Cristina and Ema Agudo - Wilma, Alberta and Jenny. Hilaga - Mryna, Maria, Gina and Nenita. Please pray for Nenita, Pina, Alberta and Marieta who are widows, and for single mums Mila, Mina, Ara and Diana.
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| December 31/ January 1 | |
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Let us give thanks and praise for every expression of God's love and blessing during 2008. Please pray for Sally, David and the Hands of Mercy team that during this holiday time they may have rest and refreshment and know God's guidance as they serve their needy neighbours in the coming year.
Hands of Mercy team
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| January 2/3 |
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Due to damp, crowded living conditions, many children and adults suffer with asthma and chest infections and rely on a nebulizer to help them breath. Please continue to pray that funds will be given to the Prescription Medicine Programme so that those affected can obtain the necessary medicine refill to alleviate their suffering.
Child with asthma receives nebulizer
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| January 4/5 |
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The shanty buildings used by Hands of Mercy for their compassion ministries are rented each month. The buildings are crucial when the rain and typhoons come, as well as giving protection from the heat of the sun. They are essential for the hygienic preparation of the food for the three times a week feeding of the children. They are also used in many other ways. Please pray that money will be given to cover the rents for Hilaga, Kapalaran, Block 38, Florante, St. Rosario and Sikap.
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Welfareville block 37 centre |
Welfareville block 38 centre
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| January 6/7 |
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Give thanks to God for the multiplication of Small Groups in the communities where Hands of Mercy has a presence. Please pray for the leaders of the groups as they share God's Word and encourage the new believers. Please remember in prayer Sally Escoto, Fina Savandal and Rommela Mabalod as they lead and oversee the three Mercy Community Churches and for Thata Mabalod, Lolong Savandal and Joey Escoto as they lead the Men's Groups at the Churches.
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Mercy Community Church small groups |
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| January 8/9 |
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As the work of Hands of Mercy develops and with it the UK administration, please continue to pray for Fran Gunn as she runs the UK office on a daily basis. Please pray that God will raise up people to give additional help in the office.
Fran Gunn
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| January 10/11 |
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Give thanks to God for the growth of the church Youth Group. Please pray that the right people will come forward to help Sally and Joey run the group and be trained for leadership of this weekly activity. Please pray for Sally and Joey as they listen and talk with the young people. Many of whom have enormous needs. Please pray too, that parents will spend more time with their children and give them the attention they need.
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Mercy Community Church youth group |
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Request a copy of the Hands of Mercy brochure