"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight." Psalm 119:76-77

Floods in Peru

Whilst the world's media is focussed on Haiti, there hasn't been much coverage on the situation in Peru at the moment. Heavy rainfall and rising water levels have spelt disaster for many areas of the country. The south east of Peru - Cusco and its surrounding area, has been badly affected with many farming communities living by riverbanks finding their entire livelihoods swept away by the water levels. Others living on hillsides and in built-up areas have seen mudslides which have destroyed buildings and homes and have burried the roads and main transport routes.

An eyewitness report from one of our contacts in Cusco says: "One village nearby has been completely flooded with all homes uninhabitable. So please pray for the situation here, that everything possible will be done to respond to the needs of those most affected. Although the international news probably focuses on the fact that tourists have had to be airlifted out of Machu Picchu due to roads and railways being blocked by landslides, those most affected are families living in mud brick houses or those who have crops growing by rivers that have burst their banks and wiped out livelihoods. The rain continues to fall."

Loss of homes and livelihood, especially when whole families are made homeless will mean there is an influx of people migrating to the cities in search of shelter and support.

• Pray that those people who have lost their homes will be able to find shelter and some source of food.
• Pray for those who have been injured as a result of the landslides - pray for healing and quick recovery.
• Pray for the farmers and communities that have lost their livelihoods - pray that the waters will subside soon so they can begin rebuilding and renewing their crops and lands.
• Pray for the children and families that find themselves on the streets - pray that the Toybox teams will be able to identify and reach them quickly and effectively.

Ericks Story

Erick is 8 years old, and he is a shoe shiner. Every day he works between 6 and 8 hours on the streets of Oruro, Bolivia trying to earn enough money to support his mother, father and four younger siblings. The work is tiring, difficult and dangerous. Erick has to dodge traffic in the busy market place, and endure the ever changing weather. His hands are cracked and blackened by the shoe shining polish – the hands of an old man, not an 8 year old boy. By the end of the day, he is so tired that the thought of school or study is all but impossible.

However, Erick now attends a Toybox project, which is supporting him so that he can study and attend school. He has reduced the hours that he is working so he has more time to study, spend with his family and to enjoy playing like every other 8 year old boy.

• Pray for street-working children like Erick - that they will have the opportunity to attend school to gain vital skills and tools for the future
• Pray for safety for these children - that they will be protected against the physicalities of their labours, especially when outside in the harsh weather.
• Pray for the project staff, that they will be able to reach out to more children working on the streets. Pray for insight and descernment when looking out for children that are working on the streets.

Guatemala Network - looking back at 2009

Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in Latin America – ranked 122 out of 182 in the United Nations’ Human Development Index. In this country where poverty is rife, 29% of children between 5 and 14 years of age work to support themselves and their families. Family violence, both physical and psychological, is the primary push factor causing children to choose a life on the streets, with 43% of street children saying this is why they left home.

All these things contribute to a tough job for the Toybox teams encountering and battling with these issues every day. Although it may seem a bleak and difficult outlook, The Red Alert Network in Guatemala City is helping many vulnerable children every week; those who are street living, street working and those in high risk situations.

Over the past year it has directly assisted 1,460 children, with 12 children successfully reintegrated into their families or into adoptive families. 500 children have undergone training carried out by the Child Ambassadors on self esteem, rights and responsibilities, and leadership and 7 Child Ambassadors represented the Red Alert projects in national consultations on Child Rights and National Child Protection Policies.

These are wonderful achievements, and signify many life changing experiences for children who have been a part of the Networks activities. In the light of this, it would be easy for us to sit back on our laurels and take it easy. But there are so many more children that need care, support and love shown to them through the prayers, patience and devotion of the teams on the ground.

• Pray for the network staff - pray for strength, determination and courage as they meet the needs of the children.
• Pray for the network leaders - pray for wisdom and insight as they deal with the daily running of the network, and for decision-making for the future.
• Pray for the children that are receiving support from the network - pray that they will be given opportunities, education, support and the chance to play as they grow into young men and young women who know the love of God.

Give Thanks...

... for Peter and Margaret! Many of you who have ever been in touch with us will have encountered Peter or Margaret at some point. For 14 years, Margaret has been the 'voice of Toybox' on the telephones, speaking to our supporters and dealing with enquiries and donations. You may have encountered Peter at an event, or he may have come to your Church, school or organisation to talk about and present the work of Toybox to you.

After many years of amazing dedication and service to the street children of Latin America, and to Toybox, Peter and Margaret have retired. Margaret was the very first official employee of Toybox 14 years ago, and Peter followed some 4/5 years later - their retirement will be a very much deserved rest!

Many things would not have happened in the story of Toybox if it hadn't been for these two wonderful people, and so we hope you will join us in giving thanks for all they have done over many years for the children.

• Give thanks for Margaret and Peter - for all their hard work and dedication over so many years, through both the good times and the hard times. Give thanks for their strength of faith and for their constant and persistent prayers for the children and the work of Toybox.
• Give thanks for their shining examples of generosity, big-heartedness and passion for the work they did - and still do!
• Pray that their retirement will be a time of relaxation, peace and fun as they spend more time together and with their family - especially their Grandchildren!

Join our email prayer team

We will send you e-prayer news - normally fortnightly. We would also like to be able to send you our bimonthly newsletter by post, to give you more background information about Toybox for prayer.