“May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children. May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.” — Psalm 90:16–17.

Context

LOMÉ, TOGO

Our training resource, entitled “the Heart of the Matter”, for pastors and community leaders, has now been piloted in Lomé, Togo. In total 23 attended the workshop, none of whom had engaged openly with this issue before. All have been encouraged and challenged by the training.

Testimony

“It was a wonderful day. The participants are very proactive in the group work and sketches; they are asking questions and humble.” — local trainer.

“Alleluia, thank you for your quality training, your life and your fire that we have received.” — local community leader.

Thank God

• Praise God for Gad and Liz Numadi of MECI, Togo, that champions the cause of these children who are accused and abused. Thank God for their vision, passion, and initiative to bring people together to tackle this issue.
• Thank God for all who attended this workshop in Lomé, including some civic leaders as well as pastors from the churches.

Please Pray

• Ask God to stir all these local pastors and leaders to be change–makers in their community, using their influence to persuade and empower others, and never to become weary or fearful of tackling the issue of witchcraft related child abuse.
• Pray that the increased awareness of the harm that these accusations cause will change perceptions in Togolese society, and provoke an active response to protect the most vulnerable.

May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us. — Psalm 90:17

Stop Press!

Geneva, Switzerland

United Nations Witchcraft and Human Rights Experts Workshop

This workshop takes place at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Geneva on 21st and 22nd September 2017. It is ground-breaking, as it is the first-ever to discuss witchcraft and human rights in a systematic and in-depth manner at the UN or at international level. It will bring together UN experts, academics and members of civil society to discuss the violence associated with such beliefs and practices and groups that are particularly vulnerable to being branded as witches. Its main objective is to enable greater understanding of witchcraft related beliefs and practices, and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights, with a view to developing solutions to prevent further abuses from taking place. SCWA’s committee members, Dr Emilie Secker and Carolyn Gent, will attend and give presentations.

Please Pray

• For Dr Emilie Secker and Carolyn Gent as they prepare and deliver their presentations. Pray that what they say will open up hearts and understanding. Pray that they will make good connections with those that God will use to bring about change.
• Pray that this event will be a catalyst for ongoing, collaborative action with the UN and that this influential body will exert its influence to make this a priority issue and focus area, for the sake of those children, women and men who are being branded as witches in the world today.