We wanted to send out another prayer update for the month of June to touch base with our prayer supporters about several different items. It has been a busy month but a great one, too.
Highlights:
- Four people were baptized at Hawane Baptist Church on June 14. One of the youth guys, Kuseni in the photo, told Monica after the service that "he had just had a funeral. He was now dead to self and alive in Christ". He said this with the biggest smile on his face! Praise the Lord! Another one of the folks that was baptized was an elderly lady, Make Dlamini. She has been wanting to be baptized for a long time but has been too sick. She was thrilled she was able to do so this time. Pray for these four people as they seek to grow each day in the Lord.
- The new work area of Lesibovu is going to grow each week. Today, there was about 140 people at the study, the highest attendance thus far. Hunter and Brinkley both taught with the children as there were over 100 kids ready and eager to hear about God. The people were all waiting for Steven, Hunter, Brinkley, Jane and Maria when they arrived....wow, talk about being ready and hungry to hear the word of God! Continue to pray for this Bible study and for God's direction in starting a Sunday morning service time in July.
- After waiting for many, many months, Hawane Baptist Church is finally having their plot of land marked so they can begin to build their own building. It has been a long process with the community council and local chiefs to reach this point. Pray for tomorrow, June 21, as the church receives their piece of land to start their own church building. It is an exciting time for this church. Attached is a photo of the women of Hawane Baptist Church.
- Gogo Polly (Monica's mom) arrived in Swaziland on June 13 and will be with us until July 17. The kids are way excited that Gogo Polly is here with them and we all are enjoying our visit with her. Continue to pray for this special time with family and opportunities to join in on various ministries around Swaziland.
- Hunter and Brinkley Johnson (sisters) arrived in Swaziland on June 10 and will be in the country until July 8. They have been serving with our family in our ministry area and doing a fantastic job. They will be serving with the Warren family in the upcoming week and then joining the Myers family the following week. Hunter has been with our family for the past two summers so we feel like we have welcomed family back to be with us. Continue to pray for their time with our mission team and all God has planned for their lives while faithfully serving Him in Swaziland.
- Lacie turned five years old on June 17. It is hard to believe she is already five years old...whew! Today, we celebrated with Dora the Explorer party (thanks to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Tennessee for sending us the supplies for the party) and had a blast! Attached are photos of Lacie with Gogo Polly and mission family taken at Lacie's birthday party.
- Tomorrow, June 21, Steven leaves for his archeology trip to Israel. Pray for safety as he travels, great times of digging with folks with the same passion, renewed strength by being away from ministry and special times with the Lord. We will miss him greatly but very happy for this unique opportunity for him. Also, we want to say, Happy Father's Day to Steven - you are truly a blessing in our lives and an amazing father to Lacie and Nathan!!!
- Next weekend is our National Youth Leader's Retreat at Manzini Baptist Church. The main speaker is Hunter Johnson and the theme is "The Leader God Uses....". Pray all our youth leaders are able to attend this important retreat especially for them. Pray for all the logistics to go smoothly behind the scenes.
- Continue to pray for Wayne Myers and his family. Wayne's brother, Larry, passed away in late May and this past week, he lost his sister, JoAnn, to cancer. It is difficult to be away from family during difficult times. Wayne and Barbara Myers are getting ready for their stateside time starting in September - December 2009.
We will keep you updated on other needs and events as we are able to do so. We covet your prayers for our family and ministry in Swaziland. God is moving and we are joining in HIS work and in HIS time!
***Remember, we live in Africa and there is no guarantee that our e-mails are received or even sent out correctly. If you have written and not heard from us, please write again. We would rather receive e-mails two times than not at all.***
Family Blog - www.allensinafrica.blogspot.com - leave us a comment so we know you stopped by to visit!
Skype - allensinafrica
Monica is part of Facebook so if you are on, let her know.
Blessings and love,
Steven, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen
IMB missionaries to Swaziland
Lacie with Hunter and Brinkley Johnson on her birthday
Lacie with her Gogo Polly (Gogo is siSwati for grandmother) visiting from the USA...yum, yum, enjoying her cake!
Baptism service at Hawane Baptist Church - Steven baptizing Kuseni Jele
The Baptist Mission of Swaziland mission family - Wayne and Barbara Myers, Bert, Lisa, Jessie, Matthew, and Sarah Warren and Steven, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen
No comments:
Post a Comment