Thank you for praying for the National Youth Committee’s planning retreat on May 29th-30th (Friday and Saturday). Plans were discussed especially for the National Youth Leader’s Retreat in June and the National Youth Camp in August. Please pray for final direction through plans for both upcoming events. Pray for a spirit of unity and one mind in all decisions.
Hunter and Brinkley Johnson (sisters) will arrive in Swaziland June 9-July 8 to minister with the Swazi Team leading children/youth Bible studies, partnering with other mission organizations and various ministry opportunities as well as leading the National Youth Leader’s Retreat on June 25-27. Hunter and Brinkley will be in the Shiselweni region with us June 28-July 8 to minister to children and youth. Pray for Hunter and Brinkley as they prepare to serve with the Swazi Team and for health and safety as they travel on June 8 to Swaziland for one month. Pray the Lord will use their gifts and talents to minister to the Swazi people.
June 26-27 is the National Youth Leader’s Retreat. Pray for this important retreat for all youth leaders of the Swazi Baptist churches. Hunter Johnson will be the main speaker. Pray God will move in a mighty way among the hearts of our youth leaders.
Saturday June 6 the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets. Pray this meeting will reflect the desire to glorify the Lord in all that is said and done. Pray for good attendance of those on the executive committee.
Revival services will take place at the Mhlambi Baptist Church June 8-15. Please pray for the
church as they plan this very special event. It has been a while since the church conducted revival services. Recently the main leader left to find employment in South Africa. Imphilo Mamba currently is leading this church and we are thankful for his commitment. Pray for the Mhlambi Baptist Church under the leadership of Imphilo Mamba to grow spiritually and reach its community for the Lord. There is a great need to develop leaders for the children and youth ministries. Pray these leaders will develop from the Mhlambi Baptist Church congregation.
For the past six months a group from the Nyamane area has been attending the Nhlangano Baptist Church. The Nyamane area is approximately 7 kilometers from the church and transportation has made it difficult for regular attendance. Johannes Tfwala and his family live in this area and has desired for the group to organize and begin meeting regularly on Sunday morning. Revival services as well as the showing of the Jesus film have been scheduled for June 19-21. Please pray the revival services will open doors for more interest in a new outreach group from those living in the Nyamane area. Pray for the Lord’s encouragement as this group desires to meet together on a regular basis. The Tfwalas have experienced marital difficulty off and on for the past three years. Please pray Johannes and Lindwe Tfwala will not allow Satan to be the victor in their family and in their ministry.
Time is fast approaching when we will be taking our 4th stateside assignment. In the past we have stayed on the field for 4 years before returning to the states but have chosen to return after 2 years. Our dates are September 24-December 30.
In preparation for our departure, we both completed an intensive medical form on line to help with our stateside assignment physicals. We do need to have these physicals completed by the middle of August, so please pray we will receive all the information needed to schedule appointments in time to have our physicals completed by the middle of August. The timing of these exams will not affect our departure for the states but might our departure from the states.
-There always is a need for prayer in obtaining a vehicle to drive while stateside. Please pray a vehicle will be secured for traveling while in the states.
-Pray for peace concerning leaving our home and Wolf for three months. Our Wolf is 15 years old and because of arthritis in his hip has trouble walking and getting around. He will need special attention so please pray he will be well taken care of while we are stateside.
SPECIAL FAMILY PRAYER CONCERNS:
-Continue to pray for Lisa Warren’s father as he recovers from surgery and stroke. He recently was moved to a new facility and is undergoing physical therapy.
-Please continue to pray for Wayne’s brother and sister struggling with cancer. Pray the Lord will draw Terry and JoAnn into His healing embrace.
-Please pray for my niece’s husband’s mom who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Pray for the Lord’s strength and courage during this difficult time.
-Pray for Kerry Harp who continues to recover from a motorcycle accident. Pray the Lord will wrap his loving arms around him and Kerry will feel His presence.
AIDS UPDATE:
Culturally Practices Contributing to HIV/AIDS
-Polygamy is legal in Swaziland and many Swazis have more than one wife. It is also culturally acceptable for a man to have many girl friends outside of marriage and a rural Swazi woman dare not question her husband’s behavior.
-Many Africans believe sleeping with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS. This has put even infants at risk. In general, the culture does not value women. Many young girls and women do not understand they can say, “NO.”
-It is acceptable for a man to be intimate with his “wife” before marriage to determine if the she is fertile. If she cannot produce children he is not obligated to marry her.
Pray for the Swazi people to see these kinds of cultural practices lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Pray the heart of the Swazi people will turn to the Lord.
PRAYING FOR OUR TROOPS:
Give thanks for all who serve our country through military service at every level in every branch. Pray for safety and protection from God, for families who struggle with absent parents and multiple deployments and pray for all who lead our troops to have God’s wisdom and grace. www.presidentialprayerteam.org
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A HAPPY DAY
Today will be a happy day
If, first, you find some time to pray;
If, first, alone you go apart
From worldly things, and in your heart
You make resolve to do your best
And then to God you leave the rest.
For God will take the hate and fear
Of yesterday and yesteryear
And in their place He’ll make you feel
The light and love He would reveal;
Yes, this will be a happy day
If, friend, right now you’ll stop and pray.
--Author Unknown
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