Hunter and Brinkley Johnson (sisters) arrived last Monday (June 29th) in Nhlangano and have spent their time conducting Bible studies and reuniting with old friends. Hopefully their week has been enjoyable and filled with wonderful memories. Tomorrow we will visit one of the Swazi Game Reserves and then Wednesday travel to Jo’burg for their return flight to the States. Pray their return flight will be uneventful and their homecoming will be exciting as they reunite with family and friends in the states.
Saturday the executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention did not meet as planned. A few of the members had to work or had other engagements.
Steve Allen will return from his archeological dig in Israel on Wednesday July 8th. We will return together to Swaziland on Friday July 10th. Continue to pray for Monica, Lacie and Nathan as they look forward to Steve’s return to Swaziland.
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MEDICAL PRAYER CONCERNS:
--Thank you for praying for Lisa Warren’s parents as her dad continues to recover from his stroke. Please pray for strength, patience and comfort as he continues therapy and is now struggling with kidney stones.
-Continue to pray for Terry Myers whose cancer is in remission. Pray for his full recovery from cancer.
--Pray for my niece’s husband’s mother who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Pray for the Lord’s strength and courage during this difficult time.
--Pray also for Kerry Harp who continues to recover from a motorcycle accident last year. Pray the Lord will wrap his loving arms around him and Kerry will feel His presence.
Last week we received our health forms from the Health Travel Agency for our Stateside Assignment physicals and have doctors’ appointments and lab work scheduled for Thursday and Friday of this week. We will be glad to have these appointments behind us!! Pray everything will go well concerning our tests and exams.
-Continue to pray a vehicle will be secured for traveling while in the states-September 24th –December 30th.
SiSwati Word for Woman
There is a siSwati word the Swazis use for wife or woman that means “One who dies without speaking of what she has endured.” This basically means women in Swazi society are supposed to be silent when they are abused. Laws are being drafted against sexual offenses and prosecuting rape cases. Women’s rights to own land, to enter contractual agreements and generally function independently of their husbands and fathers are limited. When men die Swazi women are left without land, money or skills to earn a living.
Pray for the plight of women in Swaziland and for laws to be passed giving more rights and choices.
Pray Swazi men will not be able to abuse women without laws being passed protecting women from such behavior.
--For the last two years I have been working on a Swazi People prayer booklet called “So That Christ Might Dwell in Their Hearts”—I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a The story SiSwati Word for Woman is one of the stories included in this 30 day prayer booklet. Thursday I have a meeting with our media department to discuss the printing of this booklet. Pray this meeting will go well and plans can begin for the printing of this booklet.
AIDS UPDATE:
Recently Bert Warren was given an opportunity to meet with the “phalala” (group of HIV/AIDS sufferers seeking to minister in their community) in Mafucala. Please pray for wisdom and direction as Bert and Pastor Masuku explore avenues to minister to those suffering from this deadly disease in Swaziland. Pray they will walk daily with the Lord, listening for His voice to know which steps to take next. Also pray for future partnerships with other mission organizations that will help many Swazis come to Jesus as their Lord.
WORD FROM THE OFFICE OF GLOBAL STRATEGY:
-The second summer stateside assignment conference is scheduled for July 12-19. Please pray for the participants to enjoy safe travel, refreshing communion with the Lord, warm fellowship with colleagues, and helpful equipping for their future overseas ministries.
-Pray for the July 12 missionary appointment service, which will take place at Urbancrest Baptist Church, Lebanon, Ohio. May this not only be a time to appoint new missionaries, but also a time when scores of people respond to God’s call to International mission service.
PRAYING FOR OUR TROOPS:
Substance Abuse among our Troops: According to the U.S. Army, the number of Army soldiers enrolled in alcohol treatment programs has doubled since 2003. The rate currently is 11.4 per every 1,000 soldiers. Marine Corp statistics show a similar trend, with Marines screening positive for drug and alcohol problems increasing by 12 percent since 2005.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
-Monica Allen’s mother, Polly Trice has spent several weeks with the Allen family. The Allens are blessed that she was able to visit with Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan and see how God is working in Swaziland. Polly leaves on the 17th of July to return to the USA. Pray for safe travels to her home in Florida.
July 27th is the scheduled quarterly Swazi Team meeting in Nhlangano. Pray for a wonderful time of fellowship and business.
“Learning About the Bible” is the theme for the Shiselweni Region’s 2009 Children’s Camp. The first camp is scheduled for August 14-17 and the second camp August 31-September 2. As preparation continues, please pray the Lord will guide and direct each decision made. Pray the children will begin to look forward to this time of learning and having fun!
Pray for the National Youth Camp August 27-30 for the youth of the Swazi Baptist churches. The venue is undecided. Pray for all the logistics to be completed and for the youth to make plans to attend this important event.
OVERHEARD IN AN ORCHARD
Said the Robin to the Sparrow;
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.
Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”
--Elizabeth Cheney
Check these special Swazi sites:
www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com
www.swazimissions.org
To receive a daily list prayer needs of IMB missionaries around the world subscribe to www.subscribe.org or imb@imb.org.
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