Myers Weekly Prayer Letter - August 1, 2009

LEAVE ME NOT
Still let Thy wisdom be my guide,
Nor take Thy flight from me away;
Still with me let Thy grace abide,
That I from Thee may never stray.
Let Thy Word richly in me dwell,
Thy peace and love my portion be;
My joy to endure and do Thy will,
Till perfect I am found in Thee.
--John Wesley

Early tomorrow morning (August 2) Wayne and I leave for a week’s holiday/vacation at the Kruger National Game Reserve. We will drive to a section we have never visited before and slowly work our way down staying at various sites along the way. We will return to Swaziland on the 8th of August (Saturday).
Pray for a safe journey (no vehicle problems) and for us to have a most wonderful time.

-There is very little internet coverage in the Kruger National Game Reserve so we will not be checking or sending emails next week.

Saying Goodbye….
--I n April Lisa Warren’s father suffered a stroke and has been in rehabilitation care centers. Due to insurance limitations he will return to his home on August 3rd. After much prayer the Warrens feel God leading them to return to the States to care for Lisa’s father (Lisa is the only child). They will leave Swaziland on the 5th of August. The Swazi Team including the Warrens met for the last time on Tuesday during the team’s quarterly meeting. We will miss them. Please pray for direction and discernment in all aspects of life from preparing their home to handle Lisa’s dad’s special needs to placing Jessie, Matthew and Sarah back in school as well as Bert and Lisa finding employment.

Price of Power
One year during Parliamentary elections the King of Swaziland made this statement: “During election times, we tend to lose our grandmothers, grandparents and young children. They just disappear!” To what was the King referring? Many people believe that some parliamentarians are desperate enough for power to become elected they have people killed and certain body parts roasted with pieces of flesh and ground to a powder to make traditional medicine or a charm. Pray that God’s light will banish the darkness in Swaziland and many Swazis will see the light of Jesus and not culture (such as ritual murder) as a way of life.

Please pray I will receive the help needed to get the prayer booklet “That Christ Might Dwell In Their Hearts” printed. Pray the booklet will be a wonderful tool for prayer support for the Swazi people.

MEDICAL PRAYER CONCERNS:
-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. A feeding tube has been placed. 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 especially on days when he feels depressed.

AIDS UPDATE:
Quote from an AIDS victim: I was so devastated upon first learning my HIV positive status I wanted to commit suicide. I did not ever imagine that I could ever be useful to my country, my continent and the world at large. Many that are still hiding have the opportunity like me to show others that hope is still there. Let us come out and come together, in the church and everywhere and spread the message of hope. Pray that people will not be silent concerning the cause of AIDS and the need for Christ to help change lives. Pray people will have the courage to speak honestly about AIDS and why God wants our behavior to reflect His guidance.

IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
July 1st the IMB (International Mission Board) began a new epoch of change from geographic regions to global affinity groups. (Affinity groups are large groupings of related people that share similar origins and cultures.) Please pray for IMB personnel as they transition to new administrative structures, leadership, relations and ministry possibilities. Ask God to speak into missionary hearts, revealing His vision for reaching the massive number of people groups who have yet to hear or respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

UPCOMING EVENTS
-In April Kelly Woody, True Love Waits International consultant visited the Swazi Team members in their areas of work. Kelly returns to Swaziland around the 16th of August to assist the Swazi Team with True Love Waits and to teach about TLW at the National Youth Camp (Aug. 27-30). Pray for Kelly as she prepares to work with Swazis and missionaries to establish a strong True Love Waits program in Swaziland.

“Learning About the Bible” is the theme for the Shiselweni Region’s 2009 Children’s Camp. The first camp is scheduled to meet at the New Hope Baptist Church on 17-19 of August and the second camp August 31-September 2 at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Pray for the Lord’s preparation in the lives of those leading and helping with each camp. Pray the children will begin to look forward to this time of learning and having fun!

Each year the Swazi Baptist churches have the opportunity to send their youth to the National Youth Camp. This year’s camp is August 27-30, 2009. The theme is “God Chooses Me” based on Ephesians 1:4-5. The camp’s main speaker is Lad Chapman missionary friend serving with Children’s Cup. Pray for a venue to be confirmed this week. Pray the annual National Youth Camp will reach many Swazi youth for the Lord. Pray those who attend will daily seek the Lord’s face and will constantly strive to understand the Lord’s will for their lives.

--Because of the concern for charismatic tendencies and practices displayed at the National Easter Services, teaching was scheduled by the Baptist Convention of Swaziland May 22nd-23rd. September 11-12 a follow-up teaching is scheduled. Please pray for Wayne Myers and Steven Allen as they prepare for a time of additional information sharing
and question and answer time. Pray for a better understanding of those attending concerning Baptist beliefs. Pray members from our Baptist churches will commit to making their churches stronger in Baptist beliefs as well as Christian believers

Continue to pray for us as we continue to prepare for our departure on the 24th of September to begin our stateside assignment.
--Pray we will also be able to secure a vehicle for our time in the states. (September 24th-December 30th).