Our week in Kruger was absolutely wonderful!! I wished we could have stayed longer. The weather was perfect (very warm and sunny). We spent days riding around the Kruger Game Reserve hoping to see the BIG FIVE (elephant, white rhino, cape buffalo, leopard and lion) and anything else interesting. We also saw many different varieties of birds. On the last day we drove to a particular area near where we were staying and saw a dead giraffe. It had evidently died of disease or old age. Later in the day as we went back to the spot we saw vultures (white-faced vultures) and a hyena enjoying a wonderful feast. When we returned the next day on our way out of the park, the vultures and hyena were still eating. It was a real “National Geographic” moment!! On the same afternoon we also saw two leopards in two different trees as well as two female lions with three lion cubs.
Saying Goodbye….
The Warrens were able to leave Swaziland on the 5th as planned. Their flight to the states was on the 6th and they arrived in Charlotte, NC around 10:00am on the 7th. Please pray for direction on employment/ministry opportunities for Bert and Lisa. Pray for Lisa’s parents as they adjust to moving into the Warren’s home and for her father’s continued improvement and rehabilitation. Pray for smooth transition for Jessie, Matthew and Sarah as they enroll back into Union County schools and begin on August 25th.
- Kelly Woody returns to Swaziland this week on the 14th 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.
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.
“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 (next week) of August and the second camp August 31-September 2 at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. The first camp is earlier than last year so please pray the weather will not be extremely cool for overnight sleeping in the church for the campers. 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!
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.
-More and more of the small businesses in Nhlangano are being operated by Indian Muslims from South Africa who promise help with school fees and jobs if recipients convert to the Muslim faith. Pray Swazis will not be easily misled by the Muslim faith. Pray for a stronger and bolder witness of the believers in Nhlangano and all of Swaziland.
AIDS UPDATE:
With shame and much guilt a church leader confessed he had participated in premarital sex. “I feel like David after his encounter with Bathsheba. I am so ashamed and I ask for your forgiveness.” Such courage and maturity to come and confess to the missionary, but what about AIDS? A mother comes to the missionary house and after greeting each other she begins to cry. “My children have not done right? My daughter had to recently withdraw from school because she is not married and pregnant.” The mother was heartbroken and her distress was quite evident and she too asks forgiveness, but what about AIDS? The missionary stood by the bed of an emaciated man. This man had been a leader in one of the Swazi Baptist churches. His wife had died several months before after being sick for a long time. Looking into the face that was devoid of expression, the missionary heard the man say “I am dying.” In a matter of time his suffering will be over. What about AIDS? As education is being shared and cultures and traditions are being questioned, the battle rages as Swazi people continue to live lives that spread the disease. Our society is in trouble and is being carried into the vortex of suffering, shame, guilt and death. What about AIDS? Please pray the Swazi people will understand the lifestyle that follow tradition and culture is not pleasing to the Lord. Pray for a spiritual awakening throughout the country of Swaziland.
IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
Continue to pray for the Field Personnel Orientation session that began on the 27th of July and ends on the 24th of September. May the 247 adults and 103 children involved be richly blessed through the fellowship, worship and instruction.
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. Venue is the Mbekelweni Lutheran High School (near Manzini). 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 Pastor Lad Chapman as he prepares and leads the sessions for the National Youth Camp. Pray for the national speakers who will be sharing in other teaching times. Pray that the hearts of the Swazi youth would be open and responsive to the word that God has for them.
--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).
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