Myers Weekly Letter

There’s a flag flying high in the castle of my heart, in the castle of my heart, in the castle of my heart. There’s a flag flying high in the castle of my heart, the King lives in there.
Chorus: Fly it high, fly it high let the whole world know, let the whole world know, let the whole world know. Fly it high, fly it high let the whole world, the King lives in there.

Do you know this song? (A good old Baptist song.) I didn’t until Annah Thwala taught the children during our National Easter Services (Friday-Sunday). Annah was taught the song by the volunteer team from the Atlantic Association that conducted a children’s camp in the Shiselweni region in January. Annah made the flags and every child waved their flag as loudly they sang. During Easter morning service, the children led the whole congregation in singing of a flag flying high in the castle of my heart. What a blessing!!

The entire National Swazi Baptist Easter services were a blessing!! One leader remarked, “This is our first Easter in two years!” The last two years problems have occurred when certain individuals aggressively promoted speaking in tongues and the prosperity gospel. But, this year there was a spirit of unity, fellowship and a desire for everyone to work together. My heart was touched more than once by the camaraderie that was evident. Lives were moved as Al Jordan (missionary covering for the Allens while they are on stateside assignment) preached. Sessions were geared toward learning more about Baptist polity and the theme of the children’s program was “New Beginnings.” Thank you for praying for this special yearly event. The “Spirit of Easter” definitely came to this year’s services.

Monday we were able to move most of our belongings from one house on the Swazican farm to another house 2 ½ kilometers away but still on the farm. It was long day but by its end we had a bed to sleep in!! We still have quite a few boxes to unpack, so please pray we will be able to get quite a bit of unpacking done this week. Pray there will be a place for all of our “stuff”.

NEW CELL NUMBERS:
Everyone in Swaziland will now add 7 to the beginning of their cell number.
Wayne: (268) 7602-0551
Barbara (268) 7619-7295

Also, the small crate we packed before leaving the states in December arrived in South Africa the middle of February. In March all the needed paper work was submitted. Pray we will soon receive our crate that contains special mementos and other goodies from “home.”

***Do You Know?
What country has been served the longest by Southern Baptist missionaries?

We will be attending our annual missionary training meeting/prayer retreat April 16-19, 2010 Durban, South Africa. The theme is “Determined Devotion.” During this year’s retreat each team is to provide a 10-15 minute prayer focus. Pray as we prepare to present this prayer focus. Pray also for a great time of fellowship with missionary colleagues.

-April 30-May 5, Wayne will be in Jo’burg attending the workshop “Taking it to the Next Level.” This workshop is designed for Strategy Team Leaders and will discuss, brain storm, as well as ask/answer questions that will help develop strategy that will “take it to the next level.” Pray those attending especially Wayne, will learn and benefit from this workshop.

--A two member volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church (South Roanoke Baptist Association, NC) is scheduled to work in the Lubumbo and Shiselweni regions May 19-31. Pray for Ben and Matt as they prepare to come and minister in Swaziland. Pray for their spiritual preparation to reach the lost and encourage believers.

--Continue to remember Wayne’s sister Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. Pray also his brother’s (Terry) quarterly medical tests will continue to show his stage 4 cancer in remission. Pray Barbara’s brother-in-law, Gary Rutledge will soon be able to move around unassisted (herniated disc surgery in November) and for Barbara’s nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

***Answer to Do You Know question:
Nigeria, entered in 1850. In fact, Nigeria was Southern Baptists’ only field in Africa for 100 years.

IMB OFFICE OF PRAYER STRATEGY:
Thank you very much for your faith-filled prayers for needs relative to the Haiti and Chile earthquakes and aftershocks. These have been trying times for our personnel and the peoples among whom they minister. Please continue to pray for all of them as they continue to be buffeted by aftershocks and resultant stress and anxiety. Pray also for relief efforts by our missionary personnel and their partners. May many people come into the kingdom as a result of their efforts.

WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA
June 11-July 11, 2010
Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com, the newest Web site that has been launched by the Africa Support Center Communication Team. Our primary goals are to focus on the ministries of our personnel, other GCCs, and volunteer teams and to generate prayer support for the urban centers of South Africa, many of which are venues for World Cup matches. In addition to virtual prayerwalks and regularly updated prayer requests, site visitors will find EV tools, details about projects and opportunities for service, and even information about soccer and the World Cup!

PRAY FOR PEACE:
NATO forces will launch a major offensive in the Kandahar region during April, seeking to clear Taliban strongholds while protecting the local population and establishing Afghan control. Pray for our military personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces, and for their families awaiting their return. www.presidentialprayerteam.org

RODEO COWBOY CHURCH PRAYER TEAM:
Easter Sunday the church returned to the Red Barn Arena. Services began with the church’s first baptism!!
PRAYER CONCERNS:
· The Spencer Magnet newspaper wants to do an article on the church. Pray everything will be done to glorify the Lord.
· Pray the core group will come together.
· Pray more cowboys and cowgirls will be reached for the gospel.
· Pray for a sponsoring church.
· Pray for the first VBS, July 5-9, 2010.
Thanks for praying,
Jim Carpenter, Pastor
Cowboy Rodeo Church, Mt. Washington, Ky.

Even after 2,000 years of Christian influence, more than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. They are hidden behind cultural, physical and language barriers to a Gospel witness. Join us and pray for a people group that no one is trying to reach.