Myers Weekly Letter

The small building being used for a church was tucked away along a dusty road off the main highway. It was further back than I remembered from my last visit and I thought we would never arrive. When we did, we saw a young girl standing in the doorway looking to see who was in the vehicle. When she saw us she laughed and ran back into the building. We had collected the pastor and so we joined the small group of children in the Lawhawheni Baptist Church. It was a cloudy and cool day and I wondered how many would come. Usually on these types of days the attendance is lower than usual and yesterday was no exception. By the time we began Sunday School there were 11 people, 6 children, 1 youth and 4 adults (counting Wayne and myself). Before Sunday School began the pastor had voiced his discouragement over the lack of attendance and interest of the people. I think the term “demon possessed” was used to describe the climate of the community. I could almost feel his “let down” when he again saw so few in attendance. During the teaching time, five more came into the church. After Sunday School we sang a few songs and then Wayne was asked to come preach the Word. During the service the children were anything but attentive. They had not been taught respect for God’s house and the preaching of His Word. When the service was completed announcements were given and everyone left the church to make their way back to their homes.
May 25-28 revival services will be held in the Lawhawheni community. The volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church will lead.
Pray this pastor will be encouraged as he serves the Lord in the Lawhawheni community. Pray for spiritual preparation for the special services in May and for true revival to touch the hearts of many Christians as well as the many lost Swazis in this area. Pray for strong follow-up after the completion of the revival services. May the Lord be glorified in Lawhawheni!!

--Continue to remember Ben and Matt from the Integrity Baptist Church as they prepare to come and minister in the Shiselweni and Lubumbo regions of Swaziland May 19-31. Besides the revival services at Lawhawheni the team will also conduct a baptism service on the 23rd of May at the New Hope Baptist Church. Bible studies for all ages are also being planned.

Update concerning our crate:
We asked you last week to pray for the arrival of our small crate we packed before leaving the states. I am glad to say we received word the crate is at our Baptist Mission Office in Johannesburg. Wayne is making plans with a company in Swaziland that travels to Jo’burg weekly to bring the crate to Swaziland. Pray the company will be able to bring the crate back to Mbabane without any problems. Pray we will be able to transport from Mbabane to Tshaneni.

***Do You Know?
What convention was the forerunner of the Southern Baptist Convention?

--Friday, we will travel to Durban, South Africa to attend our annual missionary training meeting/prayer retreat (April 16-19). Our retreat’s 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. We will return to Swaziland on Monday the 19th.

-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.

-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.
**Pray for King Mswati on his birthday, April 19th. Pray the strongholds that keep him, his wives and children from accepting Christ will be broken and they will commit their lives to serving Jesus.
***Answer to Do You Know question:
The Triennial Convention, so called because it was to meet every three years. Its full name was the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions. It was organized in 1814 by 33 delegates from 11 states.

IMB OFFICE OF PRAYER STRATEGY:
-The upcoming Field Personnel Orientation, April 19-June 19, will equip 64 adults and 47 children for their new roles as IMB missionaries. Pray for them today as they make preparation for their interim journey to Richmond, Va., for orientation and then later to their place of ministry.
-Continue to pray for IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.

WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA
June 11-July 11, 2010
The countdown on April 1 was 72 days until the opening of the World Cup 2010. The slogan for the World Cup is “Ke Nako,” which means, “It is time.” In South Africa, nationals believe that is time for Africa to be recognized not just in soccer, but globally as a presence. Many of the stadiums are designed to display an African theme. The Soccer Stadium in Johannesburg is designed to look like a “calabash” (an African pot) sitting on a pit of fire, symbolic of the melting pot of African cultures being naturally brought together. As nations gather together in these different stadiums throughout South Africa, forming a “calabash” of the nations, pray that this will be the time that many will hear the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that God will use South Africa for His purposes, to be a blessing to Him and to be a blessing to the nations of the world.
Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

PRAY FOR PEACE:
Most Holy Lord, today our news is filled with wars and rumors of wars, nationalist conflicts and worrisome disputes. We see turmoil in Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, the Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and so many more places. We thank you, Lord that Jesus warned us that such things would happen, even though the end is yet to come. Help us, therefore, to do as He said and not be alarmed, but know that all matters are in Your control. We rest in You today. Amen
www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Lord, what a risk you took loving us. Give us the wisdom and courage to risk loving you in return. Amen (Patsy Clairmont)

NEW CELL NUMBERS:
Everyone in Swaziland will now add 7 to the beginning of their cell number effective April 1st.
Wayne: (268) 7602-0551
Barbara (268) 7619-7295

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.