Friday, May 28, 2010

Allen's May Prayer Update

Over the past six weeks, we have been in and out of 10 different states between sharing with churches about Swaziland and able to spend time with family and friends. We are thankful for the opportunities to continue the story of all God is doing in Swaziland and for times of rest and fun times with family as well. Right now, we are in eastern North Carolina, where Steven lived about 13 years, connecting with churches and precious friends. It has been loads of fun showing the kids where Daddy used to live or work or attend church.

Over this weekend in Swaziland, the National Youth Committee met in Mbabane for their annual planning retreat concerning the upcoming national youth camp in August. We are thrilled to know that a volunteer team from First Baptist Church, Belton, Texas (where Al and Belinda Jordan are members in the USA) will be coming to assist with youth camp this year. The camp theme has been chosen to be a sports theme with the World Cup emphasis so much throughout Southern Africa in June and July. Please be praying for all the logistics and schedule planning that will be finalized in the coming weeks. Pray even now for the many youth that will be attending youth camp in August that their hearts will be open to learning all God has planned for them. Youth camp is also celebrating their ten-year anniversary...how exciting!

Continue praying for Al and Belinda Jordan as they are staying in our house and covering much of our ministry area while we are in the USA. There have been ups and downs with their time in Swaziland, which is all part of life in Africa! :) Pray for strength as well as times of renewal for their lives as they faithfully serve the Lord each day in Swaziland. A huge inconvenience has been the issue with internet. Pray the internet line can be corrected soon and they would have a consistent and reliable internet connection during their stay in Mbabane.

On June 13-14, Monica has been asked to represent the International Mission Board at the National Women's Missionary Union meeting in Orlando, Florida. Monica is excited to represent the IMB, her home state of Florida, the ministry of Swaziland but most importantly, Jesus Christ, as the daughter of the king! Pray for these speaking times of being able to convey how God is working in and through the kingdom of Swaziland!

On June 17, Lacie will be celebrating her 6th birthday. She is looking forward to a Little Mermaid birthday celebration with lots of her daddy's family.

We recently heard a startling statistic that Swaziland is well on its way to being the first nation to wipe out their existing population due to the devastating AIDS crises. This news breaks our hearts but yet pushes us with the urgency to get the gospel of Jesus Christ out more than ever. Pray for the AIDS crises in Swaziland and for people to make lifestyle changes.

Our family will be moving from North Carolina to West Palm Beach at the end of June/beginning of July. If you are in the West Palm Beach/South Florida area and would like for us to share at your church, Bible study group, youth group, women's group, school, etc, please let us know soon so we can finalize our schedule. We plan to be in West Palm Beach until around September 26, when we will be returning to Swaziland.

Attached is an updated photo of Lacie and Nathan taken by Pastor Jimmy Moore of First Baptist Church, Washington, North Carolina.

Precious photo of Lacie and Nathan

June Prayer Calendar

Tuesday June 1: The Luwhhawhheni Baptist Church conducted revival services last month. These services were led by Matt and Ben a two-man volunteer team from the South Roanoke Association in North Carolina. Pray the congregation as well as the pastor will continue to be encouraged through these services. Sunday mornings have been less than encouraging and the church has received little support from the community. Pray a strong follow-up will take place with a good response and outcome.

Wednesday June 2: The Swazi Team continues to be blessed by Al and Belinda Jordan who are covering ministry responsibilities and watching the Mbabane mission properties while the Allen family is in the states. Pray for strength to press on each day and for their faithfulness in following God’s leading to Swaziland for six months.

Thursday June 3: The congregation of the Lesibovu Baptist Church is committed to completing their church structure. Pray weekly giving towards this project will continue and the building will soon be completed.

Friday June 4: Continue to pray for the couple joining the Swazi Team in October 2010. They are filling the 2-year job request for a church planter in the Manzini region and Religious Education that includes developing rural church training schools for pastors and lay leaders. Pray as they begin preparing for the ministry in Swaziland and saying goodbye to friends and family.

Saturday June 5: The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland will continue the election process of a chairman and officers today. This is a very important process in the life of the Baptist Convention. Please pray all committee members will make an extra effort to be at this meeting. Pray selections will be prayerfully considered before voting. Pray the Lord will be glorified.

Sunday June 6: Steve and Monica Allen are sharing with the Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church in Ashe County, North Carolina. Pray as the Allens share how the Lord’s Spirit is moving among the Swazi people.

Monday June 7: Wayne Myers’ brother, Terry completed a two week course of chemo to protect the brain from the invasion of cancer. Please pray his stage 4 cancer will continue to be in remission. Pray also for Wayne’s sister Patsy who continues to be on oxygen 24/7 due to COPD.

Tuesday June 8: The Hawane Baptist Church has elected members to serve on its building committee and is collecting funds each week for construction of their church building. Pray for continued progress in collecting the needed funds so construction can begin.

Wednesday June 9: Pray for Steve and Monica Allen as they share about the work and ministry with the Swazi people at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Thursday June 10: Praise the Lord for the recent National Youth Committee planning retreat (May 21-22) for the upcoming National Youth Camp in August. All went well and the youth are excited about the five-member volunteer team from the First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas that will lead the camp. Pray the Lord will provide wisdom in the preparations of lessons and activities. Pray each team member will be spiritually prepared for his/her ministry in Swaziland.

Friday June 11: Today begins the South Africa-FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 11), one of the biggest event ever in South Africa. Churches and other Christian organizations throughout South Africa have been preparing to share the Gospel in a variety of ways that include sports-related programs, holiday Bible clubs and tract distribution. Pray many opportunities will be given to conduct these ministries. Pray the Gospel will reach many South Africans and the world.

Saturday June 12: Today the Swazi Baptist National Women’s Committee will meet at the mission house in Mbabane to begin planning for the annual ladies retreat in October. Pray all representatives will be able to attend this meeting and the planning will go well.

Sunday June 13: June 13-14, Monica Allen is sharing with the ladies of the National WMU Meeting in Orlando, Fla. Pray for Monica today and tomorrow as she shares with Baptist women from all over the USA how God is moving in Swaziland and all around the world.

- Last month the Maphungwane Baptist Church conducted a youth revival with good results. Today the church celebrates with a baptism service for 21 individuals. Pray those desiring to be baptized will understand their commitment to the Lord. Pray for the church as it continues to reach its community.

Monday June 14: The 2010 National Youth Camp is scheduled for August 26-29. This year’s theme is “Formed in Us” and the theme verse is Galatians 4:19. Begin praying the Lord will prepare each attendee to receive wisdom and blessings from this year’s camp. Please pray for the continued planning of this very important event.

Tuesday June 15: Pray that ordinary daily events will be used of God to point Muslims to Him. With a belief in an active spirit world, Muslims are susceptible to impressions through ordinary events during the day and dreams at night. Pray those in Swaziland following the Muslim faith, will experience dreams that show them the truth found only in Jesus Christ.

Wednesday June 16: June 16-19, Steve Allen’s family is gathering with his parents and all his siblings and their families to celebrate Steve’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Pray for a special time of being with family and making great memories together.

Thursday June 17: Pray for Lacie Allen today on her 6th birthday!

Continue to pray for Lacie as Monica is homeschooling her for part of her grade 0/kindergarten year while the Allens are in the USA for six months. Lacie will take an entrance exam to start grade 1 when the family returns to Swaziland. Pray Lacie will stay focused with her school studies as well as enjoying this precious time of learning in a different environment for the family.

Friday June 18: PRAYING FOR OUR TROOPS: The toll of American dead in Afghanistan passed the grim milestone of 1,000 after a suicide bomb in Kabul killed at least five United States service members. Pray for the families of American military who have lost loved ones to the ravages of war. www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Saturday June 19: Wayne Myers will meet today with pastors/leaders of Swazi Baptist churches in the Shiselweni region to discuss and plan a pastor/leader training on the 10th of July.

Pray all the pastors will attend this meeting as ministry and training events are organized for the rest of 2010.

Sunday June 20: FATHERS’ DAY!
Take time to talk or spend time with your father today!! Pray this day will indeed be special for fathers everywhere and each will feel the presence of the Lord throughout the day.

Monday June 21: The Allen family is moving from North Carolina to West Palm Beach, Florida at the end of June for the last three months of their stateside time. Pray for all the logistics, travels and closure throughout the month of June.

-The Allen family praises the Lord for the many contacts encountered through churches, Bible studies, schools, family and friends as the Lord has given opportunities to share all He is doing in Swaziland. The Allens also are thankful for the many that are faithful prayer partners for the family and ministry.

Tuesday June 22: Please pray salvation will come to the house of the King of Swaziland, his wives and his children. Pray true revival will take place in this country.

Wednesday June 23: Kym Pennington, the new True Love Waits International consultant to Swaziland, will be in the country during the National Youth Camp to meet with True Love Waits presenters and share with all attending the camp. Pray for Kym as she prepares to make her first trip to Swaziland. Pray this will be the beginning of a wonderful working relationship between Kym, Swazis and the Swazi Team.

Thursday June 24: What is Love? “AIDS is a warning sign to all people who involve themselves in premarital and unfaithful sex lives,” according to K, a university student in Tanzania. Many young people equate sex with love-but they confuse love with lust. Lust is a kind of perverted love, a desire to gratify self at the expense of others. True love is a love that gives. The greatest example is when God gave His only Son to die for us and our sins (John 3:16). HIV/AIDS reminds us that we are at war with the enemy and we must combat his lies with the true love of Christ. Pray the eyes of young people throughout Africa will be opened to the truth about sex and what God expects of our lives. (From the booklet, “Hearing the Cries of the Hurting”)

Friday June 25: They were laughing and running to the church to see their friends and make new ones. They came to attend the 2009 Shiselweni region children’s camp that was held at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Planning has begun for the 2010 children’s camp August 30-September 1st. Pray for wisdom as the theme is developed and subject matter selected. Pray many children will run and laugh to attend this year’s camp.

Saturday June 26: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA UNENGAGED PEOPLES: The Nuer of Sudan are the Nilotic people living in one of the most remote places in the world along the Upper White Nile in Southern Sudan. The Nuer are believed to have a population of approximately 1.3 million, with 0 percent evangelized. Pray God will soften the hearts of the Nuer, raise up a church to adopt them, and touch the heart of someone willing to take His Word to them.

Sunday June 27: Imagine every Sunday arriving to church to find no one to lead the services or preach the sermon. The faithful few that continue to attend every Sunday try to encourage others to come and support the church. Youth and children program suffer or are non-existent. Pray existing Baptist churches without pastoral leadership will stay strong and faithful in their work with the Lord. Pray for unity among churches as they reach out to their communities.

Monday June 28: Today Sarah Warren is scheduled for the next check-up with her pediatric ophthalmologist to see if her vision has improved. The Warren family praises the Lord for her continued improvement and asks you to to pray Sarah’s right eye will continue to grow stronger. Presently her right still turns inward when glasses are removed and she cannot see letters in the middle of the rows on the sight chart.

Tuesday June 29: Retired missionary, June Mason is in Swaziland this week leading Swazi Baptist ladies’ Bible studies. Today she is with the ladies of the Shiselweni region at the Thunzini Baptist Church, tomorrow she will be with the South Lubumbo region ladies at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church and Thursday with the North Lubumbo region ladies at the Vuvulane Baptist Church. Pray these times of Bible study will be an encouragement to the ladies attending. Pray for June as the Lord prepares her for this very special ministry.

Wednesday June 30: I never knew I could pray in a shop or on a bus. I never knew I didn’t have to close my eyes or bow my head. These are just a few of the statements heard by a volunteer team that came to teach the Swazis the importance of a personal prayer life and prayer walking. When prayer walking one afternoon, a group of ladies asked the prayer walkers who visited them if they had to stop working in their gardens and go inside for prayer. The prayer walkers told them, “No, we can pray for you right here.” Pray Swazis will understand the true meaning of prayer and a need for a personal prayer life. Pray each Swazi Baptist church will make prayer walking a part of the church’s ministry. (From Swazi people prayer booklet, “So that Christ might dwell in their hearts.”)

Myers Weekly Letter

Today (May 24th) Wayne, Ben and Matt arrive Tshaneni after spending the last few days ministering with the Mgamudze and New Hope Baptist Churches in the Shiselweni region. Youth/children Bible study and worship times were scheduled as well as a baptism service at New Hope yesterday. The group also participated in the National Youth Committee Meeting and planning session for the National Youth Camp in August (May 21-22) in Mbabane.

-In the next few days the team will conduct revival services, lead Bible study at the Simunye Police Station, discipleship classes, school assemblies and homestead visitation. Pray for Ben and Matt as they continue their time of ministry in Swaziland.

May 25-29 revival services at the Luwhhawhheni (we are finally learning how to spell this word) Baptist Church. Bill and Matt will lead this time of worship. Pray 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 Luwhhawhheni.

--Friday we leave for the Kruger National Game Reserve. Sunday we will return Ben and Matt to the Swazi airport for their return flight to the states. Pray their flight homeward will be uneventful and they will be able to rest. Pray their memories of Swaziland will be memorial and filled with wonderful blessings.

***Do you know?

What major missionary institution maintained by Southern Baptists is said to be the largest institution in the world for the production of evangelical literature in the Spanish language?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE AND JULY:

-June 5th the Executive Committee will continue the election process of a chairman and officers for the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. This is a very important process in the life of the Baptist Convention. Please pray all committee members will make an extra effort to be at this meeting. Pray selections will be prayerfully considered before voting. Pray the Lord will be glorified through this election process.

-June 6th, baptism service will be conducted at the Maphungwane Baptist Church. 21 people are waiting to be baptized. In April 2009, 57 were baptized from this church. Pray those desiring to be baptized will understand their commitment to the Lord. Pray for the church as it continues to reach its community.

-June 12th at the mission house in Mbabane the Swazi Baptist National Women’s Committee will meet to plan the Swazi Baptist Ladies’ Retreat in October. Please pray all representatives will attend and planning will go well.

-June 19th is the date set for meeting of pastors/leaders of the churches in the Sishelweni region . Plans will be made for a pastor/leader training on the 10th of July. Pray all the pastors will make a point to attend this meeting as ministry and training plans are made for the rest of 2010.

-June 28-July 2, June Mason, retired missionary will be in Swaziland leading Bible studies with the Swazi Baptist women of the Lubumbo and Shiselweni regions. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them for daily needs.

Schedule:

-Tuesday, 29th of June at Phuzmoya Baptist Church (South Lubumbo region);

-Wednesday, 30th of June at the Thunzini Baptist Church (Shiselweni region);

-Thursday, 1st of July at the Vuvulane Baptist Church (North Lubumbo region)

Please pray for Swazi Baptist women to find true hope in following and depending upon the Lord for their families’ needs. Pray this time of Bible study will be an encouragement. Pray for June as the Lord prepares her for this very special ministry.

***Answer!!

The Baptist Publishing House in El Paso, Texas, established in 1905.

-Continue to remember Wayne’s sister Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen.

-Pray also Wayne’s brother (Terry) who is currently on chemo for 14 days to protect the brain from the invasion of cancer. Pray his quarterly tests will continue to show his cancer is 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.

RODEO COWBOY CHURCH

Let me give you a glimpse into the ministry Bro. Jim Carpenter is bringing to those who might not otherwise be exposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ and God’s love for us.

It was raining “cats and dogs” (in this case we might say “horses”) when we pulled up to the big Red Barn located at the top of a hill just off Highway 44. At first sight, this seemed a very unlikely place for a worship service.

Set aside in the big barn, was an area where tables and chairs were set up. On each chair there was a hymnal, which to my amazement contained shaped notes, and on the tables Bibles and various tracts were available for anyone who might want to use them.

As Bro. Carpenter stood at the podium to welcome us and talk about some of the things he is doing in the ministry, you could hear the soft whinny of the horses located in the stalls around the arena, a dog barking, and the flutter of birds that had gotten inside the barn. Reminiscent of, perhaps, Jesus’ first glimpse and experience of the world. How could anyone not be humbled by this scene?

The God-inspired message Bro. Carpenter brought to us touched our hearts and we left with the feeling that we had truly been blest by this wonderful experience.

If you get the opportunity to visit the Rodeo Cowboy Church you will be blest, also. In the meantime, please pray for this ministry.

Phyllls….

(Member of the Hillview Baptist Church-Louisville, Ky.)

WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

June 11-July 11, 2010

Each week I will be sharing prayer requests for one of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup (Soccer). This week’s Country Focus is GHANA:

-Pray that he true gospel may shine in the hearts of those who call themselves Christian but who are not born from above. Pray that the decisive break might be made from all fetishism and occult bondages, and true liberty in Jesus might be found.

-Pray for converts to Christianity amongst the Islamized peoples of the north of Ghana; many of the them face verbal and physical persecution at the hands of family and friends. Pray for more workers in this largely unreached region.

-Young people are increasingly turning to Christ for salvation, but they still only comprise 30% of the church going community. Pray for more ministries reaching out to the youth of Ghana.

(Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010. TUG is a network of local and international churches, para-church organizations and ministries all working together on one common goal: to bring hope and change to South Africa.)

Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

REMEMBER MEMORIAL DAY- MAY 31ST:

“Let us look forward to the time when we can take the flag of our country and nail it below the Cross, and there let it wave as it waved in the olden times, and let us gather around it and inscribe for our motto: “Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and forever,” and exclaim, “Christ first, our country next.” Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Friday, May 21, 2010

Myers Weekly Letter

As we walked into the house that served as the church, I was disappointed that there were so few. We were worshipping with the Mafucula Baptist Church yesterday and I had heard there were many who came each Sunday. (Vuvulane also joined Mafucula since Pastor Mavuso had to work.) We were warmly received as we took off our shoes and found our places on the mats. Usually the men have the best seats in the house and the women and children sit wherever. Yesterday, Pastor Masuku came to me and said, “You can sit with your husband,” but I knew that was his seat and I really rather sit on the floor where I could stretch out my legs, so I told him I was fine and could sit on the floor. He smiled and said, “Okay.” We sang for quite a while before the service truly started. The women and youth were sitting around the wall and the children in the middle. As the singing continued, and more and more people arrived until there wasn’t any more room. Some of the children left. I don’t know if they were told to leave to make room for others or if they just chose to leave. (People were still coming even towards the end of the service.) Everyone listened as Wayne preached a sermon on God’s Grace. The group was very attentive.

Please pray for the Mafucula Baptist Church. Pray for Pastor Masuku and wife who have a passion to reach the people of this community. Pastor Masuku has asked for us to come, train and disciple them. Pray we will be able to organize times of Bible study and training. J



-May 21-22, the National Youth Committee (NYC) will meet at the mission house in Mbabane to continue planning for the National Youth Camp (August 26-29). Camp theme:”Formed In Us” and theme verse is Galatians 4:19). Pray for this group as they meet to discuss the planning of the camp as well as experiencing a time of spiritual refreshment.

Thursday (19th of May) Ben Tugwell and Matt Eiban of the Integrity Baptist Church in the South Roanoke Association arrive in Swaziland. After being collected at the Matsapha Airport (Swaziland) Wayne will take the guys to the Shiselweni region where they will minister with the youth and children of the Mgamudze and New Hope Baptist Churches on Thursday and Saturday. Pray Ben and Matt will arrive healthy and ready to minister with the Swazi people.

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday: Bible study with the youth and children of Mgamdze and New Hope

Friday: Attend National Youth Council Meeting in Mbabane sharing a time of fun and devotion.

Saturday: Return to Shiselweni and afternoon Bible study with youth and children of Mgamudze and New Hope.

Sunday: Worship with New Hope:

On the 23rd of May the New Hope Baptist Church will conduct a baptism service. Ben and Matt will lead this time of celebration. Pray those being baptized will truly understand the commitment they have made to the Lord. Pray this special service will encourage the congregation of the New Hope Baptist Church.

Monday (May 24th) Wayne, Ben and Matt will travel to Tshaneni .

May 25-28 revival services at the Luwhhawhheni (we are finally learning how to spell this word) Baptist Church. Bill and Matt will lead this time of worship. Pray 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 Luwhhawhheni.

***Do you know?

How are “tentmakers” involved in the ministry?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE AND JULY:

-June 5th the Executive Committee will continue the election process of a chairman and officers for the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. This is a very important process in the life of the Baptist Convention. Please pray all representatives will make an extra effort to be at this meeting. Pray selections will be prayerfully considered before voting. Pray the Lord will be glorified through this election process.

-June 12th at the mission house in Mbabane the Swazi Baptist National Women’s Committee will meet to plan the Swazi Baptist Ladies’ Retreat in October. Please pray all representatives will attend and planning will go well.

-June 28-July 2, June Mason, retired missionary will be in Swaziland leading Bible studies with the Swazi Baptist women of the Lubumbo and Shiselweni regions. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them for daily needs.

Schedule:

-Tuesday, 29th of June at Phuzmoya Baptist Church (South Lubumbo region);

-Wednesday, 30th of June at the Thunzini Baptist Church (Shiselweni region);

-Thursday, 1st of July at the Vuvulane Baptist Church (North Lubumbo region)

Please pray for Swazi Baptist women to find true hope in following and depending upon the Lord for their families’ needs. Pray this time of Bible study will be an encouragement. Pray for June as the Lord prepares her for this very special ministry.

***Answer!!

By taking the gospel to limited-access or closed countries where traditional missionaries are unable to work. Like the apostle Paul who supported himself by making tents. Christians throughout history have employed their trades in distant areas and had key roles in witnessing and starting churches.

-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.

AIDS UPDATE:

Statistics continue to tell us that many in Swaziland are HIV positive and many are dying with AIDS. The country of Swaziland contains less than one million people. Pray the AIDS pandemic will begin to lose its grip on the Swazi people. Pray for spiritual renewal in the hearts of Christians that will lead to godly lifestyles and salvation for the many living in spiritual darkness.
WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

June 11-July 11, 2010

Each week I will be sharing prayer requests for one of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup (Soccer). This week’s Country Focus is MEXICO:

-Over 50% of the population in Mexico is under the age of 20 years old. Pray for ministries to young people, particularly street kids in Mexico City.

-Many Mexicans are culturally Catholic, but are still bound by sin, narrow traditionalism and syncretistic religious practices. Pray that the power of the ancient gods and spirit-world may be broken, particularly in the Amerindian groups.

-Pray for peaceful interactions between people from Mexico and their American neighbors to the north.

(Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010. TUG is a network of local and international churches, para-church organizations and ministries all working together on one common goal: to bring hope and change to South Africa.)

Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Myers Weekly Letter

It was a very warm fall day as we assembled in the small church building in a little community of Swazi houses to begin a time of Sunday morning worship. Due to participating in a funeral, the pastor of the Big Bend Baptist Church was not present but had previously asked Wayne to preach the morning’s message. As the singing began, people continued crowding into the church. One young lady sat on the bench in front of me. As we sang I began to notice things around me. One thing I noticed was the top she was wearing was on backwards and inside outward (but still pretty). Everyone was smiling and clapping their hands. During the fast moving songs the children did their Swazi dance. After the singing, testimonies were given and choir specials presented by the children and the youth. As Wayne preached one little boy continued his usual activities oblivious to those around him and the preaching of God’s Word. Several tried to quiet him throughout the service. As the service ended and we left the building, people were still smiling, shaking our hands and thanking us for coming.

Several made decisions of commitment during the church’s two week revival (April 26-May 8). Please pray the people of the Big Bend Baptist Church will feel a deep burden to confess sins that separate them from their God and will seek His face and hear His voice.

-This week beginning tomorrow, the Mapangweni Baptist Church will conduct a youth revival (May 11-15). The Phuzumoya Baptist Church is sponsoring and helping with the services. Pray this will be a great time in the life of this church. Pray many youth will commit to live their lives totally for the Lord.

--Please remember the family of Makhosi Fakudze, pastor of the Vovovo Baptist Church. Makhosi’s father passed away and the funeral was this past weekend. Pray the Lord will wrap His loving arms around this family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

***Do you know?

What is a non-residential missionary?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MAY AND JUNE:

--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 Luwhawheni 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.

-May 23rd the New Hope Baptist Church will conduct a baptism service. Matt and Ben will lead this time of celebration. Pray those being baptized will truly understand the commitment they made to the Lord. Pray this special service will encourage the congregation of this church.

-May 25-28 revival services will be held in the Luwhawheni community. The volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church will lead.

Pray the pastor will be encouraged as he serves the Lord in the Luwhawheni community. Pray for spiritual preparation for these special services 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 Luwhawheni!!

-June 5th representatives from our Swazi Baptist churches will continue the election process of a chairman and officers for the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. Last Saturday (May 8th) the executive committee was elected. This is a very important process in the life of the Baptist Convention. Please pray all representatives will make an extra effort to be at this meeting. Pray selections will be prayerfully considered before voting. Pray the Lord will be glorified through this election process.

June 28-July 5, the Swazi Team welcomes retired missionary June Mason to Swaziland. June will lead Bible studies with the Swazi Baptist women. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them for daily needs. Please pray for Swazi Baptist women to find true hope in following and depending upon the Lord for their families’ needs. Pray this time of Bible study will be an encouragement. Pray for June as the Lord prepares her for this very special ministry.

***Answer!!

A missionary who is sent to help evangelize people groups in countries and regions where Christian work is severely restricted. Non-residential missionaries live outside the targeted area but work to develop ways of advancing the gospel there.

-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.

AIDS UPDATE:

The Swazi Team welcomes Kym Pennington has their new True Love Waits International Consultant!! Kelly Woody served in this role for a couple of years but has resigned due to new employment. Kym is finishing up her journeyman term in Malawi (first of August). She has been doing TLW in schools and for the last few months has worked specifically with True Love Waits International throughout Malawi. Kym’s first visit to Swaziland will be during the Swazi National Youth Camp (Aug. 26-29). She will arrive a few days before the camp begins to meet with True Wait presenters and Swazi Team missionaries. Pray the True Love Waits message will touch the hearts of Swazi youth. Pray for leaders to rise up and stand strong in sharing the message of purity. Pray for Kym as she begins this new chapter in her life.

IMB OFFICE OF PRAYER STRATEGY:

-Emeritus Missionary Conference, May 11-16, Richmond, Va. This conference will see 60 retiring missionaries with 1,730 years of combined service being honored for lives committed to reaching the world’s lost. Thank God for their faithfulness in ministry and for the thousands of lives impacted for eternity because of their ministries.

-Affinity Trainers and Apprentice Coordinators Conference, May 12-18, Richmond, Va. This conference will unite overseas trainers and apprentice coordinators for a week of inspiration, networking and training. May the Lord grace them with safe travel and fruitful experience.

WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

June 11-July 11, 2010

Each week I will be sharing prayer requests for one of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup (Soccer). This week’s Country Focus is SPAIN:

-There are now more people living with HIV/AIDS in Spain than anywhere else in Europe. Pray for the different organizations and Christian ministries that are caring for rehabilitating drug addicts.

-There are over 1 million students in Spain, most of whom have never really heard the gospel. Reaching this generation is absolutely critical in impacting the whole of Spanish society; pray that the Lord would make a way for this to happen.

-Over 13 million Spaniards live in towns, villages and districts where there is no evangelical church. Pray for more church growth in Spain. Pray that missionaries and church leaders working in Spain would be able to build churches that really reflect indigenous Spanish culture.

(Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010. TUG is a network of local and international churches, para-church organizations and ministries all working together on one common goal: to bring hope and change to South Africa.)

Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

Myers Weekly Letter

Computer woes continue and so I am sending our weekly prayer letter very early. The ringing continues and Wayne will take my computer with him tomorrow when he leaves for Jo’burg. Please pray the problems will be found and solved without too much of a great monetary cost!!

I will try to keep in touch with the world using Wayne’s old computer if the MTN modem works.

The Big Bend Baptist Church’s revival services continue until the 8th of May. Repentance is the theme and Isaiah 59:2 the theme verse. Approximately, 18 people have recommitted their lives to the Lord since Monday when the revival began. Pray the people of the Big Bend Baptist Church will feel a deep burden to confess sins that separate them from their God and will seek His face and hear His voice.

-The meeting, Wayne and the pastor of the Luwhawheni Baptist Church were to have (Tuesday April 27) with the family of the lady that died in March from TB was postponed. This lady had been instrumental in the start of the church and now the family wants to donate land to the church for their church building. This gift is another testimony and witness of this lady’s life to those in her community and family. The meeting has been rescheduled for May 10th. Pray the meeting will go well and the Lord will be glorified in every decision made.

-Tomorrow, 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.

Wayne’s was able to get the critical reports finished this week that needed to be completed. Thank you for praying!!

While Wayne will be in Jo’burg this weekend and next week, Noel, Bubba and I will be “holding down the fort.” Pray we will stay healthy, happy and hopeful!!

***Do You Know?

In what year did overseas baptisms top 200,000 for the first time?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MAY AND JUNE:

-Saturday May 8th, the executive committee of the Baptist Mission of Swaziland will meet. One item on the agenda is to evaluate the National Easter Services in April. Pray for this group to prayerfully reflect on the 2010 Easter services. Pray for a time of unity and consensus.

-Sunday May 9th: MOTHER’S DAY!

A mother’s love is something

That no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

And of sacrifice and pain. (Helen Steiner Rice)

Pray this day will be very special for the mothers of the Swazi Team members and for your mother too!!

--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 Luwhawheni 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.

-May 25-28 revival services will be held in the Luwhawheni community. The volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church will lead.

Pray the pastor will be encouraged as he serves the Lord in the Luwhawheni 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 Luwhawheni!!

-There is a siSwati word the Swazis use for wife and woman that means “One who dies without speaking of what she has endured.” Living in a polygamous society that allows husbands to have more than one wife as well as numerous relationships is very difficult. Many women are left to support and care for the children without help from the spouse. It can be a very lonely life. Coming together with other women (in like situations) for a time of Bible study and fellowship is a great enjoyment for our Swazi Baptist women. June 28-July 5, the Swazi Team welcomes retired missionary June Mason to Swaziland. June will lead Bible studies with the Swazi Baptist women. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them for daily needs. Please pray for Swazi Baptist women to find true hope in following and depending upon the Lord for their families’ needs. Pray this time of Bible study will be an encouragement. Pray for June as the Lord prepares her for this very special ministry.

-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:

1987


IMB OFFICE OF PRAYER STRATEGY:

-Please 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

Each week I will be sharing prayer requests for one of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup (Soccer). This week’s Country Focus is BRAZIL:

-Over 50% of Brazilians are under 18. Pray that the church can communicate God’s truth to this generation and effectively disciple them. Pray for growing movement to plant new churches that are relevant to youth.

-Pray that the mission movement in Brazil will continue to grow and that those sent out from Brazil will be well supported, protected and encouraged at home and overseas.

-Brazil’s most widely sold books are about magic and the occult. Pray for change through Christian publishers and Bible distribution.

(Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010. TUG is a network of local and international churches, para-church organizations and ministries all working together on one common goal: to bring hope and change to South Africa.)

Check out www.worldsoccerjourneys.com.

CELL NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES:

Everyone in Swaziland added 7 to the beginning of their cell number effective April 1st. Please note:

Wayne: (268) 7602-0551

Barbara (268) 7619-7295

Also, please discontinue the use of our africaonline address: Send emails to: Wayne-wmyers@shelbywireless.net and Barbara-swazibam@shelbywireless.net