Saturday, September 25, 2010

Monthly Prayer Calendar - October

Friday October 1: After serving six months in Swaziland for missionaries Steve and Monica Allen, Al and Belinda Jordan leave today from Jo’burg for the states arriving in Austin, Texas tomorrow. Pray for a safe flight and fast adjustment back to life in the states.


Saturday October 2: The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today. Pray each committee member will understand his or her job description. Pray this meeting will be a time of discussion and planning for the 2011 budget and other ministries.


Sunday October 3: “My own conversion is the result of prayer, long, affectionate, earnest, importune. Parents prayed for me; God heard their cries, and here I am to preach the Gospel.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92). Pray the Lord will be able to draw strong spiritual leaders from the congregations of the Swazi Baptist churches. Pray many Swazis will truly understand what it means to be a Christian.


Monday October 4: Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen arrived in Swaziland on the 28th of September after six months in the states (stateside assignment). Pray for an easy adjustment to Swazi life and the Lord will direct them to the right ministries over the next couple of years.


Tuesday October 5: Winter is over as well as the dry season in Swaziland. Swazis anticipate the arrival of the refreshing rains and the beginning of planting crops and gardens. Pray the rains will be plentiful and adequate this season to meet the basic needs of the people and sustain their crops and gardens.


Wednesday October 6: Continue to remember members of the Myers’ family dealing with medical problems. Pray for Wayne’s brother Terry, currently in remission from stage 4 cancer, sister Patsy with COPD and Barbara’s brother-in-law in recovery from herniated disc surgery (last year).


Thursday October 7: Pray for Lacie Allen as she finishes her Kindergarten year. Lacie will be taking an entrance exam in the next couple of weeks. Pray she will do well and there will be no complications in her starting school at Sifundzane Primary School for 1st grade in January 2011.


Friday October 8: Pray for Deborah Hoskins’ sister, Susanna today on her birthday!! Pray this day will be a time of celebration and quality family time for Deborah and her family before the Hoskins leave for Swaziland.


Saturday October 9: Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as the seek God’s man to lead our organization.


Sunday October 10: Continue to pray for Hawane and Lesibovu Baptist Churches as both congregations strive to reach their goals needed for the construction of their church structures. Pray weekly giving toward these projects will allow construction to soon begin.


Monday October 11: The BGR (Baptist Global Response) In-Home Care Kits are provided for terminally ill patients with AIDS. The kits are centered around a five gallon heavy duty bucket with a lid that seals. Inside the bucket are items that will assist in keeping patients clean and dry, items to protect their mat and mattress from soiling and vitamins to help keep their immune systems strong. Pray the use of these items by loving care givers will show the love and compassion that Jesus Christ has for the terminally ill. Southern Baptists have an opportunity to participate in this project through local churches and associations in partnership with BGR. If you or your church would like to help fill the In-Home Care Kits please contact www.inhomecarekits.org


Tuesday October 12: Pray for Barbara Myers today on her birthday!! Todd and Deborah Hoskins leave for Swaziland today. The Hoskins are 2-year missionaries serving as church planters and developing rural church training schools for pastors and lay leaders. Pray for a safe journey and easy adjustment to life in Swaziland.


Wednesday October 13: Pray for Todd Hoskins’ mother today on her birthday!!Pray the Lord will give Todd’s mother peace and joy on her special day, especially with Todd and Deborah leaving for Swaziland the day before.


Thursday October 14: “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud. And He shall hear by voice.” (Psalm 55:17) October 14-16 is the National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat at the Manzini Baptist Church. The theme is “I Will Cry Unto the Lord” and the scripture verse is Psalm 55:17. So many Swazis do not know the importance of a personal prayer life or that they can even pray outside the church. Pray for missionary Barbara Myers as she leads four sessions on the importance of prayer in our lives. Pray those attending will understand the true meaning of prayer and the need of a daily time of talking and listening to the Lord. Pray each attendee will learn to cry unto the Lord anytime and anywhere.


Friday October 15: September 10-11 missionary Wayne Myers led a training event for the pastors/lay leaders of the Swazi Baptist churches in the Shiselweni region. Approximately 20 attended the two-day training. Pray those who attended will utilize what they were taught in their churches. Pray every Swazi Baptist church in the Shiselweni region will be led by a strong pastor or leader.


Saturday October 16: Who was the first executive director of the Foreign Mission Board? James B. Taylor, a former Baptist minister in Richmond, Va., who served 1846-1871.It is time to set your 2010 church goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray for faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2010 LMCO so missionaries can continue to be sent to minister to many lost and dying people.


Sunday October 17: Pray the Lord will burden the hearts of the Swazi church leaders to develop strong prayer relationships with Him. Pray prayer will be an important ministry in every Swazi Baptist church.


Monday October 18: Pray salvation will come to the house of the King of Swaziland, his wives and children. Pray true revival will take place in this country.


Tuesday October 19: Pray for protection for girls living in situations that are not safe and lead to sexual abuse and possible death. Pray the Swazi government will take notice of the plight of women and children and will seek to pass laws that protect them. Pray for a safer place to live for children that will allow them to have a future.


Wednesday October 20: The Hoskins leave today to attend the on-field orientation 40/40 in Burkina Faso (West Africa) October 21-November 19. 40/40 is an extensive time of training to live in Africa as well as developing relationships with the African people. Pray Todd and Deborah will be prepared for this type of training and wonderful blessings will occur.


Thursday October 21: Trying to start and sustain homestead churches is difficult. Challenges include not wanting to be identified as Zionists (African Traditional Religion), feeling the church is not “theirs” but belongs to the homestead family and feeling the church imposes on the family by meeting each week. Pray Christian Swazis will understand the need to reach their neighbors for Jesus. Pray these challenges will not keep them from organizing and meeting on a regular basis.


Friday October 22: Today begins the first Maphungwane Baptist Church children’s camp (Oct. 22-24). The theme is “Let Us Talk to God.” The children will study stories on Christ, Daniel and Hannah who were great prayer warriors. Pray the children will be able to take home the stories and their significance. Pray each will go home touched by the Lord.


Saturday October 23: Ramadan is over and those of the Muslim faith have returned to their normal routines as life goes on. Pray during their time of spiritual seeking and fasting (Ramadan) their hearts were open to hear the voice of the Lord. Pray many will begin seeking to know the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.


Sunday October 24: Pray the Lord will provide a pastor for the New Hope Baptist Church (without a pastor for over three years). Pray the faithful will continue to be fruitful and the adults will strive to teach the youth and children the ways of God.


Monday October 25: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES: Please pray for the Luyana of Namibia. The Luyana, who live in the northern part of the Kalahari Basin and speak Kwangali, experience abundant wildlife and blooming plant life during the rainy season but also watch the dry season blow in, parching everything that remains. Pray that Luyana will come to know the majesty and splendor of our Lord and call on Him for eternal salvation.


Tuesday October 26: October 26-29 the Myers are taking a holiday and visiting the Kruger National Game Reserve (South Africa). Pray for a restful time of enjoying God’s creation.


Wednesday October 27: Please pray as the trends of pregnancy out of wedlock, several sexual partners, more than one wife and relationships, and a disregard for God’s Word continues to dominate the lives of both Christian and non-Christian Swazis.

Thursday October 28: Understanding the importance of a Christian lifestyle, several older ladies in our Swazi Baptist churches have requested to be married the Christian way. Many in Swaziland are married in the Swazi Traditional Way (condoning unchristian practices) or not at all. These who wanted to make things right in the eyes of the Lord, walked down the aisle dressed in their white wedding gowns on the arms of their (non-believing) husbands. Pray for these who have committed their marriages to the Lord. Pray many more Christian weddings will take place in our Swazi Baptist churches.


Friday October 29: The Shiselweni Baptist Association is in the process of meeting on a regular basis and understanding proper procedures in discussing business matters. Pray for Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini as he organizes and leads the meetings on a regular basis. Pray for Wayne Myers as he continues to train the association on how to conduct their meetings and discuss their business. The next Shiselweni Association meeting is November 13.


Saturday October 30: Pray those of the African Traditional Religion/Zionism will come to a true understanding of their need for a personal relationship with Jesus and will be able to separate themselves from the pagan practices of traditional religion.


Sunday October 31: “It is the heroes and heroines who are out of sight and who labour in prayer who make it possible for those who are in sight to do their work and win.” G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945) pastor of the Westminster Chapel, London. Thank you faithful prayer warriors who pray for us missionaries and the Swazi people. Pray we will continue working and praying together for the many lost Swazis who do not know the Lord as their Savior.

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

PRAY FOR TODD HOSKINS TODAY ONHIS BIRTHDAY!!
Todd and Deborah leave for Swaziland on the 12th of October. The Hoskins are 2-year missionariesserving as church planters and developing rural church training schools for pastors and lay leaders. Pray for Todd and Deborah as they continue to say goodbyes to friends and family.

SPEAKING OF SAYING GOODBYES…The Swazi Team thanks the Lord for Al andBelinda Jordan serving in Swaziland during theAllens’ stateside assignment. We appreciatetheir willingness to sacrificially serve withthe Swazi people. They did a fantastic job!! The Jordans leave Swaziland on the 30th ofSeptember (Thursday) for Jo’burg. They leaveJo’burg for the states on the 1st of Octoberand are scheduled to arrive in Austin, Texas on the 2nd. Pray their journey home will be uneventful. Pray Al and Belinda will leaveSwaziland with joy and blessings in their hearts.

BUT WE SAY WELCOME BACK TO THE ALLENFAMILY!! Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan arrive in Swaziland on the 28th of September after their six month stateside assignment. Lacie has beencounting the number of sleeps until their return. Pray for an easy adjustment to Swazi life and the Lord will direct them to the right ministries over the next couple of years. Pray for Lacie as she returns to her Kindergarten class. Lacie will be taking an entrance exam for first grade in the next couple of weeks. Pray she will do well and there will be no complications in her starting school at Sifundzane Primary School in January2011.

--Tomorrow (26h of September) the MountainBaptist Church (Mafucula) will conduct a
baptism service. 11 individuals are scheduled to be baptized. Pray fort he church as they prepare to baptize these new Christians.
--Saturday the 2nd of October the executive committee of the Baptist Convention meets. Pray each committee member will understand his or her job description. Pray this meeting will be a time of discussion and planning for the 2011 budget and other ministries.

Winter is over as well as the dryseason in Swaziland. Swazis anticipate the arrival of the refreshing rains and the beginning of planting crops and gardens. Pray the rains will be plentiful and adequate this season to meet the basic needs of the people and sustain their crops and gardens.

And Satan trembles when he sees, The weakest saint upon his knees.
--William Cowper

OCTOBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud. And He shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) October 14-16, 2010 is the National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat at the Manzini Baptist Church. The theme is “I Will Cry Unto the Lord” and the scripture verse is Psalm 55:17. So many Swazis do not know the importance of a personal prayer life or that they can even pray outside the church. Pray for missionary Barbara Myers as the leads four sessions on the importance of prayer in our lives. Pray those attending will understand the true meaning of prayer and the need of a daily time of talking and listening to the Lord. Pray each attendee will learn to cry unto the Lord anytime and anywhere.

--October 21-November 10, Todd and Deborah Hoskins will attend the on-field orientation40/40 in Burkino Faso (West Africa). 40/40 is an intensive time of learning to live in Africaas well as developing relationships with the African people. Begin praying for Todd and Deborah’s preparation for this type of training and wonderful blessings will occur.

--A third children’s camp is scheduled for October 22-24 at the Mphungwane BaptistChurch. The children will study stories on Christ, Daniel and Hannah who were great prayer warriors. Pray the children will be able to take home the stories and their significance. Pray each will go home touched by the Lord.

--October 26-29, we are taking a little holiday to our favorite place in the whole wide
world, Kruger!! Pray we will have a great and relaxing time.

SWAZI TEAM PRAYER CONCERNS:
-- Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen.
-Pray also Wayne’s brother (Terry). Pray his quarterly tests will continue to show his canceris in remission.
-Pray Barbara’s brother-in-law, Gary Rutledge will continue to recover from his herniated disc surgery.

Thank you for giving to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray for the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2010 LMCO so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.

--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.

AIDS UPDATE:BGR (Baptist Global Response) is requesting help from our Southern Baptist churches to fill In-Home Care Kits for the care of terminally ill AIDS patients. These kits center around a five gallon heavy duty bucket with a lid that seals. Inside the bucket are items that will assist in keeping patients clean and dry, items to protect their mat or mattress from soiling, and vitamins to help keep their immune systems strong. Information for packing these kits is available on the Baptist Global Response website
www.inhomecarekit.org . On this site you will find the following information….A. How to complete the In-Home Care KitProject• Introduction and Commitments• Shopping List• Assembly Directions• Prayer Guide• Collection Site Contacts VideoB. Promotional Materials• How to these items help?• Bulletin Insert• Poster• Press Release• Myths about AIDS in Africa.
In 2010 BGR requested help from SBC churchesto fill 6,000 kits but only were able to fill 1500.The Swazi Team requested 300 kits but was only guaranteed 25-50. BGR needs yourhelp in providing these kits to AIDS patients andfamilies.

This week’s country focus: PARAGUAY:
-The spiritual life of Paraguay has long been dominated by the Catholic Church. There is a lot of superstitious traditionalism, devotion to Mary and occult related bondage. Pray that spiritual eyes would be opened, and people would be set free from bondage.
-Most of Paraguay’s protestants are amongst immigrant groups—the German speaking Mennonites, Ukrainian Baptists and Korean Presbyterians. Nominalism is a problem amongst these groups. Pray for renewed vigor for these people, as well as for more Paraguayans to be reached with the Gospel.
-Praise God for the work amongst Indian minority peoples which has been largely successful. Pray for young churches, and more tribal groups to bereached.- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of
SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place duringJune and July 2010.)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Jordan's Swaziland News

The National Youth Camp was a wonderful success due, first of all, to the Lord Jesus, then to the planning of the National Youth Committee and also to the leading of the team from FBC Belton. The team did a great job with Bible study sessions, worship and recreation. They connected beautifully with the youth and leaders. We were also blessed to have Kym Pennington with us for camp. Kym is the True Love Waits International representative to Swaziland. It was very evident you were praying for the camp and the team. Thank you. Continue praying for the youth in Swaziland as they have many challenges culturally, physically and spiritually. We took the team on some cultural excursions including markets, the cultural village, a bush Bible study, a Swazi worship and a game reserve.

As you know, we are filling in for missionaries Steve and Monica Allen. The Allen’s are waiting for medical clearance to return to the field. The plan is for them to leave the US September 24 arriving in Swaziland September 26. Please pray the Allen’s medical clearance will come through without delay so they can return according to plan. Side note: The Allen's received medical clearance and will be arriving in Swaziland on the 28th.)

We are beginning to say our goodbyes to our Swazi friends and the churches. The Swazis have endeared themselves to us so it is difficult saying goodbye. Pray for our four remaining weeks in Swaziland and for Al in particular as he prepares for six more Bible studies and four sermons.

Living in a third world country makes us appreciate even more how blessed we are to live in the United States. As we keep up with the news from our beloved America we are so saddened to see the rapid decline of our nation away from the godly principles on which it was founded. We have often thought how the word “bless” in the song “God Bless America” should be replaced with “God Save America”. God has blessed America many times over and we have turned our backs on Him. So now it is time to repent and plead with God to save America. That is our prayer before and after we return to the land we love. Join us in daily lifting our nation to the Father.

This will probably be our last newsletter so we take this opportunity to say thank you for taking this journey with us the past six months. Your prayers and encouraging notes have sustained us more than you will ever know. We pray this blessing on you from Numbers 6:24-26. “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

Inkhosi Inibusise (God bless you)
Al and Belinda Jordan

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

Last week I reported of my computer woes and was undecided whether to have the computer fixed or to purchase a new one. During the week Wayne tried another computer shop in the Manzini. The shop was not able to help us but did refer us to another shop that did help. The diagnosis was a damaged graphics card and bad processor. I am now able to boot up my computer but upon closer inspection found the keyboard is not functioning. I use a mouse and external keyboard but we do plan to take the computer back to the office for repairs. Hopefully, this will be the last you hear for a long while of my computer woes. Please pray everything will be fixed on my computer and I will be able to stay functioning for a very long time!!

***Did you know???
How are “tentmakers” involved in missions?

OCTOBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud. And He shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) October 14-16, 2010 is the National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat at the Manzini Baptist Church. The theme is “I Will Cry Unto the Lord” and the scripture verse is Psalm 55:17. So many Swazis do not know the importance of a personal prayer life or that they can even pray outside the church. Pray for missionary Barbara Myers as the leads four sessions on the importance of a prayer in our lives. Pray those attending will understand the true meaning of prayer and the need of a daily time of talking and listening to the Lord. Pray each attendee will learn to cry unto the Lord anytime and anywhere.


--October 21-November 10, Todd and Deborah Hoskins will attend the on-field orientation 40/40 in Burkino Faso (West Africa). 40/40 is an intensive time of learning to live in Africa as well as developing relationships with the African people. Begin praying for Todd and Deborah’s preparation for this type of training and wonderful blessings will occur.

--A third children’s camp is scheduled for October 22-24 at the Mphungwane Baptist Church. Wayne and I are meeting with the pastor on Tuesday to sit down and go over the schedule and other particulars of the camp. Pray for this meeting and pray the church will understand the need to send children between the ages of 6-11 (only). Pray many blessings will flow from this third camp.

--October 26-28, we are taking a little holiday to our favorite place in the whole wide world, Kruger!! Pray we will have a great and relaxing time.

SWAZI TEAM PRAYER CONCERNS:
--The Allens received their medical clearance and are in the throes of packing and returning to Swaziland. They will leave the states on the 26th of September and be in Swaziland by the 28th. Please pray as they pack, sort and prepare for their return journey to Swaziland. Lacie has been counting the number of sleeps (Swazi term) until she returns to her home and school.


--The Hoskins are currently attending a time of orientation at the International Learning Center and will be commissioned on the 22nd of September. Pray for Todd and Deborah as they prepare for their ministry in Swaziland. The Hoskins will arrive in Swaziland around the 13th or 14th of Swaziland.

--Pray for Al and Belinda Jordan as they begin saying goodbyes to their Swazi friends and the Swazi Baptist churches in which they ministered. The Jordans leave Swaziland on the 30th of September for Jo’burg. On the 1st of October they begin the long flight home.

-- Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. -Pray also Wayne’s brother (Terry). Pray his quarterly tests will continue to show his cancer is in remission. -Pray Barbara’s brother-in-law, Gary Rutledge will continue to recover from his herniated disc surgery and for Barbara’s nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

***Answer to the Do You Know question:
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.


Thank you for giving to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray for the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2010 LMCO so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.

AIDS UPDATE:
The Swazi Team is currently developing strategies for possible student volunteers next summer to help strengthen the True Love Waits program in Swaziland. Pray for wisdom in developing these strategies. Pray the students’ gifts and talents will be fully utilized in these strategies and ministries.

COMPANY NEWS AND EVENTS:
--IMB Board of Trustee Meeting and New Missionary Appointment-Please pray for IMB trustees and staff as they gather in Tampa, Fla., on September 14-15. May they be sensitive to God’s voice and resolute in following His leadership. Thank God for the 55 new missionaries who will be appointed at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Fla., on September 15. Pray their testimonies will inspire others to seek God’s direction concerning ministry overseas.


--Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., is the location for IMB’s September 16-18 Missions EXPO. This event is designed to help interested missionary candidates explore the role God has for them in reaching the lost. Pray for participants to discover the field to which the Lord of the harvest is directing them. Intercede for IMB staff who desire to give godly counsel to these candidates.

--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as the seek God’s man to lead our organization.

This week’s country focus: DENMARK:
-Denmark needs a fresh visitation from God. Whilst many people are members of church, faith is not real or living to many of them. Pray that the Holy Spirit would make Christ real to people who have turned to secular or new age thinking.
--There are many Muslim groups settling in Denmark who have been previously unreached, and now require a bit of extra attention to help them learn the truth. Pray that Danish Christians might be motivated to reach out to them.
--There is not a strong missions vision in the Danish church, with many congregations being devastated by non-mission, liberal theologies. Pray that the Lord would give new vision to his people, and lay a burden for missions on many hearts.
- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010.)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

May the love of the Lord Jesus
draw us to himself.
May the power of the Lord Jesus
strengthen us in his service.
May the joy of the Lord Jesus
fill our souls.
May the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
-William Temple

How great is your goodness,
which you stored up
for those who fear you
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 31:19

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

So sorry you did not hear from us last week and receive the Swazitalk weekly prayer letter. Last Thursday when I tried to boot up my computer, it refused to come on. Wayne took it to a computer shop and was told we had a big problem (which means big bucks!!). Last night Wayne was able to get my computer on and I now have my address book on Wayne’s old laptop computer which enables me to send the prayer letter (even though the format is different). We don’t know what our next step will be concerning my 2007 Dell computer that besides this problem, crashed when we first booted it up in 2007 and crashed again in 2008. Please pray for us as we decide whether to fix the computer or try to get a new one. Thanks!!


--Thursday August 26-29 was the National Youth Camp!! Approximately 180 youth from the all the Swazi Baptist churches registered. The volunteer team from the First Baptist Church in Belton, Texas led many of the sessions. Wayne attended (pitching his tent) and was pleased with the overall camp and felt the ministry of the team and those leading the sessions was affirmative. Thank you for praying!! Please continue to pray for the youth of the Swazi Baptist churches to see the need to commit their lives totally to the Lord even when culture differs.


--The second children’s camp met at the New Hope Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) on Monday-Wednesday (Aug. 30-Sept. 1). Approximately 50 children attended this camp. Overall I felt the camp went well. We were able to accomplish what we planned even though there were a few mishaps. Tuesday the big tent we used for children’s evening worship and sleeping area for the boys fell down due to strong winds. We were able to find places for the boys to sleep that night. During the evening worship the generator ran out of petrol and we used a lantern for light. But the children were unfazed since most of them do not have electricity in their homes.

I think one of the most spiritually touching part of our worship was Annah Thwala telling the crucifixion story using the Resurrection Eggs. If you are not familiar with this tool, there are 12 plastic eggs. In each egg (except for one) there is a little item that attributes to the lesson. The teacher opens up the egg, shows the item and then begins to tell the story. Wednesday morning Annah felt she needed to retell the story due to the interruption of the loss of light and other things. So as each egg was opened the children told her what the item represented and also she organized the children to act out the event represented by each egg. It was truly darling. At the end Jesus had been wrapped in cloth and put in the tomb. Soldiers (Swazi soldiers) guarded the tomb but when the last egg was opened, it was empty (as was Jesus’ tomb). We all clapped our hands and laughed with joy. What a wonderful way to tell the most wonderful story of all!! Please pray the Swazi Baptist churches will see the importance of providing spiritual education for their children. Pray every Swazi Baptist church will have a strong children’s program.


SPECIAL TRAINING EVENT: Friday-Saturday (September 10-11) lay leaders and pastors of Swazi Baptist churches in the Shiselweni region will meet for a time of training and also encouragement. Pray our leaders and pastors will show an interest in this time of training and will commit to attend.

SWAZI TEAM PRAYER CONCERNS:
--Continue to pray the Allens will soon receive their medical clearance to return to Swaziland.
--Continue to pray for Todd and Deborah Hoskins as they attend a time of orientation at the International Learning Center. The Hoskins are scheduled to arrive in Swaziland on the 8th of October.

**Do you know??-What couple were Southern Baptist’s first permanent missionaries to Brazil??--William and Ann Bagby. The Bagbys arrived in Brazil in 1881. In October 1882 they, with the Z.C. Taylors, organized the first Baptist church for Brazilians. The Bagbys served as missionaries in Brazil for 61 years. Five of their children also became missionaries.Thank you for giving to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray for the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2010 LMCO so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.

--Also, please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.

RAMADAN: AUGUST 11-SEPTEMBER 10I watched as the young girl dressed in the long black robes worn by the followers of Allah, left the mosque. It was Ramadan and many Swazi Muslims were fasting and praying to Allah. My heart ached to see so many Swazis embracing the Muslim faith. I prayed as I watched the young girl walk away that she would learn the truth can only be found in Jesus Christ. Pray the evil one will be bound as he attempts to stop the efforts of faithful Christians as they witness to their Muslim friends. Pray this one and others like her will come to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Week’s Country Focus: SERBIA-Pray for peace in the region of Kosovo, and throughout Serbia. Much hurt and resentment is held onto by both sides; pray that God would do a work of reconciliation in the lives of Serbs and Kosovo Albanians. Pray for national leaders to be raised up who have the courage to make things right.-There are very few Serbian evangelical believers, however, there has been growth after the witness of Christian help during time of conflict. Pray for continued growth in commitment, outreach and numbers.-The Kosovo Albanian population is almost entirely Muslim, although there has been growth in the Christian church in recent years as well. Pray that new believers may grow in grace and become mature and effective witnesses to Muslims.