DECEMBER 2010 PRAYER CALENDAR
The Swazi Team
Wednesday December 1: WORLD AIDS DAY!! Today Lacie Allen graduates from Grade 0/kindergarten. Pray for Lacie as she finishes up one school and starts a new one in January.
Thursday December 2: Yesterday was World AIDS Day. The pandemic in Africa continues to take many lives. How can you help? Pray for a cure for HIV/AIDS that would be readily available worldwide. Pack a Home Health Care Kit-this is a hospice care kit packed in a 5-gallon bucket that gives hope and dignity to someone who is terminally ill.. and most importantly gives them the opportunity to see and hear God’s love for them. www.inhomecarekit.org
Friday December 3: WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATION MISSIONS AND LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING November 28-December 5: $3,315 was the amount in 1887 for the first Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your church involvement in this offering provides for your IMB missionaries’ day-to-day needs. Because you give sacrificially, your missionaries can spend their time reaching lost people. The offering comprises 53 percent of the IMB’s total income and every penny goes to missionaries and their ministries. In 2006 cost of supporting a missionary: $.08 a minute, $4.66 an hour, $111.96 a day, $785.90 a week, $3,405.55 a month, $40,866.61 a year. Pray the 2010 LMCO goal will be reached so missionaries can continue to be sent to reach the world’s people missing from God’s family.
Saturday December 4: Praise the Lord that Steven Allen was able to have his appendix removed in South Africa last month. He is getting “his feet back beneath him again.” Continue to pray for his complete healing.
Sunday December 5: Pray for godly, strong and faithful leaders to take a stand for Christ and press on against deep rooted cultural beliefs as well as expectations from the family. Pray for a strong leader for every Swazi Baptist church.
Monday December 6: December 6-11 the Ntuthwakazi Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) is conducting revival services. Pray the members of the church will experience true revival. Pray many lost in the community will hear the gospel message and respond.
Tuesday December 7: Larry and Dianne Randolph, member care missionaries will visit the Swazi Team December 7-9. Pray for Larry and Dianne as they touch base with the Myers, Allens and Hoskins. Pray for good fellowship and good visits.
Wednesday December 8: Todd and Deborah Hoskins began two month culture and language study on the 30th of November. Pray for a clear understanding concerning the culture and traditions that shape the lives of the Swazi people. Pray Todd and Deborah will also be able to learn a bit of the siSwati language.
Thursday December 9: The Allens report many Swazis are waiting baptism and ask for prayer for the right weather and opportunities for different churches to have their new believers follow Christ in believer’s baptism. One special person also waiting to be baptized is their daughter, Lacie. Lacie wanted to return to Swaziland to be baptized. Pray Lacie understands the importance of baptism in her life.
Friday December 10: The Swazi Team has been blessed with good volunteer teams that have worked with within strategy to help reach Swaziland for Christ as well as teach and disciple believers. Both the Allens and Myes have volunteer teams scheduled to work and minister in 2011 in Swaziland. Pray as teams plan to come to Swaziland prayerful preparation will be part of the planning. Pray for the anticipation of wonderful blessings.
Saturday December 11: Chris Msibi and S’phesihle Sithole are getting married today. Chris is currently teaching primary students as well as attending classes to receive his degree (currently has a certificate to teach). He is the former pastor of the Mgamudze and Nhlangano Baptist Churches and the son of Annah Thwala a leader in Swazi Baptist work. Pray Chris and S’phesihle will understand God’s plan for marriage. Pray they will be witnesses to other Christian couples.
Sunday December 12: Pray for the controversy and conflicts that are happening at the Victory Baptist Church due to leadership by one person. It is causing members of the congregation to leave the church. Pray for the Allens as they seek the Lord’s direction with this sticky situation.
Monday December 13: The 2010 Swazi Team end-of-the-year retreat begins today (December 13-15) in White River, South Africa. In the past this time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of planning and prayer for future work. We thank the Lord for this special time of celebration. Pray this retreat will continue to be a special and beneficial time for the Swazi Team. Pray in all things the Lord will be glorified.
Tuesday December 14: Continue to pray for good rains this growing season. Pray this will be a good year of harvest for the Swazi people.
Wednesday December 15: As Swazi Christians celebrate Christmas this month, pray they will look around and see their Muslim neighbors who are not celebrating the Lord’s birth. Pray Swazi believers’ hearts will be burdened for these and will find ways to share the salvation story with them.
Thursday December 16: Pray for the Allen family as they desire to do a prayer drive in the Hhohho region to see where God is leading them to start a new outreach group. They have a couple of leads and ideas on areas but want to go where the Lord leads.
Friday December 17: Please continue to pray for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as the seek God’s man to lead our organization.
Saturday December 18: “Pastor, here are my tithes which I have been owing my Jesus Christ (Aug.-Nov.). Please pray for me for doing that, the situation was too bad. From now I swear I won’t owe him.” These words come from a member of the Vuvulane Baptist Church who realized she was sinning against her Lord by not giving him a tenth of her earings. Pray the Swazi Baptist churches will teach their members the importance of tithing to the Lord. Pray for great spiritual fruits from these teachings.
Sunday December 19: A young pastor finds himself in a position that is not good. He is single and was sent by his family to stay with his sister-in-law whose husband died. In Swazi culture it is acceptable and in some instances required for a brother of a deceased husband to wed the widow. This is not the case with this couple and the young man understands he must have a good testimony inside and outside the church. He wants to do right but is in no position financially to move to another place. Pray this young pastor will find the means to make the move. Pray he will be able to lead the church as Christ would lead.
Monday December 20: Pray for Wayne Myers today on his birthday!!The Swazi Team is celebrating Wayne’s birthday today in Tshaneni. Pray for a great time of fun and fellowship. Pray Wayne’s special day will indeed be special!!
Tuesday December 21: Pray for Wayne and Barbara Myers today on this anniversary!!
The Mkhaliphi family of the Ntuthwakazi Baptist Church has been faithful leaders allowing the church to meet on their homestead and providing weekly worship services. As with most Swazis the Mkhaliphis did not understand God’s plan for marriage and were married in the Swazi traditional way. Now the Mkhaliphis desire to be married in the Christian way (after being together for many years with several children) and will do so on the 30th of April. Pray for this family as they make this big important Christian commitment. We praise the Lord for this family and their desire to be the leaders God would have them be.
Wednesday December 22: This Christmas season, pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will hear the true Christmas story and will realize trusting in Jesus is the most precious gift of all.
Thursday December 23: ARV (anti-retro viral) drugs basically prolongs the life of one with the AIDS virus. There is no cure for AIDS but with the help of these drugs patients will live longer and healthier lives. But they must take the ARVs on a regular basis. One Swazi feels the Lord has healed him and he no longer needs to take the ARVs. We pray that is so but the condition of his body tells us a different story. He has also convinced another friend with the AIDS virus that the Lord will heal him and he too has quit taking the drugs. Pray the Lord will truly speak to these two concerning their future treatment of the AIDS virus. May he continue to lead and guide His children that walk the troublesome path of AIDS.
Friday December 24: There is little evidence of decorations or brightly decorated trees to indicate it is Christmas in Swaziland. Most Swazis know nothing of this American tradition just as many do not know the significance of this special day in the life of every Christian. This Christmas season pray many Swazis will truly understand who Jesus is and follow Him completely putting aside traditions that conflict with the Christian way of life. May the joy of Christmas touch the hearts of the Swazis of Swaziland.
Saturday Christmas 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!! The Swazi Team wishes each of a most Merry Christmas. Thank you for your faithful support in prayer of the work with the Swazi people. Pray as the Swazi Team meet together in Mbabane to celebrate this very special day.
Sunday December 26: Last month the Thunzini Baptist Church conducted a licensing service for their pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has led this church for many years and is a strong leader and committed Christian. Plans for a ordination service for Pastors Dlamni and Nsibandze (Velebantfu Baptist Church) have begun. Pray planning will go well in making this special service and event possible in 2011.
Monday December 27: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES: In northeast Mozambique there are people groups who have had so little opportunity to hear of Jesus. The Yao, Mwani, Koti and Makhuwa-Nahara are included in those who have had little opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. The cry comes out for more laborers to come and help reach these people for Christ. Please pray God will bring more laborers to these people.
Tuesday December 28: Medical care for the Swazi people is not always available due to clinics with no doctors or adequate supply of medications, nurses diagnosing and prescribing medications, hospitals usually are over crowded and patients sleep on the floor, family must care for the patients’ needs while in the hospital, cleanliness is a concern and many still consult sangomas and witch doctors for medical attention. Please pray the government of Swaziland will see the need to provide doctors in clinics and a supply of medications will be adequate. Pray Swazis will not seek the use of traditional methods for medical care.
Wednesday December 29: October 22-24 the third children’s camp was conducted at the Maphungwane Baptist Church. Approximately 65 children attended this camp and enjoyed a time of Bible study and activities, worship, praying and organized games. Pray the members of the Mphungwane Baptist Church will support a strong discipleship program for their children.
Thursday December 30: February 26-March 4, a volunteer team from the Atlantic Association in North Carolina will minister to Swazis in the Shiselweni region. We are thankful for this group of volunteers giving of their time and money to help evangelize and disciple Swazis. Pray for this team as planning continues for their trip to Swaziland. Pray for the Myers as they prepare for the team’s arrival and ministry.
Friday December 31: Pray members of the Swazi Team will seek the Lord’s guidance as they look forward to 2011 with joy, love and desire to make their lives count for Christ.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Hoskins Update
Thank you so much for your prayers during our time of training. We are finally settling down in Swaziland after a month of training in WestAfrica. We were with about 20 other new IMB missionaries to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our time in West Africa was wonderful! The training was broken up into two different parts. The first part focused on urban African life, so we stayed in the capital city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The second part of the training taught us about rural African life, and we lived in the village of Nalerigu, Ghana during that time.
In both places we would spend half of the day with a cultural helper (a local Christian who our leadership had already identified) and half of the day in lecture sessions. Each day we had to complete certain assignments that would help us understand more about life and people in Africa. For example, a task would be something like: “Talk to a government official today and learn about his/her perspective on…”Our cultural helper would assist us by introducing us to people who could speak to us about the day’s topic. It was often their family, neighbors, and friends with whom we visited.
Each topic was paired with a Bible story, and we were often able to use the story to share biblical truths. More than once, people asked us, “I know since you have come all the way from America, what you have to tell me is very important. So what is your message?” Some of the people we spoke with had never heard the stories about Jesus thatwe were able to share. I (Todd) watched an old man’s excitement ashe, for the first time, heard Deborah tell him stories about Jesus. The old man was wide-eyed and amazed! He really got into the story about Jesus feeding the 5,000. He made all sorts of “oooh” and“aaahhh” sounds (that did not require translation :) . That day he said his life had changed and he would now follow Christ and be a Christian. He was our cultural helper’s uncle.
In Burkina Faso and Ghana, we were blessed to be following in the footsteps of many faithful Christians. Years of a missionary presence along with the day-in-and-day-out witness that our cultural helpers were living fostered an environment where people were eager to hear our message. Training was a blessing and our cultural helpers (Joel,Mark, Solomon, and Emiline) were so helpful.
We are currently living next door to another missionary family but will be looking into the possibility of renting an apartment inManzini, Swaziland that would place us closer to our areas of ministry. Please pray that the Lord would guide this process and continue to put us among the people He would have us serve.
Thank you for your support! Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Our time in West Africa was wonderful! The training was broken up into two different parts. The first part focused on urban African life, so we stayed in the capital city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The second part of the training taught us about rural African life, and we lived in the village of Nalerigu, Ghana during that time.
In both places we would spend half of the day with a cultural helper (a local Christian who our leadership had already identified) and half of the day in lecture sessions. Each day we had to complete certain assignments that would help us understand more about life and people in Africa. For example, a task would be something like: “Talk to a government official today and learn about his/her perspective on…”Our cultural helper would assist us by introducing us to people who could speak to us about the day’s topic. It was often their family, neighbors, and friends with whom we visited.
Each topic was paired with a Bible story, and we were often able to use the story to share biblical truths. More than once, people asked us, “I know since you have come all the way from America, what you have to tell me is very important. So what is your message?” Some of the people we spoke with had never heard the stories about Jesus thatwe were able to share. I (Todd) watched an old man’s excitement ashe, for the first time, heard Deborah tell him stories about Jesus. The old man was wide-eyed and amazed! He really got into the story about Jesus feeding the 5,000. He made all sorts of “oooh” and“aaahhh” sounds (that did not require translation :) . That day he said his life had changed and he would now follow Christ and be a Christian. He was our cultural helper’s uncle.
In Burkina Faso and Ghana, we were blessed to be following in the footsteps of many faithful Christians. Years of a missionary presence along with the day-in-and-day-out witness that our cultural helpers were living fostered an environment where people were eager to hear our message. Training was a blessing and our cultural helpers (Joel,Mark, Solomon, and Emiline) were so helpful.
We are currently living next door to another missionary family but will be looking into the possibility of renting an apartment inManzini, Swaziland that would place us closer to our areas of ministry. Please pray that the Lord would guide this process and continue to put us among the people He would have us serve.
Thank you for your support! Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Myers Weekly Prayer Letter
Thanksgiving is over and we hope each of you had a wonderful day of celebration. The Swazi Team met here in Tshaneni. After several days of rain, the sun came out and the weather was absolutely perfect. The food was great and the fellowship was tops!! We have so much in which to be thankful. The members of the Swazi Team look forward to 2011 with joy, love and desire to make our lives count for Christ. Thank you for praying for us during 2010.
SWAZI TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS:
--Steve Allen continues to recover from his appendectomy. Please pray for a good recovery and return to ministry opportunities.
--Todd and Deborah Hoskins begin their two month culture/language study on the 30th of November. Pray for a clear understanding concerning the culture and traditions that shape the lives of the Swazi people. Pray Todd and Deborah will also be able to learn a bit of the siSwati language.
--Wednesday (Dec. 1st) Lacie Allen graduates from the Little Brown Hen Preschool (Grade 0/Kindergarten). Pray for Lacie as she finishes up one school and starts a new one the end of January.
--Larry and Dianne Randolph, member care missionaries will visit the Swazi Team, December 7-9. Pray for Larry and Dianne as they touch base with the Myers, Allens and Hoskins.
--The Swazi Team’s end-of-the-year retreat begins on the 13th of December in White River, South Africa. In the past this has been a very special time of reflecting and celebrating the Lord’s blessings during the year and planning for future work. Pray this retreat will continue to be a special and beneficial time for the Swazi Team. Pray in all things the Lord will be glorified. The retreat ends on the 15th of December.
Wonders never cease here in Tshaneni. Tuesday night when I walked into the study I noticed something moving on my desk. To my horror closer inspection showed it to be a small snake. Closer inspection showed it to be a small, Puff Adder snake!! Mustering all the willpower I could to keep from screaming, I slowly backed out of the room and ran for Wayne. When we arrived back to the study the snake was still there but was moving to the back of the desk. For the next 15-20 minutes we pondered on how to get rid of the snake without endangering ourselves. With me holding the flash light on the snake (I had a great view of its eyeballs) Wayne eased the papers that held the snake into a garbage can. He quickly took the offending visitor outside.
MINISTRY PRAYER REQUESTS:
--Yesterday Pastor Douglas Mavuso (Vuvulane Baptist Church) took himself to the Mhlume Clinic after experiencing stomach pains since Wednesday night. The clinic told him he may have appendicitis. Douglas immediately went to the Good Shepherd Clinic in Siteki to be examined. He was told at this clinic that no indications of appendicitis were seen but to watch for any recurrent symptoms. Please pray Douglas will stay healthy without recurrent pain and symptoms of appendicitis.
--The Ntuthwakazi Baptist Church will conduct revival services December 6-11. Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini and Wayne will be preaching. Pray the members of the church will experience true revival. Pray many lost in the community will hear the gospel message and respond.--December 11, Chris Msibi and S’phesihle Sithole are getting married. Chris is the former pastor of the Mgamudze and Nhlangano Baptist Churches. He is also the son of Annah Thwala who we have known since arriving in Swaziland and was our first convert. Annah also helps me with children’s ministries. Pray Chris and S’phesihle will understand God’s plan for marriage. Pray they will be witnesses to other Christian couples.
AIDS UPDATE:Wednesday December 1st is WORLD AIDS DAY!! As you know the pandemic in Africa continues to take many lives. How can you help? Pray for a cure for HIV/AIDS that would be readily available worldwide. Pack a Home Health Care Kit-This is a hospice care kit packed in a 5-gallon bucket that gives hope and dignity to someone who is terminally ill…and most importantly give them the opportunity to see and hear of God’s love for them. www.inhomecarekit.org
NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 5: WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AND THE LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING:As your church gives, prays and goes, unreached people gain access to the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. They hear and respond because your IMB missionaries go with full support and because you give generously and sacrificially. “Oh that my words could be as a trumpet call stirring the hearts of my brethren and sisters to pray, to labor, to give thanks, to give themselves to the people.” Lottie Moon Please pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will be reached so missionaries can continue to be sent to reach the world’s people missing from God’s family.
This week’s country focus: SLOVENIA:-Slovenia has a strong Catholic tradition, but the Catholic and other churches all lack vitality, especially in the face of social issues which abound in Slovenia like suicide and abortion. Pray that nominal Christians in mainline churches might come to a real faith in Christ.-Church planting is a real need in Slovenia. Work amongst students is growing and very necessary. Pray for Christian ministries in this country.-Converts to Christianity sometime face opposition from their families for having abandoned their traditional way of life. Some consider evangelical churches to be cults, who take things, like Bible study, much too seriously. Pray for young believers, that they would have the courage to be bold for their faith in their families, and that they would remain steadfast in their faith. (information form The Ultimate Goal a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during the World Cup in South Africa June and July 2010).
SWAZI TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS:
--Steve Allen continues to recover from his appendectomy. Please pray for a good recovery and return to ministry opportunities.
--Todd and Deborah Hoskins begin their two month culture/language study on the 30th of November. Pray for a clear understanding concerning the culture and traditions that shape the lives of the Swazi people. Pray Todd and Deborah will also be able to learn a bit of the siSwati language.
--Wednesday (Dec. 1st) Lacie Allen graduates from the Little Brown Hen Preschool (Grade 0/Kindergarten). Pray for Lacie as she finishes up one school and starts a new one the end of January.
--Larry and Dianne Randolph, member care missionaries will visit the Swazi Team, December 7-9. Pray for Larry and Dianne as they touch base with the Myers, Allens and Hoskins.
--The Swazi Team’s end-of-the-year retreat begins on the 13th of December in White River, South Africa. In the past this has been a very special time of reflecting and celebrating the Lord’s blessings during the year and planning for future work. Pray this retreat will continue to be a special and beneficial time for the Swazi Team. Pray in all things the Lord will be glorified. The retreat ends on the 15th of December.
Wonders never cease here in Tshaneni. Tuesday night when I walked into the study I noticed something moving on my desk. To my horror closer inspection showed it to be a small snake. Closer inspection showed it to be a small, Puff Adder snake!! Mustering all the willpower I could to keep from screaming, I slowly backed out of the room and ran for Wayne. When we arrived back to the study the snake was still there but was moving to the back of the desk. For the next 15-20 minutes we pondered on how to get rid of the snake without endangering ourselves. With me holding the flash light on the snake (I had a great view of its eyeballs) Wayne eased the papers that held the snake into a garbage can. He quickly took the offending visitor outside.
MINISTRY PRAYER REQUESTS:
--Yesterday Pastor Douglas Mavuso (Vuvulane Baptist Church) took himself to the Mhlume Clinic after experiencing stomach pains since Wednesday night. The clinic told him he may have appendicitis. Douglas immediately went to the Good Shepherd Clinic in Siteki to be examined. He was told at this clinic that no indications of appendicitis were seen but to watch for any recurrent symptoms. Please pray Douglas will stay healthy without recurrent pain and symptoms of appendicitis.
--The Ntuthwakazi Baptist Church will conduct revival services December 6-11. Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini and Wayne will be preaching. Pray the members of the church will experience true revival. Pray many lost in the community will hear the gospel message and respond.--December 11, Chris Msibi and S’phesihle Sithole are getting married. Chris is the former pastor of the Mgamudze and Nhlangano Baptist Churches. He is also the son of Annah Thwala who we have known since arriving in Swaziland and was our first convert. Annah also helps me with children’s ministries. Pray Chris and S’phesihle will understand God’s plan for marriage. Pray they will be witnesses to other Christian couples.
AIDS UPDATE:Wednesday December 1st is WORLD AIDS DAY!! As you know the pandemic in Africa continues to take many lives. How can you help? Pray for a cure for HIV/AIDS that would be readily available worldwide. Pack a Home Health Care Kit-This is a hospice care kit packed in a 5-gallon bucket that gives hope and dignity to someone who is terminally ill…and most importantly give them the opportunity to see and hear of God’s love for them. www.inhomecarekit.org
NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 5: WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AND THE LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING:As your church gives, prays and goes, unreached people gain access to the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. They hear and respond because your IMB missionaries go with full support and because you give generously and sacrificially. “Oh that my words could be as a trumpet call stirring the hearts of my brethren and sisters to pray, to labor, to give thanks, to give themselves to the people.” Lottie Moon Please pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will be reached so missionaries can continue to be sent to reach the world’s people missing from God’s family.
This week’s country focus: SLOVENIA:-Slovenia has a strong Catholic tradition, but the Catholic and other churches all lack vitality, especially in the face of social issues which abound in Slovenia like suicide and abortion. Pray that nominal Christians in mainline churches might come to a real faith in Christ.-Church planting is a real need in Slovenia. Work amongst students is growing and very necessary. Pray for Christian ministries in this country.-Converts to Christianity sometime face opposition from their families for having abandoned their traditional way of life. Some consider evangelical churches to be cults, who take things, like Bible study, much too seriously. Pray for young believers, that they would have the courage to be bold for their faith in their families, and that they would remain steadfast in their faith. (information form The Ultimate Goal a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during the World Cup in South Africa June and July 2010).
Myers Weekly Prayer Letter
Todd and Lisa Hoskins return to Swaziland after several weeks in West Africa attending 40/40 arriving in time to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with the Swazi Team. The week after Thanksgiving Todd and Lisa will begin two months of language/culture learning. Pray for the Hoskins as they begin a time of transition to Swaziland and working with the Swazi people. Pray their time of language/culture learning will be very beneficial. Pray for the beginning of new ministries and deeper relationship with the Lord.
--After the first of the year the Hoskins will move to Manzini to begin their ministry as church planters and developing rural leadership training schools. Wednesday Wayne is meeting with the director of the TransWorld Radio ministry to view an apartment for the Hoskins. Pray the right housing situation will be found for the Hoskins.
Steven, Monica and Nathan return to Mbabane today after Steven had his appendix removed (laparoscopic) yesterday. Steven had been experiencing pain in his side off and on for a couple of months. Pray for their safe journey to Swaziland today and Steven will continue to heal and recover from his surgery.
We have experienced many days of rain in Tshaneni. Thank you for praying and we ask you to continue praying the rains will enable the harvest to be a good one for the Swazi people. Pray there will be plenty and food and water to meet the Swazis’ needs.Tuesday night during the beginning of a storm I was working on a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. It was thundering and the wind was gusting but I didn’t pay much attention and kept working on my puzzle. All of once a gust of wind blew (rather hard I might add) a middle-sized bug into my eye. Now I had never had this happen to me before (and I hope I never have it happen again) but I immediately jumped up from my puzzle and ran around the room while the bug did the jitterbug in my eye trying to get the bug out. The dancing continued until it dawned on me I needed to flush out the offending bug with water. This I did to my relief. I felt sorry for the bug (who died) but was so glad he was out of my eye and glad we didn’t do the waltz of bumble bee!!
The Swazi Team will not be going to grandfather’s house or traveling through drifting snow, but they are coming to the Myers’ house in Tshaneni for turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Our house is decorated for Thanksgiving and fun. Pray for a time of fun, fellowship and giving thanks for the blessings the Lord daily provides us.
We would also like to wish each of you a most wonderful and happy THANKSGIVING DAY!! It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. Psalm 92:1,2
November 28-December 5: International Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering JIn 2006 the cost of supporting a missionary:$.08 a minute, $4.66 an hour, $111.96 a day, $785.90 a week, $3,405.55 a month, $40,866.61 a year.Your church’s involvement in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides for your IMB missionaries’ day-to-day needs. Because you give sacrificially, your missionaries can spend their time reaching lost people instead of raising support. The offering comprises 53 percent of the IMB’s total income, and every penny goes to missionaries and their ministries.Your IMB missionaries give their lives to the missions’ task. Your faithful support keeps them on the field doing what God has called them to do. With each soul won to Christ, each new believer’s baptism and each church-planting movement started, you are a faithful partner in the harvest.
What missionary worked for 40 years in China, literally giving her life to her work? Lottie Moon, who is famous for her desperate appeal in 1888 for more missionaries (resulting in the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering). Funds were so scarce that Lottie once spent 14 consecutive years on the mission field. She starved with the Chinese and died on Christmas Eve 1912.What are the main intermediate channels for Southern Baptist international mission funding? The Cooperative Program, initiated in the mid-20s to channel funds to the various Southern Baptist agencies and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which traces its origins back to 1888.Missions is our Southern Baptist heritage. Remember the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will enable missionaries to be sent to minister to many lost and dying peoples. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries around the world. Thank you for your support!!
--After the first of the year the Hoskins will move to Manzini to begin their ministry as church planters and developing rural leadership training schools. Wednesday Wayne is meeting with the director of the TransWorld Radio ministry to view an apartment for the Hoskins. Pray the right housing situation will be found for the Hoskins.
Steven, Monica and Nathan return to Mbabane today after Steven had his appendix removed (laparoscopic) yesterday. Steven had been experiencing pain in his side off and on for a couple of months. Pray for their safe journey to Swaziland today and Steven will continue to heal and recover from his surgery.
We have experienced many days of rain in Tshaneni. Thank you for praying and we ask you to continue praying the rains will enable the harvest to be a good one for the Swazi people. Pray there will be plenty and food and water to meet the Swazis’ needs.Tuesday night during the beginning of a storm I was working on a Christmas jigsaw puzzle. It was thundering and the wind was gusting but I didn’t pay much attention and kept working on my puzzle. All of once a gust of wind blew (rather hard I might add) a middle-sized bug into my eye. Now I had never had this happen to me before (and I hope I never have it happen again) but I immediately jumped up from my puzzle and ran around the room while the bug did the jitterbug in my eye trying to get the bug out. The dancing continued until it dawned on me I needed to flush out the offending bug with water. This I did to my relief. I felt sorry for the bug (who died) but was so glad he was out of my eye and glad we didn’t do the waltz of bumble bee!!
The Swazi Team will not be going to grandfather’s house or traveling through drifting snow, but they are coming to the Myers’ house in Tshaneni for turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Our house is decorated for Thanksgiving and fun. Pray for a time of fun, fellowship and giving thanks for the blessings the Lord daily provides us.
We would also like to wish each of you a most wonderful and happy THANKSGIVING DAY!! It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night. Psalm 92:1,2
November 28-December 5: International Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering JIn 2006 the cost of supporting a missionary:$.08 a minute, $4.66 an hour, $111.96 a day, $785.90 a week, $3,405.55 a month, $40,866.61 a year.Your church’s involvement in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides for your IMB missionaries’ day-to-day needs. Because you give sacrificially, your missionaries can spend their time reaching lost people instead of raising support. The offering comprises 53 percent of the IMB’s total income, and every penny goes to missionaries and their ministries.Your IMB missionaries give their lives to the missions’ task. Your faithful support keeps them on the field doing what God has called them to do. With each soul won to Christ, each new believer’s baptism and each church-planting movement started, you are a faithful partner in the harvest.
What missionary worked for 40 years in China, literally giving her life to her work? Lottie Moon, who is famous for her desperate appeal in 1888 for more missionaries (resulting in the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering). Funds were so scarce that Lottie once spent 14 consecutive years on the mission field. She starved with the Chinese and died on Christmas Eve 1912.What are the main intermediate channels for Southern Baptist international mission funding? The Cooperative Program, initiated in the mid-20s to channel funds to the various Southern Baptist agencies and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which traces its origins back to 1888.Missions is our Southern Baptist heritage. Remember the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will enable missionaries to be sent to minister to many lost and dying peoples. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries around the world. Thank you for your support!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Myers Weekly Prayer Letter
Lord God, where would I be without your love—a love that not only shelters me in the height of the storm but helps me grow and thrive no matter the weather. Each morning,
I commit my way to you and entrust myself to your care. –Rebecca Currington
Sunday morning as Wayne was pulling out of the driveway he checked to see if he could see Bubba. Not seeing him, he thought he had gone back to the house. He pulled out of the driveway only hear the cry of our baby. It was a terrible moment for both of us as I came running out of the house. Using a wheel barrel we got him back to the house but it was obvious he was not in a good way. Our Bubba died on Monday and is buried next to Noel. For the first time in 16 ½ years we are without a dog. It seems the end of an era. One of our Swazi friends offered to find us a dog. It was such a sweet gesture, but I told her we were not looking for a dog at this time. We will miss Bubba as we miss Noel, Wolf and Stormie. They were wonderful and sweet pets and will always be in our memories.
Our yard still looks like a battlefield after a severe wind and rain storm came through Tuesday afternoon. As I stood in our study I heard the sound of trees falling and looked outside to see a large limb fall from a tree beside our bedroom, another tree tumbled down and limbs and branches were being blown everywhere. Thank goodness the house was not touched but I kept a close visual until the worse of the storm was over. Upon closer inspection another tree in the corner of the yard was uprooted.
After a slow start the rains have finally arrived in Swaziland. We hope the strong (not particularly stormy) rains will continue so the Swazis will have plenty of food to eat and water for their needs. Pray for a good year of harvest for the Swazi people.
Today Wayne is in the Shiselweni region attending the Shiselweni Association Meeting at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. The association is continuing to organize to meet on a regular basis under the leadership of Pastor Nkosingiphilie Dlamini. Pray all the churches in the Shiselweni region will make an effort to participate in making the association strong and will attend regularly scheduled meetings.
Tomorrow November 14th, the Thunzini Baptist Church will host a licensing service for their pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has led this church for many years and is a strong leader and committed Christian. Pray for this very special service and the Lord will continue to bless Nkosingiphile and the Thunzini Baptist Church.
Wayne is in the process of organizing an ordination service for Pastors Nkhosingiphile Dlamini and Liswe Nsibandze (Velebantfu Baptist) sometime early next year.
We ask you to pray for the Mkhonta family of the Thunzini Baptist Church. Last week, Babe Mkhonta’s brother was killed when his son hit him over the head with a hoe. The father had been yelling at the son who is mentally/emotionally challenged and the son responded by hitting him on the head. It is a very sad situation. Please pray for this family and for the son who may not even realize what he has done.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-Todd and Deborah Hoskins return to Jo’burg from their time at 40/40 on the 19th of November. Pray for their safe journey to Swaziland.
--THANKSGIVING DAY November 25th. The Swazi Team will celebrate this special day at the Myers.
-Member care team, Larry and Dianne Randolph is visiting the Swazi Team December 7-9, 2010. They will be with Myers on the 7th.
-The Nthutwakazi Baptist Church will conduct revival services December 6-11. Pray for the church as preparations are made for these services. Pray the people’s heart will be ready for revival.
-Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat is scheduled for December 13-14 in White River, South Africa. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray the Lord will be glorified in the planning for this retreat.
--The Swazi Team will spend Christmas Day at the Allens in Mbabane!!
--Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. His brother Terry recently had his gall bladder removed. Pray his quarterly tests for the return of stage 4 cancer will show his cancer in remission. Pray for Wayne’s oldest brother having health issues related to his diabetes. Pray for Barbara’s brother-in-law as he continues to recover from his herniated disc surgery in 2009.
***Do You Know?
What are the main intermediate channels for Southern Baptist foreign missions funding?
Answer: The Cooperative Program, initiated in the mid-1920s to channel funds to the various Southern Baptist agencies, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which traces its origins back to 1888.
November 28-December 5: International Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering J
Lottie Moon—the namesake of the International missions offering—has become something of a legend with us. But in her time, Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today’s missionaries. She was a hardworking, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus.
Throughout her career, Lottie Moon wrote numerous letters home, urging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters triggered Southern Baptists’ first Christmas offering for International missions—enough to send three new missionaries to China.
Please pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will enable missionaries to be sent to minister to many lost and dying peoples. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries around the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.
--November 15-19: Missions Expo for the Deaf, Richmond, Va. (participation by invitation only) Please pray for this special event.
---As you look toward 2011 remember www.inhomecarekits.org or info@gobgr.org are your contact sites for information to help fill kits that help families care for their loved ones with AIDS. You or your church’s help is needed in 2011 to supply enough kits to meet the requests from IMB missionaries ministering to AIDS victims. Please pray about this critical need.
This week’s country focus: FRANCE:
- Praise God for the growth in evangelical Christianity in the past 40 years. Pray that French believers would keep aflame the passion that they have had for the Lord, and that they would not be lulled into nominalism.
--To many French people, the evangelical message of personal salvation through faith is still seen as a foreign ideology. Evangelicals are referred to as “extreme emanations from the Reformed Church”. This has made outreach difficult. Pray that public opinion of Evangelical Christians would improve, and that people would be more receptive to their message.
-Islam is now the second largest religion in France. Mostly this growth has been through immigration and birth rates, but there are also many French nationals who have turned to Islam. There are less than 100 Christian workers in French reaching out to these people. Pray for more workers and for Muslims to come to know Christ as their Savior.
- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010.)
I commit my way to you and entrust myself to your care. –Rebecca Currington
Sunday morning as Wayne was pulling out of the driveway he checked to see if he could see Bubba. Not seeing him, he thought he had gone back to the house. He pulled out of the driveway only hear the cry of our baby. It was a terrible moment for both of us as I came running out of the house. Using a wheel barrel we got him back to the house but it was obvious he was not in a good way. Our Bubba died on Monday and is buried next to Noel. For the first time in 16 ½ years we are without a dog. It seems the end of an era. One of our Swazi friends offered to find us a dog. It was such a sweet gesture, but I told her we were not looking for a dog at this time. We will miss Bubba as we miss Noel, Wolf and Stormie. They were wonderful and sweet pets and will always be in our memories.
Our yard still looks like a battlefield after a severe wind and rain storm came through Tuesday afternoon. As I stood in our study I heard the sound of trees falling and looked outside to see a large limb fall from a tree beside our bedroom, another tree tumbled down and limbs and branches were being blown everywhere. Thank goodness the house was not touched but I kept a close visual until the worse of the storm was over. Upon closer inspection another tree in the corner of the yard was uprooted.
After a slow start the rains have finally arrived in Swaziland. We hope the strong (not particularly stormy) rains will continue so the Swazis will have plenty of food to eat and water for their needs. Pray for a good year of harvest for the Swazi people.
Today Wayne is in the Shiselweni region attending the Shiselweni Association Meeting at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. The association is continuing to organize to meet on a regular basis under the leadership of Pastor Nkosingiphilie Dlamini. Pray all the churches in the Shiselweni region will make an effort to participate in making the association strong and will attend regularly scheduled meetings.
Tomorrow November 14th, the Thunzini Baptist Church will host a licensing service for their pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has led this church for many years and is a strong leader and committed Christian. Pray for this very special service and the Lord will continue to bless Nkosingiphile and the Thunzini Baptist Church.
Wayne is in the process of organizing an ordination service for Pastors Nkhosingiphile Dlamini and Liswe Nsibandze (Velebantfu Baptist) sometime early next year.
We ask you to pray for the Mkhonta family of the Thunzini Baptist Church. Last week, Babe Mkhonta’s brother was killed when his son hit him over the head with a hoe. The father had been yelling at the son who is mentally/emotionally challenged and the son responded by hitting him on the head. It is a very sad situation. Please pray for this family and for the son who may not even realize what he has done.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-Todd and Deborah Hoskins return to Jo’burg from their time at 40/40 on the 19th of November. Pray for their safe journey to Swaziland.
--THANKSGIVING DAY November 25th. The Swazi Team will celebrate this special day at the Myers.
-Member care team, Larry and Dianne Randolph is visiting the Swazi Team December 7-9, 2010. They will be with Myers on the 7th.
-The Nthutwakazi Baptist Church will conduct revival services December 6-11. Pray for the church as preparations are made for these services. Pray the people’s heart will be ready for revival.
-Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat is scheduled for December 13-14 in White River, South Africa. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray the Lord will be glorified in the planning for this retreat.
--The Swazi Team will spend Christmas Day at the Allens in Mbabane!!
--Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. His brother Terry recently had his gall bladder removed. Pray his quarterly tests for the return of stage 4 cancer will show his cancer in remission. Pray for Wayne’s oldest brother having health issues related to his diabetes. Pray for Barbara’s brother-in-law as he continues to recover from his herniated disc surgery in 2009.
***Do You Know?
What are the main intermediate channels for Southern Baptist foreign missions funding?
Answer: The Cooperative Program, initiated in the mid-1920s to channel funds to the various Southern Baptist agencies, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which traces its origins back to 1888.
November 28-December 5: International Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering J
Lottie Moon—the namesake of the International missions offering—has become something of a legend with us. But in her time, Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today’s missionaries. She was a hardworking, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus.
Throughout her career, Lottie Moon wrote numerous letters home, urging Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters triggered Southern Baptists’ first Christmas offering for International missions—enough to send three new missionaries to China.
Please pray the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will enable missionaries to be sent to minister to many lost and dying peoples. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries around the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.
--November 15-19: Missions Expo for the Deaf, Richmond, Va. (participation by invitation only) Please pray for this special event.
---As you look toward 2011 remember www.inhomecarekits.org or info@gobgr.org are your contact sites for information to help fill kits that help families care for their loved ones with AIDS. You or your church’s help is needed in 2011 to supply enough kits to meet the requests from IMB missionaries ministering to AIDS victims. Please pray about this critical need.
This week’s country focus: FRANCE:
- Praise God for the growth in evangelical Christianity in the past 40 years. Pray that French believers would keep aflame the passion that they have had for the Lord, and that they would not be lulled into nominalism.
--To many French people, the evangelical message of personal salvation through faith is still seen as a foreign ideology. Evangelicals are referred to as “extreme emanations from the Reformed Church”. This has made outreach difficult. Pray that public opinion of Evangelical Christians would improve, and that people would be more receptive to their message.
-Islam is now the second largest religion in France. Mostly this growth has been through immigration and birth rates, but there are also many French nationals who have turned to Islam. There are less than 100 Christian workers in French reaching out to these people. Pray for more workers and for Muslims to come to know Christ as their Savior.
- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010.)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Myers Weekly Prayer Letter
Tuesday (November 2nd) was our scheduled Swazi Team meeting but plans had to be changed when Wayne felt he needed medical attention (he was in quite a bit of pain) for his right upper jaw and lower jaw. We were very fortunate to be able to see a doctor in Mbabane and from there was referred to a dentist. We were especially blessed that she was able to see Wayne on Tuesday since she had a very full schedule. We returned after lunch and by 2:30 she was assessing his problem that turned out to be a tooth that needed a route canal in his right upper jaw and his lower tooth had a slight infection. Doctor Stephens had given Wayne an antibiotic and pain pill and Dr. Rockley began working on his route canal that will be completed next month (December 15). We feel our Lord was walking with us along the way and assuring us that everything was going to be fine.
-We do not live near doctors or good medical care without driving about two hours. It is always a concern when we feel in the need of a doctor. Fortunately, we have received medical care when it is needed.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for most Swazis.
---Clinics do not have doctors or an adequate supply of medication.
--- Nurses in the clinics diagnose and prescribe medication.
---Hospitals are usually over crowded and patients may need to sleep on the floor.
---Families must care for the patient’s physical needs while in the hospital.
--Cleanliness is always a concern.
--Many continue to see the sangoma or witch doctor for medical attention. Please pray the government of Swaziland will see the need to provide doctors in clinics and supply of medications will be adequate. Pray Swazis will not seek the use of traditional methods of medical care.
We were not able to meet on Tuesday with the Allens. We did have lunch with them and discuss a few items on the agenda and did discuss the Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat is scheduled for December 13-14 in White River, South Africa. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray the Lord will be glorified in the planning for this retreat.
Remember Veteran’s Day on the 11th of November.
NOVEMBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-November 13th, the Shiselweni Baptist Association will meet at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Pray as this association continues to organize to meet on a regular basis.
--November 14th, the Thunzini Baptist Church will host a licensing service for their pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has led this church for many years and is a strong leader and committed Christian. Pray for this very special service and the Lord will continue to bless Nkosingiphile and the Thunzini Baptist Church.
--THANKSGIVING DAY November 25th. The Swazi Team will celebrate this special day at the Myers.
SWAZI TEAM PRAYER CONCERNS:
--Pray for Todd and Deborah Hoskins currently attending 40/40 (October 21-November 19). Please pray this will be a productive time of study and orientation.
--Pray for God’s direction as the Allens seek an area to start a new outreach group in the Hhohho region.
--Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. His brother Terry recently had his gall bladder removed. Pray his quarterly tests for the return of stage 4 cancer will show his cancer in remission. Pray for Wayne’s oldest brother having health issues related to his diabetes. Pray for Barbara’s brother-in-law as he continues to recover from his herniated disc surgery in 2009.
***Do You Know?
What is a non-resident missionary?
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.
Lottie Moon poured into her letters more anguished pleas for new missionaries. September 16 she wrote a letter which was to become immortal among Southern Baptists. As early as 1881 the Women’s Missionary Society at Cartersville had taken offerings for Miss Moon on Christmas Day. These pious women who were unflinching in their commitment to missions thought this a fitting way to observe the Savior’s birth. They and their families were invited to church on Christmas to lay their mite boxes on the altar.
Now Miss Moon heard the Methodist women had decided to observe the week before Christmas 1887 as a time of prayer and self-denial for missions. She passed on this idea to Southern Baptists and it was published in the Foreign Mission Journal of December 1887.(From the book, The New Lottie Moon Story, 1980 Chapter 7)
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. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries throughout the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.
--November 9-10: IMB Board of Trustees meeting in Winston-Salem, NC
--November 10: Missionary Appointment Service at Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC
November 11-13: Missions Expo in Orlando, Fla. (participation by invitation only)
Please pray for these special events.
AIDS UPDATE:
Polygamy is legal in Swaziland and many Swazis have more than one wife. It is also culturally acceptable for a man to have many girl friends (sexual partners) outside of marriage and a rural Swazi woman dare not question her husband’s behavior. Pray the Swazi people will see this cultural practice leads to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
--Remember www.inhomecarekits.org or info@gobgr.org are your contact sites for information to help fill kits that help families care for their loved ones with AIDS. You or your church’s help is needed in 2011 to supply enough kits to meet the requests from IMB missionaries ministering to AIDS victims. Please pray about this critical need.
This week’s country focus: URUGUAY:
- Uruguayan society has been characterized by secularism, and in fact is the most secular state in South America. Whilst 50% of the population is affiliated with the Catholic Church, less than 2% attend church. Pray for an awakening for the Uruguayan people.
-Evangelical churches have struggled through the last century to make an impact on Uruguay; however, in the last few decades, growth in the Baptist and Pentecostal churches has accelerated. Pray for a continued spiritual interest in society, for growth to continue and for unity amongst the churches.
--Missions vision in Uruguay has been limited, but is also growing. Pray for a passion in the church for reaching its community, as well as participating in reaching the rest of the world.
- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010.)
O God, you are both the light and the guide of those who put their trust in you. Grant us in all our doubts and uncertainties the grace to ask what you would have us do; that he Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. –William Bright
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:35-37
-We do not live near doctors or good medical care without driving about two hours. It is always a concern when we feel in the need of a doctor. Fortunately, we have received medical care when it is needed.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for most Swazis.
---Clinics do not have doctors or an adequate supply of medication.
--- Nurses in the clinics diagnose and prescribe medication.
---Hospitals are usually over crowded and patients may need to sleep on the floor.
---Families must care for the patient’s physical needs while in the hospital.
--Cleanliness is always a concern.
--Many continue to see the sangoma or witch doctor for medical attention. Please pray the government of Swaziland will see the need to provide doctors in clinics and supply of medications will be adequate. Pray Swazis will not seek the use of traditional methods of medical care.
We were not able to meet on Tuesday with the Allens. We did have lunch with them and discuss a few items on the agenda and did discuss the Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat is scheduled for December 13-14 in White River, South Africa. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray the Lord will be glorified in the planning for this retreat.
Remember Veteran’s Day on the 11th of November.
NOVEMBER MINISTRY EVENTS:
-November 13th, the Shiselweni Baptist Association will meet at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Pray as this association continues to organize to meet on a regular basis.
--November 14th, the Thunzini Baptist Church will host a licensing service for their pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has led this church for many years and is a strong leader and committed Christian. Pray for this very special service and the Lord will continue to bless Nkosingiphile and the Thunzini Baptist Church.
--THANKSGIVING DAY November 25th. The Swazi Team will celebrate this special day at the Myers.
SWAZI TEAM PRAYER CONCERNS:
--Pray for Todd and Deborah Hoskins currently attending 40/40 (October 21-November 19). Please pray this will be a productive time of study and orientation.
--Pray for God’s direction as the Allens seek an area to start a new outreach group in the Hhohho region.
--Continue to remember Wayne’s sister, Patsy suffering from COPD and on oxygen. His brother Terry recently had his gall bladder removed. Pray his quarterly tests for the return of stage 4 cancer will show his cancer in remission. Pray for Wayne’s oldest brother having health issues related to his diabetes. Pray for Barbara’s brother-in-law as he continues to recover from his herniated disc surgery in 2009.
***Do You Know?
What is a non-resident missionary?
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.
Lottie Moon poured into her letters more anguished pleas for new missionaries. September 16 she wrote a letter which was to become immortal among Southern Baptists. As early as 1881 the Women’s Missionary Society at Cartersville had taken offerings for Miss Moon on Christmas Day. These pious women who were unflinching in their commitment to missions thought this a fitting way to observe the Savior’s birth. They and their families were invited to church on Christmas to lay their mite boxes on the altar.
Now Miss Moon heard the Methodist women had decided to observe the week before Christmas 1887 as a time of prayer and self-denial for missions. She passed on this idea to Southern Baptists and it was published in the Foreign Mission Journal of December 1887.(From the book, The New Lottie Moon Story, 1980 Chapter 7)
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. Pray Lottie Moon’s legacy will live through the IMB missionaries throughout the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS FROM IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--Please continue praying for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization.
--November 9-10: IMB Board of Trustees meeting in Winston-Salem, NC
--November 10: Missionary Appointment Service at Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC
November 11-13: Missions Expo in Orlando, Fla. (participation by invitation only)
Please pray for these special events.
AIDS UPDATE:
Polygamy is legal in Swaziland and many Swazis have more than one wife. It is also culturally acceptable for a man to have many girl friends (sexual partners) outside of marriage and a rural Swazi woman dare not question her husband’s behavior. Pray the Swazi people will see this cultural practice leads to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
--Remember www.inhomecarekits.org or info@gobgr.org are your contact sites for information to help fill kits that help families care for their loved ones with AIDS. You or your church’s help is needed in 2011 to supply enough kits to meet the requests from IMB missionaries ministering to AIDS victims. Please pray about this critical need.
This week’s country focus: URUGUAY:
- Uruguayan society has been characterized by secularism, and in fact is the most secular state in South America. Whilst 50% of the population is affiliated with the Catholic Church, less than 2% attend church. Pray for an awakening for the Uruguayan people.
-Evangelical churches have struggled through the last century to make an impact on Uruguay; however, in the last few decades, growth in the Baptist and Pentecostal churches has accelerated. Pray for a continued spiritual interest in society, for growth to continue and for unity amongst the churches.
--Missions vision in Uruguay has been limited, but is also growing. Pray for a passion in the church for reaching its community, as well as participating in reaching the rest of the world.
- (Information from The Ultimate Goal (TUG) a project of SASCOL and is the outreach initiative taking place during June and July 2010.)
O God, you are both the light and the guide of those who put their trust in you. Grant us in all our doubts and uncertainties the grace to ask what you would have us do; that he Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. –William Bright
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:35-37
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