Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

We asked you to pray for the rains to be good in Swaziland this growing season and now I want to thank you for faithfulness to pray. We have had great rain this year. In fact, some of the rains have been so strong and heavy, we have had numerous leaks in our house and last night a stream of water from the rain was heading toward our back door. But we are so thankful for the wonderful rain. Please continue to pray the rains will not stop just when the crops/gardens need it the most as usually is the case. Pray the rains will continue until April or May and there will be enough water to fill the streams and rivers and food for all the Swazis.

--Thursday night the pastors (and families) of the Vuvulane, Mafucula and Luwhhawhhaweni Baptist Churches came to our house for food, fun and fellowship. Wayne also wanted to encourage the pastors to teach their church members especially the children the true meaning of Christmas. Many of our churches do not teach or preach Christ’s birth during this special time of year. The Swazis’ song books have Christmas songs that are never sung. When asked, “Why don’t you sing the Christmas songs?” Their response is “Oh, I don’t know, I guess we just don’t think about it.” Pray this Christmas season the Swazis will truly understand the importance Christmas has on all our lives. May the joy of Christmas touch the hearts of the Swazi people.

--Friday Todd and Deborah Hoskins came to Tshaneni for an overnight visit as well as a time of orientation. We also invited an American friend who lives here and works with the AIDS orphan ministry. Corine was able to offer helpful insights to the Hoskins on the ways of the Swazi people. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and even had time to play “chicken foot” (a very fun game with dominoes). Corine leaves on the 8th of December for California to spend time with family and friends during the Christmas season. She will return to Tshaneni the first of February. Pray for a very safe journey and wonderful time in the states. Pray Todd and Deborah were able to receive helpful insights during their time in Tshaneni.Todd and Deborah began their one 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 be able to learn a little bit of siSwati.

THIS WEEK:--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.
--Larry and Dianne Randolph, member care missionaries will visit the Swazi Team, December 7-9. Pray for Larry and Diane as they touch base with the Myers, Allens and Hoskins.

--December 11 (Saturday), 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.

--December 13-15 is the Swazi Team’s end-of-the-year retreat. Pray as each Swazi Team member prepares for this special reflecting and planning time. Pray in all things the Lord will be glorified. AIDS UPDATE:The existence of HIV is high among Swazi pregnant widows, a study by the government and other stakeholders has revealed!! Statistics show that 85.7 per cent of pregnant widows are likely to be HIV positive. Pregnant women staying with live-in lovers were found with 58.5 per cent HIV prevalence. Married pregnant women were found to have an HIV prevalence of 40.9 per cent while that of divorced women or separated pregnant women is 40 per cent. Pregnant women who have never married have the least HIV prevalence, 38 per cent. Pray the Swazi people will understand their lifestyles are causing premature deaths and by living as our Savior shows they don’t have to die.

***What was the Southern Baptist Convention’s first foreign mission field and who was the first foreign missionary? China; S. C. Clopton, appointed to that country in 1845

August 28, 1993 Wayne and I arrived in Swaziland to begin a journey of ministry with the Swazi people. Over the years our lives have been enriched not only by the fruits of labors but by the faithful prayer support and affirmation of our friends, churches, volunteers, and family members. Thank you!! Please support the giving of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Because of your financially support through this offering and the Cooperative Program, we can spend time reaching lost people instead of raising support.

Helping. It’s a simple and noble assignment—and it reaps rich rewards! We benefit when we learn to serve as Christ Himself did. –Elizabeth George

-Please continue to pray for the IMB’s Presidential Search Committee as they seek God’s man to lead our organization. This week’s country focus: USA-In the last century the United States has sent out more missionaries than any other country, impacting every nation on earth. 35% of all foreign missionaries are American. Pray that these missionaries would be able to work in partnership with local churches.

-The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11,2001 will continue to impact America—its identity as a land of ‘freedom’, its understanding of different faiths and its involvement in global politics. Pray for wise handling of issues of concern to Islam and to Muslims.

-Christianity is not impacting the nation as it should. Pray that Christians may repent of carnality, be revived and help to change rather than mimic culture.(Information from 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). This concludes the week’s country focus that began in April for the 32 teams participating in the World Cup in South Africa.