Sunday, January 31, 2010

Swazi Team Prayer Calendar - February 2010

Monday February 1: The Swazi people prayer booklet, “So That Christ May Dwell in Their Hearts” is printed. Pray as the booklets are distributed to the Swazi Team prayer network, great wonders will be achieved for the Swazi people through God’s people praying.

Tuesday February 2: Since returning to Swaziland from stateside assignment, the Myers have struggled consistently in sending and receiving emails. Wayne has also not been able to use his Apple computer because of a problem having a modem installed. Please pray Wayne will soon be able to efficiently use his computer. Pray the Myers will be able to send and receive emails consistently as well as effectively.

Wednesday February 3: Al and Belinda Jordan will return to Swaziland to cover for the Allens while they are on stateside assignment. The Jordans have served previously in Swaziland and South Africa. Pray for Al and Belinda as they make preparations to fill in for the Allens for six months. They are scheduled to arrive on the 17th of March.

Thursday February 4: Two weeks ago Barbara Myers’ mother (Shirley Carpenter) fell and broke her hip. The doctor was able to insert three small screws instead of performing a total hip replacement. Her rehabilitation time will be approximately 3-4 weeks. Please pray for Shirley’s total and speedy recovery without complications.
-Barbara’s sister’s husband (Pete Rutledge) is still recovering from his herniated disc surgery before Thanksgiving. Pray Pete will soon be able to move and walk without difficulty.
-Pray for Barbara’s niece’s husband’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Pray for the Lord’s comfort and strength during this difficult time.

Friday February 5: The Allens requests God’s direction in identifying future areas of new work. They have attempted to start work in two areas without success. Pray their hearts will hear God’s voice as he shows Steve and Monica his plan for work in the Hhohho/Manzini regions.

Saturday February 6: The acting executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention that was elected in November 2009 meets today. Pray for these committee members as they work together glorifying the Lord in uniting Baptist work in Swaziland. Pray also as the committee begins the planning of the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Easter Services April 1-4.

Sunday February 7: Pray existing Baptist churches will stay strong and faithful in their work with the Lord. Pray for unity among the churches as they reach out to their communities.

Monday February 8: Please continue to pray for Wayne’s brother, Terry currently in remission from stage 4 cancer. Every three months Terry undergoes testing to be sure the cancer has not returned. Please pray testing will continue to show the cancer in remission. Pray for Terry and his wife Darlene as they deal with the affects of the cancer and the general prognosis.
-Wayne’s sister Patsy was in the hospital the last week of January for pneumonia and COPD. She is currently on oxygen at home. Pray she will be able to breathe without difficulty and will have full recovery from her illnesses.

Tuesday February 9: Pray for Monica Allen today on her birthday!!
Lacie Allen began her Kindergarten 0 school year last month. Praise the Lord she loves school and is doing well. Pray she will continue to do well and be a light of Jesus in her class.

Wednesday February 10: Last month a volunteer team from the Atlantic Association in North Carolina conducted a youth retreat and children’s camp in the Shiselweni region. Attendance was good during these events and everything went well. Thank you for praying for this team. Please continue to pray as spiritual seeds were sown, spiritual fruit will be produced in the lives of the Swazis involved in these special events.

Thursday February 11: After many months waiting for the Hawane Baptist Church’s plot of land to be marked by the idvuna, it finally has happened!! Pray for the Hawane Baptist Church as the congregation begins to make plans to construct their church building.

Friday February 12: Please continue to pray the job request for missionary personnel in the Manzini area will be filled. Pray for an encourager and helper to come and assist the Swazis in this area to start new work and develop leadership. Pray God will send more workers to serve alongside the Swazi Team to further God’s Kingdom in Swaziland.

Saturday February 13: The Allens’ stateside assignment is scheduled for March 26-end of September. Pray for Steve and Monica as they prepare to share about the ministry in Swaziland with churches in the USA. Pray also for times of rest and refreshment with family and friends. Pray all the logistics will be finalized soon. They need a place to stay while in West Palm Beach, Florida (July 1-end of September).

Sunday February 14: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!
Lord, help me to be patient toward others. Help me to not boast when I’m right or be proud when others are wrong. Help me not to be rude. I don’t want my love to be self-seeking, or easily angered. And, Lord, convict me if I start keeping a record of wrongs, for I desire that my love will always rejoice with the truth. Help me to have faith, hope, and love ever increasing, ever growing. –Joni Eareckson Tada

Monday February 15: Continue to pray for the Warren family as they continue to adjust to living in the states. Pray for Lisa’s father recovering from a stroke. Today is Matthew’s birthday!! Especially pray for a great day for Matthew!

Tuesday February 16: Pray for Al Jordan today on his birthday!!
February 16-March 2 the volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, NC arrives to minister in the northeast section of Swaziland. Ministries include children Bible studies, evangelistic Bible studies; youth Bible studies, devotions at secondary schools, homestead visitation and revival services. Pray for Jimmy, Joyce, Caren, Roger and Jimmy (team leader) as they help Swazis come to know Jesus as their Savior. Pray the soil will be prepared for rich blessings.

Wednesday February 17: The First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas is praying concerning leading the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Youth Camp in August. Al and Belinda Jordan (coming to Swaziland in March for six months) are members of this church. Continue praying as the church seeks the Lord’s guidance. Pray plans and decisions will be finalized before the Jordans’ departure in March.

Thursday February 18: A few years ago a volunteer team was visiting homesteads in the Maloma area. Upon entering one homestead the group noticed a young woman lying on a mat, emaciated and with sores on her face. After a time of greeting and conversation, one of the team members began sharing the salvation story. When he had finished, he asked if anyone wanted to accept the Lord as His Savior. There was no response. When the team began to leave, the young lady (who had not said a word the entire time the team was visiting) got up and slowly walked away wiping the oozing sores with her blanket. So many are dying of AIDS in Swaziland and many have never accepted Jesus as their Savior. Pray, before death comes, many will turn their hearts over to the King of Kings.

Friday February 19: I Timothy 2:1-2 commands us to pray for kings and those in authority. Please pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will come to understand what it means to be a Christian. Pray their lives will show the love of Christ.

Saturday February 20: International Mission Board missionaries are so thankful for the support from churches through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program. This support allows missionaries to accomplish the task that God has set before them; to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. Pray the 175 million Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal will be met so all the peoples of the world will have a chance to hear the Gospel story.

Sunday February 21: The Swazi Team continues to see and experience the growth of the Muslim faith among the Swazi people. Pray for Swazis who are being misled and confused by Islam. Pray Christians will see the urgency to witness to their loss friends and neighbors.

Monday February 22: PRAYER FOR AMERICA
Lord, thank you for providing for all our needs in this country. As joblessness is still one of the biggest worries among so many of Your people, we turn to You for help. Help guide our President and his cabinet as they work to address the unemployment rate and look to create jobs. And help work in the lives of those who are unemployed to guide them to the opportunities You have planned for them. Turn their hearts to you in prayer and remind them of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Tuesday February 23: Plans are being made to form a National True Love Waits committee with reps from our Baptist churches as well as other Great Commission organizations. Continue to pray for leaders to rise up and stand strong in sharing the message of purity.

Wednesday February 24: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES: The Herero of Namibia are a proud people. Traditionally the Herero led a more nomadic life with their large herds of cattle. Through the years, the nomadic lifestyle has changed to a more farming lifestyle, with cattle being moved to cattle-posts to correlate with grazing needs. However, one thing has not changed: Cattle can be described as central to the Herero lifestyle. It is seen through their clothing and in their conversations. Even when a man may leave his homestead for job opportunities elsewhere, the desire that he cherishes above all else is the idea of becoming a cattle farmer. Pray for the Herero. Pray that they will learn about the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. Pray that they will come to cherish Him and a relationship with Him above all else. Pray for the Herero, one of the unengaged peoples of Namibia.

Thursday February 25: Pray the Lord will burden the hearts of the Swazi church leaders to develop a strong prayer relationship with Him. Pray prayer will be an important ministry in every Swazi Baptist church.

Friday February 26: Haitian Baptists lost much due to the earthquake in January. In addition to their homes and loved ones, they have lost a beloved leader. Pastor Bienne Lamerique, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, died after his house collapsed. Undoubtedly, he is not the only pastor or church leader to have lost his/her life as a result of the earthquake. Ask God to minister comfort to Haitian Baptists. Pray they will have strength to serve while they themselves endure physical hunger and thirst and that they will have words of peace to offer while suffering their own mental anguish.

Saturday February 27: April 1-4 is the Swazi Baptist National Easter Services. Lessons for adults, youth and children will be scheduled as well as sermons and devotions centered on the theme and Resurrection message. As planning begins, pray for wisdom for the planning committee. Pray even though there is a great expense to attending this annual event, many will have the means to participate in these services.

Sunday February 28: Pray Christian Swazis will teach their children and grandchildren the ways of the Lord. Pray the Christian way of living will touch lives in the Swazi Baptist churches and communities.

www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com
www.swazimissions.org
To receive a daily list of prayer needs of IMB missionaries around the world subscribe to www.subscribe.org or imb@imb.org.

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

It has been a while since I sent our weekly prayer letter. My computer was installed with a modem from MTN (Swazi cell) and was doing very well. I even had typed the prayer letter on the 11th and was preparing to send when the modem refused to work. Phone calls were made to the MTN company but no one seemed to know why the modem was not working. I was very frustrated to say the least. Finally, another attempt yesterday to call and find the reason for the problem showed our account had not air time and therefore that was the reason for the lack of response from the modem. Now that is frustrating!! The problem could have been solved two weeks ago!!

Because of the high cost of using the MTN modem, we plan to have the Vodacom (South Africa cell) modem installed. Vodacom offers a more reasonable cost package and we can easily receive the Vodacom signal since we are very close to the South African border. Please pray we will be able to find the most reasonable and economic way to send and receive emails. Currently Wayne is not able to use his Apple because of a problem with having a modem installed. Pray he will soon be able to efficiently use his computer.

WONDERFUL NEWS!!
The Swazi people prayer booklet, “So That Christ May Dwell in Their Hearts” is printed!! We collected most of the booklets and will soon begin distributing them to our wonderful prayer network. Thank you for praying for the printing of these booklets.

The volunteer team from the Atlantic Association in North Carolina was in the Shiselweni region January 13-19 ministering. The team conducted a youth retreat and children’s camp Friday-Sunday. Both events were well attended. Several Swazi ladies helped with the children’s camp and felt things went very well. We are so thankful for this team. Tuesday-Thursday we enjoyed a restful time at the Kruger National Game Reserve. The team left Thursday evening and experienced an uneventful flight home. We planned to return to Swaziland on Friday (22nd) but experienced problems with the mission vehicle (the starter quit) and were not able to return until Saturday.

Our next volunteer team is scheduled for the February 16-March 2. The First Baptist Church, Washington, NC will minister in the northeast section of the country (Vuvulane and Mafacula). Ministries will include revivals, adult/youth/children Bible studies, school devotions and homestead visitation. Pray for Jimmy, Joyce, Caren, Roger and Jimmy (team leader) as they spiritually prepare for the work the Lord has given them in Swaziland. Pray the soil will be prepared for rich blessings.

--The Swazi Team is excited to learn Al and Belinda Jordan will return to Swaziland to cover for the Allens while they are on stateside assignment. The Jordans have previously served in Swaziland and South Africa. Pray for Al and Belinda as they make preparations to fill in for the Allens for six months. They are scheduled to arrive around the 20th of March.


MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
Saturday while hanging up clothes in the basement, my mother fell. After crawling up the steps and setting on a heating pad for three hours, she finally called my sister and told her she had fallen. X-rays showed a broken hip and hip replacement surgery was scheduled. Upon further investigation it was decided a hip replacement was not needed and the doctor was able to go in and do a small incision and put in three screws. Today she is to be transferred to the rehab center at the Shelbyville hospital. Her rehabilitation time will be approximately 3-4 weeks. Please pray for my mother’s (Shirley Carpenter) total and speedy recovery. Pray there will not be any complications with the healing process.

-My sister’s husband (Pete Rutledge) is still recovering from his herniated disc surgery before Thanksgiving. Pray Pete will soon be able to move and walk without difficulty.
-Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
-Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

-Today Lacie Allen starts her Kindergarten O school year. Pray for her to do well in school and be a light of Jesus in her class. She will attend the Little Brown Hen Preschool for kindergarten most of the term. After the family returns from stateside assignment (March 26 until the end of September), she will continue with the final term of kindergarten at the Little Brown Hen Preschool.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
January 16th an earthquake struck the impoverished nation of Haiti. Tens of thousands are feared dead. Many are injured and without medical care. Unknown numbers are still buried under the rubble and an estimated 1.5 million people are homeless. One-third of the country’s population (9 million) is in need of food, water, shelter and medical assistance. Southern Baptists teams have been assisting the Haitian Baptist leaders in meeting needs of hurting people. Pray for the people of Haiti as they recover from this terrible devastation. Pray needed supplies and food will reach the people.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA: Lord, we give you thanks in all circumstances. And, when we face inevitable challenges and difficulties of life such as we are with unemployment and financial hardship, we turn to You. When we encounter situations that we cannot understand, we trust in You. You are the Creator and the sovereign God. And we give the glory and the thanksgiving to You, God, for the ultimate victory that You have promised Your faithful children. Amen
www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Thank you for contributing to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Pray 175 million LMCO goal will be met so all the peoples of the world will have a chance to hear the Gospel message.

New address:
Wayne and Barbara Myers
Box 190
Tshaneni
Swaziland
Cell Phone: Wayne 268-602-0551
Barbara 268-619-7295
New Email addresses:
Wayne:
swaziwayne@gmail.com
wmyers@shelbywireless.net
Barbara: swazitalk@gmail.com
swazibam@shelbywireless.net

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Pray for Haiti

Dear Prayer Partners,

As many of you have watched the devastation of what happened in Haiti this past Tuesday, January 12, many of us have felt helpless and asked ourselves, "What can I do?" We wanted to share with you resources and prayer requests that we are receiving from our own mission organization. To our knowledge, all of our personnel are safe but dealing with much heartache in Haiti. I, Monica, have been to Haiti back in 1998 with Florida Women's Missionary Union as part of a Florida Baptist partnership and Haiti has definitely touched my heart in many ways. It was by far the worst devastated country I have ever seen personally (and yes, I live in a third world country even now in Africa) so I cannot imagine how this earthquake has devastated the country of Haiti even more. We know that prayer is the biggest support we can give to Haiti right now but we know they need financial and manpower resources for those that are able to assist them.

Here is an excellent website and related article that we highly recommend for folks to check out as well as prayer requests for Haiti:

Haiti relief assessment underway after quake
Jan. 13, 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Southern Baptists are mobilizing to assess disaster relief needs after the largest earthquake in more than 200 years rocked Haiti the evening of Jan. 12.
The initial Southern Baptist disaster relief effort will be led by Florida Baptists, who have had ministry relationships in Haiti for more than 20 years and currently have six staff members who live and work in the country, said Jim Brown, U.S. director for Baptist Global Response. The Southern Baptist International Mission Board does not have long-term personnel stationed in the country.
The North American Mission Board’s disaster relief office is organizing an emergency consultation with state disaster relief directors to coordinate response to the catastrophe, Brown said. Disaster relief teams in Mississippi and Kentucky are on standby for immediate response.
An assessment team is being organized by Baptist Global Response, International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and state convention disaster relief directors to enter the country as soon as possible, Brown said. They will work with Haitian Baptists to identify immediate needs that must be addressed and will draft mid- and long-term plans for an ongoing relief effort.
Initial funding for the relief effort will come from the International Mission Board’s disaster relief fund. Contributions toward the relief effort also can be made at gobgr.org.
The 7.0 magnitude tremor hit 10 miles from the center of Port-au-Prince, a city of 3 million people, at around 5 p.m. Jan. 12, according to news reports. One source said the quake could be felt more than 200 miles away. The earthquake triggered a tsunami watch for Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Multiple strong aftershocks continued to rock the country after the initial tremor, said David Brown, who with his wife, Jo, directs Baptist Global Response work in the Americas. Reports from inside the country indicate infrastructure and many buildings suffered catastrophic damage. The main airport is closed; power and communications are down and security is a serious concern. Specialized search and rescue teams and military units from several countries are being rushed into Haiti to help secure the situation and begin relief efforts.
Apart from donating to the disaster relief fund, concerned individuals can help greatly by joining in focused prayer for Haiti’s 9 million people, more than 80 percent of whom live below the poverty line, David Brown said.
“Please pray for us as we assess and monitor the situation in Haiti after the 7.0 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks this evening,” Brown said. “The initial information indicates 2 million people in Port-au-Prince are directly affected. Please pray for victims and their families. Pray for wisdom as responses are initiated.”
The situation in Haiti is very fluid and additional information will continue to flow in on a daily basis, Brown said. Updates will be released as new information becomes available.


-----To donate to BGR's Disaster Response fund, click here. or www.baptistglobalresponse.com - an excellent resource of information on keeping up with Haiti as well as needs all around the world!!!

Or you can always check out our mission organization's main website for more information as well: International Mission Board - www.imb.org

Prayer Requests:
HAITI. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2, NKJV). With the devastating situation in neighboring Haiti, personnel in the Dominican Republic have requested help in post-trauma counseling and training in the area of spiritual support. Since this is such a critical need in Haiti, training will be held next week in the Dominican Republic. Please pray for the trainers as they travel and prepare the materials for the conference. Ask God for the emotional health of personnel as they confront the dire needs. Pray also for those who will receive counseling and training as they share God’s love with a nation that is in deep spiritual darkness.


INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINEIMBFriday, January 15, 2010
"The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned above the cherubim. Let the earth quake. .Exalt the LORD our God; bow in worship at His footstool. He is holy" (Psalm 99:1, 5, HCSB).

What is different about us? About Christians? Just like our neighbors this week, we have heard numerous stories about the horrendous events in Haiti. We watch news clips, read twitter and blog reports-we gather information to be aware of what is going on in the world. Just like our neighbors, our hearts have been broken for the people of Haiti. But what is different about us?
The difference is that we know the One who is able to help. We all have opportunity to give and many will be able to assist physically by going. But we Christians do not have to wait a single minute to send aid. We don't have to look in our wallets to see if there is any money to send. We can talk to our Lord immediately, begging for His mercy throughout these days of recovery.
Please take every opportunity to lift the Haitian people to our heavenly Father, asking in these earliest days that He will fill the people with a sense of calm and unity of purpose. Gunshots have been heard on the streets, but violence will obviously not improve the situation. Ask the Lord to comfort the frightened. Many are sleeping on the streets even though their homes have not been damaged. They sense no hope for the future.
Intercede for the initial responders who have worked diligently through the long hours, praying that they will find rest in Him. Ask God to provide unexpected ways for aid workers to get through the destroyed roads so that they can provide necessary supplies.
Lift up Haitian Christians who are striving to serve others while grieving their own losses. Plead for them to have God's mighty endurance and vision as they love their neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Exalt the Lord our God and pray that His holiness will be demonstrated throughout Haiti.

Thank you for your faithful prayer support!!!


Serving Jesus in Swaziland,
Steven, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

Go to God’s Word each morning and give Him the opportunity to set the temperature of your heart to match His. Having such a heart helps you to be cheerful, loving, kind, positive and constructive. –Elizabeth George

We arrived!!
After an uneventful flight we arrived in Jo’burg on New Year’s Day and in Swaziland on the 2nd. We are still in the process of getting adjusted and making Tshaneni our home.

**Currently we are having problems sending emails from our home. Wayne is exploring different possibilities. Please pray we will soon have an efficient email signal that will allow us to send emails from our house .

Please note and make adjustments:
New address:
Wayne and Barbara Myers
Box 190
Tshaneni
Swaziland
Cell Phone: 268-602-0551 (Wayne)
268-619-7295 (Barbara)
Phone: (268) 323-2311 ext. 240

Email addresses are also changing:
**We will no longer be able to use the africaonline address. Please delete from your computer.
New Email addresses:
Wayne:
swaziwayne@gmail.com
wmyers@shelbywireless.net
Barbara: swazitalk@gmail.com
swazibam@shelbywireless.net

-2010 begins with the arrival of a volunteer team (January 12-21) to the Shiselweni region from the Atlantic Association in North Carolina. The team will minister through revivals, children camp, youth retreat and homestead visitation. Pray Hartford, Etles, Lucy, Kim, Melissa, Wes and Mike (team leader) will enjoy their work and ministry with the Swazi people. Pray many blessings will occur.

MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
-Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
- Please pray for my brother-in-law’s complete recovery from his surgery.
-Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Thank you for contributing to the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Oring for International Missions. Pray 175 million LMCO goal will be met so all the peoples of the world will have a chance tear the Gospel message.

WE WISH EACH OF YOU A MOST WONDERFUL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!