Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

VOLUNTEER TEAM UPDATE:
-Imagine a beautiful day with a wonderful breeze that kept everyone cool and able to do the ministry of the day with many children as well as youth. Saturday approximately 45 children (from Vuvulane and Mafucula) and over 30 youth gathered at the Mafucula Primary School for a day of learning and sharing. The volunteer team from First Baptist Washington conducted the teaching sessions. During the youth Bible study many had questions that enabled a good flow of discussion. The children spent their time learning about the Bible that included learning the books of the Bible (in siSwati). At the end the day everyone felt the time had been well spent and much was accomplished. Thank you for praying for this team that arrived Thursday (18th) to minister in the northeast session of the country. Please continue to remember Jimmy Moore, Jimmy Johnson, Roger and Caren Wilcher and Joyce Hodges as they continue their work and ministry with the Swazi people.
--Saturday (27th) the team will leave for the Kruger National Game Reserve. They will return to Jo’burg to catch their returning flight on the Monday the 1st of March.

-Revival services began at the Vuvulane Baptist Church and Mafucula Baptist Church on Friday (19th-26th). Roger, Jimmy J and Jimmy M are leading in the times of worship. Decisions have been made for salvation as well as a deeper commitment to follow the Lord. Please pray for these special services to touch the hearts of many. Pray when the services are over, revival will continue in the communities of Vuvulane and Mafucula.

-Sunday morning baptism services were also conducted at the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches. Three were baptized at Vuvulane and eight at Mafucula. Living in a culture that does not promote Christian principles is hard for new Christians. There are few encouragers. Please pray for these who were obedient to the Lord in baptism. Pray they will stay true to the Lord’s teachings no matter the pressures that may come from others to follow Swazi culture and traditions.

This week we have a couple of snake stories to share with you!! As the services were coming to completion at Vuvulane on Friday night, a python just happened to be sauntering by the tent on its way to some unknown destination. Upon seeing the snake everyone prepared to take action!! A couple of the youth killed the offending snake to everyone’s joy and jubilation!!
--Last evening on our way to the revival services at Vuvulane the vehicle in front of us ran over something that was in the road. Upon further investigation it was a snake (Boomslang-very dangerous). The snake was injured but still alive. The vehicle stopped, and all the occupants got out as the driver found a sufficient weapon to “finish off” the snake. When everyone was satisfied that it was dead, it was pushed to the side of the road and covered up with grass and dirt.
I guess if there is a lesson to be learned from these two stories, one could say it is very bad to be a snake in Swaziland!!

--Steve and Monica Allen are scheduled to begin their stateside assignment on the 25th of March. Pray their flight (with two small children) will not be too stressful and the children will be able to tolerate confined spaces and long periods of sitting. Pray while in the states the family will have times of rest and refreshment with family and friends.

--Pray for Alan and Belinda Jordan who will be “filling in” for the Allens during their stateside assignment (March 25th-end of September) as they leave the US March 16th arriving in Johannesburg March 17th and then onto Swaziland on the 19th of March. Pray for their final preparations and travel and their reconnecting with the Swazi people.

--Next month (April 1-4) the National Easter Services will meet in Manzini. This yearly special event begins the day before Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday with approximately 200 people attending. The past two years incidents have occurred that have threatened the life of our Baptist churches and the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. Pray this year’s services will have a spiritual foundation and will reflect the true Resurrection message. Pray those attending will seek the Lord’s direction and guidance in their thoughts and beliefs.

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Continue to pray for Shirley Carpenter (Barbara’s mother) as she recovers at home from a broken hip.
2. Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins was in the hospital for pneumonia and COPD. She has a follow-up visit in March. Pray she will be able to breathe without difficulty and will have full recovery from her illnesses.
3. -My sister’s husband (Pete Rutledge) is still recovering from his herniated disc surgery. Pray Pete will soon be able to move and walk without difficulty.
4. -Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
5. -Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
6. -My sister-in-law’s mother had her surgery on the 10th of February. Please pray Verna Bullock will recover sufficiently and will not need to have this type of surgery again.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
It is getting late, and the hospital hustle and bustle is slowing down. Missionary Delores York is just peeking in the big tent where patients from Haiti’s earthquake lie on cots recovering from the injuries and surgeries. One beautiful young woman motions Deloris to her bedside, where she is removes the sheet to show her arm and shoulder have been completely removed. L says that she is getting well—inside and out. L smiles as she tells Delores that she remembered the prayer that was prayed for her as she was being prepared for surgery. “I remember every word you said. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” There are tears in both woman’s eyes as Delores sings, “It will be worth it all,” and people on cots all around nod their heads and smile with a peace that is unimaginable in such a situation. God is good. God is in control. God is changing lives. Pray, and don’t forget to keep praying.

2010 is the year of football!!!
June 11-July 11, 2010
Pray as the logistics for these games for everything is completed. Pray for the fans, even before they arrive, asking that their hearts will be open to the Good News that will be shared with them.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA:
Afghanistan’s American commander, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, has made the rapid delivery of governmental services including education, health care and job programs, a central part of his post-containment strategy in Marja. Taliban militants have been seen placing women and children on the roofs of buildings and firing from behind them as they battle against the joint Afghan-NATO offensive, according to an Afghan National Army general. Pray that the surge in Marja, Afghanistan, will come to a rapid and successful conclusion.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

We are preparing this week for the arrival of the volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, NC. Jmmy Moore (team leader), Jimmy Johnson, Joyce Hodges, Roger and Caren Wilcher arrive on the 18th in Swaziland. The Team will stay at the guesthouse at Tambukhulu. Revival services begin at Vuvulane and Mafucala on Friday (19th) and end on Friday (26th). Saturday the children of Vuvulane and Mafucula will meet at the Mafucula Primary School (10:00-3:00) for a day of Bible study. Monday-Thursday Bible study for youth and adults will be conducted in the early afternoon. Other ministries include speaking in schools and leading early morning school devotions as well as homestead visitation.

--On the 27th of March the team will leave for three days and two nights at Kruger Game Reserve before departing for the states on the 1st of March.
Pray for this team as they help Swazis come to know Jesus as their Savior. Pray the soil will be prepared for a rich harvest and blessing.

Pray for Al Jordan tomorrow (16th) on his birthday!!

-Al and Belinda Jordan will return to Swaziland to cover for the Allens while they are on stateside assignment March 19th. Pray for Al and Belinda as they make preparations to fill in for the Allens for six months.

Father, let me hold thy hand and like a child walk with thee down all my days, secure in they love and strength. –Thomas A. Kempis

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Continue to pray for Shirley Carpenter (Barbara’s mother) as she recovers at home from a broken hip.
2. Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins was in the hospital the last week of January for pneumonia and COPD. She is currently on oxygen at home. She has a follow-up visit in March. Pray she will be able to breathe without difficulty and will have full recovery from her illnesses.
3. -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.
4. -Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
5. -Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
6. -My sister-in-law’s mother had her surgery on the 10th of February. She is doing well and was to be discharged home sometime during the weekend. Please pray Verna Bullock will recover sufficiently and will not need to have this type of surgery again.

AIDS UPDATE:
Before we left for stateside, reports had reached us that one of the youth of the Nhlangano Baptist Church and a presenter for the True Love Waits message was pregnant. Because of our move to Tshaneni and departure for the states, we did not have a chance to confirm or disconfirm this report. A couple of weeks ago this young lady phoned Wayne and asked to speak with him. In her words, “I do not have peace and I must confess something to you.” Wayne met with this young lady and her mother and our suspicions were confirmed. She did have a baby girl out of wedlock about four months ago. Even if we had talked with her family before leaving for stateside, they could not have helped since they too did not know until after the baby was born. (She is schooling in Mbabane). She told Wayne that she and father of the baby want to get married, but that will take time since he must pay libola (several head of cattle) before the marriage can take place. This young lady had vowed she would stay pure before marriage and so it rather disappointing as we see this trend continue. Not only does this behavior damage their witness but the risk becoming HIV positive is very strong. Please pray as the trends of pregnancy out of wedlock, several sexual partners, more than one wife and relationships and disregard for God’s Word continue to dominate the lives of both Christian and unchristian Swazis. Pray for a spiritual change throughout the country.

--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.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
Southern Baptists are being asked to purchase and distribute “Buckets of Hope” to send to Haitian families. These buckets will include a five-gallon bucket packed with rice, cooking oil, black beans, flour, sugar, spaghetti noodles and peanut butter. Even after Haitians use the supplies, the bucket can serve multiple uses for a family. While relief assessment teams struggle to get a handle on the massive needs, each of us can get a handle on these buckets. Ask God how He wants you and your congregation involved in sharing hope—BUCKETS of hope.

2010 is the year of football!!!
June 11-July 11, 2010
As South Africa prepares for World Cup action, many people around the world, including many missionaries, are applying for tickets. However, unlike many spectators, these missionaries will be sharing the Gospel in a variety of ways with all the fans flooding into South Africa. The month of February is full of The Ultimate Goal (TUG) training meetings. These meetings are to train volunteers from churches in South Africa in multiple methods of evangelism. Pray as the logistics for everything is completed. Pray for the fans, even before they arrive, asking that their hearts will be open to the Good News that will be shared with them.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA:
Dear Father, as we stop to consider Presidents’ Day, (Monday February 15) we want to praise You for the way You moved on the hearts of the founders of this Nation to create such a blessed land. We feel the disappointment, however, of a nation that seems to be turning away from You. O Lord, we ask that You might once again show Yourself as the Rock and Redeemer, Fortress and Defense of the American people, and in such a way that no one could deny that it was You who interceded for us. We bring this to you for Jesus’ sake and in His name. Amen

WHO’S MISSING? Even after 2,000 years of Christian influence, more than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. They are hidden behind cultural, physical, political and language barriers to a Gospel witness. Join us and pray for a people group that no one is trying to reach. prayerthreads.imb.org or (888) 462-7729

Direct my path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statures
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:15-17

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

Lord, I am yours, I was born for you;
what is your will for me?
Let me be rich or beggared,
exulting or lamenting,
comforted or lonely;
since I am yours, yours only,
what is your will for me?
-Saint Teresa of Avila

Pray for Monica Allen today on her birthday!!!

Sunday we were able to attend the Baptist church in the Luwhawheni area of Swaziland. This church began about two years ago and was under the leadership of the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Pastor Bheki Mthethwa now leads this small church. Sunday when we arrived there was no one at the church. Suddenly several children made their way to the small building. Upon entering the building the children put mats on the floor so everyone would have a place to sit. More and more children arrived along with a few youth and one adult. Pastor Mthethwa led a time of Bible study before the worship service. Wayne was the preacher for the day. After the service the mats were put away and everyone left the church, some going home others to visit neighbors. Pray one day the youth and children attending this church will become strong Swazi Baptist church leaders in the Luwhawheni community. Pray more adults and youth will attend this church and pray for Pastor Mthethwa.

Thursday of last week Wayne along with Pastor Sigwane of the Phuzumoya Baptist Church visited a lady that was sick with TB. At one time the church at Luwhawheni met on this family’s homestead and this lady attends the church regularly. Wayne and Pastor Sigwane prayed with the lady for her healing and recovery. For many TB is a symptom of the HIV virus that will eventually become full-blown AIDS. Pray this lady who may be HIV positive will have a chance to receive physical healing. Pray for her children as they deal with their mother’s illness.

After visiting with this lady, Pastor Sigwane and Wayne visited a neighboring homestead and were able to lead a young man to the Lord. Pray this young man will truly understand his commitment to the Lord. Pray his life will reflect the Christian way.

--The acting executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention met Saturday. Planning for the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Easter Services (April 1-4) began. Pray for these committee members as they work together glorifying the Lord in uniting Baptist work in Swaziland in the planning of the National Easter Services.

February 18-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 meeting, devotions at 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.
**Love’s secret is to be always doing little things for God and not to mind because they are so little. (Frederick W. Faber)
-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.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
-Pastor Gamedze of the Nhlangano Baptist Church lost his mother a couple of weeks ago. The funeral was this past weekend. Please pray for the Gamedze family as they deal with their loss.
-Pastor Masuku of the Mafucula area, lost his sister last weekend. To lose someone so young is extremely trying, please pray for this family.

-Thank you for praying for my mother after she broke her hip a few weeks ago. She was able to go home Friday and is getting use to using her walker around the house. Continue to pray for Shirley Carpenter as she recovers at home.
-Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins 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.

-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.
-My sister-in-law’s mother is having surgery tomorrow for a pinch nerve in her back. This is the second time for this type of surgery. Please pray for Verna Bullock as she undergoes surgery tomorrow. Pray she will recover sufficiently and will not need to have this type of surgery again.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
Through assessment and relief teams, Southern Baptists have distributed food and water, provided medical care, and offered words of comfort to those who are hurting in Haiti. The various efforts are coordinated through a combined task force from Baptist Global Response (BGR), the Florida Baptist Convention, North American Mission Board (NAMB), International Mission Board (IMB) and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. These partners will meet in Atlanta on February 10-11 to lay out a long-term “master plan” of response. Pray that these leaders will have wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ask God to give Southern Baptists a long-term commitment for helping Haitians rebuild their lives and communities.

2010 is the year of football!!! No, not American football, but world football known in the USA as soccer!! South Africa has the honor of hosting the World Cup from June 11-July 11. Begin praying now as local churches network with other ministries in working together on one common goal: to bring hope and change in Jesus name to South Africa.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA:
Thank you Lord for this nation and for the freedoms we enjoy here. Give us the courage to preserve our precious liberties and the strength to make sure we share them with the less fortunate in our nation. May we speak out against injustice, and may the flame of freedom that burns brightly in America be a beacon to all. Amen
www.presidentialprayerteam.org

WHO’S MISSING? Even after 2,000 years of Christian influence, more than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. They are hidden behind cultural, physical, political and language barriers to a Gospel witness. Join us and pray for a people group that no one is trying to reach. prayerthreads.imb.org

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Allen's African Adventures - February

Dear Prayer Partners,

Greetings from Swaziland!
We have much to be praising the Lord for and we want to share with our faithful prayer partners. The month of January literally flew by us and we are busy trying to catch everyone up on things with our family and ministry.

Praises:
- Hawane Baptist Church FINALLY received their plot of land for their own church structure this past Sunday. Praise the Lord! For full story and photos, please check out our blog at:
www.allensinafrica.blogspot.com
- Wayne and Barbara Myers, our team leaders, returned from their stateside time at the beginning of January and are getting settled into their new home in Tshaneni. It is great to have them back with us, although we do not see them too often as they are still about two hours away from us.
- Al and Belinda Jordan will be coming to stay in our house and cover some of our ministry while we are in the USA for our stateside time from March - September. The Jordan's have served in both Swaziland and South Africa previously. We are thrilled they are willing to return to Swaziland to assist us, our team and ministry!
They will be arriving March 17 in Johannesburg and then coming onto Swaziland on March 19. Pray for all the logistics they need to finalize on their side before coming to Swaziland for six months.
- The National Youth Committee had a great meeting last month and began plans for the National Youth Leader's Retreat in late May as well as discussing ways to keep encouraging our youth in our churches. Continue to pray for the NYC as they faithfully lead throughout Swaziland.
- Lesibovu is being faithful each week, despite the many rainy days we have had the last few weeks. Their numbers are growing every week and we are excited to see what God has planned for this new church.
- We have had LOTS of rain!!! We keep saying this is the most rain we have ever seen in a rainy season.
- January 10-14, the Helgren family, who serve in Zambia with our company, came for a holiday to visit Swaziland and be with our family. We had a blast and enjoyed being with these precious friends very much!!! The kids loved playing together for four days straight! :)
- On January 12, Steve and I celebrated eight years of marriage and had the opportunity to get away to another part of Swaziland for about 24-hours without the kids a couple weeks after our actual anniversary. Thanks to Jacci and Janet and Gogo Shandu for all their help in watching the kids during that time!
- Our family had a wonderful visit with Don and Pam Lynch, our new associate strategy cluster leader. We have known Don and Pam for several years but our paths do not cross often with them. However, with the many recent changes of our company, Don is the ASCL for town/rural/country areas. They had never been to Swaziland so it was our pleasure to show them our beautiful country and the ministry God has for our family here. Pray for Don and Pam as they are moving from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town this coming week.
- Thank you to all those that generously gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!!! We are hearing great reports of many churches that reached or exceeded their offering goals. God desires to accomplish much through the gifts given for others all around the world to hear about Him!
- Today, 11 years ago, Steve and I met here in Mbabane when he was on a volunteer mission team and I was just starting to serve my two-year missionary term. Steve had developed a kidney stone and I was asked to drive him to Nelspurit, South Africa, for more medical assistance. Little did we know all God had planned for our lives!
- Lacie started Grade 0/kindergarten and is loving being in school! I will be homeschooling Lacie while we are in the USA for our stateside this year and then she will re-join her class in Swaziland when we return in late September.
- I managed to catch tick bite fever this past month but praise the Lord, I did not experience the high fevers that usually occurs. I was able to rest for a few days and then get back into the normal routine of life again quickly.

Prayer Requests:

- Lesibovu has their first official work day to begin clearing their new plot of land on Saturday, February 13. Pray much is accomplished and the weather will be nice as the church starts their journey to building their own church structure.
- Pray for the Baptist Convention of Swaziland as they meet on Saturday, February 6, to make plans for the Easter services coming up the beginning of April. The Easter services is the biggest event for our all our Baptist churches and there is much to be discussed and planned. Pray for unity with decisions and God's leading on the venue, schedule, speakers, food plans, etc.
- Pray for First Baptist Church Belton, Texas, as they are considering coming to lead our National Youth Camp in August. This is the church where Al and Belinda Jordan are coming from and they are praying to finalize plans before they leave the USA in mid-March.
- Continue to pray for our churches to be faithful in serving the Lord in their lives daily among their families, churches, schools and communities. Many of our churches are without pastoral leadership and we are believing the God is going to raise up spiritual leaders for these churches.
- We are praying about where to start the next new work when we return towards the end of the year. Pray for God's direction on where He wants us to begin a new ministry for His glory.
- Our family will be leaving Swaziland on March 25, flying to the USA on March 26 and landing in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 27. We will be spending the first three months in northwestern North Carolina with Steve's family and then July - September in West Palm Beach, Florida. Pray for us as we are finalizing our speaking schedule with partnering churches as well as visiting with family. Our biggest prayer need is a place to stay while we are in West Palm Beach. The missionary housing we used last time is no longer available and there is not another option. If anyone knows of somewhere in the WPB area we can house sit or rent not too high for three months, please contact us ASAP. We know God is in control of everything! Plus, churches in the WPB/South Florida area, please contact us soon if you want us to speak at your church, Bible study group or other groups as our schedule is starting to fill quickly.
- Pray for Barbara Myers' mother, Shirley, as she recently fell and broke her hip. Surgery went well and she is in rehab now. Pray she is able to heal well and has no further complications from the fall.


Crossing the river to reach Lesibovu for weekly Bible study. (shows how much rain we have had - usually a dry piece of land)

Community elders marking the plot of land for Hawane Baptist Church

Updated family photo from this past Sunday

Lacie and Nathan with the Helgren kids (Lily, Easton and Lauren) on one of the big rocks in our backyard on their recent visit.

Lacie starting grade O/kindergarten and Nathan wanting to go with her!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

Father, give me the grace today to take time. Time to be with you. Time to be with others. Time to enjoy the life you have given me. Help me remember that today is the day you have made. May I rejoice and be glad in it! Amen
-Luci Swindoll

Yesterday we worshipped with the Vuvulane Baptist Church. We are good friends with Pastor Douglas Mavuso and his wife Simphiwe. Both are from the Thunzini area in the Shiselweni region. Simphiwe’s parents are members of the Thunzini Baptist Church and Simphiwe was a youth leader of the church before her marriage. We are privileged to now be working with this couple. Pray for Douglas and Simphiwe Mavuso as they lead this church. Yesterday the group was small in number. Pray for a commitment of the congregation to be faithful and to encourage friends and neighbors to come to church with them.
--Sitting under a fruit tree (no one knew the name of the tree that has cherry-like fruit), the children of the Vuvulane Baptist Church met for Sunday School. Even though they were few in number, they listened as the teacher shared the story. Questions were asked and answers given. They reviewed the first five books of the Bible and next week will cover the next 12. Hopefully they will ask many of their friends to join them in this special class.
Pray these children will want their friends and neighbors to hear the stories of the Bible. Pray this class will soon have many children coming to hear about Jesus and His Word.

--The acting executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention that was elected in November 2009 meets on Saturday the 6th of February. 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.

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 meeting, devotions at high 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.


-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.

The First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas is praying concerning leading the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Youth Camp in August. Al and Belinda are members of this church. Pray as the church seeks the Lord’s guidance. Pray plans and decisions will be finalized before the Jordans’ departure. Al and Belinda will arrive on the 17th of March.

MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
Thank you for praying for my mother after she broke her hip and is now in rehab. She is doing quite well and looks forward to recovery and returning home. My sister, brother, and sister-in-law have daily been in contact with her as well as many of her church friends. We praise the Lord for His care of her. Pray for Shirley Carpenter as she continues to recover.


-Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins 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.

-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.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
From Ed Cox, director of IMB’s Office of Global Prayer Strategy:
Thank you so very, very much for your faith-filled prayers for needs relative to the Haiti earthquake and aftershocks. Not only have our missionary personnel encouraged us to pray, but a great number of government and aid officials have done the same. They all recognize that prayer is essential during the crisis. As the media’s interest wanes during the coming weeks, please do not let that impact the fervency and frequency of your prayers. Each time you see or hear a related newscast, print article, etc., please ask yourself, “How would God want me to pray in light of what I just read or heard?” I will continue to post Haiti prayer needs on my blog at
http://imbprayerdir.wordpress.com and Twitter at http://twitter.com/imbprayerdir. CompassionNet http://imb.org/pray will also communicate Haiti prayer needs.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA:Facing a make-or-break year in Afghanistan, ministers from 60 countries met last week to hammer out a strategy to try to bring an end to the war. The London conference is expected to back efforts to win over Taliban foot soldiers with money and jobs, and review a U.N terrorism blacklist to encourage fighters to change sides. Pray for the families of our soldiers who continue to sacrifice for our nation. Pray for military victory over the Taliban in Afghanistan.
www.presidentialprayerteam.org

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.

The Rodeo Cowboy Church is moving right along. They have moved to the Old Mill Elementary School (for the winter months) but will move back to the Red Barn on Easter Sunday April 4th. A baptism service is being planned with the hopes of baptizing 5-10 people.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
-Pray for the church’s music ministry. There is no one to lead the music.
-Pray that the church will connect with more pre-Christian cowboys and cowgirls.
-Pray the group will grow into a church.
Rodeo Cowboy Church
P.O. Box 864
Mt. Washington, Ky. 40071


WHO’S MISSING? Even after 2,000 years of Christian influence, more than 1.5 billion people are still missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. They are hidden behind cultural, physical, political and language barriers to a Gospel witness. Join us and pray for a people group that no one is trying to reach. prayerthreads.imb.org or (888) 462-7729