Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

The Swazi Team (Steve, Monica, Lacie, Nathan Allen, Al and Belinda Jordan and Wayne and Barbara Myers) met yesterday for a time of saying hello to the Jordans and wishing the Allens a wonderful stateside assignment. It was good to see Al and Belinda and fellowship together as friends and as colleagues. We look forward to working with them the next six months.
--Pray for the Jordans’ adjustment to living and serving in Swaziland. Pray for a special reuniting with Swazi friends.

Steve and Monica Allen (Lacie and Nathan) leave for the states this Friday March 26th for their six month stateside assignment. The first part of their time will be spent in North Carolina and the last three months in West Palm Beach, Florida. We will miss them and do wish their time stateside will be refreshing and relaxing. Pray their flight will not be too stressful and the children will tolerate confined spaces and long periods of sitting. Pray for transition for the whole family as they leave “home” to visit “home.”

Please continue to pray for the National Swazi Baptist Easter Services April 1-4, 2010. These special services will take place at the Mbekelweni Lutheran High School in Manzini. Sessions for adults and youth will be provided as well as a two-day program and evening worship services for the children. Al Jordan will be the services’ preacher. Pray these services will reflect the Resurrection message and story. Pray those attending will be blessed and uplifted from the daily sessions and evening worship services. Pray for Al Jordan as he shares six times during the four days. May the Lord be truly blessed and glorified during this year’s National Swazi Baptist Easter Services.

--Sunday we were able to meet with the Mgamudze church committee upon their request. After arriving and after a few minutes of discussion it was discovered the reason for this meeting. The youth had been saving and raising money for the transport to the Easter services but were short of the needed cost. The sought our help in deciding what they should do. After discussion with the church a solution was reached and all the youth will be able to attend these special services. We praise the Lord for this church and this group of faithful youth. Please pray the Mgamudze Baptist Church will continue to grow spiritually strong and the youth will continue to be faithful. Pray for Thulani and Mfanwemphi that lead and guide the church. Pray also for Nathi recently elected as youth leader.

--The Myers are in the throes of packing and preparing to move either the end of this week or the first of next week. The house in which we will live is not quite ready for us and our belongings but hopefully we can begin to slowly move and have everything in the house by the first of next week. This will be our second move since September. Pray we will soon be able to move, unpack and get settled in our new home. We look forward to hanging up the “Home Sweet Home” sign!

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
Update from Wayne’s sister Patsy after her March 16th follow-up appointment: “The only reprieve I got was I could leave the oxygen off around the house except when running the sweeper or mopping. I have to sleep with it and when I go out to the store. The doctor didn’t like something he heard in my heart, so I have an echocardiogram on Friday (19th of March). My next appointment with pulmonologist is in 4 ½ months.” Continue to pray for Patsy’s recovery from her COPD. Pray she will soon be able to be off the oxygen 24/7 and nothing serious was found concerning her heart.
-Also, Wayne’s brother Terry was having a hard time breathing. Testing showed his lungs were okay (no sign of return of stage 4 cancer) and was sent to a cardiologist on Friday. Pray Terry’s quarterly tests will continue to show his cancer is in remission and pray also nothing serious is found concerning his heart.
--Imagine every Sunday arriving to church to find no one to lead the service or preach the sermon. The faithful few that continue to attend every Sunday try to encourage others to come and support the church. Youth and children programs suffer or are non-existent. The New Hope Baptist Church (Shiselweni Region) is one of these churches. For over three years the congregation has been without a pastor. A faithful leader tries to keep the church together and meeting but he feels he is not called to be a pastor and works occasionally on Sunday. This past Sunday we worshipped with the New Hope Baptist Church. There were a few women, a few youth and several children. Just as the children’s story was being shared a torrential downpour began beating against the iron building that lasted for an hour that made hearing and understanding difficult. By the time Wayne began to preach the rain had subsided and we could hear and follow the sermon on the 23rd Psalm. After the service one lady came forward to rededicate her life. Please pray the Lord will provide a pastor for the New Hope Baptist Church. Pray the faithful will continue to be faithful and the adults will strive to teach the youth and children the ways of the Lord.
--The New Hope Baptist Church will conduct a baptism service on the 23rd May. Pray these new believers will stay strong and faithful to the Lord.


IMB PRAYER REQUEST:
-Continue to pray for the important training conference for the Affinity Group Prayer Strategists on March 21-25. May God’s glorious touch be on every aspect of this conference—worship, share and prayer, training and fellowship. May the nations be dramatically impacted through the lives and ministries of the conference participants.
-Louisville, Ky. is the location for the IMB’s first Missions EXPO March 25-27. This event is designed to help interested missionary candidates explore the role God has for them in reaching the lost. Pray for participants to discover the field to which the Lord of the harvest is directing them. Intercede for IMB staff who desire to give godly counsel to these candidates.

WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA
June 11-July 11, 2010
Check out
www.worldsoccerjourneys.com, the newest Web site that has been launched by the Africa Support Center Communication Team. Our primary goals are to focus on the ministries of our personnel, other GCCs, and volunteer teams and to generate prayer support for the urban centers of South Africa, many of which are venues for World Cup matches. In addition to virtual prayerwalks and regularly updated prayer requests, site visitors will find EV tools, details about projects and opportunities for service, and even information about soccer and the World Cup!

On Wednesday March 24 Hindus across South Asia will celebrate Rama Navami in commemoration of the birth of one they call Lord Rama. They believe that Rama was an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, and the hero of “Ramayana” an epic story of 24,000 stanzas.
Quickly following Rama Navami 50 million Hindus are expected to gather for the Kumbh Mela. They will travel on pilgrimage to wash in the Ganges River in a desperate search for forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
Please pray for Hindus celebrating Rama Navami and Kumbh Mela to have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

This week the Swazi Team welcomes the arrival of Al and Belinda Jordan to Swaziland. The Jordans are covering for the Allens while they are on stateside assignment March 26-end of September. Al and Belinda leave the states on Tuesday the 16th arriving in Jo’burg on the 17th. After spending a couple of days in Jo’burg they will make their way to Swaziland on Friday the 19th. Pray their flight will not be too tiring and their adjustment to living in Swaziland will be quick and easy. Pray for a wonderful reuniting with Swazi friends.

--“Our family (Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen) is sorting through our house and belongings as we will be leaving for the USA on March 26 for our stateside (furlough) time. We will leave Swaziland on March 25 to be in Jo'burg for one night before flying out on March 26. Pray for the packing process and long travels for our family, especially for Nathan. We will be on a plane for 18 hours with an active two-year old! J Our biggest prayer concern is that we STILL need a place to stay when our family is in West Palm Beach from July 1 - September 25 or so. Pray a place opens soon for our family to rent or house sit.”

--Planning continues on Saturday (20th of March) for the National Easter Services April 1-4. The venue is the Mbekelweni High School in the Hhohho region. 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 Saturday’s meeting will finalized all the details for this important meeting. 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.

--Because of a funeral scheduled for Friday night (night vigil) and Saturday morning (12th-13th) at Luwhawheni, the meeting with Annah Thwala (Nhlangano Baptist Church) to plan the children’s program during these special services had to be postponed. We plan to meet this Saturday (20th). Pray this planning meeting for the children’s time of learning and worship will be able to take place and details will be finalized. May each child come to know the importance of the Good Friday/Easter season.

--Please continue to pray for us as we pack in anticipation of our move 2 ½ kilometers from where we are currently living. We would like to be moved before Easter!!

--It is time for the 2010 Durban Retreat (annual missionary meeting) beginning on Friday April 16 and ending on Monday the 19th. Theme: “Determined Devotion” and venue is the ATKV-Natalia (south of the Durban airport). During this year’s retreat there will be a 10-15 prayer focus on each team. Pray for us as we prepare spiritually for this meeting. Pray for the Lord’s wisdom in preparation for the Swazi Team’s prayer focus.

VOLUNTEER TEAM UPDATE:
-A two member volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church (South Roanoke Baptist Association, NC) is scheduled to work in the Lubumbo and Shiselweni regions May 19-31. Pray for Ben and Matt as they prepare to come and minister in Swaziland. Pray for their spiritual preparation to reach the lost and encourage believers.

--Plans are being made for June Mason (retired missionary) to minister in Swaziland June 28-July 4. June served in woman’s ministries many years in Zimbabwe. She was also a part of the Swazi Team a short time prior to her retirement. June will be leading special Bible studies for women of our Swazi Baptist churches. Pray for June as she prepares to come to Swaziland and minister with the Swazi Baptist women. She will be in Zimbabwe and South Africa prior to arriving in Swaziland.

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins’ follow-up visit to her pulmonary doctor is Tuesday 16th of March. Pray she will be able to breathe without difficulty and will have full recovery from her COPD and pneumonia.
2. -My sister’s husband (Pete Rutledge) is showing some improvement from his herniated disc surgery. Please continue to pray Pete will soon be able to move and walk without difficulty. 3. -Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
4. -Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
5. Continue to pray for Shirley Carpenter’s full recovery from her broken hip.

AIDS UPDATE:
Pray for the True Love Waits leaders to press on with the True Love Waits message all throughout Swaziland and for those who hear to take seriously the message of sexual abstinence before marriage.

PRAYER FOR CHILE:
Pray for the Chilean evangelical community and for Baptists and other Great Commission Christian leaders as they resume plans for mission events, asking that they will be able to overcome the obstacles and challenges that have surfaced during the recent earthquakes. Pray for Strategy Moblizers A. and A., as they will be working with several groups and mission trips during the month of April. Pray that all that is needed for these trips will be be evident to the Baptists and other evangelicals who plan to take part in these ministries. (Today’s Prayer)

IMB PRAYER REQUEST:
Preparation is underway for an important training conference for the Affinity Group Prayer Strategists, March 21-25. May God’s glorious touch be on every aspect of this conference—worship, share and prayer, training and fellowship. May the nations be dramatically impacted through the lives and ministries of the conference participants. Especially pray for conference coordinator Eleanor Witcher. Her “things to do list” seems to grow with each passing day. May she experience our Lord’s blessings in extraordinary ways throughout this entire month.

Bless all who worship thee,
From the rising of the sun
Unto the going down of the same.
Of thy goodness, give us;
With thy love, inspire us;
By the Spirit, guide us;
By thy power, protect us;
In thy mercy, receive us,
Now and always
--Fifth-Century Prayer

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

This has been a very difficult week for us since we were given notice (from Swazican) last Monday that the house in which we were living was needed for personnel and the lease was not being renewed. The thought of having to repack and then unpack after just finishing the tiresome job was anything but inviting. Swazican did offer us a slightly smaller house so we were not without options but I we still were saddened and even a little fearful of what the future held. Last week was spent visiting Sumunye, Siteki, Mhlume and Big Bend in search of possible housing. The task was quite emotionally draining and indeed an eye opener. Looking for housing in Swaziland is like going through a haunted house, you don’t know what is around the corner or what will jump out at you!!
We spent the weekend in a time of prayer and searching for God’s will for our lives and ministry. Yesterday, we felt the Lord showing us the next step and we hope to be able to share with you in the next few days where our new home will be. Please pray everything will be finalized this week for our subsequent move. Pray for us as we begin the job of again packing our belongings!!


O Lord God, who called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown: Give us faith to go out with a good courage, not knowing where we are going, but only that your hand is leading us, and your love supporting us; to the glory of your name. Eric Milner White & G.W. Griggs

--Our family (Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen) is sorting through our house and belongings as we will be leaving for the USA on March 26 for our stateside (furlough) time. We will leave Swaziland on March 25 to be in Jo'burg for one night before flying out on March 26. Pray for the packing process and long travels for our family, esp for Nathan. We will be on a plane for 18 hours with an active two-year old! :) Our biggest prayer concern is that we STILL need a place to stay when our family is in West Palm Beach from July 1 - September 25 or so. Pray a place opens soon for our family to rent or house sit.

--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.

--Planning continues for the National Easter Services April 1-4. The venue is the Mbekelweni Lutheran High School in the Hhohho region. 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.
--Annah Thwala (Nhlangano Baptist Church) and I have again been asked to plan the children’s program during these special services and we are scheduled to meet on Saturday (in Nhlangano) to finalize plans and complete the schedule for the children’s program. Pray this planning meeting for the children’s time of learning and worship will go well and details will be finalized. May each child come to know the importance of the Good Friday/Easter season.

VOLUNTEER TEAM UPDATES:
-The volunteer team from the South Roanoke Association scheduled to arrive in April to work with the Luwhawheni community has cancelled. The team may plan to come later in the year.
-A two member volunteer team from the Integrity Baptist Church (South Roanoke Baptist Association, NC) is scheduled to work in the Lubumbo and Shiselweni regions May 19-31. Pray for Ben and Matt as they prepare to come and minister in Swaziland. Pray for their spiritual preparation to reach the lost and encourage believers.

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
I telephoned my mother (Shirley Carpenter) on Tuesday and she is recovering very well from her broken hip. She has her last appointment on the 10th of March. Pray her appointment will go well and she will be able to soon get around without a walker or cane.
1. Wayne’s sister Patsy Collins’ follow-up visit to her pulmonary doctor is the 16th of March. Pray she will be able to breathe without difficulty and will have full recovery from her COPD and pneumonia.
2. -My sister’s husband (Pete Rutledge) is showing some improvement from his herniated disc surgery. Please continue to pray Pete will soon be able to move and walk without difficulty.
3. -Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
4. -Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

AIDS UPDATE:
Today on the Swazi Team prayer calendar you were asked to pray for the lady whose homestead was the meeting place of the Lawhawheni Baptist Church before a small building was provided. She was suffering from TB. Saturday Wayne received word she had been admitted to the Manzini Hospital and after the meeting of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland, he stopped to visit with her. There he was told she had died. Please pray for this lady’s children and family as they deal with her death.
For many in Swaziland, TB is a symptom of the HIV virus that will eventually become full-blown AIDS. Pray for the many in Swaziland suffering from AIDS. Pray the unsaved will have a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior before death comes.

PRAYER FOR CHILE:
Please continue praying for thousands of people in Chile whose lives have been upturned by the massive earthquake that struck in the early morning hours of Feb. 27. “We want to ask Christians everywhere to lift up people in need after this huge disaster,” said Terry Lassiter, strategist for the American Peoples affinity group. “We thank the Lord that all of our missionaries are well but there has been a very significant loss of life that is going to affect both our church community and the non-Christian community in Chile.” (Today’s Prayer)

SPECIAL IMB PRAYER REQUEST:
From Jimmy Pritchard, Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee: “We have come to the most crucial aspect in our search for the next leader of the IMB. As God continues to narrow our focus, we remain dependent upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of God’s people in this process. Our committee requests that Southern Baptists set aside March 13 as a day of prayer and fasting to ask God to direct our path to the man He has chosen as our next president. Thank you for your partnership as we embrace these great days of opportunity with the confidence of God’s approval and leadership.”

Thank you for praying for our family

Thank you for the many emails we received concerning Lacie's unplanned surgery this past Friday morning. Your prayers and support mean the world to our family.
Lacie did great with her surgery, although she did come out with some minimal pain in her left ear. Praise the Lord for good pain meds! :) Lacie was such a trooper thought it all! Lacie and I were able to come home Friday around lunch time and it was great to be reunited with our guys. Nathan was solo excited to see his sissy. Aunt Jane Lawson, missionary friend from Jo'burg, has come to spend the weekend with our family and we always love having friends with us. Today is Nathan's 2nd birthday and we are so blessed by his precious life in our family. He is our active, little man and adds so much life to our household! :) We praise God for his life.

Our family is sorting through our house and belongings as we will be leaving for the USA on March 26 for our stateside (furlough) time. We will leave Swaziland on March 25 to be in Jo'burg for one night before flying out on March 26. Pray for the packing process and long travels for our family, esp for Nathan. We will be on a plane for 18 hours with an active two-year old! :) We will be landing in Charlotte on the morning of March 27 and staying with Steven's parent's in the northwestern area of NC. We will be going to our company's stateside conference April 5-10 and then onto Maryland to visit with family and connecting churches for a couple weeks. We will send out a more detailed schedule at a later time. Our biggest prayer concern is that we STILL need a place to stay when our family is in West Palm Beach from July 1 - September 25 or so. Pray a place opens soon for our family to rent or house sit.

Pray also for Al and Belinda Jordan as they will be coming to live in our house and cover some of our ministry areas while we are on our stateside time until the end of September. They will be leaving the USA on March 16, landing in Jo'burg on March 17 and driving onto Swaziland on March 19. We are very thankful for their willingness to come at their own expense to assist our family, mission team and Swazi people during these next six months. Pray for their last minute preparations and for safe travels in a couple weeks.

This past week, our team leaders, Wayne and Barbara Myers, received word that the rental house they are staying in is no longer available to them. They have been given two months to find a new house, pack and move to a new place. Pray for the RIGHT house for them and clarity through this tough time. They have just returned from their stateside time back in January and had just gotten settled into their current house in the Tshaneni area. We are trusting God to provide the right place for them.

Prayers for Lacie

Lacie and I are in Jo'burg for routine medical appointments with folks we cannot see in Swaziland. One of them is Lacie's ears, nose and throat doctor, which we have come to know quite well! Lacie has had tubes (called grommets here) four times in her precious life. The most recent grommets (put in October 2008) have fallen out and the grommet in the left ear is resting on her ear drum with fluid underneath. In most cases, ear drops could be administered and within a few weeks, the fluid would hopefully be gone. However, we do not have a few weeks to spare and take the chance that the ear drops would do the trick as our family is flying from Africa to America on March 26. So, the doctor has recommended Lacie have surgery tomorrow (Friday) morning for her fifth and we pray, final set of grommets in her ears.

We did find out that Lacie's hearing test today shows that her hearing loss in her left ear is about the same. The ENT doctor is wanting to do corrective surgery (it was discovered through a CAT scan last year that Lacie has a small bone in the wrong place in her left ear that we believe is causing her hearing loss.) later this year or the beginning of next year. We cannot have the corrective surgery now with our family flying so soon. The grommets is the best plan of action.

Although we know this is the best thing for Lacie, it is still not an easy thing for a mom to hear from a doctor five times now. It is hard for Steve to be back in Swaziland with Nathan when he wants to be here with us all together. We know that God has amazing plans for Lacie's precious life and He is in control of it all. I admit that I broke down after leaving the doctor's office and asking God, why Lacie again? He keeps telling me to just rest in Him. I am at peace with our decision and know that Lacie will do well with the surgery. I told her that she could not eat or drink in the morning before the surgery and she told me, "Mom, I know what to do!" Too cute and only five years old to experience six surgeries in her life (she had her tonsils out last year as well).

Thank you for praying for Lacie and at this point, we plan on returning home to Swaziland by tomorrow evening.

On another quick note, Nathan turns two years old on Sunday, March 7 and we cannot believe our baby boy is growing up so fast. We look forward to seeing many of you in just a few short weeks.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

Please pray for Nathan Curtis Allen on his second birthday, March 7th.

VOLUNTEER TEAM UPDATE:
-After a wonderful weekend at the Kruger National Game Reserve, the volunteer team from First Baptist, Washington, North Carolina boarded the plane for their return flight to the states around 5:00pm (Jo’burg time) today. It is a very long flight, so please pray each member of the team will be able to rest during the flight. May each remember the wonderful blessings the Lord provided during their time of ministry in Swaziland.

-Revival services ended on Friday at the Vuvulane and Mafacula Baptist Churches. Several made decisions to follow Christ, others showed a desire to know how to be a child of the King and others recommitted their lives to the Lord. Please pray for each of these who made some sort of decision during the revival services. Pray revival will continue in the communities of Vuvulane and Mafacula.

--To add to last week’s snake stories, yesterday during our time of looking for animals and birds at the Kruger Game Reserve, we stopped at the Olifants Camp for a restroom break and purchase of refreshments when Wayne spotted a very young snake. At first he thought it was dead but upon further exploration, saw that the snake was in the process of eating a lizard. Needless to say, several in our party ran to get their cameras and we all watched (some with interest others with horror) as the snake slowly swallowed the poor helpless lizard. Not only did we watch intently but so did a rock monitor lizard not too far away. When all our attention was turned to him, he quickly scampered up the building and onto the roof. Truly that was enough excitement for one day!!


--Saturday March 6 the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets. Planning for the National Swazi Baptist Easter Services will continue. Pray for unity in the planning of this event. Pray soon all logistics will be finalized.

--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.

Our next volunteer team from the South Roanoke Association in North Carolina arrives the end of April to minister in the Lawhawheni area of Swaziland. A Baptist church was begun in this area by this association a couple of years ago. Pray for this team as they prepare to continue with follow-up ministries with the Lawhawheni Baptist Church and community. Pray for each member of this team as they prepare for his/her time of reaching the lost and encouraging believers.

Today upon our return to Swaziland from the Kruger National Game Reserve, we received a letter from the Swazican office that has the lease on the house where we currently are living. The letter flatly stated due to reorganization of Swazican, our lease would not be renewed (due to the need of this house for managerial employee) and we have two months to leave. A slightly smaller house has been offered to us by Swazican. To say this was a shock is an understatement. We just finished moving to this house after our return from stateside assignment in January. To pack up and move again is something we did not think we would have to do or even want to do until retirement!! Please pray for us as we begin repacking boxes and preparing to move. Pray also for wisdom on whether to accept the house offered or look at other housing options.

SPECIAL MEDICAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. 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.
2. -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.
3. -Pray for Terry (Wayne’s brother dealing with stage 4 cancer) and his wife Darlene as they go through a time of uncertainty.
4. -Pray for my nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

AIDS UPDATE:
According to the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, 38 percent of the children in Swaziland are raised by single mothers while only 21 percent of children have both parents. HIV infection rate is stable at the moment but still faithfulness in relationships and prevention measures still remain a challenge. Pray Christian Swazis will teach their children and grandchildren the ways of the Lord. Pray the Christian way of living will touch more lives in the Swazi Baptist churches and communities.

PRAYER FOR HAITI:
“Steve” is seventeen. Dad’s unreliable. Mom’s dead. The only relative he has is his aunt, who was injured during the earthquake in Haiti. She died three days later and now he has no one, no home, no food, no clothes, nothing.
Missionary Sam York is helping at the hospital where the aunt died and Steve starts following Sam and helping him get supplies, run errands, transport bodies, work on water for the hospital, etc. It looks like Skipper and Gilligan walking everywhere. Steve sleeps in Sam’s car. Sam brings food from the restaurant for Steve. Steve already knows that Jesus loves him because that love has been demonstrated through the local missionary.
-Please pray for all the new street kids to find help, hope and Jesus, before they become calloused and cunning.
-Ask God how you and your congregation can offer the love of Jesus to orphaned children in your community. (Today’s Prayer)

The biggest event coming up in South Africa is the FIFA World Cup 2010 that starts June 11th
And ends on July 11th. Over 32 countries have qualified to send their football (soccer) teams to South Africa. Please pray for the many events that Christians all over this country are planning to reach out to those who are coming this way or reach out to South Africans. Pray for safety for everyone that comes. Pray all the events planned as outreach will glorify the Lord.

Swazi Team March Prayer Calendar

Monday March 1: Pray for Al and Belinda Jordan, filling in for the Allens during their stateside assignment for six months, as they leave the US March 16th arriving in Jo’burg March 17th and then onto Swaziland March 19th. Pray for their final preparations and travel and their reconnecting with the Swazi people.

Tuesday March 2: Steve and Monica Allen are scheduled to begin stateside assignment on the 25th of March. Pray for Steve and Monica as they prepare to share about the ministry in Swaziland with churches in the USA. The Allens need a place to stay in West Palm Beach, Fla. July 1-end of September. Pray adequate housing will be provided. Pray all the logistics will be finalized soon.

Wednesday March 3: Continue to remember family members of the Myers who are dealing with physical problems. Pray for Wayne’s brother Terry, currently in remission from stage 4 cancer; pray his sister Patsy recently hospitalized for pneumonia and COPD will be able to breathe freely; pray for Barbara’s mother recovering from a broken hip; pray Barbara’s sister’s husband will fully recover from his herniated disc surgery; pray for Barbara’s niece’s husband’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and for Barbara’s sister-in-law’s mother recovering from surgery for a pinch nerve in her back.

Thursday March 4: Sitting under a fruit tree 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, the children 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.

Friday March 5: Continue to pray for the Warren family and for Lisa’s father, Lloyd Claiborne recovering from a stroke. Recently Mr. Claiborne was able to attend church with the Warren family. Pray for his continued recovery.

Saturday March 6: The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today. Planning for the National Swazi Baptist Easter Services will continue. Pray for unity in the planning of this event. Pray soon all logistics will be fanilized.
Sunday March 7: Pray for Nathan Allen today on his second birthday! Please pray the members of the Lesibovu Baptist Church will remain faithful and will meet together regularly for worship and Bible study while the Allen family is away on stateside assignment. This is a very young church and in a critical phase of their development.
--Lesibovu Baptist Church began a laborious process of clearing their plot of land in anticipation of a church construction project. Please pray for these members as they make plans toward building a church structure. None of the members have had any previous experience with such an endeavor and many do not have a strong church background. Please pray this congregation will not become frustrated by the financial challenges and discontinue the construction project.

Monday March 8: The Lawhawheni Baptist Church met on a homestead for a time before a small building was provided. The lady of the homestead and a strong member of the church is suffering from TB. For many in Swaziland, 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.

Tuesday March 9: The First Baptist Church of Belton, Texas is preparing to lead the 2010 Swazi Baptist National Youth Camp in August. Pray as the church continues to pray and committed individuals become part of the volunteer team. Ask the Lord to provide wisdom in the preparation of lessons and activities.

Wednesday March 10: “I plan to return every year as long as I can!” These words were spoken by a volunteer team member who ministered in the Vuvulane/Mafucula area of Swaziland last month. Thank you for praying for the volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, NC that ministered through revivals, homestead visitation, children/youth/adult Bible studies, sharing and speaking in schools/police station and baptism services. Pray those baptized during the team’s ministry will truly seek to live godly lives. Pray for spiritual fruit will great rewards.

Thursday March 11: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:13 Many in Swaziland do not have the promise of eternal life. For some their belief in Islam keeps them from knowing the true Son of God. The poverty of Swazis leave them open to promises of jobs, money, security if they convert to the Muslim faith. Pray Swazis will not be led to a false sense of security outside the Christian faith. Pray for Christian renewal throughout the country.

Friday March 12: Pray God will identify and show His next place to start a new outreach Bible study for the Allens when they return from stateside assignment. Steve and Monica have surveyed a couple of areas and feel God is not opening doors.

Saturday March 13: 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 incurred 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 story. Pray those attending will seek the Lord’s direction and guidance in their thoughts and beliefs.

Sunday March 14: Pray existing Baptist churches without pastoral leadership will stay strong and faithful in their work with the Lord. Pray for unity among churches as they reach out to their communities.

Monday March 15: According to the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, 38 percent of the children in Swaziland are raised by single mothers while only 21 percent of children have both parents. HIV infection rate is stable at the moment but still faithfulness in relationships and prevention measures still remain a challenge. Pray Christian Swazis will teach their children and grandchildren the ways of the Lord. Pray the Christian way of living will touch more lives in the Swazi Baptist churches and communities.

Tuesday March 16: Sub-Saharan African Unengaged Peoples: The Damara people of Namibia have suffered through a long divided history. Being subjected to the Nama and Herero nations for years in their ancient history has allowed their nation to be divided and widespread. They were detestable in the eyes of those among whom they lived. Pray for the Damara peoples as even today they are divided among themselves with 11 recognized tribes and two kings. Pray they will come to know the only recognized King who can resolve their conflicts, supply their needs and give them comfort and peace.

Wednesday March 17: HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!
Please pray for Mpembekati Baptist Church being forced to move from their current plot of land for a school expansion. The members have erected a wooden structure with a metal roof and are frustrated by the move. Please pray that a suitable plot of land will be found quickly.

Thursday March 18: 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.

Friday March 19: Al and Belinda Jordan arrive in Swaziland today to begin six months of ministry in the Hhohho and Manzini regions. Pray for the Jordans’ adjustment to living in Swaziland. Al and Belinda have previously served in Swaziland. Pray for a wonderful reuniting with Swazi friends.

Saturday March 20: the Swazi people prayer booklet 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.

Sunday March 21: 2010 is the year of the 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. Please pray as local churches network with other ministries in working together as one common goal: to bring hope and change in Jesus name to South Africa.

Monday March 22: Hawane Baptist Church has elected members to serve on its building committee. Please pray for these members as they lead the church in making plans for building a structure for the congregation.

Tuesday March 23: Pray for the Lord’s direction for the ministry in Mafacula area (northeast Swaziland). Specifically pray for direction concerning youth ministry and for God to guide the pastor who has a heart to reach the youth in this community.

Wednesday March 24: Pray for the True Love Waits leaders to press on with the True Love Waits message all throughout Swaziland and for those who hear to take seriously the message of sexual abstinence before marriage.

Thursday March 25: The Allens’ stateside assignment begins today. Pray their flight with two small children will not be too stressful and the children will 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.


Friday March 26: The Swazi Team will attend their Annual Missionary Training Meeting/prayer retreat April 16-19 in Durban, South Africa. Pray the logistical planning will soon be finalized. Pray those attending will leave refreshed and encouraged.

Saturday March 27: Pray for God to send workers to serve alongside the Swazi Team to further His Kingdom.

Sunday March 28: PALM SUNDAY!!
O, Lord, because of your life in me, each moment of my life has value and potential for significance-if I will only celebrate it. Infuse my attitude with the fruit of your Spirit’s patience. Amen (Barbara Johnson) As we begin this holiday season, may all of our friends, neighbors and family members seek to have the Savior of the world dwell in their hearts.

Monday March 29: A volunteer team from the South Roanoke Association in North Carolina will minister in the Lawhawheni area of Swaziland the end of April. A Baptist church was begun in this area by this association a couple of years ago. Pray for this team as they prepare to continue with follow-up ministries with the Lawhawheni Baptist Church and community. Pray for each member of this team as they prepare for his/her time of reaching the lost and encouraging believers.

Tuesday March 30: May 1-May 5 Wayne Myers will attend the workshop, “Taking It To the Next Level” in Jo’burg. The purpose of this workshop is to gather some of the best practitioners of missions in the cluster to “take it to the next level.” Discussion, brain storming and question/answer time is part of the agenda. Pray those attending, especially Wayne, will learn and benefit from this workshop.

Wednesday March 31: Please pray Swazi men will be reached for Christ and God will provide strong Christian men and pastors from among the believers. Especially pray for the New Hope Baptist Church who has been without a pastor for three years. The congregation is struggling to remain faithful. Pray God will send His special leader to this church.