Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

This is the last day of 2010. We hope it has been a good year for you. For us it has been a year of change with moving to Tshaneni and continuing the work the Warrens began during their time of ministry. We also had to move from one house on the Swazi Citrus Farm to another house. But we praise the Lord for walking beside us though all the changes the year brought and we are looking to what he has for us in 2011. Please pray 2011 will be a good year for us and the Swazi Team as we minister to the Swazi people. Pray many Swazis will accept Jesus and put aside culture and traditions that conflict with the Christian way of life.

A few years ago a missionary was given a couple of pineapple tops to plant. After planting the tops he waited for about three years until finally he began to see evidence of a pineapple growing on one of the plants. It was another six months before the pineapple was ready to pick. What a joy it was to pick that first pineapple. Using this example of the growing pineapple one can see the growing of leaders and workers for the harvest field in Swaziland takes a long time. Working with youth and young adults in a culture that promotes an unchristian lifestyle can be emotionally trying but the reward can be so sweet. As missionaries on the Swazi Team struggle with disappointments, pray in 2011 they will look to the Lord for guidance, His wisdom and assurance that the outcome will be worth the wait.

--Thanks to the many of you who prayed for Wayne and his family during the loss of his brother, Rusty. We also appreciate the many emails with words of sympathy and encouragement. Please continue praying for the family during this difficult time of loss.

Last Sunday we were blessed to be a part of the Big Bend Baptist Church (Lobombo region) and assist with the baptism of three new believers. It is always a thrill to see Swazis come to know the Lord and follow his command to be baptized. Please pray for these three new believers. Pray also the Big Bend Baptist Church will continue to seek the many lost in the community. After the baptism the pastor told all the people to return to the church because the service was not finished. Usually the baptism is at the end of the service and I was quite surprised to be told to return to my pew. The pastor thanked us for coming and then told us (Myers) we could leave. We had collected a lady that lives on the Citrus Farm along the way from Siteki (she was visiting her mother). When we were excused to leave she told me that the pastor was fussing at his congregation for not attending the Christmas Day services scheduled. Evidently no one attended and he felt he needed to explain that it was more important to worship and celebrate our Lord’s birthday on Christmas Day than fix our fancy food. He was still explaining this to the people when we drove away.

Tonight, the Vuvulane, Mafucula and Luwhhawhhaweni Baptist Churches will gather for New Year’s Services at Mafucula. A portion of the Jesus film will be shown as well as Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini (from the Shiselweni region) bringing the message and plenty of fellowship and singing. Pray this time will continue to promote unity and fellowship among our three churches in this area. Pray we will see the new year arrive together with hopes of reaping a great harvest of lost souls in 2011.

JANUARY MINISTRY EVENTS:
--The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets on Saturday the 8th of January in Manzini. Planning has begun for the 2011 National Easter Services. Pray for the committee as they plan for this very important event.

--January 13th, is the scheduled training for teachers of the Swazi Baptist churches’ preschools at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. In the last few years due to government regulations a few of our preschools have ceased to function. But, I am happy to say there are six preschools, Phuzumoya, Vovovo, Big Bend, Peace, Manzini and Velebantfu. Pray these schools will offer the best preschool education to the children attending. Pray the teachers will find this training very helpful.

AIDS UPDATE:
--January 16, True Love Waits International consultant, Kym Pennington is scheduled to arrive in Swaziland (January 16-27). While in the country she will meet with trained True Love Waits presenters, discuss plans for TLW ministry with pastors and begin her ministry with the Swazi people. With the AIDS pandemic continuing to devastate the country of Swaziland, pray leaders will rise up and stand strong in sharing the message of purity. Pray Kym’s visit to Swaziland will be the beginning of a wonderful ministry.

The rains have been good throughout Swaziland thus far. Pray the rains will not stop just when crops and gardens need it the most as usually is the case. Pray the rains will continue until April and May and there will be enough water to fill the streams and rivers and food for all Swazis.

Lisa Warren requests prayer for her father Lloyd Claiborne. He was admitted to the hospital Sunday after Christmas due to dehydration diagnosed to be from twisted intestines that will require surgery. He may also have problems with his heart. Pray for wisdom for the doctors to offer the best treatment for his medical condition. Pray for Lisa and her family as they wait to hear the doctors’ conclusions and plan of treatment.

GOD GRANT US HOPE AND FAITH AND LOVE HOPE for a world grown cynically cold,
Hungry for power and greedy for gold… FAITH to believe when within and without
There’s nameless fear in a world of doubt… LOVE that is bigger than race or creed,
To cover the world and fulfill each need… God, grant these gifts to all trouble hearts
As the old year ends and a new year starts.
--Helen Steiner Rice

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!!