Thursday, July 28, 2011

August Prayer Calendar

Monday August 1:  August 1-10, Heather and Sienna (Hands On missionaries in the Mbabane) will be staying and working with the Hoskins.  Pray Sienna and Heather will be able to make the most of their time in Manzini with True Love Waits presentations.

Tuesday August 2:  Pray for clear direction on when to start Sunday services at Ngowane, newest outreach group in the Hhohho region.  God is moving in amazing ways and the Allens want to follow God’s timing when to move forward to becoming a church.

Wednesday August 3:  Ramadan (August 1-29) is a time when Muslims all over the world fast and pray for themselves.  Christians do not join them in celebrating Ramadan, but lift up their voices in prayer during this time when Muslim hearts are especially tender to spiritual things.  Pray during Ramadan Muslims in Swaziland will sense the presence of the true Savior of the World.

Thursday August 4:  According to Time Magazine 60,000 is the approximate number of people who may die in Swaziland when hospitals run out of antiretroviral drugs in the next month.  Pray this crucial development in Swaziland will be solved before many people die.  Pray the ARVs will be available to those dying of AIDS.

Friday August 5:  Last month the six summer missionaries that ministered to the Swazis sharing the True Love Waits message (June –July) returned to the states.  Pray for Elizabeth, Tiffany, Tori, Adam, REH and Jonathon as they return college this month.  Pray each will remember their time in Swaziland  and be blessed.

Saturday August 6:  Today the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets.  Pray for this group as important issues will continue to be discussed.  Pray for a good time of discussion and unity in today’s meeting.

Sunday August 7:  Pray for the Thunzini Baptist Church during this time of change and transition.  Last month the church held a special service for their pastor who was accepted to a teacher training college.  Pray leaders within the congregation will be able to lead the church in the pastor’s absence.  Pray for Nkosingiphile Dlamini as he begins a new chapter in his life.

Monday August 8:  Pray the Swazi Baptist Women’s National Committee will find a date and time to meet to begin planning the 2011 National Women’s Retreat October 13-15.  The venue is the Manzini Baptist ChurchPray for good attendance at this year’s retreat.

Tuesday August 9:  Camp Worldlight staff mission team heads back to the USA today after serving in the Hhohho region since July 31.  Praise God for their willingness to come to Swaziland and all the lives they impacted during their time in SwazilandPray for safe travels as they return to the USA and their families.

Wednesday August 10:  Today the 16-member volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church (Marshville, NC) arrives in Swaziland to minister in the northeast section of the country.  Ministries include prayer walking, hut-to-hut visitation, ladies and youth retreats, children’s Bible study, AIDS orphan ministry and other spirit led ministries.  Pray for Bert, Lisa, Matthew, Zach, Landon, Keith, Jen, Nathan, Lisa, Harley, Kimberly, Brooke, Kathy, Kara, Amanda and Jenna as they prepare to work with the Swazi people.  Pray for good health and wonderful blessings.

Thursday August 11:  Schools close for end of term 2 on August 12.  Pray for a restful, relaxing and safe holidays for all the students in SwazilandSchools resume on September 12 to begin term 3 and end of the school year.

Friday August 12:  The Mafucula Secondary School is the venue for the North Lubumbo Swazi Baptist Women and Youth retreats (August 12-13) led by the volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church. Pray many of our youth and women will attend.  Pray blessings will be received by those attending and those leading.  Pray youth ministry/programs will begin in the Mafucula, Vuvulane and Luwhawhaweni Baptist Churches.

Saturday August 13:  Pray for the Swazi Team as they prepare to train members of the Swazi Baptist churches on the use of the In-Home Health Care Kits that arrived in the country in June.  Each kit is packed in a 5-gallon bucket filled with items such as multivitamins, sheets, a towel and wash cloths, soap for sensitive skin, gloves for caregivers and much more.  Pray many Swazis will be touched by the giving and sharing of these kits.

Sunday August 14:  Pray for all the Swazi Baptist churches as many are without strong leadership. May God raise up godly men and women to faithfully serve Him every day.

Monday August 15:  Pray for Deborah Hoskins today on her birthday!!
As the Hoskins continue to develop friendships and working relationships with the pastors/leaders in the Manzini region, pray blessings will occur and much will be accomplished for the Lord’s Kingdom.

Tuesday August 16:  During a Bible study at Luwhawhaweni, an older lady of the group shared that the man she lived with for 35 years was not her husband since they had not been legally married.  His family was concerned that the ancestors would be very angry with her and the family if she tried to be buried in her “husband’s” plot and not have his surname.  The family was encouraging her to marry her son so she would have the family surname and the ancestors would be happy.  She asked the leader of the Bible study if this would be okay.  Being a new Christian and unsure of so many things concerning her faith, this lady (like so many Swazis) struggles to do what is right in a society that is controlled by appeasing the ancestors and adhering to many cultural practices that are un-Christian.  Pray Swazi Christians will understand the customs and traditions that are normal part of life are not always acceptable to the Lord.  Pray they will study more and learn about the Lord and His ways.

Wednesday August 17:  Continue to pray for the True Love Waits ministry of the four Hands On missionaries, Sienna, Heather, Brandi and Kim.  Pray Swazis will be available to assist with the training as well as overall ministry.  Pray each will experience satisfying results from this work and ministry.

Thursday August 18:  For many years missionary Barbara Myers and several Swazis have worked to translate from English to siSwati adult, youth, older children, children and beginner Sunday School materials.  In 2005 siSwati children and beginner’s Sunday School books were printed and are currently being used in our Swazi Baptist churches.  Pray for Barbara as she strives to bring this big project to a satisfying end.  Pray these materials will also be printed in book form that will be easily accessable to the Swazi Baptist churches.

Friday August 19:  Pray the King, his wives and children will have a chance to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.   Pray many will believe and lives will be changed.

Saturday August 20:  Last month the pastors of the Mafucula, Vuvulane and Luwhawhaweni Baptist Churches met with missionary Wayne Myers to discuss the organization of a North Lubumbo Baptist Association. Today (20th) congregations from these three churches are invited for a time of introduction and planning.  Pray for a good representation from the Swazi Baptist churches in the North Lubumbo area for today’s meeting.  Pray as plans continue for the organization of this new association.

Sunday August 21:  Pray for the Bible study at MaCethuka.  Weekly Bible studies for adults/youth and children were discontinued because the translators could no longer help.  Pray the Lord will provide the needed workers so the study can continue. 

Monday August 22:  SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA UNENGAGED PEOPLES:
The Republic of Togo, a small tropical nation of 6.1 million people, edges the Atlantic Ocean along the famed “Slave Coast,” which derived its name from the 16th to 18th century slave traders raiding Togo’s capital region for slaves.  Togo has approximately 48 people groups  with many unevangelized peoples scattered over Togo.  Among them are the Bago, Bijobi, Bisa, Dompago, Fulfulde, Hausa, Lama, Mamprusi, Mossi, Ntrubo, Toussian, and Waama.  Pray God will endow the leaders of the Togo Baptist Convention with faith, wisdom, direction, godly character, and His Spirit in fullness and power and enable them to “cast a vision” for all the pastors and church leaders in evangelism, discipleship and holistic ministries.

Tuesday August 23:  What was the Southern Baptist Convention’s first foreign mission field and who was the first foreign missionary?  China; S.C. Clopton was appointed to that country in 1845). Missionary Clopton’s ministry was before the establishment of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in 1888. Present day missionaries appreciate the financial support of the Southern Baptist churches.  Thank you for contributing to the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  Pray the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to this annual offering will continue.  Pray the Lord will be glorified as planning begins and goals are set!

Wednesday August 24:  Pray for Polly Trice (Monica Allen’s mother) today on her birthday.  Pray her special day is fun and enjoyable. J
The Swazi Team praises the Lord for ALL the people He has sent to serve in Swaziland in few months.  God has moved all over the country in various ministries and lives are being changed for God.  Please pray God will continue to send His chosen to work among the Swazis of Swaziland.

Thursday August 25:  The theme of this year’s National Youth Camp August 25-28 is “Walking Righteously in Christ Through Faith.” The theme scripture is found in Colossians 2:6,7.  The youth are very fortunate to have missionary Steve Flippo (KwaZulu Natal Evangelism Team) as camp leader/speaker.  Every year youth from the Swazi Baptist churches come for an enjoyable time of Bible study, worship and fellowship.  Pray for the youth to come with open hearts, minds and ears to fully understand all God has to share with each of them.

Friday August 26:  As the time of Ramadan (August 1-29) comes to an end, pray that ordinary daily events will be used of God to point Muslims to Him.  With a belief in an active spirit world, Muslims are susceptible to impressions through ordinary events during the day and through dreams at night.  Pray many Muslims in Swaziland will experience a new awakening and their hearts will be aware of Jesus as the Savior of the world.

Saturday August 27:  There are several churches that have been given land for building their church structures.  Some are in the midst of planning and building while others are waiting to begin.  Pray as these congregations plan towards their building projects.  Through the use of their tithes and offerings may these new structures be completed.

Sunday August 28:  The last week of August, Lacie Allen is scheduled for her corrective ear surgery in Jo’burg.  Lacie was born with 30% hearing loss due to an extra bone near her eardrum.   Pray the surgery will not be too difficult for Lacie and her recovery will be quick. Pray for the Allen family during Lacie’s convalescence.
   
Monday August 29:  Today Todd Hoskins’ parents arrive for a two week visit.  The first week will be spent in Manzini letting them see Todd and Deborah’s life and work in Swaziland.  The second week will find them at the Kruger Game Reserve. J  Pray for an enjoyable and insightful visit for Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins.  They leave for the states on the 9th of September.

Tuesday August 30:  True Love Waits consultant, Kym (Pennington) Coe is scheduled to return to Swaziland October 16-30 for training and follow-up.  Pray for Kym as she prepares to come and for the Swazi Team as they prepare for her time of ministry.

Wednesday August 31:  I never knew I could pray in a shop or on the bus.  I never knew I didn’t have to close my eyes or bow my head.  I didn’t know I could pray for people I never knew.  These are just a few of the statements heard by a volunteer team that came to teach the Swazis the importance of a personal prayer life and prayer walking.  So many Swazis do not know what it means to pray outside the church and have a personal prayer life.  While prayer walking one afternoon, a group of ladies asked the prayer walkers who visited them if they had to stop working in their gardens and go inside for prayer.  The prayer walkers told then, “No, we can pray for you right here.”  Pray the Swazi people will understand the true meaning of prayer and the need for a personal prayer life.  Pray each Swazi Baptist church will make prayer walking a part of the church’s ministry

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

We are sending our weekly prayer letter very early this week because we leave early tomorrow for a wonderful week in the Kruger National Game Reserve.  We are joining Jimmy and Karen Moore (pastor of the First Baptist Church, Washington, NC) for a week of relaxation, enjoying God’s wonderful creation and fellowshipping together.  We will return to Swaziland next Tuesday the 26th of July.   Pray we will have a most wonderful week admiring and seeing animals, birds and anything else of interest!!

Saturday night we celebrated with the Masukus (pastor of Mafucula Baptist), Brandi, Kim, Corine, Jimmy and Karen Moore on Kim and Brandi’s completed stay on the homestead.  The Masukus were such wonderful host and hostess to Kim and Brandi and we wanted to say “thank you” in a very special way.  They were dedicated to their task and were quite impressed with the girls playing with the children, leading Bible studies, sharing the True Love Waits message and even taking care of the little shop that is income for the Masukus.   During this special dinner they remarked, “We will miss our children.”
    
It is a custom in Swaziland for non-Swazis to take the name of the first homestead in which they stay or were fed.  Our first homestead meal was hosted by our language teacher and she gave us Swazi names and surnames.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember my first name but our surname is Nyawo.  Brandi’s Swazi name is Phili (p-lee) Masuku and Kim’s is Nomsa Masuku. 
Pray for Kim (Nomsa) and Brandi (Phili) as they continue with the ministry of sharing the True Love Waits message in schools and churches.  Pray for a change of attitudes and lifestyles among our Swazi youth.

---July 27-28 the Swazi team will meet with the six summer missionaries for a time of debriefing on their two months of True Love Waits ministry in Swaziland. This group has shared the True Love Waits presentation many times, visited homesteads, scheduled Bible studies with all age groups and have been used of the Lord.  Pray Tiffany, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Adam, Tori and REH will remember their time in Swaziland as one full of wonderful blessings, new relationships and a sense of accomplishing the task the Lord set before them.  Pray the message of True Love Waits and God’s plan for students’ lives will continue to spread even after these missionaries have left.

---July 31st is the scheduled date for the “SPECIAL DO”  for Nkosingiphile Dlamini at the Thunzini Baptist ChurchSwazi Baptist churches have been invited to join in saying thank you and best wishes to Pastor Dlamini who has been accepted to study at a teacher’s college in Manzini.  Pray for this very special event in the life of the Thunzini Baptist Church as well as Nkosingiphile Dlamini.  Pray for the Thunzini Baptist Church during this time of change and transition.  Pray leaders within the church will be able to lead the church in the pastor’s absence.  Wayne and I will spend the night at the Phumula Guesthouse  in Nhlangano on Saturday (30th) and attend this special service for Nkosingiphile.  We will return to Tshaneni Sunday afternoon.
Nkosingiphile Trivia:  (I debated on whether to share this story but decided I would. J)  When helping with a revival service at the Mgamudze Baptist Church led by a volunteer team, Nkosingiphile and a few other youth helpers were staying at the church.  There are no indoor toilets in Swazi churches and in some cases no outdoor toilets.  During the night Nkosingiphile needed to relieve himself so he went outside (in the dark).  He wasn’t gone very long and upon return to the church told one of the guys rather excitedly that he thought he had met the Lord when he almost sat down on a Puff Adder (very poisonous) snake!!  (Ouch!!) We are so glad he didn’t and was able to continue serving the Lord for many years throughout Swaziland!!

---Please pray for Steve Allen as he has his gallbladder removed today.  Pray the surgery will not be too painful and Steve will have a very speedy recovery.  The Allens are scheduled to return to Mbabane tomorrow (Tuesday).
---Deborah Hoskins will have minor foot surgery in Johannesburg Wednesday (20th).  The Hoskins will leave tomorrow for Jo’burg.  Please pray for safe travel and the operation will go well.
---Continue to pray for Simphiwe Mavuso, recovering from a C-section and the birth of her daughter.

--August 10-18 a 16-member volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church (Marshville, NC) lead by Bert and Lisa Warren will minister in the northeast section of SwazilandThe Warrens were part of the Swazi Team in 2008-2009.  Ministries include prayer walking, hut-to-hut visitation, ladies and youth retreats, children’s Bible study, AIDS orphan ministry and other spirit-led ministries.  Pray for Bert, Lisa, Matthew, Zach, Landon, Keith, Jen, Nathan, Lisa, Harley, Kimberly, Brooke, Kathy, Kara, Amanda and Jenna as they prepare to work with the Swazi people.

 AUGUST 1-29 IS RAMADAN a time when Muslims all over the world fast and pray for themselves.  Christians do not join in celebrating Ramadan, but lift up their voices in prayer during this time when Muslim hearts are especially tender to spiritual things.  Pray during Ramadan Muslims in Swaziland will sense the presence of the true Savior of the World.

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

The weather was scheduled to be cool and rainy on Tuesday but the Lord had other plans.  When the summer missionaries and the Hoskins arrived to visit us on the farm for their scheduled cook-out, it was sunny and very warm.  It was a beautiful day for a very nice and festive time.  On Monday we were quite concerned when Todd sent an SMS to Wayne that the brakes on his truck needed urgent repair.  The plan was for him to be the first in line at the mechanics on Tuesday morning and hopefully in two hours the truck would be fixed and the group could travel to Tshaneni.  BUT, that was a dream and not reality!!  After getting an assessment, Todd was told to come back at 4:00pm and his truck should be finished. L  Being the most resourceful missionary ever, Todd just decided to hop on a bus to Mbabane, make his way to the mission house and procure the mission truck stored there.  By 2:00pm everyone had arrived and ready to dig into the grilled chicken, rice, baked beans, vegetable casserole and red velvet cake!  Oh, and plenty of sweet tea!!! J

The summer missionaries are in their last two weeks of their time in Swaziland.  They have shared the True Love Waits presentation many times with many signing the commitment cards to stay pure until marriage.  They have visited in the homesteads, scheduled Bible studies with all age groups in the churches and have been used of the Lord.  We pray when they return to the states on the 29th of July, they would have experienced the mighty presence of the Lord in their lives.  Please continue to pray for REH, Jonathon, Adam, Tiffany, Elizabeth and Tori as they complete their time in Swaziland.  Pray they will continue to be blessed with each encounter that comes their way.

We are very happy to hear many Swazi youth have signed the commitment cards.  The group experienced a warm reception at most of the schools in which they shared the message. Many teachers agreed with their message and were glad they had come to share.  Living in a culture that promotes a non-Christian way of living, how will our youth be able to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and will prolong their lives?  Please pray for a change in attitudes and lifestyles among our Swazi youth.  Pray the True Love Waits message will continue to be shared and accepted by many throughout Swaziland.

Brandi and Kim (Hands On missionaries) will finish their homestead stay this weekend and will move back to stay with Corine (our American friend and fellow missionary) in Tshaneni.  It has been an experience for the duo and one they probably won’t forget for a while.  We are very thankful for the Masuku family that hosted Kim and Brandi and gave them their Swazi names.  Pray for Kim and Brandi as they return to Tshaneni to begin their ministry of spreading the True Love Waits message. The girls will continue to meet once a week with their language/culture tutor.

 July 31ST is the scheduled date for the “SPECIAL DO” for Nkosingiphile Dlamini at the Thunzini Baptist Church.   Swazi Baptist churches have been invited to join in saying thank you and best wishes to Pastor Dlamini who has been accepted to study at a teacher’s college in Manzini. Pray for this very special event in the life of the Thunzini Baptist Church as well as Nkosingiphile Dlamini. 
Pray for the Thunzini Baptist Church during this time of change and transition.  Pray leaders within the church will be able to lead the church in the pastor’s absence. 
Nkosingiphile Trivia:  Several years ago a partial eclipse of the sun was scheduled for 3:00 pm one afternoon.  Everyone was talking about it but when it was mentioned to Nkosingphile his response was, “I don’t believe that will happen.”  We assured him it would even though he continued to disagree.  Right before the special event the local newspapers included 3-D sunglasses in the paper.  We all took turns using the glasses to view the eclipse.  At first Nkosingiphile did not want to do so but soon joined in and took his turn.  Suddenly, he was able to see the partial eclipse and had to admit, “Hey this really does happen.”  He enjoyed a VERY LONG TIME of looking through the glasses at the sun.  After all, seeing is believing!!

--Thank you for praying for Simphiwe Mavuso.  Simphiwe was released from the Good Shepherd Hospital (Stiteki) yesterday.  Simphiwe says “I am healing everyday.  The baby is doing fine.”  Continue to pray for her recovery from the C-section and the birth of her daughter.

--Monday July 18th, Steve Allen is scheduled to have his gallbladder removed in Nelspruit, South Africa.  He will stay overnight and be discharged on Tuesday.  Pray the surgery will not be too painful and Steve will have a speedy recovery.

--Deborah Hoskins is having minor foot surgery in Johannesburg on the 20th of July.  Please pray the operation will go well.


COMPUTER UPDATE:
Oh well, what can I say????  Wayne spoke to a very frustrated owner of the computer store yesterday.  Yes, he does have the computer but is frustrated because at first he thought there were just a few screws missing, but after close inspection there seems to be parts missing as well.  Evidently the technician took the computer apart but couldn’t put it back together again!!  Can you believe that?  At the writing of this prayer letter, the owner is searching throughout Swaziland for parts to replace the missing ones in the computer.  Pray the parts will soon be found and I will be reunited with my long lost computer.  It is has been so long I almost forget what my computer looks like. L

--July 19-26 we will be vacationing at the Kruger Game Reserve!!  Pray for a very fun, relaxing and restful time as we look for birds, animals and anything else we can see!!

--August 10-18 a 16-member volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church (Marshville, NC) lead by Bert and Lisa Warren will minister in the northeast section of SwazilandThe Warrens were part of the Swazi Team in 2008-2009.  Ministries include prayer walking, hut-to-hut visitation, ladies and youth retreats, children’s Bible study, AIDS orphan ministry and other spirit-led ministries.  Pray for Bert, Lisa, Matthew, Zach, Landon, Keith, Jen, Nathan, Lisa, Harley, Kimberly, Brooke, Kathy, Kara, Amanda and Jenna as they prepare to work with the Swazi people.

IMB OFFICE OF PRAYER STRATEGY invites you to pray for these events:
--National Acteens Convention, July 13-16 in Orlando, Fla.
--Mission Expo, July 14-16 in Memphis, Tenn.
--REAP South Training, July 19-22, East Point, GA
--Field Personnel Orientation 3, July 25-September 21, Rockville, Va.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

The Swazi Team enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July celebration at the home of the Allens in Mbabane.  The weather was in no way agreeable but all the guests enjoyed a time of food, fellowship and fun inside instead of a traditional American outdoor gathering.  Heather, Sienna, Kim and Brandi (Hands On missionaries) were able to join us as well as Jimmy and Karen Moore.  Jimmy, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Washington, NC is taking a Sabbatical in Swaziland until the end of this month.  The Moores have also been volunteers to Swaziland on more than one occasion and are great friends to us and the Swazi Team. We praise the Lord for such a wonderful time with friends on this special day.

Winter has definitely arrived in Swaziland.  Living in Tshaneni affords us warmer and nicer temperatures than in Nhlangano or Mbabane but, our homes are still hard to keep warm even when the temps outside are very pleasant.  The upcoming weekly forecasts calls for even cooler temperatures than we are now experiencing.  This means digging around for more layers of clothing and more blankets on the beds!!  But, the promise of spring is just around the corner!!  This week I have seen more variety of birds and some are in pairs!! 

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
--(July 9th) the Shiselweni Association meets at the Velebantfu Baptist Church.  Continue to pray for this association that strives to meet together for encouragement and unity.
Major planning will take place for the “SPECIAL DO” (July 30-31) for Nkosingiphile Dlamini.  Pastor Dlamine was recently accepted to a teacher training college in Manzini.  He has been a strong committed Christian leader in the Shiselweni region and pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church.  Pray for the planning of this special event for Nkosingiphile and the churches of the Shiselweni region.
Nkosingiphile Trivia:  Nkosingiphile came to Nhlangano in 1997 and began working with us.  One of the new things taught to him was the American way of eating hot dogs.  After showing and explaining how we eat them, Nkosingiphile absorbed and adjusted this knowledge to fit his lifestyle.  In one hand he held his mustard sandwich and in the other hand his hotdog, taking turns biting from the sandwich and then the hotdog.  We thought this was rather funny and so did the other Swazis eating with us!!

--July 11-12 is the third “Get Away” for the six summer missionaries hosted by Todd and Deborah Hoskins.  These scheduled “Get Aways” allow a touch of civilization to the missionaries who are currently staying in areas where such luxuries as electricity and clean flowing drinking water are limited.  Tuesday (the 12th) the group is scheduled to come to the Myers’ home for lunch.  We may not be doing the scheduled cook-out but we will have plenty of food to eat and fellowship to enjoy. Pray each will have a great time of fun and fellowship during this “Get Away”.  Please pray they will be energized and able to have a strong finish to their ministry in Swaziland.  July 27-28 will be a time of debriefing for their two month True Love Waits ministry in Swaziland.

--This week Brandi and Kim will begin their last week of their homestead stay in Mafucula.  Last week their host family (the Masukus) gave them an assignment of catching a chicken and killing it for supper.  Well, most of us would have trouble with such an assignment and so did Kim and Brandi.  With the help of Bheki, their language tutor who had no trouble procuring the chicken and killing it, the assignment was completed.  Pray for Brandi and Kim as learning continues for the next week. 

-August 10-18 a 16-member volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church (Marshville, NC) lead by Bert and Lisa Warren will minister in the northeast section of Swaziland.  The Warrens were part of the Swazi Team in 2008-2009.  Ministries include prayer walking, hut-to-hut visitation, ladies and youth retreats, children’s Bible study, AIDS orphan ministery and other spirit led ministries.  Pray for Bert, Lisa, Matthew, Zach, Landon, Keith, Jen, Nathan, Lisa, Harley, Kimberly, Brooke, Kathy, Kara, Amanda and Jenna as they prepare to work with the Swazi people. 

--Please pray for Simphiwe Mavuso.  Simphiwe is expecting her third child (sometime in July) and experiencing serious problems with her blood pressure.  She is scheduled to return to the hospital in Siteki Tuesday (12th of July).  Pray for a healthy delivery for baby daughter and mother.

AIDS UPDATE:
According to the Time Magazine: 60,000 is the approximate number of people who may die when hospitals run out of antiretroviral AIDS drugs in two months.   Pray this crucial development in Swaziland will be solved before many people die.  Pray the ARVs will be available to those dying of AIDS.

IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--A group of statesiding missionaries will be at the International Learning Center July 11-16 for the second Stateside Assignment Conference of the summer.  Please lift up this conference and its participants in prayer.

--IMB’s Overseas Global Strategists will be convening July 11-15 for an extremely important global strategy meeting: “Seize the Day Conference.”  This gathering of global strategists has been prompted by recent events in the Middle East and Northern Africa, as well as in Japan.  Please ask God to direct their thoughts and discussions so that the nations concerned will be dramatically impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I think there was a death here on the farm last week.  I am not sure because there was no night vigil or sadness around me.  There was no way for me to know except the one who died has not been to see me since Monday.  I saw her on Sunday and Monday and she did not look well.  I continued to put her food out as I always did but she has not come to eat it.  I guess you know by now, I am talking about my neighbor, Sadie (a little dog).  She was not mine so I couldn’t do much to help and even though there doesn’t seem many who are saddened by her absence, I am.  She was my friend and I will miss her.

Hoskins July Update

Happy 4th of July!
Last month was very eventful for our team here in Swaziland.  Todd and I started out by attending the National Youth Leaders Retreat.  Along with the missionaries, Swazi youth leaders from the Baptist churches around the country get together for a weekend of fellowship, worship, and planning for the year’s big youth camp in August.

The next week, Todd attended the first-ever South Coast Bible School event that was held in Swaziland.  The school, established as a partnership between an institution in South Africa and the largest Baptist Church we work with in the country, marks a great step for theological education in Swaziland! Todd continues to work on materials that will support this school and other initiatives like it.

For the months of June and July, we have ten short-term missionaries in the country (University students from the US), who are here with the specific task of sharing the message of True Love Waits in schools. Eight of these students spent several nights at our home in Manzini this month, and enjoyed Deborah’s cooking and Todd’s secret obsession of being a Tourist Guide.  The founder of True Love Waits International was in Swaziland for a few days during this time to see firsthand the work these summer missionaries are doing.  We organized a get-together for those who are involved in True Love Waits across the country and about forty people attended: representing all four regions of the country.  It was wonderful to hear testimonies of the impact of the message of True Love Waits on peoples’ lives. Please pray for the summer missionaries’ endurance and that lives will be changed with the Truth found in God’s Word.

To finish off the month, 650 donated home care kits arrived in the country. These are specifically designed to comfort and care for HIV/AIDS patients, and they were donated through programs within the Southern Baptist Churches. We are so thankful to the people who donated the items for these kits.  Please pray that the churches will be wise in the distribution process and will use these as a ministry tool to those who are hurting in their communities.

Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

PRAISE THE LORD THE 648 IN-HOME HEALTH CARE KITS FINALLY ARRIVED IN MBABANE ON MONDAY!!  If you remember from our last week’s prayer letter, the kits were to arrive on Friday but that did not happen.  Then they were to arrive on Saturday (Wayne and I making a trip up to Mbabane in anticipation of the historic event) but that did not happen.  Finally, after much prodding and pushing, the kits arrived on Monday.  The volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, North Carolina helped unload the truck (THANK YOU TEAM!!). Because of space not all the kits arrived and are to be delivered on Tuesday.  Please pray this will happen!!!

Now that the kits have arrived, the real work begins for the Swazi Team.  Training the members of our Swazi Baptist churches on the use of these kits is needed.  Pray for the Swazi Team as we seek to train our church members on the use of these kits.  Pray many Swazis will be touched by the giving and sharing of these gifts.  Each kit is packed in a 5-gallon bucket filled with items such as multivitamins, sheets, a towel and wash cloths, soap for sensitive skin, gloves for caregivers and much more.  If your church is interested in helping to “pack a kit/bucket” please contact bgrbuckets@gobgr.org.  For more details you can also visit their website www.baptistglobalresponse.com/main/.

Since we made the special trip to Mbabane on Saturday, Wayne had to postpone his meeting with Nkosingiphile Dlamini, pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church.  Nkosingiphile was recently accepted to a teacher training college in Manzini.  This is great news for Nkosingiphile who has been a strong committed Christian pastor as well as leader of the Shiselweni Baptist Association.  Pray for the Thunzini Baptist Church during this time of change.  Pray leaders within the congregation will be able to lead the church in the pastor’s absence.  Pray for Nkosingiphile as he begins a new chapter in his life.

The Shiselweni Baptist Association is scheduled to meet on the 9th of July.  One big item of business is the planning of a “SPECIAL DO” for Nkosingiphile July 30-31.  Nkhosingiphile is well respected by all our Swazi Baptist churches and this will be a special time to say thank you and congratulations!!  Pray this Association meeting on the 9th will be well attended.  Pray for the planning of Nkosingiphile’s Special Do!!
Nkhosingiphile Trivia:  Nkhosingiphile is called “Titus” by many of the younger leaders of our Swazi Baptist churches.  What is the reason for this?  A few years ago when Nkosingiphile was saying the books of the Bible as part of his TEE (Theological Education by Extension) he left out the book of Titus.

Saturday July 2 is the scheduled EC meeting of the Swaziland Baptist Convention.  Important issues need to be discussed that include understanding of the convention’s relationship with the Council of Churches and the need to make decisions as a group (not just a few individuals).  Pray for a good time of discussion and hopefully understanding.  Pray there will be unity in tomorrow’s meeting.  Election of new officers was held in May.  Pray for these new officers as they begin serving as leaders of the convention.

Wednesday Wayne and I were able to help the Hoskins with transporting the six summer missionaries back to their “rural/bush” home.  The group finished their second “Get-Away” on Wednesday.  I had met only two of the missionaries and it was a treat to be able to meet the other four.  The group also needed to cross the border into South Africa since their 30-days had expired.  We enjoyed lunch at Pongola, South Africa and the missionaries were able to have another 30 days stamped in their passports.  Continue to pray for Tiffany, Elizabeth, Tori, REH, Jonathon and Adam as they begin their second month sharing the True Love Waits message.  Pray the Lord will bless each remaining day in Swaziland.  Their third “Get-Away” is scheduled July 11-13 and will have a cook-out at the Myers on the 12th (hopefully the weather will cooperate!).

Pray also for the four Hands On missionaries (two in Mbabane and two in Tshaneni). Brandi and Kim are currently on a homestead in Mafucula and involved in language/culture study four days a week.  Sienna and Heather are beginning to have opportunities to share the True Love Waits message in the Manzini region.  Pray for these four missionaries as they minister in Swaziland.  Pray Brandi and Kim’s experiences on the homestead will be a time of learning and developing relationships with the Swazi people.

JULY 4TH-HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!  Pray for the Swazi Team and Hands On missionaries celebrating this special holiday in Mbabane.   Advance weather forecasts say it is going to cool/cold.  Instead of celebrating at the beach or pool, the Swazi Team will celebrate around the fire place!!

Thank you for praying for our computer woes as mentioned in last week’s prayer letter.  The Lord has provided and our woes are not quite as woeful.  But, we still are dealing with my computer and whether it has “gone missing.”  Please pray this situation will reach a very friendly and adequate solution.   The owner of the shop where the computer was taken (many months ago) contacted Wayne to say he should have the computer this weekend.  But, we have heard that many times and still do not have the computer.

FROM THE IMB OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY:
--Please pray for the 174 missionary adults and 141 missionary kids (MKs) winding down their week of worship, fellowship, equipping conferences at IMB’s International Learning Center.  Please pray for them that these days together will feed these statesiding missionaries’ souls, stimulate their minds, comfort their hearts, and impact the nations.  Pray also for safe travel as they return to their stateside temporary residences.