What a wonderful week of ministry with the 16-member volunteer team from the Euto Baptist Church in Marshville, NC. (The group left last night for the states.) Much of the team’s time was spent in hut-to-hut visitation and ministries as well as visits to the Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki, a ladies and youth retreat, an all-day children’s Bible study (with over 100 children) and Sunday worship. The group experienced different emotions as they visited Swazi homes with children barely clothed and without shoes in very cool temperatures, children in a children’s ward at the hospital, some homes with much while others had very little with the look of extreme poverty. We appreciate the team’s willingness to do whatever no matter how uncomfortable it may have been. Pray for follow-up in some of the areas with no evangelical witness. May the Lord provide the Swazi workers for this harvest field.
The team brought 1700 scripture dolls made by individuals and churches throughout the USA. These were distributed to homes visited, the hospital, children attending the children’s Bible study, during the youth and ladies’ retreats, and Sunday worship. The dolls represented a touch of caring and giving in a Christ like spirit to many hurting and needy people. This ministry will continue since the team left the remaining dolls with us. Pray for this ministry as it touches the lives of many Swazis.
One little girl caught my attention during the ladies’ retreat. She stayed with her mother, sleeping most of the time. She was very small in stature and when held was very light, almost weightless. She had the look of an adult in a child’s body. I had seen that look before when a mother brought her baby to my house after visiting the Nhlangano clinic. The mother admitted to me that there was nothing that could be done for her baby since she was HIV positive. She died a few weeks later. In my heart I hope this is not the case of this one with the big eyes that looked sad and lonely. There are many like her in Swaziland. Pray for the children in Swaziland touched by the AIDS pandemic. Many will live short lives due to the illness attacking their bodies. I pray this one will be able to live a long and fruitful life.
--Last month the pastors of the Mountain (Mafucula), Vuvulane and Luhhwahhweni Baptist Churches met with Wayne to discuss the organization of the North Lubumbo Baptist Association. Tomorrow (20th of August) 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 areas for this meeting. Pray as plans continue for the organization of this new association.
***The Lubumbo region is divided into two groups, North Lubumbo and South Lubumbo due to the distant between the churches in the northern and southern sections of the region. There is a South Lubumbo Association.
---August 25-28 is the National Youth Camp at the Mbekelweni Lutheran High School. The theme is “Walking Righteously in Christ Through Faith” with the scripture from Colossians 2:6, 7. Camp speaker is missionary Steve Flippo. This is a big event for many of our Swazi Baptist youth. Pray the youth will come with open hearts, minds and ears to fully understand all God has to share with each of them.
Life is full of mysteries….. For the past two years Wayne and I have been perplexed by the correct spelling of one of our churches. Since there are no signs in the community to show us the correct spelling we have had to seek information from other sources. Unfortunately, those sources have all given us different spellings. It has truly been a trial to find the correct spelling of this small church with a very big name but I think we have finally done it!!! So here it is….Luhhwahhweni!!! Now, if I can only learn to say it!!!
SWAZI TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS:
--The last week of August (after the youth camp), Lacie Allen is scheduled for 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.
---August 29 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 National Game Reserve. Pray for an enjoyable and insightful visit for Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins. They leave for the states on the 9th of September.
RAMADAN AUGUST 1-29: As the time of Ramadan 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.
Dear Family and Friends,
This month of August I would like to ask you to be in prayer about a few specific things:
1- The famine that has hit Eastern Africa. Pray for the Lord to be glorified through this struggle. Pray for the Baptist Global Response teams as they seek to help.
2- Pray for Believers in this area to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to share the love of Christ in all they say and do.
3- Pray for those who don't have a relationship with the Lord. May they hunger for Him.
3- Pray for the Baptist Global Response World Hunger Fund as the funding is in a red alert state. Please go to http://www.gobgr.org/ to read more and/or to contribute.
Thank you for your prayers!
Krisann Pease
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