Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

As I sit at my desk typing this prayer letter, the 2011 National Youth Camp is in progress at the Mbekelweni Lutheran High School in Manzini.  The retreat began last evening and will conclude after worship on Sunday.   Steve Flippo (IMB missionary in the KwaZulu Natal province) is leading the special worship times in the evening with Swazis leading sessions during the day.  The theme is “Walking Righteously in Christ Through Faith” with the theme scripture from Colossians 2:6, 7.  Wayne took his tent and is “roughing” it on the grounds of the school.  This is a big event for many of our youth from our Swazi Baptist churches.  Youth in this area (northwest Swaziland) are attending for the first time!!  During this retreat pray the youth will open their hearts, minds and ears to fully understand all God has to share with each of them.

In July the pastors of the Mafucula (Mountain Baptist Church), Vuvulane and Luhhwahhweni Baptist Churches met with Wayne to discuss the organization of the North Lubumbo Baptist Association.  Saturday ((20th of August) a good group of representatives from the congregations of these churches met for a time of introduction and planning.  Officers were elected.  Please pray as plans continue for the organization of this new association.
--On September 17 the Shiselweni Baptist Association is scheduled to meet at the Velebantfu Baptist Church.  Pray for a great time of fellowship as well as discussion and planning of present and future work in the Shiselweni region.

--Monday 22nd of August Wayne and I met with Bobby and JoCarol Elliott for lunch and goodbye.  The Elliotts were part of the Baptist Mission of Swaziland when we arrived in 1993.  In 1998 they moved to Nelspruit to work with Swazis in that area.  Next week they begin their final stateside assignment before retirement in October 2012 (after 25 years with IMB).  As we sat and talked it seemed so unreal that Bobby and JoCarol were preparing for their retirement.  Looking back at the Baptist Mission in the mid-90’s I became quite nostalgic.  With the return of the Elliotts to America, we are the only IMB missionary couple from that 1993-1997 Swazi Team still in Swaziland.  Over the years couples and singles have come as ISC or journeymen that are still ministering in different parts of the world.   Monica Trice Allen (ISC in Swaziland -1998-2000) returned to Swaziland in 2003 with a husband and now two children working among the Swazis in Mbabane.  So now my nostalgic thoughts look down the road to our retirement and wondering who will take us to lunch and say goodbye!  Oh well, I guess that is something I don’t need to worry about at least for a few years!!  Please remember Bobby and JoCarol as they say their final goodbyes and leave Africa (their home for 24 years).

SPECIAL SWAZI TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS:
---Todd Hoskins’ parents are scheduled to arrive on the 29th of August for a two week visit with Todd and Deborah.  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 on the 9th of September.
---If you could add to your prayer list our daughter, Lacie? She is having corrective ear surgery on Tuesday, August 30 in Johannesburg. Lacie was born with an extra bone near her ear drum and has at least 30% hearing loss in her left ear. She has learned to deal with it but now that she is in grade 1, we are seeing her struggle with little things in school. Praying for surgery to go well and for God to fully restore her hearing. She and I will spend one night in the pediatric ward and then stay at BIMS for at least one week. Our kids are on school break now so the timing is great for the surgery/recovery time.
Blessings,
Monica Allen
Swaziland  

---October 13-15 is the scheduled Swazi Baptist Ladies’ Retreat.  Guest speaker will be Monica Allen.  Pray for the planning of this very special event.  Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study.

AIDS UPDATE:
Pray for those who are being ministered to throughout Swazi Baptist churches in partnership with the Baptist Global Response (BGR).  In-Home Care Kits minister to those who are terminally ill or unable to care for themselves.  Several kits have been taken to homes to be used by the care-giver or the ill individual to help minister to their physical needs.  The gospel is also being shared with each recipient.  Pray those receiving the kits will respond to the gospel given with a physical demonstration of the love of Christ.

[Day 26] For Friday, 26th August, Ramadan 2011. Praying in Faith, Hope and Love for the Muslim World…
Tonight in mosques all over the Muslim world millions of people will be praying asking for God’s help. The so called “Night of Power” is a special night.
Muslims come to this night with several attitudes. Some want to prove their devotion to God through their prayers, even being proud of their religious accomplishments. Others, knowing in their hearts that they are incapable of really pleasing God by their own religious activity, will feel disappointed with themselves. Finally, significant numbers will be praying in desperation and are genuinely seeking help from God.
As you pray during this time, pray for issues such as Muslim leaders and governments, Muslim families and children. Pray for increased numbers of missionaries and workers, and pray for new believers (1 Timothy 2:1).
Pray for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to the many Muslims who will seek God tonight (Psalm 118:21, Acts 4:33)