September Prayer Calendar

Thursday September 1:  Todd Hoskins’ parents arrived on the 29th of August for a two week visit.  The first week is 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.

Friday September 2:  Lacie Allen underwent surgery the last week of August to correct 30% hearing loss due to an extra bone near the eardrum.  Pray Lacie’s recovery will continue to go well.  Pray for the Allen family during Lacie’s convalescence.

Saturday September 3:  Today the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets.  Pray for this group as important and controversial issues continue to be discussed. 

Sunday September 4:  In July the pastors of the Mafucula (Mountain Baptist), Vuvulane and Luhhwahhweni Baptist Churches met with missionary Wayne Myers to discuss the organization of the North Lubumbo Baptist Association.  In August representatives from these congregations met for a time of introduction and planning.  Officers were elected.  Pray as plans continue for the organization of this new association.

Monday September 5:  Pray for those who are being ministered to throughout Swazi Baptist churches in partnership with Baptist Global Response.  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 kits will respond to the gospel given with a physical demonstration of the love of Christ.

Tuesday September 6:  Ramadan (August 1-29) is over and those of the Muslim faith have returned to their normal routines.  Pray that during the time of spiritual seeking and fasting hearts were open to hearing the voice of the Lord.  Pray many will begin seeking to know the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Wednesday September 7:  Nathan Allen begins another term of school today.  Instead of only two days a week Nathan will now be attending every morning. He enjoys being with other children his age.  Pray Nathan will adjust easily to his new school schedule.

Thursday September 8:  Continue to pray for the AIDS and True Love Waits ministries of the four “Hands On” missionaries, Sienna, Kim, Heather and Brandi. Pray Swazis will be available to assist with the ministry.  Pray each missionary will experience satisfying results from the work and living in Swaziland.

Friday September 9:  Pray for those who recently accepted the Lord through revival services, evangelistic homestead visitation, gospel presentations at weekly Bible study groups in the Hhohho and Manzini regions. Rejoice in the many gospel seeds that were planted by the volunteer mission teams this winter.  Pray these seeds will also bear spiritual harvest in the future.

Saturday September 10:  Pray as the potential for beginning Sunday morning worship services in the new work area of Ngowane (Hhohho region) is contemplated.  Several of those attending the weekly Bible study group have requested Sunday services.  Steve Allen tries to rotate among the Baptist churches in his ministry area each Sunday particularly those without pastors.  Beginning Sunday services in a new location would limit his ability to get to the other churches as often.

Sunday September 11:  The pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) is attending a teacher training college in Manzini.  He is unsure how often he will be able to return to Thunzini for Sunday worship.  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.

Monday September 12:  Lacie Allen begins another term of school today.  Pray Lacie will do well with her studies this year as well as make great friendships.  Praise the Lord that she is able to attend a great school not far from her house in Mbabane.

Tuesday September 13:  Pray for Glenda Allen (Steve Allen’s mother) today on her birthday!! J
Pray for the Bible study at MaCethuka.  Weekly Bible studies for adult/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.

Wednesday September 14:  October 13-15, is the scheduled Swazi Baptist Ladies’ Retreat at the Manzini Baptist Church.  Guest speaker is missionary 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.

Thursday September 15:  Thank you for all the prayers for our 2011 National Youth Camp last month.  We praise God for ALL the youth that were able to be at the camp.  Pray the youth will continue to seek God first in all things and grow in their walk with Him.

Friday September 16:  Continue to pray the strongholds that keep the King of Swaziland, his wives and children from accepting Jesus as Savior will be broken.

Saturday September 17:  Today the Shiselweni Baptist Association meets as the Velebantfu Baptist Church.  Pray for a great time of fellowship as well as discussion and planning of present and future work.

Sunday September 18:  Pray Swazi Baptist pastors and laymen will see the need to start new groups/churches so many Swazis will came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Pray barriers will be overcome and more Swazi Baptist churches will be started.

Monday September 19:  Winter is over as well as the dry season in Swaziland.  Swazis are beginning to look forward to the time when rain will refresh the earth and crops can be planted with the hope of a plentiful year.  Pray this year will be a year of abundance.

Tuesday September 20:  One Sunday in April a group from the Vuvulane Baptist Church visited a very sick girl after worship.  Pray was requested for this one who had just finished her high school education and showed signs of AIDS.  In August the girl died.  She was so young and her life was taken away before she really had a chance to live.  This is becoming the norm among our youth in Swaziland.  Pray our Swazi Baptist churches will become burdened concerning the spread of AIDS in communities, schools, and among friends and families.  Pray each pastor will lead in teaching the congregation the importance of remaining spiritually pure and true to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wednesday September 21:   What are the two central objectives of IMB missionary labors? Evangelism and church development.
Without support missionaries could not be sent to reach a lost and dying world.  Present day missionaries appreciate the prayer and 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.

Thursday September 22:  Pray for protection for girls living in situations that are not safe and lead to sexual abuse and possible death.  Pray the Swazi government will take notice of the plight of women and children and will seek to pass laws that protect them.  Pray for a safer place to live for children that will allow them to have a future.

Friday September 23:  SUB-SAHAREN AFRICA PEOPLES:  Many of you have been watching the devastating effects of the famine that has hit East Africa.  Those more severely hit by this famine are in the northern part of the country and include innumerable migrants who are flowing into Kenya in search of food and life.  Please pray for your IMB missionaries as they seek to determine where the greatest needs are and how we can reach out to those who are literally dying and not only offer them food for life physically, but also have the wisdom to know how to point them to the external life God has provided for them.  Please pray for safety in travels and hearts to hear God’s will and plan for this time.

Saturday September 24:  Pray the Lord will be able to draw strong spiritual leaders from the congregations of the Swazi Baptist churches.  Pray many Swazis will truly understand what it means to be a Christian.

Sunday September 25:  Pray for Todd Hoskins today on his birthday!! J
Pray the Lord will burden the hearts of the Swazi church leaders to develop strong prayer relationships with Him.  Pray prayer will be an important ministry in every Swazi Baptist church.

Monday September 26: Towards the end of the funeral, people proceeded to walk in a single file and wash their hands in a bow set beside the coffin.  When asked, “Why did you wash your hands in the bowl?” only one person could give an explanation.  The practice indicates the person washing the hands is not guilty of any action of the deceased that may offend the ancestors.  Most who participated in the act of washing their hands frankly said they didn’t know why they did it, except it was always done at funerals.  Pray the Swazi Christians will understand the customs and traditions that are a normal part of life are not always acceptable to the Lord.  Pray new Christian Swazis will give their lives in obedience to the Lord and His ways.

Tuesday September 27:  Today Todd, Steve and Wayne will meet in Manzini to review the Biblical Education Program (BEP) compiled by Todd to help Swazi Baptist churches disciple their people, train their people to teach Bible studies and Sunday school and to encourage spiritual growth.  Pray as Todd, Steve and Wayne review the materials for this program.  Pray many Swazi Baptists will be able to participate in BEP.

Wednesday September 28:  Pray for the Swazi Team meeting today in Mbabane.  It has been quite a while since the Team has gathered together to praise the Lord and seek His help and guidance for present and future ministries.

Thursday September 29:  True Love Waits International consultant Kym (Pennington) Coe is scheduled to minister in Swaziland September 30-October 14.  Kym will continue with training and follow-up from previous ministry visits.  Pray Kym’s time in Swaziland will be very fruitful in training True Love Waits presenters.

Friday September 30:  September 30-October 2 Deborah (Hoskins), Sienna, Heather, and Monica (Allen) are attending a women’s missionary retreat in White River, South Africa with approximately 35 missionary ladies from various mission organizations in Swaziland.  Pray for rest and rejuvenation for all these ladies during this time away from their ministry and homes.  Pray God will speak in new and perfect ways for everyone.