Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

It is a very warm day in Tshaneni.  Our winter is now fading and spring/summer are making an appearance.  I must say I am quite glad that the warmth is here since our homes do not have central heating.  No more extremely cold mornings, no more chllly evenings, no more three layers or more of clothing, winter has ended.  With the appearance of spring comes the hope of  a good season of rain so crops and gardens can be planted.  The rain also refreshes the earth after months of a dry season with no significant moisture.  Spring brings hope and promise. J  Pray this year will be a year of abundance for all the Swazi people.  Pray the rains will not be violent but will be just what is needed to produce food for everyone.

We ask that you pray for those who sustained significant damage due to Hurricane Irene last week.  A friend from Washington, NC sent word of the devastation the town suffered.  Homes were without power for 4-5 days and some still do not have power.  Flooding was recorded.  Pray as homes are repaired and a return to the routines of life.  Pray for those who suffered the loss of a loved one due to Irene.

UPDATE ON LACIE ALLEN’S SURGERY:
We wanted to let you know that Lacie did great with her surgery and we are now back at the guest house in Johannesburg. Our family will be staying here until September 7. Her doctor will see her again next Tuesday afternoon. It turned out that he did not remove the bone but rather fixed a hole in her eardrum and a couple other things. Once he was inside her ear, he realized that the bone did not need to be removed. The surgery lasted about 2.5 hours and the doctor was very pleased with everything. It probably is going to be too soon to do a hearing test next week because her ear might still be swollen. If not, we will do a hearing test sometime within a month.  Pray Lacie’s recovery will be quick and complete!!  Pray with the surgery, she will be able to hear 100% in both ears!!

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:
Tomorrow (Saturday) the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets.  On the agenda is the discussion of how the convention and the Swazi Team should work together.  There is not a consensus among the group on how this should be accomplished.  Pray those attending tomorrow’s meeting will come with an open mind and desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries.  May the Lord be glorified in all that is said and done!!

-Continue to pray for Brandi and Kim as the Lord leads them to AIDS related ministries and opportunities to present the True Love Waits message.  Wednesday Brandi and Kim had the wonderful opportunity of assisting one of the rural clinics with dispensing of the antiretroviral drugs to AIDS sufferers.  Scheduling True Love Waits presentations will begin when schools open for their third term on the 12th of September.

EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER:
-Todd, Deborah and Todd’s parents will spend this week at the Kruger National Game Reserve.  Pray for a wonderful and enjoyable time.  Pray for the Hoskins as they depart on the 9th of September for the states.
-September 27, Todd, Steve and Wayne will meet in Manzini to review the Biblical Education Program (BEP) complied 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.
-The Swazi Team meeting in Mbabane is scheduled for the 28th.  It has been quite a while since the Team has gathered to praise the Lord and seek His help and guidance for present and future ministries.  Pray for this special time.
-October 2-12, Kym Coe True Love Waits International consultant will continue with training and follow-up from her previous ministry visit to Swaziland.  Pray Kym’s time in Swaziland will be very fruitful in training True Love Waits presenters.
-October 13-15 is the annual National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat.  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. Pray for Monica as she prepares the material for her sessions.

FROM THE IMB GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY OFFICE:
-As you intercede for IMB concerns today, please lift up the 147 missionary adults and 52 missionary kids (MKs) who will be completing their eight-week pre-field departure orientation on September 21.  This week they are involved in security training.  This can be a very stressful time for many of the missionaries who will be moving to high-risk areas following their orientation.  Please pray that God will bless them  with an overwhelming sense of His presence and peace.
-The first of four “Embrace Equipping Conferences” is scheduled for September 7 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia.  Conferees will discover the barriers that have prevented the more than 3,000 unengaged unreached people groups from being engaged by the Gospel. In addition, they will learn effective strategies and methods to overcome these barriers.  Ask God to bless every aspect of this conference.  May the number of unengaged peoples be significantly reduced as the result of this event.