Myers Weekly Prayer Letter

For some who attended this was their first Swazi Baptist Ladies’ Retreat at the Manzini Baptist Church (October 13-15).  For others it was their second or third or even more times of coming to fellowship with ladies from Swazi Baptist churches, study God’s Word, sing His wonderful praises and enjoy Swazi cuisine.  Missionary Monica Allen did a great job of leading three sessions on the topic “God, our Father”.  At the closing of Friday night’s session with broken hearts and great needs, the ladies spent time confessing their sins and seeking the Lord’s help.  What a blessing to experience the strong presence of the Lord.  What a blessing to be able to be a part of an event that is very special to these ladies.  Pray for our Swazi Baptist ladies as many daily struggle with cultural issues, a husband with more than one wife, responsibility for family needs and a desire to grow spiritually.

-One attendant fell and broke her ankle the first night.  Pray as she recovers from her injury.

--Wayne spent a busy week traveling to the Phuzumoya Baptist Church and teaching at the South Coast Bible School.  Approximately 20 students attended from our Swazi Baptist churches and the communities around Phuzumoya.  He felt it was a good experience and as always enjoyed being with “the guys”.  Pray the attendees were richly blessed through their studies last week.  Pray as planning begins for 2012 (four sessions) South Coast Bible School.

--Tomorrow the Phuzumoya Baptist Church is hosting the celebration of  Mandla Sigwane (pastor for the church) and Philisiwe Sigwane’s 12th wedding anniversary. What a special event and witness for this couple. Swazis live in a polygamous society and do not understand what God expects of marriage and the marriage relationship.  Pray this event will be a wonderful witness to the Phuzumoya community.  Pray for strong Swazi Christian marriages.

--October 17-26, missionary Steve Allen is in the states in order to renew his US drivers’ license (North Carolina).  Steve will also visit with family and friends.  Pray for Monica, Lacie and Nathan as they remain in Swaziland.  Pray for Steve’s safe travels and great times with family.

“HANDS ON” UPDATE:
In June four “Hands On” missionaries became a part of the Swazi Team.  Their basic ministry was sharing of the True Love Waits message but involvement in other AIDS ministries was also encouraged.  Heather and Sienna moved into the mission house beside the Allens in the capital city of Mbabane.  Kim and Brandi moved in with an American friend, Corine in the small rural bush town of Tshaneni.  The Swazi Team has enjoyed these missionaries and will be sad when their time is completed the first of December.    Please continue to pray for the ministries of these missionaries and their remaining time in Swaziland. 
v  Please especially pray for Heather Palmer.  Her “adopted” grandmother passed away.  They were very close.  Please pray as she deals with the sadness of this loss away from her family.
v  November 2-4 the group will enjoy a restful and exciting time at the Kruger National Game Reserve. Pray for a wonderful time and wonderful sightings of animals and birds!!
v  November 5-November 13, an IMB team (based in Jo’burg) that includes a photographer/graph designer, journalist and videographer will be in Swaziland to spend time with the four missionaries. Stories from this visit will appear on AfricaStories.org the first appearing on the 30th of November.  Pray for this group’s visit with the “Hands On” missionaries.  May wonderful blessings occur during the making of these stories.

Sunday while attending worship at Vuvulane (church meets in a Swazi home) a most unusual happening occurred.  I was sitting on the floor in front of the door in order to feel the fresh air that occasionally blew past me.  From the corner of my eye I noticed this well-fed hen passing the door.  She was not passing door has any ordinary chicken would do.   She passed by the door as though she had a plan!!  At first she stopped at the door and look around at everyone in the room.  It was as though she knew someone in the group.  She did this several times and each time Kim (our urbanized “Hands On” missionary who was sitting on a bench by the door) would “shoo” her away.  This continued for at least 10-15 minutes.  It  was while our prayers to the Lord were being prayed that Kim’s friend the chicken became very bold.  When we opened our eyes, there she was perched on the bench right beside Kim.  I couldn’t help but give a chuckle.  With my chuckle though, the hostess of the church told one of the children to “get the chicken out of the room”.  This she did.  (We were told the chicken was looking for a place to lay her eggs.) I was sorry Kim’s friend was banned from the room.  I think I would have liked to see her lay an egg!!

**October 9th was World Hunger Day!!  But you can give to promote World Hunger Fund any time of the year.  One hundred percent of every dollar given to the World Hunger Fund is used to help hungry people.  Please consider making a donation to this vital fund or highlighting the need in your church.  http://www.gobgr.org/

The missions movement in America is said to have begun in 1806 in a haystack.  Five students from Williams College, a Congregationalist school in Williamstown, Massachusetts, were caught in a rainstorm.  Taking refuge under a convenient haystack, they used the time to pray for spiritual awakening of the students and for the lost of the world.
Robert Morrison was the first Protestant missionary to go to China.  He reached Macao in 1807 and made an important contribution in his translation of scriptures.   (From the book, The Life That Prays by Minette Drumwright.)
Your church’s involvement in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides for your IMB missionaries’ day-to-day needs.  Because you give sacrificially, your missionaries can spend their time reaching lost people instead of raising support.  The offering comprises 53 percent of the IMB’s total income, and every penny goes to missionaries and their ministries.  Please support and give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.