tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89910459730046456352024-02-06T23:40:24.541-08:00Swazi Prayer BytesCome join us in praying and praising God for what HE is doing in and through the Kingdom of Swaziland!Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-19796406681461722352012-03-19T02:30:00.001-07:002012-03-19T02:30:38.775-07:00January Prayer Calendar<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday January 1: </span></b><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 8pt;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!!<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">December 29-January 9 Deborah Hoskins’ family (Yawn Family) are visiting Todd and Deborah in Manzini. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for safety during their travels and an enjoyable stay in Swaziland. </span></b>They will be helping with ministry during their time with the Hoskins.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monday January 2: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Today Todd and Deborah Hoskins will conduct a training on how to use the In-Home Health Care Kits from BGR (Baptist Global Response) at the Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Allen presented the possibilities of using the buckets a few months ago. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray the church will take the initiative to use these kits as tools to minister to those in their community.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--The Mgamudze Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) begins revival services this evening. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray these services will touch the heart of a many hurting and loss people. </span></b>One ministry during the revival will be homestead visitation and delivering In-Home Health Care Kits to AIDS victims in the community. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for interest among the members of the Mgamudze Baptist Church in providing the buckets to those suffering from AIDS. <u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday January 3: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Hoskins hope to conduct a training on how to use the In-Home Health Care Kits at the Manzini Baptist Church. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray the congregation will take advantage of this opportunity.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday January 4: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Swazi Team will gather at the Swazi Candle Factory to fellowship and meet the Yawn Family visiting Todd and Deborah Hoskins. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for a wonderful time of sharing and eating together. </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thursday January 5: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Mabelani Baptist Church meets on a homestead in northwestern Swaziland. House churches struggle in Swaziland because they are often associated with Zionism (African Traditional Religion) or thought to belong to specific families. This month (January) weekly Bible study groups will begin to try to increase awareness of the church in the community and to help disciple church members to develop lay leadership. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray these Bible studies will be well attended and will reach additional community members.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 6: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Swazi Team enjoyed three days spent in Durban and their end-of-the-year retreat (December 12-15). It was a great time of fellowship as well as planning and discussing present and future work. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray members of the Swazi Team will seek the Lord’s guidance as they look forward to 2012 with joy, love and the desire to make their lives count for Christ.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saturday January 7: <i><span style="color: #215868;">Pray for Carroll Yawn (Deborah Hoskins’ father) today on his birthday!!<u></u><u></u></span></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for this meeting. Pray for the leadership who in recent months have displayed an anti-missionary movement and attempted to impose a non-Biblical (as well as Baptist) hierarchal leadership structure in order to exercise control over the churches and missionaries. Pray for wisdom for the missionaries to know how to work with the convention.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday January 8: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sundays are difficult for the Allen children (Lacie and Nathan) as they do not know enough of the siSwati language to participate in a meaningful way in the siSwati worship services. They have occasionally enjoyed attending an English-speaking church in Mbabane which has an age-graded Sunday School. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray Steve and Monica will have wisdom to know how to balance support for the Swazi Baptist churches while meeting the spiritual needs of their children.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="64" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=1347f704b43e5941&attid=0.6&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="58" /><u></u><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monday January 9: <span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for rain throughout the country of Swaziland. </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The rains have not been strong this year and the country of Swaziland may be facing a drought and food shortage if frequent rains do not begin. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray the rains will be plentiful the rest of the growing season.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday January 10: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Nthutwakazi Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) has requested a date for a baptism service sometime this month. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray a date can be set by missionary Wayne Myers and the church. </span></b>The Swazi Baptist churches look to the missionary to help with their baptismal services since most do not have a way of baptizing. The missionary usually brings the portable baptistery and in some cases two barrels of water so the baptism can take place.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday January 11: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thank you for praying for the Bible study material in which Todd and Deborah Hoskins have been working with several Swazi friends over the course of the last few months. The materials are completed. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray Swazi Baptist churches will take advantage of the opportunity to use these materials. May wonderful blessings flow!!<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thursday January 12: <i><span style="color: #403152;">Pray for Steve and Monica Allen on their 10<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary!!<u></u><u></u></span></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Steve recently announced his intention to discontinue the weekly Bible study group at Hawane Baptist Church in order to try to work on strengthening leadership at Mabelani and Sympathy Baptist Churches. Both churches are without pastors or consistent lay leadership. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray the members of Hawane will be faithful in continuing to meet for Bible study and that strong leaders will rise up to continue leading this group.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 13: <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray 2012 will be the year salvation comes to the house of the King of Swaziland. May his wives and children as well as himself hear the true Gospel message. Pray there will be a change in beliefs and lifestyles in the royal family.<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saturday January 14: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Today is the scheduled ordination service for Nkosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini has been a faithful and committed pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church for many years. He has also been a very strong leader with the Shiselweni Baptist Association. Pastor Dlamini is currently attending teacher training college in Manzini. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for Pastor Dlamini especially during the “question-answer” time. May the Lord provide His comforting presence. Pray the Thunzini Baptist Church will continue to support their pastor.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday January 15: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">December 18<sup>th</sup> the Maphangwane Baptist Church (Lubombo region) conducted a baptismal service with Wayne Myers baptizing 10 new believers. It was a wonderful day for this church. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray those who committed their lives to the Lord will be faithful in following His footsteps.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monday January 16: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A recent survey of Swazi Baptist Churches in the Hhohho region revealed that several have discontinued Sunday School due to lack of consistent leadership. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray the churches will see the need for Biblical training for children especially and that leaders will arise to take the teaching responsibilities in these churches.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday January 17: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Deborah Hoskins’ youngest sister starts her last semester of her sophomore year of university today. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray she has a wonderful semester.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday January 18: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Jesus Film was shown in the Lesibovu community (Manzini region) during the Christmas party for the church. A handicapped young man and his mother both prayed to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray these new believers will continue attending the Bible study group and will become strong in their faith. Pray others who watched the film will think about the Gsopel message which was shared and come to faith in Christ.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thursday January 19: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">December 7<sup>th</sup> the first Biblical Education Program (BEP) training occurred at the Peace Baptist Church. Approximately 20 attended and learned more about the beginning of the Bible and sharing their own testimony. The church provided a wonderful lunch. Thank you for praying for this first time event. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray other Swazi Baptist churches will schedule a time for their leaders and church members to be trained using the Biblical Education Program (BEP).<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 20: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Many in Swaziland do not have the promise of eternal life. For some their belief in Islam keeps them from knowing the true Son of God. The poverty of Swazis leave them open to promises of jobs, money and security if they convert to the Muslim faith. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray Swazis will not be led by a false sense of security outside the Christian faith. Pray for Christian renewal throughout the country.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saturday January 21: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Todd and Deborah Hoskins are leading a Bible study with the youth at the Mpembakati Baptist Church (Manzini region). <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for dedication among the youth at Mpembakati and pray for Pastor Lloyd Dlamini as he leads the church.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday January 22: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Revival services were held in December at the Zikotheni Baptist Church (Shiselweni region). The services were well attended. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for this church that meets on the Vilane Homestead. </span></b>The church has experienced problems with pastoral leadership. Currently Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini (Thunzini Baptist) and Pastor Patrick Gamedze (Nhlangano Baptist) are taking turns in leading Sunday worship. A young man of the church also helps when needed.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monday January 23: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Special prayer request from Todd and Deborah: <b><i><span style="color: #17365d;">As we begin the new year, please be in prayer for direction for us. </span></i></b><i>We will be finishing our time in Swaziland the beginning of September and are not quite sure of what God has in store for us. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray we will finish strong and for God to show us the next steps when we need to know them.<u></u><u></u></span></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday January 24: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">February 22-March 6 a volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, North Carolina is scheduled to minister in both the Hhohho region and the North Lubombo region. Ministries include revivals, Bible studies as well as homestead visitation. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for the members of this team as they prepare for their time in Swaziland. <u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday January 25: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Several years ago Nathi came to know Jesus as His Savior while attending the Nhlangano Baptist Church. At the time Nathi was living with Fikile (not married) and they had two sons together. Fikile accepted the Lord also at Nhlangano and was baptized. Both desire a relationship that is acceptable to the Lord. Nathi informed Wayne Myers that he and Fikile (with the approval of both families) desire and are ready to have a Christian wedding. <b><span style="color: #17365d;"> Please pray a date can soon be reached for this special event. </span></b>Because of the high price libola (bride price) as well as other issues, many Swazi are not legally married but continue living together and producing children. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as many come to know Jesus as their Lord, they will understand what God expects of the marriage relationship.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Thursday January 26: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA UNENGAGED PEOPLES: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Wara people live in a remote area of Burkina Faso. They are a very small people group with a population of approximately 4,500 and live in a small, highly concentrated area. The Wara people are animistic, and there is no evangelical work being done among them. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for the Gospel to be taken to the Wara people and for God to prepare them to leave their animistic practices to follow the one true God.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Friday January 27: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saturday February 11<sup>th</sup> Pastor Lizwe Nsibandze of the Velebantfu Baptist Church (Shiselweni region) will be ordained to the Gospel ministry. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for Pastor Nsibandze as he prepares for this special service. </span></b>Pastor Nsibandze has been a faithful and committed leader of the Velebantfu Baptist Church for quite a few years. <u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="119" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=1347f704b43e5941&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="38" /><u></u><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saturday January 28: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Todd and Deborah Hoskins are leading Bible studies for the youth and women of the Big Bend Baptist Church. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray they will have wisdom in teaching the Truth of God’s Word.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday January 29: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">March 5-9 is the first session of the 2012 South Coast Bible School hosted by the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. 2011 was the first year for this school for the pastors and leaders. The school meets for one week four times a year. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as the organization of the curriculum and teachers begin. Pray many students will be able to attend this school.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monday January 30: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The 2012 Sub-Saharan African Peoples Summit (for Southern Baptist Churches) is scheduled for February 29-March 2 at the First Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama. This is a great opportunity to explore opportunities to impact unreached, unengaged people groups. Participants will have opportunities to speak with missionaries from Sub Saharan Africa, as well as dialogue with pastors and lay leaders of churches who are already engaging a people group in Sub-Saharan Africa. <b>More information/registration: <a href="http://www.imbafrica.org/summit" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.imbafrica.org/summit</a>. <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for this important meeting and for those attending. </span></b><i>Learn how churches can get involved in taking the Gospel to unreached, unengaged people groups (UUPGs) </i><b><a href="http://www.call2embrace.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.call2embrace.org</a><u></u><u></u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday January 31: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The date for the Two Oceans Cluster Strategy Meeting (includes your Swazi Team missionaries) is March 31-April 5 at the Riverside Lifestyle Resort in South Africa. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for the continued preparations/logistics for this meeting. Pray for spiritual preparedness for the missionaries attending, volunteers ministering and leadership that is leading.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #632423; font-size: 10pt;">NEW YEAR’S PRAYER<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In this new year, Lord, please help me<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Be the kind of person You’d have me be.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Will You, dear Lord, hold to my hand,<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And help me through the year to stand<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Against temptations that I may face,<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">And may I by Thy loving grace,<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Serve You, with humbleness and love.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">May I, oh God, be worthy of<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The blessings You give day by day,<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The love You share in every way.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">So through the year, Lord please help me<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Grow more and more each day like Thee.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">--Janice Mizelle Taylor</span></b></div>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-74155513777620316952012-03-19T02:28:00.004-07:002012-03-19T02:36:58.753-07:00Merry Christmas from the Allens!<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Merry Christmas from Swaziland! It is officially Christmas on our side</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">of the world and yes, we are still up! :) We just finished playing</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Santa for the kids and put the turkey in the fridge. This is the first</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">year the kids will have the opportunity to open presents on Christmas</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Day from so many family because of our crate arriving earlier this</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">year, Steven's visit to the USA and packages sent to us. Thank you for</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">thinking of our family!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Today, we were able to hang at home spending time together baking</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">cookes and other goodies, watch Santa Clause 2 and enjoy a rare</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Saturday with Steve not out in the rural area. The weather has been</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">quite hot as it was 102 degrees on Wednesday at one of our Christmas</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">parties out at one of our churches. It was a long day but a great day,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">too. We showed the Jesus film and two people accepted Jesus</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Christ...what a great Christmas present! Yesterday, the weather turned</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">rainy and cool so it has been a nice break from the heat. We went to a</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Christmas Eve candlelight service at one of the churches in town and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">had a few friends over for dessert/finger foods afterwards. These were</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">most of our close friends outside of our mission team so we also</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">exchanged presents with these two families. We wish so much we could</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">be home with our own families but we are very thankful and blessed by</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">our mission community here in Swaziland.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If the weather stays rainy, we are not sure if we will make it to one</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">of our rural churches so plan B will happen. However, plan is to be at</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">one of our rural churches that does not have a pastor so Steve can</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">preach/encourage them. We will also be giving out handmade dolls a</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">church in the USA brought to us a few months ago. Our family plans to</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">be home after church for the rest of the day doing our own Christmas</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">meal. We had offers to join others but decided to hang home with just</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">our family. We plan to have a turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">rolls, butternut and pumpkin pie.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our mission team will be together on Monday for a cookout at our team</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">leader's house since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Last week, our mission team went to Durban, South Africa, for our</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">annual team retreat. It was a great time to get away from Swaziland</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">for a few days. We were able to do some shopping in the largest mall</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">we have seen in Africa, go to the ocean, swim at the pool, visit</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">uShaka Marine World and Water Park (kinda like a smaller version of</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sea World) and time with our mission team. The kids were able to see</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Father Christmas as Santa Claus is called here so attaching the photo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">of them. We will send out some Christmas photos soon.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We pray everyone has a great Christmas and a chance to remember the</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">real reason why we celebrate Christmas.</span>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-50830079463486685872012-03-19T02:21:00.002-07:002012-03-19T02:21:29.130-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer Letter<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--We enjoyed a wonderful day of worship last Sunday (December 18) at the Maphangwane Baptist Church. The service began with Sunday School for all ages. Afterwards everyone returned to the main building and by the time everything and everyone was in place the building was packed. A 10-member volunteer team from four Baptist churches in Durban, South Africa spent the week visiting homesteads and spending time with the people of the community. Wayne preached on the topic of “What Makes A Strong Church” and after the sermon the congregation went outside and gathered around the portable baptistery for the baptismal of 10 new believers. After the baptism the adults and youth returned to the building and the Lord’s Supper was observed. We left the house at 9:00 and arrived back at 4:00pm. Even though it was a little warm and a little long, it was still a wonderful service. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray those who committed their lives to the Lord will be faithful in following His ways.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--The scheduled Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland did not meet last Saturday. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The next meeting is January 7, 2012. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please begin now praying for this meeting. Pray the convention and missionaries will try to work together and the executive committee will learn to conduct business as Baptists. Pray the Lord will be glorified in everything that is said and done.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="75" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=1346a4c334b9f71b&attid=0.6&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="67" /><u></u><b><span style="color: #632423; font-size: 10pt;">SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">--Please pray for rain throughout the country of Swaziland. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The rains have not been strong this year and the country of Swaziland may be facing a drought and food shortage if the frequent rains do not begin. Our grass is brown (usually green at this time) and our last rain fall was a week and a half ago. Usually rains are weekly if not daily during the month of December.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">---</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The revival services last week at the Zikotheni Baptist Church were well attended. <span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray for this church that meets on the Vilane homestead at Zikotheni. </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The church has experienced problems with pastoral leadership. Currently Pastors Nkosingiphile Dlamani (Thunzini Baptist) and Patrick Gamedze (Nhlangano Baptist) are taking turns in leading Sunday worship. A young man of the church also helps when needed. <u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PRAISE: </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Several years ago Nathi Vilane (Zikotheni Baptist Church) came to know Jesus as His Savior while attending the Nhlangano Baptist Church. At the time Nathi was living with Fikile (not married) and they had two sons together. Fikile accepted the Lord also at Nhlangano and was baptized. Both desire a relationship that is acceptable to the Lord. Friday Nathi told Wayne he and Fikile (with the approval of both families) desire and are ready to have a Christian wedding. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray a date can soon be reached for this special event. </span></b>Because of the high price of libola (bride price) as well as other issues, many Swazi are not legally married but continue living together and producing children. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as many come to know Jesus as their Lord, they will understand what God expects of the marriage relationship.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">--</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Ntuthukwazi Baptist Church has requested a date for a baptism service in January. <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray a date can be set by Wayne and the church. </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The churches look to the missionary to help with their baptismal services. Most churches do not have a way of baptizing. The missionary usually brings a portable baptistery and in some case two big barrels of water so the baptismal service can take place.<b><span style="color: #17365d;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="78" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=1346a4c334b9f71b&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="106" /><u></u><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 12pt;">MERRY CHRISTMAS </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;"> December 25, 2011<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">Pray the Swazi people will understand the significance of the Christmas Story. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For so many Swazi Christmas is a time of eating special foods and having everyone at home. Swazis may know the story of the birth of Christ but do not understand the importance of that event to their lives. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray the Christmas story will touch many Swazi hearts this Christmas season. May they truly understand the words, “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.”<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">--Pray for the Swazi Team as we join together in Tshaneni </span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 8pt;">December 26</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">to celebrate Christmas. </span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">--</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">December 29-January 9, Deborah Hoskins’ family will be visiting. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as the family prepares to make the long journey to Swaziland. Pray for a wonderful time of ministry and fellowship for the Yawn Family.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="72" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=1346a4c334b9f71b&attid=0.8&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="67" /><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">April 20, 1993 the Myers were commissioned as missionaries of the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) to the country of Swaziland. Through the years we have depended upon the giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to provide for our day-to-day needs. Without this offering, we would not be able to do the work the Lord has given us to do. Thank You!! It is wonderful to know Southern Baptist churches in the USA support and give sacrificially to the LMCO. </span><b><span style="color: #215868; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 9pt;">Thank you for this wonderful Christmas</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #215868; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 9pt;">gift.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;">It matters not who or what you are,<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;">All men can behold the Christmas Star.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;">For the Star that shone is shining still<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 10pt;">In the hearts of men of peace and goodwill.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 8pt;">--Helen Steiner Rice<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Kristen ITC'; font-size: 14pt;">Wishing you a very Happy and Merry Christmas!!</span></b></div>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-33885932210829676032012-03-19T02:20:00.000-07:002012-03-19T02:20:02.725-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer Letter<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">WORDS OF PROMISE </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (God has given a son to us…His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God…Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6)<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="86" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=13446f122a4a27fe&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="86" /><u></u><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in the mail several years ago:<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. Phrases filled with the reason we do it all anyway.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> He became like us, so we could become like Him.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Angels still sing and the star still beckons.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> He loves each one of us like there was only one of us to love.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">From the book <u>Grace For the Moment</u> by Max Lucado<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Swazi Team wishes to express a heart-felt thanks for praying for the executive committee meeting of the Swaziland Baptist Convention last Saturday (10<sup>th</sup> of December).</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> As one puts it, “We could feel a big difference in the atmosphere than in past meetings.” One of the leaders resigned due to the feeling the convention could not accomplish much since they didn’t have the right to tell churches, missionaries and others what to do. He felt it was a waste money to travel by bus to the monthly meetings. Even through this was a disappointment the Lord was working in the midst of the group. Another meeting has been scheduled to continue with discussion concerning relationship of missionaries and the convention tomorrow (December 17<sup>th</sup>). <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please continue to pray for the convention and missionaries as we try to work together and lead the executive committee to conduct business as Baptists. </span></b>One of the biggest problems is the leadership desiring to rule over the Baptist churches and the missionaries and impose a non-Baptist leadership structure. Please continue to pray:</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">For the leadership of the convention to be open to hear the Lord’s voice as He leads, putting aside cultural values and allowing the Lord to lead.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">For boldness of the members of the executive committee to speak up when they feel leadership is straying away from Baptist doctrine and polity.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">For unified solutions to the problems we (missionaries) and the convention (leadership) are facing.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">For all Swazi Baptist churches to desire to be evangelistic for the Lord’s Kingdom. Pray each will seek to be used of the Lord and be His witness within the community.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">The LORD WILL BE GLORIFIED IN EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID AND DONE!!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--The Swazi Team also enjoyed three days spent in Durban and their end-of-the-year retreat (December 12-15). Besides discussing business matters, receiving a mini training of the Biblical Education Program (BEP), reviewing goals and objectives for 2011, planning for the nine summer missionaries expected the end of May as well as other calendared events, the Team was able to enjoy various recreational activities. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray members of the Swazi Team will seek the Lord’s guidance as they look forward to 2012 with joy, love and desire to make their lives count for Christ<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="73" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=13446f122a4a27fe&attid=0.8&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="48" /><u></u><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for Wayne on the his birthday, 20<sup>th</sup> of December!!<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-size: 10pt;">Pray also for Wayne and Barbara as they celebrate their wedding anniversary (37<sup>th</sup>) on the 21<sup>st</sup>of December!! </span></b><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-size: 10pt;"> And, no unfortunately we were not 12 when we got married. </span></b><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">L</span></b><b><span style="color: #31849b; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--Last Friday (9<sup>th</sup> of December) the Shiselweni Baptist Association met at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ordination services for two of our pastors were scheduled. <b><span style="color: #632423;">January 14, 2012 Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini’s ordination service will be conducted at the Thunzini Baptist Church. February 11, 2012 Lizwe Nsibandze’s ordination service will be hosted by the Velebantfu Baptist Church. </span></b>These are historical events for these two churches, these two pastors and for the Swazi Baptist churches of the Shiselweni region and Swaziland. We praise the Lord for what He is doing in the lives of these two men. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as Nkosingiphile and Lizwe prepare for these ordination services. Pray they will feel the peaceful and calming presence of the Lord. </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--Wayne is in the Shiselweni region today meeting with a couple of the leaders as well as attending the revival services at the Zikotheni Baptist Church this evening. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #17365d;">Please pray the church will be spiritually revived from the revival services this week. Pray for strong leadership to lead and guide this church that meets at the home of the Vilane family.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">--</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday December 18<sup>th</sup>, the Mapangwane Baptist Church will conduct a baptismal service. <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray those who have committed their lives to the Lord will be faithful in following His ways.<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="101" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=13446f122a4a27fe&attid=0.9&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="86" /><u></u><b><span style="color: red;">PRAY FOR THESE DECEMBER EVENTS:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--<b>December 25<sup>th</sup> is the Lord’s birthday!! <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray the Swazi people will understand the significance of the Christmas story. Also, pray for the King of Swaziland, his wives and children to hear the true Christmas story and realize trusting in Jesus is the most precious gift of all.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--<span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for the Swazi Team on the 26<sup>th</sup> of December as we join together in Tshaneni to celebrate Christmas!<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--December 29-January 9, Deborah Hoskins’ family will be visiting. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as the family prepares to make the long journey to Swaziland. Pray for a wonderful time of ministry and fellowship for the Yawn family.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="72" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=13446f122a4a27fe&attid=0.10&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="67" /><u></u><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering remains the lifeline for missions overseas. As always, 100 percent of the offering goes to the overseas missions budget. About three-fourths of this budget helps support missionaries. This pays for the missionaries’ language study, travel and other items to make their ministries possible. But it also pays for more basic needs. It pays their salaries, their food, it puts their children through school, it pays their rent, it does all these things so the missionaries won’t have to work one or more jobs just to survive overseas. It preserves their calling by allowing them to devote themselves full time to their individual ministries.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What Will You Do? </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In the early years children devised simple methods of giving. Throughout Virginia they began naming their hens “Lottie Moon” and selling the eggs to raise money for missions.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #215868; font-size: 10pt;">Please give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Give so the Myers and other missionaries around the world can continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the world. </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Goal: 175 million</span></b></div>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-81926031460042588572012-03-19T01:32:00.003-07:002012-03-19T01:39:22.913-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer Letter<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="79" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=134222475b6a3850&attid=0.6&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="76" /><u></u><b><span style="color: #548dd4; font-size: 9pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="color: #403152; font-size: 12pt;">FOND FAREWELLS ARE SAID…..<u></u><u></u></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This week fond farewells were said to our four “Hands On” missionaries as they prepare to leave tomorrow for Jo’burg and their time of debriefing. On the 15<sup>th</sup> they will board the plane that will take them back to the states and to their families, friends, routines and life. <u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--Friday the 2<sup>nd</sup> of December the Swazi Team took Sienna, Heather, Brandi and Kim to the Swazi Candle Factory for last minute shopping as well as lunch. It was quite an enjoyable outing. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--The Vuvulane and Mafucula outdid themselves as they wished Brandi and Kim safe journal and thanks for coming all the way from America to minister with them. Words just could not express their feelings of thanksgiving and intense sadness upon saying goodbye. Our service last week was one to remember for a very long time. Thank you for praying for the ministry of these four missionaries. The Swazi Team has been blessed and we pray each will return to America filled with blessings and a place in their hearts for the Swazi people.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--Wednesday (7<sup>th</sup> of December) the first Biblical Education Program training occurred at the Peace Baptist Church. Update on the event from the Allens:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I wanted to write and let you know that the training event at Peace Baptist Church today went very well. Todd, Deborah, Steve and Make Shandu arrived around 8am but no one was at the church. Folks started coming closer to 9am, which is typical Swazi not to be on time. They were not sure how many would attend the training but actually had 18 folks at the training event. Todd, Deborah and Steve took turns teaching throughout the day. The church provided a wonderful lunch and fed everyone. All in all, it was a great first training event with teamwork, assistance for the church and excited to see God use the training more in the future. They finished the training event around 4pm. Thank you for praying for this special first time event. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray other Swazi Baptist churches will schedule a time for their leaders and church members to be trained using the Biblical Education Program (BEP).<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">--<b>Today the Shiselweni Baptist Association meets at the Velebantfu Baptist Church.</b> Wayne left yesterday for Nhlangano and the meeting today at Velebantfu. Besides the normal conducting of business, the planning of the ordination service for Pastor Nkhosingiphile Dlamini will continue. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for a sense of fellowship and unity will continue as business is discussed. Pray also for the planning of Pastor Dlamini’s ordination service in January.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #215868; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In recent months there has been increasing tension between the leaders of the Swaziland Baptist Convention and the Swazi Team missionaries. </span><u></u><img align="left" height="72" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=134222475b6a3850&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="106" /><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Convention leaders seem to want to rule over the Baptist churches and the missionaries and impose a non-biblical hierarchal leadership structure. <b>The Swazi Team asks that you join us in a “Season of Prayer” for tomorrow’s meeting (10<sup>th</sup> of December) and the overall situation.</b> We are facing a very difficult spiritual battle but we don’t have to fight the battle alone. <i>Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3<u></u><u></u></i></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for the leadership of the convention to be open to hear the Lord’s voice as He leads, putting aside cultural values and allowing the Lord to lead.</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for boldness of the members of the executive committee to speak up when they feel leadership is straying away from Baptist doctrine and polity.</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for unified solutions to the problems we (missionaries) and the convention (leadership) are facing.</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for all Swazi Baptist churches to desire to be evangelistic for the Lord’s Kingdom. Pray each will seek to be used of the Lord and be His witness within the community.</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for revival to take place in the hearts of every Swazi Baptist member that will reach out to the surrounding communities.</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pray the LORD WILL BE GLORIFIED IN EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID AND DONE!!</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Please set time aside today and tomorrow to intercede for the Swazi Team, convention leadership and tomorrow’s meeting. Wayne will not be able to attend due to taking the four “Hands On” missionaries to Jo’burg tomorrow. The outcome of this meeting could possibly affect current and future missionary involvement in Swaziland. <u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">v<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Monday begins the Swazi Team end-of-the-year retreat (December 12-15) at the Buckleigh Guesthouse in Durban, South Africa. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We plan to leave quite early Monday morning so we can arrive early afternoon. Wayne is putting together a schedule for our time together. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for a time of renewal and encouragement.</span></b><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">--December 18<sup>th</sup>, the Mapangwane Baptist Church will conduct a baptismal service. <span style="color: #17365d;">Pray as the church prepares for this special event.<u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="62" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=134222475b6a3850&attid=0.8&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="58" /><u></u><b><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">December 4-11: INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AND LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">At first the neighborhood kids called Lottie the “foreign devil.” They had never seen an American. They did not trust her. But Lottie started baking cookies. The smell coming from her oven made them curious—and hungry. As they ate the cookies, Lottie made friends with them. Soon they called her “the cookie lady.” <u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ingredients: </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3 teacups of sugar, 1 teacup of butter, 1 teacup of sour milk, 4 pints of flour (8 teacups), 3 eggs beaten, ½ teaspoon baking soda<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Directions: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Set oven at 375 degrees. Mix the ingredients, then roll out into a flat sheet about 1/8 of an inch thick. Cut out circles. Bake on a greased baking sheet for about 8 minutes.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="color: #215868; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">How Tall Do You Have To Be To Be A Missionary? </span></b><span style="color: #215868; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lottie Moon was short. At 4’3” she was as tall as today’s average 8-year old. But she had a big heart, especially when it came to missions. How tall are you? How big is your heart? <b>Please support and give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so missionaries can continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the world. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lottie Moon Offering Goal: $175 million </span></b></div>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-77806427713131988272012-03-19T01:31:00.001-07:002012-03-19T01:36:08.354-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer Letter<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Swazi Team will say “Thank You” to the four “Hands On” missionaries with a trip to the Swazi Candle Factory today. Sienna, Kim, Heather and Brandi arrived in June for six months of True Love Waits and other AIDS related ministries. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for this special time of fellowshipping and saying thanks to these missionaries for coming to Swaziland to minister to the Swazi people through AIDS ministries. Pray these four missionaries will have a feeling of accomplishment as they prepare to return to the States. </span></b>The group leaves Swaziland on the 10<sup>th</sup>of December for Jo’burg and a time of debriefing. December 15<sup>th</sup> they leave for the states.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sunday (December 4<sup>th</sup>) the Vuvulane and Mountain Baptist Churches gather together to say “Thank You” and “Farewell” to Phila Masuku </span></b><u></u><img align="left" height="48" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=133fd420fcb3cac9&attid=0.5&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="48" /><u></u> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Brandi Harris) and Nomsa Masuku (Kim Hultgren) at the Mafucula Primary School. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saying goodbye and having closure is very important to the Swazi people. After spending a month on the Masuku homestead in July, Brandi and Kim became part of the Masuku family and were given the Masuku name. Now the Masuku family will lead this time of Farewell for Brandi and Kim. <u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The program begins with Sunday School at 10:00am.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">After choirs and testimonies, Pastor Mavuso of the Vuvulane Baptist Church will preach the Word of God.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">After the preaching of God’s Word, a special recognition time for Nomsa and Phila.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 51.75pt;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Testimonies and thanks to Nomsa and Phila<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 51.75pt;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Presentation of Gifts: Mountain & Vuvulane<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 51.75pt;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Special Word of Thanks: Bheki Mtsetwa (language and culture tutor)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 51.75pt;"><u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Words by Babe (Mr.) and Make (Mrs.) Masuku: Host Parents<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mountain and Vuvulane Baptist Church committees or church leaders will come and pray for Nomsa and Phila.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Close with singing and dancing!! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (Lunch will follow)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for this special service. Pray for the Mountain and Vuvulane Baptist Churches as their gratitude is expressed to Brandi and Kim. Pray for the Masuku family as they send “part of their family” back to the states. Pray for Brandi and Kim as they too say goodbye to their “second” family and friends they have made in the past few months. <u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--Sunday November 27<sup>th</sup>, 7 were baptized at Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We thank the Lord for each one who made the commitment to follow the Lord and be obedient through baptism. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for these who made the very important decision to become a child of the King. May their witness touch the Luhhwahhweni community. Pray for continued growth for this church as members try to reach their community.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 10pt;">Thursday December 1<sup>st</sup> was World AIDS Day!!<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How does one help others understand the lifestyle they have chosen to live may lead to an early death? How does one explain the teachings of the (Swazi) homes may help a whole generation die young? How can it be explained that God’s way is for one man and one woman in marriage each faithful to the other before and after marriage when the Swazi way is for a man to have many wives and girlfriends throughout adolescent and adult life? To have sex is a man!! What can be done to help alleviate rape and abuse of Swazi children that also lead to early deaths? What will lead Swazis to understand the devastation of AIDS and an impure lifestyle? <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray the Swazis will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and will have eternal life. Pray for true revival to take place in their hearts enabling them to experience life not death. </span></b>Check this website: <b><a href="http://www.africa.stories.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.africa.stories.org</a><u></u><u></u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u></u><img align="left" height="100" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=133fd420fcb3cac9&attid=0.7&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="76" /><u></u><b><span style="color: #92d050; font-size: 10pt;">NEXT WEEK’S MINISTRY EVENTS:<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--<b>Saturday December 3<sup>rd</sup></b> the scheduled executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland <b>has been</b> <b>postponed until the 10<sup>th</sup></b>. In recent months there has been increasing tension between the leaders of the convention and missionaries. There will be a special prayer emphasis for this meeting. A “Season of Prayer” requests will be included in next week’s prayer letter. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Please begin praying for this meeting. </span></b>Wayne will not be able to attend because he will be taking the four “Hands On” missionaries to Jo’burg.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--December 7<sup>th</sup> is the scheduled one-day training of the new Biblical Education Program for believers at the Peace Baptist Church. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(The date is incorrect on the Swazi Team Prayer Calendar </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">L</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">) BEP is designed to be an additional discipleship tool for Swazi Baptist church members. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray for a great interest among Swazi Baptist members. Pray BEP will be a very useful tool.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">--The Shiselweni Baptist Association meets on the 9<sup>th</sup> of December at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Besides the normal conducting of business, the planning of the ordination service for Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini will continue. <b><span style="color: #17365d;">Pray a sense of fellowship and unity will continue as business is discussed. Pray also for the planning of Pastor Dlamini’s ordination service in January.<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.75in;"><u></u><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">v<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 10pt;">DECEMBER 12-15 THE SWAZI TEAM’S END-OF-YEAR REATREAT at the Buckleigh Guesthouse in Durban, South Africa. </span></b><b><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 10pt;">Pray for the Team as we begin to prepare for this special event. Pray it will be a time of renewal and encouragement.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u></u><img align="left" height="62" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=239741b5ba&view=att&th=133fd420fcb3cac9&attid=0.9&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" width="58" /><u></u><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 10pt;">December 4-11: INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AND LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING<u></u><u></u></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A handyman working at the Baptist mission office in the Philippines noticed a sheet of paper tacked to a bulletin board. The paper announced the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Asking a missionary if Lottie Moon would accept “just a little,” the handyman stopped at the International Baptist Church of Makati a few days later. “Miss Moon was not there, but I left it with the church secretary,” he said. “It” was an envelope addressed to “Miss Lotties (Handyman’s spelling of Miss Moon’s first name) Moon.” Inside was 400 pesos—about 15 U.S. dollars. The gift represented almost one-tenth of the handyman’s net monthly salary.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #215868; font-size: 10pt;">There are approximately 5,000 “Lotties” today who depend on your prayers and financial support. People following the Lord’s call to go and share Christ’s witness. Doing the best they can to proclaim joy to the world. This Christmas, what will you do for them? <b>Give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Goal: $175 million</b></span></div>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-47192187248340235512011-11-26T09:23:00.001-08:002011-11-26T09:23:59.485-08:00December prayer calendarThursday December 1: WORLD AIDS DAY!! The country of Swaziland is experiencing one of the world’s worse AIDS pandemics. HIV/AIDS infection among pregnant women is 41 percent, 31 percent of Swazi children are orphans and the life expectancy is now 43 years. Pray for a solution to the AIDS problem in Swaziland. Pray Swazis will come to realize that their lifestyle contributes to the early death of friends and family. Swaziland will be featured for World AIDS Day emphasis at <a href="http://www.africa.stories.org/">http://www.africa.stories.org/</a>.<br />
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Friday December 2: Today the Swazi Team will say “Thank You” to the four Hands On missionaries with a trip to the Swazi Candle Factory. Sienna, Kim, Heather and Brandi arrived in June for six months of True Love Waits and other AIDS related ministries. Pray these four missionaries will have a feeling of accomplishment as they prepare to return to the states. They leave Swaziland on the 10th of December.<br />
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Saturday December 3: The executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today. In recent months there has been increasing tension between the leaders of the convention and missionaries. Convention leaders seem to want to rule over the Baptist churches and the missionaries and impose non-biblical hierarchal leadership structure. Pray that the missionaries will have wisdom in knowing how to deal with the convention leadership in a Christian way.<br />
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Sunday December 4: Today the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches have the opportunity to say “Thank You” and “Goodbye” to Brandi and Kim who have ministered in these areas since their month long homestead stay (Mafucula) in July. Pray this time will be very special as the churches express their gratitude for their work and sadness for their departure.<br />
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Monday December 5: On Thursday, November 17th a severe thunderstorm with hail and strong winds hit northern Swaziland. The community of Hawane was hit very hard with many people having major damage to their homes, including several members of the Hawane Baptist Church. Another storm came through the following day causing additional water damage to homes and their contents. Please pray the affected families will be able to quickly repair or rebuild.<br />
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Tuesday December 6: “Here I am working alone in a city of many thousand inhabitants with numberless villages. How many can I reach?” Lottie Moon-letter from P’ingtu in 1887. Lottie Moon began her missionary service assigned to Tengchow. Within a few years she was being called by God to reopen the work in P’ingtu. Her reason: other missionaries were teaching the Bible in Tengchow. In P’ingtu (at that time the 12th largest city in the world), the people had never heard. Pray the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will reach its goal ($175 million) so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.<br />
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Wednesday December 7: Yearly rains are needed for Swazis to plant their crops and gardens. It is always hoped the rains will be plentiful and frequent. Pray there will be plenty of rain throughout Swaziland. Pray the fields will receive enough rain to provide food until the next growing season.<br />
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Thursday December 8: Today is the scheduled one-day training of the new Biblical Education Program for believers. BEP is designed to be an additional discipleship tool for Swazi Baptist church members. Pray for a great interest among Swazi Baptist members. Pray BEP will be very useful discipleship tool.<br />
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Friday December 9: The Shiselweni Baptist Association meets today at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Besides the normal conducting of business, the planning of the ordination service for Pastor Nkosingiphile Dlamini (Thunzini Baptist Church) will continue. Pray a sense of fellowship and unity will continue as business is discussed. Pray also for the planning of Pastor Dlamini’s ordination service in January.<br />
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Saturday December 10: Kim, Sienna, Heather and Brandi leave Swaziland today for Jo’burg to begin their time of debriefing (Dec. 11-15). They leave for the states on the 15th of December. Pray for a safe journey, for a wonderful time of debriefing and reflecting and an uneventful flight to the states. <br />
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Sunday December 11: November 18-19 the ladies of the New Hope and Mgamudze Baptist Churches met at Mgamudze for an overnight retreat. Studies centered around the theme, “The Joy of the Good News” and one session was spent visiting homesteads near the church. One participant returned to the church and told the leader that the host of the homestead she visited was overwhelmed by their visit. He told her “we have never been visited by church people before.” Thank you for praying for this special event. Pray for these churches as the ladies reach out to those who need the Savior’s touch. May many come to know Jesus through their evangelistic efforts.<br />
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Monday December 12: The Swazi Team begins their end-of-the-year retreat today (Dec. 12-15) at the Buckleight Guesthouse in North Durban (South Africa). In the past, this time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for the blessings of the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray for the Team as we begin to prepare for this special event. Pray it will be a time of renewal and encouragement.<br />
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Tuesday December 13: The Swazi Team was blessed to receive a shipment of In-Home Healthcare Kits (BGR Buckets) to minister to those with terminal illness such as HIV/AIDS. The Gospel is shared with each family or individual receiving a kit. There have been favorable responses from those receiving the kits and several people have joined local Baptist study groups as a direct result of the compassionate demonstration of the ministry to meet human needs. Pray that those who hear the Gospel will respond before it is too late.<br />
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Wednesday December 14: When ministering with the Swazi people there are times when missionaries feel they take three steps back for every step forward. Recently one of Todd Hoskins’ friends (that Todd has been leading in a Bible study for over 6 months) came wearing amulets (indicating participating in witchcraft for healing). Even though this incident was very discouraging, Todd gently showed his friend what the Bible says about trusting Jesus for our every need. Pray Christian Swazis will see that Jesus is all they need to overcome difficulties in life. Pray missionaries will not be too discouraged when Swazis turn to their culture during difficult times.<br />
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Thursday December 15: 2011 was a year of turmoil for the government of Swaziland. Strikes for higher wages, an end to high spending by the monarchy as well as the end to the monarchy and better life, have constantly been scheduled. In 2012 pray a peaceful solution will be reached between the government and the Swazi people.<br />
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Friday December 16: Last month (November 4th) the children from the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches combined for a children’s Bible study after morning worship services. Brandi and Kim (Hands On missionaries) shared the truth/facts about AIDS with approximately 50 children under three small shade trees. After a time of work the children enjoyed chips, cookies and juice. It is so import that Swazi children understand the causes and effects of AIDS. Pray Swazi children will have a chance to hear the truth about AIDS and its causes. Pray for a brighter future for our Swazi Baptist children.<br />
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Saturday December 17: Funds are needed to help with the ministry of the World Hunger Fund. 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. <a href="http://www.gobgr.org/">http://www.gobgr.org/</a><br />
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Sunday December 18: The Mabelani Baptist Church meets on a homestead in northwestern Swaziland. House churches struggle in Swaziland because they are often associated with Zionism (African Traditional Religion) or are thought to belong to specific families. In January weekly Bible study groups will begin to try to increase awareness of the church in the community and to help disciple church members to develop local leadership. Pray these Bible studies will be well attended and will reach additional community members.<br />
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Monday December 19: As Swazi Christians celebrate Christmas this month, pray they will look around and see their Muslim neighbors are not celebrating the Lord’s birth. Pray Swazi believers’ hearts will be burdened for these and will find ways to share the salvation story with them.<br />
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Tuesday December 20: Today is Wayne Myers’ birthday. Pray his special day will indeed be special!<br />
November 27th the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church conducted a baptism service for those who made decisions during a two-week revival. After years of few in attendance the church is growing and currently meeting in a school. Unfortunately, there also have been issues between the current leadership and the young who was leading but had to step down due to his unsuitable living arrangements. A special meeting was called between the community leaders, young man’s family, church leadership, missionary and the young man in November to discuss the situation. Because of the conflicts the land given to the church for a church building was in danger of being taken away. Praise the Lord the meeting went well with a good outcome. Pray for continual growth for this church as members try to reach the community. Pray for a good working relationship between past and current leadership and pray the young man will be able to improve his current living arrangements.<br />
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Wednesday December 21: Pray for Wayne and Barbara Myers today as the celebrate their wedding anniversary!!<br />
The church was packed by the time the wedding finally started two and half hours late. People were singing, hand-clapping and dancing. The wedding service also included a sermon, greetings from both the bride’s and groom’s families as well as from representatives of the church, the lighting of the unity candles in addition to the exchanging of vows and rings. Orange Fanta was poured into a glass to which was added an equal amount of Coca-Cola representing the thought that once the two were mixed it was impossible to separate them. Following the four hour wedding there was a reception and food for everyone. Pray the Swazis will understand what God expects of marriage and the marriage relationship. Pray for strong Swazi Christian marriages.<br />
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Thursday December 22: Perhaps you remember the story of the pastor and his wife who experienced marital difficulties for years. At one point the husband sent the wife back to her mother’s homestead and took another wife in the Swazi traditional way. He left the pastoral ministry. The husband and wife did reunite (he sent his traditional wife back to her home). This man and his family are currently living in the Phuzumoya community. His appearance shows a man that is weak and sick as he deals with symptoms of AIDS. His wife is also HIV positive as well as their oldest child. Please pray for this family, and pray for the many families like this one throughout Swaziland.<br />
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Friday December 23: This Christmas season, pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will hear the true Christmas story and will realize trusting in Jesus is the most precious gift of all.<br />
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Saturday December 24: Pray the Swazi people understand the significance of the Christmas story. For so many Swazis Christmas is a time of eating special foods and having everyone at home. Swazis may know the story of the birth of Christ but do not understand the importance of that event to their lives. Pray the Christmas story will touch many Swazi hearts this Christmas season. May they truly understand the words, “Joy to the World, the Lord is come.”<br />
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Sunday December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!!<br />
I said a Christmas Prayer for you because the season’s near.<br />
I didn’t ask for riches but for gifts so much more dear.<br />
I asked for joyful gatherings with your family all around.<br />
And for carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.<br />
I asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn,<br />
For special time to celebrate the Savior who was born.<br />
I asked for friends to send their best that you might know they care. . .<br />
I asked for peace & love & hope and I know God heard my prayer.<br />
--Nancy Parker Brummett<br />
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Monday December 26: Pray for the Swazi Team as we join together in Tshaneni today to celebrate Christmas!!<br />
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Tuesday December 27: Sub-Saharan African Unengaged Peoples:<br />
“Almost six years have passed since the request to begin praying and asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers among the Bankagoma of Mali, and still no one has answered the call. With a population of only 5,000, it would be so easy to overlook these people, but God hasn’t forgotten them. Please cry out on behalf of the Bankagoma and ask the Lord to send out workers who will lead these people into a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to prepare the way and for those who are being called will be obedient.” <br />
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Wednesday December 28: Pray for godly, strong and faithful leaders to take a stand for Christ and press on against deep rooted cultural beliefs as well as expectations from the family. Pray for a strong leader for every Swazi Baptist Church.<br />
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Thursday December 29: Pray members of the Swazi Team will seek the Lord’s guidance as they look forward to 2012 with joy, love and desire to make their lives count for Christ.<br />
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Friday December 30: In 2011 volunteer teams from Southern Baptist churches ministered alongside the Swazi Team conducting retreats, Bible studies for adults, youth and children, revivals, hut-to-hut visitation, prayer walking, AIDS orphan ministries, sharing the True Love Waits message and more. Pray as planning begins for the ministry of volunteer teams with the Swazi Team in 2012. Pray for the volunteer team from the First Baptist Church, Washington, North Carolina scheduled to minister with the Allens and Myers February 21-March 6.<br />
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Saturday December 31: Victory Baptist Church is holding New Year Eve services. Pray these services will be Christ honoring and a good beginning for seeing in the new year.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-48131115981003254562011-11-26T09:22:00.000-08:002011-11-26T09:22:31.644-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterA THANKGIVING DAY PRAYER<br />
“Faith of our Fathers” renew us again<br />
And make us a nation of God-fearing men<br />
Seeking Thy guidance, Thy love and Thy will,<br />
For we are but Pilgrims in need of Thee still—<br />
And, gathered together on Thanksgiving Day,<br />
May we lift up our hearts and our hands as we pray<br />
To thank You for blessings we so little merit<br />
And grant us Thy love and teach us to SHARE IT.<br />
--Helen Steiner Rice<br />
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We hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!! The Swazi Team gathered together in Mbabane at the Allens and enjoyed a wonderful meal with wonderful fellowship. The day was cool and rainy a much needed break from the hot/humid conditions we had been experiencing in Tshaneni. It was so good to feel the gentle rain and know the Lord provided this blessing. We have much in which to be thankful. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:3-4<br />
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November 18-19 the ladies of the New Hope and Mgamudze Baptist Churches did have their scheduled retreat at Mgamudze. It was a very warm day with a very loud thunderstorm during the evening that made it very difficult to hear (metal iron roof) while people were testifying but it didn’t stop us from being together and worshipping. The theme of our retreat was “The Joy of the Good News” with studies centered on this theme. The pastor of Mgamudze (Chris Msibi) had asked that a time for homestead visitation be included in the program. This we did on Saturday morning. After the visitation one of the participant’s returned to the church and told me and the group that the host of one of the homesteads that she had visited was overwhelmed by their visit. He told her, “we have never been visited by church people before.” The ladies were quite touched by this special ministry. Pray for these churches as the ladies reach out to those who need the Savior’s touch. May many come to know Jesus through their evangelistic efforts.<br />
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--Sunday November 27th is a scheduled baptism service at the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church for those who accepted the Lord during the church’s 2-week revival in October. Pray for these who made this very important decision to become a child of the King. May their witness touch the Luhhwahhweni community.<br />
After years of few in attendance the church is growing and currently meeting in a school. Unfortunately, there have been issues between the current leadership and the young man who was leading but had to step down due to living with his sister-in-law and not being married. A special meeting was called between the community leaders, young man’s family, church leadership, Wayne and the young man Monday (Nov. 21st) to discuss the situation. Because of the conflicts the land given to the church for a church building was in danger of being taken away. Praise the Lord the meeting went well with a good outcome. Pray for continued growth for this church as members try to reach the community. Pray for a good working relationship between past and current leadership and pray the young man will be able to improve his current living arrangements. His family sent him to stay in the home of his deceased brother after a couple of break-ins to the house. His sister-in-law works in Big Bend and is not around most of the time. This couple has discussed marriage but agreed it would not be a good idea. He does not have a job and cannot support himself but the community feels he is not doing right in this situation. The issue has caused quite a bit of problems for the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church.<br />
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NEXT WEEK’S MINISTRY EVENTS:<br />
--WORLD AIDS DAY! December 1st. The country of Swaziland is experiencing one of the worlds’ worse AIDS pandemics. HIV/AIDS infection among pregnant women is 41 percent, 31 percent of Swazi children are orphans and the life expectancy is now 43 years. Pray for a solution to the AIDS problem in Swaziland. Pray Swazis will come to realize that their lifestyle contributes to the early death of friends and family. Swaziland will be featured for the World AIDS Day emphasis at <a href="http://www.africa.stories.org/">http://www.africa.stories.org/</a>.<br />
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--Friday December 2nd, the Swazi Team will say “Thank You” to the four Hands On missionaries with a trip to the Swazi Candle Factory. Sienna, Kim, Heather and Brandi arrived in June for six months of True Love Waits and other AIDS related ministries. Pray these four missionaries will have a feeling of accomplishment as they prepare to return to the states. They leave Swaziland for Jo’burg on the 10th of December for their debriefing (Dec. 12-14). Their return flight to the states is December 14th.<br />
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--Saturday December 3rd the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland will meet. In recent months there has been increasing tension between the leaders of the convention and missionaries. Convention leaders seem to want to rule over the Baptist churches and the missionaries and impose non-Biblical hierarchal leadership structure. Pray the missionaries will have wisdom in knowing how to deal with the convention leadership in a Christian way. There will be a special prayer emphasis for this meeting on the 3rd. A special “season of prayer” prayer requests will be included in next week’s prayer letter. Please begin praying today for this meeting.<br />
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--Sunday the 4th of December the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches have the opportunity to say “Thank You” and “Goodbye” to Brandi and Kim who have ministered in these areas since their month long homestead stay (Mafucula) in July. Pray this time will be very special as the churches express their gratitude for their work and sadness for their departure.<br />
<br />
In 1883 the Foreign Mission Board called for special services of prayer for missions, and in 1888 the Convention adopted a committee report urging a return to the establishment and maintenance of the monthly concert of prayer for missions. The founding of the Woman’s Missionary Union in 1888 greatly enhanced the focus of prayer on missions in Baptist life. Lottie Moon had pleaded, in her many letters, for the forming of such an organization. Through her inspiration and intense devotion, a special day of prayer and offering for foreign missions was observed each year 1888 to 1891. Beginning in 1892, the prayer emphasis was lengthened to include an entire week. (From the book The Life That Prays by Minette Drumwright) Your IMB missionaries give their lives to the missions task. Your faithful support keeps them on the field doing what God has called them to do. With each soul won to Christ, each new believer’s baptism and each church-planting movement started, you are a faithful partner in the harvest. Please support and give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so missionaries can continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the world. Lottie Moon Offering Goal: $175 million <a href="http://www.imb.org/offering">www.imb.org/offering</a>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-46049522901929767272011-11-22T02:13:00.000-08:002011-11-22T02:13:22.742-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterThe temperatures continue to be quite warm in our area of Swaziland but we did receive a couple of thundershowers this week that helped to provide a little relief. Rain is still needed for the farmers to plant their crops and gardens. Please pray the rains will come and provide the moisture that will enable crops/gardens to grow and river/streams to fill.<br />
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The date for the Mgamudze Ladies’ Retreat that was scheduled for November 18-19 and then November 25-26 has now been scheduled to begin today. I received word on Saturday (12th of November) that the retreat could not take place the last weekend. So the pastor decided to have the retreat today and tomorrow (18-19 of November). He also told me he invited the ladies from the New Hope Baptist Church to join us as a well as a few from the community. Pray the church will be adequately prepared for the event as well as myself. With the news of New Hope joining us and possibly a couple from the community, I quickly prepared more teaching materials. Please pray the ladies will plan to be on time and attend every session. May we receive wonderful blessings from the Lord!! <br />
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THANKSGIVNG DAY-November 24, 2011. The Swazi Team will celebrate Thanksgiving Day at the Allens in Mbabane. Pray for a wonderful day of celebration and Thanksgiving!! <br />
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords: His Love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-3<br />
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--Sunday November 27th is the tentative date for baptismal service at the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church. Pray for this church as they celebrate through this baptismal service. Pray these new believers will totally serve the Lord and will be wonderful witnesses in the community of Luhhwahhweni.<br />
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The Hands On missionaries’ time of ministry in Swaziland is coming to an end. In June they began their 6 month term that will end on the 8th of December when they depart for Jo’burg for a week of debriefing before returning to the states. It has been a wonderful 6 months for the Swazi Team and hopefully for these missionaries. Wayne and I know the Mafucula and Vuvulane Baptist Churches and communities will be very sad to say goodbye to Brandi and Kim. Plans for a farewell service combining the two churches has been planned for the 4th of December. The Swazi Team will also say thank you to the “girls” on the 2nd of December with a trip to the Swazi Candle Factory. Pray for Sienna, Heather, Brandi and Kim as their work in Swaziland slowly comes to an end. Pray for a great feeling of accomplishment as they prepare to return to the states.<br />
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Stories of their work in Swaziland will appear on <a href="http://www.africastories.org/">http://www.africastories.org/</a> the first appearing on the 30th of November. Swaziland will also be featured for the World AIDS Day emphasis December 1st.<br />
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The Swazi Team’s end-of-the-year retreat is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Buckleigh Guest House in North Durban. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray for the Team as we begin to prepare for this special event with hopes that it will provide renewal and encouragement. <br />
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UPDATE: In September 23rd’ prayer letter we asked you to pray for Sphesile Msibi (wife of pastor of Mgamudze Baptist Church) who had suffered a stroke. We are happy to say she is doing very well. The family thanks everyone for praying!!<br />
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CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE:<br />
“2 Oceans Cluster” <a href="http://www.2oceanscluster.com/">http://www.2oceanscluster.com/</a> and click on “Town/Village/Rural and then click on Swazi Team<br />
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Lottie Moon destined to become a legend among Southern Baptists, was one of the earliest single women appointed by the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board). Harriet Baker was the first, in 1849, but her career was brief, and she “served to confirm the board’s opinion that single women were not suited for foreign missionary service.” Finally, with a change in policy in 1872, Edmonia Moon was appointed to China. The following year, on July 7, 1873, Lottie Moon, Edmonia’s sister, was officially appointed by the Foreign Mission Board meeting in Richmond, Va. <br />
Arriving in China, Lottie immediately enveloped herself in love for, and work with, the Chinese people. She wrote many challenging, chiding letters to Henry A. Tupper, corresponding secretary of the FMB and her trusted friend, asking Southern Baptists for helpers, money and prayers for the sake of the gospel and the people of China. She described the massive numbers of lost souls around here in the Shantung Province. “Thirty million lost people,” she wrote in one of her letters, “yet the one million Southern Baptists at home can barely muster enough through their giving to send only three women and one man to win all of those people to the Lord. I don’t know how that looks in heaven, but it certainly looks peculiar in China.” (From the book The Life that Prays by Minette Drumwright)<br />
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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 continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the world. Lottie Moon Offering Goal; $175 million <a href="http://www.imb.org/offering">www.imb.org/offering</a>Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-85842204190354921372011-11-22T02:09:00.001-08:002011-11-22T02:09:50.015-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterThe last few days the temperatures have literally soared to between 100-108. Everything is so dry and dusty and in need of good rains. This time of year it is very vital that rains come weekly and no rain is forecast for the reminder of the week. Please pray the rains will come and provide the moisture that will enable crops/gardens to grow and rivers/streams to fill!!<br />
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We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with the IMB video team that were in Tshaneni Saturday-Wednesday (November 5-8). Margie, Katie, Tyler and Jess stayed busy photographing and talking with Brandi and Kim and many Swazis along the way. Besides the various AIDS ministries in which Kim and Brandi are involved, the group was able to experience the sharing of the True Love Waits message with the students at the Vuvulane Seconday School. Pray for this group as they continue their work with Sienna, Heather and the Allens in Mbabane. Sunday they will return to Jo’burg. Pray for a safe journey.<br />
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NOTE***Stories from this visit will appear on AfricaStories.org the first appearing on the 30th of November. Swaziland will also be featured for the World AIDS Day emphasis December 1st.<br />
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Sunday was a very warm day as we loaded up the children from Vuvulane after worship and made our way to Mafucula for a combined children’s Bible study. Brandi and Kim shared the truth/facts about AIDS with about 50 children under three small shade trees. After a time of work the children enjoyed chips, cookies and juice!! It is so important that our children begin to understand the causes and effects of AIDS. Pray Swazi children will have a chance to hear the truth about AIDS and its causes. Pray for a brighter future for our Swazi Baptist children.<br />
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SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:<br />
The last few months the Swazi Team has requested prayer for the monthly executive committee meetings of the Swaziland Baptist Convention. There have been questions concerning the working relationship between the Baptist Mission and the Swazi Baptist pastors/churches and convention. We have asked you to pray for open minds and a desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries. Unfortunately, last Saturday’s meeting was very discouraging for the missionaries and it has become obvious that the leadership of the convention does not want the missionaries working with individual churches unless the convention is informed what they plan to teach or do. (Rather odd since it was the missionaries that began the Baptist work in Swaziland.) So this continues to raise the question, “How can the convention and the missionaries work together?” Pray the missionaries will be able to work through this difficulty with a future of promise and hope. Pray the Lord will lay His hand on this situation and He alone will be glorified in its outcome.<br />
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--The date for the Ladies’ Retreat for the Mgamudze Baptist Church has been changed from November 18-19 to November 25-26. Pray the church will be adequately prepared for this event and ladies will plan to attend every session.<br />
<br />
--Planning has begun for the Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat December 12-15. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. The selected venue is the Buckleigh Guest House in North Durban. Pray for the continued planning of this special event and for the members of the Swazi Team to prepare to be encouraged and spiritually renewed!!<br />
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--Our Hands On missionaries’ time of ministry in Swaziland is coming to an end. They arrived for 6 months in June and will depart from Swaziland on the 8th of December (week of debriefing in Jo’burg before departing for the states). It has been a wonderful 6 months for the Swazi Team and hopefully for these missionaries. Wayne and I know the Mafucula and Vuvulane Baptist Churches and communities will be very sad to say goodbye to Brandi and Kim. Plans for a farewell service combining the two churches has been planned for the 4th of December. The Swazi Team will also say goodbye to the “girls” on the 2nd of December. Pray for Sienna, Heather, Brandi and Kim as their work in Swaziland slowly comes to an end. Pray for a great feeling of accomplishment as they prepare to return to the states.<br />
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OFFICE OF GLOBAL PRAYER STATEGY:<br />
Please be in prayer for IMB trustees and staff as they gather in Richmond for their fall meeting, November 14-15. May the Holy Spirit be their guide as they discuss important strategic and administrative matters. Pray also for the missionary appointment service that will follow the meeting on November 16. The service will be held at Temple Baptist Church, Hattisburg, Mississippi.<br />
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Formed in 1845 with missions a major priority, the Southern Baptist Convention immediately created Domestic and Foreign Mission Boards, promoted the monthly Concert of Prayer meetings for missions, and sent missionaries to China and Africa. By the 1880s the SBC, however, interest in missions had waned, and the prayer emphasis had fallen into serious decline. A report of the convention’s Committee on Progress and Prayer in 1881 attributed the decline of interest in missions primarily to the abandonment of the monthly Concert of Prayer and urged the reestablishment of the monthly event in each church throughout the bounds of the Convention. (From the book The Life That Prays by Minette Drumwright)<br />
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Your church’s Cooperative Program contribution goes to your Southern Baptist state convention office. Between 13 percent and 53 percent goes from there to the SBC Executive Committee office in Nashville. Half of those funds go to the International Mission Board (IMB), and half go to other SBC entities. The IMB receives 35 percent of its total income from CP. That money, along with Lottie Moon Christmas Offering dollars, supports missionaries sharing the love of Jesus Christ around the world. Please support and give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so missionaries can continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the world.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-74894682283202215602011-11-22T02:07:00.001-08:002011-11-22T02:07:45.041-08:00Hoskins Update - NovemberThis last month has had its share of challenges. Several situations have come up that make us feel like we’re taking three steps back for every one step forward. One of Todd’s best friends, who Todd has been leading in a Bible study for over 6 months, came over to our home wearing amulets (indicating participation in witchcraft for healing). It was discouraging.<br />
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Todd was able to show his friend where the Bible speaks about putting our trust in God alone, but not all challenges are so simply addressed. Please continue to pray for us to have wisdom and patience in our lives and in our work here.<br />
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We love the opportunity God has given us to serve Him here in Swaziland through challenges and triumphs. We are currently focusing our energy on finishing the Bible study materials to be ready for training events led by the Baptist Mission in December. We are thankful to all of those who are helping us edit and translate the materials into siSwati.<br />
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Our mission cluster has a new website that you can visit at <a href="http://www.2oceanscluster.com/">http://www.2oceanscluster.com/</a>. Swaziland is found under the Town/Village/Rural section.<br />
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Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-9963937823133525992011-11-22T02:05:00.001-08:002011-11-22T02:05:47.980-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterThe four “Hands On” missionaries and Wayne are on their way to Swaziland after spending the last couple of days enjoying the Kruger National Game Reserve. Wayne phoned yesterday to say the group saw four cheetahs stalking a herd of wildebeest. They watched the cheetahs for about an hour to see if they (cheetahs) would make their move on the wildebeest (they didn’t). The group has also seen many rhino, giraffes, close and personal views of elephants and much more !! What wonderful sightings for their first time at the park!! <br />
<br />
While Wayne and the girls were enjoying the cheetah sightings, I experienced my own sighting here at the farm. I am keeping a friend’s dog for a couple of days and left the back door open so he could go in and out without bothering me during my quiet time. As I was finishing, I heard a sound that made me realize a bird was in the house. Since I was alone I didn’t relish trying to find a way to extract the bird (Black-capped Bulbul) from the house. The first thing I did was get the dog out before he could pounce on the bird. He preceded to go to the window where the bird was trying to get out. The bird was looking at the dog from the inside and the dog was looking at the bird from the outside. Several attempts proved futile in trying to get the bird out through an open window (different window from where the dog had positioned himself). A little while later the bird flew to the sitting room and I was able to open the front door for it to fly away!!<br />
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--The Shiselweni Baptist Association did meet last Saturday but was unable to plan the ordination service for Pastor Nkhosingiphile Dlamini. Pastor Dlamini was not able to attend due to a school function. Planning will continue for this special service that has been scheduled for January 2012. Please pray for the planning of this special event and for Nkhosingiphile as he continues his education.<br />
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--Please pray for the executive committee meeting of the Swaziland Baptist Convention tomorrow November 5th. Pray those attending will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and missionaries.<br />
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--Tomorrow (11/5) the IMB video team (from Jo’burg) arrives in Swaziland to spend time with Kim and Brandi (Tshaneni/Mafucula) and Sienna and Heather in Mbabane. They will be in Tshaneni Nov. 5-8 and in Mbabane Nov. 8-13. 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 on the Swazi team. May wonderful blessings occur while making these stories.<br />
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--Sunday (November 6th) after the worship services the children of the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches will meet together at Mafucula. Brandi and Kim will share the truth/facts about AIDS. Pray the children will hear and understand the causes and effects of AIDS on their bodies and their lives.<br />
-November 18-19 is the scheduled date for the Mgamudze Baptist Church Ladies’ Retreat. Pray the church will adequately prepare for this event and ladies will plan to attend every session.<br />
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Pray for Brandi Harris (Hands On Missionary) on her birthday the 9th of November. Pray her special day will indeed be special!<br />
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The country of Swaziland is experiencing one of the worlds worse AIDS pandemics. HIV/AIDS infection among pregnant women is 41 percent. 31 percent of Swazi children are orphans and the life expectancy is 43 years of age. Pray for a solution to the AIDS problem in Swaziland. Pray Swazis will come to realize that their lifestyle contributes to the early death of friends and family.<br />
<br />
It was Luther Rice’s efforts that help lead to the formation of the Triennial Convention in 1814, the first national body of Baptists. Organized primarily as a foreign mission society, the convention’s main purpose at first was to support the Judsons. Soon, their purposes expanded. In 1817, the convention voted to recommend to its churches that they observe the first Monday of every month as a day of prayer for missions. For many years, this remained an important emphasis. Commissioned by the Triennial Convention, J. Louis and Henrietta Hall Shuck sailed for China in 1835. As a youth Shuck had attended a missions rally where an offering was received. Having no money, he wrote on a slip of paper, “I give myself” and placed it in the offering plate. The Shucks were powerful missionary influences in China and America. (From the book The Life That Prays by Minette Drumwright.)<br />
<br />
Your IMB missionaries give their lives to the missions task. Your faithful support keeps them on the field doing what God has called them to do. With each soul won to Christ, each new believer’s baptism and each church-planting movement started, you are a faithful partner in the harvest. Please support and give to the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so missionaries can continue the “Great Commission” calling to go, teach and baptize in the uttermost parts of the earth.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-37818547519811892022011-11-22T02:00:00.000-08:002011-11-22T02:00:37.695-08:00November prayer calendarTuesday November 1: Thank you for praying for the Hoskins last month. Todd had a wonderful time learning during the Bible school at Phuzumoya. Deborah loved the fellowship with friends from all over the country at the National Women’s Retreat and particularly enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with Barbara and Monica. Pray for the Hoskins as they continue to minister in Swaziland. Pray for great periods of fellowship with Swazis and learning opportunities through daily experiences.<br />
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Wednesday November 2: November 2-4 the “Hands On” missionaries Kim, Sienna, Brandi and Heather are treating themselves to a much deserved trip to the Kruger National Game Reserve. Pray the group will see many wonderful sights and enjoy their time at Kruger. Continue to pray for these missionaries as their time in Swaziland is “winding down”. December 9-13 is their scheduled debriefing in Jo’burg before their departure to the states.<br />
<br />
Thursday November 3: 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 spend their time reaching a 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. Pray the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will reach its goal so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.<br />
<br />
Friday November 4: November 5-13, an IMB team that includes a photographer/graph designer, journalist and videographer will be in Swaziland to spend time with Kim and Brandi (Tshaneni/Mafucula) and Sienna and Heather in Mbabane. 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 on the Swazi Team. May wonderful blessings occur while making these stories.<br />
<br />
Saturday November 5: Pray for the executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention. Pray those attending the meeting will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries.<br />
--Heather and Sienna are working with the youth today at the Mphembakati Baptist Church sharing more about True Love Waits. Please pray they will be effectively able to share the truth about love from the Bible.<br />
<br />
Sunday November 6: Today after worship services the children of the Vuvulane and Mafucula Baptist Churches are meeting together at Mafucula. Brandi and Kim will share the truth/facts about AIDS. Pray the children will hear and understand the causes and effects of AIDS on their bodies and their lives.<br />
Monday November 7: Pray for Brandi Harris (Hands On Missionary) today on her birthday. May her special day be special!! J<br />
The country of Swaziland is experiencing one of the worlds worse AIDS pandemics. HIV/AIDS infection among pregnant women is 41 percent. 31 percent of Swazi children are orphans and life expectancy is 43 percent. Pray for a solution to the AIDS problem in Swaziland. Pray Swazis will come to realize that their lifestyle contributes to the early death of friends and family.<br />
<br />
Tuesday November 8: The rainy season has begun in Swaziland. Swazis hope the rains will be plentiful this growing season. After the planting of crops and gardens frequent rains are needed. Pray there will be plenty of rain throughout Swaziland. Pray the Swazis’ fields will receive enough rain to provide food until the next growing season.<br />
<br />
Wednesday November 9: The South Coast Bible School finished its 2011 year with the last session October 10-14 at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Approximately 20 students attended from Swazi Baptist churches and the communities around Phuzumoya. Pray the attendees were richly blessed through their studies last week. Pray as planning begins for the 2012 (four sessions) South Coast Bible School.<br />
<br />
Thursday November 10: Please pray for the Hoskins as they continue to work on translation (English to siSwati) of Bible study materials throughout the month of November. “Please pray that the translation will be done and that we make the most of the opportunities to disciple those working with us on the material”.<br />
<br />
Friday November 11: October 9th was World Hunger Day! But you can give to promote the World Hunger Fund anytime of the year. One hundred percent of every dollar given to the World Hunger Fund is used to help hungry peoples. Pray for support from our Southern Baptist churches to this fund and ministry. <a href="http://www.gobgr.org/">http://www.gobgr.org/</a><br />
<br />
Saturday November 12: The Baptist Global Response (BGR) In-Home Care Kits are being used by the Swazi Team to teach and empower local churches to make home visits and show love to those dying with AIDS in their community. Presenting the care kit to a family opens a great door of opportunity to share a Bible story about Jesus’ ability to heal the soul. Pray the use of these items by loving care givers will show the love and compassion that Jesus Christ has for the terminally ill. <a href="http://www.inhomecarekits.org/">http://www.inhomecarekits.org/</a><br />
<br />
Sunday November 13: Continue to pray for the outreach ministry at Ngowane as the group desires to start Sunday services in the near future. Pray for leadership to rise up and be trained to lead this possible new church.<br />
<br />
Monday November 14: 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 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. Pray for our Swazi Baptist ladies as many daily struggle with cultural issues, a husband with more than one wife, responsibility of family needs and a desire to grow spiritually.<br />
<br />
Tuesday November 15: Todd and Deborah Hoskins has been working on a project to expand Biblical Education opportunities for believers. This resource (BEP-Baptist Education Program) is designed t be an additional tool for Swazi Baptist church members. Pray this resource will be a very useful discipleship tool. The first one-day training event has been scheduled for the 8th of December.<br />
<br />
Wednesday November 16: 2011 was a year of turmoil for the government of Swaziland. Strikes for higher wages, an end to high spending of the monarchy as well as the end of the monarchy and a better life have constantly been scheduled. Pray a peaceful solution will be reached between the government and the Swazi people. Pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will come to know Jesus as their Savior. May true revival touch the hearts of the Swazi people.<br />
<br />
Thursday November 17: It was a very warm day at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church when friends and family gathered to celebrate the 12th wedding anniversary of Mandla and Philiswe Sigwane (October 22nd). What a special event and witness for this couple (pastor of the Phuzumoya Baptist Church). Swazis live in a polygamous society and do not understand what God expects of marriage and the marriage relationship. Pray for strong Swazi Christian marriages that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Friday November 18: November 18-19 the Mgamudze Baptist Church has scheduled an overnight women’s retreat and asked missionary Barbara Myers to lead. Pray as Barbara prepares to lead this group of women in a time of Bible study and fellowship. Pray the ladies of the Mgamudze Baptist Church will desire to come together. One of the sessions will be door-to-door visitation in the community. Pray the Lord will reap great benefits from this ministry.<br />
<br />
Saturday November 19: Todd and Deborah Hoskins will lead the youth Bible study today at Mphembakati Baptist Church. Please pray the study will go well.<br />
<br />
Sunday November 20: Last month the Shiselweni Baptist Association conducted their bi-monthly meeting at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. The main topic of business was the ordination service for Pastor Nkhosingiphile Dlamini (Thunzini Baptist Church). This special event is being planned for December 2011. Pray planning will go well. Pray the Lord will provide for the needs of Nkhosinigphile as he attends teacher training college.<br />
<br />
Monday November 21: With the upcoming holidays, pray for missionaries all over the world not able to be with their extended families. Holidays are probably the times most missionaries can be homesick and missing family gatherings. <br />
<br />
Tuesday November 22: Through Jesus’ blood, we call God “Abba Father”, an intimate phrase of tender love between a parent and child. Muslims know nothing of this intimacy in prayer. Many are deeply religious, but to them, their god, Allah, is far off and inaccessible. They face their struggles alone. Pray for these to know the One who will never leave or forsake them. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them”. Isaiah 42:16<br />
<br />
Wednesday November 23: In 2011 volunteer teams from Southern Baptist churches ministered alongside the Swazi Team conducting retreats, Bible studies for adult, youth and children, revivals, hut-to-hut visitation, prayer walking, AIDS orphan ministries, sharing the True Love Waits message and more. Pray as planning begins for the ministry of volunteer teams with the Swazi Team in 2012. May God’s wonderful blessings continue to flow.<br />
<br />
Thursday November 24: The Swazi Team will celebrate Thanksgiving at the Allens in Mbabane. Pray for a wonderful day of celebration and thanksgiving!!<br />
<br />
Friday November 25: Sub-Saharan African Unengaged Peoples: The Caprivi Strip of Namibia reaches east like a long finger, stretching to touch the great Zambezi River. This landlocked peninsula is bordered by Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Fwe of Namibia make their home in the sandy Caprivi Strip. Currently no one is intentionally starting churches among the Fwe. Pray the Fwe believers will boldly proclaim the Gospel to their families and friends, and the Fwe will see their need for Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. Pray that a strategic plan will be developed to plant biblical churches among the Fwe of Namibia.<br />
<br />
Saturday November 26: The Hoskins will lead a Bible study with youth and women at the Big Bend Baptist Church. Please pray the Bible study will go well.<br />
<br />
Sunday November 27: “Q” is a Swazi child that has been diagnosed with TB. His mother refuses to allow him a follow-up visit to the clinic for fear he will be given the ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) designed to prolong the life of an AIDS victim. Instead she took him to a traditional healer and was told the drugs the clinic gave him would kill him. “Q” (a very thin child) is now afraid to take any form of medication given to him by the clinic. Pray the mother will see that not allowing her child to be properly treated will lead to an early death. Pray for the many Swazi families that are afraid of abandonment if it is discovered that one of their family members is HIV positive.<br />
<br />
Monday November 28: Pray the government of Swaziland will see the need to provide doctors in clinics and a supply of medications that will be adequate. Pray Swazis will not seek the use of traditional methods of medical care.<br />
<br />
Tuesday November 29: Plans have begun for the Swazi Team’s end-of-the year retreat December 12-15. In the past, the time has enabled the Team to not only have great fellowship together, but also praise the Lord for His blessings the past year and a time of prayer for future work. Pray as the Team selects a venue and agenda for 2011’s retreat. Pray in all things the Lord will be glorified.<br />
<br />
Wednesday November 30: Pray Swazi Christians will understand the customs and traditions that are a normal part of life are not always acceptable to the Lord. Pray they will study more and learn about the Lord and His ways.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-48189063096983022312011-11-22T01:47:00.000-08:002011-11-22T01:47:30.839-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterIt is a very warm and windy day in Tshaneni. It has rained this week and now with the sun trying to peak through the clouds, it is quite humid. We are thankful for every drop of rain, especially this time of the year when farmers are trying to plant their crops and families their mealies (corn). Swazis always hope the rains will be plentiful and frequent. Pray there will be plenty of rain throughout Swaziland. Pray the fields will receive enough rain to provide food until the next growing season.<br />
<br />
It wasn’t raining Saturday when the church and community of Phuzumoya met for the 12th wedding anniversary of Pastor Mandla Sigwane and his wife Philisiwe. It was quite hot with a strong breeze whipping the tents. The Swazis did not seem bothered by the uncomfortable conditions (like I was!!) and stayed to witness this special event in the life of the church and the Sigwanes. Swazi society allows a man more than one wife and most do not understand what God expects of marriage and the marriage relationship. Pray for strong Swazi Christian marriages that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
--Wayne left this morning for the Shiselweni region and to attend the Shiselweni Baptist Association meeting at the Velebantfu Baptist Church tomorrow (Saturday). This meeting was postponed last month due to our vehicle difficulties. On the agenda will be discussion of the ordination service in December for Nkhosingiphile Dlamini, pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church. This will be a big event in the life of the Shiselweni region, Thunzini Baptist Church and Nkhosingiphile. Pray for the planning of this special event in December. Pray for Nkhosinigphile as he continues with his education and pray the Lord will provide for his needs.<br />
<br />
SWAZICAN CITRUS FARM UDATE:<br />
As I sit here and type our weekly prayer letter, we still do not know the fate of the 190 employees who were given their notices effective October 30th . A company has brought the farm and will take over sometime in 2012. There is to be a meeting today and the employees will hear whether they will have to pack up and leave or stay temporarily or indefinitely. Pray for these who may lose their homes and jobs. Please pray for the Lord’s provision.<br />
Our situation: We did receive a notice that the lease to our house will expire the end of the year. We will then renew monthly until the new owners take over and a new lease will then be discussed. Our plan at this time is to stay in this house until we are told we cannot or until our stateside assignment begins in September 2012. Please pray for our peace concerning this situation. <br />
<br />
PRAYER EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER:<br />
-November 2-4 the “Hands On” missionaries with enjoy their time in the Kruger National Game Reserve. Pray the group will see many wonderful sights. Continue to pray for these missionaries as their time in Swaziland is coming to a close. <br />
<br />
-Pray for the executive committee meeting of the Swaziland Baptist Convention November 5th. Pray those attending will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and missionaries.<br />
<br />
--November 5-13, an IMB team will be in Swaziland to spend time with Kim and Brandi (Tshaneni/Mafucula) and Sienna and Heather in Mbabane. 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 on the Swazi Team. May wonderful blessings occur while making these stories.<br />
<br />
-November 18-19, the Mgamudze Baptist Church has scheduled an overnight ladies’ retreat. I (Barbara) will lead this special time of study and fellowship. One of the sessions will be door-to-door visitation in the community. Pray the Lord will reap great benefits from this ministry.<br />
<br />
AIDS UPDATE:<br />
Perhaps you remember the story of the pastor and his wife (Shiselweni) who experienced marital difficulties for years. At one point, the husband sent the wife home to her mother’s homestead and he took another wife in the Swazi traditional way. He left the pastoral ministry. The husband and wife did reunite (he sent his traditional wife back to her home) and were attending the Sigwanes’ anniversary service. I was a shocked to see how his condition has deteriorated since I saw him two or three years ago. He was very thin and sickly. At one time he was on the antiretroviral drugs but ceased to take them because he felt the Lord had healed him. I don’t know if he has resumed taking them. Even though his wife is also HIV positive she looked well. Their three daughters are also HIV positive. Please pray for this family. And pray for many families like this one throughout Swaziland.<br />
<br />
Congregationalists Adoniram and Ann Judson and Luther Rice sailed from American shores for Burma in 1812. Along the way both Adoniram and Luther felt drawn to the Baptist position on baptism. After agonizing over the situation for three months, all three were baptized by one of William Carey’s associates. They resigned from the Congregational Board leaving them without support. Carey offered to support the Americans through the English Baptist Missionary Society. However, they all agreed the best plan would be for American Baptists to provide the support. Rice returned to America to stir up the Baptists and encourage the formation of organizations for the support of foreign missions in general and the Judsons in particular. (From the book The Life That Prays by Minette Drumwright). As your church gives, prays and goes, unreached people—like the Manga Kanuri of West Africa, the Huishui Miao of China and the Uzbeks of Uzbekistan—gain access to the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. They hear and respond because your IMB missionaries go with full support and because you give generously and sacrificially. 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.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-36102811817648480242011-11-22T01:43:00.000-08:002011-11-22T01:43:28.977-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterFor 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.<br />
<br />
-One attendant fell and broke her ankle the first night. Pray as she recovers from her injury.<br />
<br />
--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.<br />
<br />
--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.<br />
<br />
--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.<br />
<br />
“HANDS ON” UPDATE:<br />
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. <br />
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.<br />
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!!<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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!!<br />
<br />
**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. <a href="http://www.gobgr.org/">http://www.gobgr.org/</a><br />
<br />
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. <br />
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.)<br />
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.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-12766379375490522062011-11-22T01:31:00.000-08:002011-11-22T01:31:25.734-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterWONDERFUL BLESSINGS FROM THE ALLEN FAMILY <br />
The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster ride of emotions waiting to hear news about my mom, especially being so far away. However, praise God she received the cancer free report!!!! I wish I could be with her during her recovery time but know she is in God's hands. Continue to pray for her full and speedy recovery! <br />
<br />
Continuing with the praise report....Lacie had a complete hearing test on Tuesday and her hearing has greatly improved. The doctor said she went from being around 40% (moderate level) to 20-25% (mild level) due to her recent surgery. Lacie said she can tell a big difference and she is flying through her reading books now. Another huge praise the Lord! We serve an amazing God!!!<br />
<br />
We (the Myers family) had a wonderful visit and ministry time with our True Love Waits International consultant, Kym Pennington Coe (Sun.-Wed). Kym led a training event that included the two Hands On missionaries at Mafucula. She was fortunate to also spend “quality time” with Brandi and Kim. We praise the Lord for Kym’s ministry as well as her witness!! Pray for Kym as she works with the Hoskins and Allens before leaving Swaziland on the 12th of October.<br />
<br />
SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS FROM THE MYERS FAMILY <br />
Sunday on the way to church Gertrude (our Swazi friend and switchboard operator on the farm) told us the bad news. Due to losing money the last few years Swazican is closing their production on the farm. The employees have been given their notices effective on the 30th of October. There is a possibility that interested parties will take over the farm with plans to raise sugar cane instead of citrus fruit but this is not confirmed. Either way many of the employees will lose their home and job.<br />
· Pray for these families as they return to their family homes. Pray for the children that will not be allowed to finish their school year (ends the first of December). Pray all will have a chance to find ways to provide for themselves and their families.<br />
· Pray for the children from the farm that have been going with us to Vuvulane Baptist Church. Pray wherever they go, they will have a chance to attend an evangelistic church. <br />
· With this change there is a possibility that we might have to move. If so this will be the third move in as many years. We would like to be able to stay here since housing is so difficult to find in this area. Pray for us as we deal with an uncertain future on the farm and possibly in this area.<br />
<br />
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:<br />
October 8: Suzanna Yawn, Deborah Hoskins’ sister<br />
October 12: Barbara Myers<br />
October 13: Todd Hoskins’ mother<br />
May our special day indeed be special!!<br />
<br />
WORLD HUNGER DAY October 9, 2011<br />
In sub-Saharan Africa these funds are currently feeding war widows and orphans in Sierra Leone as well as providing seed for them to become self sufficient. In South Africa and Zimbabwe, World Hunger Funds provide nutrition for thousands of children in child headed households and feed patients who are sick with AIDS and unable to care for themselves. In Kenya, these funds are providing food for many who have been affected by the Horn of Africa Famine. World Hunger Funds enable Baptist Global Response to minister around the world, and this fund is at an all time low. <br />
<br />
October 9 is World Hunger Day, but you can give to or promote the World Hunger Fund any time of 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.<br />
<a href="http://www.gobgr.org/">http://www.gobgr.org/</a><br />
<br />
--October 10-14 is the last session of the South Coast Bible School in 2011. This school meets for one week four times a year at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Pray those attending will find the classes helpful with their ministries. Pray for the Swazi Team missionaries (Wayne and Todd) assisting with teaching and other administrative duties.<br />
<br />
--Coming together with other women for a time of Bible study and fellowship is a great enjoyment for our Swazi Baptist women. October 13-15 is the scheduled National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat. Missionary Monica Allen will be the guest speaker. Theme is “God, Our Father”. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them. Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study and will leave refreshed, renewed and strengthened.<br />
<br />
AIDS UPDATE:<br />
The last two Sundays, one of the “farm” children that usually attends church with us has been ill and not able to come. When asked what was his problem, I was told that he had TB. At first, I didn’t believe this could be his problem. But compared to his younger brother he had the appearance of a very sick child. I was also told that even though the farm was paying for the medical bills, his mother refused to allow him to return for a follow-up visit at the clinic because she was afraid they would start him on the antiretroviral drugs. Can you imagine my surprise to hear that a mother had reservations about allowing treatment that would prolong her child’s life? Unfortunately because of the fear of losing jobs, being abandoned and the fear of the unknown, this is a common view. Please pray Qiniselani’s mother will allow him to have the needed treatment to deal with his illness. Pray for understanding, not condemnation or blame, within families affected by AIDS.<br />
<br />
Who is the first executive director of the Foreign (International) Missions Board? James B. Taylor, a former Baptist minister in Richmond, Va., who served 1846-1871. Has your church set the goal for the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering? Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to support your Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. Pray for faithfulness of the Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2011 LMCO so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-36095132648797738752011-11-22T01:26:00.000-08:002011-11-22T01:26:07.399-08:00Hoskins Update - OctoberThis time last month we were enjoying a wonderful visit with Todd's<br />
parents. They were able to join us in local ministry, and then we had<br />
the chance to take a South African safari with them. It was so nice<br />
to be able to spend time with family!<br />
<br />
In this message, we want to tell you a little more about the ministry<br />
in which we are involved. Evangelism and church planting are the<br />
overarching objectives of the Baptist Mission in Swaziland. There are<br />
a variety of ways that Deborah and I are involved in doing that:<br />
mentoring youth, teaching Bible studies, working with local churches<br />
to expand evangelistic efforts, and witnessing to people about new<br />
life available through Jesus. In addition to those primary<br />
objectives, there are a few tangible projects that Deborah and I are<br />
involved in that we would like to show you. We've attached pictures<br />
to give you a visual:<br />
<br />
1. Bible study resources: This project we are working on involves<br />
expanding Biblical education opportunities for believers. This<br />
resource, which is in a dual siSwati/English format, is designed to be<br />
an additional tool for our church members along with the ongoing Bible<br />
school. We also hope that this will kick-start 1 to 3 day training<br />
programs in other regions throughout the country.<br />
<br />
2. siSwati Bible: We love opportunities to be involved with giving<br />
or subsidizing Bible distribution in the communities in which we work.<br />
The siSwati Bible has only been available in its entirety since 1996.<br />
This means that a lot of people here still do not have God's Word in<br />
their heart language. It is exciting to see how anxious church<br />
members are to have a Bible of their very own. We are thankful that<br />
family and friends have supported our involvement in Bible<br />
distribution.<br />
<br />
3. AIDS home care kits: Through Baptist Global Relief (BGR),<br />
Southern Baptist Churches assembled and shipped over 650 of these kits<br />
to the Baptist Mission of Swaziland for distribution to families in<br />
need. We are using the kits to teach and empower local churches to<br />
make home visits and show love to those dying with AIDS in their<br />
community. Presenting the care kit to a family opens a great door of<br />
opportunity to share a Bible story about Jesus's ability to heal the<br />
soul (e.g. Mark 2:1-12).<br />
<br />
4. Dolls for hospital visitation: Through another generous donation<br />
from churches in the U.S., we have the opportunity for outreach to<br />
hospitalized children. We are currently working with one of the<br />
churches located near a hospital to show them how these dolls can be a<br />
tool to show the love of Christ to children who are not feeling well.<br />
The church is looking forward to the opportunity to start ministering<br />
in the local hospital.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your ongoing support through prayer. We are so happy to<br />
have the opportunity to share the love of Christ here in Swaziland.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-47615950272792158712011-11-22T01:06:00.001-08:002011-11-22T01:06:54.144-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterRecently there has been much publicity for the small kingdom of Swaziland and unfortunately most of it has not been good. In a recent international TIME magazine an article appeared, “Out of Step His Nation in Crisis, a King Indulges Himself”. The article centered around the Reed Dance in September where tens of thousands of virgin girls trek across to the Queen Mother’s (King’s mother) royal residence. These maidens dance before the King in less than appropriate attire and hope to be the one the King might pick to be his wife. The article contained these statistics:<br />
· The country is currently experiencing the world’s worst AIDS epidemic<br />
· HIV-AIDS infection among pregnant women is 41%<br />
· Swazi life expectancy is down to 43 years<br />
· 31% of Swazi children are orphans<br />
· Unemployment rate is 43%.<br />
· 63% of Swazis live on $2 a day or less<br />
The main content of the article discusses the overindulges of the monarchy in view of the above mentioned statistics and the economic condition of the country that largely depends upon South Africa economically. There is unrest in our small country and strikes continue daily. Schools were delayed in opening due to the government owing the schools for this year and previous years (unfortunately the government is broke). Please pray for the political situation in Swaziland. A large group of people want change and some are even demanding the dissolution of the monarchy. Pray a solution will be found before violence becomes the answer.<br />
<br />
Our vehicle woes are over!! Thank you for praying. We were able to drive to Mbabane for the scheduled Swazi Team meeting on Wednesday. We also took the chance to stock up on needed groceries, medications and supplies. It felt good to have “wheels”.<br />
<br />
--Wayne took the opportunity today to make his postponed trip to the Shiselweni region. Pray he will be able to accomplish what he needs to accomplished during this quick trip. <br />
<br />
--As mentioned the Swazi Team was able to meet on Wednesday and discuss calendar events as well as review the last few months. Pray for the Swazi Team as we work together to help many Swazis come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Plans for the Team’s end-of-the-year retreat were also discussed. The dates of this special and fun time is December 12-15. <br />
--Todd, Deborah and Steve drove to Tshaneni on Tuesday to review the Biblical Education Program (BEP) compiled by Todd and Deborah to help Swazi Baptist churches disciple their people, train their people to teach Bible studies and Sunday School and to encourage spiritual growth. Pray many Swazis will be able to participate in BEP.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday on the 2nd of October to Kim Hultgren (Hands On missionary)!! <br />
<br />
--Kym Coe, True Love Waits International consultant will be in Swaziland 2-12 of October. During her time with the Swazi team she will continue to lead TLW trainings and follow-up with TLW presenters. Pray Kym’s time in Swaziland will be very beneficial to everyone. Pray the True Love Waits message will continue to be shared with schools, care centers and churches in 2012. Kym will be in Tshaneni October 2-5.<br />
<br />
---Pray for the executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention. 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 the meeting will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries. May the Lord be glorified in this situation.<br />
<br />
UPDATE ON MONICA ALLEN’S MOM:<br />
Keep praying for my mom. She is in lots of pain and on morphine to ease the pain. Probably will be in the hospital for a few more days. The family is waiting to hear conclusive results from the tests that will determine future treatment. Pray for Polly Trice as she recovers from the removal of a mass from her colon. Pray for quick healing and good results from the lab tests. Pray for the family as they deal with Polly’s medical situation. May the Lord provide the comfort and peace that only He can provide.<br />
<br />
PRAY FOR THESE TWO MAJOR EVENTS IN OCTOBER:<br />
--October 10-14 is the last session of the South Coast Bible School in 2011. This school meets for one week four times a year at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Pray those attending will find the classes helpful with their ministries. Pray for the Swazi Team missionaries (Wayne and Todd) assisting with teaching and other administrative duties.<br />
<br />
--Coming together with other women for a time of Bible study and fellowship is a great enjoyment for our Swazi Baptist women. October 13-15 is the scheduled National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat. Missionary Monica Allen will be the guest speaker. Theme is “God, Our Father”. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them. Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study and will leave refreshed, renewed and strengthened.<br />
<br />
What organization sets the goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering? The Women’s Missionary Union<br />
Has your church set the goal for the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering? Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to support your Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. Pray for faithfulness of the Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2011 LMCO so missionaries can be sent to minister to many lost and dying people and nations.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-86824381725010736262011-11-22T00:59:00.001-08:002011-11-22T00:59:30.812-08:00October prayer calendarUPDATE ON MONICA ALLEN’S MOM: Wanted to let you know that I received more information about my mom not too long ago. The colonoscopy tests found a large mass. Surgery was scheduled for Monday but moved to Tuesday morning (27th of September). I have talked to my mom and her spirits are quite high. We know God is in control but not easy news to hear when we are so far apart. Please pray for this family as they deal with the uncertainty. Pray for Polly as she prepares for surgery and for Monica as she is so far away from her mom. Pray for good news and good outcome.<br />
<br />
Saturday October 1: Pray for the executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention. 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 the meeting will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries. May the Lord be glorified in this situation.<br />
<br />
Sunday October 2: Pray for Kim Hultgren (Hands On missionary) today on her birthday. May her special day indeed be special!<br />
Kym Coe, True Love Waits International consultant arrives in Swaziland today. During her time with the Swazi Team she will continue to lead TLW trainings and follow-up with TLW presenters. Pray Kym’s time (10/2-12) in Swaziland will be very beneficial to everyone. Pray the True Love Waits message will continue to be shared with schools, care centers and churches in 2012.<br />
<br />
Monday October 3: The pastor of the Mgamudze Baptist Church sent a phone message to missionary Wayne Myers a couple of weeks ago requesting prayer for his young wife who suffered a mild stroke. Pray for healing for “S” and for her family as they deal with her illness. Pray her recovery will be quick and complete.<br />
<br />
Tuesday October 4: Monica and Lacie Allen travel to Jo’burg today for Lacie’s follow-up visit with her ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor as well as complete hearing test with the audiologist. Lacie underwent corrective ear surgery in August to correct a 30% hearing loss due to an extra bone near the ear canal. Please pray trusting and believing that her hearing has improved due to her surgery. J<br />
<br />
Wednesday October 5: The BGR (Baptist Global Response) In-Home Care Kits are provided for terminally ill patients with AIDS. The kits are centered around a five gallon heavy duty bucket with lid that seals. Inside the bucket are items that will assist in keeping patients clean and dry, items to protect their mat and mattress from soiling and vitamins to help keep their immune systems strong. Pray the use of these items by loving care givers will show the love and compassion that Jesus Christ has for the terminally ill. Pray for the Swazi Team as we continue to work with the Swazi Baptist churches in distributing the In-Home Care Kits to victims and families of AIDS patients. (If you or your church would like to help fill the In-Home Care Kits please contact <a href="http://www.inhomecarekits.org/">http://www.inhomecarekits.org/</a>.<br />
<br />
Thursday October 6: Revival services were conducted at the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church in September. Several accepted the Lord and there were many rededications. Pray for these who made the commitment to follow Jesus. Pray their lives will be a witness to others. Also pray for the church that has experienced leadership difficulties in the past few months.<br />
<br />
Friday October 7: The pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church is currently attending a teacher training college in Manzini. He requests prayer to receive the scholarship the government had promised the students for food and rent. Unfortunately, the government had to reduce the number of scholarships due to lack of funds. Pray the Lord will provide the needed funds so the pastor can stay in school. <br />
<br />
Saturday October 8: Pray for Deborah Hoskins’ sister, Suzanna today on her birthday. May her special day indeed be special!<br />
Swazis hope the rains will be plentiful this growing season (Oct.-March). After the planting of their corn (mealie) strong and frequent rains are needed. As long as there is mealie, there is food. Pray there will be enough water in the rivers and stream to meet the people’s needs. Pray the rains will be plentiful throughout Swaziland. Pray the Swazis’ fields of mealies will receive enough rain to provide food until the next growing season.<br />
<br />
Sunday October 9: Continue to pray for the outreach ministry at Ngowane as the group desires to start Sunday services in the near future. Pray for leaders to rise up and be trained to lead this possible new church.<br />
<br />
Monday October 10: So many pastors and leaders desire training to be better prepared for the work the Lord has given them. The South Coast Bible School (originates in South Africa) began earlier this year at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church and meets for one week four times a year. October 10-14 begins the last session in 2011 for the school. Pray for those attending to find the classes helpful with their ministries. Pray for the Swazi Team missionaries (Todd and Wayne) assisting with teaching and other administrative duties.<br />
<br />
Tuesday October 11: Please continue to pray for the Bible study at MaCethuka. Pray helpers will be able to assist with the teaching of children and youth/adults on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
Wednesday October 12: Pray for Barbara Myers today on her birthday. May her special day indeed be special!<br />
There is a siSwati word the Swazis use for wife or women that means “One who dies without speaking what she has endured.” Living in a polygamous society that allows husbands to have more than one wife as well as numerous relationships is very difficult. Many women are left to support and care for the children without help from the spouse. It can be a very lonely life. Coming together with women (in like situations) for a time of Bible study and fellowship is a great enjoyment for our Swazi Baptist women. October 13-15 is the scheduled National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat. Missionary Monica Allen will be the guest speaker. Theme is “God, our Father”. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them for daily needs. Please pray for our Swazi Baptist women to find true hope in following and depending upon the Lord for their familes’ needs. Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study and will leave refreshed, renewed and strengthened.<br />
<br />
Thursday October 13: Pray for Todd Hoskins’ mother’ s today on her birthday!! <br />
Pray her special day will indeed be special as she celebrates with family and friends.<br />
--Thank you for praying for Todd’s parents’ visit with the Hoskins August 29-September 9. They were able to participate in ministry as well as enjoy a family vacation to the Kruger National Game Reserve.<br />
<br />
Friday October 14: Pray 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.<br />
<br />
Saturday October 15: Today Todd and Deborah Hoskins are leading a Bible study for the youth of Mpembakati Baptist Church. Please pray this Bible study will go well.<br />
<br />
Sunday October 16: Today missionary Steve Allen flies to the states in order to renew his US drivers’ license (North Carolina). Steve will also visit with family. Pray for Monica, Lacie and Nathan as they remain in Swaziland. Pray for safe travels, and great times with family. Steve will return to Swaziland on the 27th of October.<br />
<br />
Monday October 17: 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.<br />
<br />
Tuesday October 18: During the ladies retreat in August at Mafucula a little girl attending with her mother caught the missionary’s attention. She stayed with her mother during the sessions, sleeping most of the time. She was very small in stature and when held was very light, almost weightless. She had the look of a child older than her years. The missionary had seen that look before when a mother brought her baby to the house after visiting the clinic. The mother admitted the baby was HIV positive. The child died a few weeks later. Pray for the children in Swaziland touched by the AIDS pandemic. Many will live short lives due to the illness attacking their bodies. Pray this one will be able to live a long and fruitful life.<br />
<br />
Wednesday October 19: I Timothy 2:1-2 commands us to pray for kings and those in authority. Please pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will come to understand what it means to be a Christian. Pray their lives will show the love of Christ.<br />
<br />
Thursday October 20: Sub-Saharan African Unengaged People: History repeats itself. Over and over in scripture we read about people worshipping the creation instead of the Creator. Among the Heikum Bushman of Namibia, fire is considered sacred. Pray that the people’s eyes will be opened to the truth. There are more than 27,000 Heikum Bushman in Namibia, and currently, no one is intentionally starting churches among them. Pray that the Heikum Bushman believers, no matter how few, will boldly proclaim the Gospel to their families and friends, and that the Heikum Bushman will see their need for Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. Pray that a strategic plan will be developed to plant biblical churches among the Heikum Bushman in Namibia.<br />
<br />
Friday October 21: In 2011 volunteer teams from Southern Baptist churches ministered alongside the Swazi Team conducting retreats, Bible studies for adult, youth and children, revivals, hut-to-hut visitation (witnessing), prayer walking, AIDS orphan ministries, sharing the True Love Waits message, and more. What a blessing Swazis, volunteer team members and the Swazi Team received. Pray as planning begins for the ministry of volunteer teams with the Swazi Team in 2012. May God’s wonderful blessings continue to flow.<br />
<br />
Saturday October 22: Today Pastor and Mrs. Sigwane (pastor of the Phuzumoya Baptist Church) invite many of their friends to celebrate with them their 12th wedding anniversary. The service will begin at 9:30am at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Pray for this special event in the life of this family and church. Pray the Swazis will understand what God expects of marriage and the marriage relationship. Pray for strong Swazi Christian marriages.<br />
<br />
Sunday October 23: My own conversion is the result of prayer, long, affectionate, earnest, importune. Parents prayed for me; God heard their cries and here I am to preach the Gospel. (Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92) 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.<br />
<br />
Monday October 24: Pray the high appreciation of Jesus Christ as a prophet and miracle worker can be used of the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the Muslims of Swaziland to accept Him as their Savior.<br />
<br />
Tuesday October 25: Who is the first executive director of the Foreign (International)Mission Board? James B. Taylor, a former Baptist minister in Richmond, Va., who served 1846-1871. It is time to set your 2011 church goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Pray for faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give to the 2011 LMCO so missionaries can continue to be sent to minister to many lost and dying people.<br />
<br />
Wednesday October 26: The couple had the attention of the entire family gathered in a house with the children and grandchildren almost filling the living room. A chicken had been killed earlier and cooked for the guests. With everyone situated, singing began. Afterwards the couple was able to share the story of the Bible from Creation to Christ. What a blessing. Pray for this family who heard this wonderful story. Pray more opportunities will be taken by missionaries on the Swazi Team to share with those who do not know Jesus as their Savior.<br />
<br />
Thursday October 27: November 2-4, the “Hands On” missionaries, Kim, Brandi, Heather and Sienna are treating themselves to a much deserved trip to the Kruger National Game Reserve with missionary Wayne Myers. Pray the group will see many wonderful sights and will enjoy their time at Kruger. Continue to pray for these missionaries as they share the True Love Waits message as well as participate in other AIDS related ministries.<br />
<br />
Friday October 28: Saturday November 5-Sunday November 13, an IMB team that includes a photographer/graph designer, journalist and videographer will be in Swaziland to spend time with Kim and Brandi (Tshaneni/Mafucula) and Sienna and Heather in Mbabane. 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 on the Swazi Team. May wonderful blessings occur while making these stories. <br />
<br />
Saturday October 29: Todd and Deborah Hoskins is leading a Bible study for youth and women of the Big Bend Baptist Church. Please pray for good attendance and the study will go well.<br />
<br />
Sunday October 30: There are several churches that have been given land for building their church structures. Some are in the midst of planning and building while others are waiting to begin. Pray as these congregations plan towards their building projects. Through tithes and offerings, may these new structures be completed.<br />
<br />
Monday October 31: We loaded up the portable baptistery, two fifty gallon drums of water and other supplies and headed to our destination, an hour earlier than usual to allow us time to get the baptismal pool set up and before services started for the day. The baptismal candidates gave a brief salvation testimony and a sermon was preached about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. During the service we had a brief interruption as we had to chase away some cows that discovered the baptismal pool and thought it was a drinking trough. Eleven people were baptized. It was a joyous celebration for all those present. Pray new Swazi Christians will grow daily in their faith. Pray the Lord will bring a spiritual harvest among the Swazi people.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-31563453990995639042011-11-22T00:52:00.000-08:002011-11-22T00:52:11.346-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterRain fell yesterday in Tshaneni. It was good to hear the raindrops hit the roof and clean the earth. Rain is so important to the Swazis. Without adequate rainfall crops cannot grow, gardens do not produce food and rivers and streams do not fill up with water that will wash clothes, provide drinking water for animals and people and help with food preparation. Swazis hope the rains will be plentiful this growing season (Oct.-March). After the planting of their corn (mealie) strong and frequent rains are needed. Pray the rains will be plentiful throughout Swaziland. Pray the Swazis’ field of mealies will receive enough rain to provide food until the next growing season.<br />
<br />
Thank you for praying for the ant invasion in our house. It seems things are under control. I look each day to see if there are any new sightings. Please pray our ant invasion is over!!<br />
<br />
At the writing of this prayer letter, our mission vehicle still has not received the needed repairs on the gear boxes. We did get clearance from leadership to have the work done but now are waiting until the shop in Mhlume can get the parts and schedule an appointment. For those of you who have visited us at Tshaneni, you know it is a typical bush town. Medical care is scarce, there is no pharmacy and our one grocery store provides plenty of rice, mealie meal and beans for the Swazis. Manzini is 1 ½ hours from us, Mbabane is 2 hours, Nelspruit, South Africa is 2 hours. These places help us with medications that are needed, luxury items such as contact solution, sweetner, instant cappuccino, and goodies, as well purchase supplies that help with our work. Since we have been advised not to take long trips we wait here in Tshaneni hoping our vehicle will soon be repaired so we can get medications and other supplies that we need. Please pray our vehicle will be repaired this week so we can resume our normal routine of ministry and life.<br />
<br />
Because of the state of our vehicle, Wayne again had to cancel his trip to the Shiselweni region for the Shiselweni Baptist Association meeting. We cannot travel to Manzini or Mbabane for the scheduled Biblical Education Program meeting with Wayne, Todd and Steve or the Swazi Team meeting. Pray rescheduling or a possible change of venue of these events will not be a problem.<br />
<br />
Chris Msibi pastor of the Mgamudze Baptist Church sent this text message to Wayne on Tuesday:<br />
Hi! Pastor we are not okay this side, we need your prayers, my wife has suffered from a mild stroke and I pray that she will be better soon. Greet Barbara bye Please pray for Sphesile’s healing. Pray for the family as they deal with her illness.<br />
<br />
From Monica Allen: I received an email from my mom's cousin this morning that my mom was taken to the hospital yesterday. Tests are showing severe colitis but doctor is doing a colonoscopy to rule out cancer. It is times like these that it is very hard to be away from family. Pray for God's comfort and peace during this time as well as healing for her body. My brother might be going home to be with mom for a few days.<br />
<br />
PRAYER REQUESTS:<br />
-Pray for the executive committee of the Swaziland Baptist Convention. 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 the meeting will come with an open mind and a desire to have unity between the convention and the missionaries. May the Lord be glorified in this situation.<br />
<br />
--Kym Cole, True Love Waits International consultant arrives in Swaziland on the 2nd of October. During her time with the Swazi Team she will continue to lead TLW trainings and follow-up with TLW presenters. Pray Kym’s time in Swaziland will be very beneficial to everyone. Pray the True Love Waits message will continue to be shared with schools, care centers and churches in 2012. Kym leaves Swaziland on the 12th.<br />
<br />
--October 10-14 is the last session of the South Coast Bible School in 2011. This schools meets for one week four times a year at the Phuzumoya Baptist Church. Pray those attending will find the classes helpful with their ministries. Pray the Swazi Team missionaries (Wayne and Todd) assisting with teaching and other administrative duties.<br />
<br />
--Coming together with other women for a time of Bible study and fellowship is a great enjoyment for our Swazi Baptist women. October 13-15 is the scheduled National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat. Missionary Monica Allen will be the guest speaker. Theme is “God, Our Father”. It will be a time for the ladies to be refreshed, renewed and strengthened as they return to their homes and families who depend upon them. Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study and will leave refreshed, renewed and strengthened.<br />
<br />
What missionary worked for 40 years in China literally giving her life to her work? Lottie Moon is famous for her desperate appeal in 1888 for more missionaries (resulting in the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering). Funds were so scarce Lottie once spent 14 continuous years on the mission field. Thank you for giving to the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Last year’s giving was one of the largest in record. As plans begin for the promotion of the 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, pray the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches to give this annual offering will continue. Pray the Lord will be glorified a planning begins and goals are set.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-35661591902435890742011-11-22T00:49:00.000-08:002011-11-22T00:49:28.493-08:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterOne thing that keeps the boredom out of life is the unexpected. We never know what will happen from week to week and this week is no exception. Yesterday, Wayne took our mission vehicle for a check-up and was told the gear boxes are in dire need of repair. He was also advised not to take any long trips until the repairs were done. This was quite unexpected since no real problems had occurred due to the gear boxes, but it is wise to take the advice of those who know and so our trip to Jo’burg next week has been cancelled until next month. Wayne also cancelled his trip to Shiselweni to attend the Shiselweni Baptist Association. <br />
Please pray the needed repairs will be done on the mission vehicle this week.<br />
<br />
Plans are to reschedule the Shiselweni Baptist Association for next Saturday (24th of September). Pray for a great time of fellowship as well as discussion and planning for present and future work. <br />
<br />
Last week I shared our experience with the cobra that ventured into our yard. Since then Mandla (our brave gardener) has gone next door(house is vacant) and cleaned around the fence. He also made trench and mound so that any intruder would have to work to get into our yard. This week we have been in battle with ants. I am use to ants to some degree in our homes here in Africa but never have I had to deal with the extent of the ant invasion as I have this week. We are talking about thousands of them in most every room except our bedroom and the spare bedroom. This morning when I came to sit at my computer desk and work I was shocked. I couldn’t see the floor for the ants. L The usual ant spray did little to deter the intruders. So, out comes the real stuff Blue Death!! Blue Death is a white powder that kills most any type of insect. So now when anyone enters our home, they will see white powder everywhere but hopefully no ants! Pray we will be the victors!! <br />
<br />
*** Revival services at the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church were extended until this weekend. We praise the Lord for the many decisions and commitments that are being made each night during the services. Pray those who made commitments to follow Jesus will understand their decisions. Pray the stronghold of the evil one will be broken in this community.<br />
<br />
Please continue to pray for Pastor “B”. Last week I shared of the problems in the community due to his choice to live in the home of his sister-in-law. More problems occurred this week due to the displeasure of Pastor “B” with those from the South Lubumbo region who are leading the revival. Pray the heart of Pastor “B” will be convicted and he will strive to make things right with the Lord and the community. May the Lord be victorious in this situation.<br />
<br />
--Continue to also pray for:<br />
· Pastor Nkosingiphile as he deals with the need of a scholarship to provide for his rent and food while attending a teacher training college in Manzini. The scholarship the government promised has been limited due to no money. Nkosingiphile asks us to pray he will be one of the few to receive the scholarship. <br />
· Brandi and Kim (Hands On missionaries) as the Lord leads them to AIDS related ministries and opportunities to present the True Love Waits message. <br />
<br />
--A couple of weeks ago, my niece Rebecca Miracle was in the hospital with a bad case of pneumonia. Becky has experienced difficulties since childhood with asthma, allergies and sinus problems. She also suffers from migraine headaches. She was able to come home but has been weak and tired and dealing with a migraine headache. More doctor appointments are scheduled. Pray Becky will soon gain her strength and the headache will “go away”. Pray for her full recovery.<br />
<br />
EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER:<br />
-September 27, Todd, Steven, 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 spirit growth. Pray as Todd, Steven and Wayne review the materials for this program. Pray many Swazi Baptists will be able to participate in BEP.<br />
<br />
-The Swazi Team meeting in Mbabane is scheduled for the 28th of September. It has been quite a while since the Team has gathered to praise the Lord and seek His help and guidance for presents and future ministries. Pray for this special time.<br />
<br />
--Planning continues for the National Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat October 13-15 at the Manzini Baptist Church. Theme is “God, our Father” and main speaker is Swazi Team missionary Monica Allen. Pray planning will continue to go well. Pray many ladies will be able to attend this time of fellowship and study.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-83110450893447023842011-09-10T06:19:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:19:03.050-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterThank you for praying for Lacie Allen and her surgery last week!!<br />
Lacie saw her ENT doctor this afternoon (Tuesday) for her post-op appointment. She was so ready to get rid of the head bandage. She has done really well with her recovery time. Doctor did a little test in his office to check her hearing and he was quite pleased. Lacie was able to hear better in the front part of her left ear than she has in the past. It is too early for him to do a complete hearing test because there is some swelling inside her ear from the surgery. She has dissolvable staples and we have to be very careful with showers/swimming over the next month. The doctor told us to use prestick (bostick) over her ear but not to put anything in the ear canal. It worked great with her shower tonight and she was happy to wash her hair after one week! :)<br />
Lacie and I (Monica) will be coming over to Jo'burg on October 4 for a quick trip for a check-up with the ENT and her hearing test with the audiologist. The ENT doc is also going to make silicone plugs for Lacie's ears so no chance of water from swimming getting in her ears with our summer months coming up soon.<br />
The Allens returned to Swaziland on Wednesday the 7th of September. Continue to pray for Lacie’s quick recovery and will be able to hear 100% in both ears.<br />
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Thank you for praying for the executive committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. There was very little discussion concerning the relationship of the Swazi Team to the convention. Other items of business were discussed that took most of the time. Please continue to pray for the Swazi Team as we work with the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. May the Lord be glorified in everything that is said and done.<br />
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**Revival services have been meeting this week at the Luhhwahhweni Baptist Church. 10 have accepted the Lord and there have been many rededications. The church was given a plot of land a few months ago and the revival services met on the plot. Pastors from the South Lubumbo region helped with visitation during the day as well as Bible studies. Please pray for these who made the commitment to follow Jesus. May their lives to be a witness to others.<br />
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Also, please pray for this church. There have been issues with the pastor/leader. A few years ago his brother died leaving a wife and two children. The wife continued to live in the home of her husband after his death but due to her work was away most of the time. After a break-in to her house, the family asked “B” (pastor of Luhhwahhweni) to stay in the home. With Swazi culture, to stay in the home with a widowed sister-in-law basically means you are taking the place of the husband. They have no plans to marry and even though the sister-in-law is not at home most of the time and “B” says they do not have a sexual relationship, the community sees his behavior as inappropriate for a pastor. Wayne and pastors have talked with “B” about the situation and he knows it is not good but is doing nothing to change the situation. “B” has a small home but no job and his sister-in-law provides him food. While visiting in the community this week several comments were made to the those visiting that were not commentary to the church or to “B”. A rumor has also began circulating concerning him and a married women with children in the community. Whether the rumor is true is uncertain but the situation is quite damaging to the church.<br />
Since last year “B” has not preached on Sundays. Churches in the South Lubumbo Association have traveled over 2 hours each Sunday to provide worship for the church. Pray for this situation. Pray the heart of “B” will be convicted and he will strive to make things right with the Lord and the community. May great things be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Luhhwahhweni community and church.<br />
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--September 17th, the Shiselweni Baptist Association meets at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. Pray for a great time of fellowship as well as discussion and planning of present and future work.<br />
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Pray also for Nkosingiphile Dlamini, pastor of the Thunzini Baptist Church who is currently attending a teacher training college in Manzini. This week he sent this email to Wayne:<br />
Hi pastor, Please remember me in prayer. The government wants 2 change mind regarding scholarship. At first they promised 2 everyone who has been accepted in the college &last week they told us that they will reduce the number because there is no money. I pray that God help me 2 be one of those who will be given scholarship. thanks a lot pastor.<br />
--We believe the scholarship is a small stipend for food and rent. Nkhosingiphile does not have a job and therefore is having a hard time providing food for himself. We praise the Lord for Nkosingiphile’s desire to ask the Lord to provide for his needs. Please pray the Lord will provide the scholarship for Nkosingiphile. <br />
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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. Monday Brandi, Kim and I will begin a weekly Bible study provided by the IMB for the Hands On missionaries. Pray this time together will be special and very helpful to the three of us!!<br />
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FROM THE IMB GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY OFFICE:<br />
--The IMB Board of Trustees will be meeting on September 13-14 in Orlando, Florida. The highlight of the meeting will be the appointment service on evening of September 14 at First Baptist Church, Orlando. May the Holy Spirit direct the trustees’ thoughts and decisions. Thank God for the 85 new missionaries who have responded to His call to share His love and message with a lost world.<br />
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With the arrival of spring so comes the snakes!! If you remember last year we had some pretty nervy incidents with snakes here on the farm that include a baby puff adder on my computer desk and a vine snake at the entrance to our gate, not to mention the sightings of mambas and other snakes in roads and ditches outside our gate. Wednesday I heard our gardener yell, “Madam, come!!” I quickly ran to the back door and saw him standing there. “Come and see this snake.” Mandla our gardener loves to show me all the snakes he kills while working in the yard. This time the snake was not dead but alive and under my clothes line. From a very safe distance we watched the snake moving along the ground wondering what it was going to do. I knew Mandla had every intention of killing the intruder so I went into the house. This was his second attempt and it was no more successful than the first attempt since he was keeping a very safe distance from the snake. Later in the day I was in my bedroom ironing. From the corner of my eye I see Mandla running in his black gum boots (not an easy task) waving his hoe and throwing rocks. Upon closer inspection I saw the offending snake moving along the grass. After much disruption to everyone’s peace and tranquility, Mandla again failed to kill the offender. It wasn’t until he getting ready to leave for the day that he was finally able to kill the snake. Evidently the snake had returned to its original place of entry into the yard when Mandla spotted it and quickly with his hoe ended its days on earth. Wayne was at home at this time and he quickly ran to get his camera and began photographing the dying snake. We were able to identify the intruder as a Mozambique Spitting Cobra!! There is no place like home!!Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-53289697519756742202011-09-10T06:17:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:17:33.127-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterIt 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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UPDATE ON LACIE ALLEN’S SURGERY:<br />
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!!<br />
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SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:<br />
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!!<br />
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-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.<br />
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EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER:<br />
-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.<br />
-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.<br />
-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.<br />
-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.<br />
-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.<br />
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FROM THE IMB GLOBAL PRAYER STRATEGY OFFICE:<br />
-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.<br />
-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.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-86758925325627897352011-08-26T02:54:00.001-07:002011-08-26T02:54:54.175-07:00September Prayer CalendarThursday 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Tuesday September 13: Pray for Glenda Allen (Steve Allen’s mother) today on her birthday!! J<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Wednesday September 21: What are the two central objectives of IMB missionary labors? Evangelism and church development. <br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Sunday September 25: Pray for Todd Hoskins today on his birthday!! J<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991045973004645635.post-12384874953947483442011-08-26T02:53:00.000-07:002011-08-26T02:53:37.369-07:00Myers Weekly Prayer LetterAs 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.<br />
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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. <br />
--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.<br />
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--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).<br />
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SPECIAL SWAZI TEAM PRAYER REQUESTS:<br />
---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.<br />
---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.<br />
Blessings,<br />
Monica Allen<br />
Swaziland <br />
<br />
---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.<br />
<br />
AIDS UPDATE:<br />
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.<br />
<br />
[Day 26] For Friday, 26th August, Ramadan 2011. Praying in Faith, Hope and Love for the Muslim World… <br />
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.<br />
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. <br />
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). <br />
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)Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05983320279667433220noreply@blogger.com0