Thursday July 1:  The Swazi Team is happy to welcome Todd and Deborah Hoskins to Swaziland.  The Hoskins will work (church planting) in Manzini and develop rural training schools throughout Swaziland.  Pray for Todd and Deborah as they prepare to come and minister with the Swazi Team.  The Hoskins arrive on the 7th of October.

Friday July 2:  Pray for Steve, Monica and the family as they make the transition from North Carolina to Florida for the remaining three months of their stateside assignment.  Please pray for the family as goodbyes are said to family in North Carolina.  Pray also for safety on the highways and the children will travel well as they make the long journey to West Palm Beach, Florida.

-The Allens wish to thank everyone who prayed for the family’s reunion to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Steve’s parents.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship, remembrance and celebration.  Everything went smoothly and the time was enjoyed by all.

Saturday July 3:  The Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of Swaziland meets today in Manzini.  Last meeting all the new officers were in place.  Pray the new leadership will work towards uniting all the Swazi Baptist churches in ministry and compassion.

Sunday July 4:  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Lacie Allen prayed to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior on the 20th of June. Upon her request her parents and uncle counseled and prayed with her during the invitation.  It was a very special time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who were present.  Pray for Lacie as she grows in the Lord.

Monday July 5:  Today the Swazi Team will celebrate the 4th of July in Tshaneni!  Pray for a great time of celebrating.

Tuesday July 6:  June 13th, 21 people were baptized at the Maphungwane Baptist Church.  The group consisted of women between the ages of 30-40, two grandmothers and several youth.  It was a wonderful service and a blessing to see the church excited about the baptism of these new believers.  Pray those baptized will understand their commitment to the Lord.

Wednesday July 7:  Sipho is an adult Swazi that is HIV positive.  Taking the ARVs (anti-retrol viral) he is able to live a somewhat normal life.  Statistics show that 400,000 adults live in Swaziland and 44% of these adults are on ARVs.  Pray the anti-retro viral drug will continue to be available for those suffering from HIV/AIDS.  Pray for a change in behavior that causes the spread of HIV/AIDS and the need for ARVs.

Thursday July 8: Continue to pray for Wayne’s brother Terry, currently in remission from stage 4 cancer and also pray for his sister Patsy on oxygen 24/7 for COPD.  Pray also for Barbara’s brother-in-law as he continues to gain strength after a herniated disc surgery in November and for her nephew-in-law’s mother diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Friday July 9:  On Friday the Myers have begun an afternoon Bible study (adult, youth and children) with the Luwhhawhheni Baptist Church.  Presently attendance is small and late in arriving.  Please continue praying for the Luwhhawhheni Baptist Church as follow-up (revival) continues and the church strives to reach its community.

Saturday July 10:  Since arriving in Swaziland in March Al and Belinda Jordan have experienced their share of surprises and unexpected events.  Please pray Al and Belinda’s remaining time in Swaziland will be devoid of unexpected surprises that hide the joy and blessings the Lord provides.  Pray the last three months will be full of thanksgivings!!  It is such a blessing having them volunteer their time and finances in this way to help ensure the work of ministry does not lose its momentum.

Sunday July 11:  One pastor from the Lubumbo region and one pastor from the Shiselweni region recently began conducting visitation and surveying in the Moneni area.  15 conversions are reported and the duo is looking for a place to begin a Bible study.  A pastor has asked the missionary to help him do survey work near his home place.  We praise the Lord for these men who are “church planting.” Please pray for these two areas as evangelization continues and possibly new work begins.  Pray more leaders will take the initiative to help pastorless churches and begin new work.

Monday July 12:  Monica and Lacie Allen are guest missionaries at the Florida GA/Acteen Camp (July 12-16).  Please pray for them as they share about missionary life and ministry among the Swazi people during this week.  Pray also for Steve and Nathan as they stay behind for some father and son time.

-Lisa and Sarah Warren will be sharing about Swaziland at Camp Mundo Vista (North Carolina) during two mother/daughter camps (July 12-16).  Please pray for a wonderful week of connecting with these mothers and daughters.  Pray the Lord will be glorified in all that is said and done.

Tuesday July 13:  Continue to pray for the Hawane and Lesibovu Baptist Churches as both congregations strive to reach their goals needed for the construction of their church structures.  Pray weekly giving toward these projects will allow construction to soon begin.

Wednesday July 14:  Kym Pennington, the new True Love Waits International consultant to Swaziland will be in the country during the National Youth Camp (August) to meet with TLW presenters and share will all attending the camp.  Pray for Kym as she prepares to make her first trip to Swaziland.  Pray this will be the beginning of a wonderful working relationship between Kym, the Swazis and the Swazi Team.

Thursday July 15:  Pray the King of Swaziland, his wives and children will be set free from cultural bondage by the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday July 16:  Today friends of Todd and Deborah Hoskins (2-year missionaries to Swaziland) are giving them a farewell party.  Pray this will be a time of encouragement and joy!

Saturday July 17:   Pray for Lisa Warren today on her birthday!

In spite of the weakened economy and sluggish recovery, Southern Baptist gave $148.9 million in 2009 to support international missionaries. It was the third largest Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Thank You. J  In 2010 pray this wonderful generous spirit will continue in our Southern Baptist churches to ensure efforts to reach the many lost around the world will continue.

Sunday July 18:  Sunday June 20th, three ladies stood before the Vuvulane Baptist Church to say the books of the Bible.  For these (2 mothers and 1 grandmother), it was an exciting accomplishment.  Encouragement to others has been given.  Pray members of our Swazi Baptist churches will see the need to learn the books of the Bible and will encourage their children and grandchildren to do the same!

Monday July 19:  Please pray that all the members of the Allen family will get their final medical clearances from the mission board in a timely manner so they will not be delayed leaving the states on the 24th of September and arriving in Swaziland on the 26th of September.

Tuesday July 20:  Muslims believe that God’s final message to man was revealed to the prophet Mohammed through Gabriel. They do not believe that Jesus is God’s Son, or that He was resurrected following His crucifixion. Pray God will reveal Himself to the Swazis following Islam.  Pray Christian Swazis will be a light in the darkness sharing the love of Jesus with the people.

Wednesday July 21:  As the Swazi Team begins to seek ways to meet the needs of AIDS victims and their families, pray the Team will be open to being led by the Lord in developing ministries to help AIDS orphans as well as AIDS victims.

Thursday July 22:  A major training event begins today (July 22-24) for pastors and lay leaders of the Shiselweni and Lubumbo regions.  Gathering together for a time of learning and fellowship is always encouraging for these leaders.  Pray the Lord will be glorified through the Biblical teachings to these special called Swazis.

Friday July 23:  Pray for Belinda Jordan today on her birthday!

Please continue praying for the team of volunteers from the First Baptist Church, Belton, Texas leading the National Youth Camp in August.  Pray for Grant and Jenna, Brett, Courney and Daphne as they prepare for this awesome ministry.

Saturday July 24:  SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN UNENGAGED PEOPLES:  The Coloured of Namibia have a strong sense of identity and separateness from both black and whites.  They usually speak either Afrikaans or English rather than “traditional” African (tribal) language.  Most live in urban areas with a great variety of careers.  Pray God will call out His own to share the Gospel with the Namibian Coloureds.  Please pray for the Coloured of Namibia.

Sunday July 25:  Please pray that God will give clear direction concerning where the next new outreach Bible study group should start in either the Hhohho or Manzini regions when the Allen family returns.

Monday July 26:  Today the Hoskins begin their time of training at the International Learning Center in Rockville, Va.  Pray transition and preparations will stay in step with His will.

Tuesday July 27:  Pray for Bert and Lisa Warren today on their anniversary!!

“It was the best camp I’ve ever been to.  I learnt that I must be transformed from wrong doing and do the will of God.  Every step I take I take for God.”  The 2010 National Youth Camp is scheduled for August 26-29.  A volunteer team from Belton, Texas (First Baptist) will lead.  Pray those who attend will leave feeling the presence of the Savior and will daily strive to seek His face.

Wednesday July 28:  A few years ago a missionary was given a couple of pineapple tops to plant.  After planting the tops he waited for about three years until finally he began to see evidence of a pineapple growing on one of the plants.  It was another six months before the pineapple was ready to pick.  What a joy it was to pick that first pineapple. Using this example of growing pineapple one can see the growing of leaders and workers for the harvest field in Swaziland takes a long time.  Working with youth and young adults in a culture that promotes an unchristian lifestyle can be emotionally trying but the reward can be so sweet.  As missionaries on the Swazi Team struggle with disappointments, pray they will look to the Lord for guidance, His wisdom and the assurance that the outcome will be worth the wait.

Thursday July 29:  Imagine children running, laughing, singing, reading, praying, coloring, reciting the books of the Bible and other fun things and you have imagined the annual Swazi Baptist children’s camps.  The 2010 camps’ theme is “Let us talk to God.”  The first camp is in northeast Swaziland is August 16-19 and the second camp in the Shiselweni region is August 30-September 1.  Please pray Swazi Baptist churches in these two areas will send their children to these two camps.  Pray each child attending will experience a new awakening of Christ’s love in his/her life.

Friday July 30:  “I Will Cry Unto the Lord” is the theme of the 2010 Swazi Baptist Women’s Retreat October 14-16 at the Manzini Baptist Church.  Please pray Swazi Baptist women will make preparations to attend this annual event.  Pray continued planning will go smoothly.

Saturday July 31:  Today the Shiselweni Association meets at the Velebantfu Baptist Church. It has been a while since the association has met.  Pray as the churches come together to plan and fellowship there will be a sense of unity and harmony.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR AMERICA

We thank you God, for America,

For the freedom and peace we know;

And we pray for Your continued blessings

On this land that we love so.

We salute our flag, we honor those

Who fought to make us free;

For all the good things we enjoy;

We give the praise to Thee.

                  -Janice Mizelle Taylor

www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com

www.swazimissions.org