Goodbyes, and sweet times in Swaziland ...

Goodbyes are never easy, and the last two weeks have been full of those. We are so thankful that God granted us these sweet times of fellowship with our friends and team before leaving. We may be miles and miles apart, but we will always hold them close in our hearts and prayers ...

Our mission family, Wayne & Barbara Myers; Steve, Monica, Lacie & Nathan Allen










Bert and Mandla, mechanic at SD Spares










Farewell Service at Thunzini Baptist Church










Make Vilane, our language teacher, and Sarah :)










Make Thwala, sweet Amanda and Matthew









Happy 21st Birthday Bongani !!!










Gogo Shandu










Pastor Douglas Mavuso and his wife, Simphiwe, and Vuvulane Baptist Church









Goodbyes are REALLY painful, aren't they Matthew???









Bible studies at Mafacula









Pastor Frans Masuku and Mafacula TEE Class









Pastor Sigwane, Phuzumoya Baptist Church







Pastor Bheki and Luhhwaweni TEE Class

The gift of friendship, and visits!!!!

We had the privilege to welcome friends from Jo'burg, along with their families, the past two weekends and it has been a huge blessing to our family! God's timing is perfect, and we are so thankful for their love and encouragement.

Stacie and Sarah enjoying a ride in the back

















Our new friends, Marie and Ernie Barker ... and Stacie too :)

















Campfire at home roasting some yummy marshmallows under the stars

















Taking a ride through the Mananga Game Park ... and today we found a giraffe that had returned back home to Mananga! You never know what you will see in Tshaneni!
















Our "brother" Blake and Sarah ...
















Birthday surprises ...











Matthew made windchimes for Lisa's birthday ... we have bamboo growing in the driveway and he put it to good use!
















Birthday flowers from Jessie and Matthew

















A YUMMY birthday cake compliments of our friend Ms. Hillary ...
all the way from Piet Retief!

















Happy Birthday to Sarah M., Tshepi, Mandy, Nathan, Jessie, Blake, Lisa, Sarah, Matthew and Bert! (I think that covered us all, those candles went out fast!!)
















Learning how to cook hobo toast from the world famous chef Blakee Kubwa Crocker, lol!! Thanks for passing on the recipe Blake!!

Our journey continues, but in a different direction ...

As I sit to type this, I still can't believe all that has taken place, and what is about to happen next. We are writing today to update you on our current situation, and ask for your prayers. As most of you know, Lisa's Dad suffered a stroke this past April, and has been in rehabilitation care centers since then. Due to insurance limitations, he will be returning to his home on August 3, 2009. He has been classified as homebound and will need care providers 24/7, as well as Home Health visits to continue his rehab, and prayerfully his recovery. After much prayer, we feel that God is leading us to return to the States now to care for her father.

We are in the process of making plans to return, and should arrive back in Charlotte early August. We will return to Marshville, NC, and be moving her parents into our home there. As you remember, we have had this home on the market to sell for the past year. Now we know the answer as to why it is still ours. God's plans are perfect and we are so thankful for His faithfulness, and for your prayers in this situation. Please remember our family as we prepare to say goodbye to our wonderful team here, and the many Swazi people here we love. As a family, we would also covet your prayers as we begin another new chapter in our lives. Please pray for direction and discernment in all aspects of life as we return, from packing and saying goodbyes here, traveling, moving logistics, preparing our house to handle Dad's special needs, along with placing the children back into school and finding employment again. We have been experiencing such a range of emotions this past week, but we know that God is in control and has everything in His Hands. He was the One who brought us from North Carolina to Swaziland, and provided in such amazing ways that ONLY He could put into place, and we know that He will never leave or forsake us. We will rest in His mercy and promises.

It's hard to believe, but August marks one year of service with the International Mission Board. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have served the Lord here in Swaziland through the leadership of this organization, and the support of our Southern Baptist Churches. We can't tell you how much you have meant to us over this past year, and how thankful we are for all of your love, support, prayers and partnership in sharing the Gospel. We have been so humbled to be a small part of the Lord's work here. We will hold close in our hearts everything He has taught us, all that we have learned, experienced, and seen ... and we are deeply thankful to Him. "The harvest is plentiful," we've all read and heard these words many times, and it is so true all around this world! Please pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His fields. We ask that you please continue to remember the Swazi Team as they faithfully continue to serve the Lord, and share the life-changing message of the Gospel with those who have not heard, and others who are steeped so deep in traditional beliefs. You can visit the team website or blog for weekly/monthly prayer requests and updates, www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com or www.swazimissions.org.

Thank you for joining us in this journey, and know that we would love to continue hearing from you and how God is working in and through you. We will continue to use our family blog to share how God is working in our family as well.

Again, please know how deeply thankful we are for the many different ways you have ministered to our family and the people of Swaziland, and how YOU have impacted lives for an eternity!!!!

We love you all!
bert, lisa, jessie, matthew and sarah

July: Pastor Fakudze and Vovovo Baptist Church

Below you will find this month's feature church. It is our prayer that this will increase and strengthen their prayer support, AND at the same time give you "eyes" to see who they are and an avenue to pray specifically for them as a church.

We are asking each of our pastors to share THEIR story, along with their vision for their church and community, and specific prayer requests. We will continue to feature a different church each month.


Church Name: Vovovo Baptist Church
Location: Vovovo, Swaziland
Pastor’s Name: Makhosi Fakudze

Pastor’s Testimony:

Pastor Fakudze came from an unchurched family in the Phuzumoya area of Swaziland. In 1988, Phuzumoya Baptist Church was started by Pastor Sigwane, and it was here that he first heard about Christ. Soon after that he heard God's call to accept Christ as his personal Savior. Later he became the youth leader there and also worked in the National Youth Committee in the Baptist Convention of Swaziland. In 2002, Phuzumoya Baptist Church started an outreach group in the Vovovo area. Soon after that a church was started, and he became their pastor. They have been faithfully meeting in a homestead ever since.

If you would like to pray for Pastor Fakudze and Vovovo Baptist Church, here are some of their specific needs and requests.

Prayer needs of the church:
They have acquired land from the village and are in the process of building a church structure which is still in need of a floor, roof, doors, and windows. They are praying that they will be able to finish the structure soon because the attendance of the church is more than the homestead can continue to handle.

Pastor’s vision for church:
The vision that God has given Pastor Fakudze is to continue to win the lost to Christ, and to reach out to the many widows and orphans that are in his community, meeting both their physical and spiritual needs.

Please also pray for their encouragement as they trust that God will continue to meet their needs and strengthen their walk daily.

Warren Family Update - July 2009

Greetings from our little corner of Swaziland! As most of you are experiencing some pretty HOT temperatures, and enjoying those beautiful summer nights grilling outside ... it feels more like we should be celebrating Christmas here! Although I must say that I am thankful for the change in temperatures, and not complaining!!!! We pray that each of you had a wonderful 4th of July celebrating the gift of our freedom.

As I sat to begin to write this update to you on all the happenings here in Swaziland, God gently tugged at my heart and had a different plan for this month's newsletter. Today I'd like to share with you what I was reading when He spoke .....

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.' " Mark 16:15 (NLT)

(The following story was taken from a Proverbs 31 Ministry Devotion I received written by Tracie Miles, www.proverbs31.org)

"I recently heard about a little boy who was involved in a serious accident, and lay in a coma in the hospital with massive internal injuries. The following day, the little boy's kindergarten teacher was talking to the students about the accident, and asking for suggestions on what they could do for their injured classmate. Several children made suggestions such as taking food, writing cards and drawing him pictures. Then one little girl suggested that the class could pray for him. A few seconds passed, and then a young boy, who had been intently listening to the discussion, asked quietly, "What is prayer?" The little girl proceeded to tell him how Christians pray to Jesus. The boy looked at her inquisitively for a moment, and then said, "Who is Jesus?"

This little girl, along with a few other classmates, proceeded to witness to this young boy, telling him all about Jesus. They shared that He is God's Son and was sent to earth to die on the cross for our sins so that we could have eternal life and go to Heaven. The teacher stood there with tears in her eyes, as these precious little children, barely knowing their ABC's, shared the gospel with intense knowledge, passion and commitment, and without any hesitation or fear. They were proud of their Jesus, and wanted to share God's love and promises with this little boy, who was completely unaware of Jesus.

We can be there too, just in a different circumstance, with different people, and at a different time. I was reminded that opportunities for sharing the good news of Jesus are everywhere: around every corner, in the next cubicle, in every neighborhood, and in every classroom. We simply have to grasp the opportunities that are presented. Scripture tells us that everyone will be accountable to God (Romans 14:12), even if they have not heard of Him, which is the basis for global missions work. As Christians, it is our duty to make sure that people become aware of Jesus.

As I sat and read this story, my heart just melted. It reminded me again of how we need to be continually praying for God's "eyes" every day to see those all around us who are lost or need encouraging, the ones He is calling US to share His message of love with. I couldn't wait to share the story with Bert, and after I finished reading it to him, he shared this story with me ....

"It was past noon as Pastor Masuku and I were returning from follow up ministry work and making our way along the long gravel road back home. We came upon four teenage boys who were flagging us for a ride into the next town. (It is very common here to give rides to those who are asking if you are able, so to these young boys it was not uncommon for a perfect stranger to stop and pick them up.) After the four boys squeezed into the back seat and we were on our way, I told them that this ride was going to be different. It was going to cost them to ride. Silence fell among them all as they heard my words. I asked if they would like for me to tell them the cost of the ride, and nervously one of them answered, “Yes”. I explained that the cost of this ride would simply be that they would have to listen to the difference that Christ had made in my life. They listened as I shared my testimony. We were now entering the small town where they needed to go. As I was pulling up to the curb to let them out I asked if there was anyone who would also like to have the assurance of salvation in their life as I had in mine. Instantly one of the boys said, “Yes, I would like to know how!" So, we all got out of the truck, and stood right there on the sidewalk in town. We explained from the Bible how to repent and place your belief in Christ for eternal life in Him. Today, Mandla Tsabedze Nkulalini is our brother in Christ. The cost of his ride cost the same as our ride ... nothing, but to repent and believe, receiving the gift of salvation through the grace and mercy God the Father has for us all."

The people we encounter can be a divine appointment… whether it be here in Africa or back home in the US. It IS our responsibility to share His message of love, we are not responsible for their decision .... ultimately that is their choice. BUT how can they make this life-changing decision if they've never heard? May God shine in and through you as you continue to serve Him wherever He places you ....


Praises/Prayer Requests:

~ Praise the Lord for a wonderful time of ministry with Hunter & Brinkley Johnson (South Roanoke Association Team), and Rev. Steve Willis & Jeremy Allen (West Virginia Team), and for their hearts to serve and share the love of Christ with the people of Swaziland.
~ Continue to pray for direction in future orphan and HIV/AIDS ministry, and also for partnerships with other mission organizations. Meetings are being scheduled to meet with Samaritan's Purse, and the Red Cross. Pray for the Lord's will to be accomplished.
~ Pray for the Lord to be glorified through the new structural changes that are being implemented beginning this month by the IMB. (www.imb.org)
~ Pray for the many new believers throughout Swaziland, as they begin their walk with the Lord. Pray that they would seek Him with all their hearts and be grounded in His word daily.
~ Continue to pray for Lisa's Dad, Lloyd Claiborne, as he continues to recover from his stroke. Pray for strength and patience as he seeks to regain use of his left side.


Thank you for all your love, support and prayers and the many different ways you are ministering to our family.

~ The Warren Family ~
bert, lisa, jessie, matthew & sarah

SPECIAL NOTE: We are in the final stages of completing a Ministry DVD to be shared with our prayer partners/churches back in the States. If you are interested in receiving one, please email us your mailing address. We'd like to say a "BIG" thank you to our home church, Euto Baptist, for copying and distributing these DVD's !!!!

Take a walk through June ...

What a GREAT month this was ... new friendships, ministry and family fun!

This month we celebrated Lacie's 5th birthday, and enjoyed spending the day in Mbabane. We also got to meet her Gogo Polly (Monica's Mom) who had just arrived in from Florida. What a great day of food, friends, fun and fellowship, thanks Allen Family!!!!

We welcomed a new volunteer team from West Virginia, Rev. Steve Willis and Jeremy Allen, as they served at Phuzumoya Baptist Church teaching church leadership classes. We also had the privilege of hosting Hunter and Brinkley Johnson (sisters) from the South Roanoke Baptist Association (NC). They came to spend a week with our family, and served in different areas throughout the Lubombo region. Please pray for Hunter and Brinkley as they return back to the US on July 8. They have spent a month here in Swaziland serving with the Allens in Mbabane, and also with the Myers in Nhlangano. What a blessing it was to meet and serve alongside them all ~ thank you for your friendship, and for coming to share the love of Christ!


Swazi Team in Mbabane ...
and for those of you who know how much my crew likes their picture taken, this is quite a task to get a picture, thanks Hunter :)





















Matthew flying again ... that boy loves being in the air!




















Rev. Steve Willis, Jeremy Allen, and the pastors/church leaders in the Lubombo Region




















Prayer Time at Phuzumoya




















Slight road block in Kruger :)




















Say "cheese" (chez) everyone ...
Hunter & Brinkley with the orphans at Phuzumoya




















Enjoying meal time at Phuzumoya.
Please pray for this church as they minister to the many orphans in their community each day.




















The kids enjoying playing under the parachute ...




















Collecting firewood with Pastor Sigwane




















Ready, aim, fire ... Jessie's new favorite hobby.
You never know what you will see on the dirt roads!




















Sarah and Matthew enjoying "riding with the top down" ...
Sarah likes to play "I SPY" ... thanks Matthew for being a great big brother :)




















Our new yard swing for the kids ...
and of course the biggest kid in the family has to try it out too :)




















Our first pumpkin ... mmm, the pumpkin muffins turned out good!