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VIRTUAL PRAYER WALK MAP
FOR
MALOMA BAPTIST CHURCH
The
Maloma Baptist Church began as a Bible study in 1998 and met on the homestead
that was the home of one of the members of the Nhlangano Baptist Church.
Until 2002 the Bible study met once a month. Pastor Johannes Tfwala,
pastor of the Velebantfu Baptist Church felt led to help with this work and
began meeting every Sunday afternoon with this fellowship.
In 2003 the group desired to become a church and the first baptism was
conducted that year. Currently, the
church meets every Sunday and has managed to construct a small building where
the services are held.
The Maloma Baptist Church is
approximately 90 kilometers from Nhlangano.
As with most of the churches, we travel on tar road until we come to the
cross road (esiphambanweni), we turn
left and the rest of the journey is on dirt/gravel road.
The scenery is beautiful with many of the same stone structures we saw
during our virtual prayer walk of the Velebantfu Baptist Church.
Maloma
is deep in the rural area of Swaziland. There is little evangelical witness in
this community. The AmaZioni church
is very strong because of its strong ties to culture and traditions.
Many have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel message.
Pray
for true revival in the Maloma community. Pray
many will hear the wonderful gospel message and believe!! J
As we continue traveling to Maloma we will see many different
sights. There will be people
walking along the road, herd boys with their cattle and goats, a few roadside
shops, schools, and beautiful scenery. The
country of Swaziland is so beautiful and the people are very friendly. Their
smiles are so enchanting. But, the
country of Swaziland is being destroyed by the AIDS pandemic.
Currently 42% of the people are HIV positive. Pray
the Swazi people will understand the seriousness of AIDS and turn from a life
that is causing premature deaths and the loss of a whole generation.
We
have arrived at the homestead where the Maloma Baptist Church meets.
Pictured is a cattle kraal. The kraal is a very important structure on a
Swazi homestead. It is an enclosure for the cattle.
To own cattle in Swaziland indicates wealth.
Also the kraal is an area
where Swazis talk to the ancestors about important family matters. It is
believed the ancestors will take care of these matters.
Pray the Swazis will see that Jesus alone
can take care of life’s problems without the help of the ancestors.
Many children and youth
attend the Maloma Baptist Church. Our
children and youth are the future of our Swazi Baptist churches. Pray for the youth to have opportunities to
grow spiritually and develop into the leaders of tomorrow.
Pray the children will be taught the stories of the Bible and develop
strong Biblical backgrounds.
Pray the Maloma
Baptist Church will grow. Pray its
members will have a desire to reach their lost family members and neighbors.
I know a soul that is
steeped in sin, That no man’s art can cure; But I know
a Name, a Name, a Name that can make that soul all pure.
I know a life that is lost to God, bound by the things of the earth; But
I know a Name, a Name, a Name that can bring that soul new birth.
I know of lands that are sunk in shame, of hearts that faint and tire;
But I know a Name, a Name, a Name that can set those lands on fire.
Its sound is a brand, like glowing tongues of fire. I know a Name, a Name, a Name of which the world ne’er
tires. (author unknown)
Those
who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those
who seek you. Psalm 9:10
Pray the Swazis will truly know Jesus and never tire of hearing
His name.