Margaret will be speaking at Broadway
on Sunday 24th June
- it's one not to miss!
Watch this space for more info on chances to connect with Margaret over the weekend of 23rd/24th
Margaret Swires Update -
February 2012
May I encourage you by saying that your prayers for the Peruvians and the Peruvian Baptist Convention have made an amazing difference the work has become more organised and grown and strengthened over the last five years. The leadership here is very conscious that it is in response to all your support and prayers. They have at times struggled with the work and at others flown, and seen God’s powerful hand at work challenging changing and releasing lives of young and old, bringing forgiveness and more unity, seeing brother and sisters, especially those in isolated situations, having a new life with purpose vision and a voice.
So I would ask you to pray for:
The Peruvian Baptist Convention as, on 25 January, they will have elected a new leadership team. Pray that the newly-elected brothers and sisters will continue the good work that Pastor Pepe and his team have developed under God and, that they would know God’s leading to take it on further with the support of the churches.
The projects and supported partner workers, that they would see growth and development in their various projects and church planting. That they will be kept safe and have a clear strong vision of what God wants for and from them.
The BMS team which has grown to eight adults and four children, (five units) each in different ministries. That God would continue to give us good relationships at mission and national level, and we would continue to be a blessing to and an integral part of what God is doing here.
The pre-school project (PEPE) with 37 programmes which has planted two churches, and 174 children and 70 adults have accepted Christ of whom 22 have been baptised. Pray for Dora, the national co-ordinator, and her team – that God would continue to enthuse and use them. That they can develop the sustainability of the project.
At a personal level thank you for all your prayers for me and especially my health. God has permitted that all has gone well and quickly so that I could return to Peru, and I can now say, “I have had breast cancer!” We pray that I continue healthy on the treatment!
Also that God would guide me in this year as I seek to finish what I did not do last year due to a certain health break! This is the work of training in the churches about family violence – how deal with and prevent it and the national questionnaire to find out just who we are as God’s people (gifts and abilities etc).
The Chincha project with Francisco, a gem of a brother who has gained the confidence and love of the people in the human settlings where the project works. It is a joy to see and an amazing answer to prayer after three years of praying and searching for someone! We need this year to re-define the project within the realities of where and how the sports can function whilst also developing the educational and vocational training side. Praise the Lord that the children are responding to the Bible groups and the adults showing more real interest with the changes God is bringing about. Francisco also hopes to marry this year, so we pray that will be soon and God will bless them together in Chincha. Pray that we can impact the communities with God’s love and transforming power. Over a third of the people still do not have a proper roof over their head, another third have something but it is inadequate for the size of the family, and this is four-and-a-half years after the big earthquake, causing old social problems to rise again with more force.
My new church, which is seeing steady growth and its desire to reach out has resulted in two new outreach groups and, the possibility of two more this year.
That God would continue to bless the leadership and all the church and lead us on and out in victory.
Once more thank you for your support. God’s blessing on you and your church as we pray and work together to extend God’s kingdom here on earth, in all its amazing grace and life.
Margaret