This last while I really feel as though the Lord is calling me into action; the Lord has given us able bodies and minds to be able to do things.I need to step out in faith and action and trust that He won't let me fall.Step out and do something against the corrupt director who is stealing money from the center, money that needs to go towards buying food for the children, writing letters in an effort to get food donations from local grocery stores and getting the children who desperately need it into orphanages and half-way houses.We need to daily step out and speak Christ's life and lights over the center and the children.To pray is incredibly important and we need to be in constant prayer for the children, the center and Swaziland but God's amazing love is compelling me into action.If anyone has ideas on how we can improve the situation at the center please don't hesitate to let me know.The center has very few available funds for food especially and they feed the 70+ children twice a day.The little money that is there is used to take the children to the hospital when they get sick and to pay for medicines.Please pray for continued wisdom for us as the Lord directs us how to approach the situation with the director at the center.A lot of the donations that come in to the center for buying food and sustaining the day to day things go directly into his back pocket.Praise the Lord for letting us be part of what He has for the center and for Swaziland.I praise the Lord that you are standing behind us and praying for us.Thank you!
This past week we've definitely had a break from the heat, it's been raining non-stop and the temperature has dropped.I'm not complaining however because it's a nice change from the heat we've experienced these last couple of months.We have reached the half-way mark in our trip and we have about 2 months left here in Swaziland.The Lord has really been teaching me about perseverance, I thought He was preparing me for when I get home, that I will continue to walk in His presence.I do believe that it is for this purpose but also after this past week I know it is a lesson He is trying to teach for the now. This past week was the hardest week for me thus far.The situations and circumstances of the children seem to get worse and worse.It's definitely overwhelming and some days are harder to fight than others.The Lord is teaching me the fruits of persevering - persevering will give me new wisdom and that wisdom is what will bring me pure joy in future times when I face trials, pure joy in Him.Though the situation is hard and seems hopeless at times I know the Lord is working in incredible ways.The fact that I am so overwhelmed with emotion because of what goes on at the center shows me that the Lord is working.I am experiencing this brokenness and hurt for these people because I am experiencing and feeling the Lord's heart.I am experiencing his heartache for the people of Swaziland.I cling onto the truth that my God is victorious, He is a Healer, a Provider, a Redeemer and He hears the cries of His children.We will not stop fighting for these children because they've been claimed for His Kingdom - they are His.
"O LORD, how many are my foes!How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."
But you are a shield around me.
O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessings be on your people.
Reading this psalm as though it was one of the children from the center reading it blew me away.It just reminds me how the LORD is control and holding each of them in His hands.It convicted me in the fact that the doubt and hopelessness that I feel over some of these kids speaks darkness into their lives - I'm sowing hopelessness into them.No sickness or disease is too big for God, no situation or circumstance is beyond Him.These children go to bed hungry every night with all sorts of dangers lurking around them but even still they wake again because the LORD sustains them.I have really see how God has been working in these children, one little girl named Bongiwe, who comes from a desperate situation who always looks to the ground and always conveyed immense sadness is actually looking up at you when she speaks.She's laughing and showing a joy that can only come from the Lord.Two HIV positive brothers, Zolani and Sandziso, who were in terrible conditions when we first got there are getting healthier and gaining weight.They are such a testimony to God's healing hand.
This past week the children had sports week at school, they would have daily meets where all the school in the district come together and compete against one another.Because they had no class we had a great opportunity to get to know the older children who we usually only see for a short time in the afternoons a lot better.They shared a little more of themselves with us.I was able to sit and talk with a 13 year old girl, her name is Bongiwe, which means grateful.She is for the most part very reserved and quiet, she always looks down when she talks to you.Her home life is very tough, she lives with her grandparents who try their best but are unable to provide the basic necessities of daily life such as food.Away from the center she doesn't eat, which means she goes entire weekends without food.We are worried that the underlying situation is a lot worse than we think, we are worried that she's getting raped at home but are praying that God will give us clarity and wisdom about the situation.I had the opportunity to share with her the uniqueness that she has in Christ, how He personally knows her and loves her, I shared Psalm 139 with her.To see the look on her face when I told her that she is not forgotten, that she is a precious daughter of the King is something that I will forever cherish.I feel so blessed to be part of what God is doing here in Swaziland and to share in the lives of His children here.Please keep Bongiwe in your prayers for provision and also that the Lord will continue to show her the worth she has in Christ.She was bought at a price and is a treasure in the eyes of the Lord.
We have almost been back in Africa for 2 months now, the time has gone by incredibly fast.Ministry at the drop-in center has been hard but is going well.We are forming really close relationships with the kids and they are trusting us more and more with their life stories.I have personally become so attached to the children at the center which makes it even harder to hear about their circumstances at home, its definitely overwhelming.I know the only reason it has been overwhelming is because I am not trusting the Lord with these children.I am not trusting that he will provide for them and keep them safe.I keep trying to figure out what can I do for these kids, in the end it doesn't matter what I do.Nothing I do or say will make a difference unless I put my full faith and trust in the Lord.The Lord has really been showing me that faith is grown in us through obedience.I must walk in faith through obedience.This is my prayer request for this week that I will surrender the center and these children to Him.That I will embrace the freedom of the fact that it's not all on my shoulders, God is in control.He reigns over these children and their circumstances.
Disciples aren't born; they're made. It's a process that takes time,
discipline, and God. In reality, it looks more like waking up than
attending a class.
As part of The Awakening, you can undergo a discipleship program
like no other, experiencing four months of intense training in another
country to prepare you for the ministry that awaits you for the rest of
the year. Join The Awakening
Your
mornings will be spent in training and your afternoons ministering in
local communities, activating what you've learned. In the context of
experiential learning, you will be discipled by mentors who want to see
you grow deeply in your faith.
You will be part of a community of other individuals who share your
passion and desire to come alive in Christ. This time will challenge
and stretch you in new ways, and you will never be the same. Become a part of The Awakeningin either Latin America or Africa and discover your role in the kingdom of God.
You
were made for greatness, to experience the abundant life and freedom
that Jesus promised. As they awaken, current participants are saying:
I don't think that I will ever have such an opportunity to give up all of myself and all of my expectations as I do here. (Emily Tissot, Latin America) The
Bible study has... turned into a church. So, we have church at noon
Tuesday-Friday under the tree in front of the market. I love watching
as people just bring their stool/chair/water container... and join in
the singing. We are going through the book of Galatians, and it is cool
to see how freedom is effecting their hearts. (Denise Eckert, Africa)
I hope you're all doing well and those who are bearing the grunt of winter are keeping warm.This past week has been uncomfortably hot and our entire team has gotten more than enough sun.My internship search is starting to look a lot more promising.This past week a couple of us went into Mbabane on a mission; to find ministry options.After walking around a while and talking to a few people who weren't really able to help or direct us I went to the extreme…I 'stalked' a Salvation Army vehicle.The vehicle drove past us on a busy road, I followed it until it came to a stop in the parking garage, before the gentleman could step out of his car I was standing beside his window with a big grin on my face.My 'creepy' ways seemed successful when he offered to drive us to the Salvation Army headquarters…with the mountainous terrain here in Swaziland, if someone offers you a ride you take it!We met a gentleman named Pete who was able to lay out a couple opportunities that they have to offer.One of which is a drop-in center for orphaned and vulnerable children (street kids), the program was designed to prevent crime among these children, the opportunity to minister, love and show Christ to these children is huge.One part of my internship will also entail working alongside some ladies in doing home visits and assessing the various needs of the children at home.I'm really excited about this opportunity, being able to see what the real situation with the children are at home and praying specifically for those needs will be a big part of this ministry, also ministering to the women we will be working with.While at the drop-in center I met a young 9 year old boy, he is the last one left of 25 kids that needs sponsorship to go to school.For him to go to school for an entire year and buy a uniform is E1000.00 which is about $150.00.If anyone would like to know more about this opportunity to sponsor this child or make a donation please let me know.The school year started Monday, Feb. 4th and as of right now he still is not registered.He spends his days at the drop-in center because that is where he receives his meals.
I will also be involved in discipling a small group of high school girls and teaching them about abstinence and HIV/AIDS.I meet with the lady in charge of this ministry on Tuesday and will let you all know next week of the outcome of our meeting.
The Lord has really been teaching me about pressing on these last couple days.I have felt very tired, homesick and just empty…best way to describe it would be just heartsick.I pray that I will continue to give everything I have and when I feel like there's nothing more to give I pray the Lord will ask me to give that as well.Please keep me updated on how you're all doing and what the Lord is teaching you.I hope to write again soon…next Sunday is my 21st birthday and my mom is treating me to a day at the spa on Monday…sometimes being a missionary is tough.
We have been in Swaziland for a
week now and the beauty here is hard to put into words.We live in the Ezulwine
Valley which is about 20 minutes from Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland.We are surrounded by mountains and incredible
greenery.It is hard to wrap my mind
around the fact that a place that is so picturesque has the number one HIV/AIDS
infection rate in the world.This past
week we have been exploring the ministry sites, testing the waters for what God
has in store for us.Thus far I do not
know what ministry I will be part of for my internship this semester.Three girls from our team and me decided to
go to a rural care point this past Thursday, we ended up going on quite the
adventure.A care point is where
children from the community, which includes homes that are miles and miles
away, go to receive a meal and some sort of schooling…whether it be their ABC's
or some basic songs and rhymes.After a
40 minute 'kombie' drive we were dropped off on a dirt road in the middle of
nowhere, only knowing the direction we were supposed to walk in.We started walking down this random dirt road
for about 30 minutes with no care point in sight.The only things surrounding us were
mountains, corn fields and a few stone shacks.With our broken Siswati we were able to determine that the care point
closed 2 years ago through talking to some of the locals.The Lord really used the situation in that we
were able to meet the children living in this area where there is no
outreach.We spent the day singing songs
and playing games.I met two older
girls, Pepsile and Prayer; they were such a source of encouragement.We started talking about Jesus and to my
surprise both the girls started quoting scripture.I told them how wonderful it was that they
had such knowledge of the Word but do they believe what they were quoting - I
got a shy smile and a yes from both of them.'Melkerns', the area in which they live is safe by day but at night is
very dangerous especially for young girls.I ask that you please keep all these children in your prayers, pray for
their safety and continued growth in Christ.The Gogo's from the previous care point also bought new land to build a
new school and child care facilities.They have the land but no sponsors to start building.Please pray for the financial support and
right sponsors to come so that the children, especially the orphans in this
area have a safe place to go and learn, play and receive a meal….right now
there is nothing for them.All children
must complete an interview and test before entering grade one without places
such as care points they will not learn the necessary basics to start school.
I am
excited for this semester and for what God has in store for us.I am excited because I know He has so much
more for us and the people and country of Swaziland than we could ever
imagine.In a country where over 50% of
the population is known to be HIV positive.The Swazi people will cease to exist by the year 2050 at this rate - can
we just sit by and watch this happen.The Lord is moving in this country and rapid change is coming and I am
so excited to be part of it, to share the Lord's heart and compassion for this
country and people.To see children like
Pepsile and Prayer not become just another statistic but bring change all in
the name of Jesus.I ask that you
continue to pray for our team and the country of Swaziland.Pray that the glory, power and honor of God
will reign down like rain and a nation that seems hopeless will find life and
hope in Him.
I have some exciting news!I have been approached by some AIM staff to lead what is called an
Ambassador trip this coming summer.Two
others and I will be leading a group of 15-18 year olds on a month long serve
trip to the Philippines.
My main goal will be discipling the
young girls and leading the group to grow in community and their personal
relationship with Christ.We will be
leaving at the end of June and coming back at the end of July which gives me
less than a month to do the appropriate fundraising needed to lead this
trip.I ask that you please keep this in
your prayers that the necessary funds will come in.Thank you for all your continued support and
prayer thus far.I pray that the Lord
continues to work in your life and reveal Himself to you daily in new ways.
Sorry that it has been so long since my last blog post...it's well over due. This past week has been a very hectic one. Last Tuesday we received the final word that our trip to Kenya has been cancelled due to the political unrest. We have been monitoring the situation there very closely and it has gradually been getting worse and more unsafe to go there. Plan B: I flew back into South Africa on Tuesday and will be spendning the next 4 months ministering in Swaziland. When I heard the news about Kenya it was somewhat expected but still very dissapointing. Its definitely a big change and I have no idea what to expect. I am however excited to see God's plan for us going to Swaziland...I know there is a greater purpose and reason behind it. I know God has not called me to a specific place but to people and to relationships...it really shouldn't matter where He sends me. I am really excited about the oppertunity this has created for our group to continue to pray for Kenya and the situation there. God has given Kenya a special place in our hearts and if its only to pray for them daily i feel more than priviledged to be able to do that. Our team is making the 12 hour drive to Swaziland tomorrow morning...i will be sure to give more updates as soon as i can as well some backdates on how things ended in South Africa. I miss you all and appreciate all your prayer and support.
