Our Hearts Desire

May 31, 2012 – Thank you for your patience with our blogger.  We had to post two days in one. 🙂

We’ve had a wonderful time with the children at Timbutini and Ntabas today.  Our prayer has been that these children would know that He knows their name.  One of our team members shared how she noticed how powerful it was when we could call a child by his/her name and how important it is to all of us when someone knows us by name.  Please continue to pray with us to this end…that they will know that God knows each one of them by name.

We distribute gifts at Timbutini.  We appreciate your prayers for a smooth distribution and multiplied resources.  May He be glorified!

Enjoy!

Lessons from “The Nation of Orphans”

May 30, 2012

It always seems that finding the right words to adequately describe the lives of the children and our time with them is more than difficult.  As a team, we spent some time sharing stories and “Swazi Moments” with each other, and there were a few things that were very clear here in Swaziland.

First, it is clear that all of us have already either begun the process of being transformed or continue to be transformed by the hands we hold and faces we touch here in Swaziland.  When Jesus says that He is the poor, He is hungry, He is thirsty, He is naked, and He is sick, it is so true.  As we’ve had the privilege to hold Him in these children, to love Him, to comfort Him, to feed Him, and to clothe Him, we’ve truly been in His presence and broken beyond measure.  Serving here is the vehicle He is using to break our hearts for what breaks His.  To change us, to be more like Him…not for our glory, but so that He may be glorified…that He may be praised for his provision!

Second, He is at work in this place.  We’ve had many homestead visits, and as we fellowship with these sweet people and take gifts of food, we’ve had countless testimonies of mothers and grandmothers that have said, “Thank you, Jesus, you have provided!”  Many have testified that they had nothing left and prayed that He would provide for the numbers of children living in their one bedroom home.  He has proven in the midst of some of their darkest hours that He cares about each ONE here in Swaziland.  We’ve also seen the miracle of sweet Thabiso whose life has been spared for His glory.  His mother, while thankful for all of who have stepped in for his care, praises God for the miracle she sees in her son and clearly sees God working in the life of her baby boy.  Over and over, we see and hear testimonies of how God specifically reveals himself to these people through their humble dependence upon Him.  They have no resources, jobs, pantries filled with food, or

Thabiso

people, even parents, where they can place their faith…in so many ways, they see Him working much more clearly than we do!

Third, Special Friends ARE making a difference in the lives of these children.  They cherish the letters and photos from their special friends.  We’ve had several children that have walked up to a team member and proudly proclaimed in a Swazi accent that can melt your heart, “This is my special friend.  Do you know them?”  They place pictures of their special friends in their home, one Gogo shared, “We have your picture hanging in our house.”  They call them by name…first and last!  We’ve provided paper and pens for the children to write letters to their friends in America.  For most children in the US, they wouldn’t choose to write a letter when scores of children were climbing on a newly built play set or kicking new soccer balls on a rock-filled field.  But for these children, their letter is a link to the people that they (the children) love and thank God for.  For the orphaned and vulnerable in Swaziland, their greatest possession, in a world that could never imagine the abundance of America, is a simple letter and/or a photo of a family that chooses to be their special friend.  The older Swazi children have a very short time at the carepoint before they have to walk home and escape the dangers after the sun sets.  They worked so carefully to choose the perfect words and display their best penmanship forfeiting the time that had today to live as a laughing child in the refuge of the carepoint.  One team member shared how two of the children would write several sentences and anxiously wait to hear, “This looks good!” before continuing to write a letter that they trusted would be treasured as much as the pictures and letters that they have treasured themselves.  If you are reading this blog and you have a special friend here, know that you are loved beyond measure, and you are an incredible piece in this ministry.  If you do not have a special friend, we cannot encourage you enough to begin partnering with this ministry and impact the life of ONE child in Swaziland.  It may not totally change a nation, but it can drastically change the life of a child…a child that many of us have realized could have easily been one of us, our one of our own children, had we not been blessed to be born in a different place.

Last, when we trust God to provide, He perfectly provides for the unexpected.  He knew that Ntabas would have 60 additional children that we had not planned to clothe as we prepared in Augusta.  As concerns rose, we were reminded that God is sovereign. He knew each little foot that would cross the path into Ntabas, and He loved them more than we could ever imagine.  We trusted that He is faithful and would be provide!

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God , trust also in me. John 14:1a

We prayed over the stacks of dresses and tshirts, the packets of socks, the rows of undies, and He was faithful.  No child was turned away…even the 60 that we had not prepared for in our own strength.  He had provided, and He was praised!  For some, these could have been the first pair of underpants that they owned.  You see, these aren’t just “part of a wardrobe” for these young Swazi girls.  They provide protection for some on the walking trails to their homestead.  They give them a sense of pride and worth as they cover themselves fully.  There isn’t a drawer to pull from each day as the laundry waits to be done.  The Crocs, dresses, socks, underwear, toothbrushes with toothpaste, and cards from Special Friends will serve differently in lives of the children that received them.  We may never know the story on this side of eternity, but I wonder how many of the faces that smiled at us in Swaziland will be smiling with us in heaven because they came to know God through the his simple provision through a few simple people and team of donors and prayer warriors from the US.  We’ll only know when we sit at the feet of Jesus!

We hope you enjoy a few of our sweet memories of our first day!  We love and appreciate each of you!

 

Old Friends and New Beginnings

As expected, there was no shortage of hugs and smiles at Timbutini and Ntabas(Ruby’s) today!  If anyone was anxious, the nerves quickly melted as arms and legs were full of children.  When canvasing the grounds of Timbutini, there were countless children sitting in the dust with books in hand to laugh and giggle as our team members shared stories with the little ones or listened as a preschooler practiced his English lessons by counting the letters of a title on a book.  There were team members that were throwing or kicking balls across the field, and layers upon layers of toddlers and babies on the laps of nearly every team member at some point in the day.

One of our favorite bits of news is quite a miracle.  Just before lunch, we had a special visit from a WALKING…yes, WALKING miracle.  If you remember, Thabiso, a regular attender of Timbutini, was struck by a vehicle as he was walking home in early-March.  He should not of survived the accident, and when he did, we knew that God had spared his life.  He should not of had much function of his body, but today, he walked up to each of us and threw his arms around the team!  He will continue to work through some rehab to strengthen his body, but we all new that we were looking at the face of a modern day miracle!  We are praising Him for his goodness in the life of this child and his mother!

Part of our team left Timbutini just after lunch to greet the children at Ntabas.  How exciting it was to see the former of playground of Timbutini being erected at Ntabas!   The children of Timbutini will be receiving another playground to support the large number of children that attend their care point, so the Ntabas children finally have a playground of their own to climb and explore each day.  The men worked throughout the afternoon ,and the playground, although not finished, had enough structure completed that a sea of little brown faces flooded every inch of the playground.

Homestead visits were certainly another highlight of the afternoon.  Gifts of maize, beans and other essentials were delivered with each group as they walked over the same thorn filled trails that the children travel each day to visit some of the homes of their special friends.  A visit from a team member is certainly special for the children.  We’re treated as royal guests and the caregivers are some the finest hostesses you will ever meet.  The care point serves as a place of refuge and joy, so a glimpse into the regular lives of the children can be very eye opening.  Emotions were running high as the reality of the lives of the faces we had kissed and loved today set in.

Our evening ended with dinner with Steve & Amy McAdams, Mark & Allison Clyburn, and Kriek & Jumbo.  Each Tuesday, the team of missionaries will meet for fellowship, worship and prayer.  We prayed for the nation of Swaziland, the fathers of Swaziland, the mothers and women of Swaziland and the children who live way beyond their years.  So much has to be done here, but the reminder that everything that should be done comes after we have sat at the feet of the Father and prayed as intercessors for this nation believing in faith that He can transform a nation.  One word comes to mind as we recall those moments with the Father….POWER!

Tomorrow, we return to Timbutini and Ntabas.  We will taking the gifts of tshirts, underwear, Crocs and socks for the children.  Please pray that we have plenty of time to size all of the children, that we have the sizes we need for each child, and that all of the kids can make it to the care point after school.  

We’re hoping to post pictures in the morning!

Unpacked and Ready to Go

We’ve made it to Emafini and finished all of the prep work for tomorrow’s first visit to Timbutini and Ntabas!

No one can ever prepare to see just what it takes to bring all of the supplies for our time here in Swaziland.  This year, we had cause for concern as we crossed the border, so we unpacked most of the 27 boxes and repacked them into duffle bags before leaving Joburg.  As we entered Swaziland, we prayed that our two trailers would pass inspection without incurring any taxes…we’ll guess what?!?  The border patrol didn’t even take a second look at our cargo.  We were more than thrilled!

We entered the beautiful grounds of Emafini around 2:30 local time, and we were greeted by our dear friends, Kriek, Clara, Amy and Katie.  Sweet Elliott, our driver, and Sandile quickly unloaded our cargo and the unpacking quickly began!  Unpacking isn’t as simple as unloading a box and placing it in a certain place.  You see…each box must weigh under 50 lbs, but all space must be used!  So, it is common to find Crocs loaded with toothpaste, underwear, jump ropes, and a bottle of bubbles mixed in one box.  Stations were organized throughout the hall and meeting area of Emafini, and everything was staged and ready to go just before our Cultural Meeting at 5:30.

After a wonderful evening of dinner and fellowship, we gathered to read the blog comments for some precious encouragement and share in worship and devotion.  How wonderful it is to watch as a team of new faces and lots of personalities are so quickly woven together in preparation for the work ahead!

It’s chilly tonight and many have already tucked themselves into bed.  There’s lots of excitement in the air and anxious hearts waiting to meet their special friends for the first time.  Most of our team will walk under the big tree at Timbutini for the first time, so they anxiously lay their heads down for the night with thoughts and wonder of what the day will bring.  It’s a big day tomorrow…your prayers are felt and so appreciated.  Many thanks to our team at home for your continued support in prayer as we begin our week with our sweet friends!

It’s Good to Be Home!

We have arrived in Joburg with 20 team members and ALL of our luggage and supplies!  Many thanks for the prayers or protection, rest, travel with all that we packed.  The airport process moved smoothly, and most everyone was able to sleep well.

For many, it was so fun watching their faces as they stepped onto African soil for the first time.  For some of us, it was like coming home.  In her book, Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis quoting Frederick Beuchner as she writes, “The place God calls us to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”  She continues as she writes about returning to Uganda, “I had been more than happy all my life in my home in Brent-wood.  But my deepest gladness and the world’s deep hunger met in Uganda.  My heart sang Uganda.  Everything in Uganda made me feel alive.  Uganda was home, the place God was calling me, and I had to get back as quickly as possible.”  These words  (substitute Swaziland) ring true in the hearts of those who have seen and touched the sweet faces of Swaziland.  If you are in your permanent resident of the US and reading this, you know the truth of her words. For those of us who are returning, we feel like we are home…how sweet it is!

Do You Have Any Olives?

Today, Saturday, May 26, is the day that a team of 20 will begin a journey to Swaziland, Africa.  For some, this will be the first time their feet have touched this soil.  For others, we can hardly wait to see a sea of smiling faces and return to old friends.  Our journey will be begin as we gather and load boxes filled with underwear, socks, t-shirts, Crocs, toothbrushes, toothpaste and various supplies for nearly 300 children who walk to the care points each day and those who serve them.  The week will be filled with babies in laps, children reading books with our team, lots of jump roping, soccer and conversations under a shade tree or while sitting on a cement block as the Swaziland dust blows across our feet.  Memories will be made and hearts will be touched as the Lord allows us to be part of His story.

Our team of 20 will have the privilege of loving these children each day, but our team is much greater than 20.  Our team consists of family and a support system at home, prayer warriors from so many places, individuals that have collected supplies, precious donors that have supplied t-shirts, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and individuals that have graciously given so that the other necessities we carry with us could also be purchased.  Our team stretches across many miles, and we hope that you will choose to join our team if you have not already done so!  

Here’s how YOU can join us:

1.  Pray for our team and the sweet faces we will see. (Prayer Requests are located in the Prayer tab)

2.  Follow our blog and feel free to post comments.  The team gathers each day for worship and Bible study.  We also read the posts that serve as such an encouragement to the entire team.

3.  Donate your leftover “olives” to our Swaziland Mission Fund.

 When you knock down the fruit from your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again.  What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.   Deuteronomy 24:20

We need team members that can help with the cost of the supplies we are taking with us to the children and women of Swaziland.  We’re so thankful for the generous hearts of many that have already donated to the fund, but we can still use your help!  Join our team by donating your tax deductible gift of any amount to:

Warren Baptist Church

Memo:  Swaziland Mission Supplies

3203 Washington Road

Augusta, GA 30907

 

We look forward to the journey with you!

He Knows My Name

Hearts Ready to be Molded

God has called a new beautiful tapestry of hearts for His purpose in ministering to the “lease of these”. On May 26, a team of 20 people will set off for Swaziland, Africa once again. Please pray that God would prepare our hearts and minds for the mission that He has called us to.
Introducing the Swazi 2012 Summer Team:
first row – Carolyn Powell, Cassie Williams, Jeanna Martin, Chandler Schmitz, Madi Hall…..second row: Robin Cox, Courtney Cox, Lisa Hayes, Trisha Wells, Chelsea Lyle, Robin Hall, Beth Perry…..third row: Scott Hall, Michelle Wiley, Jesse Powell, Bryan Hayes, Nick Hagan, Mark Schmitz…..not pictured: Evan Wells, Kara Wells.
What a blessing to know that we will be covered with prayer by our “at home” team members. We are so thankful for you and we covet your posts while we are on the mission field. Nothing brings us more joy than to come back to our hotel and gather around the blog to read sweet encouraging words from our family and friends. We look forward to coming back with changed hearts and memorable stories upon our return on June 7.