I'd like to share some excerpts of my journey so far in Swaziland with you. In these 8 months I have learned so much, been stretched to truly live by faith, been blessed by the people I serve and work with. God has brought people from around the world (currently people with God's missions heart from England, Canada, Zambia, Korea) to live on Hawane Farm where I stay and to share His love with the orphans and widows here.
The counseling I've been involved in here is going well. God has given me a new direction to focus on training and equipping the house mothers (often widows who are caring for the orphaned and vulnerable children of the ministry) with basic counseling skils. This will enable the mothers to then be available to the children in their homes - many of these children have experienced trauma, abuse, and loss. For me it's a testimony to see the house mothers growing in their confidence, in learning new skills, and in their ability to communicate within the ministry. Having worked with this same group of amazing Swazi women in 2008, I can see first-hand their growth spiritually and emotionally. These hard-working ladies are raising the next generation of Swazis who will lead this nation to be the pulpit to Africa. God is using Swaziland to bring transformation to all of Africa. This nation that is predicted to become extinct due to the AIDS pandemic will instead live and declare the works of the Lord. What a testimony to the world it will be!
I also have the privilege of working with Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (TCMI) students. Recently one of them preached in our morning daily chapel and I afterwards I wrote the following in my journal:
This morning in chapel Sibosiso (one of the young adult Bible school students from Hawane Farm, the orphan care center where I live) shared his testimony. He powerfully explained how he was a well-known alcoholic, drug addict, and drug dealer in the very community we reside in. He said he was the kind of person people would look at once, not want anything to do with, and move on. He was rejected by the community members and thought of as worthless. This morning he testified of how he met Jesus and his life was transformed. Today he studies in the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute an d frequently preaches with power. He encourages others to follow God, accept His forgiveness, and to live for His purposes. He also attends Hawane CLC church and participates in community outreach.
When I hear stories like this from the lives of the Swazi people I work with my heart is touched and I find myself praising God for showing up in people's lives as only He can do. As Sibosiso encouraged us this morning people may have disqualified you or discarded you but God wants to use you. There's no limit to what God can do in and through one life!
