Remembering God's Promises on the Journey Back to Africa

I'm continuing to meet with each one of the children to give them the opportunity to share their life stories and testimonies. It's amazing to hear of what so many of them have been through and even more amazing to hear how their lives were changed when they came to know that the God of the universe loves them. Many of them as children have gone through periods of time with little or no food and their families did not have the money to send them to school. Almost all of them have already endured the loss of multiple family members, including one or both parents. I've been so touched and humbled as the kids have opened up and shared their stories with me. Many tears have been shed and, equally, many smiles have been displayed as they come to realize all over again what God has brought them through. Each child expresses gratitude and joy regarding being under the care of the ministry now. They are in a safe place they say and people show love to them, including their house parents. They report that they get enough food to eat everyday and they have the privilege of getting an education.

Myself with 2 of the kids
(both have cerebral palsy, people with disabilities in
Swaziland are often neglected/ignored but these 2 are
receiving love, attention & hope here in the ministry)

Continuing to collect life stories w/ the kids :)

Last Friday I got to serve as a leader at the Potter's Wheel (my home church here) all-night youth retreat. Staying awake all night didn't come quite as easy as it did when I was a teenager.... Does this mean I'm getting old? :) It was a fun time with about 25 teenagers. The theme of the event was Breaking Down Barriers - Who You Are In Christ. The students each got to participate in times of worship, teaching, prayer, discussion groups, and of course food and fellowship.

Kids playing games w/ 1 of the youth leaders

The encouragement corner - each teenager had a paper
with his/her name on it that others wrote encouraging
messages on. In the morning they received their page to take home.

Ok, so I got way outside my comfort zone & helped lead worship

This is the "And God Says" board that all of us (youth & leaders)
could write on to share what God was showing them during the
event - some awesome, encouraging messages came forth

And here we are the morning after - youth & leaders
minus a few who escaped before I got the photo :)

The house parents (those who take care of the orphans under the care of the ministry) had an end-of-the-year party to celebrate another year of service to the ministry. The party was a surprise for them and I was blessed to have a part in it by helping prepare their surprise meal (lasanga w/ a chocolate dessert) and preparing individualized messages for their cards. (Cards were creatively made by a dear women's Bible study group at CLC Fairfield in Dayton, Ohio). The parents LOVED the food and the cards. They shared that they were so blessed.

Some of the parents enjoying their meal
(including the one in the middle, an auntie who is expecting :)