--first of all, sorry about the lack of information- internet has been spotty at best.
Oh my, not much else to say but… WOW. We all met our sponsored children today. A powerful experience indeed. These kids have hope because people cared enough to sponsor them. It really is incredible to see what just $30/month can do. Food, Clothing, Education, and Hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ (and OHHH how they know Jesus!)
You are seeing pictures of the team at a picnic with their sponsored children.
We brought them KFC, and I have never seen anyone clean meat from a bone like these kids. Most of us just let them have ours too-they needed it so much more than we did(they wanted to take some home for their families). They always seem to put other before themselves.
One little boy wanted to show us how strong he was,
so we were obliged to take his picture. :-)
Most of the children in this neighborhood have to walk down to a filthy creek for water.
It is about 1/2 mile away from us, and these fortunate kids had a wheelbarrow. The hard part is coming back up the 10% grade back to the house with full water containers.
Suzanne from WPFF/WNLI got to meet WPFF/WNLI Manager Dave Gordons sponsored child,
play games and have an icecream cone with him. Infact, all of the team got to partcipate in that fashion with their kids.
There is a difference that we are seeing between those children that are sponsored, and those that just live in the neighborhoods. It is challenging to explain, but you can see Hope in eyes where there is despair in others. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us, I have to wonder if that means "financially poor" or perhaps(as I am coming to learn) it is WE who are poor-"Relationship poor". These neighborhoods know each other, love each other, and defend each other.... On the other hand, I know 1 of my neighbors, and once the garage door goes down-we seem to lock ourselves away in our homes. The poverty they face here in Swaziland can be reversed, and I believe that OURS can be too.
The kids are BEAUTIFUL, and tomorrow brings painting, dancing and playing. We will not be able to update you tomorrow night, but will try again on Friday evening here (Friday morning back in the USA)
GOD BLESS YOU.. Keep the team in your prayers. The emotions have really started surfacing.
You are seeing pictures of the team at a picnic with their sponsored children.
We brought them KFC, and I have never seen anyone clean meat from a bone like these kids. Most of us just let them have ours too-they needed it so much more than we did(they wanted to take some home for their families). They always seem to put other before themselves.One little boy wanted to show us how strong he was,
so we were obliged to take his picture. :-)Most of the children in this neighborhood have to walk down to a filthy creek for water.
It is about 1/2 mile away from us, and these fortunate kids had a wheelbarrow. The hard part is coming back up the 10% grade back to the house with full water containers.Suzanne from WPFF/WNLI got to meet WPFF/WNLI Manager Dave Gordons sponsored child,
play games and have an icecream cone with him. Infact, all of the team got to partcipate in that fashion with their kids.There is a difference that we are seeing between those children that are sponsored, and those that just live in the neighborhoods. It is challenging to explain, but you can see Hope in eyes where there is despair in others. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us, I have to wonder if that means "financially poor" or perhaps(as I am coming to learn) it is WE who are poor-"Relationship poor". These neighborhoods know each other, love each other, and defend each other.... On the other hand, I know 1 of my neighbors, and once the garage door goes down-we seem to lock ourselves away in our homes. The poverty they face here in Swaziland can be reversed, and I believe that OURS can be too.
The kids are BEAUTIFUL, and tomorrow brings painting, dancing and playing. We will not be able to update you tomorrow night, but will try again on Friday evening here (Friday morning back in the USA)
GOD BLESS YOU.. Keep the team in your prayers. The emotions have really started surfacing.
2 comments:
As you share in the experience of As you share in God gaze upon the people of Swaziland, you likewise share His burden. This too is a blessing.
In mourning we experience an attribute of God that otherwise goes unknow.
Matthew 5:3-5 comes to mind. Both the NIV and "The Message" translations offer are stirring....
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
seeing the needs of the people makes our hearts stir and start "wondering" how else we can help. You mention them having to go to a creek to get water. What's the possibility, through contributions, of establishing a well?
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