Pray for us and our staff...please.

Will you pray for us all? Our staff and partnerships are growing. In number and in their relationships to the Lord. Here are the names of the Children’s Cup Swaziland staff and partners: (will you please read the names and pray for them?) We believe there is power in prayer, and these people all face obstacles and struggles each day. It is nice to know that people they(and we) do not even know are lifting us(them) all up in prayer.

Swaziland Leadership team:

Lungile, Sandra N, Thabo, Gcina, Sibello, Njabulo, Sizwe, Tamara, Sandra C, Stephen, Krista, (kids-Avery, Ilea, Allie), Danny, MaryAnn (kids-Lindsey, Olivia, Sophie, Jude), Jerry, Karen, Mduduzi, Nelly, Beth, Hlobsile, Muzi, Make Barros, Zinty, Paul, Francis, Dudu, Jessie, Rachel, Randy, Karen, Mark, Kay, Namile, Sixco, Purity, Mncedisi, Roger, Mitch, Charlotte

Swaziland CarePoint Facilitators:

Lindiwe, Zama, Lungelo, Zanele, Dorah, Lindiwe, Christina, Candy, GoodEnuf, Ntombie, Mphendulo, Fikile, Nokuthula, Happyness, Prudence, Lenhle, Khumbuzile, Zanele, Delina, Paul, Thembi, Kanyasile, Sphila, Claudia, Celiwe, Phindile, Philemon, Phumzile, Nomcebo, Nomsa, Victor, Clara, Sphesihle, Zine, Lindiwe, Bethusile, Ntobeko, Phindile and Nkosingphile

Swaziland Partner Churches:

Christian Family Church(Maphiveni, Lomahasha, Mayenjane, Section 19, Khumbaso, Macetukah and Njojane CarePoints)-Pastor LaSalette

HPC(Mangwaneni CarePoint)-Pastors Adam, Kim (baby-zoe), Roger, Mary, Karl, Prisca, Gugu

Sweedish Free(Mafutseni CarePoint)-Make Dlamini

River Valley Church(Sihhohhueni CarePoint)-Pastor Mduduzi

Assembly of God(Motjane CarePoint)-Pastor Lewis

El Gibor(Mvutjini CarePoint)-Pastor Elsie, Harrison

A few more pics of our leadership team at www.childrenscup.org

Thank you. They are the heartbeat of reaching 6000children each day, serving future leaders, ministering in churches and prayerfully changing the world we all live in. I know they (and we) appreciate you and your support!

See more pics, read more stories!

At www.facebook.com/mitchchar

Death of a child.

Today, a former intern and graduate of our Global Leadership Academy program;  Rachael (and now our HIV Counselor) came to me-she always has a smile, but he sparkle was void in her eyes.  A 9 month old that they just identified 2 days ago with HIV passed away last night.  I watched as Rachael took the burden and weight on herself and felt hopeless, like she did not do enough fast enough.  I loved that God was working in her and had even prepared her a little.  As we debriefed, she referenced a scripture from days prior about someone dying and why we would want to bring them back from the glory they are in. 

She is hurting and sad of course-how could we all not be?  But .. (I LOVE God’s interjections with a “But”) there are hundreds of kids that we have identified who are receiving consistent care and treatments because of this program.  With more resources and passionate people like Rachael, I believe that the next incident of identifying a sick child will result in a different ending.  God is working in this program, and I know the enemy will want to confound and depress us all(I am often subject to that as a weakness in my life)…but I KNOW that He did not forget that child.. perhaps He DID heal that 9 month old in His way, not ours.

I am reminded of the KEY reason that Char and I were compelled to come here: Nearly 4 years ago on our visit an ill 9 month old died- same story.  God gave us “Those that sew in tears will reap a joy of harvest”.  I cry yet again this morning, but know that God is confirming in all of us- one more reason we MUST work diligently to serve His kids.

Please pray for ALL of our medical team and staff  The burden they carry is deep, but I KNOW that I KNOW- our God is using this to bring them (and me) to a heightened intimacy with Himself.

Mitch

Break our hearts?

This is a re-post from our amazing friends- the Prince Family. Amazing compassion.

Last night, Steph and I were doing dishes together after a long day. I love that we have the time to debrief -- we go separate ways all day, but catching each other up in the evening helps keep us connected in our different areas in ministry. Lately, he spends usually two days a week out at Njojane, one of our newest CarePoints. Through partnership with a stateside church, Mission of Mercy child sponsorship, and Children's Cup, construction is full speed ahead. Meanwhile, this has been a feeding site for some time. This small cooking structure and six bomake (volunteer cooks) provide food for 350-400 children Monday through Friday. It's pretty incredible.

When I hear Njojane (n-joe-johnny) in conversation, it's construction related, but there is always mention of a little naked boy (absolutely no clothes) running up and down the dirt path leading to the site. Everyone who has been out to Njojane usually mentions that they've seen the little streaker. :) However, today, this little boy and his family became personal and my heart is sick.

Steph went on to tell me last night that this little boy is one of three belonging to a mother in the community. Her husband died some time ago, and she is caring for them alone. According to the bomake, the mother works in the sugar cane fields, traveling one hour each way. The three boys, approximately ages 6, 4, and 2, are always waiting at the construction/feeding site gate even before any of the construction crew or volunteer cooks arrive. The boys are on their own, all day, caring for themselves. However, our cooks have shared their not-so-favorable impressions of this mother. The boys are bathed approximately once a year and have virtually no needs met, physically, emotionally, and otherwise. Additionally, their mother admitted that if Children's Cup would want her boys, that "they could just take them." Steph began to ask the bomake what we could do -- could we bring clothes out to the site? However, the bomake said that the mother is working and makes enough money to provide clothes for her children -- she chooses not to. Her children are a burden to this woman.

As he talked with the bomake, Stephen noticed a tiny boy lying on a cardboard mat, just waking up from a nap. He was only clothed with a shirt -- nothing else. Groups of flies swarmed his head, aggravating him, while he lie there listless. One of the bomake lifted the boy to a sitting position, where he sat emotionless, without any expression. He doesn't play, doesn't utter a sound, and is nearly impossibl <<...>> <<...>> e to engage. As Stephen took this picture, he urinated on himself, still oblivious. His older brothers brought him scoops of dirty water, pushing his head down nearer to the bowl, encouraging him to drink. All along, their mother is away in the sugar cane fields. This is the smallest of the three, two years old.

Somewhere along the way, their mother lost hope. Very possibly it dates back countless generations. Caregivers losing hope, and just attempting to survive becomes the way of life. Generations devoid of Jesus, devoid of HOPE. Somewhere along the line a disconnect has occurred and has allowed this mother to view her children, God's blessings, as burdens.

In a few months, construction at Njojane will be complete. The church and CarePoint will be in full operation. Preschool classes, bible clubs, youth camps, and other programs will be birthed. The future is very bright for Njojane -- the community, through Him and Him and alone, will have the opportunity to be taken from hurting to HOPE. This transformation is beginning, but witnessing the hurt is painful.

Hope through a backpack?

The Cup backpacks have been put to good use all across Africa!   Details, stories and videos coming soon, for now- just a taste!

 

She popped her shoes off by the fence at Mpolonjeni CarePoint.  Njabu is 8 and going through the 2^nd grade.  Her tattered yellow dress (missing 2 buttons) and ripped stockings seemed to just blend in to the scenery surrounder her.  She plopped down in the grass with 2 friends(one was born without a leg) and Charlotte.  She had 3 playing cards(all were 8s).  She smiled as we joked about her not having a full deck.  A contagious joy and inexplicable laughter came from her  tiny frame and we all began to giggle.  Her pack is full of her school books and is a reminder to us(the missions team in Swaziland) that HIS word is going forth.  We have had the priviledge of seeing hundreds of these on the streets, dirt paths, and nearly every school across the nation.  A tangible way to see the impact of your giving!  We are BLESSSED as we get to see the results of your efforts.  On behalf of all of the missionaries and African staff- THANK YOU for equipping us to alter the destiny for a generation!

Beautiful African People

They really are! In the last year and a half, the Lord has shown us so much, but the one thing that rises to the top deals with relationships. Ours with Christ and in observing Africans with each other(and us). I continue to be amazed at what LOVE looks like. Africans KNOW love! Family taking in and taking care of family, friends and neighbors. Everyone helps each other without any forethought. No one retreats to their own private hiding spots. If one has food-it is shared with the entire group. No one leaves home at age 18…kids are always kids- even if they are 50 and have grandchildren of their own, they are always welcome to be at the homestead and with the family. The family unit in Africa (and many parts of the developing world) is so INCREDIBLY beautiful.

Romans 12:16 reminds us all to “Live in harmony with each other…” This is one of the many things I am learning more about each day in Africa. I often feel selfish that I am getting more out of being a missionary than I could possibly ever give. These truly are beautiful people. I LOVE their hearts! Praise God for relationships. It is in THAT, that we find our salvation. Jesus does not want a bunch of rules and eloquent language…He just wants to spend time with us-building an intimate relationship-and I think that at the core, our friends here in Africa understand that-as it is a way of life for them.