On Friday we got the opportunity to partner with the Luke Commission that goes all around Swaziland holding medical clinics. I was very impressed with the organization and what they are attempting to do in this country. They have a strong desire to not only give medical treatment and HIV testing but to build relationships and trust with the people they are serving. It was a really emotional day for a lot of the team and God gave us all more of a glimpse into the way that this country is hurting. But I really loved watching the way that God broke so many of our hearts that day. There were many tears shed for the Swazi people and I, of course, was no exception. The following is what I wrote in my journal that night.
It’s almost like I don’t even want to take the time to process and think about today with fear that it will leave me undone. HIV is so real and alive here. It’s been easy for me to forget that when I’m jut hanging out at the carepoint and loving on kids. But today I couldn’t run from the fact that it is and will continue to impact the lives of the children I’ve been holding all week. The moment it really slapped me in the face was when I was in the testing room. In this room we were testing people’s blood pressure, insulin levels and for HIV. People would get tested and the results would go to the doctor in the next room who would go over them with the patients. I was mostly observing and helping a little with the HIV tests. It was hard to see people come in, be tested and then see their results even before they did. I didn’t realize how hard it was about to be as in walks in a little boy I held forever the other day at the carepoint. He came in with his mom and his tiny sister who I also recognized. I sat there waiting to get the stick that should show the results in minutes and put it in the box for the doctor in the next room. I held my breath as I watched and waited. And then I saw it, two little lines on that stick; positive for HIV. My heart dropped and tears started forming in my eyes. Yes, all the other positive ones that I could put with faces I saw today were sad and broke my heart. But this one was different for me. It was personal. I knew that little boy. I took pictures of that little boy. I hugged and loved on that little boy. And this little boy’s mom just found out she has HIV. He’s not any older than four. It was heart shattering. How would I feel being that boy? Who possibly is so young that he won’t understand? Or that mom who now knows that she has an incurable disease that will kill her? This then made EVERY positive result more heart shattering for me as I realized that they all are someone to someone. I may not know who they are important to but they are all someone’s mom, dad, daughter, son, grandma or grandpa. I hated that this is only a small glimpse into the epidemic here. I hated seeing it. How many people went home today sad and depressed because we told them they have HIV? But I can’t let myself go in that direction because the God I serve is bigger. He is bigger than this disease and loves these people with an intense passion. And while some people went home today with sad results, they also now have medication that will give them the chance to prolong their lives for the person they are a “somebody” too. God gave me a bit more of His heart today for the HIV stricken people of Swaziland.
-Jessica Hilgenberg
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
First Impressions
Arriving at the care point today for the first time, and possibly last time of my life was very exciting. Finally after years of praying for these people I have the incredible opportunity to actually see their faces. I have to admit, I was anticipating a lot of shy and timid children. Thankfully we were greeted with a group of smiling faces. Immediately I had a little girl in my arms, with her head on my shoulder. I hardly had time to take it in before three more huddled around my knees. I didn’t really think about it, instead I just jumped in. Connecting with the kids seemed natural to me. I don’t usually think twice about scooping a pouty baby into my arms, or initiating a game with active kids. Chasing toddlers around to grasp them in a tickle-filled embrace one minute, then rocking another child the next was fun, but tiring. I couldn’t help but think about my own siblings during this time. Before I knew it I was kissing them goodbye and hopping into the bus with the rest of the team.
When I look back at all the people I met, I wonder what they must be feeling. I can’t just walk up to one of the girls and ask about her past, or what she really meant behind that vague “fine” or “good” response in my common “how are you?” question. I sincerely mean it, and am ready to listen for a deeper answer. Unfortunately trust just isn’t built in a simple question, but in time. How can 6 days build a trusting relationship? I don’t know. Maybe I won’t build a relationships solid enough to include a life story from them. That’s okay. God will do His will in the next week, regardless of whether or not my hopes of a trusting relationship with an individual this week is fulfilled. I don’t know what God is planning to do in my heart this week, or in the hearts of the kids at the care point. Nevertheless, I’m excited!
Quote of the day: “Even if one of those kids was the last person on earth, Jesus would still have come to die for him.” _ Logan Jones.
Family- I MISS YOU! ☺ Kent, I met all the kids you talked about and gave them your pictures. Ricky got his letter, too.
~Grace
When I look back at all the people I met, I wonder what they must be feeling. I can’t just walk up to one of the girls and ask about her past, or what she really meant behind that vague “fine” or “good” response in my common “how are you?” question. I sincerely mean it, and am ready to listen for a deeper answer. Unfortunately trust just isn’t built in a simple question, but in time. How can 6 days build a trusting relationship? I don’t know. Maybe I won’t build a relationships solid enough to include a life story from them. That’s okay. God will do His will in the next week, regardless of whether or not my hopes of a trusting relationship with an individual this week is fulfilled. I don’t know what God is planning to do in my heart this week, or in the hearts of the kids at the care point. Nevertheless, I’m excited!
Quote of the day: “Even if one of those kids was the last person on earth, Jesus would still have come to die for him.” _ Logan Jones.
Family- I MISS YOU! ☺ Kent, I met all the kids you talked about and gave them your pictures. Ricky got his letter, too.
~Grace
Different - but good.
This trip has been so different from what I thought it would be. Wednesday I just literally sat in the same spot, on a chair, all day holding kids. Well really only two kids. The first one, who I call Tub because I can’t remember or pronounce his name for the life of me, fell asleep in my arms and just stayed there snoring and drooling away for several hours. The next one was Zodwa, all she wanted to do was sit in my arms. It was super cold, and all she had on was a thin little jacket, so she just sat in my arms as I tried to keep her warm. And she didn’t want to do anything else. I have built some solid relationships and now everyday they come right up to me with big smiles on their faces. It makes my day. Holding the kids for 4 hours gave me a lot of time to think. My brain can’t help but think if maybe these kids or someone in their family have HIV. Or if their only meal is here at the carepoint. Or wonder if they have ever been held before. But yet they are still so happy and full of life. Holding the kids for 4 hours made me think back so, so many months ago when I was applying for the trip. We had to write an essay on why we wanted to go to Swaziland. One reason I wanted to come was to hold kids who have never been held before. And I did just that on Wednesday. All day. Much love,
KK!
KK!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Safely in South Africa
We have finished our time in Swaziland and we are so grateful for all your prayers. I am updating the blog at an internet cafe in Kruger National Park over our lunch break. It has been a great morning of seeing native animals in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, the lack of internet access in Swaziland was exactly what we had expected so we have not been able to post all the blogs written. However, they will be posted once we get home - so continue to check the blog even after we get back!
I did want to give you guys back home a brief overview of what the team has been up to the last several days:
Wednesday: The weather was cold and chilly, but that did not stop the kids from coming to the carepoint. We finished the work on the soccer field and netball court and spent most of the time there playing on the new fields.
Thursday: We had several crafts and skits performed. We have had a team of Ministry Partners with us all week and they really shined today! The Ministry Partners (some may know of them as the D-Team) are local Swazis in their 20s who go around to about 10 carepoints helping disciple the kids there. They themselves receive training and mentorship. They are doing an incredible job with the team!
Friday: All of Friday was spent with the Luke Commission helping put on the medical clinic. It was held at the primary school where most of the kids who attend our carepoint go to school. It was a hard day. The reality of HIV/AIDS hit home as several of the women our team have gotten to know over the last week tested positive for HIV. They women are able to get ARVs and counseling for their situation. In addition to HIV/AIDS testing the Luke Commission helped fit adults with reading glasses, other tests, light surgery, and several other medical procedures. The team had a great debrief that night, wrestling with the emotions and scenes from the day.
Saturday: It was a rich, full day at the carepoint. We knew that today was going to be our last day at the carepoint and we had a blast. The students performed skits, played soccer, led games, and help the girls make their own dolls. It was such an exciting day to see all the life at the carepoint. We helped the gogo's prepare a special meal with gravy, brisket, rice, and an orange for kids. We even had to make a second trip to the market to get more brisket and oranges - but after that we had more than enough food! It was very difficult to leave knowing that some of those people we might never see again.
Sunday: Today was such an answer to prayer. One of the key things our team has been praying for is a healthy church located on the carepoint. Today, we were able to participate in the very first church service on the new carepoint. Pastor Thuline was approached by the community and asked to Pastor this church. After prayer and seeking advice from mentors he accepted. We had a "MC" who was able to help translate the service into English. The singing was rich and beautiful, the local kids performed several songs for us, and then asked us to sing them a song! Steven Walton did a great job leading worship - we sang several songs all together. I had the privilege to give a short message, it was such an honor that Pastor Thuline asked me to speak. Please pray for Thuline as he leads this new church. He has a wife and two great daughters. Thuline works at a grocery store in Big Bend (near the carepoint) and his wife works at Nisela Guest House. Saying goodbye was difficult as we loaded up the bus and headed to South Africa. After a long day of travel, we made it safely to our guest house. A warm shower, roaring fireplace, and a meal of chicken curry greeted us!
Monday: Today we are at Kruger and loving it. We plan to have a bbq and firepit tonight at the guest house.
Tuesday: We will head to Jburg and depart for home! We are sad to be leaving Africa, but excited to see family and friends!
I hope that gives you a better picture of the last several days here! I apologize about the internet connections, please check the blog even after we get back to read what the students wrote about. We will also be updating the blog to give you updates about the carepoint and specific ways to pray.
That is all the time I have for now, the truck is about to leave to try and find more lions! See you soon,
Matt
I did want to give you guys back home a brief overview of what the team has been up to the last several days:
Wednesday: The weather was cold and chilly, but that did not stop the kids from coming to the carepoint. We finished the work on the soccer field and netball court and spent most of the time there playing on the new fields.
Thursday: We had several crafts and skits performed. We have had a team of Ministry Partners with us all week and they really shined today! The Ministry Partners (some may know of them as the D-Team) are local Swazis in their 20s who go around to about 10 carepoints helping disciple the kids there. They themselves receive training and mentorship. They are doing an incredible job with the team!
Friday: All of Friday was spent with the Luke Commission helping put on the medical clinic. It was held at the primary school where most of the kids who attend our carepoint go to school. It was a hard day. The reality of HIV/AIDS hit home as several of the women our team have gotten to know over the last week tested positive for HIV. They women are able to get ARVs and counseling for their situation. In addition to HIV/AIDS testing the Luke Commission helped fit adults with reading glasses, other tests, light surgery, and several other medical procedures. The team had a great debrief that night, wrestling with the emotions and scenes from the day.
Saturday: It was a rich, full day at the carepoint. We knew that today was going to be our last day at the carepoint and we had a blast. The students performed skits, played soccer, led games, and help the girls make their own dolls. It was such an exciting day to see all the life at the carepoint. We helped the gogo's prepare a special meal with gravy, brisket, rice, and an orange for kids. We even had to make a second trip to the market to get more brisket and oranges - but after that we had more than enough food! It was very difficult to leave knowing that some of those people we might never see again.
Sunday: Today was such an answer to prayer. One of the key things our team has been praying for is a healthy church located on the carepoint. Today, we were able to participate in the very first church service on the new carepoint. Pastor Thuline was approached by the community and asked to Pastor this church. After prayer and seeking advice from mentors he accepted. We had a "MC" who was able to help translate the service into English. The singing was rich and beautiful, the local kids performed several songs for us, and then asked us to sing them a song! Steven Walton did a great job leading worship - we sang several songs all together. I had the privilege to give a short message, it was such an honor that Pastor Thuline asked me to speak. Please pray for Thuline as he leads this new church. He has a wife and two great daughters. Thuline works at a grocery store in Big Bend (near the carepoint) and his wife works at Nisela Guest House. Saying goodbye was difficult as we loaded up the bus and headed to South Africa. After a long day of travel, we made it safely to our guest house. A warm shower, roaring fireplace, and a meal of chicken curry greeted us!
Monday: Today we are at Kruger and loving it. We plan to have a bbq and firepit tonight at the guest house.
Tuesday: We will head to Jburg and depart for home! We are sad to be leaving Africa, but excited to see family and friends!
I hope that gives you a better picture of the last several days here! I apologize about the internet connections, please check the blog even after we get back to read what the students wrote about. We will also be updating the blog to give you updates about the carepoint and specific ways to pray.
That is all the time I have for now, the truck is about to leave to try and find more lions! See you soon,
Matt
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
End of Day 3
We are at the end of day 3 and the team is still doing great! Today we awoke to rain and a chilly day. We thought this might cause less kids to be at the carepoint, but the exact opposite was true. We had more kids than yesterday! Today we finished work on the soccer field and the netball field. It was a blast to watch the locals play! The goals look great and our team jumped right in with them. Tomorrow we will be at the carepoint again and on Friday be working with the Luke Commission putting on a medical clinic.
Thank you for your patience with us updating the blog. Continue to pray - so many wonderful relationships are being formed here!
Matt
Thank you for your patience with us updating the blog. Continue to pray - so many wonderful relationships are being formed here!
Matt
Giving Shoes Out
Today we got to give out the shoes that we collected before we left for Swaziland. We came in to the carepoint with 4 or 5 large suitcases just packed with shoes. All together we had over 300 pairs of shoes. We waited till about 2, until the school children came to give the shoes out. I went on a house visit, but when I came back the team was in the middle of giving and it looked like chaos. I didn’t know where to start but I ended up jumping into one of the shelters to start matching shoes with their new owners. It was crazy, the Swazis had no clue what size they had or what would best fit them, but it was a blessing to give them the new shoes.
The memory that stuck with me was with the go go, (grandma) that needed a new pair of shoes. She came in, whispered size 6, and then I came back with a few shoes that she might like. When we finally found the right shoe it was amazing. I got the opportunity to kneel down and take off her old shoes, untie the new ones, and put her feet into the new shoes. Their feet weren’t the best smelling, but at that moment was the moment where I could feel the joy and love that was greater than anything I had experienced thus far in Swaziland. We locked eyes when her new shoes were on and she whispered in the same voice, “ God bless you”, then she left. The next kid came in and I helped him, but I will never forget that go go and that experience.
-Chris K
The memory that stuck with me was with the go go, (grandma) that needed a new pair of shoes. She came in, whispered size 6, and then I came back with a few shoes that she might like. When we finally found the right shoe it was amazing. I got the opportunity to kneel down and take off her old shoes, untie the new ones, and put her feet into the new shoes. Their feet weren’t the best smelling, but at that moment was the moment where I could feel the joy and love that was greater than anything I had experienced thus far in Swaziland. We locked eyes when her new shoes were on and she whispered in the same voice, “ God bless you”, then she left. The next kid came in and I helped him, but I will never forget that go go and that experience.
-Chris K
Shoes, Shoes, and Shoes
Going off of what my brotha Chris said, there were many memories that will stick in my mind after today. We got to see most of the community as word spread fast that we had shoes to give away. I will NEVER forget the bare feet and torn shoes I saw enter the room and the smiles and joy I saw leave the room. A pair I had given away went to a kid who was around my age. His shoes barely stayed on his feet, they had countless holes, and he looked hopeless and sad. When he saw a pair of old shoes we had in the room, I thought he would put them back because I couldn’t imagine that they would make him happy. He picked them up and started to feel them. Then a huge smile appeared on his face, and he asked if he could try them on. They were not a perfect fit by any stretch of the imagination, but when I asked him if he would like a different pair he said no and stared at his new kicks. We did a hand shake then he left with a new look in his eyes, never taking his eyes off the shoes.
Along with all the joy there were some hard parts of the day as well. A few people who came did not get a pair of shoes, despite all of the pairs we had. That shows just how many people came.
What began as just the children at the carepoint, turned to men, women, children, and the elderly, which was good because we had big shoes to fill as well. Among some of the older people that came were some that had been drinking. This was hard to see because the people of the community respect the older people so much. It was not the best example they could be setting in my opinion. Lucky for us we had a pretty good bouncer at the door (Carl) who knew that these people needed shoes too. We got them in and out without any problems. It is amazing to see God work in all of our lives, and we look forward to what he reveals to us tomorrow.
PS Zac’s mom- He is still alive and well, and still pretty darn awesome.
-Logan Jones
Along with all the joy there were some hard parts of the day as well. A few people who came did not get a pair of shoes, despite all of the pairs we had. That shows just how many people came.
What began as just the children at the carepoint, turned to men, women, children, and the elderly, which was good because we had big shoes to fill as well. Among some of the older people that came were some that had been drinking. This was hard to see because the people of the community respect the older people so much. It was not the best example they could be setting in my opinion. Lucky for us we had a pretty good bouncer at the door (Carl) who knew that these people needed shoes too. We got them in and out without any problems. It is amazing to see God work in all of our lives, and we look forward to what he reveals to us tomorrow.
PS Zac’s mom- He is still alive and well, and still pretty darn awesome.
-Logan Jones
First Day
Arriving at the care point today for the first time, and possibly last time of my life was very exciting. Finally after years of praying for these people I have the incredible opportunity to actually see their faces. I have to admit, I was anticipating a lot of shy and timid children. Thankfully we were greeted with a group of smiling faces. Immediately I had a little girl in my arms, with her head on my shoulder. I hardly had time to take it in before three more huddled around my knees. I didn’t really think about it, instead I just jumped in. Connecting with the kids seemed natural to me. I don’t usually think twice about scooping a pouty baby into my arms, or initiating a game with active kids. Chasing toddlers around to grasp them in a tickle-filled embrace one minute, then rocking another child the next was fun, but tiring. I couldn’t help but think about my own siblings during this time. Before I knew it I was kissing them goodbye and hopping into the bus with the rest of the team.
When I look back at all the people I met, I wonder what they must be feeling. I can’t just walk up to one of the girls and ask about her past, or what she really meant behind that vague “fine” or “good” response in my common “how are you?” question. I sincerely mean it, and am ready to listen for a deeper answer. Unfortunately trust just isn’t built in a simple question, but in time. How can 6 days build a trusting relationship? I don’t know. Maybe I won’t build a relationships solid enough to include a life story from them. That’s okay. God will do His will in the next week, regardless of whether or not my hopes of a trusting relationship with an individual this week is fulfilled. I don’t know what God is planning to do in my heart this week, or in the hearts of the kids at the care point. Nevertheless, I’m excited!
Quote of the day: “Even if one of those kids was the last person on earth, Jesus would still have come to die for him.” - Logan Jones.
Family- I MISS YOU! Kent, I met all the kids you talked about and gave them your pictures. Ricky got his letter, too.
~Grace
When I look back at all the people I met, I wonder what they must be feeling. I can’t just walk up to one of the girls and ask about her past, or what she really meant behind that vague “fine” or “good” response in my common “how are you?” question. I sincerely mean it, and am ready to listen for a deeper answer. Unfortunately trust just isn’t built in a simple question, but in time. How can 6 days build a trusting relationship? I don’t know. Maybe I won’t build a relationships solid enough to include a life story from them. That’s okay. God will do His will in the next week, regardless of whether or not my hopes of a trusting relationship with an individual this week is fulfilled. I don’t know what God is planning to do in my heart this week, or in the hearts of the kids at the care point. Nevertheless, I’m excited!
Quote of the day: “Even if one of those kids was the last person on earth, Jesus would still have come to die for him.” - Logan Jones.
Family- I MISS YOU! Kent, I met all the kids you talked about and gave them your pictures. Ricky got his letter, too.
~Grace
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Brief Update
We are doing well, but unable to post full blogs due to lack of internet connections. I am posting this update via a cell phone. The team is doing an amazing job, God is at work in and through everyone. We have had 2 full days at the carepoint, it is a place full of life. We have written several blogs each night, so once we get working internet prepare to read several e.tries at once! So many God stories to share, but know your prayers ARE being answered and felt here in Swaziland. A brief highlight today was passing out 300 pairs of shoes. Personally, Jen and I had the amazing privilege of meeting our sponsor child today! Continue to pray for us as we are just beginning to become undone by God.
Love you all - for the team -
Matt
Love you all - for the team -
Matt
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Mosaiek Church and then Swaziland
We are nearing the end of our time here in South Africa. It has been a wonderful time of seeing what God is up to here in S. Africa. We are off to church at Mosaiek Church this morning - it will be a great time of worship. The service will be in Afrikaans, but they have translating services for us so we can follow along. After the service, we will head directly into Swaziland. It is about 7 hour drive to our lodging and we are excited! We plan on arriving to our Swaziland lodging about noon Colorado Springs time.
We will be writing blogs every day, however, we might not be able to post every day due to the lack of internet services. Please continue to pray for our team. The time is well rested and everybody is healthy and feeling well, but we know that the week ahead will challenge and stretch us.
Thank you for the support, prayers, and comments that you have given us. The team loved reading through the comments left on the blogs yesterday!
For the team,
Matt
We will be writing blogs every day, however, we might not be able to post every day due to the lack of internet services. Please continue to pray for our team. The time is well rested and everybody is healthy and feeling well, but we know that the week ahead will challenge and stretch us.
Thank you for the support, prayers, and comments that you have given us. The team loved reading through the comments left on the blogs yesterday!
For the team,
Matt
On the plane ride to Africa I began to have several feelings swarming my head. Of course the first one that popped in was the excitment of doing something so bold and profound as traveling to a different country just to share the word and love of God. However, I began to feel unworthy too. God has continued to show his love and affection for me daily. He has proven his undying love time and time again. I feel as though I of all people do not deserve this love. I will never begin to grasp or comprehend the reason why he loves me so. Many of the things I have done are displeasing and disappointing to him. I continue to do things that break his heart and that end up hurting me in the end as well. Instead of turning to him I turn to worldly things. Every time I am left feeling more empty than before.
So why me? What could I possibly give anyone else in a time of need when I can't help myself? How can I tell someone to turn to God and feel his love when I don't do it as an example? I guess this is because God uses people exactly like me. He uses the broken and weak to help others. Maybe that's my purpose here. To help others in need see the glory of God. To see his love even when they fall. People don't need to be perfect to be used. God has been continuely teaching me this.
One of the verses that sticks out most to me is: "My grace is sufficent for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9
This verse shows and proves that even when you mess up God still uses you. I feel like I still have a lot to learn about this. I know God loves me I just don't understand it, but you don't have to understand everything. I just have to trust in God and believe he loves me the way I have been told he does. God will take care of the rest.
Love Always,
Jessica Chrisitna
So why me? What could I possibly give anyone else in a time of need when I can't help myself? How can I tell someone to turn to God and feel his love when I don't do it as an example? I guess this is because God uses people exactly like me. He uses the broken and weak to help others. Maybe that's my purpose here. To help others in need see the glory of God. To see his love even when they fall. People don't need to be perfect to be used. God has been continuely teaching me this.
One of the verses that sticks out most to me is: "My grace is sufficent for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9
This verse shows and proves that even when you mess up God still uses you. I feel like I still have a lot to learn about this. I know God loves me I just don't understand it, but you don't have to understand everything. I just have to trust in God and believe he loves me the way I have been told he does. God will take care of the rest.
Love Always,
Jessica Chrisitna
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Sharing of Light
God has placed a piece of Himself and His light in each and every one of us. It is deliberate, beautiful, and intended for others to see.
Today I felt God's light not only glowing through me but I also saw it in the twinkling eyes of the babies and the spirited smiles of the disabled people that we visited. The most beautiful thing about it all was that neither myself or the people I was with were controlling this wonderful exchanging of Light; it was all God using each of us to touch the other in powerful ways at the exact same moment.
One particular baby was left on the side of the road by her mother and the caretakers said that she was the most traumatized baby there because of it. Then our guide handed her to me and as soon as I looked in her eyes all I could think was "You are so beautiful and you are a Child of God. Please know that." The amazing thing was that she was soon the center of attention! She was lively and friendly to everyone! I have no idea why she was so open to everyone but I like to think that it was God shining His light through everyone there that made her feel comfortable with all of us.
So I am thankful for all the experiences of today even though they sounded a little awkward and scary at first. I feel like it helped prepare me as well as the rest of the team for uncomfortable situations that will face us in Swaziland. It was a good practice to put myself out there because I will never regret something I did for God's people.
~Sarah Henry
PS - Parents if you would like to send a note of encouragement / greeting to your student - please do so by adding a comment. We would love to pass a word of greeting to your students!
Matt
Today I felt God's light not only glowing through me but I also saw it in the twinkling eyes of the babies and the spirited smiles of the disabled people that we visited. The most beautiful thing about it all was that neither myself or the people I was with were controlling this wonderful exchanging of Light; it was all God using each of us to touch the other in powerful ways at the exact same moment.
One particular baby was left on the side of the road by her mother and the caretakers said that she was the most traumatized baby there because of it. Then our guide handed her to me and as soon as I looked in her eyes all I could think was "You are so beautiful and you are a Child of God. Please know that." The amazing thing was that she was soon the center of attention! She was lively and friendly to everyone! I have no idea why she was so open to everyone but I like to think that it was God shining His light through everyone there that made her feel comfortable with all of us.
So I am thankful for all the experiences of today even though they sounded a little awkward and scary at first. I feel like it helped prepare me as well as the rest of the team for uncomfortable situations that will face us in Swaziland. It was a good practice to put myself out there because I will never regret something I did for God's people.
~Sarah Henry
PS - Parents if you would like to send a note of encouragement / greeting to your student - please do so by adding a comment. We would love to pass a word of greeting to your students!
Matt
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Doing vs. Being
Bleary eyes greeted me this morning at the 7am wake-up call, but everyone was soon out of bed and excited for our first day in South Africa. We spent our day touring and learning about Emthonjeni, a community center ministry serving a slum community in Johanesburg. Emthonjeni is a ministry extention of Mosaiek, which is Woodmen's sister chuch here in Joburg. As we left Emthonjeni, most of the team expressed excitement at knowing a lot more about what God is doing on the ground here, but at the same time, a feeling of disappointment at not being able to jump right into the ministry of Emthonjeni and, "do something."
For many of us, the idea of a mission trip conjures up ideas and images of us going somewhere to do something. We build houses, we feed the hungry, we keep ourselves busy and wear ourselves out doing God's work. But, this is, in many ways, going to be a different sort of trip. Much of our trip will involve just being. Being a part of what God is already doing here in Joburg and in Swaziland by connecting with the people, and opening ourselves up to God's movement and not necessarily our own.
Don't get me wrong, we're already tired and overwhelmed with many of the things that God has already shown us, but one of the things that has become apparent already is our inability to do anything at all without God's strength and power. And, our inability to just be without trusting that He is working and moving in ways we cannot see. As one of the trip leaders, I know this lesson is coming to me over and over again. I have felt God telling me to be present in each moment, and to stop worrying/thinking/planning for the days to come. He is in control and nothing takes Him by surprise. Because of this, I can trust that it is okay to gather in all that God has for me in that one specific moment, and not spend my time worrying about what He might have for me a few days from now. In the short amount of time we've been here, I am already learning that this trip will be a much different mission trip than any I've participated in or lead before, and because of that I don't want to miss a thing that God wants to show me!
Thank you for praying for me, and for our team. We are already learning and experiencing so much that has taken us out of our comfort zones, but God has been good to walk there with us. We are relying on his power, the same power that rose Christ from the dead and now lives in us! For those of you who will connect with a team member when we return home, please remember to ask us about the difference we learned between doing and being, and how we saw God work in and through us because of it. We are still in the early stages of experiencing this tension, but already it has changed the mindset of our entire team.
Blessings to all of you. Thank you for taking the journey with us.
-Jen Ferrell
For many of us, the idea of a mission trip conjures up ideas and images of us going somewhere to do something. We build houses, we feed the hungry, we keep ourselves busy and wear ourselves out doing God's work. But, this is, in many ways, going to be a different sort of trip. Much of our trip will involve just being. Being a part of what God is already doing here in Joburg and in Swaziland by connecting with the people, and opening ourselves up to God's movement and not necessarily our own.
Don't get me wrong, we're already tired and overwhelmed with many of the things that God has already shown us, but one of the things that has become apparent already is our inability to do anything at all without God's strength and power. And, our inability to just be without trusting that He is working and moving in ways we cannot see. As one of the trip leaders, I know this lesson is coming to me over and over again. I have felt God telling me to be present in each moment, and to stop worrying/thinking/planning for the days to come. He is in control and nothing takes Him by surprise. Because of this, I can trust that it is okay to gather in all that God has for me in that one specific moment, and not spend my time worrying about what He might have for me a few days from now. In the short amount of time we've been here, I am already learning that this trip will be a much different mission trip than any I've participated in or lead before, and because of that I don't want to miss a thing that God wants to show me!
Thank you for praying for me, and for our team. We are already learning and experiencing so much that has taken us out of our comfort zones, but God has been good to walk there with us. We are relying on his power, the same power that rose Christ from the dead and now lives in us! For those of you who will connect with a team member when we return home, please remember to ask us about the difference we learned between doing and being, and how we saw God work in and through us because of it. We are still in the early stages of experiencing this tension, but already it has changed the mindset of our entire team.
Blessings to all of you. Thank you for taking the journey with us.
-Jen Ferrell
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Here We Go
We arrived safely and without incident last night. The team did a great job on a what was a very long day of travel. All of our bags arrived and we made it to our lodging about 8:00pm local South Africa time (noon yesterday).
As I type this we are finishing up breakfast and excited for the day. We will be spending most of our day at the Emthonjeni Community Center. The community center is run by Mosaiek Church - WVC's sister church in South Africa. Emthonjeni serves a slum area called Zandspruit where about 70,000 people live in squatter camps. An interesting side note, on her visit to South Africa a few weeks ago Michelle Obama visited Emthonjeni to read to the school children.
Continue to pray for the team - for attitudes, safety, health,and to serve with humility and love as Christ loves us. Thank you for praying for us - we are blessed by you. We hope to have a student or two update the blog tonight with reflections on the day.
For the team,
Matt
As I type this we are finishing up breakfast and excited for the day. We will be spending most of our day at the Emthonjeni Community Center. The community center is run by Mosaiek Church - WVC's sister church in South Africa. Emthonjeni serves a slum area called Zandspruit where about 70,000 people live in squatter camps. An interesting side note, on her visit to South Africa a few weeks ago Michelle Obama visited Emthonjeni to read to the school children.
Continue to pray for the team - for attitudes, safety, health,and to serve with humility and love as Christ loves us. Thank you for praying for us - we are blessed by you. We hope to have a student or two update the blog tonight with reflections on the day.
For the team,
Matt
Monday, July 4, 2011
Why the World Needs Superman
Most of us know the story. The world’s greatest savior seemingly deserts Planet Earth, leaving behind the upstart reporter Lois Lane, who goes on to win journalism’s highest honor, the Pulitzer Prize, for her work entitled “Why the World doesn’t need Superman”. In our overwhelmingly independent society which loathes the mention of a supernatural power, many of us might find ourselves sympathizing with Lane’s feelings of self-sufficiency. Our culture steeps us in the idea that we must depend almost entirely on ourselves, making a supernatural power obsolete in our lives. I fall prey to that assumption all too often myself. As I prepare for our trans-Atlantic trek, however, I’ve come to realize that what I am about to experience, along with 18 other Christians, is different than anything we have ever seen or heard. We are about to step into the midst of people who long for the supernatural to occur, for a true Superman to descend and save them from the havoc that this world has wreaked in their lives.
Just these last 3 weeks, I’ve been hit with the overwhelming reality of my own inability to face what God plans to do on this trip, both in the lives of the Swazi people, and in my own life. As I’ve started packing, journaling my thoughts and feelings, and trying to prepare myself psychologically, I have to simply throw up my hands and say, “okay, God, you take care of it, cause I can’t.” And it’s true. I can’t. All I can hope to do is to wait for God’s timing, for His plan to move. As our team’s preparations come to a close in these next two weeks, I pray, and I hope you all will join me, that each and every one of us will be humbled in the presence of God’s awesome power. We can’t full understand what the Swazi people have gone through, nor can we comprehend what God’s plan is for us in going on this trip. But with Jesus’ help, we CAN bring His message with us around the world.
So why does the world need Superman? The answers that come to my mind are perhaps obvious: To solve AIDS; to find a cure for cancer; to fix world hunger. But the biggest lesson that my preparation for this trip has taught me is that our Superman intends for us to, first and foremost, show His love for Creation. Now it is my job, along with 18 other Christians, from Colorado Springs, CO, to take it with us to Swaziland.
~ Afton Paris
Monday, June 20, 2011
Swazi...At A Glance
Here we are 2 weeks ago from departing to South Africa and Swaziland! There are a lot of emotions swirling around for me and for the rest of the team. Four years ago I had never heard of the tiny country called Swaziland, and now I will be helping lead a team of high schoolers and adults to Swaziland.
I wanted to give you a snapshot of the Kingdom of Swaziland. For several years I have researched these stats, read about them, prayed about them and now they are going to move from stats to faces. The 215,000 orphaned/vulnerable children number will move from a statistic on a website to an image of dozens of kids playing at the care point...which I am sure our team will talk about more on this on blog.
Hopefully this will give a you a snapshot of the country will be in!
I wanted to give you a snapshot of the Kingdom of Swaziland. For several years I have researched these stats, read about them, prayed about them and now they are going to move from stats to faces. The 215,000 orphaned/vulnerable children number will move from a statistic on a website to an image of dozens of kids playing at the care point...which I am sure our team will talk about more on this on blog.
Hopefully this will give a you a snapshot of the country will be in!
* Swaziland has a population of 950,000 - 215,000 are orphans or vulnerable children.
* There are 94,000 jobs in Swaziland - 70% are government jobs
* On average 1 working Swazi supports 10 other people.
* Swaziland is a monarchy - it is ruled by a king. King Mswati III, who has been king since 1986. The King has 14 wives - each who drive a BMV, have their own royal residence. The King also has 6 palaces.
* In the last 3 years 350,000 people have died of HIV/AIDS
* 44.6% of the population has HIV/AIDS
* The religion here is a mix of Swazi Tradition, Zionism, and Christianity. It's called a "powerless" faith.
* Life expectancy in Swaziland is about 40 years.
Thank you so much for the support you have given and continue to give to the team. We covet your prayers!
For the team,
Matt
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sleeping Bags and Jesus
When I was 18 years old, I felt the LORD move my heart towards Africa. Always being terrified that the LORD would force me to sell everything I owned, be single for the rest of my life, and move to a remote hut in Rwanda, I felt the stirrings and ignored them. But the God we serve is a powerful God and used the next six years to confirm the calling in my heart. I'm now 24 and in a very different place than I was six years ago – emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When I was asked to join the team my heart leapt at the opportunity to finally see the place that I had started to love many years ago.
When you look at me you probably rightly assume that I'm not really the type of girl who jumps at the chance to rough it. Living in Colorado has slowly transformed a few of my prissier ways but still, my first time camping, ever, was last Labor Day. I only made it one night and then realized how dirty I was and was ready for running water and a hot shower. Africa will be a stretch for me in more ways then one. I've been practical in my planning knowing that I won't have basic comforts and have tried to embrace the "fun" of roughing it. When we found out a few weeks ago that we needed to bring a sleeping bag and pillow I thought about the big roll up one that I've used for sleepovers and camps throughout the years. I started thinking about how I was going to pack it in my suitcase but figured I would just unroll it and stuff things around it. The other night I off-handedly made a comment about the sleeping bag and my plan on packing it. Both my mom and brother stopped talking, looked at me, and started laughing. My brother bluntly told me that I was ridiculous and there was no way I was going to be able to take one of our sleeping bags to Africa. Here's what I assumed would be fine to take overseas with me:
My brother immediately started a quest to help me find an appropriate sleeping bag. Lucky for me REI is having a sale this week. He knew what I would need and basically sent me color and price choices. Once again proving that going on a mission trip requires many more people than just those actually going. This trip would not be possible for me or anyone else without the generosity of our donors, the prayers of those around us, and the helpful advice of people that know the right sleeping bags to buy and immunization shots to get. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
- Rachel Mueller
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Final Countdown
According to our Facebook countdown clock we have 21 days, 18 hours, and 54 minutes until we leave for Swaziland. It was about six months ago we begin the difficult process of choosing the team for this missions trip - 20 high school student applications and 13 adult applications were prayerfully narrowed down to a team of 12 high school students and 6 adults plus Jen and I as we lead the trip. However, God was at work in long before that process even began.
In 2006 God began to move in the hearts of the Student Ministry staff at Woodmen Valley and after a year of praying and research we felt led to partner with Children's Hope Chest in a tiny country called Swaziland. In case you are not aware, Swaziland has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. Officially, over 35% of its population are infected; unofficially, that numbers is closer to 60%. This tragic situation has led to a life expectancy of less than 46 years for the average Swazi. It also means that 25% of Swaziland's population are orphaned children.
Thus, the 3rd Project was born. God first - everybody else second - and me third.
For me personally, this trip is an answer to prayer I have had since 2006. Here we are about 3 weeks away from the trip and it is difficult to believe I will be traveling to Swaziland. We will be singing songs, putting on a VBS, doing light construction work, holding orphans, and much more. However, our main goal is to let the people at our carepoint know God loves them. Whatever method God wants us to do that we will do exactly that. If that means God wants us to work - we will work. If that means God wants us to sit in the dirt and hold a child for hours - we will do just that.
We plan on receiving as much (or more) as we give; learning as much (or more) as we teach; listening as much (or more) as we talk; being loved as much (or more) as we love.
This blog will serve to keep you updated, give you specific ways to pray for us, and to invite you to get involved! While we are in Swaziland we will update as often as we can (internet connection can be hit or miss) so check back often.
The countdown is now at 21 days, 18 hours, and 27 minutes.
Serving a God who is bigger...
Matt
In 2006 God began to move in the hearts of the Student Ministry staff at Woodmen Valley and after a year of praying and research we felt led to partner with Children's Hope Chest in a tiny country called Swaziland. In case you are not aware, Swaziland has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. Officially, over 35% of its population are infected; unofficially, that numbers is closer to 60%. This tragic situation has led to a life expectancy of less than 46 years for the average Swazi. It also means that 25% of Swaziland's population are orphaned children.
Thus, the 3rd Project was born. God first - everybody else second - and me third.
For me personally, this trip is an answer to prayer I have had since 2006. Here we are about 3 weeks away from the trip and it is difficult to believe I will be traveling to Swaziland. We will be singing songs, putting on a VBS, doing light construction work, holding orphans, and much more. However, our main goal is to let the people at our carepoint know God loves them. Whatever method God wants us to do that we will do exactly that. If that means God wants us to work - we will work. If that means God wants us to sit in the dirt and hold a child for hours - we will do just that.
We plan on receiving as much (or more) as we give; learning as much (or more) as we teach; listening as much (or more) as we talk; being loved as much (or more) as we love.
This blog will serve to keep you updated, give you specific ways to pray for us, and to invite you to get involved! While we are in Swaziland we will update as often as we can (internet connection can be hit or miss) so check back often.
The countdown is now at 21 days, 18 hours, and 27 minutes.
Serving a God who is bigger...
Matt
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