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