When my parents decided to come on the Parent Vision Trip to Swaziland I knew it would be an incredible week, but there is truly nothing like seeing your parents share Christ’s love with children who don’t have moms and dads of their own. Here is a little glimpse into our week in Swaziland written by the greatest people I know…
Jim and I had the privilege recently of joining Adrienne as she began her 9th month of The World Race in Swaziland, a small country of 1.5 million people, located in the southern tip of Africa. It was incredible to be with our precious daughter and to work at her side in mission outreach. God is great, and Adrienne and her fellow Generation Y World Racers are serving him with all of their hearts, souls, and minds. Adventures in Missions (A.I.M.) hosts mission programs around the world.
Swaziland is the 5th poorest nation in the world as the unemployment rate is 60%. Additionally, 26% of the adult population suffers with H.I.V., 60% are unemployed and 20% of the population are orphans. Under these deplorable conditions one would expect to find a down trodden people. To our amazement, the people were quite pleasant, friendly, and genuine, and so appreciative of our efforts to help them.
We worked at two Care Points while we were there. Care Points are established in communities with orphans and at-risk children. They are gathering places in impoverished communities seeking to meet the medical, physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual needs of children. Approximately 180 children are served at each Care Point on a daily basis. We had the opportunity to help in the classroom and give assistance to the volunteers who teach and prepare food for the children. We also had the pleasure of playing with and spending time with the 4 and 5 year olds that attend class there. Priceless moments were had just playing, singing, and hugging on these adorable
children.
We had the great pleasure of meeting an older Swazi woman named Annie. She is one of many Swazi ladies who so graciously give countless hours to help feed the orphaned and at-risk children in their communities. Annie and other Swazi ladies are able to volunteer during the day because of a program called Timbali Crafts. Timbali Crafts are items sewn out of colorful African inspired fabrics such as; purses, aprons, bags, headbands, etc. Their products provide income and outreach to over 120 Swazi women and enables them to support their own families while they so selflessly care for the children of their community. The women who create Timbali crafts are all volunteer cooks at the Care Points. In spite of their own hardships, these women help to feed more than 2500 children each day. They are incredible!
Our week also included a visit to a local hospital. We were able to share Gods love, sing, and pray with patients. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound! That so beautifully illustrates the love that God has for all of his creation around the world. We feel so blessed that our daughter, Adrienne, so boldly said yes to follow and serve God in this amazing World Race. Our eyes have been opened to the needs of Gods people and our ability to make a difference. It was an incredible experience and one that continues to pull at our hearts and causes us to ask
“What am I doing to help those less fortunate “
Generation Y (THE MILLIENIAL GENERATION) is not asking “Why”…they are asking “Why Not” do something to help those in need?
Our Swaziland experience revealed that Generation Y is an inappropriate label for these amazing young adults. We are now referring to them as Generation “Y-NOT”
Help the people of Swaziland help themselves. Visit Timbali Crafts and Adventures.ORG/Swaziland.
