We sat around the kitchen table as Charmain, our new contact, told us the story of the birth of El Shaddai Ministries. We’d only been on our mountaintop for about twelve hours but were already falling madly in love with this place.
El Shaddai was founded in 1998 by Charmain and her husband Kallie. They were called to leave their lives and jobs in South Africa to start an orphanage on the top of this remote mountain in Swaziland.
The mountain was only accessible by foot and on it’s peak is where they began to dig the foundation with their own hands. With two children and only $40 in their pockets, progress was slow.
In 1999 they paused construction to help with a mission development in Mozambique, but this was not where they were supposed to be. While in Mozambique they were plagued with malaria and Mozambique suffered a flood that completely destroyed their home. Much the way Jonah ran away from God’s voice and was brought back, Kallie and Charmain were told to go back to the task they were called to a year ago – digging the foundation for the orphanage.
He also told them that they were not to advertise or ask for support, but that He would send people to them for provision. Sure enough, even on the top of a remote mountain with no road, God was faithful in sending them funds month after month. It’s now thirteen years later and they’ve never been unable to pay the bills for the orphanage.
Today, not only is El Shaddai the home for nearly 70 children, but they’ve also built a home at the bottom of the mountain where 27 young adults can work toward a high school diploma and trade skill. El Shaddai also helps over 40 families in the surrounding area with seeds, tools and crops to support themselves.
This is where we get to spend the month. We are digging the foundation for a new baby home, painting walls, tutoring, teaching and loving the beautiful children of Swaziland.
I find myself blessed and humbled month after month, to see the faith lived out by the people we work with. I’m reminded through their lives that no matter how crazy our callings may be, God is faithful to provide each need as we follow His voice. It’s often tempting to take the easy way out – to take the road that seems more practical or plausible. But what I’ve learned from the beautiful ministry of El Shaddai is that it’s much more rewarding to take the road less traveled … even if that road is yet to be paved and leads to the top of a mountain.
