Barefoot they trample through the copper colored dirt. 65 of the them. Some have parents. Some do not. Some are less than a year old. Some are almost adults. Many were abused and abandoned. Some were fed only beer for the first few months of their lives. Some were found hung in trees by their fathers. Many of their stories would break your hearts.
This is El Shaddai. A refuge for these children found in the mountains of Swaziland, Africa. This place is breathtakingly beautiful any direction you choose to look. You could call this place an orphanage of sorts. Jesus was looking out for these children. Here they can get an education, be fed, and cared for. Most of all, here they are loved.
We are not the first World Race team here, so the children already know our purpose for being here. Their small arms reach up to the sky just begging for you to pick them up. Even the 9 year old boys! Simple things like tickle fights and grass wars bring smiles to their faces. And the sound of their childlike giggles and angelic singing voices bring smiles to ours.
This month is also Christmas time. Our goal here is to make this Christmas unforgettable and special for these children. We will be here this month doing construction to make this home better and just spending every moment we can with the children.
Pray for us as we work to really love these children the way that Jesus would. And pray that we would be there to erase the horrible memories these children have and show them that life is much better than they have experienced.
Financial Update…
I am still in need of around 4,000$ by the month of January! That is just next month! If you would like to make a one time or make monthly donations they would be much appreciated. Help keep me here for the next 5 months. Thank you to those who have already donated!
