Lindsey and I spent the past few weeks at a Carepoint in Nsoko, Swaziland. It was an amazing time of getting to know people in the community and spending time at the school in the mornings. Halfway through our time there, a new teacher started at the Care Point. When I walked in that rainy morning, there was hope radiating from a woman I had never met. Nellie is 49 years old. A tall, beautiful African woman who dedicates her life to helping her country and serving her Father in Heaven. The moment I met her, I knew I had so much to learn from her. Although I only had a few days with her…she changed me. As we talked, I got a glimpse into the many challenges and heartaches of her life, and through it all she has a unique strength and joy I have never seen.
Nellie has never been married, and has struggled with alchoholism over half of her life. She has a son and had a daughter, but lost her to cancer when she was 12 years old. Her daughter’s name was Samantha, and as she talked about her precious daughter, I could see it in her eyes how much this child changed her life. At the end of Samantha’s life, when her body was growing very frail, she looked her mother in the eyes and said, “Mom, please don’t look at me so sad. My body is dying, but my heart is very alive.” After her daughter died, Nellie quit drinking and her whole life changed. As she grieved the death of her daughter, she began to see how much God used Samantha to change her. As she was comforted by God, she really began to see and believe that He is real and that her daughter is very alive with Him. As her life changed, she began volunteering and growing a huge heart for change in her country. She began volunteering for various organizations, teaching young women how to play sports and sponsoring them, and now desiring to help children and give them a good education. She’s amazing, she’s humble, and she wants to see change.
She invited Lindsey and I to her home, and as we sat with her at her at her kitchen table, I thanked the Lord for showing me such an incredbile example of a person who does not underestimate the power she has to help people. She does not question that the Lord can use her in amazing ways. She has joy in all circumstances, and it’s contageous.
This scripture will forever remind me of Nellie…
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13
