The scent of death covers this land.
Swaziland carries a darkness that I haven’t yet felt after nine months on the mission field. I’ve seen a lot, but I haven’t seen it all.
If you are like most people, you probably do not know much about Swaziland. I didn’t – until I randomly picked up a book about AIDS a few years back. My only knowledge of AIDS before that was the Broadway show “Rent”. Never did I think I would be walking in an AIDS ravaged land only a few years later.
Swaziland is a very small nation on the northeast corner of South Africa, bordering Mozambique. If it wasn’t for Sudan, it would have the poorest economic climate throughout the entire continent of Africa. The life expectancy is around 48 years and 50% of those that are 21 years and older are infected with AIDS. It is said that by the year of 2030 the nation of Swaziland will not even exist – the entire nation will be wiped away by this terrible disease that attacks the immune system.
And, it only gets worse.
A common belief as a “cure” of AIDS is that if the one infected sleeps with a virgin, he or she will be cured of the disease. Children all over this nation are in incredible danger. As they go to the store to buy bread for their family or walk home from school, they face the danger of being raped in the forest, thus contracting the deadly disease.
Children are treated as worthless savages – the bottom of the hierarchy in this culture. It’s not that they go to bed hungry because their family is poor; it’s often that their father ate all of the food. And because he is the most important figure in the household, he gets to eat first – his child will eat last, if there is any left to feed him or her.
A father does not talk to his child. His child must bow down on all fours, facing the ground to speak to his or her father. Generations upon generations have been raised in Swaziland under this cultural tradition. Children are being raised without knowing their fathers.
And there is so much more – so much more, that I’ve barely seen the tip of the iceberg.
These may be statistics to you. But they now have names to me. In fact, our neighbor, Begi is dying this very moment. An upper-twenties father of two children can barely stand as the disease of AIDS ravages his body. My teammates and I go to pray for him daily, but we are greatly aware of the possibility that we may also be attending his funeral.
Amidst the quiet horror is a hope that permeates the darkness. The ministry that we are partnering with is bringing hope to a place that is desperate for it. Four preschools have already been planted among villages in need and another is being constructed. From 8am – 1pm on Monday through Friday, three to six year-olds come to school to learn. They learn English, basic hygiene and most importantly, they learn that they are valued by the Most High God. These children, who are being rejected by their own culture are given hope through this preschool program. They are being shown that they are loved and accepted.
I am humbled and so grateful for the opportunity to serve at “Hope Rises Africa” throughout the month of June. The need seems so great, but God’s love is so much greater.
Join us on our knees to pray for the nation of Swaziland. Pray that hope would be restored and the love of Christ would be made evident.
"For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory."
2 Timothy 2:10
