This past Sunday, Easter, I had the opportunity to be a part of a church plant and commissioning of their first pastor. I haven’t been a part of the whole process here in Swaziland, but I got to see a piece and celebrating of this huge work that God is doing here. When God uses people to do something this big, Satan doesn’t like it and He attacks. As Gary Black told us, we will never grasp how important a church plant is, what we’ve been a part of, and what it means for Swaziland.
On Good Friday, we prayed for the Holy Spirit just to lead our time together with Andrew Shearman and his wife Mo, Gary Black and his family, all the World Racers, and a few FYM-ers. As we prophesied and spoke truth and life in to Tyler Black’s life during his last day in Swaziland, God really showed Himself. During that time, it became clear that some people there wanted to be baptized and felt God prompting them to do it right then and there. So, Andrew Shearman hopped in the Black’s pool in their backyard and baptized several. God changed and renewed them that day and they are walking in a new light.
After this amazing morning, the World Racers headed down to Nsoko, about an hour and a half south of Manzini, to camp in tents down the road from where this church is being started. There was a large tent set up where Revival sessions had been going on all week by the new Pastor of this church, Pastor Gift. They were all preparing for the big celebration on Sunday. I got to be a part of carrying chairs on my head from the local school to the ground where the tent was. Some of us used a machete to cut the grass under the tent in order to provide room for chairs. We also cleared out a classroom in order to serve some food. After the cow was bought, the guys were able to kill it, skin it, and gut it for a huge feast (this part was especially exciting for me to watch!!). Ladies in this new church cooked food for hours.
,
The next morning, when we headed over to the tent, one of the poles had fallen down from the rain and wind the night before, also leaving complete mud all around on the roads and paths all around the tent. But we celebrated anyways. Nothing can stop the power of God and what He’s doing. I got to meet some of the kids there and make them smile. It turns out they really love seeing themselves in pictures on my digital camera J. The group who lead singing on stage had so much energy, excitement, dancing, and passion. African style worship…amazing! Even when I couldn’t understand some of their SiSwati songs, God was evident in it. I am anxious to see how God builds this church and how these people become the church as they live.
[
And to think, God let me be a part of something so magnificent. I praise God for revealing just a piece of what His vision is for the people of Swaziland. In a dying nation, these Swazi’s say no to death, and yes to life – a life in Christ! Satan will attack, but God will have victory. Please be praying for this church as God leads it, as it blossoms, and pray for Pastor Gift and his authority as He seeks God’s best for the people and community. Pray as more churches are planted. One step at a time, God will enable the Swazi people to save themselves
.
[
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He
has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the
captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to
comfort all who mourn.”
~Isaiah 61:1-2
*I have to say: Happy Birthday to my awesome brother Jonathan (it was on Easter this year!)
*I have had a chance the past week to pour into some of the FYM girls and to learn SO much from them as well
*Our team plans to stay in Swaziland for the next few weeks before leaving Africa. A couple of us may have the opportunity to go back to South Africa for a few days or head to Mozambique to meet up with one of the ministries there. Pray that God opens and closes doors and makes His will clear to us.
*Happy Easter! We can celebrate the resurrection of our Jesus Christ everyday of the year 🙂 (so I’m not at all late on that one :P).
