Month Two was all squad month at an orphanage in Swaziland called El Shaddai. Working in orphanages is one of my favorite things and it brings me great joy. This month was full of many challenges as well as amazing things. The way the orphanage was run was hard to accept. The “mom” who is the director of the orphanage was never around; I saw her twice. The children never see her unless they need to be disciplined. It was great to be around the children, though. I spent time with one 10 year old boy (Jaden) and his friend (Masotja) all month. These two boys were so great to be around. These children brought so much laughter and joy to the afternoons day after day. My buddy Jaden had ups and downs throughout the month. He would talk to me and then just ignore me because he wanted technology that I didn’t have. But then there were times when he just wanted to hang out in the hammock with me. He had such a great smile and laugh.
It broke my heart to be around these children because they have no one. They tuck themselves in at night; the older children are required to act as adults. It was just really hard to be around that and feel so helpless. So I prayed and talked to a really good friend about the situation and asked the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His and to be used for His purpose, to see those that I struggle with the way I see the children, the way that He sees them and to go past compassion to being proactive. This was my friend’s prayer for me and I was encouraged after she prayed. It really helped me begin to process everything, which is still the phase I’m in.
Another part of this that made this month difficult was that I went to an orphanage in Tanzania in January and saw a director who was active in each of the children’s lives; workers who helped take care of the children were treated well and with respect and they provided the positive adult influence that every child needs in their lives. The two orphanages were so drastically different and the people suffering are the children and that’s not okay. My prayer is that God will raise up enough workers at El Shaddai who will love on the children and help meet physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Also, it was equally challenging and amazing being with the entire squad. All 54 of us ate and lived in the tight area. It was so awesome getting to worship with everyone and get to know one another better. The challenge was trying to find time to be alone. So the key was trying to find a balance.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers! I’m still in need of financial support; I am about $500 away from my next deadline in October and $5,000 away from being completely funded for the entire trip. This is so huge! I could also use prayers for my health. Since month one, but really during the second month at the orphanage, my stomach has not been the same. It’s been struggling with agreeing with the food that I eat and so I ask for prayers for complete healing from cramps and upset stomach. Also, for my foot; there are times when it really aches. And finally prayers for my team; we still aren’t completely unified so prayers for how to come together and wisdom in knowing how to resolve the situation.
I miss you all and pray for you constantly!!
Love you!
Karlena
