It is HOT. The sun is beating down on me like I have never experienced before. I have blisters on both my feet. I ran out of water. I have layers of dirt on my skin and deeply rooted under my fingernails. Foot cramps make it hard to walk. As I am walking I remember a similar experience in Zambia; one which I remember saying I would never complain about walking again. Somehow this seems worse, and I am complaining again in my head.
This is an 8 mile walk to ministry- 4 miles there, 4 miles back. For the local people though, these walks are a part of everyday life. I feel honored to have the opportunity to walk a couple miles in their shoes.
Swaziland is a tiny country inside of South Africa. Swazi people are tough, physically and emotionally. They are not easily bruised. I have such respect for them. They greet you with warm smiles and broken English. Their country is in a state of national disaster and still there is joy in their eyes. Children walk miles to school every day and still have the energy to learn and play. Women cook over blazing, open fires in 100+ degrees with a positive, uncomplaining spirit. Churches have you sitting in your own sweat for hours, but I would rather sweat with these genuine worshipers than be in a comfortable, air-conditioned, silent church in America.
Let me tell you why this tiny country is in need of your warrior style prayers. Maybe these are things you know, maybe not. I had no idea before coming and seeing for myself.
Swaziland has the highest HIV rate in the world with a death rate of 40%. People here do not live to be more than 49 on average. The country is in a severe drought, as a lot of Southern Africa is currently experiencing. It has hit Swaziland so hard, making it the worst drought in 100 years. March is the last month of the rainy season, and April is supposed to be harvesting season. It has rained only 4 times this rainy season. Between AIDS and the drought, the Swazi people are being taken out one by one. If the death rate continues and increases, Swaziland will no longer be a country by 2050.
As I go on a jog, I smell dead animals. The ones you do see are skin and bones. They have nowhere to graze, and there is very limited water. The food and water this country has is reserved for people, and not even they are making it through this drought. Swaziland has a king who lives in the utmost of wealth. He is doing nothing to help his country, which makes it hard for other countries to want to help Swaziland.
This place is in dire need of some prayer warriors. This time I ask you not to pray for me, but for Swaziland. Pray for rain and for the crops. Pray for the king’s change of heart. Pray for the Living Water to rain down. Pray for hearts ready for harvest. Pray for physical healing. PRAY FOR SWAZILAND!
