Throughout my life I’ve heard people refer to the sun as a way to describe people.
Ray of sunshine, Shining bright as the sun etc.
What is it about the sun that gives such a positive connotation to the word? Is it because it really bright, does it really shine? Is it the light it produces that gives life to our world in its various forms?
What is it about a little girl in Manzini, Swaziland that instantly captured the heart of my teammate and me? The word ‘sunshine’ popped in my head, quickly becoming her moniker for our remaining weeks in Swaziland.
She was just sunshine. That’s the only word that could appropriately fit what this little girl emphasized. She was so full of life, always smiling, always joy-filled and she could melt the hearts of anyone who meets her.
Although she was the one we chose to lovingly refer to as ‘sunshine’ it really could describe all of the kids at the pre-school we worked with. Every one of them had a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. They all loved in such a simple yet deep way.
But sadly, so many people have turned their backs on these precious kids, choosing to forget they need loved too, leaving them in a world that can so quickly dull that ‘shine.’
Statistically Swaziland will cease to exist by the year 2050. So many people believe there isn’t much that can be done, afterall, 50% of the population carried the AIDS virus. As a Christian, which 2.2 billion people in the world claim to be, how can you sit back and watch this land so full of light, become dark? God looks at statistics and laughs. They are man made, God is not.
He is a God of redemption. He is a God love. He is a God that hasn’t forgotten about His children, no matter where in the world they are. He sees all of us as a beautiful ray of sunshine. Boy girl young old, He loves all of us with the love only our Heavenly Father could have.
The reality though is that we do live in a dark world. We do live in a world consumed with sin. We do live in a world where so many have chosen to forget about God in the belief that He is the one that makes all of this darkness happen. And sadly, we have become so self consumed that we don’t realize there is a little sunshine in a town-most-people-have-never-heard-of, Swaziland that will likely not live to be 50 years old.
Many will read this blog, it will touch their heart for a moment and soon thereafter will forget about it. My prayer is that you will look at the faces of these kids, all of these little ‘sunshines’ and fight for them. Don’t give up on them because they live in a land that is too far gone to be saved. I’m sick of hearing that. Quite frankly I believe it’s bullshit. And to be honest I’m sure more people will be too hung up on the fact I said bullshit than the reality that my little sunshine statistically won’t live to see 50.
I am pleading with you as you read this, don’t forget about what happens outside of your cozy little home in America. Let it rip your heart out that so much of this world has given up hope so that you can stand up and fight for these kids.
This month my parents and the parents of some of my squadmates had the opportunity to come to Swaziland to spend a week on the field with us, to see how we have been living and what we have been doing for the past eight months. They got to see firsthand what this world needs. It is simple. Love. To love the way Jesus loves. Every one of us has that ability. Pray for them, sponsor them, believe in them. But most importantly, put ACTION to the words you say.
Keep the light of every child in the world shining, don’t let it fade.
