How do I go about describing a place and ministry that is in so many ways indescribable? This month has been magical thus far. Exactly what I was in need of this month. I made the comment to one of my squad mates that God gave me just what I needed this month. His response was that, “He always does.” Even during those months when I probably think God got it all wrong because I’ve been challenged in some way that I didn’t desire. We all get what we need each month.
This month? We’ve got MANistry. (Don’t let the daily “tea time” fool you.) Guys and gals are separate for the month of June working at two separate ministries. For the month, the 11 guys of C Squad are working with El Shaddei Ministries a children’s orphanage located outside of Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. This place is complete with housing, a school, a full fledged farm, and much much more.
If you guys weren’t reading this, I’d have you close your eyes to try to imagine this place, but you’ll have to do it with eyes open.
Imagine tough/hard but rewarding work for our main ministry. Moving concrete blocks, scrapping paint, waterproofing some roofs, harvesting an entire field of corn my hand, herding unwanted cattle off the land, and laying the groundwork for a FIFA sized soccer field full of manly stuff like pushing large rocks down the mountain. Plus leading the Sunday church service and nightly chapel services for the youth.
Imagine living on top of a mountain. It’s chilly because of the elevation and it is winter here. (Myth Busted: Africa is not always hot.) Usually windy. Plus, outside of Switzerland, it’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. I eat dinner every evening while peering out over 8 or 9 different mountain ranges.
Imagine the most beautiful sunsets you can think of. Now imagine seeing something different with them EVERY night. The other night it looked like God himself took a paint brush to the sky drawing wispy clouds streaking across the sky with some of the most radiant reds, blues, and purples you can imagine as the sun sets behind the mountains.
Imagine kids. Lots of them. Beautiful smiles and hearts of gold. Imagine them leading worship at church and singing during the nightly chapel service. Voices so sweet it is borderline angelic and just sends shivers up and down your spine. You want to just spend every waking hour loving on them.
Imagine some of the adventures here. Plenty of mountains to climb. Volleyball with some of the school teachers. Discovering pot farms a mere 5 minutes away down in the valley or future plans to hunt down a rumored 10 foot boa constrictor soon. Discovering black mambas and scorpions. Volleyball matches with the Swazi school teachers.
Imagine sitting in our “backyard” having incredible worship while looking out over the country. Declaring truths and freedoms. Letting Satan know that he can shove it. Drawing closer to a loving God and thanking him for all we have.
Imagine the most star filled sky you’ve ever seen and then multiplying it by some number. Gazing at the Milky Way galaxy every night. The beauty of it all.
Imagine a contact who is one of the most motherly individuals I’ve ever met, outside of my own mother of course. Caring for our every need, plus the every need of the countless children who call El Shaddei Ministries their home. Charmain has a heart of gold, with a passion for the Lord, and truly entrusts every aspect of her life and ministry to Him. She has never advertised this place in search of funding. God has provided for every single need that she and this ministry have ever had.
Imagine a country, that while it has beautiful people and a lot of physical beauty, that suffers from many problems as well. According to our contact here, an HIV rate of 60% and a 70ish% mortality at birth of all children born threaten the future existence of Swaziland. Plus, as we’ve found out firsthand, alcohol abuse runs rampant as does the drunk driving.
I don’t mean to end all of the imagining on a sour note, but despite how incredible things are here at ESM, there are some VERY VERY serious problems facing the country of Swaziland and people here. Things obviously need to change. It is a tall undertaking, but obviously nothing is too much for the God we serve. Please keep us and our safety, this ministry, and the people of Swaziland in your prayers for this month. God bless!
