Sine (pronounced si-nay, short for a very long SiSwati name that I cannot pronounce to save my life) is five years old.
I don’t know much of her story, but I do know that she comes to the preschool at the ministry center every day.
Sine is full of JOY. It just radiates out of her, she can’t help it.
Every day when we pull into the center, I look for her face. When our eyes meet, we both get the most ridiculous, giddy smiles. We spend our time paying hand games (which have actually taught me some SiSwati!) and tickling each other and swinging singing songs about Jesus.
I get to look into her radiant eyes and tell her that she is beautiful, she is worthy, she is loved. She looks back into mine and I see Jesus. I see Jesus in her smile, I hear Him in her voice, His life pulses through hers.
In the moments when I am frustrated with the Swazi educational system that perpetuates the cycle of poverty, when I don’t understand why these kids have to grow up with broken families and broken homes, I shift my thoughts to Sine.
I didn’t come here to change educational systems, although I wish I could.
I didn’t come because I have the power to break the cycle of poverty, although with everything in me I wish I did.
I didn’t come to fix all of the broken families and homes in Swaz, although I wish it was in my power to do so.
I came for the one.
I came for moments with Sine, because God loves this little girl so much that He would send a twenty-something from America to Nsoko, Swaziland to tell her so.
I cherish the moments I get with this precious angel, knowing they are numbered. I pray over her, over her life and over her future. Will she continue to receive an education? Will she dream big dreams and be able to chase after them? Will she break free from poverty, will she lead her family to Jesus?
I don’t have the answers, but I know Jesus hears my heart on this.
Because He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
And in the flock of 100, if one goes missing, He leaves the 99 and goes after the one.
He, too, came for the one.
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