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We are located in the mountains of Swaziland, about an hour away from the city of Mbabane. The orphanage we are at is called El Shaddai, & houses about 50 orphans, with even more coming everyday at the local preschool. It is located on the most beautiful mountaintop — in my opinion, in all of Swaziland. Here's some pictures to take your breadth away. Thank you Lord!
However, apart from the beauty of this place, this month is far from what I expected. One constant battle I've found here is: sickness. Yup that's right, the one thing I joked about with friends back home about for so long. I know the Lord is good, & I thought for sure He'd protect us from sickness. I mean we are doing His will, spreading His love, & helping orphans right? Wrong. Mary, Emma, Kelley & Brittney have had some throat problems, Jen & myself have had stomach problems, & our entire team has had an overall weakness that's at times taken over our joy. I began to notice this is how the enemy is attacking us this month. Last month in Mozambique it was strictly spiritual warfare, where we prayed over witchcraft in the surrounding neighborhoods. At El Shaddai, we are completely surrounded in beauty, which the enemy is trying to use to mask his schemes. As I laid in bed most days, sick with stomach pains, I was getting extremely frustrated that I couldn't impact this orphanage that way I anticipated. I felt quarantined, secluded, & frustrated I couldn't do anything.
I know I reference "Jesus Calling" all the time, but one day, amidst the sickness, I read this particular passage…
Feb. 16th
"Thank me for conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil theses quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds & prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me."
Ha ha! As I was reading this, I realized I was beginning to rely on others around me more than I had in the past. I'm the type of personality where I love to serve others, & others serving me seemed plain weird. After Desirae making me tea, Andy & Emily praying over me, Mary & Kelley checking up on me, Jamie playing mom, & the whole team surrounding all the sick ones in prayer, I realized the Lord wanted me to accept the service. It was almost as if He was acting through them. Because He resides in their hearts, He was in fact serving me. He was washing my feet like He did the disciples in John 13. Wow. He was teaching me to accept service from others.
So to end this, yes this month has been mostly a month of sickness for myself, but it has also been a month of growth. I've grown in a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father throughout the pain, sleep, & frustrations, which is all I can ask for. Sometimes doing His will is not only serving others, but letting others serve you.
John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."
(first hike in Swaziland laying out over the mountains!)
