Swaziland is a dying nation.
Some say the amount of people infected by HIV and AIDS make up 60% of the population.
You hardly meet a person over the age of 50 and the number of orphans is countless.
In the midst of all of this, there is work being done.
While there always could be more people out here helping out, there are some great relief projects taking place.
I got to be a part of a couple of those in this past week and so I am going to tell you about them!
Because of the crisis, Swaziland has numerous Care Points. The Government takes charge of some and others are owned through Non Governmental Associations.
Regardless, in my opinion, they are saving these small townships. Essentially, they supply a place where people can come and eat every day. The children come out of the woodwork to play as well with nothing more than a flat soccer ball and sometimes a few planks nailed together to make a play set.
The meal consists of nothing more than beans and pop (a corn mealie substance with virtually no taste).
In charge of the Care Points are grandmothers (called gogos) that volunteer their time to prepare a meal once a day and sometimes even teach the children who cannot afford schooling.
These women are dedicated and hard working and I had the opportunity to know such women of faith who are not acknowledged or noticed for their work for the Kingdom.
During the day, they also work on making purses with small old-fashioned sewing machines.
They then sell their purses through Adventures and Missions to earn a living.
When in fact, much of their profit they give the orphans they take care of.
*Making a purse*
Last week I went to a Care Point called Big Bend.
It is actually the start of a Care Point and we had the opportunity to make connections in the neighborhood and feed them a meal.
We “mudded” two different homes (consisting of rocks and sticks and cement mud…very messy!)
It was a lot of work and a lot of fun and it was awesome to meet the ladies who are taking care of so many orphans with no strings attached. (Check out the blog above for a Blockbuster hit I made of Big Bend
J
)
Yesterday, I returned from Timbeni, another thriving Care Point.
This one actually has buildings when many do not even have that.
I joined Jon and Eric who are already there.
Jon is doing a stellar job creating financial plans for the people of the area.
Side note, if you think you can’t do what you love doing on the mission field, ask Jon.
The man is rocking this Care Point with his business knowledge.
And Eric is offering his manpower making a cement floor for the church there which now is only a dirt floor and metal beams.
I went to Timbeni for three days just to give the orphans there all the love and attention I could give them.
It was food for my soul just sitting there with them, cuddling them and giving them millions of kisses. I was shocked at their response.
Most kids would pull away after a bit.
However, they were vying for my attention.
Every time I sat down, it was like a swarm of little bees flooding towards my lap.
I sometimes held one child for hours.
But I didn’t mind at all.
Most of them live with their grandparents, however I can only imagine that they are only disciplinarians and providers.
The amount of physical loving they feel is minimal.
The only thing I wished for were longer arms just so I could fit them around all those children.
On Monday, our team of 4 girls (Jimmy is leaving to do some scouting work in Asia before we get there in August) will venture out to another Care Point where we will remain for the month of July.
I am more than anxious to get somewhere and stay somewhere instead of jumping around to different ministries. I thrive on building relationships and am excited to just get to know the Swazi people!
