Approximately 1.1 – 1.2 million people inhabit Swaziland. And it is estimated that 44% of those individuals are currently living with HIV/AIDS. That’s half a million people waking up each day with this reality.
Swaziland is landlocked by South Africa. This tiny, yet mighty country (still ruled by a king), is prophesied to be the pulpit of Africa. The Swazi youth need to grab a hold of this vision before it is too late. If AIDS continues to spread at the current rate, Swazi has the possibility to be “extinct” within the next 20 years! Currently, there are around 60,000 AIDS orphans – this number increases each day.
I walk by an elderly man on the sidewalk….Bump into a women buying clothes for her daughter…Hitch a ride back from a taxi driver…Order ice cream from the young woman at the counter. Statistically, there is a very real possibility that 2 of these individuals that I met today are living with HIV/AIDS! At the local hospital, 80% of the patients that check in never leave!
So, as you might be wondering, what are people doing about this grave situation. Remember how Swazi is prophesied as the pulpit of Africa – the country that is going to be instrumental in bringing Jesus to the people. Hang on to this morsel. It is the almond branch amongst a land filled with the harsh reality of death. It is the hope amongst despair. Missionaries have moved here because they have grabbed a hold of the almond branch and are not letting go. They are focused on this glimmer of hope…It will bring rebirth to the people of Swaziland.
For the next 5 weeks, Nessa has the privilege to partner with “an almond branch vision” in Swazi and South Africa. The Lord is breathing life to a vision that is prophesied to not only save a generation, but to rise them up as world changers – or Swazi changers. Care points are currently being planted throughout the country. Yes, care points are a response to an orphan crisis, but it is so much more than that. Each location starts out as a food distribution point. Children from the surrounding area can come daily to receive free food. It is a safe place for them to play and be discipled with Christian values. As resources are supplied, the vision is continually breathed into being: a church, community center, school, health clinic…and of course workers.
The vision is to teach self-sufficiency, not how to receive hand outs for the rest of their lives. Here in Swazi, it is believed that orphanages are not the answer to this crisis. Mercy houses have grabbed the spot light and are hoped to soon replace the orphanage model. Ideally, 6-8 kids would grow up in a home with “Swazi parents”. Each child would be nurtured and loved on by his/her own “mom and dad”. Personally, the idea of being a “house mom” grabs at my heart. (Especially when the little girl in the picture above fell asleep in my arms within minutes of picking her up!) What a privilege it would be to call 8 beautiful swazi orphans my kids!
Please, grab a hold of “the almond branch vision” with us in prayer. If you feel led to give financially, just send me an e-mail via “contact me”.
