This is part 5 in a series aimed to guide my prayer and prepare me for each unique country. Once again, the 11 countries are Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Swaziland, South Africa, Botswana, India, Nepal, China and Mongolia.
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| The Flag of the Kingdom of Swaziland |
Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa
It is located in the southern tip of the continent, surrounded by Mozambique and South Africa. Swaziland is a monarchy, which is pretty unique. I am also of the opinion that it has one of the coolest flags of any country.
There is both encouragement and discouragement in what I have learned about Swaziland. The population of Swaziland primarily identifies as Christian, and the Gospel has been preached in this land for over 150 years. 27% of the population attends church. YES! God’s story brings life to the nations!!
However, the AIDS rate in Swaziland is the highest in the world, affecting over 43% of the population. The UN has declared that if something isn’t done NOW to address the pandemic in Swaziland, the Swazi people could be extinct by 2050.
The needs of the country are vast as the numbers of orphaned children skyrocket.
That the terminology of a “Throw Away Baby” even exists just turns my stomach.
Who will care for these children? Who will feed them, house them, teach them and love them? What kind of healthcare will be available to them? What kind of job opportunities will the young people find?
I don’t claim to be able to “fix” the suffering in Swaziland any more than I am able to “fix” the suffering in America. But I do believe in James 1:27….
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
I reject the corrupting notion that I am useless in the face of such troubles. The worldly pressure to let someone with more letters after their name find the perfect algorithm for aid.
No.
God’s strategy was to move his very self to the place where suffering lives and to live with it. So I’m going to Swaziland with hope in God’s strategy and hope in the Gospel of the daily grind to bring life where death is forming a foothold.
The World Race has previously partnered with the El Shaddai Mission in Swaziland, whose efforts are in:
- Providing a safe haven for children who have been orphaned, abused, neglected, or abandoned
- Providing a free, well-rounded education program for grades 1-12
- Raising AIDS/HIV awareness and bringing the healing and love that can only come from Jesus Christ
- Offering life skills training and quality medical attention
- Purchasing annual seed through funds donated by CLF www.james127.org for those in the community who cannot afford to buy their own in order for them to plant crops that will help sustain their families
- Providing clinic services with a assistance from local government nurses
- Raising up leaders who will help to build a brighter future for the next generations of Swaziland
Here’s a short video from a previous World Race team working at El Shaddai.
