These are a couple stories about what God taught me through a crippled fourteen year old boy and an old blind woman!
My team and I were walking to a home visit when I saw my little friend, Olswasi, in the distance. As we detoured to go give her a quick hug, I noticed that the woman walking with her was blind. She was wearing a University of Michigan shirt (GO BLUE!), so I knew she must be cool. What I didn’t know is that this would be the beginning of a very sweet relationship. We introduced ourselves and asked if we could pray over her eyes, and she gladly accepted. She told us that she lost her sight completely in 2006. Rather than being mad at God, she was full of praise and contentment; it was humbling to witness such faith. The week after we met her we were able to go visit her again!
When we entered her home, I gave her a hug and said, “Hi, this is Anna!” And she remembered that I was the “Michigan Girl!” God really used that to bond us. My whole team got to worship and pray over her and it was such a special time to encourage and bless her.
A few days later, our Shepard, Sithulele, told me that she made me a traditional Swazi recipe, it was kind of like chili, and it was in a little container in a bag for me! I couldn’t believe I was receiving such a kind, generous gift from this poor blind woman I had just met.
We were able to visit her a few more times in our time here, worshipping, praying and chatting. When she found out that my birthday had passed, she was so sad that she missed it! Well, today we went to visit her for the last time and she said, “I was so sad that I missed your birthday, but I have a present to give you now.” She then handed me a little pink gift bag and inside was an “umuhelwane”, which is traditional Swazi attire! It’s a beautiful material that is wrapped around your body kind of like a dress or a skirt. We saw a lot of women wearing it when we went to an engagement ceremony a few weeks ago. I felt so honored and loved to receive such a thoughtful gift, and even more honored to have such a friend in this woman. My friendship with this woman was one of simplicity. It was almost child-like; bonding over a football team, giving each other little gifts, singing songs, and having weekly “play dates!” Through her, God taught me the value of being thoughtful, faithful and generous. He taught me that what Satan tries to do to hinder us will only reveal more of God’s character.
I found an equally wonderful friendship in the crippled boy down the road. We were on a prayer walk through the community at the carepoint and my friend Liz said that God put a certain house on her heart, so we went. Upon arrival we knew God was indeed the one who lead us there. Laying in the middle of the room of this tiny home was a fourteen year old boy named Lindon. He can hear, but he is non-verbal and he can’t function on his own outside of sitting up and laying down when he so chooses. His mother, Mama Precious, cares for him 24/7. He doesn’t leave the house because people with disabilities here are viewed as outcasts, sometimes people even think they have a demonic spirit, which is so not true. Lindon carries so much beauty. When we worshipped over Him he began to rock back and forth with a big smile on his face. It brought all of us to tears, I firmly believe that God was giving Him visions of Heaven as we praised together! It was such a spiritual moment that words can’t capture. We prayed healing over him, we praised God for how beautifully and intentionally He created Lindon, and we prayed over Mama Precious for endurance and comfort as she loved her life so sacrificially. We were able to visit Lindon at least once every week, and my teammate and BEAUTIFUL friend, Tiara, was able to do some physical therapy with him, as well. We developed a strong bond with him and the goodbye was quite sad. But we are so grateful that God would allow us to come alongside Mama Precious and be an encouragement to her in her work for Lindon. Through Lindon, Jesus taught me and my team that He makes ALL things beautiful and that He always sends people to encourage us and help us in our helplessness. He is a creative God.
Jesus, thank you so much for these two beautiful Swazi people that you graced me with. Thank you for revealing yourself through them and using me, in all my nothingness, to love them. YOU are to be praised, Father! Please continue blessing Bandzhile and Lindon and Mama Precious. I love you, Jesus, and I surrender these new Swazi friends of mine to you. In Jesus’ HOLY name I pray, amen.
-Anna
