These past few months have been the most impactful that I’ve ever had. I’ve come to realize that the face of missions is not as limited as I once believed. We’re not only here to be with the children, or to do manual labor, we’re hear to pour into the missionaries who are here long term. They have sacrificed their lives in a BIG way to God’s will, to building up His Kingdom in places that are very different from their homes, and what they’re accustomed to.
Swaziland is very different from South Africa, the roads aren’t always paved, there are snakes, huge bugs, and the nearest grocery store is about an hour away (down unpaved mountainous roads). Charmain gave up her life in South Africa to start El Shaddai a little over a decade ago. Her daughter Chanel has come up to join her in running this wonderful orphanage that is based around Jesus and instilling the importance of a personal relationship with Him. It is incredible to be here, they have several buildings that are dedicated to the children: girls and boys dorms, a kitchen and cafeteria, a chapel and a baby house. The kids are always excited to see us, play with us and go on “walks” through the mountainous landscape. It’s not really a walk so much as a hike (while looking for snakes and avoiding the bulls that graze), but it’s always fun to get to hear the kids’ ambitions, goals and to play “would you rather” with them. This place is blessed with a wealth of the presence of The Spirit. It pours out through the children’s laughter, singing, and playing. My prayer and my hope is that you would keep them in your prayers and thoughts. Thank you for reading!
