I can confidently say that every single day in Swaziland I was peed on, pooped on, thrown up on, bled on AND used as a human Kleenex. I was a jungle gym, with at least one child hanging from me at any given moment. I think I lost a third of my hair to daily “braiding” (aka knotting and twisting) which wasn’t too easy on my scalp. I don’t even think I can count how many times my nose ring was pulled off of my face.
But the beautiful children of El Shaddai also fell asleep on me every day. I had the privilege of hearing about their days at school. I wiped away countless tears when children were hurt or upset. I sang and danced with them. I was present at every meal. I gave each child a kiss before they went to bed at night. Those kids became a part of my heart.
I have had trouble writing about or even talking about my experience in Swaziland and the all-consuming heartbreak that followed quickly after. Spending every single day for a month in the baby house at El Shaddai orphanage affected me more than I could have ever imagined. The children I had the pleasure of meeting got into my heart more quickly and more fully than any one else I have ever come into contact with. I love them.
The children of El Shaddai are very well taken care of by an amazing staff. They have a beautiful home, food to eat and their own beds to sleep in. This could all change if children don’t get sponsored soon. While we were in Swaziland, a few members of our squad created a website for El Shaddai. The creation of this website caused the main organization that financially supports El Shaddai to back out. I am personally asking you to sponsor a child for Christmas. More than the money, the kids need to know that someone cares about them. Sending a birthday card or a Christmas present would mean more to an orphan than many of us can fully grasp. An expression of love from a stranger that lives oceans away exposes the children to selfless love. It gives them a tangible example of love in the way the Father loves us. Through your gift, they will experience and hopefully being to understand the Lord’s love for them. Please, please, please consider using the overflow of blessing in your own life to bless a child at El Shaddai.
If you are considering sponsoring any child in the baby house, feel free to email me ([email protected]). I can tell you countless stories about those heart stealers. I would love to help you connect to a child and understand what your sacrifice could mean for them.
Please keep El Shaddai in your prayers and visit the website at: http://www.elshaddaiswazi.org/
And check out my squad mate Joe’s awesome video, taken at El Shaddai:
