It is always a glorious thing to happen upon an internet opportunity!! Today, we Tribe 61 girls came into Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital, for the day… and i didn’t want my small slice of time here to float by without sending a piece of my heart to you all, whom I love much and miss. : )
(Below is the only pic I could download today…. me and Em looking sassy in Swazi ; ) Lisa, I am working on downloading our fun shot together. Love you much my sistas!)
As you may remember, quite a large number from my FAMILY and some dear Colorado Springs friends were together with me and the other Racers in Manzini for the month of June. Well, they have since left — sniff. sniff. That was almost too surreal for words to wake up each day and see my sisters, neices, nephews, etc. here in Africa…. however, it has been nice to rejoin my team girls again (Jimmy is scouting Asia for our next leg of the race so he isnt with us. We miss him. “Jimmy! Jimmy! He’s our man!!” : ) But, worry not. We girls are in good hands. Gary Black and Tom arranged for us to spent the remainder of our time in Swazi working alongside probably the most successful endeavour to redeem the lives of abandoned orphans here in Swaziland. Lighthouse Ministries works together with Teen Challenge (as I understand it) to create homes and families for 37 HIV/AIDS affected and some infected children. They grow vegetables here, raise bunnies, run a pre-school, have Bible lessons, etc. Its a FARM in the mountains. We love it!!
Yesterday was the first day I really got to know the kids here… we were occupied with painting, sorting clothes, and other random tasks for the first few days. But Kevin Ward, the Director of this project, intensely inspired us that we really have the opportunity of leaving a significant impact on these kids despite the briefness (sp?) of our stay here. These children have a Swazi mother figure and some of them a father figure that live in their home with them, but they need to feel and know that they are WORTH IT!! Worth what? Worth our time, worth us remembering their names, worth helping them with math problems and English (which I am doing in the evenings — I get to be a tutor, which is I think a consistent sweet spot for me– woo hoo : ) Those sort of practical, hands-on ways of loving children are what make me come alive, you guys! Many of you are, once again, not surprised by this. Maybe I need to be a teacher in some capacity. Maybe here in Swazi. I’m praying about it. But who knows. Smiles.
These children are special. They have been severely rejected and yet are persevering and even THRIVING. I personally understand some of what they are up against. And so I just ask you all to pray that my actions towards these children will be bursting with God’s healing love and acceptance. How can I so thoroughly adore children I’ve just barely met? It must be God’s heart already alive in me!! So thank you for remembering me in your prayers, you all. Your prayers are being heard and honored, and they go far beyond me. Praise God!! He is a genious!!
And I have come almost to the end of my furious unedited typing escapade. : ) It’s not my best blog, but I wanted you all to have a glimpse of life for us here. Bless the LORD!!
Sending a huge hug your way.
