I know I haven’t written any blogs about India or Nepal yet and I will buy I cannot help but write one now about Swaziland.
I think this is the most unexpected place on this race yet. There is something about this place, something so unique, so special, I can only explain it as God having his hand here. I am living at el shaddai orphanage on top of a mountain with a view God made just for his pleasure. It takes your breath away every time. And the children are the most amazing thing about the whole place. How can a child who has been through sexual abuse, neglectt, and abandonment at seven years old show me complete love and adoration without any questions? And how could I ever show the love and healing he deserves?
His name is Bandeli. He is crazy, he makes weird noises, he burps as much as me, he runs around barefoot jumping and flipping everywhere and he loves me and I don’t know why. The second he clung to me and wouldn’t let me go the first time I saw him I knew I was done for.
I can’t believe God has given me this opportunity to be in this place and the time I get to have with these kids but at the same time I can’t help but think what is going to happen when I leave? Will I ever see Bandeli again and who will be there to love and protect him? When I think about this it just tears me up and I don’t know what to do. And of course it brings up the questions so many people and myself ask which is why are all these kids in this situation to begin with, why would God allow this to happen?
I know God is moving so much more than I know and doing incredible things and in a country that is referred to as the “pulpit” of Africa for having the highest cases of HIV. This is the kind of place God uses for His glory. The kind of place he loves more than I know and He is going to and already done amazing things and I truly believe He is going to use these kids to do it. I know He has an amazing and glorious plan for Bandeli and I know I am here to be a small part of that story.
For all that, if it’s the only reason I am here, it is all worth it.
