“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:4-6 NKJV
We arrived at El-Shaddai on January 3, 2011 (Monday). The orphanage is located, literally, on top of a mountain 4,000 ft above sea level. The view is surreal. We are surrounded by mountains and valleys. Pictures do not do this place justice. The orphanage is founded and run by Charmain and her husband Callie. They started El-Shaddai 15 years ago.
Immediately upon our arrival we put up our groceries and put our packs in our rooms. We then met with Charmain and Callie to go over some rules and specifics about the orphanage. They are truly blessed people. They have an amazing heart and love that radiates off of them. They have a heart that beats for these kids. They have given all they have to ensure the growing rate of orphans in Swaziland have a place to live,eat, know God, and go to school.
As they spoke my heart started to break. People that have come to El-Shaddai to help with the kids or building projects, have come, taken a lot of pictures, heard the stories, and went back home, then made websites to raise support for El-Shaddai. Sadly, and this hurts to say, all the money that was donated to these websites to help the orphanage, never made it back to the orphanage. People are making money off of El-shaddai’s story, kids, and projects, and never giving the money to where it is desperately needed.
This makes me sick. Honestly it really ticked me off. One of the people or groups that did this made $350,000!!! I felt the Holy anger of God burn in me. I was angry that people in my own country, that call themselves “Christians”, would exploit a place that is filled with God’s love and blessing all for a lousy dollar. These people should be ashamed! I know I am. As Charmain and Callie told me this, tears came to my eyes. The thought that this is what the world has become made my stomach turn. They also told us that some of their long time supporters have backed out and they are down 50% of the funds that they have been running of off.
Please pray for El-Shaddai in Swaziland. Also please be praying for Charmain and Callie. It takes all of you to run an orphanage. Pray for God’s provision and financial blessing. Pray that there will be an increase in support and awareness. I would also ask that you pray for the people that would exploit such an amazing, God blessed place. Continue to pray for me and my teammates as we continue to be His hands and His feet. God bless you brothers and sisters. Jesus is Lord!!!!
If you want to see pictures that I have taken in Swaziland and of El-Shaddai and the kids go to: http://www.facebook.com/juliansutton and go to my Swazi/Month 7 photo album
