If you’re like me, you’ve probably never heard of Swaziland before. The first time I heard of it was when I was picking my route for the World Race. And it happened to be on the route I wanted. I gathered that it was Africa (I’m so smart sometimes) and whatever else I learned about it was from the small paragraph on the World Race website.
I’ve since had my horizons broadened. The thing you’ll probably hear first about Swaziland is that it’s not supposed to be around much longer. They say by 2050, the population will have died out because of the HIV/aids epidemic. It will take an incredible work of God to keep that from happening. And if we’re honest, He’s probably got something awesome up his sleeve. Like El Shaddai. About an hour and a half from the nearest town, El Shaddai is situated on top of a mountain. Like literally… a mountain. Being from Idaho where we have plenty of real mountains, I expected rolling hills. Instead, we spent a half an hour working our way up to the top. My ears were popping the whole time and I got sunburned ridiculously fast because we’re so close to the sun.
Once we got settled, I decided to have a look around. Standing there, looking at the vista surrounding me, I was flabbergasted. How could a country so breathtaking be a place where such atrocities are commonplace. Men will take multiple wives leaving a string of single mothers behind them. Child molestation is normal even encouraged. Lust runs rampant. The education system is failing these kids. And here in the middle of nowhere lies El Shaddai, a haven for these children. They’re given a new life away from sexual abuse and neglect. They meet God. It didn’t take very long for me to realize that the future of Swazliland was swinging around the playground, and jumping rope. These children have the power to change this country from within. And if for only a month, we have the opportunity impact these children’s lives forever. What a privilege and an honor knowing that we helped to shape the lives of future teachers and politicians, doctors and businessmen.
We are here because we refuse to let an entire people group die out because of aids. We are because only God can transform this nation and I believe I will live to see it happen.
