I had heard Swazi would be nonexistent in 2030 because of AIDS. People are dying left and right and there’s a stigma against having AIDS, so most deny it and refuse to get tested until it is too late. There’s a little boy here who’s sixteen years old, but looks nine. He is HIV positive and has contracted TB. He is a genius. He speaks fluent English and wants to be a doctor when he gets older. He is super confident. It’s crazy to think where he’d be if Corinne (our contact) hadn’t taken him in and given him the proper care.
My team and Sweet Aroma are living together in the middle of nowhere. We live in tents and have a sweet bonfire every night. The stars here are beautiful. The toilet is not. Smells funky. We have to dump the fire ash in it every day – when I say “we” I mean Noah. He does everything around here.
So the other day, during my “quiet” time (it’s hard to call it quiet time when there’s always 50 five year olds running around screaming)… but anyways… the Lord brought up the word “hope” and I kinda rolled my eyes. I’ve seen a hundred “hope for Africa” stickers and marketing gimmicks centered around the word hope. I was over it. But then he led me to Philippians 4: 10-20 when Paul is thanking the church for not giving up on him when others had, and for taking care of him. He tells them to be content in all circumstances… whether sick or well, poor or rich, be content.
And then it hit me. The people of Swazi have no hope. They have given up. They do not believe that there is a God who loves and provides. They see their famine and famish and think God has given up on them. Then the Lord told me that we have to restore their hope. But how?? How do you change a whole nation and culture that is rooted in lies and ruthlessness? Then the Lord led me to Micah 6:8. He confirmed on my heart that we (meaning God’s people) know already what is good. So then we must do what is required of us. We must do justice; we must love kindness; and we must walk humbly with our God. Sounds easy enough right? So is that it? Then He led me to 1 Thessalonians 5. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.” This is what we must do and what we must pass on to our Swazi friends.
Prayer for Swaziland is greatly appreciated. It’s the darkest country I’ve ever been too. It is so rooted in witchcraft and selfishness that it seems almost impossible to infiltrate it’s evil barrier, if you will. But we will sure try.
