Stepping out of the front door of the dorm we are staying in, it was a cold windy night, but as usual, the stars were bright and clear, as though I could touch them. Wrapping a blanket around my shoulders I headed out to spend time with Jesus and look at the stars. An interesting thing happens up on this mountain…. the stars in the sky are just as bright as the lights that dot the landscape, marking the few homes scattered through the hills. Try as I might, I could not lift my gaze…..the stars just did not matter. Even the stars of the sky will turn to dust, but the souls in the hills will remain. My heart was broken again for the people of the mountain.
Jesus, reach them with your love! Break through the lies and the darkness with your truth! Reveal Yourself to the Witchdoctors. Stop the fathers from raping their daughters. Teach the young boys about a different kind of life. Show the women how to trust you.
I am a big proponent of preserving the culture and teaching people the truth of Jesus and letting them display it in the beauty of their culture. I hate when organizations and missions groups come in and impose ‘how things need to look’, when often it is just imposing American culture, and not necessarily infusing truth. My heart has turned many times on the race when I see things that feel out of place being pressed onto others. But here…..this is different. The things I have seen and heard here violate even basic human rights in the name of culture. Even the King himself participates in public, demonic ceremonies too graphic to share.
Read my blog 'Beacon of Hope in a Dying Nation' to learn more about what I am talking about.
What we need here is a new generation of Swazi’s, born and raised, who have eternal truths buried deep within and break off the demonic influence guised as culture. Let true Swazi culture emerge, and let the people shine like eternal stars as they worship God in their own way…the way they were created to…and in a way that loves God and loves others in a Spirit of Truth. I don’t care if they wear skirts or pants. I don’t care if they dance around, or stand still when they worship. I care about eternal things… lasting things… their hearts… their souls… Jesus, take these eternal stars into your hand and shift this nation!
