A half hour drive off the pavement on dirt rouged roads. Pass schools, barbed wire fences, cinderblock houses and cows. Deep into a Swazi forest filled with giant cactus and throne trees. A bit of God’s Kingdom was tucked away. It wasn’t much, really it wasn’t anything. Well not to the western eye. But to the fifty children gathered under the big tree it was everything. It was their life source. Literally. A meal. Their only meal that day. Two big cast iron pots sat with cool coals underneath and warm rice inside.
We slowly approached the big tree finding our way down animal paths and around throne bushes. The children were surprised and curious to see our white faces. They hadn’t see foreigners in over a year and we were the second visitors to them. They looked uncertain, afraid to move or be noticed. We weren’t quite sure what to do either. We fumbled with saying hello and how are you in their language. They whispered their response.
Everyone made their way to a big open area on uneven ground after the food was gone. They lined up like a choir, little kids in front and taller in back in uniform rows. With the help of our translator we taught them some songs. Smiles began to break across faces. Laughter started to rumble quietly. Making Melodies in My Heart for those that don’t know is song that progresses with hilarious intensity using full advantage of all body parts. Thumbs up, elbows bent, knees bent, butt out, head cocked, one eye closed, tongue out, and spin around. The laughter was uncontrollable now.
Attitudes and personalities began to emerge. They taught us a song in their language. I caught onto the hand motions easily enough and muttered the words with low hums. I got the impression I was singing praise to God for all that he has provided. I identified the words thank you and Jesus in their language.
We walked them through the ancient story of Noah’s ark using boys and girls as animals, requiring animal sounds from them. The message was of God’s promise in the rainbow. A current day reminder that God watches over us and wants us to be safe in him. We finished our time by forming them into the first ever Swazi baseball team with a fat stick as a bat and walnut size fruit for balls.
What does God’s Kingdom look like? Sound? Feel? Smell? Taste Like? There was something absolutely beautiful and wonderful happening far off the main road. Hidden in the deep thick brush of a corner of Swazi. The Garden. God’s Kingdom. A place of joy, rest, peace, and a full stomach.
*This was at one of Adventures in Missions many Care Points in Swaziland. A place where orphans and come and get food everyday.
