Jesu u ya kutandza! Jesus loves you!
We have been working on learning SiSwati and it has been a
slow but fun process. I even have a Swazi name, Ayanda. I am still learning a
lot about how to live in Swaziland. Like how to take public transportation, get
around the city, where the good places to eat are, and how to gracefully deny
the millions of marriage proposals I get everyday from all the Swazi men who
want an American wife.
I have continued to work at the squatter camp right outside
of Manzini. There is a church in the middle of the community pastored by a man
named Jacinto Sambo. I talked to Pastor Sambo about the area and the needs of
the people and he said, “It is a forgotten community.” It does seem that way.
Alcohol is such a big problem among the people there. Then the kids are either
orphans or just neglected by parents that don’t have any food to give them.
I was looking out over the community thinking of the
sickness, sin, and need and prayed, “Oh God, I don’t see you here.” Immediately
he said back to me, “Yes you can. Every time one of these beautiful children
smiles, I am there.” I do feel so much hope now. I just hold on tight to these
kids saying “I love you, I love you, Ngi ya kutandza.” Thank God that he has
not forgotten this community.
I am still praying about what to do next semester when I
will be in Swaziland
from January to May. I am thinking about starting clubs for some of the kids
that cannot go to school and instead go to the dump and are used by men for
food. As I talked to Treasure, the woman who feeds children everyday at the
kitchen, about my desire to help and she said to me, “Maybe you are their
Moses. Maybe God has sent you here to claim this land for him.” The need is big
and I am small, but I serve a big God. I know that he is good and just as
Pastor Sambo said in faith, “If we stand in the gap, God will be faithful to
provide.”
Please pray for direction and wisdom as I, along with my
team, seek to find my place in Swaziland.
Pray for Pastor Sambo, Treasure, and our other amazing African brothers and
sisters that are fighting for the Lord in Swaziland.
Please pray for our team as we will be returning to South
Africa on Wednesday for the remainder of the
trip. We are going to Jeffery’s Bay on the coast. Thank you so much for your
prayers. Knowing I am constantly brought into the presence of my Lord by the
prayers of my family is so encouraging. I love you all so much and pray for you
often.
