Hello. I've been in Swaziland for about a week now after a short stay in South Africa and I don't think I have ever been more in love with a place more than this. The children are precious beyond believe and the people are friendly. We have moved into our house and it's so nice to have place to unpack and call home. I have been going with my friend Kristin to the squatter camp everyday. We have been meeting with Pastor Sambo and Treasure, two amazing Swazi Christians, about what they think would be the best for us to do for the four months we will be living here. It's complicated because we don't want to start something, promise the community amazing things, and then nothing to continue after we are gone. Truth be told a lot of it comes down to money. Kids can't go to school and no one in the church there can afford to volunteer to teach them. The church is filled with orphans, children of abuse, and a few poor adults. It's not like there's a offering every week to help the community. It's just frustrating. By simply being born in Swaziland these kids don't have a chance. One of my friends on my team made tee shirts as fund raisers that say, "Where you live shouldn't determine weather you live." I am seeing the painful reality of that statement. Please pray for direction and wisdom as Kristin and I find the best way to love on these kids.

As I learn more of their stories my heart breaks for them. I learn that one of my girls' dad died last week. Another one is sexually abused. Another's mom abondoned her family. One of the girls looked up to me with desperate eyes and asked, "Can I be your baby?" It broke my heart. Please pray for these kids. God asks for people to stand in the gap on other's behalf. I want to be their Moses. Crying out for mercy for this people. Isaiah said "Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch." (Isaiah 62:1)

This coming week two more teams from Adventures in Missions will be arriving. We will all be meeting together for special speakers and worship in the evenings. I am really excited about that opportunity.  Please pray for direction and wisdom as our team finds our place in Swaziland. Pray for patience as it takes longer to do things on African time. And please pray for continued health as I serve here. Thank you so much.