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.
Michelle,
I am a friend of your Mom’s and I have been following your adventures there. How I long to be in the place you now, helping others and walking so closely with our Savior. Being a victim of abuse I long to help other children who are going through the same. However, I cannot fathom the the other things these children must endure. My husband and I will keep you. and those you are caring for in our prayers, and we look forward to hearing your updates. God bless you and keep you as I am confident He will.
In Christ,
Donnita Rozzell
Shell, Keep loving those kids, and let them know how great Gods love is for them. Every time we read your updates we love them more too. Know we are praying for you and love you tremendously too.
Love from all of us,
Aunt Julie
Hey, Michelle.
I had not intended to be a regular correspondant, but it seems like every week I hear someone say how your chapel at CCS impacted them. Today it was an 8th grade girl who shared her testimony in class and said that as a result of your talk she wants to be a missionary in Swaziland. I encouraged her to tell you herself, but you know middle schoolers, so I thought I would take matters into my own hand. Sometimes when you work for the Lord it’s easy to get discouraged and think you’re not doing any good. Hang in there. You are. And you don’t see, and will never see, most of what you’re doing.
Dr. Lea
Michelle:
Michelle:
I am Carrie Ingram’s mom. I want to echo the comments that Dr. Lea made to you. By your blogs, you are touching more lives than you will ever know. There is an awareness that has been made in our community because of Carrie’s involvement in Swaziland and I know each one of you are affecting so many more lives than just the critical needs of lives in these children and adults in Swaziland that you come in contact with each day. God bless you and the work that you are doing. May we come up with solutions for these Swazi people one at a time and continue to pray for God’s guidance to make this happen.
Lil Bit,
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for your
total commitment to loving Africa for Jesus!!
I pray you feel a portion of the love we are sending you here from home! PLEASE know that He is beside you every tiring, frustrating, heartbreaking moment of every day!! Wish we could fax ourselves over to hold you at the end of the day, but we leave you in His hands and that is even better!! Loving you for forever and a day… Always, Jeanne & T too
Hey Michelle!
We just saw your parents when we went out to lunch after church today. Your mom said she had talked to you last night and gave us an update on how things are going in Swaziland. Wow. Sounds tough, but amazing. God is working through you. I pray that the presence of our omnipotent Father would be especially real, and that he would be glorified through mighty works.
Joy in the grace of the God of All Comforts,
Abbey
hey michelle!
i wich so much that i could go on some of the trips you get to go on! my dad has gone to costa rica a couple of times, but im never old enough! Ugh! o well, but when i get to be your age, i am DEFINETLY going to be a missionary or go on many trips around the world. thanx again for your stories!!!
God bless,
*sArAh BeTh RiGgS*
Hey Michelle,
Hi my name is Jessica and i heard you speak in the CCS middle school chaple about you missions work. I wanted to continue to encourage you because what you are doing for these kids is just unbelievable!!!! I also wanted to thank you because you have shared your missions with me it has encouraged me to go share the good news to people in Swaziland also. The Lord is truely great and i am glad you are continueing to share his greatness! God love you!
Your Sister in Christ,
Jessica
michelle, the shirts sound awesome i really like that idea i will pray for the kids and for you to be a Moses to them. i’d love to be like a missionary. you help me to know who needs help like Swaziland and other African places. i’m chinese and so maybe some kind of Asian place. i hope you keep on doing missions work for God!!!
katheryn