Wow! So this is the first blog that I’ve had a chance to
post since the start of our trip! What a privilege it has been to spend these
past few weeks living life and ministering with these 18 young men and women
and my 2 incredible co-leaders! Christ
is at work in Swaziland
in huge ways… starting with each one of us!
There is so much that I could share about how the Lord has
used and worked inside this team! One amazing thing the Lord has shown me
through this group is true brokenness for what breaks the Lord’s heart. We have
spent some time loving and getting to know the children and their mothers/
caretakers at the Government Hospital in Mbabane.
The hospital is truly a dark place… death is everywhere. The back room of the
children’s ward is filled with precious children who have been abandoned and
have no where else to go and one nurse to “care� for them. The rooms are filled
with hurting kids fighting for life, and their caretakers who must stay
constantly by their side. Honestly, the place is far from inviting and almost
hopeless. Praise our God that He is the God of hope!
and see our team shining light in this dark place. I’ve looked around to see
Rob drawing pictures for a little boy dying of tuberculosis, all while he
speaks truth into the boy’s little life. I’ve seen Kirstie run from room to
room rejoicing that the little abandoned baby girl, which she has held tight
every moment we’ve been in the hospital, has now been given the chance to live
in a solid home. I looked outside to see Shannon
holding an abandoned, disabled boys hand for hours and never letting go. I’ve
seen Bekah’s smile bring joy to the life of disabled girl who frankly hasn’t
seen someone smile at her near enough. I’ve seen Lauren share her life with a
mother who barely understands English, but sure does understand love. Honestly,
I could go on and on! I have seen each and every single member of this team
pour Jesus out in this seemingly hopeless place. Then, as we walked out of the
hospital, I’ve looked around to see broken people. They aren’t broken by things
of this world, but instead, they are broken for what breaks our Lord’s heart.
It is a beautiful picture… this team of broken individuals going to love broken
people in the children’s ward of the Mbabane
hospital!
through this team!
The Lord is close to
the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18