Over the Last Few Weeks

The time the Lord has given me here in Swaziland is flying by. I will share with you some experiences from the last few weeks:


On December 11th and 12th a short-term volunteer from the US and I took nine of the teenage girls from Hawane Farm to minister at the children's ward of the Mbabane Government Hospital.



It was so awesome to see the girls jump right in laying hands on and praying for children who were sick and their families, passing out Books of Hope, sharing the gospel, getting in tune with God's heart, and most importantly sharing God's love with those we came into contact with during our time there. One young 9 year-old boy we were able to minister to is an orphan infected with HIV and TB. After both of his parents died he was left at the hospital by his grandmother. As the girls and I were distributing the Book of Hope we asked the boy if he had ever heard of Jesus to which he responded "no". We were able to share God's Truth with him and that God has a plan for his life. Then, a very moving thing happened… some of the girls from Hawane who have also lost both of their parents listened to this boy's story, began crying with compassion for him, and started hugging this precious boy.
How true it is that God uses all things to work together for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). I believe and can see God is raising up these children of Hawane Farm who have been through various trials and loss in their own lives to minister in powerful ways to those who are in need here in Swaziland.












On Saturday December 20th Hawane CLC had its first community fun day on the new church property. Hundreds of people were invited from the surrounding community and about 400 or more people attended.




The GodMan movie (explains the gospel) was played, Books of Hope were given out, food was served,



team games were played,



and a worship band sang. It was a wonderful day.








The weeks before Christmas the Sunday school classes at Hawane CLC practiced for the Christmas drama which was held on the first ever Christmas Day service at the church. Pastor Stan and his family directed and participated in the play as well as several children from the church. The children's choir also sang some songs. It was a success and all of the children looked so cute in the special new costumes hand-made by a special lady at CLC in Dayton.



Christmas Day here started for me at 4:45 a.m. as the volunteers here, including the Tharps, began in the children's homes at Hawane Farm at 6 a.m. The expressions on the children's faces were priceless as they opened their special gifts, including those generously donated by CLC. One little boy, Phiwa, was very excited to receive his new shoes on Christmas morning.














In the afternoon about 150 people gathered together at the new Hawane CLC church for lunch. Many people went up front to share encouraging testimonies, songs and dances with us, including the men from Teen Challenge and mothers and children from Hawane.

Pastor Stan and family were such a blessing to have here in Swaziland to minister, especially at this special time of year. During their time here we were able to visit some homesteads in the community with Pastor Augustine. At one homestead that has 16 children one of the kids brought out his drum and they began dancing. Even Pastor Stan got in on the fun!












We were also prompted to visit Justice, a man who lives in the Hawane community who has been very sick during the last few months. When we arrived we saw him lying on a mat seemingly drained of energy, even skinnier than the last time I saw him. His feet were swollen. When we prayed for him he began crying, followed by tears streaming down our faces as well. This is God's heart- to minister to those who are sick and in need.


















God continues to be at work in Swaziland. Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers, their work in the ministry and the sharing of their gifts and offerings.

Swaziland Ministry: A Year at a Glance

It was one year ago today that CLC's Swaziland Ministry was born. On December 3, 2007, Pastor Stan and 6 CLC members left for a 10 day trip to Swaziland. The purpose of the mission trip was to confirm God's calling for our congregation to address the challenges currently facing Swaziland, including HIV/AIDS, care for widows and orphans and poverty. Furthermore, the team was to discern if there was an individual or organization whom we could partner with in sharing the hope and love of Christ.

Over the course of the trip, it became very clear to the exploratory team that God did indeed have plans for CLC to begin serving the people of Swaziland and that His desire was for us to partner with Kevin Ward and the Teen Challenge Swaziland program to implement an "In Community By Community" model. Through this model we were to establish a church, identify a local pastor and provide him a home near the church and build children's homes that would ultimately serve orphaned children and widowed women in the local community. Achieving this goal would require a new ministry team for CLC.

And so, as the team prepared to return to the U.S., prayers were raised, ideas were shared, ministry models were drawn on napkins and initial tasks were identified. As we sat in the airport in Johannesburg, South African and flew home over the Atlantice Ocean, the excitement was palable and hopes were high that the peole of CLC would rally around this opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Swaziland.

No one could have anticipated all that would be accomplished in the course of just one year. It is nothing short of miraculous! Since January of 2008:

* A lay-led ministry was created with approval of the CLC Board. Currently 13 people serve in leadership or assistant leadership positions within the ministry.

* Just over 100 people volunteered to serve on one of five ministry subcommittees: Communications & Education, Internal Projects, Prayer & Care, Travel Business Partnerships/Resource Development and Church Partnerships.

* Over $130,000 has been given in offerings to support the ICBC project. Of that total, $85,000 was spent to establish our first ICBC, Hawane CLC.

* Over $ 15,450 was raised by our children and youth to purchase water coolers that will be rented to Swazi businesses with proceeds designated for the ICBC operations.

* A pastor was identified to lead and serve Hawane CLC. Meet Pastor Augustine and his wife Elizabeth!




* 27 individuals traveled to Swaziland. 24 served on one of three construction teams and 3 completed an extended stay, individual mission assiginment.

* The 27 travelers raised over $77,700 in donations/gifts to cover their trip costs.

* Over $13,000 in revenue has been raised through our Swaziland Arts sales.

* CLC welcomed Pastor Kevin Ward, his wife Helen and their children Ashar and Joshua during a visit to the US in July.

* The Kook Sul Wan program at CLC held a Kick-A-Thon to raise funds for the Swaziland Minstry. By completing 1,850 kicks in one hour, $1,000 was raised!

* The first annual Swaziland 5K Race was held which raised over $2,000.

* CLC members have sent donations of tools, computers, books/videos, personal hygeine items and vitamins with visiting construction teams.

* A Church was erected.





* The church site was dedicated and Sunday morning services and Sunday School classes are now being conducted at CLC Hawane





* A storage building was rennovated to become a Pastor's home and the family now occupies the home.





* A second building was rennovated to become a Children's home and a house mom and children now occupy the home.







* A soccer field is being added to the ICBC land



* A third building is being rennovated to become a pre-school for local children.

* Computers have been purchased for the church/preschool at Hawane CLC.

* Thousands of prayers have been lifted up.

* A ministry identity and logo have been created

* Partnerships with local businesses/local organizations are being created.

As this first year of the Swaziland ministry draws to a close, Pastor Stan and his family prepare to visit Swaziland. A part of this visit will be dedicated to discerning the next steps for the ministry.

It is evident that there is much to celebrate and we give God the glory for all that has been accomplished in 2008. What an honor and blessing it has been for us to serve Him by serving the people of Swaziland. We stand in awe of the progress that has been made and we look foward to seeing what God has in store for the ministry in 2009.

To everyone who has served in, prayed for and given to this ministry, we say "thank you". We look forward to joining with you in the coming year as God continues to use us to accomplish His will for Swaziland.

Welcome Home

On May 21, 2008, a team of 7 men departed for Swaziland. The focus of their 10 day construction project was to begin converting an existing storage building on the Hawane CLC site into a home that would be used by Pastor Augustin and his family. Though the task was straight-forward, it was no small undertaking!









The second construction team included a general contractor, a certified plumber, a couple of men with electrical enegineering backgrounds and some general "handymen" with hearts to serve. They worked diligently and made a lot of progress during thier time in Swaziland.













After the team departed, local laborers were hired to help with the interior finish work; installing cement board, laying tile, installing trim work and cabinets, beginning priming and painting, etc. Things really began to take shape:




















The work that began in May by our second construction team, came to completion over the last few weeks. We received word this week that Pastor Augustin, his wife Elizabeth and their children began moving their belongings to Hawane. Last evening, Saturday, November 22nd was the first night the family spent the night in their new home!

What a blessing it has been to serve God and this family in this way. Please keep Pastor Augustin and his family in your prayers as they become salt and light to the community they were called to serve. May God work mightly through them!

WELCOME HOME AUGUSTIN FAMILY!!

Transformers

Tests. Obstacles. Challenges. Whatever you call them one thing is for sure - they exist in each person's life. Yesterday we encountered a few obstacles including a poisonous snake, our car getting trapped in mud, and a hail storm.

Before going out to the community for the weekly medical clinic and outreach, my roommate warned me that she saw a green snake in front of our house. About 1 hour later I was walking with one of the house mothers at Hawane Farm and I found myself within 1 foot of the snake and, although I did not see it, I heard it hissing. After I safely passed by the snake, the mother I was with exclaimed "it's a snake! Quick! Let's get out of here!" She explained that she waited until I walked past the snake in order to avoid me pausing to react and possibly being bitten. We thanked God for keeping us safe. The snake was later captured by Bruce, a man who lives by the new Hawane CLC and has been assisting the CLC construction teams. We later discovered that this snake was highly poisonous and extremely dangerous. Its venom attacks your nervous system and mucus membranes.
You die within 24 hours from internal hemorrhaging if you do not get medical treatment. Then, we really praised God for His divine protection. (See picture of snake being captured below)



A small group of us headed to the community and our 4x4 vehicle was driving through a field when it got trapped in mud. So, after trying to get out for a few minutes without success, we all decided to push the car while the nurse, Jane, pressed on the gas. (The picture below captures the experience pretty well) We were all thoroughly covered in mud by the end.




Immediately after we made our way out of the mud a big storm moved in and hail began falling from the sky. Thunder and lightening crashed around us. We decided to head home after seeing only 5 people for the community clinic. On the way back we discussed that God has a plan in all He does.

As you go through your day remember that God probably has a different plan than you do. You may experience some unexpected obstacles along the way and when you do trust God. His Word has much to say about trials and obstacles, big or small.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (Jam. 1:2-3)

"…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom. 5:3-4)

God tells us "what I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." (Isa. 46:11)

May God's purpose unfold in each of our lives as we decide to embrace trials as part of God's plan to transform us into His image. So, they are not just "obstacles" and they are not just "trials". Rather we can look at them as "transformers" transforming us to be more like Christ Jesus who "died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Cor. 5:15)

Written by Kylee 11/21/08

Reality

The gogo who attends Hawane CLC and has 16 children at her homestead came to Hawane Farm Monday to ask the nurse here if she would accompany her and her daughter, the mother of the sick 8-month old boy, to the Mbabane Hospital to pick up the child. The family of the baby's father had taken the child to the hospital to be treated for some soars that had developed on the baby's body since we had last seen the child. Upon arriving at the hospital the doctors did not take the gogo, the baby's young mother, and the nurse directly to the child. So they waited. They expected to just pick up the child, allow the nurse from Hawane to assess his condition, and return to their homestead if taking the child to receive medical attention was not needed. Then, they received the horrifying news that their precious baby boy died around 10:15 a.m. that morning- Monday November 10, 2008.

A heart the world was blessed to have in it stopped beating that day. One of the youngest members of Hawane CLC gone from this earth. He was a sweet child with big brown eyes and soft dark hair. He lived among a family of believers in Christ. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

This little boy was the nephew of a child here on the farm, a child who shares the same gogo. So Monday afternoon we gathered together- the child here, her house mother at Hawane, her gogo, and her sister- the mother of the deceased baby, and I to share the heart-breaking news with her. Tears flowed, prayers were offered, and God's Spirit comforted. He alone is worthy of our praise- in the good and in the bad. " 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than you ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' " (Isaiah 55:8-9)

A Posting by Kylee

His Will Be Done

Certain experiences remind me that I am in Africa. They wake me up to the reality of the world we live in. A place where sickness, AIDS, orphans, poverty, hungry children, and death exist. Wednesday morning I was told that there was a sick 8-month-old baby boy who needed medical attention in a nearby homestead of a gogo (grandmother) who attends Hawane CLC. The concerned grandmother had called to ask if we could help. Having visited her about 2 weeks before, I remembered holding a small, beautiful baby who appeared lethargic. I knew in my heart the urgency of the situation and the prompting from the Holy Spirit to act. Pastor Augustin agreed we should visit the homestead to assess the situation.


There are 16 children total in this gogo's home made of mud, stone, and sticks. They do not have enough food or clothes or even enough space to sleep comfortably. They do not have running water and many of the children do not attend school because they cannot afford the school fees. The children's clothes are tattered and dirty. Yet when we arrived the gogo greeted us with a warm smile and a few of the kids waved. One life-changing, hope-giving thing this family does have is JESUS.

The gogo informed us that the sick child had not eaten in 6 days. He appeared pale, dehydrated and very tired. He was not keeping food or liquid down. We decided to transport this precious small child and his gogo to a respectable clinic where he could be seen by a doctor. After a surprisingly short wait, the child was seen by a doctor, given a solution to hydrate him, and prescribed a few other medications to help him get well. Informing us that the child is not getting enough to eat on a regular basis, the doctor asked for vegetables and meat to be added into his diet. The reality is that many people around the world simply do not have enough food to eat.






With prayer we left them back at their homestead with food. The gogo expressed her gratitude and the words she had spoken to me earlier in the day ran through my mind: "God is working out everything He desires." Yes, He is and I believe the more we merely cooperate with His plan, the more we see His will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Written by Kylee

Purity, Knowing You Were Bought At a Price

This past Thursday evening was an experience I will not soon forget.
The cell group for the teenage girls at Hawane is held at my place as I have been leading the girls through Scriptures about who we are in Christ. This week we had the privilege of having a Teen Challenge team of women from the UK share about purity and we heard some of their personal testimonies of how sex outside of God's will negatively affects lives. Genuinely sharing from their hearts, the team created an open atmosphere for the precious girls at Hawane to ask questions and share their struggles in this area. Each girl submitted a question anonymously and then each of us helped to answer their questions, pointing to God's Word as the Truth. As sexual abuse seems to be prevalent here, the people of Swaziland are in need of God's healing and restoration. He alone is the Healer of broken hearts (Isaiah 61:1).

God's love for every person on the face of the earth is so deep and indescribable- despite what you have done and no matter what may have been done to you. That means He loves you. God Himself is Love and He is holy. Our sins, things we do against God's Word, separate us from Him. Yet He longs to have a relationship with you and the depth of His love is seen on the cross where Jesus, God's one and only Son, died as He took the sins of every person upon Himself. He who was perfect received the consequences of our wrongdoings in order for us to come into a real relationship with God. The Creator of the universe and the Former of your heart invites you to accept what Jesus has done, inviting Him into your life. "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). So, not only did Jesus die for our sins but He rose from the dead in order that we might have eternal life. This great news should transform our lives! We cannot be the same or live in the same way. All Christians have been bought at a price and we are called to honor God with our bodies which are temples of the Holy Spirit because we know He lives inside of us (1 Cor.6:19-20). It is a challenging truth to hear that we are accountable for before God. Let us choose Him who loves us unconditionally. "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:15).

Please pray for God to continue the work He has begun in each of the girls' lives here at Hawane. May He raise them up to be godly women who live out purity, respect themselves, and who rely on God for everything.

-- A Posting by Kylee

Life for Kylee in Swaziland

Time is flying by so quickly here in Swaziland! Each day is different and contains its own unique blessings from God. This morning I was asked by the nurse on Hawane to pick up a man in the community who is very sick with AIDS and TB and take him to the hospital. She said if he does not get treatment he would very well die before the week is over. Praise God that he should be able to receive treatment now and he has shared that he wants to read the Word of God. I wanted to post some pictures of different things going on here:

Friday night youth group praise and worship in our living room. We were singing and dancing about the freedom we have in Christ.




Quality time with the family we have in the body of Christ at Hawane Farm. This is one of the house mothers and some of her children.



Holding a precious 3 month old who was seen at the community clinic held weekly on Thursdays



Playing with kids out in the community with the guy who teaches about HIV/AIDS during the clinic held weekly on Thursdays



Visiting my special friend at the hospital in Manzini



Please continue to pray for me and the people of Swaziland. May God be glorified through our work here.

Thanks so much,

Kylee

God's Priorities

Another post from Kylee


I recently realized that my priorities, my goals, and even my standards for myself may not be God's. Here, there are many things to do and I have been praying for God to give me clear guidance in order that I may do each thing He has called me to do. I found myself thinking "I needed a schedule, an 8am-5pm work load of specific tasks that I could immerse myself in daily". The thing is, God does not create "to-do lists" for us to complete each day. He does not necessarily value our completion of the goals we set for each day or week or month or year. Only those actions that honor Him, the ones that prioritize what He speaks of in His Word are in accordance for His will for each of us. He says:



"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37.38)



"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." >(James 1:27)



"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)



" 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'" >(Matthew 25:35-36)



"'Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.'"

(Luke 14:27)



"'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"( Matthew 28:18-20)



God prioritizes love, service, and sacrifice. He commands that we serve Him by serving others and by sharing the good news of Christ in order to make disciples of all nations. God's Word tells of His desire for us to care for orphans and widows.



Lord, You are Ruler of the universe and Ruler of my heart. Change my priorities, my goals, and my ambitions to Yours and help me to rejoice in the righteousness of Christ that has been given to me through Christ's death of the cross for my sins. I am completely forgiven and I am fully pleasing to You Lord. It is all about You. Guide me and direct me through Your Spirit to live out Your Words in the Bible. May my life- the way I spend my time, my energy, and my resources- honor and glorify You My King. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Kylee

God is in control

Here's a recent posting from Kylee

Today, accompanied by two student nurses and Hawane's nurse, I went back to visit the children's ward in the Mbabane Hospital. Just being able to love on the children there is indescribable. We were able to pray with many people, pass out balloons, pencils, crayons, coloring paper, play with bubbles, and just spend time with kids.

My heart had been captured by a certain little boy who I last saw during the 3rd team's trip to the hospital. After visiting all of the rooms I could not find him. So, with sadness in my heart, I praised God and thought he may just be somewhere better now. Then, I found him in a small room at the end of the hallway! Big, beautiful brown eyes and chubby cheeks looked up at me from his crib in a room with kids who have various disabilities. His name is Jabulu and he is thought to be 18 months old. "He was dumped as a baby in a pit latrine" I was told by one of the nurses. Praise God for the opportunity to love on him, tell him God loves him, hold him, and play with him. He is so precious and I found myself thinking of what a great God we have as our Heavenly Father. His promises are true and He will never leave us or forsake us. Even though it was difficult to leave little Jabulu, I know God is always with him and He has a plan for his life.



Be encouraged that our God is El Elyon, God Most High, the sovereign Ruler of the universe. He is in full control of all things and nothing can happen without His permission. When we do not understand why certain events happen, we can trust in the name of the Lord. His love for us is perfect and His plan will come to pass."The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)



Kylee

Photos of the Church at Hawane Christian Life Community Center

These photos depict the progress that has occurred in the building of the church at Hawane Christian Life Community Center. The first construction team initiated the buidling project during their trip in April. They faced several challenges with the quality of the steel, but they persevered in the face of adversity! After Team 1 returned home, work continued on the site using local labor.

As you can see, the church frame has now been erected, the floor has been poured and the roof has been put on. The church was dedicated on September 14th, while our third construction team was in Swaziland.

You will notice that the church is still missing an important component! The church structure needs walls and the leadership has decided that the congregation should participate in funding this and working to put up the walls. Pastor Kevin and Pastor Augustin believe this will help instill in the congregation a sense of ownership and pride in their church. Until the walls are up the plan is to hang roll-up canvases so that services can start to be held there.

Please continue to hold up this church building project in your prayers. God is doing amazing things.