Meeting the Community

This morning was another beautiful day in Swaziland. Our morning began with worship at Potter’s Wheel Church. Pastor Kevin shared an inspiring message and we heard a testimony from a woman in the church that Tracy could really connect with. Joe greeted the congregation on behalf of CLC Dayton and he gave an update on the week of camp. We also received an urgent prayer request from a women names Hester. Her daughter, who was raised in the church, went off to boarding school in South Africa. While she was there she became connected with a Satanist group who has now “abducted” her. Hester is trying desperately to get her back home. Please pray for both Hester and her daughter Simone.

After attending Potter’s Wheel, we headed to Hawane CLC for a second round of worship. The electricity to the church went out just before we arrived, but that didn’t stop the service from moving forward. To be in the midst of people who have so little in terms of material possession, but so much in terms of their faith, joy and dependence on God is inspiring. At one point in the service, the congregants, under Pastor Augustine’s leadership, prayer for the team. Here we had come to Swaziland to serve them and they were praying God’s blessing upon us. It was humbling.

After a simple lunch, we headed out to visit some homesteads. It was a beautiful day for a walk and to visit. At the first homestead, we prayed for a Gogo who was bedridden following a stroke. One of the previous teams donated money so that an additional building could be built on her property. The Gogo is currently staying in that building.

We then went on to visit 3 additional homesteads. At each place we were able to leave several of the Kids Against Hunger food packets. This was a special and humbling experience for Christina, since she organized the entire packaging process at CLC Dayton. The recipients at each homestead were so grateful and so appreciative for this small gift. It many ways it was heartbreaking to see the joy on their faces after receive something so simple. To those who participated in the packing of the meals, please know that you work was not in vain and that lives were changed today because of your efforts.

We were also able to visit one of the homesteads where the Seeds for Swaziland team planted gardens. The seeds had taken root and the harvest was bountiful. We saw full ears of corn, green peppers, pumpkins, beets and more. Not only is CLC providing spiritual food for the community, in this instance, they are providing physical food as well – both of which are needed in Swaziland.

It was good to have a day where we could get a bit of rest and team time. Camp and the tournament took a lot out of us, but it was worth every minute of it and more. This mission trip has been a blessing to us all.