What Part of the Body are You?

Hawane CLC is doing well and I especially love the women’s Bible study. When I first attended we had only 4 faithful women coming. Now we have reached a total of 21 women. Many of the women that were coming were older but now we have had a sudden increase in young women, which is exciting because I was starting to feel like a baby! This week we talked about what it means to be a part of the body of Christ and how everyone must do their part. Some are singers, some are intercessors, and some are sweepers of the church. It is really cool to see how everyone is coming together to provide for the needs of the church.

One exciting thing that will be happening is that a feeding station is going to be added to the preschool next door. Three times a week children from the community will be feed. The women of the Hawane CLC Bible study will be serving and preparing the food. Also, the children will do a short time of work in the church garden and the food will be used prepare their food. This is creating a sustainable community and this kitchen is for them and managed by them (think of FUBU clothing line). Now, they are a Jerusalem and their Judea is Luvumisa. I am so excited to see all the women of the church stepping up and doing what they can to help not only their sisters in Christ but the whole Hawane community.

Over at Hawane Farm, this past week I finally shared my testimony in full and it was powerful. I don’t know what I wasn’t saying before that moment of sharing but now every night my house is filled with girls and young ladies who want to talk about God and problems or dance and sing. I’ve even made some connections with some of the people who at first were hesitant to talk to me. The girls are hanging out with me as soon as they are done with school/duties and the boys are speaking out words of encouragement constantly. I feel like I have an extended Swazi Family on the farm. I’m learning that one of my contributions to the body of Christ is an ear to listen. Most of you know me as a really talkative person but God is teaching me to show love by lending an ear. I’m sure my friends and family in the US really appreciate God dealing with my lack of listening skills!

As I am beginning to understand what part of the body of Christ I am, I’ve found myself doing things and displaying gifts that I’ve never thought I could do. In Swaziland there is a different (can’t think of a better word) releasing of supernatural events that leave people like me growing at an unusual rate that is beyond description. I think it’s because the way of life here is different than back at home and it's much slower. However, this same influence and power is evident in the United States and every where on this planet. But why is it that many people in the US miss these things or have a temporary lapse of memory on what the purpose of our life is? It's probably not fair to limit this to only Americans as I’m sure there is this same struggle for Christians in every culture. My life verse is 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and I am just now starting to understand what these verses really mean. Also, putting on the full armor of God has a whole new meaning for me.

Finally, I am trying to understand this kingdom on earth and the spiritual gifts that God himself has given to me. We all have are own special gifts but sometimes we struggle to use them. For me the roadblock in using my gifts is my mind. At the women’s Bible study ( Hawane CLC) many women came broken and of need of prayer this past Tuesday. For some, Hawane CLC has been their refugee and time of comfort away from home. We started with worship and went on to put on the full armor of God. We all stood up and locked are arms so that nothing and I do mean NOTHING could penetrate the body of believers. As we lifted each and every one of our sisters in Christ up, I can remember being afraid to pray. However, I can also remember thinking “This is not about you Waheedah.” We are often afraid to do things because we are too busy arguing within are own mind. This week I tried to stop not believing in myself and know that God is using me as a vessel for His kingdom. When we all use our spiritual gifts the body is complete and can work effectively.

What part of the body are you?

Submitted by Waheedah Pugh - Extended Stay Traveler to Swaziland