Saturday was our team's last day for work at Lavumisa. As a result of their hard work, they were able to get the framing up and bags stacked for two complete walls of the church before running out of materials.
During the week, they also had the opportunity to make visits to 3 homesteads. The visits are very meaningful experiences as they give the travelers a first-hand glimpse of what it is like to live in Swaziland for a typical family. The dwellings are very modest and frequently sparsely appointed. Yet, the family takes great pride in their home and is honored that visitors would come. On each visit our teams took some of the rice meals CLC packaged back in December, and left them as gifts. Sharing testimonies and scriptures and praying with the family is frequently a part of the homestead visit; for this is when the good news of Jesus is actually spread and the real work is done. Acts 20:24 tells us:
"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
On Sunday morning the team worshipped at Lavumisa with Pastor Sabelo and members of the Lavumisa community, then they headed back to Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland. There was quite a temperature change in moving from the low veld (where the high during the week got to 85 some days) and the upper veld (where the high temperature today is currently 64 and it will get down to freezing this evening). The team spent last evening at the Mountain Inn and today they headed back to Hawane CLC. Today is a "team day", so they will have some time to visit some local craft merchants to purchase souvenirs. The may also go to the government hospital where they will visit with patients (frequently children) and pray with them. This can be extrememly heart-breaking, yet the prayers are so very necessary! James 5:16 tells us "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
We are grateful to those who have been praying for this team. Thank you for interceding on their behalf. Very soon they will be back with us. We trust God to continue to guide and protect them. We pray as they prayed in days of old (Numbers 6:24-26)
The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Things are Going Well
One of our team members was able to get off a quick text message to home saying that "things are going well". When a loved one is half-way around the world, those can be very comforting words! We can also take comfort in knowing that God has them in His hands. There is a verse in Exodus that has become a cornerstone for our travel teams:
Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. - Exodus 23:20
As we continue to send teams and individuals to Swaziland, we have found God's promise in this verse to be true. He has been faithful in watching over our travelers. His plan for Swaziland and the miraculous work He is accomplishing there is evident.
Today will be the last full day of construction work in Lavumisa for the team. It has been a busy week and the team is certain to be physically tired from their labors. It can also be emotionally tiring work as the team deals with the realities of living in a third world country. Seeing first-hand the living conditions in which many Swazi families live can be overwhelming. Also, looking into the faces of the people there - adults and children- and knowing that almost every other person they meet is infected with the AIDS virus can be heartbreaking. Yet, while it might be hard physically and emotionally, our prayer is that this trip becomes life-changing from a spiritual perspective.
Galatians 5:13 tells us, "through love serve one another." In Mark 9:41, Jesus tells us that "anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded." When we serve in Jesus name, we earn an eternal reward. If our travelers are truly able to understand and comprehend that, this trip can become a spiritually transformational event for them. To know that you are exactly where God wants you to be, doing exactly what God wants you to be doing for Him, is a humbling yet amazing insight. It can take you to a new level of spiritual intimacy with God.
Many team members go on mission trips with the intent of helping others and making a difference in the lives of others. Frequently they return home realizing they have gained more than they have given away. May God continue to guide, direct, speak to and bless these travelers during their final days in Swaziland.
Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. - Exodus 23:20
As we continue to send teams and individuals to Swaziland, we have found God's promise in this verse to be true. He has been faithful in watching over our travelers. His plan for Swaziland and the miraculous work He is accomplishing there is evident.
Today will be the last full day of construction work in Lavumisa for the team. It has been a busy week and the team is certain to be physically tired from their labors. It can also be emotionally tiring work as the team deals with the realities of living in a third world country. Seeing first-hand the living conditions in which many Swazi families live can be overwhelming. Also, looking into the faces of the people there - adults and children- and knowing that almost every other person they meet is infected with the AIDS virus can be heartbreaking. Yet, while it might be hard physically and emotionally, our prayer is that this trip becomes life-changing from a spiritual perspective.
Galatians 5:13 tells us, "through love serve one another." In Mark 9:41, Jesus tells us that "anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name, just because you belong to me, will surely be rewarded." When we serve in Jesus name, we earn an eternal reward. If our travelers are truly able to understand and comprehend that, this trip can become a spiritually transformational event for them. To know that you are exactly where God wants you to be, doing exactly what God wants you to be doing for Him, is a humbling yet amazing insight. It can take you to a new level of spiritual intimacy with God.
Many team members go on mission trips with the intent of helping others and making a difference in the lives of others. Frequently they return home realizing they have gained more than they have given away. May God continue to guide, direct, speak to and bless these travelers during their final days in Swaziland.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
How Firm a Foundation
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus encourages His followers to set the foundations
of their faith on "the rock" and not on sand. Lavumisa CLC is also setting it's foundation on the rock of our faith, Jesus Christ; but we're also using sand... literally! The walls of the church, the pastor's home and the children's homes will all be built using sandbags filled with sand and dirt.
Earlier this spring, some folks from Potter's Wheel church set the footers and foundations and erected the steel frames for the buidlings on our ICBC site.
When our team arrived, the next step was to put up the walls of the church. The general contractor/construction manager we are using for the project suggested using sandbags instead of soil block, which we had originally planned to use. While this "technology" has been used in other parts of Africa, it is new to Swaziland. We trialed using sandbags when building the 3rd children's home at Hawane CLC, and it appears to be a workable process. So,this entire week, the team will be hard a work filling, stacking and covering sandbags. Once the bags are stacked, they are wrapped with a fine wire mesh and then coveed with mud - a typical building material used for in homes in Swaziland. The photos below are an example of the "sandbag technology" (these are pictures from a third children's home that is being built at Hawane CLC)
It will be exciting to see the progress the team is able to make during the course of this week The goal is to get as much of the church completed as possible. Please pray that God will help them be efficient and quick and that they would build a quality place in which to worship our God.
of their faith on "the rock" and not on sand. Lavumisa CLC is also setting it's foundation on the rock of our faith, Jesus Christ; but we're also using sand... literally! The walls of the church, the pastor's home and the children's homes will all be built using sandbags filled with sand and dirt.
Earlier this spring, some folks from Potter's Wheel church set the footers and foundations and erected the steel frames for the buidlings on our ICBC site.
When our team arrived, the next step was to put up the walls of the church. The general contractor/construction manager we are using for the project suggested using sandbags instead of soil block, which we had originally planned to use. While this "technology" has been used in other parts of Africa, it is new to Swaziland. We trialed using sandbags when building the 3rd children's home at Hawane CLC, and it appears to be a workable process. So,this entire week, the team will be hard a work filling, stacking and covering sandbags. Once the bags are stacked, they are wrapped with a fine wire mesh and then coveed with mud - a typical building material used for in homes in Swaziland. The photos below are an example of the "sandbag technology" (these are pictures from a third children's home that is being built at Hawane CLC)
It will be exciting to see the progress the team is able to make during the course of this week The goal is to get as much of the church completed as possible. Please pray that God will help them be efficient and quick and that they would build a quality place in which to worship our God.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Ministers of our God
When the team met at the airport last Thursday, Stacey Weneck (a previous extended stay traveler to Swaziland) shared this passage of scripture with the group:
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,though they have been deserted for many generations.
Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks
and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.
You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God." Isaiah 61:4-6
While our team is not necessarily repairing ancient ruins, they are reviving an area that has been devestated for many years. While they are there to build "a" church, our greater prayer is that "the church" - the body of believers - grows by leaps and bounds. For those who have been following our blogs and team updates over the past couple of years, you know that God has been at work in Swaziland. Miraculous things are happening; things that can only be attributed to Him.
This morning, the team was greeted by some of the residents of the Lavumisa area. Some came to see the team from American; others came to assist with the work. Before any physical labor was initiated, a time of praise and prayer was held until 10:00 a.m. Then the work began. Our team members, Potter's Wheel team members and Lavumisa folks all joined together to begin putting up the walls for Lavumisa CLC. After several hours of work, the team broke for lunch. A simple meal as shared among all the workers. Pastor Sabelo also shared a brief message and team members were invited to share a testimony, a work of encouragement or a prayer. This time of fellowship is the most meaningful part of our missions work. It is a time when we connect as people, created in God's image, united in ministry. This is the time when friendships are formed and memories are made. Ask any of our previous travelers and they will tell you the names of the people who touched their lives during their mission experiences. They can close their eyes and see the faces. Their hearts swell with a love that's hard to explain and the desire to return is rekindled. It is this uniting of hearts that gives meaning to the work.
After lunch the team got back to work. They are sure to have worked up a sweat as the high today was in the upper 70's/low 80's. The plan was that they would work until late afternoon, then visit a local homestead before heading back for an evening meal and a good night's rest.
As they continue their work through out this week, my our team truly be "ministers of our God"
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,though they have been deserted for many generations.
Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks
and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.
You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God." Isaiah 61:4-6
While our team is not necessarily repairing ancient ruins, they are reviving an area that has been devestated for many years. While they are there to build "a" church, our greater prayer is that "the church" - the body of believers - grows by leaps and bounds. For those who have been following our blogs and team updates over the past couple of years, you know that God has been at work in Swaziland. Miraculous things are happening; things that can only be attributed to Him.
This morning, the team was greeted by some of the residents of the Lavumisa area. Some came to see the team from American; others came to assist with the work. Before any physical labor was initiated, a time of praise and prayer was held until 10:00 a.m. Then the work began. Our team members, Potter's Wheel team members and Lavumisa folks all joined together to begin putting up the walls for Lavumisa CLC. After several hours of work, the team broke for lunch. A simple meal as shared among all the workers. Pastor Sabelo also shared a brief message and team members were invited to share a testimony, a work of encouragement or a prayer. This time of fellowship is the most meaningful part of our missions work. It is a time when we connect as people, created in God's image, united in ministry. This is the time when friendships are formed and memories are made. Ask any of our previous travelers and they will tell you the names of the people who touched their lives during their mission experiences. They can close their eyes and see the faces. Their hearts swell with a love that's hard to explain and the desire to return is rekindled. It is this uniting of hearts that gives meaning to the work.
After lunch the team got back to work. They are sure to have worked up a sweat as the high today was in the upper 70's/low 80's. The plan was that they would work until late afternoon, then visit a local homestead before heading back for an evening meal and a good night's rest.
As they continue their work through out this week, my our team truly be "ministers of our God"
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Survivor Lavumisa?
As you know by know, Lavumisa CLC is being established in a rural area of Swaziland. Lavumisa lies in the south-east corner of the country in what is known as the "low-veld region". It lies approximately 650 ft. above sea-level. It is primarily an open plain, with gently undulating hills and a volcanic rock bed base with significant levels of erosion. The climate is semi-arid with summer drought often being a concern. Rainfall is frequently less than 21 inches a year. The average temperatures in the low-veld region range from 63 degrees F in the winter (our July) to 81 degrees F in the summer (our December), however it can get as high as 100 degrees. Grasses are the predominant plant life, with clusters of Acacia trees frequently seen. It is this environment that our team will call "home" for the next 7 days.
As you can see, there is no Holiday Inn; no Best Western; not even a Motel 6! Our team's accommodations will be a well apportioned campsite which has been set up under the roof of what will become Pastor Sabelo's house. The campsite includes:
* A dinning area with two 10 ft.tables and 12 plastic chairs. This area is secured by a shade cloth for privacy.
* A sitting area with 12 camping chairs and a fire pit area.
* The kitchen includes a gas fridge, gas freezer, gas cooker rings, two scuttle braais (barbecues?) utensils and dishes for 12. Bottled water (water coolers) will be available for drinking.
* In the evenings, the campsite will be lit by two gas lights, five battery lights, 12 battery torches, two electric generator lights.
* Showering will be done using two suspended bucket system showers.
* Two portable toilets have been brought to the site.
* The sleeping units are five tents. A shade cloth area surrounds the tents. The tents can each accomodate 4 people, but we will only house two people per tent. A ground covering has been spread beneath the tents and thick bed mattresses were put in each tent, on which a sleeping bag can be placed.
* A security guard is on duty twenty fours a day.
* Only the ten members of our CLC & Potter's Wheel teams will be allowed in the campsite area.
While these accomodations are a bit more rustic than the cabins at Hawane, they are much better that what would be available if this was Survivor Lavumisa. Better yet, no one will be voted off, no one will have to participate in challenges, there are no hidden immunity idols and ...... no one will be competing for 1 million dollars! Instead, there will be a greater reward made available to all of our team members as they serve with our brothers and sisters of Swaziland to build the church, stake a claim for Christ and store up their treasures in heaven.
May the ground on which they live and work be blessed by God. May He protect the team from the elements of nature and spiritual forces. Most importantly, may God be glorifed through out this week.
As you can see, there is no Holiday Inn; no Best Western; not even a Motel 6! Our team's accommodations will be a well apportioned campsite which has been set up under the roof of what will become Pastor Sabelo's house. The campsite includes:
* A dinning area with two 10 ft.tables and 12 plastic chairs. This area is secured by a shade cloth for privacy.
* A sitting area with 12 camping chairs and a fire pit area.
* The kitchen includes a gas fridge, gas freezer, gas cooker rings, two scuttle braais (barbecues?) utensils and dishes for 12. Bottled water (water coolers) will be available for drinking.
* In the evenings, the campsite will be lit by two gas lights, five battery lights, 12 battery torches, two electric generator lights.
* Showering will be done using two suspended bucket system showers.
* Two portable toilets have been brought to the site.
* The sleeping units are five tents. A shade cloth area surrounds the tents. The tents can each accomodate 4 people, but we will only house two people per tent. A ground covering has been spread beneath the tents and thick bed mattresses were put in each tent, on which a sleeping bag can be placed.
* A security guard is on duty twenty fours a day.
* Only the ten members of our CLC & Potter's Wheel teams will be allowed in the campsite area.
While these accomodations are a bit more rustic than the cabins at Hawane, they are much better that what would be available if this was Survivor Lavumisa. Better yet, no one will be voted off, no one will have to participate in challenges, there are no hidden immunity idols and ...... no one will be competing for 1 million dollars! Instead, there will be a greater reward made available to all of our team members as they serve with our brothers and sisters of Swaziland to build the church, stake a claim for Christ and store up their treasures in heaven.
May the ground on which they live and work be blessed by God. May He protect the team from the elements of nature and spiritual forces. Most importantly, may God be glorifed through out this week.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Swaziland Sweet Swaziland!
Well, the team finally set foot on Swaziland soil - approximately 38 hours after leaving Dayton! They had a full day and are settled in to spend the night in cabins at Hawane CLC.
Sunday morning, they will arise and head to Potter's Wheel Church to worship. Our ICBC partner, Pastor Kevin Ward, is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. The mission of Potter's Wheel is "To know God, be His people, value others and change our world" (sound familiar?). Their vision is to WIN-TRAIN-SEND:
"Winning the un-churched of Swaziland through partnering with like-minded individuals, churches and organizations, to preserve the future by Training up a remnant to become an accurate representation of Christianity, being lived out amongst a communit of believers and Sending out from a restored Swaziland to a world in need."
After worshipping at Potter's Wheel, the team will head off to Lavumisa. Five members of the Potter's Wheel congregation will join the team for the week-long construction project at Lavumisa. On the way to the site, the team will stop for dinner at Martie's home. This will allow them to fellowship with their new "teammates". Once the meal is finished, the team will continue the journey to Lavumisa - complete with a packed lunch so they won't have to worry about cooking at the campsite their first night.
Upon arriving at Lavumisa, Pastor Sabelo will greet them He is the current pastor of the small community church on the site and will be the pastor for CLC Lavumisa. He is very excited about what God is about to do in the Lavumisa region and we are thankful for his leadership.
As you lift this team up in prayer, please pray that they stay focused on the opportunity God as presented to them and for the amazing things God has in store for them. May they realize how blessed they are to have lives filled with hope, worship, thanksgiving and prayer! We also pray for health, rest and peace. Thank you for interceding on their behalf!
Sunday morning, they will arise and head to Potter's Wheel Church to worship. Our ICBC partner, Pastor Kevin Ward, is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. The mission of Potter's Wheel is "To know God, be His people, value others and change our world" (sound familiar?). Their vision is to WIN-TRAIN-SEND:
"Winning the un-churched of Swaziland through partnering with like-minded individuals, churches and organizations, to preserve the future by Training up a remnant to become an accurate representation of Christianity, being lived out amongst a communit of believers and Sending out from a restored Swaziland to a world in need."
After worshipping at Potter's Wheel, the team will head off to Lavumisa. Five members of the Potter's Wheel congregation will join the team for the week-long construction project at Lavumisa. On the way to the site, the team will stop for dinner at Martie's home. This will allow them to fellowship with their new "teammates". Once the meal is finished, the team will continue the journey to Lavumisa - complete with a packed lunch so they won't have to worry about cooking at the campsite their first night.
Upon arriving at Lavumisa, Pastor Sabelo will greet them He is the current pastor of the small community church on the site and will be the pastor for CLC Lavumisa. He is very excited about what God is about to do in the Lavumisa region and we are thankful for his leadership.
As you lift this team up in prayer, please pray that they stay focused on the opportunity God as presented to them and for the amazing things God has in store for them. May they realize how blessed they are to have lives filled with hope, worship, thanksgiving and prayer! We also pray for health, rest and peace. Thank you for interceding on their behalf!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Team Makes it to Johannesburg
Our Lavumisa team has successfully completed the first leg of their journey to Swaziland. They arrived in Johaneesbug, South Africa at 4:11 p.m. (9:11 EST), a full 30 minutes ahead of schedule. They were greeted at the airport and taken to their hotel where they freshened up and then had an evening meal. The hotel was only offering a buffet for the Friday evening meal, so every one made the most of it... every one except Angela who's stomach was feeling a little queezy after the long plane ride.
After dinner they all got a chance to relax in the hotel lobby and a few team members took advantage of the free wireless internet to send final messages home. Then everyone headed off to bed for what we hope will be a good nights rest!
The team is schedule to depart for Swaziland at 10:00 a.m. and should land just about an hour later. They will be greeted at the airport by Martie, their team hostess from Potter's Wheel Church. A visit to the Cultural Village is their first scheduled activity. You can check out the village for yourself at:
http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/cultvillage.asp
Following the Cultural Village, Marie will escort the team to Hawane CLC where they will get to see our first ICBC project - complete with church, pastor's home, two children's homes (see pictures below) and a third home under construction. Pastor Wafuka will give them a tour of The Lighthouse/Teen Challenge ministry, located just across the street from Hawane CLC. The team will be staying Saturday night in cabins at Hawane CLC, and will have time to get settled in before being hosted for dinner by Stever and Lizelle of Lighthouse ministries.
Outside front entrance to Hawane CLC
Pastor Augustine's Home
Entrance to Make Nomvula's Home (one of the children's home on the CLC property.
Our travelers will have a full first day once they arrive in Swaziland. We wish them well and rest assured that they are in God's hands.
After dinner they all got a chance to relax in the hotel lobby and a few team members took advantage of the free wireless internet to send final messages home. Then everyone headed off to bed for what we hope will be a good nights rest!
The team is schedule to depart for Swaziland at 10:00 a.m. and should land just about an hour later. They will be greeted at the airport by Martie, their team hostess from Potter's Wheel Church. A visit to the Cultural Village is their first scheduled activity. You can check out the village for yourself at:
http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/cultvillage.asp
Following the Cultural Village, Marie will escort the team to Hawane CLC where they will get to see our first ICBC project - complete with church, pastor's home, two children's homes (see pictures below) and a third home under construction. Pastor Wafuka will give them a tour of The Lighthouse/Teen Challenge ministry, located just across the street from Hawane CLC. The team will be staying Saturday night in cabins at Hawane CLC, and will have time to get settled in before being hosted for dinner by Stever and Lizelle of Lighthouse ministries.
Outside front entrance to Hawane CLC
Pastor Augustine's Home
Entrance to Make Nomvula's Home (one of the children's home on the CLC property.
Our travelers will have a full first day once they arrive in Swaziland. We wish them well and rest assured that they are in God's hands.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Lavumisa Team Takes to the Sky
After weeks of planning and preparation CLC's first construction team to Lavumisa, Swaziland took to the sky this afternoon. When the first members of the team arrived at the airport, the ovehead music system was playing "That's What Faith Can Do" by Kutless. We took this as a very good sign. We were also grateful that the sun made an appearance today. It was a great day for flying!
This construction team will join with members of Potter' Wheel Church as well as members from the Lavumisa community to put up the sandbag walls of Lavumisa CLC. This is an exciting time for everyone involved as we begin our second ICBC (In Community By Community) church plant project in Swaziland in just over 3 years.
Surrounded by family and friends, the team left Dayton at approximately 2:30 p.m. today and arrived at Washington IAD about 3:34. After a brief layover, they departed for Johannesburg, South Africa just after 5:30. They will be air-born for close to 16 hours. This can be a long time, especially as the body adjusts to losing 7 hours as they cross the Atlantic Ocean.
In the coming days updates and other information about the team will be posted here. Be sure to check back.
We covet your prayers for the team over the next two weeks. May they stay safe and healthy; may they be bold witnesses and effective workers; may they be a blessing to others and be blessed themselves; may their presence in Lavumisa bring light and hope to the community; may God hold them in the palm of His hand until they return safely home.
The members of our Lavumisa "masonry" team include (from left to right): Angela, Brian A., George, Mark and Brian G.
This construction team will join with members of Potter' Wheel Church as well as members from the Lavumisa community to put up the sandbag walls of Lavumisa CLC. This is an exciting time for everyone involved as we begin our second ICBC (In Community By Community) church plant project in Swaziland in just over 3 years.
Surrounded by family and friends, the team left Dayton at approximately 2:30 p.m. today and arrived at Washington IAD about 3:34. After a brief layover, they departed for Johannesburg, South Africa just after 5:30. They will be air-born for close to 16 hours. This can be a long time, especially as the body adjusts to losing 7 hours as they cross the Atlantic Ocean.
In the coming days updates and other information about the team will be posted here. Be sure to check back.
We covet your prayers for the team over the next two weeks. May they stay safe and healthy; may they be bold witnesses and effective workers; may they be a blessing to others and be blessed themselves; may their presence in Lavumisa bring light and hope to the community; may God hold them in the palm of His hand until they return safely home.
The members of our Lavumisa "masonry" team include (from left to right): Angela, Brian A., George, Mark and Brian G.
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