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.