God continues to amaze and challenge us. The theme for today was “teamwork”. To have victory in our lives, we must help others and we must allow others to help us. As the week has unfolded, it has been interesting to see the unique gifts and abilities of each of member of our coaching staff. While we have all had to be flexible, there have been times when each of us has been called upon, at different times, to use the gifts and abilities that God gave us. It is clear that He brought us together for a purpose.
Today we had 217 kids at camp; 50 of those were new today. Each day we have seen new children come. It is exciting for us because it means that the kids who have been here are telling their friends. Our format today was a mix of worship, teaching, prayer, soccer drills and games a movie and dancing. We ended the day with a time of worship and a time of prayer. We had 47 kids come forward for the altar call. Some wanted to receive Christ and others had specific requests for prayer. They have so many stories and life experiences. We rejoice that they do not have to face those things alone any longer!
Donna had the chance to pray with a teenage girl who lost both of her parents to sickness. She is currently living with her uncle and aunt –who has TB and is currently in poor health. This young girl is afraid of facing another loss in her life. She is frightened and afraid of ending up alone. Donna was able to talk with her about God’s love for us – no matter what the circumstances. They prayed for healing for the aunt and for a sense of comfort and peace for the young girl. It was an emotional time for both of them.
Today was our second full day of sunshine. The temperatures got up into the mid 80’s (we understand you have snow!) We are thankful for sunscreen! (it will be easy to pick out the team at the airport on Tuesday….just look for the sunburns).
It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of camp. In many ways we are just connecting with many of these kids; yet it will be hard to leave them. We are so thankful that Hawane CLC is here to continue the discipleship and training of these children of God. It is an important place to this community. May God continue to bless this place.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Day 3 for Soccer CampWednesday:
Wednesday:
For the first time since Sunday, the sun came out. It was sunny all day with a high around 88 with a slight wind & quite a bit of humidity. Our numbers have increased for a third straight day. 190 kids came today. We are finding that the children that have been coming every day are both being more responsive to us as coaches and they are telling their friends about the camp. While the soccer fields are still wet, it did not matter at all to these children. One of the fields was still partially covered in standing water, and the kids never once complained or acted like they did not want to play there.
Waheedah made a connection with a teenage girl who had a need for prayer. The girl shared her pain without giving specific details of her problem, but Waheedah felt honored to sit down & pray with this girl. She is finding it easier every day to connect with all the children. There are so many children are that are reaching out to each of us. They are of all ages. We are building good relationships with the Teen Challenge Staff also. Christina was impacted in a great way when she had 3 children come forward & ask her to pray with them. Also, 5 from her group came forward to accept Christ. In fact, today, 29 children came forward during our alter call in the afternoon.
We are also finding children being brought to us are getting younger each day. We have had 24 pre-schoolers brought to camp so far this week.
We finally got a chance to get outside today & we are praying for great weather for the rest of our time here.
For the first time since Sunday, the sun came out. It was sunny all day with a high around 88 with a slight wind & quite a bit of humidity. Our numbers have increased for a third straight day. 190 kids came today. We are finding that the children that have been coming every day are both being more responsive to us as coaches and they are telling their friends about the camp. While the soccer fields are still wet, it did not matter at all to these children. One of the fields was still partially covered in standing water, and the kids never once complained or acted like they did not want to play there.
Waheedah made a connection with a teenage girl who had a need for prayer. The girl shared her pain without giving specific details of her problem, but Waheedah felt honored to sit down & pray with this girl. She is finding it easier every day to connect with all the children. There are so many children are that are reaching out to each of us. They are of all ages. We are building good relationships with the Teen Challenge Staff also. Christina was impacted in a great way when she had 3 children come forward & ask her to pray with them. Also, 5 from her group came forward to accept Christ. In fact, today, 29 children came forward during our alter call in the afternoon.
We are also finding children being brought to us are getting younger each day. We have had 24 pre-schoolers brought to camp so far this week.
We finally got a chance to get outside today & we are praying for great weather for the rest of our time here.
An Update from Camp Victory Day 1 and Day 2
Saubona! Greetings from Swaziland. The team arrived safely on Saturday, close to lunch time. We were greeted at the airport by Pastor Kevin, Pastor Tim, Pastor Augustine and Celamusa. We were taken to Hawane CLC where we ate lunch with Pastor Kevin and Pastor Augustine. We then had time to get settled in our cabins. After a time of we met and toured the CLC property. It was amazing to see first hand the work that was completed by our first three construction teams. To think that just two years ago, this ICBC was not yet conceived and to now walk on the grounds is to experience part of a miracle. God had a plan and it is awesome to see and experience it!
Sunday morning we attended Potter’s Wheel Church followed by services at Hawane CLC. The service at Potter’s Wheel was very similar to our services at CLC. The praise and worship was inspiring, the message was compelling and the fellowship was heartwarming. Not long after service ended, we head off to Hawane CLC. The contrast in services was noticeable immediately. As we pulled onto the property, we heard the wonderful sounds of Siswati singing. There is a simple yet moving harmony to the songs. Even though we could not understand the words, we understood the meaning and were able to enter into worship as a part of this CLC body, half way around the world. Pastor Augustine shared a message about preparing for the New Year and the importance of looking ahead. He also had some words for the team. Above all, he told us that we needed to consider our expectations. He knew that we had spent a lot of time preparing for our trip and that we had put considerable work into our Bible School and soccer camp plans. But he warned us that this trip was a part of God’s will and that God’s ways are not always our ways. He told us that we needed to be prepared for anything and be open to God. That message came in quite handy less that 24 hours later!
Sunday afternoon we went to the Cultural Village so that members of the team could gain a greater understanding of the Swazi way of life and how traditional homesteads are set-up and run.
It was interesting to learn about the history of the Swazi people.
Sunday evening was spent preparing for camp. We unpacked supplies, inflated 50 soccer balls, laid out the practice fields, put together pug goals, assigned lesson plans and reviewed the schedule for the first day of camp. We were so excited to get started!
We awakened Monday morning to a beautiful sunrise. We were anxious to get started. Everything was set up and ready to receive the children……..and then the rain came. It started as a light mist, then progressed to a drizzle, then as the children arrived, it became more of a sprinkle. By the time we began praise and worship it was pouring and soon the deluge began. Buckets and buckets; gallons and gallons; inches and inches of water. It became clear very quickly that our day was not going to go as planned. Weeks of preparation of went out the window as the inches of rain continued to fall; but the Holy Spirit guided and directed our actions and the day moved forward in trust and faith!
It was challenging and we knew we were being tested, but we also had to realize that our ways are not God’s ways! We trusted Him for guidance and insight and we moved forward in faith.
The highlight of the day came when 30 kids came forward in the afternoon to make a decision for Christ. Our theme for the day was that to have victory in life, you have to choose to be on God’s team. We talked about the importance of making a conscious choice to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It was an honor and a privilege to be part of the most important decision they will ever make in there life.
Here is one example from the day: Brandon took the younger kids in his group. Most did not speak English, so it was difficult to connect with them. However through an interpreter he was able to begin talking with a young boy. The boy began asking questions about the lesson on making a choice to get on God’s team. The boy didn’t realize the Jesus was the only way to have enternal life in heaven. As Brandon talked with him the boy realized that he had not yet made a personal decision for Christ. When we gave the altar call, this boy went forward. Brandon told the boy how proud he was of him and shared with him that now it meant that his life would be different. Brandon told the boy that one day they would meet again in heaven. That made the boy smile!
Words that the team used to describe Day 1 included: flexibility, exciting, amazing, exhilarating, exuberant, expectant, wet (very wet!), life changing, joyful, fun, awesome, angelic, pretty sweet, powerful, moving, energetic, humbling and emotional.
Day 2 began very much as Day 1 ended. There was rain, rain and more rain. The fields were fit for canoeing but there was no way we would be playing soccer! And so we improvised. We had an additional 40 kids today. Despite the rain on Monday, those who came had a good time and many brought friends with them. Our lesson today focused on playing by the rules. We talked about God’s rule book for life – the Bible. We also had 11 more kids respond to the altar call! 41 kids in two days – the angels are celebrating for sure. As a team we have are realizing very quickly that we need to be open to what God wants to accomplish through this mission camp – and soccer skills do not appear to be at the top of His list.
We ended the day with a time of sharing and fellowship in Pastor Augustine’s home. It was a great time for the team to connect and unwind. There was much laughing, some tears and a lot of growing closer as a team. We are blessed to be sharing this experience together.
Tomorrow, the weatherman calls for overcast skies. I guess we’ll see what our true “weatherman” has in store. No matter what, we’ll be prepared to take it in stride and trust on God to lead the way.
P.S...... be sure to ask a team member about waffles and Pepsi
Sunday morning we attended Potter’s Wheel Church followed by services at Hawane CLC. The service at Potter’s Wheel was very similar to our services at CLC. The praise and worship was inspiring, the message was compelling and the fellowship was heartwarming. Not long after service ended, we head off to Hawane CLC. The contrast in services was noticeable immediately. As we pulled onto the property, we heard the wonderful sounds of Siswati singing. There is a simple yet moving harmony to the songs. Even though we could not understand the words, we understood the meaning and were able to enter into worship as a part of this CLC body, half way around the world. Pastor Augustine shared a message about preparing for the New Year and the importance of looking ahead. He also had some words for the team. Above all, he told us that we needed to consider our expectations. He knew that we had spent a lot of time preparing for our trip and that we had put considerable work into our Bible School and soccer camp plans. But he warned us that this trip was a part of God’s will and that God’s ways are not always our ways. He told us that we needed to be prepared for anything and be open to God. That message came in quite handy less that 24 hours later!
Sunday afternoon we went to the Cultural Village so that members of the team could gain a greater understanding of the Swazi way of life and how traditional homesteads are set-up and run.
It was interesting to learn about the history of the Swazi people.
Sunday evening was spent preparing for camp. We unpacked supplies, inflated 50 soccer balls, laid out the practice fields, put together pug goals, assigned lesson plans and reviewed the schedule for the first day of camp. We were so excited to get started!
We awakened Monday morning to a beautiful sunrise. We were anxious to get started. Everything was set up and ready to receive the children……..and then the rain came. It started as a light mist, then progressed to a drizzle, then as the children arrived, it became more of a sprinkle. By the time we began praise and worship it was pouring and soon the deluge began. Buckets and buckets; gallons and gallons; inches and inches of water. It became clear very quickly that our day was not going to go as planned. Weeks of preparation of went out the window as the inches of rain continued to fall; but the Holy Spirit guided and directed our actions and the day moved forward in trust and faith!
It was challenging and we knew we were being tested, but we also had to realize that our ways are not God’s ways! We trusted Him for guidance and insight and we moved forward in faith.
The highlight of the day came when 30 kids came forward in the afternoon to make a decision for Christ. Our theme for the day was that to have victory in life, you have to choose to be on God’s team. We talked about the importance of making a conscious choice to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It was an honor and a privilege to be part of the most important decision they will ever make in there life.
Here is one example from the day: Brandon took the younger kids in his group. Most did not speak English, so it was difficult to connect with them. However through an interpreter he was able to begin talking with a young boy. The boy began asking questions about the lesson on making a choice to get on God’s team. The boy didn’t realize the Jesus was the only way to have enternal life in heaven. As Brandon talked with him the boy realized that he had not yet made a personal decision for Christ. When we gave the altar call, this boy went forward. Brandon told the boy how proud he was of him and shared with him that now it meant that his life would be different. Brandon told the boy that one day they would meet again in heaven. That made the boy smile!
Words that the team used to describe Day 1 included: flexibility, exciting, amazing, exhilarating, exuberant, expectant, wet (very wet!), life changing, joyful, fun, awesome, angelic, pretty sweet, powerful, moving, energetic, humbling and emotional.
Day 2 began very much as Day 1 ended. There was rain, rain and more rain. The fields were fit for canoeing but there was no way we would be playing soccer! And so we improvised. We had an additional 40 kids today. Despite the rain on Monday, those who came had a good time and many brought friends with them. Our lesson today focused on playing by the rules. We talked about God’s rule book for life – the Bible. We also had 11 more kids respond to the altar call! 41 kids in two days – the angels are celebrating for sure. As a team we have are realizing very quickly that we need to be open to what God wants to accomplish through this mission camp – and soccer skills do not appear to be at the top of His list.
We ended the day with a time of sharing and fellowship in Pastor Augustine’s home. It was a great time for the team to connect and unwind. There was much laughing, some tears and a lot of growing closer as a team. We are blessed to be sharing this experience together.
Tomorrow, the weatherman calls for overcast skies. I guess we’ll see what our true “weatherman” has in store. No matter what, we’ll be prepared to take it in stride and trust on God to lead the way.
P.S...... be sure to ask a team member about waffles and Pepsi
Friday, January 1, 2010
Swaziland Soccer Camp Team is On It's Way!
On December 31st, 12 members of CLC left Dayton, headed for Swaziland to conduct a weeklong soccer camp for the children and youth surrounding Hawane CLC Church. Due to heavy fog, the team's departure from Dayton was delayed 3 hours, however they had a 5 hour layover in Washington DC. They were able to make the connection there with plenty of time to spare.
The team arrived in Johannesburg, SA on Friday about 5:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m. in Dayton). Everyone was able to get some rest on the plance and is in good spirits. Several members were excited to learn that the local ESPN programming will be broadcasting the Rose Bowl.... GO BUCKS! The only catch is that it doesn't come on until 12:45 a.m. It could make for a short night for those die-hard Ohio State fans!
We head out for Swaziland at 8:00 a.m. on Saturaday morning. We should arrive at Hawane CLC by late morning. We will have a chance to have lunch and tour both the church property and Hawane Farm/Teen Challenge. We will also begin plans for the soccer camp which will begin Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. On Saturday evening we will be joining the families from Hawane CLC and Hawane Farm for dinner. We are looking forward to meeting the children we have been praying for through our Prayer and Care Ministry. Sunday morning we will attend Potter's Wheel Church and then head to Hawane CLC Church. We are really excited to participate in a dynamic worship experience.
Camp Victory will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be a mix of Vacation Bible School and soccer camp. We hope to serve 180 children from the Hawane Region. We anticipate that God will move in great ways and we are humbled to be able to serve in this outreach project. We ask for your continued prayers as we prepare to share God's love with the children and youth of Swaziland. My they come to know that "every child of God can defeat the world and it is our faith that gives us this victory" I John 5:4.
The team arrived in Johannesburg, SA on Friday about 5:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m. in Dayton). Everyone was able to get some rest on the plance and is in good spirits. Several members were excited to learn that the local ESPN programming will be broadcasting the Rose Bowl.... GO BUCKS! The only catch is that it doesn't come on until 12:45 a.m. It could make for a short night for those die-hard Ohio State fans!
We head out for Swaziland at 8:00 a.m. on Saturaday morning. We should arrive at Hawane CLC by late morning. We will have a chance to have lunch and tour both the church property and Hawane Farm/Teen Challenge. We will also begin plans for the soccer camp which will begin Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. On Saturday evening we will be joining the families from Hawane CLC and Hawane Farm for dinner. We are looking forward to meeting the children we have been praying for through our Prayer and Care Ministry. Sunday morning we will attend Potter's Wheel Church and then head to Hawane CLC Church. We are really excited to participate in a dynamic worship experience.
Camp Victory will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be a mix of Vacation Bible School and soccer camp. We hope to serve 180 children from the Hawane Region. We anticipate that God will move in great ways and we are humbled to be able to serve in this outreach project. We ask for your continued prayers as we prepare to share God's love with the children and youth of Swaziland. My they come to know that "every child of God can defeat the world and it is our faith that gives us this victory" I John 5:4.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Feeding the 1,000
God has been doing some REALLY cool things at CLC and the Lighthouse lately. First, we had been working on getting one of the house moms, Nokuthula, ready to go to South Africa two weeks ago. Nokuthula is a very loving, kind, passionate woman of God who is an excellent mother to the kids in her house, and often volunteers her days off to come and help both Jane B. and Jane W. out in the community doing clinics.
It was decided that Nokuthula would go to school to learn nursing and how to use it to spread the gospel much in the same way both the Janes have been doing. After two days of rigorous interviews and testing (they once asked everyone to find the book of Abraham!) she got in! We were so very excited for her, and we know that God will do incredible things through her. Eventually, she will be able to do nursing work not only for the Lighthouse but also for CLC and the community clinics. Since she is a Swazi, she will be able to reach the people in Hawane region in a very special way. Please pray that she will not be afraid or nervous, but trust that God has a plan and will make her able to complete all of the courses set before her. Also please pray for the kids in her house. Since she will be gone for some time at school, a new house mom will be hired to watch over them.
The women’s Bible study is also going tremendously well. We have seen visible changes in the women’s attitudes. They’ve been bringing food to share without being asked, sharing and praying for prayer requests, and participating very well in the lessons. One particular house mother has been doing all the interpreting which has really boosted her confidence level, and last week she was so inspired by the lesson that she spent about 5 minutes preaching herself!
The week before, we challenged all the women to tithe something; whether it be time, produce from their garden, or work. One of the women decided to tithe her time because she had little else. So every day for a week she spent an hour and 20 minutes with God, praying and reading the Bible. Usually, this same woman sells candy, and often is not able to sell anything at all. She told us at the end of the week that after tithing her time to God, ALL of her candy had been bought and she was able to buy more to sell. What else can we say? God is faithful. We really hope that they will see this and continue to trust Him more and more with everything they have to give.
This week, the challenge to the women was to ask God to give them a vision of what He wants them to do. It could be small, like going to comfort a sick person, or huge, like becoming a nurse. This is to get them paying more attention and tuning their ears to the voice of God. Who knows what He will have said to them at the end of the week!
In the middle of this same study, Pastor Augustine came in and told us that some organization notifived him that they were going to feed ONE THOUSAND people in the Hawane area the next day, and that they needed his help to spread the word. Here we were, discussing how laying down your life to God opens the door for Him to pour out blessing and do good work....and God pours out a huge blessing on the Hawane area. Are the attitudes of the few who are growing in God already paving the way for the whole community to be covered in God’s abundance?
Every little thing in our lives that we surrender, every little choice we make for the good, comes against evil so that the Spirit will increase; not only for us, but for those around us. It seems to me this may be the key to winning the Swazis for Christ. And maybe, just maybe, tithing an hour and a half for a week could lead to feeding 1,000.
Written by Stacey Weneck - CLC's extended stay traveler to Swaziland. Stacey will be in Swaziland for another month.
It was decided that Nokuthula would go to school to learn nursing and how to use it to spread the gospel much in the same way both the Janes have been doing. After two days of rigorous interviews and testing (they once asked everyone to find the book of Abraham!) she got in! We were so very excited for her, and we know that God will do incredible things through her. Eventually, she will be able to do nursing work not only for the Lighthouse but also for CLC and the community clinics. Since she is a Swazi, she will be able to reach the people in Hawane region in a very special way. Please pray that she will not be afraid or nervous, but trust that God has a plan and will make her able to complete all of the courses set before her. Also please pray for the kids in her house. Since she will be gone for some time at school, a new house mom will be hired to watch over them.
The women’s Bible study is also going tremendously well. We have seen visible changes in the women’s attitudes. They’ve been bringing food to share without being asked, sharing and praying for prayer requests, and participating very well in the lessons. One particular house mother has been doing all the interpreting which has really boosted her confidence level, and last week she was so inspired by the lesson that she spent about 5 minutes preaching herself!
The week before, we challenged all the women to tithe something; whether it be time, produce from their garden, or work. One of the women decided to tithe her time because she had little else. So every day for a week she spent an hour and 20 minutes with God, praying and reading the Bible. Usually, this same woman sells candy, and often is not able to sell anything at all. She told us at the end of the week that after tithing her time to God, ALL of her candy had been bought and she was able to buy more to sell. What else can we say? God is faithful. We really hope that they will see this and continue to trust Him more and more with everything they have to give.
This week, the challenge to the women was to ask God to give them a vision of what He wants them to do. It could be small, like going to comfort a sick person, or huge, like becoming a nurse. This is to get them paying more attention and tuning their ears to the voice of God. Who knows what He will have said to them at the end of the week!
In the middle of this same study, Pastor Augustine came in and told us that some organization notifived him that they were going to feed ONE THOUSAND people in the Hawane area the next day, and that they needed his help to spread the word. Here we were, discussing how laying down your life to God opens the door for Him to pour out blessing and do good work....and God pours out a huge blessing on the Hawane area. Are the attitudes of the few who are growing in God already paving the way for the whole community to be covered in God’s abundance?
Every little thing in our lives that we surrender, every little choice we make for the good, comes against evil so that the Spirit will increase; not only for us, but for those around us. It seems to me this may be the key to winning the Swazis for Christ. And maybe, just maybe, tithing an hour and a half for a week could lead to feeding 1,000.
Written by Stacey Weneck - CLC's extended stay traveler to Swaziland. Stacey will be in Swaziland for another month.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Dead Man Came Out
A few weeks ago, we did a lesson at the CLC women’s Bible study on John 11, where Jesus raised Martha’s brother Lazarus from the dead. We looked at the story from two points:
- Jesus showed Martha that He was all powerful and had control over everything in her life, even death. We know from other stories considering this family that Martha was a bit of a control freak, struggling to serve Jesus and His disciples and even rebuking Mary for not helping her. In that story, Jesus lovingly taught Martha that spending time with her Lord and Savior was more important than physical labor. In this story, Martha had no control. She sent messages to Jesus long before her beloved brother’s death, but He did not come. Perhaps she felt like in the moment of her life where she needed Jesus the most, He wasn’t there. It wasn’t until four days after her brother’s death that her Lord finally showed up. In fact, when He commanded them to open the tomb she even told Jesus not to do it because of the potential stench.
- Second, even though Jesus was God Himself and the most powerful being on Earth, He exposed Himself to the pain and sorrow Martha and others were suffering. He even probably knew that Lazarus would live again, and yet He cried with them. Some translations say that Jesus sobbed with them. Ours is not a God who sits on His throne in heaven oblivious to our pain. He feels it with us, and felt it when He died for us on the cross.
A few interesting responses resulted from sharing these two points with the women in the study. We asked them, "Has there ever been a moment in your life where you felt like you had prayed and prayed for God’s help, and He just didn’t show up - and then suddenly He answered your prayer at the last hour?"
One of the women who comes consistently told us a beautiful story -one so close to her she couldn’t finish it because she began to cry. A few years ago, when she was pregnant with her youngest child and her husband beat her often, even though he knew she was with child. He rebuked her for going to church and was very spiteful. For a long time she prayed that God would change him, or save her from his violent actions. Time went on and on and God did not answer. She even told us that she felt like God was favoring her husband’s prayers over hers, because He gave her husband the power to beat her.
Then suddenly her husband began going to Hawane CLC church with her. He changed, and has even stopped beating her. To this day he attends regularly.
What an incredible testimony. Like Martha, this woman did not know if God would answer her prayer, but He did. He brought this woman’s husband back from the dead. He cried with her every step of the way when she cried, and in the end, the dead man walked out of the grave.
Please pray that this testimony will be one that inspires the other women in the group. Another woman in the group told us that she did not understand why Jesus would want to experience the pain that she feels in her life. We now have 26 women involved with the group. Not every woman is from Hawane CLC Church; some are from other local churches. Some are strong, some are weak, but God has provided all of us with brothers and sisters to be His hands and feet for us.
~ Stacy Weneck
- Jesus showed Martha that He was all powerful and had control over everything in her life, even death. We know from other stories considering this family that Martha was a bit of a control freak, struggling to serve Jesus and His disciples and even rebuking Mary for not helping her. In that story, Jesus lovingly taught Martha that spending time with her Lord and Savior was more important than physical labor. In this story, Martha had no control. She sent messages to Jesus long before her beloved brother’s death, but He did not come. Perhaps she felt like in the moment of her life where she needed Jesus the most, He wasn’t there. It wasn’t until four days after her brother’s death that her Lord finally showed up. In fact, when He commanded them to open the tomb she even told Jesus not to do it because of the potential stench.
- Second, even though Jesus was God Himself and the most powerful being on Earth, He exposed Himself to the pain and sorrow Martha and others were suffering. He even probably knew that Lazarus would live again, and yet He cried with them. Some translations say that Jesus sobbed with them. Ours is not a God who sits on His throne in heaven oblivious to our pain. He feels it with us, and felt it when He died for us on the cross.
A few interesting responses resulted from sharing these two points with the women in the study. We asked them, "Has there ever been a moment in your life where you felt like you had prayed and prayed for God’s help, and He just didn’t show up - and then suddenly He answered your prayer at the last hour?"
One of the women who comes consistently told us a beautiful story -one so close to her she couldn’t finish it because she began to cry. A few years ago, when she was pregnant with her youngest child and her husband beat her often, even though he knew she was with child. He rebuked her for going to church and was very spiteful. For a long time she prayed that God would change him, or save her from his violent actions. Time went on and on and God did not answer. She even told us that she felt like God was favoring her husband’s prayers over hers, because He gave her husband the power to beat her.
Then suddenly her husband began going to Hawane CLC church with her. He changed, and has even stopped beating her. To this day he attends regularly.
What an incredible testimony. Like Martha, this woman did not know if God would answer her prayer, but He did. He brought this woman’s husband back from the dead. He cried with her every step of the way when she cried, and in the end, the dead man walked out of the grave.
Please pray that this testimony will be one that inspires the other women in the group. Another woman in the group told us that she did not understand why Jesus would want to experience the pain that she feels in her life. We now have 26 women involved with the group. Not every woman is from Hawane CLC Church; some are from other local churches. Some are strong, some are weak, but God has provided all of us with brothers and sisters to be His hands and feet for us.
~ Stacy Weneck
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found
“I once was lost but now I’m found” - a phrase that we have all sung probably a thousand times in our lives. A comforting phrase at that; and really one of the greatest truths we could possibly sing. As Christians, we all know and feel deep in our souls, that if it wasn’t for the firm and loving grip of Jesus Christ, we would be lost forever. It’s a loving grip that “snatches” from the fire. It transfers us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son. Every believer on Earth can sing this phrase as a reality.
Yet I and others like Kylee, Julie, Chris, Micah, and everyone else who traveled to serve here in Swaziland have met children who can sing this not only as a spiritual reality, but as a physical one too. Being literally lost and then found must be so vivid, and the grip of Jesus so tangible for them. I have met teens who were on the streets, had no bed, no home, barely any clothes, and their food was beer or cigarettes. They knew nothing but pain, rejection, and sorrow before Jesus intervened. (I’m not saying no one in the US has been physically lost, or has gone through the same type of things these here have gone through, but these are the stories I know).
One such boy came to live with us at the Lighthouse on Hawane Farm this week. His name is Manhla, and as an eleven year old is only about the size of a 5 year old. He has cerebral palsy and his mother abandoned him when he was very young, leaving him to his father and stepmother, who did nothing less than leave him outside with the dogs to fend for his food. This frightened him so badly that he pulled into the fetal position, and did so for such a length of time that his legs atrophied and he lost the use of them. He also lost the ability to speak.
The Luke Commission discovered his situation and took him to the hospital. Now he has come to bless us in Hawane. He has the smile of an angel, and whenever anyone speaks to him he just lights up. When Manhla is in a room, he is the center of attention, because everyone loves him so much already. Jane and Nokuthula care for him daily, putting braces on his legs to help straighten them out, teaching him to eat with a spoon instead of grabbing hungrily at the food. All of the children and youth love him. They stroke his head and speak gently to him; they give him things; they help take care of him.
God has already begun to work miracles. While on the first day he was wildly grabbing for food, he now has been able to eat pretty neatly with a spoon - an immediate improvement that was not really expected. He loves everything that goes on around him, and looks curiously, bobbing back and forth with excitement. This morning he actually managed to crawl to Nokuthula and even tried to stand up. Just a week or so ago, this boy had nothing - literally, nothing. Today, he has many brothers and sisters, mothers and aunts, friends and helpers. He has hugs and kisses and tender touches where before was only hate and fear.
This reminds me so much of the parable Jesus told about the shepherd who lost one sheep and left the other 99 in the flock to go and find it. Manhla was just one child out of thousands in Swaziland with no home and no love, and one child out of millions in the world. I pray that one day Manhla will be able to stand on legs that did not work before and testify that God was not satisfied with leaving him to fend against dogs; that he will be able to speak powerful words of truth with a mouth that was once mute and preach that Jesus Christ is the only one who has the compassion and the power to save us from death, and bring us out of the darkness. I hope you will pray too that this boy will see that God knew about him before he was ever born, and that like Hagar he will be able to proclaim that this is “a God who sees me.” I believe that He will do this; that God will use Manhla to spread the gospel to those who don’t believe God sees or hears them.
But for now, please just pray that he learns he is loved and that he doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Please pray that he learns to speak and walk, that his legs become healthy, and his heart is filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus found him; that he once was lost, but now is found.
Written By Stacey Weneck
Yet I and others like Kylee, Julie, Chris, Micah, and everyone else who traveled to serve here in Swaziland have met children who can sing this not only as a spiritual reality, but as a physical one too. Being literally lost and then found must be so vivid, and the grip of Jesus so tangible for them. I have met teens who were on the streets, had no bed, no home, barely any clothes, and their food was beer or cigarettes. They knew nothing but pain, rejection, and sorrow before Jesus intervened. (I’m not saying no one in the US has been physically lost, or has gone through the same type of things these here have gone through, but these are the stories I know).
One such boy came to live with us at the Lighthouse on Hawane Farm this week. His name is Manhla, and as an eleven year old is only about the size of a 5 year old. He has cerebral palsy and his mother abandoned him when he was very young, leaving him to his father and stepmother, who did nothing less than leave him outside with the dogs to fend for his food. This frightened him so badly that he pulled into the fetal position, and did so for such a length of time that his legs atrophied and he lost the use of them. He also lost the ability to speak.
The Luke Commission discovered his situation and took him to the hospital. Now he has come to bless us in Hawane. He has the smile of an angel, and whenever anyone speaks to him he just lights up. When Manhla is in a room, he is the center of attention, because everyone loves him so much already. Jane and Nokuthula care for him daily, putting braces on his legs to help straighten them out, teaching him to eat with a spoon instead of grabbing hungrily at the food. All of the children and youth love him. They stroke his head and speak gently to him; they give him things; they help take care of him.
God has already begun to work miracles. While on the first day he was wildly grabbing for food, he now has been able to eat pretty neatly with a spoon - an immediate improvement that was not really expected. He loves everything that goes on around him, and looks curiously, bobbing back and forth with excitement. This morning he actually managed to crawl to Nokuthula and even tried to stand up. Just a week or so ago, this boy had nothing - literally, nothing. Today, he has many brothers and sisters, mothers and aunts, friends and helpers. He has hugs and kisses and tender touches where before was only hate and fear.
This reminds me so much of the parable Jesus told about the shepherd who lost one sheep and left the other 99 in the flock to go and find it. Manhla was just one child out of thousands in Swaziland with no home and no love, and one child out of millions in the world. I pray that one day Manhla will be able to stand on legs that did not work before and testify that God was not satisfied with leaving him to fend against dogs; that he will be able to speak powerful words of truth with a mouth that was once mute and preach that Jesus Christ is the only one who has the compassion and the power to save us from death, and bring us out of the darkness. I hope you will pray too that this boy will see that God knew about him before he was ever born, and that like Hagar he will be able to proclaim that this is “a God who sees me.” I believe that He will do this; that God will use Manhla to spread the gospel to those who don’t believe God sees or hears them.
But for now, please just pray that he learns he is loved and that he doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Please pray that he learns to speak and walk, that his legs become healthy, and his heart is filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus found him; that he once was lost, but now is found.
Written By Stacey Weneck
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