We received word at about 3:30 this afternoon that Julie made it to Swaziland safe and sound. We praise God for providing traveling mercies! Now she can officially say "hello" to the country that will be her home for the next three months.
Julie will be spending a few days with Kevin and Helen Ward before heading out to her room at Hawane Farm on Sunday evening.
The journey has begun........
Hebrews 13:16: And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God (NLT)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sawubona Swaziland!
After a few months of planning and preparation, CLC is once again sending individuals and teams to Swaziland.
Our first traveler for 2009 is Julie Mitchell. We could not have asked for better travel weather. Today the sky was clear blue and the sun was shining brightly as Julie said good-bye to Dayton and "Sawubona" (hello) to Swaziland. (Okay, she hasn't actually said "hello" yet because she has about 24 hours of travel time to endure - but she's sure to say it when she actually arrives!)
Julie will be staying in Swaziland for a 3 month extended stay assignment. During her time there Julie will:
1. Provide administration support to Pastor Kevin, Pastor Wafuka and
Pastor Augustine related to our Hawane CLC project.
2. Facilitate meetings and Bible studies with the cell groups for
girls.
3. Provide support, encouragement and knowledge to the house mom's at
Hawane.
4. Offer basic computer training with key volunteers at Hawane CLC.
5. Conduct community outreach services to the homesteads surround the ICBC.
And since Julie is an avid soccer player, we also suspect that she will spend some time out on the soccer field with the children of Hawane. It will be interesting to see who is more skilled ?????
Foreign missions work is not new to Julie. She has spent time in northern Mexico, Cairo Egypt, Rome, Italy and Pescara, Italy. However, this is the farthest missions destination she has visited and it will be her longest time of service.
As Julie embarks on this new journey, we covet your prayers for her safe travel, good health, spiritual strength and emotional endurance. We look foward to hearing from Julie through out her stay and seeing how God is using her to change our world, one life at a time.
Isaiah 6:8 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?' Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!'"
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Welcome Home Kylee
Despite the snow, icy roads and frigid temperatures, Kylee successfully returned to Dayton this morning, even arriving a few minutes early! She was greeted at the airport by her mom, Pastor Stan and few friends.
It was great to see her in person after a 5 month stay in Swaziland. Despite the fatigue and emotional toll of traveling, Kylee was beaming with joy (her Swaziland suntan added an additional glow!) As hard as it was to leave the people she has come to love at Hawane CLC, Hawane Farm and the surrounding community, she is able to rejoice in the knowledge that she has been abiding within God's will. He called her to Swaziland, He called her to serve with her whole heart and to use the gifts He blessed her with to touch lives in His name. In return, God revealed more of His will for her life, He blessed her with wonderful relationships and He deeped her faith in Him.
Psalms 16:11 tells us "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand". Kylee has been able to experience the joy of the Lord because she has been abiding in His presence through her obedience.
In the coming days and weeks, please keep Kylee in your prayers as she adjusts to life back here in the states. Also, if you are able, please make contact with her by e-mail, phone or in person. The sharing of stories is a wonderful way to process an experience while simultaneously getting others excited about the work God is doing.
Welcome Home Kylee!
It was great to see her in person after a 5 month stay in Swaziland. Despite the fatigue and emotional toll of traveling, Kylee was beaming with joy (her Swaziland suntan added an additional glow!) As hard as it was to leave the people she has come to love at Hawane CLC, Hawane Farm and the surrounding community, she is able to rejoice in the knowledge that she has been abiding within God's will. He called her to Swaziland, He called her to serve with her whole heart and to use the gifts He blessed her with to touch lives in His name. In return, God revealed more of His will for her life, He blessed her with wonderful relationships and He deeped her faith in Him.
Psalms 16:11 tells us "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand". Kylee has been able to experience the joy of the Lord because she has been abiding in His presence through her obedience.
In the coming days and weeks, please keep Kylee in your prayers as she adjusts to life back here in the states. Also, if you are able, please make contact with her by e-mail, phone or in person. The sharing of stories is a wonderful way to process an experience while simultaneously getting others excited about the work God is doing.
Welcome Home Kylee!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Fun Family Trips
Eight families. Forty-seven children. Twelve mothers, father, and aunts. Six trips. Today was the completion of the family trips to Milwane Game Reserve. All of the families at Hawane Farm received a day trip to a local game reserve as a Christmas present from a generous woman in England. During their fun day each family was able to start at the local grocery store to pick out their favorite foods for a picnic lunch at the game reserve, see wild animals, and swim at the pool located there. I was requested to accompany each family on their trip to take pictures in order to document this event, manage the allocated funds, and closely watch them at the swimming pool as many of the house mothers and children do not know how to swim. It was a blessing to see the kids have so much fun with the families God has divinely placed them with at Hawane Farm.
God is true to His Word. He is the "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." (Psalm 68:5)
Some pictures to illustrate the experience… Enjoy!
Kylee
God is true to His Word. He is the "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." (Psalm 68:5)
Some pictures to illustrate the experience… Enjoy!
Kylee
Monday, January 5, 2009
AIDS, Africa, Reality
This morning at 5am I attended a funeral for Justice, a 45-year-old man who went to Hawane CLC. He had a heart for God though he was very sick. Pastor Augustine, the nurse Jane, and I had been transporting him to the hospital for treatment and to church at Hawane CLC. Justice always expressed his gratitude to us and he affectionately called me "sister". The church was able to bless Justice with his own Bible written in SiSwati. Throughout the last few months as his illness attacked his body, Justice began losing weight and growing weaker. Justice was living with his younger brother and his mother at their homestead near Hawane Farm. Many of his family members have died from AIDS, including Justice's brother and sister.
As I mentioned in the previous blog, Pastor Stan and his family were able to visit Justice shortly before he died. I believe this was a divine appointment set up by God. Justice shared with us the day of our visit with him that he was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. Due to this fact, we know we will one day see Justice in Heaven and we will all praise the Lord together in unity (Revelation 7:9). What matters is where we will spend eternity. This life is short and it is over. The Bible tells us that if you "believe confess with your mouth ' Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9).
I share this story of Justice to share with you about a real person and a real situation. He has a face and a story. It was a privilege to know him. May God give us His heart for His people here in Swaziland, Africa and all over the world. AIDS in Africa is a devastating reality. Christ is the answer, the hope of glory, and He lives in us (Colossians 1:27). Are we sharing Him with the world?
Kylee
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Over the Last Few Weeks
The time the Lord has given me here in Swaziland is flying by. I will share with you some experiences from the last few weeks:
On December 11th and 12th a short-term volunteer from the US and I took nine of the teenage girls from Hawane Farm to minister at the children's ward of the Mbabane Government Hospital.
It was so awesome to see the girls jump right in laying hands on and praying for children who were sick and their families, passing out Books of Hope, sharing the gospel, getting in tune with God's heart, and most importantly sharing God's love with those we came into contact with during our time there. One young 9 year-old boy we were able to minister to is an orphan infected with HIV and TB. After both of his parents died he was left at the hospital by his grandmother. As the girls and I were distributing the Book of Hope we asked the boy if he had ever heard of Jesus to which he responded "no". We were able to share God's Truth with him and that God has a plan for his life. Then, a very moving thing happened… some of the girls from Hawane who have also lost both of their parents listened to this boy's story, began crying with compassion for him, and started hugging this precious boy.
How true it is that God uses all things to work together for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). I believe and can see God is raising up these children of Hawane Farm who have been through various trials and loss in their own lives to minister in powerful ways to those who are in need here in Swaziland.
On Saturday December 20th Hawane CLC had its first community fun day on the new church property. Hundreds of people were invited from the surrounding community and about 400 or more people attended.
The GodMan movie (explains the gospel) was played, Books of Hope were given out, food was served,
team games were played,
and a worship band sang. It was a wonderful day.
The weeks before Christmas the Sunday school classes at Hawane CLC practiced for the Christmas drama which was held on the first ever Christmas Day service at the church. Pastor Stan and his family directed and participated in the play as well as several children from the church. The children's choir also sang some songs. It was a success and all of the children looked so cute in the special new costumes hand-made by a special lady at CLC in Dayton.
Christmas Day here started for me at 4:45 a.m. as the volunteers here, including the Tharps, began in the children's homes at Hawane Farm at 6 a.m. The expressions on the children's faces were priceless as they opened their special gifts, including those generously donated by CLC. One little boy, Phiwa, was very excited to receive his new shoes on Christmas morning.
In the afternoon about 150 people gathered together at the new Hawane CLC church for lunch. Many people went up front to share encouraging testimonies, songs and dances with us, including the men from Teen Challenge and mothers and children from Hawane.
Pastor Stan and family were such a blessing to have here in Swaziland to minister, especially at this special time of year. During their time here we were able to visit some homesteads in the community with Pastor Augustine. At one homestead that has 16 children one of the kids brought out his drum and they began dancing. Even Pastor Stan got in on the fun!
We were also prompted to visit Justice, a man who lives in the Hawane community who has been very sick during the last few months. When we arrived we saw him lying on a mat seemingly drained of energy, even skinnier than the last time I saw him. His feet were swollen. When we prayed for him he began crying, followed by tears streaming down our faces as well. This is God's heart- to minister to those who are sick and in need.
God continues to be at work in Swaziland. Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers, their work in the ministry and the sharing of their gifts and offerings.
On December 11th and 12th a short-term volunteer from the US and I took nine of the teenage girls from Hawane Farm to minister at the children's ward of the Mbabane Government Hospital.
It was so awesome to see the girls jump right in laying hands on and praying for children who were sick and their families, passing out Books of Hope, sharing the gospel, getting in tune with God's heart, and most importantly sharing God's love with those we came into contact with during our time there. One young 9 year-old boy we were able to minister to is an orphan infected with HIV and TB. After both of his parents died he was left at the hospital by his grandmother. As the girls and I were distributing the Book of Hope we asked the boy if he had ever heard of Jesus to which he responded "no". We were able to share God's Truth with him and that God has a plan for his life. Then, a very moving thing happened… some of the girls from Hawane who have also lost both of their parents listened to this boy's story, began crying with compassion for him, and started hugging this precious boy.
How true it is that God uses all things to work together for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). I believe and can see God is raising up these children of Hawane Farm who have been through various trials and loss in their own lives to minister in powerful ways to those who are in need here in Swaziland.
On Saturday December 20th Hawane CLC had its first community fun day on the new church property. Hundreds of people were invited from the surrounding community and about 400 or more people attended.
The GodMan movie (explains the gospel) was played, Books of Hope were given out, food was served,
team games were played,
and a worship band sang. It was a wonderful day.
The weeks before Christmas the Sunday school classes at Hawane CLC practiced for the Christmas drama which was held on the first ever Christmas Day service at the church. Pastor Stan and his family directed and participated in the play as well as several children from the church. The children's choir also sang some songs. It was a success and all of the children looked so cute in the special new costumes hand-made by a special lady at CLC in Dayton.
Christmas Day here started for me at 4:45 a.m. as the volunteers here, including the Tharps, began in the children's homes at Hawane Farm at 6 a.m. The expressions on the children's faces were priceless as they opened their special gifts, including those generously donated by CLC. One little boy, Phiwa, was very excited to receive his new shoes on Christmas morning.
In the afternoon about 150 people gathered together at the new Hawane CLC church for lunch. Many people went up front to share encouraging testimonies, songs and dances with us, including the men from Teen Challenge and mothers and children from Hawane.
Pastor Stan and family were such a blessing to have here in Swaziland to minister, especially at this special time of year. During their time here we were able to visit some homesteads in the community with Pastor Augustine. At one homestead that has 16 children one of the kids brought out his drum and they began dancing. Even Pastor Stan got in on the fun!
We were also prompted to visit Justice, a man who lives in the Hawane community who has been very sick during the last few months. When we arrived we saw him lying on a mat seemingly drained of energy, even skinnier than the last time I saw him. His feet were swollen. When we prayed for him he began crying, followed by tears streaming down our faces as well. This is God's heart- to minister to those who are sick and in need.
God continues to be at work in Swaziland. Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers, their work in the ministry and the sharing of their gifts and offerings.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Swaziland Ministry: A Year at a Glance
It was one year ago today that CLC's Swaziland Ministry was born. On December 3, 2007, Pastor Stan and 6 CLC members left for a 10 day trip to Swaziland. The purpose of the mission trip was to confirm God's calling for our congregation to address the challenges currently facing Swaziland, including HIV/AIDS, care for widows and orphans and poverty. Furthermore, the team was to discern if there was an individual or organization whom we could partner with in sharing the hope and love of Christ.
Over the course of the trip, it became very clear to the exploratory team that God did indeed have plans for CLC to begin serving the people of Swaziland and that His desire was for us to partner with Kevin Ward and the Teen Challenge Swaziland program to implement an "In Community By Community" model. Through this model we were to establish a church, identify a local pastor and provide him a home near the church and build children's homes that would ultimately serve orphaned children and widowed women in the local community. Achieving this goal would require a new ministry team for CLC.
And so, as the team prepared to return to the U.S., prayers were raised, ideas were shared, ministry models were drawn on napkins and initial tasks were identified. As we sat in the airport in Johannesburg, South African and flew home over the Atlantice Ocean, the excitement was palable and hopes were high that the peole of CLC would rally around this opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Swaziland.
No one could have anticipated all that would be accomplished in the course of just one year. It is nothing short of miraculous! Since January of 2008:
* A lay-led ministry was created with approval of the CLC Board. Currently 13 people serve in leadership or assistant leadership positions within the ministry.
* Just over 100 people volunteered to serve on one of five ministry subcommittees: Communications & Education, Internal Projects, Prayer & Care, Travel Business Partnerships/Resource Development and Church Partnerships.
* Over $130,000 has been given in offerings to support the ICBC project. Of that total, $85,000 was spent to establish our first ICBC, Hawane CLC.
* Over $ 15,450 was raised by our children and youth to purchase water coolers that will be rented to Swazi businesses with proceeds designated for the ICBC operations.
* A pastor was identified to lead and serve Hawane CLC. Meet Pastor Augustine and his wife Elizabeth!
* 27 individuals traveled to Swaziland. 24 served on one of three construction teams and 3 completed an extended stay, individual mission assiginment.
* The 27 travelers raised over $77,700 in donations/gifts to cover their trip costs.
* Over $13,000 in revenue has been raised through our Swaziland Arts sales.
* CLC welcomed Pastor Kevin Ward, his wife Helen and their children Ashar and Joshua during a visit to the US in July.
* The Kook Sul Wan program at CLC held a Kick-A-Thon to raise funds for the Swaziland Minstry. By completing 1,850 kicks in one hour, $1,000 was raised!
* The first annual Swaziland 5K Race was held which raised over $2,000.
* CLC members have sent donations of tools, computers, books/videos, personal hygeine items and vitamins with visiting construction teams.
* A Church was erected.
* The church site was dedicated and Sunday morning services and Sunday School classes are now being conducted at CLC Hawane
* A storage building was rennovated to become a Pastor's home and the family now occupies the home.
* A second building was rennovated to become a Children's home and a house mom and children now occupy the home.
* A soccer field is being added to the ICBC land
* A third building is being rennovated to become a pre-school for local children.
* Computers have been purchased for the church/preschool at Hawane CLC.
* Thousands of prayers have been lifted up.
* A ministry identity and logo have been created
* Partnerships with local businesses/local organizations are being created.
As this first year of the Swaziland ministry draws to a close, Pastor Stan and his family prepare to visit Swaziland. A part of this visit will be dedicated to discerning the next steps for the ministry.
It is evident that there is much to celebrate and we give God the glory for all that has been accomplished in 2008. What an honor and blessing it has been for us to serve Him by serving the people of Swaziland. We stand in awe of the progress that has been made and we look foward to seeing what God has in store for the ministry in 2009.
To everyone who has served in, prayed for and given to this ministry, we say "thank you". We look forward to joining with you in the coming year as God continues to use us to accomplish His will for Swaziland.
Over the course of the trip, it became very clear to the exploratory team that God did indeed have plans for CLC to begin serving the people of Swaziland and that His desire was for us to partner with Kevin Ward and the Teen Challenge Swaziland program to implement an "In Community By Community" model. Through this model we were to establish a church, identify a local pastor and provide him a home near the church and build children's homes that would ultimately serve orphaned children and widowed women in the local community. Achieving this goal would require a new ministry team for CLC.
And so, as the team prepared to return to the U.S., prayers were raised, ideas were shared, ministry models were drawn on napkins and initial tasks were identified. As we sat in the airport in Johannesburg, South African and flew home over the Atlantice Ocean, the excitement was palable and hopes were high that the peole of CLC would rally around this opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Swaziland.
No one could have anticipated all that would be accomplished in the course of just one year. It is nothing short of miraculous! Since January of 2008:
* A lay-led ministry was created with approval of the CLC Board. Currently 13 people serve in leadership or assistant leadership positions within the ministry.
* Just over 100 people volunteered to serve on one of five ministry subcommittees: Communications & Education, Internal Projects, Prayer & Care, Travel Business Partnerships/Resource Development and Church Partnerships.
* Over $130,000 has been given in offerings to support the ICBC project. Of that total, $85,000 was spent to establish our first ICBC, Hawane CLC.
* Over $ 15,450 was raised by our children and youth to purchase water coolers that will be rented to Swazi businesses with proceeds designated for the ICBC operations.
* A pastor was identified to lead and serve Hawane CLC. Meet Pastor Augustine and his wife Elizabeth!
* 27 individuals traveled to Swaziland. 24 served on one of three construction teams and 3 completed an extended stay, individual mission assiginment.
* The 27 travelers raised over $77,700 in donations/gifts to cover their trip costs.
* Over $13,000 in revenue has been raised through our Swaziland Arts sales.
* CLC welcomed Pastor Kevin Ward, his wife Helen and their children Ashar and Joshua during a visit to the US in July.
* The Kook Sul Wan program at CLC held a Kick-A-Thon to raise funds for the Swaziland Minstry. By completing 1,850 kicks in one hour, $1,000 was raised!
* The first annual Swaziland 5K Race was held which raised over $2,000.
* CLC members have sent donations of tools, computers, books/videos, personal hygeine items and vitamins with visiting construction teams.
* A Church was erected.
* The church site was dedicated and Sunday morning services and Sunday School classes are now being conducted at CLC Hawane
* A storage building was rennovated to become a Pastor's home and the family now occupies the home.
* A second building was rennovated to become a Children's home and a house mom and children now occupy the home.
* A soccer field is being added to the ICBC land
* A third building is being rennovated to become a pre-school for local children.
* Computers have been purchased for the church/preschool at Hawane CLC.
* Thousands of prayers have been lifted up.
* A ministry identity and logo have been created
* Partnerships with local businesses/local organizations are being created.
As this first year of the Swaziland ministry draws to a close, Pastor Stan and his family prepare to visit Swaziland. A part of this visit will be dedicated to discerning the next steps for the ministry.
It is evident that there is much to celebrate and we give God the glory for all that has been accomplished in 2008. What an honor and blessing it has been for us to serve Him by serving the people of Swaziland. We stand in awe of the progress that has been made and we look foward to seeing what God has in store for the ministry in 2009.
To everyone who has served in, prayed for and given to this ministry, we say "thank you". We look forward to joining with you in the coming year as God continues to use us to accomplish His will for Swaziland.
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