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.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
From Milk to Solid Food
September 24, 2009
Lately, all of us here at Hawane Farm, Hawane CLC, and Potter’s Wheel Church have sensed that a season is coming for the Holy Spirit to move. God has really been speaking to many of us about moving things to the next level. The mothers, youth, children and men who live and work in Hawane are ready for God to move them from a basic foundation of faith to a whole other dimension of faith. All of them, including me, are on various levels of spiritual growth, but God has communicated to us that it is time for a wave of growth in everyone. It has come up as a main topic in teaching; whether in cell groups, devotions, personal conversations, conferences or prayer. Even before I came, when I prayed to God asking what He wanted to see done in this phase of life at Hawane, He impressed upon me the need for deeper development, deeper knowledge of Scripture, and deeper connection in relationship with Him.
Last week’s cell group for the mothers was a prime example. Jane, the nurse on the farm (though her work far exceeds just medical care) had planned another topic but she felt that the Spirit wanted to give the moms a chance to be prayed over and be baptized in the Spirit. We ended up spending most of the time in deep worship; we prayed and spoke in tongues for those who asked for it, and a couple of moms were actually baptized in the Spirit. There was a strong feeling of moving deeper into God’s will and into His plan.
This past week was unusual because there was a Teen Challenge conference, which was a real blessing to all of us. One of the teachings was called “Discipline For Change” which was really geared toward Teen Challenge youth, but proved to be a valuable guide in working with the children and teens on the farm. We spent a huge chunk of time again at the mothers’ cell talking about specific kids that we felt needed help now, or were seriously struggling; what was the root of the cause, and how could we discipline for change. How can we move these children on? How does God see them? What does He want to do in their lives? What has been done wrong up to this point? How can we do better with the younger ones? Again, what was on all of our hearts was that God wants the seeds that have been planted to gain DEPTH; For them to really start moving into strong, independent relationships with God.
For my part, I have been trying to encourage the girls in the cell group to have daily devotions with God, and not to rely only on the weekly meetings and Sunday gatherings as their relationship. Jesus wants a sincere, independent bond between us and Him. Please pray that these girls (and the boys too!!) learn how INCREDIBLY important daily time alone with God is. Pray that their hearts are sincere and there is a real relationship with Jesus. We cannot judge this ourselves of course. The only thing we can do is follow the prompting of the Spirit in encouraging them toward the truth and praying.
I have been very touched by some of the girls. Their passion for Scripture, worship and knowledge of God is apparent and seems very sincere. May God use them to impact the others! There has also been a plan to hold a “sword drill” because a lot of the time they are struggling to find Scripture references during lessons. Some of them are more familiar of course than others, but it’s a good idea to really get them into it. Pray that the exciting thought of competition turns into a revelation in the heart and soul that knowing Scripture is precious and necessary to us in our walk with God.
On top of all this the Bible study for the women in the community has been going really well with those who have been attending. We normally have around 10 women. However, last week it dropped to about 5 or 6, but that Tuesday was horrible, dark and wet. These women walk for miles and miles so naturally on bad days not as many may come. Also one of them is pregnant and she fell ill; Jane and I went to see her and thankfully, so far, she is ok, as is the baby.
At first I thought the lack of attendance was a negative thing to be overcome through prayer and persistence; perhaps it still is, but I have gained a new perspective on numbers from the last study we had with just a few women. There were four women who have come whether it was dark or sunny, wet or dry, cold or warm. NOTHING has stopped these women from coming to learn about and worship Jesus. Their names are Mavis, Ester, Maina, and Jabu. They came every day to the retreat and have come every single day to this Bible study. Jane, Elizabeth (Pastor Augustine’s wife) and I have really gotten to know them very well; we take their prayer requests (already huge prayers have been answered), know about their families and lives, and we all feel very comfortable together. We have been able to grow RELATIONSHIPS with them. This is something that is difficult to do in larger numbers.
Maybe God is just trying to empower these particular women before the study grows larger. He is already working in them in very specific ways. I thank Him so much for all of them. They work day and night, in very poor conditions. They are tired, the kind of tired a lot of us could never understand. Some of them barely get the food they need to survive and on top of that they are fighting AIDS/HIV. Would we walk 5 miles in the cold, wet, mud and mist, when we have so much else to do and had a very thin meal the day before, were sick, and had to go with a cane, to a Bible study? Or if like one of them we had to carry children along with us? Or like two of them were over the age of fifty? Would we even think about it? God bless and look after these beloved few who will not be held back, or beaten down. Pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; blessed beyond the curse. Many around here often say that Swaziland is a living pulpit for the Word of God. I can see why.
Please then continue to pray for growth, that all of these move on from milk to solid food, by the grace of God. Whether a mother on the farm, a teenager in TCMI, a member of the CLC church, a woman in the community, or those of us who are here working with them. We ask that God bring growth, and more real change; that there will be more anointing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally we THANK God for the incredible things He has already done and is doing now.
Written by Stacey Weneck who is serving in Swaziland until mid-December.
Lately, all of us here at Hawane Farm, Hawane CLC, and Potter’s Wheel Church have sensed that a season is coming for the Holy Spirit to move. God has really been speaking to many of us about moving things to the next level. The mothers, youth, children and men who live and work in Hawane are ready for God to move them from a basic foundation of faith to a whole other dimension of faith. All of them, including me, are on various levels of spiritual growth, but God has communicated to us that it is time for a wave of growth in everyone. It has come up as a main topic in teaching; whether in cell groups, devotions, personal conversations, conferences or prayer. Even before I came, when I prayed to God asking what He wanted to see done in this phase of life at Hawane, He impressed upon me the need for deeper development, deeper knowledge of Scripture, and deeper connection in relationship with Him.
Last week’s cell group for the mothers was a prime example. Jane, the nurse on the farm (though her work far exceeds just medical care) had planned another topic but she felt that the Spirit wanted to give the moms a chance to be prayed over and be baptized in the Spirit. We ended up spending most of the time in deep worship; we prayed and spoke in tongues for those who asked for it, and a couple of moms were actually baptized in the Spirit. There was a strong feeling of moving deeper into God’s will and into His plan.
This past week was unusual because there was a Teen Challenge conference, which was a real blessing to all of us. One of the teachings was called “Discipline For Change” which was really geared toward Teen Challenge youth, but proved to be a valuable guide in working with the children and teens on the farm. We spent a huge chunk of time again at the mothers’ cell talking about specific kids that we felt needed help now, or were seriously struggling; what was the root of the cause, and how could we discipline for change. How can we move these children on? How does God see them? What does He want to do in their lives? What has been done wrong up to this point? How can we do better with the younger ones? Again, what was on all of our hearts was that God wants the seeds that have been planted to gain DEPTH; For them to really start moving into strong, independent relationships with God.
For my part, I have been trying to encourage the girls in the cell group to have daily devotions with God, and not to rely only on the weekly meetings and Sunday gatherings as their relationship. Jesus wants a sincere, independent bond between us and Him. Please pray that these girls (and the boys too!!) learn how INCREDIBLY important daily time alone with God is. Pray that their hearts are sincere and there is a real relationship with Jesus. We cannot judge this ourselves of course. The only thing we can do is follow the prompting of the Spirit in encouraging them toward the truth and praying.
I have been very touched by some of the girls. Their passion for Scripture, worship and knowledge of God is apparent and seems very sincere. May God use them to impact the others! There has also been a plan to hold a “sword drill” because a lot of the time they are struggling to find Scripture references during lessons. Some of them are more familiar of course than others, but it’s a good idea to really get them into it. Pray that the exciting thought of competition turns into a revelation in the heart and soul that knowing Scripture is precious and necessary to us in our walk with God.
On top of all this the Bible study for the women in the community has been going really well with those who have been attending. We normally have around 10 women. However, last week it dropped to about 5 or 6, but that Tuesday was horrible, dark and wet. These women walk for miles and miles so naturally on bad days not as many may come. Also one of them is pregnant and she fell ill; Jane and I went to see her and thankfully, so far, she is ok, as is the baby.
At first I thought the lack of attendance was a negative thing to be overcome through prayer and persistence; perhaps it still is, but I have gained a new perspective on numbers from the last study we had with just a few women. There were four women who have come whether it was dark or sunny, wet or dry, cold or warm. NOTHING has stopped these women from coming to learn about and worship Jesus. Their names are Mavis, Ester, Maina, and Jabu. They came every day to the retreat and have come every single day to this Bible study. Jane, Elizabeth (Pastor Augustine’s wife) and I have really gotten to know them very well; we take their prayer requests (already huge prayers have been answered), know about their families and lives, and we all feel very comfortable together. We have been able to grow RELATIONSHIPS with them. This is something that is difficult to do in larger numbers.
Maybe God is just trying to empower these particular women before the study grows larger. He is already working in them in very specific ways. I thank Him so much for all of them. They work day and night, in very poor conditions. They are tired, the kind of tired a lot of us could never understand. Some of them barely get the food they need to survive and on top of that they are fighting AIDS/HIV. Would we walk 5 miles in the cold, wet, mud and mist, when we have so much else to do and had a very thin meal the day before, were sick, and had to go with a cane, to a Bible study? Or if like one of them we had to carry children along with us? Or like two of them were over the age of fifty? Would we even think about it? God bless and look after these beloved few who will not be held back, or beaten down. Pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; blessed beyond the curse. Many around here often say that Swaziland is a living pulpit for the Word of God. I can see why.
Please then continue to pray for growth, that all of these move on from milk to solid food, by the grace of God. Whether a mother on the farm, a teenager in TCMI, a member of the CLC church, a woman in the community, or those of us who are here working with them. We ask that God bring growth, and more real change; that there will be more anointing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally we THANK God for the incredible things He has already done and is doing now.
Written by Stacey Weneck who is serving in Swaziland until mid-December.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Reflections and Updates from Stacey
God is continuing to do incredible things in Swaziland. When the first outreach team arrived, our hopes were extremely high. We had spent months and months in careful prayer and preparation of a program initiated by Kevin Rutledge called Seeds For Swaziland, a week long women’s retreat taught by Cassandra Conger entitled A Christian Woman’s Lifestyle, and a week long set of men’s discipleship classes taught by Gary Miller. We believed that God would change lives, win people for his kingdom, enhance the faith of young Christians, send His Spirit to guide us, spread the gospel through the giving of much needed gardens, and strengthen the relationship between Christian Life Center and Potter’s Wheel Church, the Lighthouse, and Christian Life Community.
He did all of those things and more.
The Seeds For Swaziland effort was a huge success. Beforehand God had provided us with the best seeds we could possibly give to the recipients of four gardens. Pastor Augustine Boateng had chosen carefully which four homesteads would receive gardens, none of which were even a part of Christian Life Community Church. Then the guys on our team tilled the hard earth and cleaned it of rocks, planted, watered, and left three necessary tools with the head of the household. They brought many of the boys from Lighthouse care center to help them, and encouraged the younger boys on the homesteads to help their “go-go” (Grandmother). Grandmothers in Swaziland are often the hardest workers and provide for their grandchildren by feeding and clothing them, and sending them to school. It was important that the children learned how to work hard to support themselves and their grandmothers. Several of the homesteads began to go to church; frowns turned to smiles, cold attitudes warmed throughout the week. They were asked to share the eventual crops; which is something Swazis do not usually do. New relationships were established with each of these homesteads which may result in new believers. We have prayed that these gardens produce not only physical fruit but spiritual fruit, that God would bless each family and bring everyone into His kingdom. We also prayed that the gospel would be spread through the gardens.
God also truly blessed us through the women’s retreat. We had asked God to bring to us women who had repentant hearts, made of fertile soil, that would truly bear fruit; that they would grow, or that new women would turn their hearts to Jesus; that He would show them His love and lift them up. Before we left, we were cautioned that Swazi women, especially the Siswati speakers, would not open up immediately because in their culture women are considered little better than the eldest child and were often abused or put down for having opinions; that it would take at least 3 days for them to really talk to us. This advice came from people who had a long experience with Swazis, and we CLC women went into the first day believing that, but praying that God would at least get them to warm up at some point.
The Lord decided to give us far more. Not every woman opened up, but the very first day even the community women who did not speak English talked and responded. By the third day they were very, very warm to us, hugged us, asked us questions, and testified of the amazing things God has done in their lives to this very day and what they had learned at the retreat. It was overwhelming. They sang beautiful choruses, full of joy; they danced together, and even those who had not known each other coming in became friends and conversed. They prayed altogether in loud voices, crying out to God; the second day several women accepted Jesus for the first time or said they had wandered far from God and wanted to come back. They asked for Bibles, talked about arranging Bible studies, and laughed together.
They also admitted their sins, what they struggled with, what was difficult for them to understand about God, and many admitted things that really brought them pain. If one said they found it difficult to believe that God provides for every need, another testified how God provided every need for her. And so we encouraged them to build each other up and support each other.
Every day we all went in tired and drained physically and spiritually. Every day God met us there and totally blew our minds. What an incredible week. We learned that God can move in more powerful ways than we could have imagined. Our hearts were broken for these blessed women who felt pain, fear, and loss but reached out to God nonetheless.
Thankfully the guys on our team served the women lunch every day. This was a total shock to many of them as women usually do the serving in Swazi society. I remember Kevin told us that he prayed that by the end of the week, the fearful and ashamed frowns he saw in the lunch line would turn to warm smiles of a more confident heart. They did. Eventually they began perhaps to feel that these foreign men believed they were worth something, and smiled and joked with them.
Jane Walker and I have developed a new community women’s Bible study on Tuesday to open opportunities for the Spirit to do what He did during that week. Please pray that God continues to move in these women’s hearts, that just because the retreat is over and the team is gone, they won’t let go of the truth.
The men’s discipleship classes did not go as expected, but we thank God for every single life impacted, even in the smallest way. We know He will do good things with Gary’s efforts. The first day, no men came, but the number grew throughout the week, and some men even came on the following Saturday to ask questions. Pastor Augustine has realized the need to guide men as the spiritual head of the household, and so efforts are under way to develop a men’s Bible study along side the new women’s study. Please pray that a time can be decided on and then men will come and be equipped to change Swaziland for Jesus Christ.
On top of all this, God really blessed our team. I did not hear a single negative report or argument the whole time though we were all drained and very tired. Even those around us commented on how incredibly unified our team was, and that the Spirit was with us. Pastor Augustine confessed the last Sunday that he had never served women and was truly convicted and inspired by the willing ministry of Kevin, Eric, Micah and Gary, who served lunch even though they were fasting one day. Even though most of us hadn’t known each other before coming to Swaziland, we became like family. We cried together, laughed together, ministered together, and supported each other. All of this was clearly through the supernatural work of Jesus Christ and the love that He poured out to us. We praise God for that highly necessary work in our lives. When the team finally left, it was very hard for me; not because I wanted to leave, but because I loved them so much and wanted every single one to stay.
After several weeks now however I am very busy and life is in full swing. I love every face here and the thought of leaving already makes me incredibly sad. I’m really getting to know the mothers and children at Hawane CLC and people at Hawane Farm; So far I’ve been tutoring, playing with the children, helping with the girls cell, starting the new Bible study with Jane, beginning the TCMI computer class, visiting homesteads, and working on assignments from Pastor Kevin and others. Much more is still left to be done. This has been a dream come true for me and I have already learned so much I can barely comprehend it all. I hope I will be able to be as much of a blessing to these precious people as they have been already to me and others. I believe that God has truly blessed this place with leaders and followers who desire to please Him and exhibit the reality of His heart. Please continue to pray that God will shower Swaziland with His love and transform broken human lives.
He did all of those things and more.
The Seeds For Swaziland effort was a huge success. Beforehand God had provided us with the best seeds we could possibly give to the recipients of four gardens. Pastor Augustine Boateng had chosen carefully which four homesteads would receive gardens, none of which were even a part of Christian Life Community Church. Then the guys on our team tilled the hard earth and cleaned it of rocks, planted, watered, and left three necessary tools with the head of the household. They brought many of the boys from Lighthouse care center to help them, and encouraged the younger boys on the homesteads to help their “go-go” (Grandmother). Grandmothers in Swaziland are often the hardest workers and provide for their grandchildren by feeding and clothing them, and sending them to school. It was important that the children learned how to work hard to support themselves and their grandmothers. Several of the homesteads began to go to church; frowns turned to smiles, cold attitudes warmed throughout the week. They were asked to share the eventual crops; which is something Swazis do not usually do. New relationships were established with each of these homesteads which may result in new believers. We have prayed that these gardens produce not only physical fruit but spiritual fruit, that God would bless each family and bring everyone into His kingdom. We also prayed that the gospel would be spread through the gardens.
God also truly blessed us through the women’s retreat. We had asked God to bring to us women who had repentant hearts, made of fertile soil, that would truly bear fruit; that they would grow, or that new women would turn their hearts to Jesus; that He would show them His love and lift them up. Before we left, we were cautioned that Swazi women, especially the Siswati speakers, would not open up immediately because in their culture women are considered little better than the eldest child and were often abused or put down for having opinions; that it would take at least 3 days for them to really talk to us. This advice came from people who had a long experience with Swazis, and we CLC women went into the first day believing that, but praying that God would at least get them to warm up at some point.
The Lord decided to give us far more. Not every woman opened up, but the very first day even the community women who did not speak English talked and responded. By the third day they were very, very warm to us, hugged us, asked us questions, and testified of the amazing things God has done in their lives to this very day and what they had learned at the retreat. It was overwhelming. They sang beautiful choruses, full of joy; they danced together, and even those who had not known each other coming in became friends and conversed. They prayed altogether in loud voices, crying out to God; the second day several women accepted Jesus for the first time or said they had wandered far from God and wanted to come back. They asked for Bibles, talked about arranging Bible studies, and laughed together.
They also admitted their sins, what they struggled with, what was difficult for them to understand about God, and many admitted things that really brought them pain. If one said they found it difficult to believe that God provides for every need, another testified how God provided every need for her. And so we encouraged them to build each other up and support each other.
Every day we all went in tired and drained physically and spiritually. Every day God met us there and totally blew our minds. What an incredible week. We learned that God can move in more powerful ways than we could have imagined. Our hearts were broken for these blessed women who felt pain, fear, and loss but reached out to God nonetheless.
Thankfully the guys on our team served the women lunch every day. This was a total shock to many of them as women usually do the serving in Swazi society. I remember Kevin told us that he prayed that by the end of the week, the fearful and ashamed frowns he saw in the lunch line would turn to warm smiles of a more confident heart. They did. Eventually they began perhaps to feel that these foreign men believed they were worth something, and smiled and joked with them.
Jane Walker and I have developed a new community women’s Bible study on Tuesday to open opportunities for the Spirit to do what He did during that week. Please pray that God continues to move in these women’s hearts, that just because the retreat is over and the team is gone, they won’t let go of the truth.
The men’s discipleship classes did not go as expected, but we thank God for every single life impacted, even in the smallest way. We know He will do good things with Gary’s efforts. The first day, no men came, but the number grew throughout the week, and some men even came on the following Saturday to ask questions. Pastor Augustine has realized the need to guide men as the spiritual head of the household, and so efforts are under way to develop a men’s Bible study along side the new women’s study. Please pray that a time can be decided on and then men will come and be equipped to change Swaziland for Jesus Christ.
On top of all this, God really blessed our team. I did not hear a single negative report or argument the whole time though we were all drained and very tired. Even those around us commented on how incredibly unified our team was, and that the Spirit was with us. Pastor Augustine confessed the last Sunday that he had never served women and was truly convicted and inspired by the willing ministry of Kevin, Eric, Micah and Gary, who served lunch even though they were fasting one day. Even though most of us hadn’t known each other before coming to Swaziland, we became like family. We cried together, laughed together, ministered together, and supported each other. All of this was clearly through the supernatural work of Jesus Christ and the love that He poured out to us. We praise God for that highly necessary work in our lives. When the team finally left, it was very hard for me; not because I wanted to leave, but because I loved them so much and wanted every single one to stay.
After several weeks now however I am very busy and life is in full swing. I love every face here and the thought of leaving already makes me incredibly sad. I’m really getting to know the mothers and children at Hawane CLC and people at Hawane Farm; So far I’ve been tutoring, playing with the children, helping with the girls cell, starting the new Bible study with Jane, beginning the TCMI computer class, visiting homesteads, and working on assignments from Pastor Kevin and others. Much more is still left to be done. This has been a dream come true for me and I have already learned so much I can barely comprehend it all. I hope I will be able to be as much of a blessing to these precious people as they have been already to me and others. I believe that God has truly blessed this place with leaders and followers who desire to please Him and exhibit the reality of His heart. Please continue to pray that God will shower Swaziland with His love and transform broken human lives.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Outreach Team Returns Safe and Sound
On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, our Outreach Team returned home from a 14 day journey to Swaziland.
There were plenty of hugs and handshakes to go around as the team arrived in the baggage claim area.
Family, friends and several CLC staff members were on hand to celebrate the safe return and incredible work accomplished by the team. Despite the long plane ride home, there was excitement in the air as the travelers began sharing some of their experiences.
.JPG)
As we wrote previously, the focus of this team was on outreach. Through the women's retreat, men's discipleship discussion group and the Seeds for Swaziland project, we strove to share the hope of the gospel and the saving love of Jesus. Through their words and deeds our team planted seeds - spiritual as well as actual seeds. It is our hope that those seeds fell on "good ground"; that there are now people in Swaziland who have a better understanding of God's Word and who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will begin to grow and bear much fruit. (see Matthew 13: 1-26) Please join us in continuing to pray for those who were ministered to by this team. Through them, may the nation be changed for Christ!
There were plenty of hugs and handshakes to go around as the team arrived in the baggage claim area.
Family, friends and several CLC staff members were on hand to celebrate the safe return and incredible work accomplished by the team. Despite the long plane ride home, there was excitement in the air as the travelers began sharing some of their experiences.
.JPG)
As we wrote previously, the focus of this team was on outreach. Through the women's retreat, men's discipleship discussion group and the Seeds for Swaziland project, we strove to share the hope of the gospel and the saving love of Jesus. Through their words and deeds our team planted seeds - spiritual as well as actual seeds. It is our hope that those seeds fell on "good ground"; that there are now people in Swaziland who have a better understanding of God's Word and who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will begin to grow and bear much fruit. (see Matthew 13: 1-26) Please join us in continuing to pray for those who were ministered to by this team. Through them, may the nation be changed for Christ!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bush Clinic Day Four
This blog describes the final bush clinic provided by the Medical Team, on August 24th. Even though the team is safely home, they wanted to share this day's adventures with you....
Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.
The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.
The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.
The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.
After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.
Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.
We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.
Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.
Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:
www.lukecommission.org
Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.
The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.
The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.
The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.
After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.
Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.
We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.
Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.
Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:
www.lukecommission.org
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