Purpose Driven with Passion

It's been a few months since I updated my blog so here I am preparing to go back to Swaziland.. and this time I'll be taking with me a few of my dearest friends. I'm really looking forward to seeing Futhi. It'll also be great to see Busicewe, & Cali and Charmaine. It's still more than a year out, but our first meeting will be this Sunday, which makes it more of a reality. I signed Rob up to go, only he don't know it yet. I guess we'll see if he reads my blog. Maybe he'll find out when I tell him to park in long term parking at the airport. j/k

Day 1- January 15, 2008 Our team arrived at Bishop Airport at 11:30 am. Our families stayed for awhile visiting and then we said our goodbyes. Braden usually cries when we leave each other and it always breaks my heart, but this time was much harder as I have never been away from him for more than a few days. As Ashley walked away with a crying Braden in her arms, I started to cry too, which if you know me; you know that’s not uncommon. Some people look at crying as a weakness, but I believe it is a great strength. Crying always makes me feel better, not only is it cleansing but it also feels as good as screaming to the top of your lungs when you’re frustrated. After the goodbyes were said, we went on to our gate, but of course before we could get there; we had to go through security. It was pretty funny; the two young ones of our team Krista and Lisa went through like they knew the protocol and it was just part of their daily routine. Then along come me and Tammy, the two that “had th...

Swaziland is an amazing place with wonderful, loving, kind hearted people that have a true love for the lord. I find it heartwarming to see people that physically have nothing, yet are so hospitable and willing to give you what little they do have. The one thing I notice here is that there is a whole generation that is missing, they don't exist, and many have died from aids. Children are living with their Grandparents or in home's where no adults exist. Many are sick and without proper nutrition or medical care. My heart breaks. The children at El Shaddai tugged at my heart and the orphanage is an amazing place with two very beautiful, kind hearted people that started it and continue to care for these children like their own. Amazing seems to be my new- often used word. My biggest fear right now is that there aren't any words big enough to describe my experience in Swaziland or the wonderful people there. I have truly fallen in love with this place and it has brought me clo...

Swaziland Arrival- We arrived in Swaziland about 2:00 in the afternoon. Pastor Dale and Jennifer Willson(with Free Methodist World Missions) were there to pick us up. We went to the church that New Covenant built in Manzini and met Busisewe (her and her husband Vasco live next to the church which is on the same property). We also met several children that live in the village and attend the church. It is a custom in Swaziland to greet your guest by singing to them. This video is of Busisewe and the children of the village greeting us. Every time I see it, I want to be there. Each child then shared something about themselves. These children are very intelligent, and they have hopes and dreams for their future. I see a definite poverty here, not like you see in the United States though. Many of these children live in homes without electricity, some live in homes where their are only children living, some may have not eaten that day yet they have an innocent hope in their faces and they w...

January 18-El Shaddai Today we went to the El Shaddai orphanage. It is located in the most beautiful mountain setting. The beauty of this place is a reminder of God's love and the glorious detailed earth he made for us. The bible says, "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love. When we first arrived, we toured the orphanage and met the children, the ladies that take care of the children and Callie and Charmaine, the couple that have taken it upon themselves to love and care for all these children. What wonderful, loving people they are. The children here are bright and well behaved. We planted four gardens, along side to help, were several of the young boys that reside at the orphanage. They knew exactly what to do and took charge of the job at hand. It amazes me that boys of their age (grade 5) would be so eager to do such a chore. They were excited that they were invited to help. Pastor Dale, Krista and L...

I spent some time with the Swazi ladies while they were making the jewelry that helps to support El Shaddai orphanage. I showed them a few beading techniques. They laughed though when I walked in with a hand full of rocks. I’m sure they thought I was crazy! I then showed them how to wire-wrap it and put it on a piece of leather.

Today is Saturday January 19, 2008, today we went to the hospital in Mbabane to visit the children. There were several mothers with their infants, many were very sick. We prayed with them and sang children’s bible songs to them. I spoke with a young mother with a very sick little boy, she said, he was 10 months old. He was so tiny; as small as a one month old baby. There was a small room at the end of the hall that abandoned children were kept. Some were abandoned because their parents had died, some because they were mentally challenged, one little girl about three years old was abandoned because their were too many girls in her family, her name had meant too many girls. There was a baby that was about 2 or 3, it was hard to tell his age as he was quite ill. He was in a crib and he was frightened of us. Cathy spent some time with him and he cam around a bit and she was able to touch his hand. It is so sad, he was so sick, so afraid and so alone. It is hard to write this as the memory ...