IT WORKS

I was sitting helping Mrs. Rehmeyer, Teresa, pass out medicines at the Ngwane Park Carepoint the other day. As I looked around I couldn’t help but feel satisfied. The Ngwane Park Carepoint is fulfilling its purpose and manifesting the vision of Children’s Cup. We were in the process of handing out de-worming pills to around 200 children and checking them for rashes and other illnesses. We were taking time to take stock of these children’s health and providing simple treatments. We weren’t doing anything spectacular but we were taking the time to look a child in the eyes, care for them and leave them better off because of our efforts. I can’t really say our efforts because I truly believe that every good and pure thing comes from the Lord. God has allowed us to be in Africa and provided us the resources to take care of these children. I digress, the Carepoint was in full action that Tuesday afternoon. The ladies were cooking up some Pap and Beans for the daily meal, Gugu was holding a bible club and Babe(Father or Mr.) Dlamini was in the garden with a couple kids planting spinach. The Carepoint had an atmosphere of hope, community and a place where these children could feel like they belonged. There were kids sleeping on mats, playing on swings, playing soccer and laughing about their day over a meal. I don’t have many days where I get to sit back and be present at a Carepoint. Later on that day Nathie and I got to talk to a local Pastor. We talked him into having his church come on a regular basis to the Ngwane Park Carepoint. I can not express how important it is to have the local church involved in the Carepoint. The local church is in such a position to care for, love and adopt these children into God’s family. The situation here parallels the situation with the hurricanes back in the States. The local church was in a position to demonstrate God’s love and truly act as life savers. It is a unique position that allows it to touch loves and care for people in a relational way. I am so encouraged by what God is doing through these Carepoints. Although we are imperfect workers, God can still work through us to touch the lives of the hurting. Praise God for his faithfulness.

Mozambique

A recent trip to Mozambique opened my eyes and excited my heart to a country that is truly poor but amazingly rich. There is energy in Mozambique that is irresistible. The country struggled through a 17 year civil war starting in … and ended in 1992. The country was then devastated by floods in 2000. The international community has heard this cry for help and it is amazing the rebuilding that is going on in the country. Mozambiqueans know how to work which is such a refreshing sight when coming from Swaziland. In Southern Africa the Mozambique work ethic seems to stand out. These people have barely anything but that doesn’t stop them from working for a better tomorrow. These people are also hungry for the Gospel. The communist factions fighting in the country suppressed any kind of religious expression…so it is exciting to see the seeking nature of the people there. The country also possesses a rich history and culture as it brings together Portuguesse, African, Arabian and Indian influences to produce a melting pot of culture, architecture and food. I’m excited about starting to work in the country and am even thinking of staying there for extended periods of time next year.