We just wanted to give you some updates on the two stories we shared with you recently. You may remember the blog Eric wrote entitled Aspirin For Cancer, where he shared the frustration and difficulty the people here (especially in the rural areas) have in accessing proper medical care. You can click on the title above to be re-directed to that blog, in case you missed it!

At that time, Eric invited you to be part of starting a medical fund to help a couple of people who the Lord has put into our lives here in Swaziland. In just a little over a week's time $1500 has been received into that medical fund and a pledge of $1000 has been promised through 'Karin's Hope' which started as a Facebook support group by a friend of ours in Michigan, Duane Smith, whose wife (Karin) was undergoing surgery for cancer a few weeks ago. After they became aware of Alphosinah's story it became evident to them (and to us) how God was knitting together these two womens' stories. Karin's Hope has now developed into a way to connect resources in the United States with people in developing countries who need health care and can't afford it. You can click on the underlined link above to read more about this divine connection that could only have been authored by the Lord Himself! That is absolutely amazing...and we are so thankful for the way God provides. How appropriate that these events transpired right over the Easter holidays because it certainly will bring NEW LIFE to (at least) two beautiful Swazi people! Here are the updates on Alphosinah and Linda: 

Alphosinah was seen by an amazing private doctor in Manzini who was brought to our attention through friends who work with The Luke Commission here in Swaziland. Eric and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting this doctor a couple of weeks ago and are so thrilled that we now have a relationship with such a gentle, kind-hearted, Christian physician who also has seen the trials of navigating the medical system in this country. He took the time to really study Alphosinah's medical history and truly listen to her. He examined her thoroughly and was able to piece together a plan forward for this woman who had grown so weary and discouraged. The doctor sensed that Alphosinah had kind of "given up", and really encouraged her to re-engage the path to wholeness and health. He likened her story to the story in the Gospel of Matthew of the woman who had suffered with a bleeding disorder for twelve years. This woman touched the hem of His garment and was healed.

"You know what you need to do to be healed...now you must go after it! Just like this woman in the Bible!" That is what the doctor told Alphosinah and it really seemed to strengthen and empower her. 

This past Wednesday, Eric accompanied Alphosinah and her son to South Africa to get the referral she needs to begin chemotherapy. There are no hospitals or clinics in Swaziland that do chemotherapy, so her only option is to go to South Africa. Usually there is at least a 6-9 month waiting period, but by God's grace Alphosinah has only to wait until May 3 when she will go to Durban, South Africa to begin chemotherapy treatments! She does need some ultrasounds and blood/lab work prior to that which has all been scheduled!

This is such good news, and we ask you to join in praising and thanking God for his faithful care of this woman! Please pray for endurance and strength for Alphosinah as she still has a very long road ahead. A specific need is that she won't listen to people in her community that may try to convince her that all she needs is to continue going to the local tribal 'healer' (i.e.: witch doctor). Pray that she will keep her eyes solely on Jesus, on the hem of HIS garment...of righteousness and healing! We trust HIM alone with the life of Alphosinah.

Linda has received some good news. It appears that his condition is not cancer! At this time the diagnosis is a bit unclear, but he is being treated for an infection of his lymph nodes. He has been seen at the hospital in Manzini (a city approximately 1 ½ hours away) and has started receiving injections which seem to be helping in healing his body! Praise God! The terrible swelling in his neck and face has begun to go down and he is much less uncomfortable. He is scheduled to return for these injections two times per month until the infection is under control.

Both of these people have been blessed by the generosity of many of you who read this blog and for that we say "thank you"! These types of medical needs arise so often and it is really outside the budget of this ministry and our own family's budget. This medical fund will continue to bless not only Alphosinah and Linda, but others who have serious health issues. Thank you for helping to bring hope to (at least) two individuals who had lost hope!

I started a new Bible Study last week on the book of Esther. Her story has always intrigued me and, so far, digging deeper into it has only whet my appetite for more! One fact that I seemed to have missed in past readings of the story is that Esther was an orphan. Both of her parents died, seemingly when Esther was quite young. Her cousin, Mordecai, brought her up. She is a young girl, in a foreign land, in bondage, being brought up by her (male) cousin. No mom to show her what it means to be a young lady. No dad to love and protect her, showing her what it looks like to be cherished by a man.

And yet...

God looks down on His people, living in a strange land with strange cultures and traditions, and He sees her! Not only does He see her, but He chooses her to play a pivotal role in the history of the Jewish people. This lovely girl who probably wondered if God had forgotten her forever was swept up into a drama and adventure that even the most clever modern day storyteller would have a hard time topping! It struck me today that Esther was chosen by God maybe not in spite of her tragic beginnings, but perhaps because of them. Esther's name in Hebrew comes from the verbal root that means "to conceal". (another tidbit I've learned in my study!) Wouldn't that be just like Him? This God of making all things new, this Master of restoration and Creator of creative twists in a life using a young Jewish girl to change history! He saw what was hidden in her.

As I reflected further on this idea, I couldn't help but think of the children of Swaziland: so many of them orphaned, so many of them vulnerable, so many of them living in bondage...of sorts. Is not poverty also bondage? Is not physical, emotional or sexual abuse also bondage? Is not living in the shadow of a parent's addiction also bondage? Is not being born HIV positive also bondage? Is not living in a crumbling, broken down society also bondage?

And yet...

The beauty of it all is God sees what is hidden underneath all of it! He isn't threatened or consumed by the weight of that bondage; even on the days when the heaviness of this place makes me want to curl up on my bed with my head under my pillow. He created each one of these little ones and breathed His life breath into them. He has a particular plan and design on each one of their lives. He knows every one of their names...even when I can't pronounce it! He looks as these kids who are so often covered in the red dirt that surrounds this place and He sees little ones washed clean in the blood of Jesus. He sees beauty, possibility, promise and potential. He sees bearers of His light and carriers of His amazing love. He sees reflections of His image. He sees His kids.

It gives me such great comfort to know this. Not only for the children of Swaziland, but also for myself. When I find myself in bondage again to my own selfishness, old habits or unholy attitudes, I can be assured that God still sees the beauty underneath! He still sees one of His kids.

What an awesome God.

First off, this is Eric blogging. For those of you who read this blog regularly, Jen - my lovely wife - is the talented storyteller who authors this blog. If you've ever attributed any of the excellent posts here to me, you've been mistaken - It's all been Jen. She's an amazing writer and God has used this blog for His purposes and glory through her gift! This is my maiden voyage into the blogosphere, so please be graceful. That being said, I've got some things on my heart that need an outlet, so Jen's letting me hijack the blog for today.

Cancer . . . It's something that has truly affected every one of us in one way or another. Whether it's a family member, a close friend, or perhaps even our very own body, each of us has been touched. For me, Jen's maternal grandmother - Grandma Gert - died of breast cancer right when we were first married and it affected our lives deeply - it still does. Cancer is so common, and so feared, that many people don't even like to say the word - they prefer saying something like "the C - Word". As a Christian, I'm not superstitious like that, but I do know that this disease has struck fear into the hearts of so many in America, and - as I'm about to share - around the world.

This is Alphosinah. The picture above was taken during healthier and happier times a a number of years ago.  She is a 50 year old GoGo (Swazi term for Grandmother) who is the mother of one of our partner pastors. Her story is also heartbreaking. She also has cancer - In her uterus I believe. The reason I say "I believe" is, again, due to the horrible state of the health care system here in Swaziland. I've been trying to piece together her journey through the government based health care system here and it's a nightmare to try and determine what testing she has had, what her actual diagnosis is, and what treatment she has received. From what I can gather, she has been given a diagnosis of uterine (or possibly ovarian) cancer as early as 2007 and has been suffering ever since. She has been to the government hospitals here countless times, spending what little resources she has seeking care. However, all she has ever really received is pills or injections for her pain: once again, aspirin for cancer. She has never had surgery, has never had chemotherapy, or radiation, or any of the other cancer treatments that are known to work. Her journey is much more winding and disappointing than I can adequately describe here, but suffice it to say she is a woman who is desperate. She is now seeking help from a "bush doctor" who is charging her excessive rates and giving her some strange liquid mixtures that he promises will bring healing. Her abdominal pain is such that she often talks of ending her life and just lying down to die.

Here's how you could help - Both Linda and Alphosinah really need to be seen by a proper doctor. I know it's hard for you reading this to understand, and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't experienced it myself time after time, but there are almost no proper doctors in the government healthcare system here. In the public hospital, there truly might be ONE trained doctor in the entire hospital, and that's usually only on Friday. ONE - for hundreds and hundreds of desperate, sick Swazi men, women, and children who spent all they had to get on a bus at 4 AM to get to the capital to line up and wait ALL DAY only to be told that the doctor has left, or that he doesn't treat their ailment, or something else. Linda and Alphosinah have both been down this road dozens of times and have been given pain pills every time! I know that writing this blog is not going to change the system, but it truly could change the story for these 2 individuals. There are private, properly trained doctors living and working in Swaziland. It is costly to see them, but this is really what has to happen for these friends of mine. These doctors are connected with private hospitals where people can get better treatment. Therefore, my family and I are starting a healthcare fund to try and help as many rural Swazi people that God brings into our lives as we can. We're going to start with Linda and Alphonsinah and we'll trust that God will provide what is needed.   If He sees fit to bless us with much, then we'll help others (these are just 2 of the dozens of people we know who are desperate for healing). We believe that God can and does heal miraculously and we're praying in faith for these friends to be healed through God's power, but while we're praying we're working as well - that's what this blog is all about. If these stories have touched your heart and you'd like to give, here's how:

Go to your desk (or wherever you keep your checkbook) and make out a check to:

Adventures In Missions

In the Memo section write: BENSWAZI

Send to:

Please include in the envelope a small note referencing: "Medical Fund - Nsoko"

Thank you so much for your love for the Lord, for us, and for the Kingdom of God. Through your gift to this fund, you're making a real difference for these 2 people. Just because they were born in the bushland of southern Africa doesn't mean they are less deserving of health and healing than you or I. This is one of the great works the Lord is working out in our world today - connecting those who have been given much with those who have been given little. It is an honor, and truly humbling, to be one of those bridges for the Lord. May God give you more of His grace and peace today!

There is an epidemic in Swaziland. No, I'm not talking about HIV/AIDS although that is devastating this country. I'm not talking about starvation although there are many people that don't get enough to eat or have access to clean water in this country. I am talking about the epidemic of fatherlessness in Swaziland. Where are all the Dads? I see men around sometimes. They are often hanging around in the parking lot where I go to buy groceries. There are always a few by the bottle shop (liquor store) I pass on the way into the market. I see them sitting in front of the butchery, playing cards on overturned crates. There are usually some interspersed with the women working in the sugarcane fields. But go on a homestead to visit a mother or grandmother with her children and the question almost always presents itself: 'Who is providing for this homestead?'

The family may be lacking food, clean water, clothing, a proper house in which to live, access to medical care or an education...yet...the biggest source of poverty I notice over and over is fatherlessness...Where are all the men? Where are the fathers?

In a culture where polygamy is allowed, even celebrated (look at the king of Swaziland and the number of wives he has!) and sexual relationships outside of marriage occur at an alarming rate the numbers of fatherless children is growing daily. Girls are getting pregnant and having multiple babies by multiple men in a desperate attempt to find the one who will marry her and take care of her and all of her children. Over and over, however, I see young women facing the unimaginable choice of leaving older children behind because her new husband refuses to take care of someone else's kids.

 Recently I was interviewed for a research project by a college student. She asked me what I thought the major issues effecting Swaziland might be. We discussed the AIDS problem, lack of jobs, lack of education, hunger, and poor health care. As I spoke, however, there was a whisper in my spirit that said: 'It is the poverty of family'. Please don't get me wrong. Swazis are warm and beautiful people who value relationship. We have met a few wonderful men who love their children and support their family. A few. Too. Few.

 It is very clear that the root of so many of the issues growing throughout this country and choking out life is the lack of men who take their calling as provider, supporter, encourager, protector...seriously.

I wonder, what might happen if men married only one woman.

I wonder, what might happen if husbands stayed with their wives through sickness and health...even through HIV and AIDS.

I wonder, what might happen if fathers took full responsibility for their children.

I wonder, what might happen if fathers became the spiritual leaders of their households; putting the Lord God on the throne of their hearts, minds and souls.

I wonder, what might happen if men even went so far as to step into the gap other men have left behind and become father to those children as well as their own.

I wonder...

The word 'fatherless' is such a sad word, isn't it? It evokes such emptiness and leaves me feeling so hollow inside. How tragic that there even has to be such a word in our vocabulary. Out of curiosity, I looked it up on an online dictionary. Dictionary.com defines it as: "not having a living father; not having a known or legally responsible father". When I read that I was a bit surprised at the simplicity of the definition. How can something so big, so heavy, so complicated, so...sad... have such a short description? I then decided to check the thesaurus. I felt compelled to find something more substantial. When I typed 'fatherless' in the search engine on Thesaurus.com it stated: "no thesaurus results" followed by "did you mean faithless?" At first I thought that was a strange connection but quickly corrected myself. How hard is it for a fatherless child to have faith? How can a fatherless child wrap his or her mind around the concept of a Heavenly Father? Most disturbing of all...what if a fatherless child does wrap his or her mind around the concept of their Heavenly Father using their earthly father as the only point of reference? That is genuine poverty and that is the epidemic.

I am so thankful that my God is big enough:

"To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it...For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless..." ~ Deuteronomy 10:14-18a

His arms are wide enough to embrace each one of this fatherless generation:

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ~ Matthew 19:14

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." ~ John 14:18

 Jesus' blood is rich enough to cover the multitude of sins caused by this selfish generation of faithless men:

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." ~ Galatians 6:7-8

                                ...and yet...

                                                       ...my heart breaks...

                                                                                                     ...for them all...

Today I was reminded of just how unpredictable life can be. We went on a home visit to bring food to a widow in the area.  Seeing her is always a highlight in the life of our family! As we are unloading the sacks of beans, rice and corn meal from the back of the vehicle there is a commotion going on at the side of the verandah in front of her house. A very pregnant young lady seems to be plucking feathers off of a chicken, and the chicken is NOT at all happy about this! I can see as I approach the verandah that the chicken has its legs tied together. I assume that this is the start of a very special dinner on this homestead.

We sit down on the straw mats rolled out for us and begin to visit with Gogo. Her eyes are bright as she starts rapidly talking in SiSwati. Suddenly, the young pregnant woman sets the partially plucked; leg bound chicken on Gogo's lap. Gogo's smile widens and her voice grows louder as she communicates her message to our ministry partner to translate. His face brightens, and he lets out a low laugh as her intentions become clear to him. The chicken is a gift; Gogo's gift to us! Her grand daughter was plucking the chicken to cook for dinner when they saw our car driving down the dirt road. That is when Gogo instructed the granddaughter to tie the bird's feet together because they were going to give it to us. Meat is valuable here in the rural part of Swaziland. Most homesteads never eat meat unless it is a special occasion or a holiday, yet, she decided to give us her chicken. Everything inside of me was protesting: "but, this is too much...this chicken is much more precious to you...I buy my chicken at the store...what the heck am I going to do with a live chicken??"   Yet...I know I can not refuse this offering. This is an extravagant expression of generosity! It means everything to her; therefore it means everything to me. I clumsily receive the bird into my hands, wings flapping; and try to show my gratitude - minus the awkwardness of attempting to wrestle a live chicken wanting nothing to do with me! Claire, my animal loving daughter, quickly comes to my aid and accepts the chicken into her hands... already scheming how to name it and keep it as a family pet!

Returning my attention to Gogo, I ask how she has been doing since I last saw her.

Her face becomes serious as she begins to speak rapidly in SiSwati. I take a deep breath and nod my head, waiting to receive the translation from the ministry partner by my side. As he relays Gogo's words, my heart quickens and my stomach drops. Last weekend, Gogo's teenage grandson broke into her house in a drunken rage. He was trying to sexually attack the two grand daughter's that live with her. Gogo fought him off with a bush knife and the two girls escaped out the window. The police were called and the grandson is now in prison. Gogo is heartbroken that something so sinister and dark occurred within her family. She says: "it was the demon, alcohol, that attacked my family".

I asked her if she was physically hurt in the attack and she kind of smirks and holds up her arm. "I am strong" she says through the translator, "God is stronger".

So tonight...there is a very confused chicken in my yard and also a very confused heart within me. How do women like this Gogo do it? How do they continue on with grace and generosity even in the face of such evil and depravity?

Oh God...give me even a portion of her strength...even a fraction of her faith...teach me to love like she loves and forgive like she forgives, give like she gives...

Oh, and P.S.   Lord, help me do right by this poor chicken...

Recently we were out ministering at one of the care points. Claire was sitting next to Zola, a 14 year old Swazi boy who is blind. Zola loves to sit close, cocking his head and ear toward whoever is speaking and really listening to the words. He also loves to hold your hand. Often his fingers will find their way into your hair or along the side of your face, as if Zola is trying to 'see' you through his sense of touch. As with most blind people, I imagine, Zola's other senses seem to be more alert, more keen, heightened.

 

As I've reflected on that moment over the past several days it strikes me how similarly the Father loves us. In our blindness we find our way to His side and lean in and try to experience His presence. We listen and feel our way into His mighty hands and seek to follow His design for our lives. We copy the motion and movement of His will until we feel confident enough to let go and step into our own creative expression. He is never far from our side, however, as we are reminded by His ever present Spirit surrounding us and encouraging us...satisfied with our efforts and beaming with pride; always ready and willing to take our small hand back into His strong grip and remind us again the plans and purpose He has for us; a message of mercy and grace written across the surface of our heart.

His perfect expression of love...

I started a small group for teenage girls/young ladies two weeks ago. My heart is so heavy for that age group...it has grown even heavier since living in Swaziland.

I had found a five week series about Godly young women which answers a few main questions that seemed a great start to open dialogue with the young women here in Nsoko:

   *What comes out of a Godly woman's mouth?

   *How does a Godly woman dress/look like/act?

   *Who does a Godly woman love?

   *What is on a Godly woman's heart?

  * How does she remain pure?

   *Where does a Godly woman put her trust and hope?

It was very encouraging, that at the second meeting last Friday, there were  27 young women present. There seemed to be a real keen interest in the material and we had some great discussion! I left that meeting feeling excited, happy and (yes) a bit proud...that I seemed to have hit on a nerve and opened up a dialogue!

Then, over the weekend there was a funeral in the community. We hadn't heard too much about it until after the fact. As more information became clear, however, the heaviness in my heart became like a boulder. The deceased was a teenage girl...she had become pregnant...again...and went to one of the tribal 'healers' for a concoction to...again...abort the baby growing within her. Both she and the baby died as a result.

But there is more!

She had two sisters...who also have died trying to abort unwanted pregnancies...

Such hopelessness...such despair...

SUCH DARKNESS...

I am left asking...

"Lord, why didn't You stop this?"

"Lord, why couldn't I have been put in this young girl's path?"

I am haunted by...

"Lord, DID I cross paths with this young girl and write it off as just another teen mother in Swaziland?"

It is too easy to become jaded and cynical in this culture. So many young girls walking around pregnant, with another little one slung on their back! So many youth deemed failures by a failing education system with nothing but time and hormones on their side...casual sex is a daily fact!

But then you imagine her...

Ashamed

Alone

Desperate

Deceived