Make "Mah-gay" Sandra

Saint Francis of Assisi

2012-02-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share an apt prayer that I came back across recently and has given me thoughts to chew on, goals to be used by God to achieve and renewed focus on what is truly important.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

(sometimes that one is tough for me)

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

It's Not Fair!!!

2012-01-24T01:38:00.001-08:00

I know God is sovereign and that nothing happens that catches Him by surprise. But in my heart, sometimes things happen and I want to cry "It's not fair"!!!! Yesterday was one of those days.

I visited a child in the hospital, Kholiwe "Koe-lee-way". Kholiwe is 7 years old and attended our preschool in Mvutjini "Em-voo-chee-nee" last year. She had struggled regularly during the school year because when her mother was working and the neighbor could not watch her 2 year old sister, it was Kholiwe's responsibility. The facilitators worked it out so the baby sister could come with her to school on those days. And Kholiwe was able to graduate from the preschool. She is a sweet, bright child.

Last year, before the holidays, a candle in the home was left burning and it caught the bedroom on fire. All the children (Kholiwe has 4 sisters and 2 brothers) ran from the fire. Unfortunately Kholiwe's clothes had caught fire and as she ran it severely burned her stomach, back and right thigh. She has been in the hospital now for over 1 1/2 months. Her mother stays with her, sleeping on a foam pad under Kholiwe's metal crib. She has been unable to go to work because in the government hospital a caregiver must stay with the patient (child or adult) to tend to, wash, take to the toilet, feed, administer prescribed tablets, etc. It is tough to see. Kholiwe was in good spirits with a sweet smile. Her mom was positive and optimistic about the prognosis. In a room with 12 other children, (a lot of them burn victims) there were many children crying or staring with hopeless eyes and caregivers showing fatigue and a resignation to what was before them. I wanted to scream

"IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!"

Kholiwe went in for skin graft surgery this morning. If all goes well, and no infection sets in, she may be able to return home in 10 days.

Another missionary friend from another organization was working on a building project yesterday when an accident occurred and Eric, his close helper/friend's arm was caught in a brick-making machine. His lower arm had to be amputated. Eric is in good spirits and knows God has a plan through all of this. But he is a hard working laborer that has now lost one of his hands. I want to cry out

"BUT IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

Another close co-worker thought she had school fees arranged for her child. In high school, the cost of school is often more than a year's salary of the parent (if the parent is able to have a job). It is not something that can be easily covered. She thought wrong and the school fees will not be coming. She is trusting God!!! "BUT IT'S NOT FAIR" to have to struggle so hard for your child to get an education!

Why was I born in America with so many opportunities and I look around Swaziland and see so many who struggle in survival mode, wanting a chance for their children to have an education, many who lack the knowledge to be able to get a decent paying job. My heart breaks! I am so blessed! So many say how can you make the sacrifices you do to live in Africa, away from family, from fast food, from TV, from on and on. But I heard a line in an old show "Christy" that I borrowed on DVD recently and she said "The blessings become so much greater than the sacrifices."

It isn't fair. God never said it would be. I have found that with the greatest sufferings have come the biggest miracles!!!!

Isaiah 55:8 "'My thought are completely different from yours', says the Lord, 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.'"

My God has bigger plans and bigger ideas to what is "fair". The lyrics of a song by Laura Story keeps popping in my head, time and time again " 'Cause what if Your blessing come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? And what if a thousand sleepless nights, are what it takes to draw You near? And what if the trials of this life, are Your mercies in disguise?" My God is so much bigger than my feelings of what is fair!!!!! May I have His heart of compassion!!!

May I grow more each day in in sharing His love to those that hurt!!!! May I no longer see it as unfair but as opportunities to share the love of Christ!!! May the sufferings bring an awareness of God and His love!!! In some ways it is unfair that I was born in America without the struggles. Being so blessed sometimes I miss seeing His face shining all around us!! Sometimes I take for granted all that He has made available to me. Thank you God for my numerous blessings!!! May I not take them for granted but use them to bless others!!!

Happy 2012!!!!

2012-01-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year!!! A new year is born and we find ourselves reflecting and projecting. Did I accomplish anything in 2011? Did I do what I set out to do or did something totally different happen? What do I want to say this time next year about 2012? What do I want to accomplish this year?

The nice thing about Swaziland is that the "holidays" really is a holiday from work. December ends the calendar year and the school year. The government and all but retail pretty much shuts down for the end of December and beginning of January. It is a three week period to totally get away from the 24/7 job of being a missionary. Some go back to the states to see family, some travel and this year, due to circumstances I believe God orchestrated, just stay put. What you do when you have no agenda and no opportunities to escape staying put?

I am a "to do" person but God showed me how to really rest. I like check lists and He taught me these last couple of weeks to just be content to do nothing. I love the beach and I would have loved to spend this holiday at the ocean somewhere but that is not where God had me! And that is okay!! I am shocked but I am really content with having nothing significant that happened during my down time. Had unlimited quiet time with God, read some, walked some, visited with friends, slept a lot, realized how exhausted I had been and just enjoyed knowing I have a place to rest in His arms where ever I am.

So, this last day of holiday, before I go back to the Cup office tomorrow, I am taking time to reflect on 2011. And what I see is God's hand!!! One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 3:20 "Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." He has touched the lives of so many!!! He has brought hope to those who had no hope! He has brought understanding that He is with each of us, all of us, even when we are hungery and suffer. He has shown me that I don't have to trust lists, I just have to trust Him! If I look at the facts I would have spent the year worrying!

Jan: Started new year with new staff unfamiliar with Mission of Mercy and how it works.

Feb: Had to find a new home

Mar/Apr: Overwhelming task of Biannual Progress Reports for ALL MoM registered children across Swaziland

May: My mom traveling by herself to visit me and using her passport for the first time!!!

June/July: Planning new CarePoint registrations

August: Friends in serious accident followed by me hitting a cow and doing lots of damage to my truck

Sept: Traveling to Zimbabwe with just one other person to help teach MoM staff as they launch program and find out majority of my personal funding will be cut next year.

Oct: Host a team from the states and take on new roll doing payroll.

Nov: Plan how to get back to the states to fund raise and preschool graduations with grim news of government not being able to help elementary schools next year.

Dec: Christmas parties!!!! (exhausting schedule)

Many areas to give in to worry. Where will I go? How can we do this? What can we do to strengthen the ministry? Am I really making a difference? Who am I to be here? When I gave each one to God, they all turned out to be wonderful blessings and/or opportunities for growth in my faith!!!!

I live in an adorable little place! Most all the facilitators from last year will continue this year!! Mission of Mercy has grown stronger and bigger in Swaziland and has started in Zimbabwe!!! My mom's visit was the highlight of my year and such a blessing to have her see where I live and work and just to go have some fun together!!!! A donation to fix my truck came through! I bonded with the team that I hosted and have been so encouraged by them that we will have a reunion when I am in the states in June!!!! Christmas parties were tough but more of a blessing than a burden on so many levels!!!! 2011 was a wonderful year of learning more about God, leaning more on Him and loving seeing Him in action !!!!

What will 2012 hold? Not sure? Government is struggling, school system might crumble and I am just as uncertain about my funding. But this I do know, I don't need to look at the facts!!! I need to trust and pray and obey!!! That is my goal for 2012!!! Trust . . . Pray . . . Obey!

Hopefully in all that I will get in better shape, be a better listener, be more culturally sensitive and be more generous!! But I am excited about the new year, the new challenges and the new opportunities to grow closer to Him!!! I am truly blessed to be here; to have two sons who are growing in their walk with God and to be loved by family, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ that encourage me, love me and pray for me!! I pray 2012 will hold just as much for each of you!!!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:23-24

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2011-12-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

I'm still processing this holiday weekend and what God has been showing me and growing me! My life, in general, is not how I would have ever imagined it even 10 years ago! What seemed like disasters have blossomed into opportunities! What seemed like sacrifices have turned into blessings!

My devotion the other day spoke of the verse Luke 2:7 "She brought forth her firstborn Son . . . . and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Billy Graham said "No room for Jesus? No room for the King of kings? No, but room for others and for other things. There was no room for Jesus in the world that He had made----imagine! Things have not really changed since that Bethlehem night over 2000 years ago. God is still on the fringes of most of our lives. We fit Him in when it is convenient for us, but we become irritated when He makes demands on us. If God would only stay in His little box and come out when we pull the string! Our lives are so full. There is so much to be done. But in our busy activities are we in danger of excluding from our hearts and lives the one who made us?"

Then my friend, Mike Pier, a missionary in Zimbabwe wrote on his blog "When Jesus made His appearance in our world, it wasn't with a lot of fanfare and with extravagant celebration. He CHOSE to be born in Bethlehem, a city that surely wasn't a vacation hotspot of the day, in a barn that was full of animals, hay, a few rats and poop and in a manger . . . . a feeding trough. If this is where the Creator of the universe chose to be born, if this is where God showed up on Earth . . . what is He saying to us? I think Jesus is saying 'I'm a real person and I'm here to relate with real people, to meet them right where they are, in the dirty places, where there's animals, rats and poop. Even if it smells bad. I don't need a red carpet rolled out for me, cuz You can be real when you come to me . . . just as you are.' So many times we think I need to get myself straightened out, then I'll go to church. I'm here to tell you . . . NOT SO!!! It's just the opposite, Jesus loves a mess . . . and He loves cleaning up a mess. He already knows that we smell bad, that we are in a rough place and maybe have made a mess of our life."

Then on Christmas Eve, Pastor Roger challenged us to seek God for just one thing in 2012. As David did in Psalm 27:4 "The one thing I ask of the Lord . . . the thing I seek most . . ."

So as the Christmas holiday and 2011 come to a close . . . Have I made room in my life for Christ? Not on the fringe but an abiding resident in the center of all I do!

Am I as real a person as Jesus? Am I seeking the fanfare or am I willing to roll up my sleeves and work with Jesus to clean up the stinky, rotten recesses of my life. Then, am I willing to help Him do that with others? It's one thing to work in your own filth but it's another to step into someone else's.

And what will I ask from the Lord in 2012? What is the thing I will seek most? To be in His presence more? My heart says that in 2012 I should seek to have more of Christ's heartbeat . . . to see others as He sees them, love others as He loves them, work patiently with others as He works without ceasing with each of us. I am so short of being able to do that in my own strength, I am quick to see other's faults, quick to snap and judge and impatient for others it "get it" but for 2012 I will seek that I will be more of a vessel He can use!!! More of Him and less of me!

May your Christmas have been blessed and may the New Year bring us all closer to God!

Before 2011 draws to a close, it is a great time for that year end tax deduction AND to partner with me through http://www.childrenscup.org/give-now/ to give hope, inspire dreams and change lives in Swaziland! Thank you for your love, friendship, prayers and support!!!

Application

2011-12-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

Application

Position: Missionary in Swaziland for another year

Strengths: Gift of administration and passion for children

Weaknesses: Unable to do any of this in my own strength and can be self centered and strong willed.

Job Description: Office administrator for Children’s Cup office in Swaziland including payroll for 40+ local staff. Director of Swaziland’s partnership with Mission of Mercy child sponsorship program for the 18 CarePoints and 1,500+ children across the nation. Love on, encourage, counsel and build relationships with 20+ office/church staff as we;; as the teachers and cooks at Mangwaneni CarePoint. Occasionally get to go play with kids, give high five twirls and work with teams from the states.

Salary: None from Children’s Cup. Donations to the ministries of Children’s Cup goes to the ministry and none of it is funneled to missionaries for support, vehicle expenses or living expenses.

I recently found out I cannot pay my way to stay in Swaziland next year. As of January my funding will be cut by more than half and will be below what I need to live here.

My faith is in Christ and in His calling me to Swaziland over 4 years ago. I do not feel He has asked me to leave Swaziland at this time. There is still so much more to be done and so much He is doing!

But it is not by my faith that I will be able to stay here . . . . it is by yours!

· Faith that I am being God’s hands and feet here.

· Faith that the funds I receive I will use with integrity.

· Faith that God has called you to be part of His channel of provision to me.

· Faith that God will honor and bless you and provide for your household as you help provide for me.

Please pray about this with me. God may be calling you to be a prayer warrior and stand in the gap for me and for Children’s Cup. Great things continue to unfold in the Cup ministries and this is just one obstacle that the enemy has laid out there that needs spiritual intervention. God may be calling you to financially assist me monthly or in a one-time gift to cover the next 6 months until I can go back to the states and try to raise support face to face and in churches. I need $5,000 during that time to make sure I can pay rent, utilities, groceries & gasoline to visit CarePoints. I have not been back to the states for over 2 years so I know, unless you have been to Swaziland you feel a little disconnected from me personally. If there is any way I can meet with you when I am in Oklahoma, Connecticut and hopefully Georgia or visit your church, during June and July, just let me know. I love my blog and FaceBook family and treasure your prayers and support. Thank you for praying about it and letting me know what God lays on your heart.

Please accept my application.

Sincerely,

Sandra Chesterman

Missionary

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-02T02:19:00.000-08:00

There is no such thing as a "White Christmas" in Swaziland!

On the contrary, the weather fluctuates between HOT and thunderstorms!! But it is one of the most exciting times in Children's Cup ministries. . . . the Christmas parties!!!!It is not just a chance for kids to get to get treats and jumping castles, it is a learning experience!!!

Every station teaches about Jesus and centers around the theme that GOD IS WITH ME!!!

From dancing after they learn about the wise men following the star, to learning about Jesus' baptism before they water slide, to learning about fishing for men as they fish for treats,

to hear about the feeding of the 5000 before they eat fish

and bread (and rice),

to playing with a GIANT ball after learning about the stone rolling away from the grave, to hearing of Christ's ascension and then jumping on the jumping castle and then finally getting to color their own special button to remind them that "GOD IS WITH ME" always!!!!

The celebration ends with birthday cake and FIREWORKS!!! So many of these kids deal with situations that even adults should not have to be exposed too! Death, abuse, abandonment, severe hunger and life threatening illnesses!!! Hope comes in the form of Jesus!!!

It reawakens the knowledge of what is really important! I still don't know about how my financial situation will look next year. I have had to wrestle recently with "what if it doesn't come in" scenario and have decided that although I don't feel called back to the states, if God allows that to happen, He will still be with me!!! The Bible says not to worry about anything but to present it before God in prayer, always giving thanks!!!! (paraphrase of Philippians 4:6) So that is what I choose today. Celebrate the season with sharing God's love and the truth of His Son!!! I will rejoice in being able to serve Him here or wherever I end up!!! And I am going to have a blast next week getting lots of kids wet on the water slide!!!!!

The Future Looks Brighter!

2011-11-15T01:54:00.000-08:00

"A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might." Proverbs 24:5

I am so excited about these fourteen 5 year olds from Mangwaneni CarePoint showing family and friends all that they learned this year and enhancing their might to change their world!

Teachers Dorah and Njabu "En-jah-boo" work hard but their caring heart for these children is what shows through at graduation. These graduates now know their alphabet, can count to 20, know their shapes and colors, and the days of the week! They know the pledges to the Bible, the Christian flag and to Swaziland. They can recite Psalms 100 and sing a variety of Siswati and English songs.

Impressively these children have learned to speak boldly and with confidence as displayed when they shared who they were and what they wanted to be when they grow

up! (Nurses, doctors, teachers, police, soldiers and even a pilot!)

You would have no indication from the celebration the tough backgrounds many of these children have and what a difference being able to come to the CarePoint

has made in their young lives.

Let me share part of Thubelihle Matsebula's "Two-bay-lea-sleigh Maht-say-boo-lah's" story. She is the 5 year old little girl standing with me in the picture above holding her graduation certificate. She is also the one in the group picture at the top of this blog, on the front row, two in from the left with her hand playfully on her hip.

Thube as she is called, would often be locked out of the house early in the morning when her mother went to try to sell bags of chips at the bus rank and the other children would go to school. Alcohol is another ingredient in her home life. Thube was a very lonely and neglected child. When she was almost 4 the teacher spoke with Thube’s mother about getting her on medication and letting her come to the free preschool. She was able to attend the preschool class after that but teacher Dorah says that often she would hide in the cemetery and not come to class. The other kids did not like Thube because she was dirty and sickly and angry. After a couple of months, with the patient, consistent work of the teachers, Thubelihle started attending class regularly. She started playing with other children and going to medical clinic monthly and taking medication consistently.

By looking at Thubelihle at the Mangwaneni CarePoint preschool graduation, confident and happy, you would not be able to tell that when she started coming to the CarePoint, 3 years ago, that she was often found sleeping out by the road, hungry, sickly and alone. When she was almost 3 years old she started showing up at the CarePoint with her young aunts (school age) when they would attend, mainly during school break. Back then she would come mainly to eat.

If she stayed longer, you would find her just sitting on her own while other children were playing and having fun. She, along with most of her family, chronically suffer from not having a strong immune system, currently effecting at least a third of Swaziland. During this period she was not taking any consistent medication and was sick a lot of the time.

Thubelihle is like a butterfly that has come out of her cocoon. She has emerged as a strong and healthy girl. She is smart and loves to write (or copy) words. She has dreams to become a police woman. She has learned many Bible verses and knows that God loves her. She has confidence, joy and an eagerness to learn. She has hope. She has a brighter future!

Thank all of you who support Children's Cup!

The preschool is just one area of our ministries but it is making such a huge impact on not only Thubelihle, not only the children at Mangwaneni CarePoint but hundreds of children that graduated from our numerous CarePoints across Swaziland!

Giving Hope! Inspiring Dreams! Changing Worlds!

God Might Call Me to Africa!

2011-11-08T04:21:00.000-08:00

Isn't it everyone's fear? . . . if I am open and fully submitted to God then He might send me to Africa!!!!

It is funny that I never thought that. I never thought I was missionary

material. I'm not an evangelist per say. I am not a nurse or a teacher. I don't have a discipleship gifting to lead bible studies for adults or children. I am compassionate but in no way am a "bleeding heart" or have the gift of mercy. My gifting is administrative. So it was never on my radar that at 47 being a divorced mom of two adult young men, that God could or would even thing of calling this geographically challenged woman to a place she had never heard of. . . Swaziland Africa.

It all started when my pastor came back from an orphanage in India. God started stirring in me the thought that maybe I could minister to kids outside the US. I guess you would say, God gave me a more global view of my life! I started thinking He might want to us me outside my little world. Then my pastor came back from Swaziland, Africa and shared about the ministry going on through Children's Cup. It sounded like they were doing a great thing.

And then . . . the still small voice came:

"I want you to go to Africa!"

I replied "Great Lord, I would love to go on another mission trip!" (years before I had gone with another church to Honduras, the only other country I have ever flown to)

"No, I want you to go and be a missionary in Africa!"

"Okay Lord, I will go on a mission trip and then we can talk about it."

Now mind you this conversation was over a period of days, not just a 5 minute talk. It was a conversation that repeated itself many times in my quiet times with God.

God finally said "No! If I say it is okay to go, then it is okay!!! You do not need to visit first. I will be with you!"

And at that point I said "Okay. I don't know how or why but okay."

This is the most out of character thing I could do. Complete surrender. I cannot tell you the peace I felt. I had no clue about what I would be doing there (turns out they needed administration on the African side of the world) or how I would be able to afford it. (I was raised Southern Baptist where they have a mission agency that covers everything). I did not know anything about the culture. I was a blank slate. (I did find it on the map and also found out that South Africa was an actual country, not the southern part of Africa!)

Was I called to Africa because I was so yielded and open to God? I don't think so. I think I was stubborn and comfortable in my regular pattern of life. I think He called me to Africa and I chose to be obedient. I had a lot (and still do) of growing to do. But when I was called to Africa, for the first time I listened to Him and not to the other voices:

"You don't know what you are getting into!"; "Who are you to be doing that!"; "You can't make it!" "You aren't capable of that!" "How can you do that?" "You are just one person!" "You are not anyone special!" "You aren't spiritual enough!"

All I remember is God saying that if He said it was okay to go, then it was okay! And it has been!

I have never regretted coming to Swaziland. In fact I considered myself so blessed to be able to serve here. Over the last couple of months, God has confirmed that He has called me to Swaziland, His grace and peace for me is here; not Zimbabwe, not Mozambique and not even in the United States anymore. At least for now. God might call me to go somewhere else down the road and hopefully I will continue to be obedient but' He hasn't yet.

Even in the light of my financial situation being cut to half of what I need to live and serve here come January, I am convinced I am supposed to be here. If I have learned anything in the 4 years I have been here, it is that God is faithful. If He says it will be okay, it WILL be okay. You don't have to fear God's plan for you! If you ignore His voice you just miss out on the many blessings beyond what you could imagine. Don't say "What? No way!" Just say YES!!! (or in Swaziland it is YEBO!)

If God is laying on your heart to help support me in 2012, please email me sandra@childrenscup.org or go to the childrenscup.org website and click on donate. If you are a member of the Oasis church, please continue to support me through designated offerings to the church. My prayer though, is that everyone who reads my blog will be open and yielded to God to say YES to whatever He is calling you to do. You won't regret it! Whether it is raking the neighbors leaves or visiting a nursing home or taking in someone who is in need, don't be afraid! The enemy makes it look bigger and more overwhelming than it really is. Work with the homeless, widows, refugees, single moms or where ever God calls you. (Don.t worry, it probably won't be Africa!) May you richly enjoy the blessings God has bestowed on you!! May you jump for joy for every new blessing you discover as you walk in obedience! I know I am!

Being Obedient

2011-11-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to begin this. It is not what or how I wanted to present myself. I wanted to share with you my conversations with God that brought me to the mission field four years ago. I wanted to paint the picture of how God uses me here in Swaziland . I wanted to be creative and poetic and inspiring.

Did you notice the theme . . . I wanted.

God and I had a wrestling match of wills tonight and of course He won!!! It's not that I lost, it is that He showed me the root of my will was ultimately "my wants". What I really want is to serve Him in whatever manner He chooses. But He showed me "my wants" (mentioned in the beginning of this blog) were arrogant. I wanted to prove "I" was worthy. That "I" could do this blog in such a way that "I" would be thought of as clever and special. Although I am not anxious about the future (a major growth in my faith) I am still trying to do His work in my own strength. So far, this blog makes little sense to you so let me try and clarify.

As of January 2012 my funding will be cut to half of what I need to live in Swaziland. (I need $2000/month and I will only have about $1000/month starting in Jan ) I had not planned to go back to the US for a visit until June and I definitely had not planned to be raising funding.

Can God provide?Absolutely!

Can He do it without my asking for help? Of course!

But will He? I don't think so.

Because in asking, I have to say that I need help. I don't like that. I want to make it flowery. I want to disguise my need and show my worth. I don't feel comfortable in straight out asking for help. And down deep I don't want to have to be that vulnerable, that open to rejection.

That's where my wrestling match started tonight. I was still making it all about me.

But it's not about me. It is about Him. It is about me getting out of the way and letting Him use me or you or whomever to bring Him glory. I don't think I will be leaving Swaziland because I know I have not been called elsewhere. God will lay it on certain people's heart to help support me and I will be grateful and they will be blessed for their obedience even when they don't understand the why or how. I've learned a lot in serving Him in Swaziland and the most significant one is to be obedient. When I hear His voice . . . obey. To never do anything out of guilt, pressure, pleasure or any other reason but only when I know it is what God wants me to do, even if I don't understand why. God does not need me to do His work here. I am blessed that He chooses to use me. God is doing amazing things in the lives of children, youth and even the co-workers I work with here in Swaziland. I pray I have and will continue to be a vessel for Him to use; to be His hands and feet to love on, encourage and build up others. Tonight though God has made it clear to me that I have to say I need your help to stay here. It might not be how I wanted to say it. I'm sure it is not the way others will say I should say it. But I work for Emmanuel -God is with us. God is with you. God is with me. So in obedience to Him may I in true humility say . . .

"I need your help."

Thank you as always for reading my blog, loving me, praying for me and putting up with me as I work out my faith. I pray my journey helps you in yours. I know you help me in mine. I love you all and I know I am loved and blessed beyond measure!!!!

If God is calling you specifically to help me, please email me at sandra@childrenscup.org or go to chidrenscup.org and click on donate and then my name or if you belong to The Oasis Church, please send your designated donation through them as they will send it on to me. If your contribution will be on a consistent basis will you please let me know show I can include it in my budget. And regardless of if God uses you in supporting me financially; THANK YOU for supporting me with your thoughts, your prayers and your time in keeping up with the ministry God is doing in Swaziland!

"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." Ephesians 3:20

A glimpse inside

2011-10-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

The following story was not written by me but by one of my staff that has shared so beautifully a glimpse inside the Swazi culture and inside the life of Andile, a child that attends one of our CarePoints. The wording has not been altered, remember that English is the second language for Swazis. The pictures throughout this blog (taken by a recent team) are not of Andile but of a variety of children that Children Cup touches through various CarePoints.

HOW THE PROJECT CHANGED ANDILE's LIFE

God bless you as you read on how your prayers and support has helped Childrens Cup touch and change the hopeless lives of many kids with one Andile Gamedze being today's example.

Andile is an eight year old boy who was abandoned by his father while he was still young. After having four kids with Andile's mother he then ran away from responsibility without trace. He is said to have moved on with other ladies,impregnanting them and leaving them stranded and not taking responsibility of his deeds as is common practice in this culture. As a result Andile's mother who is not working didnot know what to do with her lovely kids who needed three meals a day, quality medical care,quality education,to mention but a few.

But God had a plan through the partnership of Childrens Cup and Mission of Mercy to take care of such kids. His mother left him with others to go and look for a job which is very scarce to get in this country.Since then she has only been visiting her kids once in a while. Now the kids had to live without both parents something that has contributed much to the increase of crime in the country as statistics has proved that more than 80% of the country's parents or not even one of them involved. His grandmother had to assume responsibility something common in this culture since many give birth prematurely to kids that they can't take care of leaving the grandparents with no option but to come to their rescue.

Recently, Andile injured his toes and was admitted into a nearby hospital where the doctor said he needs to have his toe removed (amputated).

Constant prayers were made by facilitators and cooks for this young boy who was lying helplessly in the hospital not even aware of what was about to take place. God intervened, miraculously the doctor said there was no longer a need to remove his toe and was later discharged. His granny did not even have an idea on how to settle all the hospital bills but God knew. Childrens Cup medical wing took care of all the costs which was a great relief to the granny who was then confused.

Making matters worse is the fact that Andile's grandmother is not taking care of only the four kids but is also taking care of his nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts who are depending on this one old lady who is not working. How does she manage to shoulder such a huge responsibility, only God knows? Have it not been for what God is doing through Children's Cup, Andile would be one of those many kids in the country who have never been to school in their entire lives. That means not able to read and write and also means a bleak future.

His granny can't afford paying school fees for kids that are close to ten that are under her care at least one meal a day something she had always struggled with. The CarePoint relieved her by providing for her grandchildren at considering that education is expensive in this country. Andile attended the CarePoint pre-school,did his first and second grades here before transferring to neighboring primary school where he is doing his third grade now.

He is now happy and healthy like any other child.

Thank-you for your prayers,support and contributions which enable this noble ministry to this huge impact in the lives of many others with Andile being a sample. Thank-you for reading this article may God bless you.

Written by Njabulo Ndlovukazi

You Never Let Go!

2011-10-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share part of a song that has been churning and singing in my soul for over a month now. Love it and love Him because, no matter what, He never let's go!!

"And I will fear no evil,

For my God is with me.

And if my God is with me,

Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me. "

Thank You Lord!!! You are so faithful!!!

Inspired

2011-10-17T07:36:00.001-07:00

Teams come through Children's Cup all the time. I don't often get to host one but enjoy the change of pace when I do. It is fun to get to show others about the ministry in Swaziland and see it through fresh eyes. This team was "the same . . . just different". This team inspired me to serve better; to love deeper; to relinquish self for the greater purpose and to just not flinch, whine or grumble about being God's hands and feet. This team was awesome!! They never sought out anything special for themselves (20 of the same lunch, every day and even if it was a repeat of a prior meal no complaints), they left every place they went cleaner than they found it (I was afraid Janelle would get out and pick up after the lions!) and they loved on children and bonded faster than I have ever seen (they forgot about taking pictures and just gave up their hearts openly).I'm not sure how God was working in each of them, but I know He was and I know He changed me through them. Just want to share a few of the pictures of this inspiring team and challenge you to be open to let the same thing be different in your life today. Let God use the familiar to grow you deeper into the unfamiliar. Step out in faith with unabandonment to trust and love and give of yourself even when you don't see or understand the significance of what you are doing. God will bless you for it and bless others in the process. As the team's shirt says "Be. Go. Love." Thank you team!!

You can go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/131585933581222/ to see more pictures of this servant hearted, full of laughter, quirky, loving and beautiful team!!

Divine Interventions

2011-09-28T06:18:00.001-07:00

It has been a while since I blogged, and the longer the gap, the harder it seems to know what to blog. So today I am just sharing my life with all it's interruptions. No pictures today, just processing.

My women's bible study is going through the book of Jonah. The study by Priscilla Shirer is called "Jonah-Navigating A Life Interrupted". I'm learning to look at these interruptions differently, as "divine interventions". Some days it is easier to look at them this way and other days not so easy.

Last month several interruptions occurred in the same week. The interruptions included 3 car accidents in one week! Rarely does Cup staff ever have any accidents and there were 3 in one week!!! The first accident could have easily been fatal but all 3 parties walked away from it with no broken bones or internal injuries. One of the accidents was mine (first collision I have ever had) and was with a black cow at night. It could have been so much worse, but God was merciful and the cow did not come through my windshield and I was unharmed, just shaken. My truck was badly damaged though and it was followed by having to drive to Zimbabwe 3 days later to assist the start up of some new ministries there. I had to find another vehicle to take. So what do you do when the interruptions hit?

When tragedy strikes people you care about, it is not so hard to drop what you are doing and do what you can to help minister to them. It is an interruption where God started revealing to me that He has gifted to me with some very special people in my life, even beyond the three involved in the accident. My divine intervention showed me that God is our protector and does miracles but also that He is sovereign and if the outcome had been different, He still would been there through it.

So what about when the interruption is a major imposition? Like messing up your only vehicle in a time when you have no extra money for repairs? Okay, the outcome could have been worse (most impacts that are head on with the side of a cow end up with more damage and injury and I had not been hurt just shaken a bit). Honestly, it was hard to see the divine intervention in it. On top of all that, I felt God telling me that I was not to ask for help. A true test of if my faith in Him was real or just talk. I just want to say that I am being stretched! I'm liking it in hind site but when I was going through it, it was tough. I shared at church about tithing one Sunday shortly after the incident and asked the congregation to hold me accountable as I trusted God and as I continued with my tithe even though I didn't know how I was going to pay to get my truck fixed. I stepped out in faith and found that the whole accident was a divine intervention that increased my faith!!! After that Sunday, an anonymous donor gave me enough money through Children's Cup in the states (so doubt he/she had heard my testimony) to pay for my repairs!!!! Wow!! I am deciding that the inconvenience was worth the growth!! I need to continue to remember His faithfulness when I have to walk again by faith in the future.

And lastly, what about interruptions of your routine? Routines are comfortable, they don't challenge you with things that are unfamiliar to you. I had to travel to another African country, Zimbabwe, that same week. I was on roads I did not know, with maps that are not very helpful. Even with GPS there were moments of confusion. The money is different, the police are more prevalent to catch you violating the speed or other rules, the borders have restrictions and it is just not comfortable. We met up with other co-workers from Zimbabwe who helped us navigate the border which was a blessing when we were unable to take the vehicle we had across the border. At this point, after kicking myself for not making sure I had the right paperwork, I released it. God help provide a way for us to leave the car safely in South Africa and travel with our Zimbabwe co-workers into the country. I finally reached a point of accepting God's divine interventions even when I don't see a purpose in it. Maybe it saved me from another accident, maybe it wasn't about me at all but about someone who helped us or maybe I will never know. I will say that Zimbabwe was great to visit and see how ministry is done in another country. It was great to see God moving there and making a difference. But I have to say, it was great getting back to my beloved Swaziland where I have discovered I am the most comfortable. It is home!

Thank you Lord for the interruptions in my life! Thank you for helping me realize how blessed I am and how you continue to be faithful to provide, care, love on and grow me!! Don't stop!!! Lord my prayer is that you continue to interrupt my life and those of my friends so we can grow in expecting the unexpected. . .we can see you at work more vividly . . . and we can walk on a path of obedience even when we can't see the road!!! My God is an AWESOME God!!!!

Youth Sports Camp day- Aug 2011- Mbekelweni Swaziland

2011-08-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Through the eyes of Mitch Hildebrant our Swaziland Director at Cup.

A POWERFUL day in Swaziland. Cool temps and clouds this morning as we had
concerns of more rain. 400 youth from 10 CarePoints came toghether at
Mbekelweni for our first annual sports camp day. Ages 12-18 showed up to
compete for trophies, and to hear about THE trophy of Heaven. Opening
ceremonies brought Njabulo(en-jah-boo-low) to speak and explain a personal
relationship with Christ... One by one, young and hopeful boys and girls
became to come forward, by the time we started the competitions- over 100
students gave their lives to Christ! OH what joy, OH what success, OH what
celebration. We would have celebrated over 1, but to see so many understand
what Christian character, relationship, and love is about- THANK YOU GOD!
Tournaments for boys and girls, Netball(like basketball, but no dribbling or
backboard), Volleyball, and Soccer.
The best part?- well, yes, it was about competing to win a trophy for each
respective CarePoint...but several kids commented "It is just great to get
to hang out and be friendly".
Coliding cultures from around the country with one thing in common-
Friendship. And the best example of that is Jesus Christ.
I am OVERJOYED and filled to the brim with a beaming smile. Our
Discipleship team pulled this off. Mduduzi (em-dah-doo-zee) was the drive
behind the whole event-and he had this great idea just 10 days ago. Portia,
Nelly and Alice jumped on board to make sure everything from the tournament
to a GREAT meal of Borewors(sausages), rice and gravy would be ready for
all. As excited as I am about all of the youth-I am 10fold more excited to
see those we are working with that are from this culture run with wreckless
abandon to reach the hurting and lost.
Today, I saw "it" working. Our end all goal-equip, don't enable...leave
this country in a better position by training up leaders. Along with the
"D-Team(discipleship)".. All 23 Interns served with pleasure and smiles.
I...AM...BLESSED!

When it all works together!!!

2011-08-08T01:57:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks has been busy and exciting to see how all the different parts of Children's Cup work together to make a difference in the lives of children at all our CarePoints.

It just so happens that at the CarePoint I oversee, Mangwaneni, had several exciting things happen in the last month on different levels and I just wanted to share.

Mangwaneni, like all the Mission of Mercy affiliated CarePoints was also blessed with a

seesaw to go with their swingsets and slide. The kids are loving it!!!!

Healing Place Church, Swaziland (HPC) in working with Cup's after school program, started a

homework club to help play educational games and other activities to increase their academic skills. The photo was the introduction day and we had several children dance for us.

And then, it was Mangawneni's turn to have their youth lock in. A full night from sunset to sunrise of games, testimonies, teaching, food and just fun. The discipleship team provided security guard to make sure they all had a safe night. I got to help with frying potatoes (french fries from scratch) in a big kettle on an open fire which the kids had with russians (polish sausage like hot dogs) and bread. We also popped popcorn afterwards in the big kettle. Some of the games were musical chairs and a dance competition. I am thankful for the discipleship staff of Cup and the HPC voluteers for making it through the whole night and pouring into the youth. Between my non fluency of the Siswati language and my age, I made it only to midnight but know it was a night of impact on the youth of Mangwaneni.

I just want to say that it takes a team to change lives. There are those that support missionaries like me individually as well as all the other Cup missionaries and those who support the ministry of Cup in general or in specifics like the playground equipment. There are those who work through the local church to be the hands and feet of Christ as they volunteer their time and talents. There are those who might be "staff" but who pour their hearts into loving and sharing and caring for these children of God. God uses us all as we are obedient to sacrifice our wills for His. Healing is taking place and lives are changing as we touch the hearts of kids across Swaziland with the love of God. Is everything easy? Not at all!!! But we do not walk alone!!! He never will leave or forsake us!!! I am so amazed that I am a part of such a Christ driven team of amazing people!!!!

P.S. Sunset from Mangwaneni CarePoint

and the late night view.

Sometimes My Job is a Blast!!!

2011-07-26T03:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my job is a blast!!!! I might have put a lot of kilometers on my bakkie (truck) but it was worth it to visit all the CarePoints and see the joy the new swings and see-saws have brought to each one!!!

Lomahasha,

our CarePoint near the Mozambique border had never had any play equipment and the children are so excited!!!!

Here are some of the responses to the new equipment:

A teacher said "More children are coming and it is exciting for the children!! We have to chase them now when it is time to go home!"

Another said that there is a line at the gate when they come to open the CarePoint now.

A cook said that she is very thankful. "They are now playing. They are now having fun. They eat fast so they can go play."

Another child said "I am happy to have more swings. Now I can fly higher than anyone!"

One child said "I like the see-saw. I had never seen one before. I love going up and down!"

It is because of our partnership with Mission of Mercy and donors like Pastor Jim and Gary that made this all possible. As one child put it, "May God bless those that gave us the swings because I like playing to see how high I can fly on the swing."

I Won't Go Back

2011-07-19T00:31:00.001-07:00

I have changed! I am not who I used to be. Praise God!!! I pray I will continue to grow to be more in His image each day.

As I look at my past; my self reliant, defiant, manipulative past; I see how God has molded me into a better person and I am grateful. Do I seek to be rich in wealth? No, I seek to handle what God gives me with an open hand and a giving heart. Do I seek to have it "my way"? To be honest, sometimes I fall back into that but when I can see or hear God's way, I have learned that His is the better plan. When I failed to submit to authority in the past, I now realize I was opposing God not any particular person and I've come to trust Him even in what seems like failure or disaster. Sometimes, submitting to authority seems like you are the passenger in a car and you see the driver heading for a head on collision and you want to jerk the steering wheel to avoid the crash!!!

Have you ever felt that way?

I now realize that by doing so, I prevent the driver from steering away from the danger or I'm not trusting that God will either intervene or grow me through the recovery after the collision. See how my perspective has changed? It is so freeing and less worrisome.

So why and how did I change? Is it because I live in Africa? Is it because I see poverty daily that is so beyond what I would have thought of when I lived in the states? Is it because what I perceived as problems a few years ago were really selfish whines failing to see my amazing blessings?

Yes and no. I don't think it is so much that I live in Swaziland as it is that I became surrendered to God. Maybe, for me, He had to remove me to Africa to get me to really look at my life. But on the flip side I don't think that if you really look at your life He will move you to a foreign country. LOL When I can get just glimpses of seeing with His eyes, my whole being strives to be gentler, kinder, more loving and full of mercy. And it is not "me" it is Christ "in" me that has enabled me to change. It was Him doing all the work once I just let go, trusted and obeyed.

I still fail quite a bit and stumble over my bad habits but I can see I am changing and I won't go back!! Does that mean never physically move back to the states? No. The change is not about where I live but whom I seek. I don't plan on leaving Swaziland but I know if God calls me back to the US or even to another country, He will give me the grace I need to go.

Thanks for letting me share my recent epiphany!!! I am blessed!!! I am happy!!! I am a child of the King and loved beyond measure!!! I am on a journey and I will continue to draw ever closer to my Lord!!!

And I won't go back to the person I used to be!!!

My Inspiration

2011-07-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

So often I get put, by some, on a pedestal for moving to Africa. Those that know me well, know that I am no different from any other Christian who hears God prompting them to do something and follows through. (Maybe I'm in Africa because I wasn't as good at hearing God's voice as I am here. . . where there are less distractions.) We are all called to trust God and obey what He has us to do during each season of our lives. I want to share with you a friend of mine who is doing just that and is blessing children halfway around the world from where she lives.

My friend is Patty Tebon. This is her 3rd trip to Swaziland. The first time she came to visit, she came to meet the sponsored child she had through Mission of Mercy at one of our CarePoints. On that trip, besides just raising the funds to come, she raised enough money for a CarePoint to have a slide & swing set. By American standards, Patty would by no means be considered rich. She just let God use her and followed through with what she felt God was nudging her to do and WOW!

God continues to bless this! Patty came out last year and brought a couple of suitcases of winter hats, gloves and blankets for the children at the CarePoint. She realized that the area, even though it is "Africa" gets cold in the winter and the children live in drafty, mud & stick homes. She also sponsored a second child with Mission of Mercy on that trip. Sponsoring a child is not an enormous monthly commitment but it is a significant one and one Patty takes seriously. She goes without cable TV or the internet so you can afford to sponsor a child. You can tell where her heart is. God keeps moving her heart for the children of Swaziland and she keeps obeying. When asked how she can "live" without having the internet, she asks "which child would you want me to give up in order to get it?"

This past year, Patty started collecting donations of blankets and letting others get involved in the ministry. She told me "God taught me this year that He is using me but I just need to get out of the way and watch Him multiply it!" She gathered over 2,300 blankets!!!!

It is one thing to collect the blankets but how do you get that many blankets over to Swaziland? For anyone who has tried to send me something in the mail, the cost has probably stopped most of you in your tracks. But God is sorting it!!! You might think to just send it with the people on teams who are coming over? Easy to say but Patty lives in Wisconsin and the rest of the team she was coming with were from North Carolina and Louisiana. But God is AMAZING and orchestrated people traveling through her area to the other states to distribute most of them and others donated money to pay for shipping and for Patty to have extra luggage on the flight!! The rest will come over later this year with the Back-To-School shipment. If you hear all the intricate details God worked out, your jaw would be left dropped open.

When Patty arrives in Swaziland, she just oozes love!!!! Her eyes light up and her arms open to give lots and lots of hugs! She was able to distribute some of her blankets herself at Moneni "Moe-nay-nee" and at Mangwaneni "Mahn-gwah-nay-nee". The children left warm with blankets and hats. Patty said "my heart when I am back in the states is still with the children in Swaziland. Americans don't realize how blessed they are!" But Patty is being faithful to what God has called her to for in this season of her life. She is raising awareness and providing for needs for the Children's Cup ministers to year round. She is an amazing, loving example of being God's hands and feet. . . and did I mention she has now sponsored her 4th Mission of Mercy child!!! Thank you Patty!!! You are an inspiration to me!!!

Love in Action!!!

2011-06-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share the story of one of our cooks who is the epitome of being God's hands and
feet!!!

Thuli Mdluli is a cook at one of our CarePoints. She has compassionate heart, and has shown this by extending care for 3 kids that don’t even belong to her.

John was abondoned by his mom, and left to his father (who is now re-married). The new wife wanted to leave him because John was not her son. The father decided to harm John, in fact he tried to kill him by throwing John in a homestead where there were fierce dogs. Momma Thuli “Two-lee” rescued him. She took the small boy to her homestead where she is also living with Phephile “Pay-pee-lay” and Muzi “Moo-zee” and Rosenna who are all double orphans.

Thuli is a volunteer cook at the CarePoint, and is taking John with her everyday. he is too young to attend the pre school class because he is only 3yrs old. The boy now flows with joy. He recently sang a song that they sing at bible clubs and he shared a Memory verse from the bible club…we are so amazed at how he can take the Word in his heart. It was cute, ,he was stammering saying 1John 16:16 “I…chose… you… to.. go… and… bear fruit “, the recovery that the Lord is bringing in the child’s life is awesome. May He be praised.

Phephile and Muzi came to stay with Thuli when they were 3 and 5 yrs old, now Phepile is 18 yrs and Muzi is 20yrs old and they are very active youth at the CarePoint. Their education is being sponsored by a nearby school. (the schools are required to leave open X number of slots for double orphaned children-and are not supposed to charge them for education)

Rosenna, (now the 4^th child) has also lost both of her parents. She is 5yrs old and Thuli rescued her from her uncle. The wife of the uncle did not like and did not want anything to do with Rosenna. She was abusing the child emotionally and physically in unthinkable ways. She would strangle her and torture her by putting a hot iron on her forehead. Even now she is still healing from the physical scars. But God is restoring her. She is now a happy child(our goal for all of these kids), and is attending our CarePoint school and bible clubs and playing with other kids and feeling the love of Christ through Mama Thuli!!

These kids are the NORM here in Swaziland. I wish we had to dig hard to find stories like this, but for now-that is not so. The PIECE of hope we cling to is that because of great women like Momma Thuli, these kids have love back in their lives. The PEACE of hope truly passes all understanding.

Birthday Away from Home!

2011-06-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

A few things usually hit you harder than others when you are a missionary. I know my first year in the field, the fact that my birthday was now in the winter instead of the summer hit me harder than I expected. Instead of being a couple of days before the longest day of the year, it is now a couple of days before the shortest day of the year. It doesn't effect me as much anymore, I'm getting use to it. Sometimes being away from family on special days are hard.

This year I was blessed to be loved on more than I could have ever imagined even though I live on the other side of the globe. As seen in my previous post, I was thrilled to have my mom come to Swaziland for an early birthday present. It was great to get to share my life here with her and hopefully help her feel like I am closer by being able to picture my house, my friends, my work and the CarePoints I work at.

And then my birthday fell on Father's Day Sunday so I got lots of hugs and birthday greetings at HPC church in Swaziland.

And my home church, the Oasis Church, in Loganville, GA included a greeting from me in their bulletin and prayed for me during their services.

Between my home church, friends, and family I had a record number of FB posts to my wall wishing me a wonderful birthday!!! So many, I had trouble getting them all read!!! To finish my day I had two wonderful young friends, Bethany and Tamara who baked me a cake and came over and made me dinner.

I might not have my family or stateside friends with me but that did not stop me from having an amazing birthday on the other side of the world!!!!!

The Lord continues to amaze me and bless be abundantly!!! Thank all of you who sent me birthday wishes, prayers and blessings!!! And thank those of you who read my blog and let me share my life!!

I Am Blessed!!!

2011-06-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry I did not post last month. I would like to give you a good excuse but my only argument is I have been so blessed lately I was unable to find the time! Please forgive me and not be too jealous!

Last month, my mom left the states and used her passport for the first time to come halfway around the world to experience my home and ministry in Swaziland!!!! I have long passed the life expectancy in Swaziland (33.2 yrs quoted in 2010), so for me to have a mother who is still alive was an exciting revelation for most of our staff and teachers. After my mom left, one of our staff commented that she had excepted a frail, old lady that they would have to hold out a hand to help. Another was telling someone "Her mother is soooo strong!! She is stronger than Make Sandra!" (which she is). I took pleasure in telling everyone that my mom will be 77 in July and watching mouths drop open as they said "How!" (which translated would mean "Wow", "you're kidding" or "impossible" in America).

My mom helped decorate my home, took me on a shopping trip to Nelspruit, went to our teacher's meeting to meet all the CarePoint staff, attended our office staff meeting, a missionary gathering, went on community walk in Mangwaneni, helped weed and plant flowers at my CarePoint, went to my missionary ladies bible studies, saw wild animals and went on vacation in cold, wet, yet beautiful Cape Town.

So now you know why I found no time to post. I was out of our office a lot more and was blessed with lots of hugs and sincere words of missing my presence while I was gone. It is so wonderful to feel loved and appreciated . . . and yes spoiled. No one can spoil you like your mom!!! Here are a few of the

literally hundreds of pictures we took!

Did I mention she got to meet Ambassador Earl Irving while she was here!

Missing you mom!!! Thanks for coming and sharing my life for awhile!!!!

Power Camp @ Mangwaneni

2011-04-29T04:04:00.000-07:00

This is the fun part of my missionary work!!!

Power Camps!!!

Wednesday we had Power Camp @ Mangwaneni CarePoint!!!

And boy did we have fun!!!

We learned how powerful God is with the story of Jesus walking on the water and the disciples being scared like they saw a ghost!

They learned to keep their focus on God as He

protects them by making a visor that protects them from the sun and helps them keep their focus straight ahead.

They dug for treasure and learned Matthew 6:33 from a puppet friend. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

And they jumped and danced for joy as they celebrated how much God loves them!

For those of you who help fund power camps Thank you!!!

If you want to help fund Power Camps you can donate just $10/child at

Childrenscup.org and click on the "donate now" and choose "Kids camps".

If we work together we can change a generation to rely on God as their source of strength!!

And for those that remember my sweet friend Pepe when she was so sick, here is a picture of her and her brother. Even though she looks 8 she is now 15 years old and in grade 5! She is doing great in school and is sooooo healthy (for those that don't know she almost died in 2008)!!!

God is AMAZING!!!

I love my job!!!

Full Discloser

2011-04-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

I have been praying about posting this blog. It is difficult to live off of the income others work so hard to earn and not be able to get a "paycheck" for the work I do. There are no merit raises or anyone who holds me totally accountable for my hours (Children's Cup would if they needed to) except for God. I try to follow the scripture in

Colossians 3:23

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

So you are my bosses, per say, and I need to ask for a raise, which is not easy to do. But I love being God's hands and feet here and I want to continue working hard.

What is different than if I had a regular job and a regular boss is I feel you deserve full disclosure on how I live my life here. Am I asking for money because I live too lavishly and am reckless with my funding? I want to be honest and lay it all out there for you to decide.

I live in a nice cottage in the backyard of a larger home of other missionaries. I have running water and electricity. I do not live in traditional Swazi housing not because I do not think I could live in a cold mud hut, even with running water and electricity (although I probably couldn't) but because for a white person living here, our first concern is for safety so we look for homes that are secure. Which limits where we can live. So it is not outrageously expensive but costs about a third of what I get from my home church, The Oasis Church. The exchange rate is lower than it has been since I arrived in 2007. It is currently R6.6 to $1. Translated, for every $100, back in 2008/2009 meant 1000 Rand for me, now it means 660 Rand. Groceries and utility prices keep rising along with gas which is now about $5.30/gallon. In trying to visit & serve more of our CarePoints it uses a lot of gas. That is how I live. I rarely eat out. I bring my lunch to work everyday. I have a cellphone that is a necessity here and I buy groceries and utilities and other household items to keep my house clean and running. I take few trips although going to SA occasionally is almost a necessity but I have not been this year. I have to pay social security taxes on all my donations and so when estimated taxes are due, it is hard to make it the months it is due. I have to pay for medical insurance and doctor visits and medications. I do not have TV cable because it is a cost I would rather spend elsewhere. I tithe to the local church I attend. I have no savings except what comes in on my house rental in trying to save for the property taxes due at the end of the year. I cannot come back to the states to fundraise because honestly, I have no money for a ticket. So that is why I am blogging in an effort to raise some extra consistent monthly support.

At this point let me state that if you give regularly to my support at my home church, The Oasis church, this blog is not for you. All those at The Oasis Church need to donate to and through the church. I could not be here another day without their consistent monthly donation, but they cannot afford more and have given me permission to seek support elsewhere.

For those who are not donating that way, then hear my heart. I love being here but have no extra in my monthly budget to tune up my truck or get needed minor repairs. I have no extra to go out to eat this month, get my hair colored & cut or get a massage occasionally to relieve my neck and shoulder knots that lead to headaches. (I have had 1 in the last 4 months). I am so thankful for those of you who have given over the last several months but I am asking for you to help, if possible on a more regular basis.

I have laid this all out, not to guilt you or say that I am so sacrificial, but to be honest and open with you. This does not mean I covet your prayers and words of encouragement any less, on the contrary they sustain me and lift me up. I am asking you to pray on if God is calling you to give more regularly. I have one who donates every month and I thank her. If God leads you, great! If He does not, it will all sort out and it is okay. I am not naive to not know that things in the states are harder these days and that many of you are carrying extra burdens in one way or another. Just move if God leads you. If you need a tax deduction you can give through childrenscup.org (click on "Give now" and then on "Online Giving Form" which will list my name under designations)

or by mailing to

Children's Cup

PO Box 400

Prairieville, LA 70769

225-673-4505

If you mail please be sure to notate it is for me.

(I also have forms to email you if you would like an automatic bank draft taken)

If you do not need a tax deduction you can give directly to my PayPal account as a gift.

Thank you for letting me share my need. It is a very humbling thing to do. God is still in control and will work it all out for His glory, not for mine.

Thank you for loving me and praying for me and encouraging me!!!!

Life is fragile!

2011-04-03T03:52:00.000-07:00

Today I am blogging more to help me process this last week. I have been confronted with how fragile life is. I found out that a week ago Saturday a dear friend's spouse died suddenly from a car accident while he was traveling out of state. In discovering this news I found out that just 3 weeks prior another friend's spouse (from the same circle of friends), who was only 39, had also died suddenly. I was in shock but was comforted in the fact that they were both Christians that loved the Lord.

But then Friday I drove up on a child who had been hit by a car. It happens far too often here. We have had many children over the years from the CarePoints who have died or been injured from collisions with cars. I won't be graphic with the details but by the time he was rushed to the hospital in the back of a truck, my thought was, "he will not make it unless God's healing hand falls on him." I don't know the child, I don't know the outcome for cetain and I doubt I will ever know.

My heart is sad but no tears come. This is the part of me that I have trouble with. I am good in a crisis. What needs to be done . . . do it. Then afterwards the rationalization of there was nothing else I could do, I can not go back and change anything, trust that God was there, He is sovereign and it is a part of life on earth. A lousy part but a part. I am hoping that in writing this the tears will come; that the softer more vulnerable side of me will surface but for now I plug on.

Even without tears, the one urgency this has all stirred up in me is eternity. I am comfortable that at any second I could die and will spend eternity in heaven. But what about others. I could not imagine seeing what I see and living what I am living without God intimately in my life. What about those who do not have that personal relationship. Not only for the day to day stuff but for the life after death, forever and ever stuff. At the end of this last week that is what is breaking my heart now. How many of you that read my blog, go through the motions but don't know Christ as your Savior? How many people do I encounter every day that could be gone in a second and spend forever in hell? Am I living a life that shines Christ, speaks Christ and reflects Christ so others can know Him? Life on earth is fragile and extremely short in the shadow of eternity.

Don't waste another second trying to do life on your own. Jesus is God's son. He is part of God, the part that came to earth and died as the ultimate sacrifice yet rose again to be seated with God in heaven. He is alive in all who believe through the Holy Spirit living within us. Without Him, life has no meaning. Without Him eternity is hell. I have never been this evangelical in my blog but it matters and I pray that it matters to you.

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

(Postscript: Last night someone poisoned one of the 2 dogs on our property and he died. How can people have that much hate in them? It has just been a sobering week.)

So Thankful!!!

2011-03-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for God's continued provision. If I looked at my budget, I would never think that month to month I could make ends meet, let alone be able to do handle extra expenses like my recent medical emergency or be able to help with ministry opportunities. But God is soooo faithful time and time again!!!!

Every month I am able to tithe to a local church here, help others in need, encourage and plant seeds to help local women try to start a business venture and now take care of needs on my truck. God moved in the heart of someone to pay for 2 new tires after a brief note to my church on how my 2 back tires were thin and the men around here were worried about my safety!!! I cannot tell you how blessed I am by the gift

(thank you my friend)!!!!

As the time for taxes approaches and I am doing Andy Stanley's video series in my ladies group about not worrying, I am thankful that I am not full of anxiety about estimated payments to pay or my house I still own but wish was sold or other things on the truck I should fix. I am actually finding that I am thankful that I am an American, that I have renters in my house currently and that my truck is running well even with a few rust spots and broken odometer, etc.

More than anything, God has been transforming my heart. Where in my past I would have fallen into the trap of worry and having everything spelled out and orderly, I am finding a new freedom on things that God is whispering, "I got it! Let it go!". Before I would have felt that I was being irresponsible. But that is not the case, God is being faithful!!! And for my history of being tight and controlling of what I have, God is enabling me to give when He prompts and He is sorting out the rest. I do not have to understand it all! I do not have to see how it is going to work! I just have to be obedient and trust!!!

Siyabonga kakhulu kahle!!! "See-yah-bone-gah gah-koo-loo gah-sleigh" (Thank you very much!!!) All of you who have allowed God to use you to be a blessing to me through your support, your prayers, your finances and/or your encouragement, I want to thank you deeply! You are a blessing to me!!! I am so blessed to minister in Swaziland and to see God work things out!!!

"and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." Matthew 6:33

Be encouraged today to trust God in whatever way he prompts and let Him sort it out!! You will be amazed and blessed as He sorts out the things you felt only you should handle. Pray I continue to let go and trust God daily in whatever situation He allows, whether physical, financial or spiritual. May we all draw closer to Him and increase in the joy that brings!!!

As a closing side note. In my Beth Moore video series, she said she likes to give God applause. Sounds a little silly if you are self conscious but I have had fun doing it this last week . . . so here goes; go ahead and join me!

This is for you God!

Clap! Clap!! Clap! Clap!! Clap! Clap!! Clap!!!

Faith

2011-03-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

Been reflecting lately on how my blogs have turned more towards facts and less about my journey with God. Probably reflects my life in general the last 6 months or year, "to do" list so long that I'm not taking time to reflect and share on the spiritual side. (Not just with my readers but with me.) Not that God and I are not spending daily time together or that I feel distant from Him but just have not been as contemplative lately.

Currently I am in a women's bible study, doing Beth Moore's study on the Fruit of the Spirit, an area God and I have been working on over the last year a lot. This week, when stricken by a strange, weird infection that has swollen and caused pain in my face, I am studying the quality of "faithfulness". Before I go rambling, let me share 2 things that have jumped out so far in just the 1st 2 days of this week's study.

1) As I shared on my FaceBook page. "Faith is not an action; it is a response. If we strive to have faith, we may be miserably disappointed."

2) This is a prayer Beth shared "God, I can't understand why You're doing this. But I know that, unlike me, Your actions cannot be inconsistent with Your heart, and I know Your heart is loving, good, and faithful. Somehow, some way, somewhere all these things are for good. If I could just know You better through this, that is all the good I need."

18 months ago, God reached out to me about healing me and I felt He healed my sinuses. I DO feel He healed my sinuses, just not the way I assumed. (Quick summation: 18 months ago my sinuses were full & packed & CTscan came back as worst ENT had ever seen and he wanted to do surgery. I have had 5 sinus surgeries back in the states and from my final diagnosis there, I knew that surgery was not an option. I wrestled with feeling unworthy when God told me to go forward in a healing service yet I went forward and He cleared out my head and helped me wrestle with other spiritual truths of His love for me.)

Fast forward to the last couple of months. I started having allergy problems, which escalated after my move to my new home that was more of a valley than the mountains and so it has different plant life. I am not allergic to any food or medicines but when it comes to growing things, I am allergic to most all grasses, weeds, trees, dust, mold etc. Started wrestling with doubt. "But God, you healed me. Didn't you?" Lots of questions without answers. Now I was up to a major sinus infection which I was self treating because in the past it was usually fungal not bacterial and wrestling more and more with what did God heal me of originally if this is back. "Am I doing something wrong, am I not believing in the healing?"

And then Thursday afternoon, pain started in one spot on my face (like a pimple starting to form and hurts deep until it makes a head). By bedtime the right side of my nose was swollen and sensitive to touch making me think maybe a bite. By morning, my whole nose into my cheekbones were swollen with blisters and the pressure felt like my skin would explode. Touching any of the areas was painful and my moving effected face muscles was difficult and hurt. "God, I don't understand!!!"

Went to the doctor Friday morning (a blessing that one was found not far away. . . did I mention I am away from home on the far and more desolate side of Swaziland) and after he heard me out (poor guy), he felt strongly that I have a bacterial infection and started me on 2 antibiotics, along with some other meds and that I should start seeing it go down by Sat. afternoon. He said to not go to the CarePoint that day and to rest. I don't like being sick, I don't like bailing out of my job (we are out here for 5 days with a specific schedule we needed to accomplish . . .BTW thank you Tamara for accomplishing more efficiently yesterday than if I was along), I whine at discomfort and needless to say feeling sorry for those that had to fill in for me and really feeling sorry about "poor" me.

Ready for my epiphany? You probably already have this down but here goes.

1) It is not all about me!!! (An ongoing wrestle match I have between myself and God. You just never realize how self absorbed you become until you don't get your way!)

2) He DID heal me, just not how I thought He did or should have. What I needed then was a clear head and that is what He gave me. Who am I to define my gift or ask for more than the blessing it was.

3) My current sinus problem was not because of anything I failed to do in faith. My faith is not based on my actions. Faith is not a roller coaster. I am not to base my faith on what God does but on who He is! I can trust Him even if I don't understand Him.

So, how am I today? Physically, still in pain, with swelling and questionable if it actually better or just spread out differently. But spiritually I feel I have been growing a lot.

1) Winning today's battle of it not being all about me.

2) Realizing that no matter if medically we are on the right track and I get better or not that I trust God and the outcome.

3) Stop whining and be a light no matter how I feel (not meaning I don't rest and take care of myself, just not complain about it . . . definitely a lot more people dealing with more than I am).

4) Rest in my God's love. "Genuine faith walks steadfastly with God for the pleasure of His company not for His results." Enjoy my more God time right now! "God does not call upon us to seek His works. He calls upon use to seek His heart!"

Looking forward to new perspective on my days ahead. Thank you for your prayers and your support and for reading my ramblings. By opening up my heart and struggles and doubts, I pray it benefits others as it helps me to take the time to contemplate them.

"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made." Psalm 145:13

Pictures of my new home

2011-03-10T23:33:00.003-08:00

Sorry for the delay in getting you pictures of my new home. There have been some projects I have been working hard on at the CarePoints and my allergies have been horrible and have left me exhausted in the evenings. But today I am taking time to post some pictures.

I have been challenged in my old age to find that change is hard for me.

Slowly but surely, I am finding a place for things, getting use to the heat, got screens to keep mosquitoes out (thanks to Maryann's dad who is visiting) and starting to get into more of a routine. My place is newer than most in Swaziland and was not used for a long time. It is a small cottage in the backyard of a larger home where fellow missionaries, Danny & Maryann Quirion live with their children, Lindsey, Olivia, Sophie and Jude.

I have 2 rooms, one is a bedroom and one is a study/dryer room. My bedroom contains one of my price possessions; my "sanctuary chair". A cushy, comfortable chair in Swaziland is hard and expensive to find but about 2 years ago I made the plunge to have a special place for my quiet time before I even left my bedroom each day. (Because once I leave my bedroom the distractions come and I lose my focus!) I would not normally have picked green but it worked out well (and was the only color choice available). My washer is not in my second room but out behind my house because there is no water hook up for it inside. But Karen Brennan (another missionary here) made me like a grill cover for it.

I have a spacious living room area and a bright sunny kitchen.

First picture is from my front door while the second is from my back door.

I am blessed to have 2 bathrooms, one with a shower and one with a bath. I am also thankful that I was able to find housing that is secure and safe, one of the most important aspects of a house for a missionary in Swaziland.

So as you can see I am soooo fortunate to not live in a stick and mud home with outdoor plumbing like so many of our children at the CarePoints do. No wonder missionaries are considered so rich by the Swazis. For Americans though, I do live more simply. No A/C, no TV stations, internet and electricity are on a pay as you go and there are no Taco Bells, McDonald's or Subway's to drive through in the area.

The view from my kitchen window is of one mountain and the view from my front door is the Quirions backyard and another beautiful mountain. Isn't Swaziland gorgeous??? I am so thankful on how God has sorted more affordable housing for me. I have a little longer commute and gas has risen to what equals about $5.15 a gallon but I am sure God's hand will continue to work out the finances there too.

If you would like to help me in my monthly support please go to childrenscup.org

under "Get Involved" and then "Online Donation" and then "Sandra Chesterman".

The Oasis church supports me primarily but has given permission for me to raise additionally to try to compensate for the increase cost of living that has occurred during the 3+ years I have been here. Thank you for all your prayers and love and comments!!!! You do not know how much it means to me!!!!

Continue to be blessed so you can be a blessing!!!!

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

Transition

2011-02-07T10:09:00.001-08:00

The last several months have been a time of transition. It became evident that hosting short term single female missionaries in my home was no longer a role that was needed. I enjoyed my home for the last 3 years but I also felt God nudging me out.

Change is hard. It is easier to be comfortable in the familiar, especially when the familiar has been such a blessing. It has been a growing experience to see God's hand in it all. For the last 4 months I have been house sitting while the Rodgers family were in the states.

4 months ago, the guest flat at the Quirions was not available but now it is. Isn't God's timing wonderful! I will have to commute a little farther to do my duties but I trust the Lord will provide what I need because He picked it out for me. I didn't have any neon signs saying "MOVE HERE -->" nor have I felt, "you have no choice but to move here". Instead it has been a quiet peace of this is where God wants me and I'm excited to discover the blessings in store. The house is an adorable home with a wonderful view. Last Thursday we caravaned my belongings from my old home to my new home.

Tomorrow the Rodgers return and I will get to move in and sleep in my own bed in my new surroundings. It is amazing what you forget you have in 4 months. It should be fun to unpack my things! I will try to post pictures of my new place once I get settled, for now it is a mess.

Here is the outside though and my new view! Not shabby at all!

The two things I told God I would miss the most in my old house was my view and my bathroom (don't laugh, it was a wonderful bathroom).

And whether you laugh or not, God honored that!!! God is sooo good!!

Now, just working on a place for my washer.

Thanks for all the help and love from my moving crew!!!

The Hildebrants, the Quirions and the Pages --- couldn't have done it without you!!!

Hardest Time of Year

2011-01-27T00:38:00.000-08:00

At least for me, January is the hardest time of year in Swaziland. That is when school starts. School in Swaziland goes from January to December. Everyone is trying to come up with school fees for their children. School is supposed to be "free" for 1st thru 3rd grade this year and is why the government no longer allows us to have school at the CarePoints. In theory this is wonderful and it is taking steps in the right direction for education to be available for all children. For now though there has been difficulty with the schools getting paid by the government so they are charging "building fees" and other misc. charges to offset, which is making even these grades, not so free. With so many orphaned and vulnerable children, the families struggle to come up with the money. A year of school for most elementary school children is only about $100/yr with most of it having to be paid in the beginning of the year. With most family's income of much less than this a month or some having no source of income, they just cannot afford to pay for their children, often multiple children, to go to school.

There are some children who went to school last year but because they could not pay their school fees, are unable to advance in school because their grades are being withheld.

It is just heart breaking.

This is why January is the hardest month for me. The need is so great and you cannot help them all. But we can help some. As you know, I was raising funds for Nhlanhla "en-slaw-slaw" last year. Thank the Lord a significant amount was donated. The school I had tried to send him too was more expensive than I anticipated, (a very good school but more than 3 times the price of most high schools which are about $500-$750/yr).

So we found Nhlanhla a good less expensive school, St. Francis, where we think he will excel. We got him a new uniform and still have money left over to help

Siphesihle "see-pay-see-sleigh" the other high schooler I was trying to help and hopefully others.

Please pray!

Pray for the school system of Swaziland. For wisdom for the government in the distribution of the funding. For good education and smaller class sizes (last year some classes had over 70 children in them)

For the children to find a place in school (you are not automatically in a school because it is in your neighborhood) and

for the families to find ways to be able to pay for school fees.

Please pray for Children's Cup's new discipleship program now that we no longer focus on teaching grade 1 and 2. Pray that it will better minister to the children we care for and it will be able to go deeper with our children at the CarePoints.

We are excited about what the future holds!!!

God is in control and will provide for each of these children!!!

Nothing is impossible with God!!!

"For surely you have a future ahead of you: your hope will not be disappointed. My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course."

Proverbs 23:18-19

If you would like to help a child with school fees, please email me at sandra@childrenscup.org.

2011 Facilitators Conference

2011-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

Second day of the 2011 Facilitator Conference. I was honored to teach them all the ends and outs of Mission of Mercy's partnership with Children's Cup . . . in one day!

Thanks Zinty for your help. I think all their heads are spinning with information overload!!! LOL

I am so excited about the coming year and how all these loving hearts will minister to thousands of children, one child at a time!!!! I really appreciated their enthusiasm to dive in and learn!!! So proud to work with Children's Cup and our partner, Mission of Mercy along with amazing missionaries and AWESOME swazi facilitators . . .the front line hands and feet!!!!

Great day, great team, great God leading it all!!!

Comfort and Joy!!!

2010-12-26T11:49:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I know this comes after Christmas but I pray you celebrated the birth of Jesus in special ways. Although unable to be with any of my family, biological or church, I was able to celebrate with my missionary family in Swaziland and had a great day after a hectic season! God continues to reveal His gift of love and sacrifice in new ways every year!

Our theme for the Christmas celebrations this year was comfort and joy. When sharing about God at one of the parties I asked a group of children, “Did you know that God wants to comfort you when you are hurting?” and a girl looked at me with sincere eyes and said “No”. My heart melted as we discussed how much God loves each of them and wants them to pray and let Him know when they hurt so He can bring them comfort.

The children here have such hard and difficult lives. The parties are the only Christmas celebration most of them receive. Thank you for supporting me and letting me be here to share His love.

I pray that 2011 is full of blessings and joy and more awareness of God at work in your lives!!

I know He has been growing my awareness of Him and how blessed I am!!!

Love and hugs to one and all!!!

Khisimusi Lomuhle!

2010-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

This means Merry Christmas in Siswati and is pronounced "Key-see-moo-see Low-moo-sleigh". The Christmas Celebrations have begun!! Below are pictures from Ngwane Park "En-gwah-nee" Park. The theme is comfort and joy!!! All stations including the waterslide that I oversaw had a message about the comfort or joy of the Lord!! Learning and play combined throughout. The waterslide talked about the comfort of cool water when you are hot and tired and how Jesus is our comfort when we are hurting and uncomfortable. He loves each of us and listens when we pray and brings us comfort and healing! The children got to make a scarf for comfort when it is cold, jump for joy on the jumping castle, have birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birth, play games to show how difficult the journey was for Mary when she was with child, a play telling the Christmas story, part of the Jesus film in Siswati their native language and a meal including meat, a rare treat for these children and a special gift at the end.

It was so much fun and the Lord blessed us with fantastic weather!!! No thunderstorms which we have had a lot of lately. Enjoy the pictures and a thank you to all who contributed to make these parties possible!!!! You are making a difference in these children's lives. They find it hard to figure out why people who don't know them care so much to love them and treat them special!!!

Thank you!!!!

3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

2010-11-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

November 19th 2007, I began my journey with Children's Cup along with fellow missionaries Randy and Karen Brennan and Mark and Kay Bojovic.

I still have trouble believing that God called me to be a missioanary in Africa!!!!

(I do not fit what I thought a missionary should be!!)

I am so blessed!!! I have grown so much in my relationship with God!! I would not trade it for anything!!!!!!!!!!!

I might have made what some would call sacrifices to be here, but I feel I am living more abundantly than I ever have before!! I feel God has stripped away so many of the distractions and revealed more of His love and power and grace and joy than I had ever taken time to notice!!!

God has blessed me with so many children to love on and to be loved by, relationships to pour into and be fed by and friendships that hold me up when I am weak, love on me when I mess up, make me laugh, give me hugs and above all else, hold me accountable that my walk may be consistent and able to molded more to Christ's image each day!

My advice, when God calls you to do something (probably not be a missionary in Africa but I'm sure He has asked you to do something) obey immediately!!! You will not regret it!!!

Enjoy a few pictures from when my journey began on my first trip here to just last week at graduation!!! Oooh and ahhh and have a laugh or a sigh!!

I could not do this day in and day out without His grace but also not without the prayers and love and financial support from my family and friends and church back in the states!!!

Siyabonga kakhulu kahle!!! "See-yah-bone-gah gah-koo-loo gah-sleigh" which means

Thank you very much!!!

You are all invited for a visit, I guarantee your hearts will never be the same!!!!

Preschool Graduation!!!

2010-11-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

Taking advantage of spending ALL day at home in my PJs!!! (And knowing that next week will be packed and today would be my only opportunity all week!)

How fun it was to take time out to attend Mangwaneni, Mbabane's preschool graduation yesterday! Remember, our school year goes from the end of January until the end of November. December and January are our summer break! (Our seasons are the opposite of those in the states.)

Yes, in previous years our graduation was for those that had completed grade 2. But, praise the Lord, the government is now providing free education for first and second grade and we were required to no longer provide that. There are still kinks that they are working out but we are thankful the government is working to make education for ALL a priority! Continue to hold the Swazi government up in prayer for wisdom and good choices in dispersing the funds needed and making necessary changes to reduce the sizes of the classes.

Next year will also be different at our CarePoints as Children's Cup continues to make changes to better serve the community and the needs of the orphan and vulnerable children.

Continue to keep us in your prayers!!!

Here are some shots of the wonderful ceremony and celebration of learning!!!

Both academic and spiritual!

These guys know their scriptures and it is in their second language!!! Puts me to shame!

They shared the days of creation! And who did it???? GOD!!!

They shared their colors, days of the week, months of the year, alphabet,

memory verses and Psalms 100!!!!

Amazing!!! What a blessing!!!

I love these kids and feel privileged to be able to share with them.

Check out the prayers, the sharing of what they learned

and the dancing in celebration complete with high traditional Swazi kicks!!!

So proud!!!!

For more pictures, please check out my FaceBook album with over 50 pictures!!!

Let me know which is your favorite picture!!

Here are the teacher Nokuthula and teacher Dorah who did a fabulous job!!!

I can't wait until the Christmas Celebrations!!! I pray you have gotten 10 friends to give $10.

If you don't know what I am talking about, read my previous blog and watch the video!!!

Help Make Christmas Memories!!!!

2010-11-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Remember a Christmas that was special for you? Was it the love? The atmosphere? A special program? A gift? Did you have a birthday party for Jesus? Our kids in Swaziland need those kinds of memories!!!! They need to be loved on, to have an exciting place to celebrate, learn more about Jesus' "comfort and joy" (our theme), get a small gift and celebrate the birth of Jesus with cake and chicken!!!!

Check out this video and help make this Christmas special for some orphan and vulnerable kids!!!

Today, please get 10 friends to give $10 and make an eternal difference/memory for a child this Christmas season!!! Hurry, parties are less than a month away!!!

Just Needed to Post

2010-10-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

When God is stretching and growing you it is sometimes hard to express. You know in the end it will be awesome, but in the process it sometimes seems like a refining fire and it is tough. I don't want to whine or complain, I try to save that only for Him, in my weak moments. I want to rejoice in what I know will be a glorious outcome but honestly, it is hard when you only see the hurdles ahead. I have just had to wrestle with "am I all in" or not. The great thing is, after the wrestling match, I realize I am!!! Either I trust Him completely or I don't and I do!!! Such a freeing thing to know I need not worry, it is all on Him. I am called to be here and step by step I will choose to obey. I will follow Him and obey even when I don't "feel" like He is there or when I don't "see" the physical securities I would like. The funny thing is, in my quiet moments, He keeps telling me, how can you truly walk in faith if you have a safety net to fall into? How can you walk on water if you keep looking for the stepping stones? The enemy keeps whispering lies but I chose to walk in faith. God has where I am to move to and I will welcome that when it comes and in the meantime grow in where He has me now. He will oversee my finances and I will be obedient to how He has me use it. He alone is my refuge and strength and will trust Him to stir in your hearts when I am needing your prayers the most. I love that God has blessed me with a passion and a ministry that I love and that He is always pushing me to be more in His image than I was before.Thank you all for your prayers, your support and for you letting me express my heart!!!!

Am I Living It Out?

2010-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

As I process my faith, some more, I once again find my blog helpful. Thank you for sharing in my struggles. I am blessed by your encouragement and enjoy your views.

This has been a challenging week, month and year. The roughest since I came to Swaziland. And I am faced with the question, do I live as if I am the temple of the Holy Spirit? In a group of people, do I act and react in a way that is so radically different from my flesh that you see Him and not so much me? Would a total stranger who did not know God, wonder and want what I have?

Now, don't jump up and say of course, you went to Africa!! I've got news for you, if you don't already know, missionaries and pastors and people that work for Christian ministries can still let the root of bitterness sneak in or fail to produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience etc. or just not live day by day obeying the Holy Spirit, just like other Christians. It is a daily choice to step out of the boat and walk in faith . . . for all of us!! When the safety nets are gone and tough times come, can you tell by how I behave that I trust God will ALL of my heart???

Honestly, right now I am a little angry with God. Children's Cup had to withdraw from the Fonteyn CarePoint (one I have worked closely with since I moved here) because of the loss of support to run it. Children's Cup also lost a significant donor and we had to dismiss several of our staff this week that I have worked very closely with over the last 3 years. I love these kids, teachers and staff immensely and my heart has cried and mourned my loss and the thought of any suffering even one of them might experience. But if I believe God is still on His throne and has not left or forgotten one hair on any of their heads or my head, am I living that out?

In Hebrews 12:27 "This means that the things on earth will be shaken, so that only eternal things will be left."
What is my hope in? The physical circumstances around me or the joy and promises of a God who loves beyond comprehension? I have no clue what doors my Lord is opening, what blessings He will turn what seems like a curse from the enemy into or what person(s) He is stirring their heart to grow and step up in Fonteyn. But the eternal things are found in living each day submitted to the Holy Spirit! If I truly believe, my actions should be the evidence of it. My attitude should reflect it. It is not up to me to worry about someone else but only about where my heart is.

"Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
Lord, thank you that I am not in control but You are. Thank you that our faith has a chance to grow when we struggle. Thank you that I am in pain for those I have grown to love, because it reflects the gift of the relationships you have brought about. But God, help me also be Your light of hope and encouragement as Your future unfolds for each one of them. May we live in TOTAL trust and reflect You to all we come in contact with. Lord, help me to live like I believe; that my actions speak louder than my words; and that I trust You and will obey You especially when it does not make sense to my limited vision. Bless those who have been effected by these changes!!!! Bless Children's Cup with wisdom and vision for the future!!! Bless the children with Your love and mercy!!! Amen!

Praise the Lord!!!

2010-09-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

Quick update (okay, knowing me it probably won't be so quick). I was feeling a little discouraged from the lack of response to my last blog. I had one couple who I admire greatly email me about it immediately but I, in the flesh, was disappointed that they were the only ones. God quickly showed me my prideful attitude. I was feeling Nhlanhla's future was in my hands and not His! I was worried that there was also Siphesihle "See-pay-see-sleigh" who I wanted to try to help with school fees next year. I wanted there to be such an overflow of response that we could help her also. I just wanted to be able to help them. "I", "I", "I". How many times must I be reminded that it is not about me. I can do nothing but with God ALL things are possible. God told me He only wanted one person to hear and obey. They did and I am happy to say that Nhlanhla's school fees are on the way!!!God is just so AWESOME!!! He helps a young man out that needs to know he is worth helping while at the same time He helps me grow in His image a little bit more!!!! God is so good!!!

As a side note, I have not found a new house yet but I am getting more excited about what God has in store. And. . . I got my hair cut real short finally and I like it! Check it out!!

I also want to give a shout out to The Oasis Church as they have installed an new World Missions Fountain to catch people's loose coins. May it overflow with change that will help change the lives of multitudes around the globe, including but not limited to Swaziland!!!

Nhlanhla's "En-slawn-slaw" Shot at a Brighter Future

2010-09-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Early this year I had mentioned 2 young people Sphesihle Bhembe "Sapy-see-sleigh Baim-bay" and Nhlanhla Masina "En-slawn-slaw Mah-see-nah" that I wanted to help. I organized for both of them to take an entrance exam into a nearby top rated high school. They both were in the top 3 of their class last year (position is more important than grades here), contributed to their community (Sphesihle from the Mangwaneni CarePoint and Nhlanhla as part of the HPC Swaziland serve team). I had made a deal with them that they would keep their positions up this year (they did) and I would pay for their entrance exam (I did) and if they were accepted I would work diligently to try to put their story out there and raise funds to attend this school (about twice as much as the government schools). It was a shot. For Sphesihle, she did not pass but we are looking at other options for next year. (Don't count Sphesihle out. She cannot go to this school but we will find her a good school so she can be all God has her to be. She is still very active with the Mangwaneni youth group and the CarePoint so look for her whenever I post pictures. She is a great girl to get to know.) For Nhlanhla he was accepted and now the miracle of finding the funds begin.

Let me tell you about Nhlanhla and why I picked him as one to try and help. He is 19, almost 20. He has such a servant heart.

He has had such a tough life and is still plugging away and not letting it get him discouraged. He has the sweetest, kindest smile. Nhlanhla has given me permission to share his story. These are his words. They are not grammatically correct but remember English is his second language. He has not embellished or toned down his past. He, like most Swazi's are matter of fact. Life is hard here for so many kids. Please listen to Nhlanhla's story and help me get him into a good high school so his future can continue to grow brighter. I will have more details at the end of how you can help. The pronunciations below are my addition. (Side note: Nhlanhla does not mention it in his story but his father is a heavy drinker which is another common issue in most households in Swaizland. This might help you understand his father's actions.)

"From the time I was 7 years old I was no longer staying with my parents because they used to fight most of the time and my mother did not want me to see the fights. She moved me to stay with her friends. But I could not stay for long. She kept on moving me to other places. She then asked one woman if I could stay with her. Every month she would bring money to the woman. That woman died in 2000 and I couldn't get in touch with my mother. I had to move out and stay in the streets. I had to get my food and maybe find shelter. I met a gang in town who forced me to join them to get shelter and food. I had to steal to be part of them. I had no choice. I did it and got caught and got arrested. That is when my mother found me because I was in jail. She then took me to a certain woman around Mbabane "mbah-bah-nay" who helped me get to make my father pay for my school fees. I started school at an old age and when I got in grade 3 I had to drop out because my father couldn't pay. I stayed with that woman but life began to be very rough because she was complaining that my father gave her nothing unlike other times.

Again I went to find my mum. She wasn't working but I stayed with her. I loved school though so I begged my dad to pay. He did and I went to school again doing grade 4. My mum asked the woman if I could stay with her again. This time things got worse and I could not tell nobody my problem because my mum couldn't help and my dad told me I was the one who made the choice to stay there and go to school. I was expected to buy food apart from money my dad gave for school. I tried to find means of getting money but it wasn't enough.

Time went on. Sometimes going to school and sleep with a hungry stomach. Later I went to a church, HPC where they used to give me food for some time. That is where I met Christ. Still I had to go under hardship at home with no help from my father who always chased me away whenever I went to him for help. I then searched for my mum until I found her. By then she was very sick with breast cancer and I had to take care of her because she had a child, my last born sister.

Everyday after school I would go and try to take care of her and my sister. I took her to the hospital but they said we were too late. For a long time up and down hoping and praying for a cure. Well it was too late. I went to my dad just to let him know but his words 'I do not need you and your problems please leave.' Those words built so much hate in me I wished he wasn't my father. That was worse than all the things he had ever said or did to me. I was filled with that hate. I even cried whenever I thought of him. He caused me to have a bitter heart. The only person I could get help from was my mum but she wasn't able to cause she was sick and had lost hope. In 2009, May, my mum died leaving me with a 2 year old baby sister to look after but that made my life miserable because I had to provide for her and at the same time go to school.

Where I lived was like hell on earth because I had to watch my sister hungry and crying. If the church didn't give us food we sleep in hungry stomachs. I would ask food from neighbors but couldn't do it for long. Every day I came back from school the woman would tell me to find a place and to leave with my sister. One day we came back from church and the door was locked. I thought nobody was there. I sat outside with my sister til 7:00 pm then the woman opened the door and told me to go and find a place to sleep. I was so confused because I had no where to go and no one to tell. I stood out trying to ask at least to let my sister sleep for the night but she refused. I took off my shirt and covered my sister. I cried holding her in my arms. I was so cold. I moved around the yard til 9:00 pm, then my friend at church called. I told her what had happened. She called two church leaders who dropped me at Mpolonjeni "Em-poe-lone-jenny" (I'm Not Forgotten Home) where we lived for a short time.

After some few weeks we were moved to a house at Thembelihle "Tame-bay-lee-sleigh". First I had to get rid of my bitterness. I had to face and fix things with my dad whom I hated so much cause he didn't even go to my mum's funeral. But I humbled myself and went to fix things with the help of the church (HPC). I tried to forgive my dad and that is changing him too. He agreed to let my sister stay with him and promised to take care of her. I am staying with my youth pastor in the guys house and trying to develop the relationship between me and my dad."

Unlike many of the schools here, Sifundzani "See-voond-zah-nee"High School requires spots to be paid for next year by the end of Oct. I meant to post this blog several weeks ago when we found he had been excepted and I apologize. The year of school plus a uniform will run about R9200. R3000 has already been donated leaving just under $1000 left to raise in 6 weeks. If you can help in any big or small way without taking any money you have been contributing to missionaries or ministries or tithe; please send it to

Children's Cup

P.O. Box 400

Prairieville, LA 70769

or call (225) 673-4505 and ask for other ways to donate and be able to designate the funds.

Please identify the donation as school fees for Nhlanhla Masina

If we are able to go above and beyond, I will use the funds to help Sphesihle find a school. Thank you my loyal blog readers. I am sure you will share this blog with others who can help us help Nhlanhla. Working together we can make a significant impact on the life of a young person who needs us. Siyabonga! "see-yah-bone-gah" (Thank you!) This was Nhlanhla dressed in his best for church this morning!

Ups and Downs

2010-09-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of blogging. Being busy is one of the downs of being a missionary (guess it isn't just a missionary kind of thing) and so is the cold and rainy day that today is. I have been reflecting on my year so far and realized it has had the biggest ups and downs I have had since I arrived almost 3 years ago.

Biggest UP -- This year I had the trip of a lifetime in getting to go to KB's wedding in Botswana, see Vic Falls (Amazing!!!) and got a chance to see the ministry in Zimbabwe. Something I heard about but never had gotten a glimpse of.

Biggest DOWN -- My best Swazi friend, Gugu Dlamini "Goo-goo Zlah-mee-knee" got sick and passed away within a week. She was the best example of showing God's love to all. She made me laugh when I was stressed and gave some of the best hugs. I still miss her deeply.

Up -- Know some great kids that are healthier and doing well in school. Will post a delayed post tomorrow, I promise, on one of these young persons who was able pass a tough exam to get into a really good high school (another one did not pass) and now I am trying to raise funds to send him.

Down -- Might have to say goodbye to one of my CarePoints. Because of political conflict in the area, in trying to protect the rights of the children we have been falsely accused into trying to "tell" the community into how to use their land. We could win the battle but if there is animosity it would not benefit the children in the long run. It is so hard to even think of saying goodbye to kids I love and care for. I pray God is raising up strong leaders within the community to carry on and that the government agencies connected to the CarePoint will also come to their aid if we have to remove Children's Cup from the situation.

Up -- I was able to go away to Xai Xai "Shy Shy" in Mozambique and stay with the new missionaries Mel and Diane, there for a week and soak up the ocean, which is my best place for renewal and restoration. My co-missionary friend Karen Brennan joined me and it was such an awesome blessing that God worked out!!! The transport, the place to stay, the company and even the funds thanks to a lovely person from a recent team. Thank you Patty.

Down -- Need to find a smaller place. Probably not a real down, just a change. But finding a new, safe place to live when you are soooo busy is a down. Pray for provision and wisdom and time to look.

Up -- Our kids (meaning the children at all the CarePoints) are healthier. We have been using the vitamin fortified "Feed My Starving Children" food at the CarePoints and are finding that overall our kids are not as sick this winter as in previous years!!! Schools are feeding more regularly also (pray it is not just temporary) so our kids aren't going as hungry.

Down -- Our kids don't need us as much which is an awesome thing!! But we are losing touch with many because they are not as in much need. We are pouring so much more into them than just food and medical care that it is sad that without the need for food they don't see the need to come. God's love and the desire to learn more has taken hold of some which is an up and we see them coming regularly.

Let me end on a BIG UP!!! Mitch and Char have arrived!!!!! What a blessing!! Only spent a week with them with the team last year but bonded so immediately! And then through the internet and skpye have become such close friends over this past year that it is just wonderful to have them here!!!!!!!!

21 Days of Prayer

2010-08-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

This year the Children's Cup yearly prayer guide is praying for specific children. They have a long list of names but if you watch my blog and want to pray for a specific child @ Fonteyn or Mangwaneni, here are a few. Don't know if I can get the names to match up exactly but will try.

Here are some from Fonteyn CarePoint.

<-Delisa "Day-lee-sah" (boy)

Nondumiso "Known-due-mee-sew" (girl)->

<- Jabu "Jaw-boo" (girl)

Tiny (girl) ->

<- Boy Boy Otis (boy)

Celmusa "(click)el-moo-sah" (boy)->

And some from Mangwaneni CarePoint.

<- Njabulo "En-jah-boo-low" (boy)

Siphesihle "See-pay-see-sleigh" (girl)>

<-Phumile "Poo me-lay" (girl)

Neli "Nay-lee" (boy) >

<- Noncedo "Known-(click)ay-doe" (girl)

Tito "Tee-toe" (boy)->

<- Zanele "Zah-nay-lay"

Pheto "Pay-toe" ->

If you have not linked up. You can get the daily prayer guide by going to http://childrenscup.org/v2/ or

on FaceBook under the event 21 Days of Prayer!!!

(http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=100836936641774&ref=ts)

Join us in standing in the gap and lifting a specific child up in prayer!!!!!

God's Hands and Feet

2010-08-14T02:31:00.000-07:00

For those that follow me on FB and my blog, I lack answers. The outcome of Fonteyn "Fawn-tain" is still in a holding pattern. My income is not matching my living situation and don't see roommates coming in the near future to change that. Seeking God's direction in that process. The whole year so far has held so many changes in how the schooling system is working here in Swaziland, the staff at Children's Cup has lost Gugu and several other people have moved on for various reasons, my home church has had significant changes and the economy both in the US and here has been rocky to say the least. You want to have the answers, to understand what the future holds. It is our nature. But you know what, God knows. God has the answers, and when it is time (if it is for me to even know), He will share with me.

In the meantime, I need to do and be what God has given me the answers for. Be His hands and feet and teach the younger generation that. So, although I am happy you share in my struggles, I want to praise God and share His victories!!! Friday, Aug. 6th the older Mangwaneni "Mawn-gwah-nay-nee" Bible Club kids went to assist a disabled gogo (grandmother)

and mkulu "mkoo-loo" (grandfather). She had had a stroke 10 years ago and has little use of one side of her body and he suffers from diabetes. They care for 5 grandchildren, one who attends the CarePoint preschool. She is pretty much housebound and he is unable to work like he use to.

The children brought firewood, cleaned the yard, cut the grass, then sand and prayed for the family. (Notice the sweeping is done with sticks tied to gather and cutting the grass is done with a blade swung back and forth.)

It was a hike to get there but a fun way of teaching kids that no matter what, they can be the hands and feet of Jesus. (For all the pictures with captions and explanations, check out my FaceBook album under Sandra Sparks Chesterman.)

God's Appointed Place

2010-08-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Did you ever have one of those Sundays when the sermon hits home so beautifully you can only say AWESOME GOD!!!????

Pastor Roger @ HPC Swaziland did one of those today.

Side note: Roger and his wife Mary are a beautiful African couple (Roger is Swazi and Mary was born in Kenya) who were married

about 18 months ago and have been serving faithfully as ministers in the church . . . until this Sunday.

Today was their last day @ HPC. This week they will be leaving their home in Swaziland to be missionaries in Rustenburg, South Africa. This is so AMAZING!!!! Raising your own funding in America is one thing (don't get me wrong it is hard), but raising it in Swaziland when most of the people you know are in need . . . .this is a HUGE step of faith!

And for them to just be stepping out and to understand and trust God so fully is just what I needed to strengthen my faith. Here is my recap of the sermon but unfortunately it won't do it justice (but it will help me process it more).

"Your provision comes when we are at God's appointed place."

Right there you say okay, that's nice.

(I sat there and thought, I'm in Africa, certain that this is the place God has appointed for me for right now. But I don't really see His provision like I think it should be. I thought if I blogged and FaceBooked my need that funds would pour in and God would provide and confirm that I was where He wanted me to be. Notice the box "I" have God in.)

Now you look at 1 Kings 17: 1-9. Elijah had just told King Ahab that there would be no rain for the next few years unless he gives the word. And then God sent Elijah away, to an "appointed place". And God said He would provide . . . water from the brook and ravens would bring him food.

(Sidenote: Ravens are scavengers and probably don't smell so good.) Not quite how I would think God's provision should look for His prophet or for me. But they brought food and there was water. Okay, I can stretch my box that I put God in. It would take some adjustment but Elijah could get use to this.

Now, reflecting on my life: I leave the "comforts" of the states to come live in Swaziland, halfway around the world, away from family and friends I've known, sell most all my belongings and give up some familiar things, to work in a country that is culturally different, they drive on the left side of the road, talk a foreign language, no TV,and no Mexican food!

But God provides; new friends, new awareness, healthier diet, roommates and a high exchange rate (makes the US dollar go farther).

I can see how Elijah can handle the provision God provides. It isn't the Marriot hotel or even the Holiday Inn but it becomes home.

Then the brook dries up!!! What's up with that God?

For me the brook would probably be my finances; no roommates scheduled to come for at least 6 months and the exchange rate dropping to the lowest rates since I arrived. What now God?

God sends Elijah to another appointed place, to the home of a widow. Now, widows and orphans are who we are to provide for. How would it look for a man of God to go ask a widow for help???? What will people think????

But Elijah was obedient and became the answer for both his provision and the provision the widow and her son needed. God is no where near the box I thought He should be. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He should just rain down the goods but instead He weaves an amazing tapestry of changing the blessed into the blessing for another and vice versa!!!! So cool!!! And later the widow's son dies and Elijah brings him back to life. And if Elijah had not gone where God had appointed, the widow and her son and probably Elijah would be dead and definitely wouldn't have been so richly blessed. (Roger pointed out not going where God appoints, will just not work, you won't bring blessing on yourself or anyone else, look at Jonah. . . he got thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish!) Are you pondering what I'm pondering?

First, am I being obedient to where God has appointed me? I thankfully have no doubt in that area. Maybe that is where you are though. You know down deep God is calling you to go or be or do something and you are just afraid to step out because you don't see the provision. "His provision isn't there until you are in your appointed place." The ravens won't come with the food until you are at the brook. And maybe like me, you are at the brook and now that dries up, what now? It just means the provision is changing and odds are it will be totally out of our expectations of how it will unfold. But if we are obedient in our new "appointed place" we will be woven into a tapestry of going beyond being blessed by God to becoming an amazing, unexpected blessing for someone else. God you are sooooo cool!!! I am humbled and amazed and encouraged to continue to walk in faith. As I told someone recently, "What fun is it to walk in faith if you have a cushion to fall back on." I am His and if He sends me ravens or sends me to the orphans I work with to provide, may I be obedient!!!

Roger and Mary you are blessed by God and are going to be amazing missionaries and such a blessing to others!!!! Hamba kahle!!! "Hahm-bah gah-sleigh" (Go well!!!)

If you would like to help with this couples monthly support, email (sandra@childrenscup.org) or FB me and I will get you the information
.

To God be the glory!!!

2010-07-19T04:22:00.002-07:00

The last couple of months have been a struggle for me since Gugu's death. There has been a lot of transitions and loss. God has made me more aware of my emotional side and the suffering of others around me. Not that I was totally insensitive before but it has just been a different level of awareness. I have shared some of my struggles as God has

been stretching me. I pray it is so I will be, as in James 1:4b, "you will be strong in character and ready for anything." I believe as we stand strong amidst the struggles that God is preparing us for some major breakthroughs at Children's Cup in areas we might not even be expecting. "But the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the Lord you God loves you." Deuteronomy 23:5. Let me take today to share the physical miracles going on this past week!

If any of you are connected with me on FaceBook, you know that Levi Rodgers, Ben and Susan's 10 year old son, was very sick for almost 4 weeks. Whenever he ate he had stomach pains and bouts of what we call here "runny tummy". The doctors had tried all they could think of and he finally was referred to South Africa for help and the search for what was wrong included the fun adventure of a colonoscopy -Ouch! No problems were evident though and Levi was released late last Friday to wait for the tests results. Everyone had been praying for the usually active, love to eat, cute smiling Levi. On the way back from SA on Saturday, Levi started getting hungry and then wanted to go outside and play. By Sunday morning he was at church early and eager to be involved. We still don't know what was wrong with him but know that after almost of month of suffering, he is feeling fine! Amazing!! For a more complete story, check out Susan's blog @ http://susanrodgers.blogspot.com/ .

But listen, it doesn't stop there!! Armando is a young man who was beat up when going to the rescue of a woman who was being mistreated by some soldiers just prior to Father's day. The incident fractured his skull and he was in a coma on Father's Day with 18 stitches in his head. He woke from his coma to find himself with paralysis of his right side and other mental compromises such as being able to read or have short term memory. His family goes to HPC (Healing Place Church where I attend) because of their daughter who attended the Mangwaneni CarePoint and started coming (another story for another day). As I visited Christina in the government hospital, I kept seeing the family and tried to encourage them. They invited me to come to the ward and meet Armando. I was pleased to pray for and with him and to give him scriptures of promise to hold onto. I, along with others from HPC continued to lift him up in prayer as he was discharged from the hospital. The first Sunday out of the hospital, Armando attended HPC church in a wheelchair. He claimed that God had got his attention and he was intent on not ignoring God any longer. The next Sunday Armando came on crutches. Yesterday he walked up to the front unassisted to stand next to Levi as a testimony of God's healing power at work!!!! Awesome!!!

Let me share one last one. Another man in our church, Bruce, has had a problem with a nerve in his jaw. It is not treatable and gave him excruciating pain. His wife prayed and fasted for him after weeks of pain and no relief from the doctors and he was healed instantly!!! Wow!!!

To close, let me give you an update on Christina. A week ago Friday, when Christina looked the worst I have seen her, she told me that God had given her another 15 years! I prayed with her and told her to hold on to that promise. Saturday, she continued to get stronger and more clear in her thinking. Tues. she was discharged from the hospital and is now in a type of assisted living setting with her sister. She tried being on her own for a couple of days but it was evident she is not capable yet of living independently. We continue to hold on to God's words to her of 15 more years and know she will be back singing with the children at Mvutjeni "Em-voo-chee-nee", the Mercy Center she works at, eventually. Praise God!!!

What is next? I don't have a clue, but I serve a God where anything can happen!!! I am excited to see the future unfold as God shows me to pray believing not only that He can heal, but that He will heal!!! Not only that He can restore but He will restore relationships, finances, and whatever else we need. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!!!!

Growing Pains

2010-07-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Let me say thank you for those who have sent me prayers of support and encouragement since my last blog and to those that have helped out monetarily. I trust God completely. I might not be even close to the $500/month but He will help me make the adjustments I need to make it work. And to Mt. Pleasant's VBS kids in Clarksburg, MO!!! Siyabonga!!! "See-yah-boing-gah" or Thank you!!! Your VBS collection will help me get some much needed repairs done on my truck (or we call it a bakki "bah-key" here). It is the part of my missionary life that feels the most like being back in Missouri, especially when I'm driving down the rough dirt roads here!

That said, I seem to have grown and learned to trust in my finances. That is not the area God has been stretching me lately. I guess it is good to never stop growing but sometimes the growing pains really hurt and really leave you confused.

2 months ago I was humbled and amazed by God's provision for me to go on a trip of my missionary life on a shoestring budget!!! It was spectacular to see Victoria Falls, be a part of a friend's wedding in Botswana, and see Zambia and Zimbabwe. In my 2 1/2 years here I have only been to South Africa and once to Mozambique. I was awed and blessed to say the least. Then within 2 weeks of returning, my closest Swazi friend got sick and died suddenly. The roller coaster had begun. In that short time, God opened the floodgates to emotions. Those who know me from my past, know me as the practical, non-emotional, great in a crisis, keep going kind of person. So my first obstacle was to identify feelings I had never recognized in myself before. I went through, I guess you would say, part of my grieving process where a flood of irrational emotions would catch me off guard. Okay, so maybe some time off? No, God didn't open that door, instead He said face it, work through it, don't run away from it, recognize and identify your feelings. Okay, I felt I had reached a point of learning from it. Not an easy or fully accomplished work but I started owning it.

But then God kept stretching. Another co-worker, Christina, not as close but someone I knew who had the joy of the Lord and who loved the kids at her CarePoint with such passion and care, got sick. The kind we see so often and does not usually have a restoration of health. God said pray and go visit her in the hospital.

Side note: The government hospital, Ward 18, one that was notorious for never being discharged from in the past. Let me say it has improved. The filth and cockroaches are not there. There are still 44 beds on the ward. You still must have a "caretaker" come stay and care for you. They get to sleep on a pad under your bed at night and make sure you eat and take your meds. The nurses only take vitals, administer IVs and injections and set your tablets out (usually with no explanation). It is hard and frustrating to see.

Okay, back to my praying. I learned that I pray believing God will heal but was challenged to pray, expecting God to heal!!! Wow!!! Bigger difference than I realized! Okay, got that and I can honestly say I expect Christina to be healed.!! But right now she is 3 weeks in the hospital, stronger physically but scattered and fragmented mentally. So that is where I am today. God keeps saying to visit . . .every day . . . at the government hospital . . . but Christina is not only not healed, she is confused. She no longer has the joy of the Lord bubbling out of her. She is tormented by her own reality. She is anxious and without peace. Even family abandoned caring for her over a week ago. Can I stay with her? No. Can I provide anything including encouragement and prayers that will stay with her after I walk out? No. Can I do anything for the other faces that come and go in the beds next to Christina besides smile and greet and encourage? No. So what's the point? I finally agree with the Psalms when David cries out to God to rescue the afflicted. (The me I have changed to them)

"O Lord, how long will your forget (them)? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must (they) struggle with anguish in (their) soul, with sorrow in (their) hearts every day? How long will the enemy have the upper hand?" Psalm 13:1-2

He used my new found emotions to feel their pain like I never have in the over 2 years I have been here. He is making me return every day so I can see, not just skim over the need, the pain of even His children. Yes, even Christians suffer. I keep struggling with why?? I feel like a teen trying to come to grips with the universe. Trying to make sense of the Holocaust. Why does it have to be this way? And why do you want me to take it in? Yet I believe God is sovereign. Can I live that out, when others are hurting so much and I am not? It is not that I am making a difference by going every day. I can't. There is nothing that I can do. Humbling? Absolutely! I want to have purpose. I want to be significant. . . I, I, I . . . but I'm finding just the opposite in this period of stretching. I need to become less so as not to block anyone's view of Him. He is the only answer. I hate not understanding. I hate that Christina can't hold on to the joy of the Lord that I know is somewhere lost inside her spirit. Maybe that is why this is taking so long. I just need to let go and be a good reflection of Him and not try to work it all out. Ouch!!!! Keep praying. With all this growth, I hope those who know me will see me differently (in a positive way). That God is more in control and me less. OUCH!!!! (out with the control freak). That I will be more obedient and joyful and bold in my walk.

I'll let you know when Christina walks out healed and renewed in body, mind and spirit!!!! Until then, I will continue to visit her in the hospital as long as God confirms that is where I am to go. I will continue to process the growing pains knowing that the end result will be a closer walk with my creator, the one who does have ALL the answers!!! The one who loves each of us and has not been looking the other way but is right there with Christina and the others and me!!!!

Christina is the tall one on the right of the youth group!!

Asking for Help

2010-06-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

I've posted a lot of pictures recently but now I turn back to my ramblings and personal wrestling in my faith walk. The question to be addressed: How do you ask for help?

Or do you?

Let me backtrack; the budget for a single missionary is supposed to be $2,000 month. My church, the Oasis church, with the assistance of a few small outside donations has supported me in Swaziland for the 2 1/2 years I have been here. 18 months ago, because the exchange rate was 10 rand to 1 dollar (high) and I had a house full of roommates to share in my rent and my church was trying to fully support the financial need for not 1 but 2 CarePoints, I voluntarily took a 25% pay cut. Last year, the exchange rate dropped and now is only 7.5 rand (25% less) to 1 dollar, I have only 1 roommate (with small periods of none) and will be alone again July 15th with no one scheduled to move in. Gas has increased over a rand a liter in the last 18 months and my (the Oasis Church's) 2002 truck is in need of some minor repairs. Due to events in my church, going back to my original monthly status is just not doable at this time and so they have given me permission to fund raise outside of the umbrella of Oasis Church.

That being said, let me stop and say that if you are currently giving through the Oasis Church or you are attending the Oasis Church, any money you feel led to donate, should continue to go under their umbrella. They are still supporting the bulk of my ministry funding and need you to help them continue this.

Now lets get back to my wrestling with my faith. If God has "called" me to Swaziland, and I know He has. He is still using me to direct the Swaziland Children's Cup office staff, scheduling teams who visit, administrating our partnership with Mission of Mercy, overseeing the running of the 2 Mbabane CarePoints and as much as I stumble and fall, growing me in my relationship with Him. I also do not feel like He is saying my time is up here.

Then why do I need to ask?

Won't He supply my needs? Absolutely!!

This is why I have wrestled with this question for the last 9 months or more. He can and will supply my needs but I feel He has moved me, at this point in time, to ask for assistance. A humbling act in itself.

Now most missionaries go visit churches, speak, show pictures and video and ask for support. God has not opened that door for me at this time, just my blog and FaceBook. So why? What does He have planned? I have faith that if He wishes He could stir the hearts of those who keep up with my blog (not a huge number but some) to give one time or monthly gifts

through the umbrella of Children's Cup.

Or He could be stretching me in admitting being here is not something I can do on my own (duh!). To listen to Him more and not try to figure it all out. To not try to say it has to be done a certain way. That might mean I move into a smaller place and not host single missionaries or simplify my life in other ways I haven't thought to cut back or that He has planned something totally out of my methodical thinking to make it work. I must trust Him daily to make sacrifices and choices that glorify Him and watch it all work out and be amazed.

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. "

2 Corinthians 4:18

Or maybe it's not about me at all!!! (BIG truth I have been trying to put into practice and failing often lately!) Maybe for God's glory my blog is the spark for one of you readers to obey God in giving to someone or something that has nothing to do with me. It doesn't make sense to you but you keep getting this nudge in your spirit to give something to someone and you keep rationalizing it away. My advice, obey and enjoy the peace and blessing that comes with opening your hand, time, pocketbook, home, closet, whatever it is. It is all God's anyway!

"And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to (or read). If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself." James 1:22

Thank you for reading (and commenting). Your comments on my blog and FaceBook bless me immensely!!! If you do feel moved to help me raise an extra $500/month, please email me at sandra@childrenscup.org and I can send you information on sending a check, credit card authorization or bank draft and the address to Children's Cup stateside office.

Again, if you attend the Oasis Church, please give under "Oasis @ Swaziland" or under "Missionary Sandra" and help the church continue to be able to continue to support me and hopefully the CarePoints again soon.

Please continue your prayers and do not be anxious for me! If He uses you to give me more freedom in my finances,

FANTASTIC!!!

If He just makes ends meet for the necessities each month!

PRAISE HIS NAME!!!

If He moves me to a smaller place or does something even more outside the box than me appealing on FB and my blog!!!

TO HIM BE THE GLORY!!!

God is good and He has never forsaken me and has blessed beyond measure the 2 1/2 years I have been here!!! Thank you for the opportunity to share my life and my struggles and His love!!

Power Camp for Kids

2010-06-08T02:07:00.001-07:00

Over the term break (there are 3 terms in the Swazi school year) we not only had youth celebrations and a medical team come through but we had Kids Power Camp at both Fonteyn and Mangwaneni, Mbabane.

The theme was God's Power! With singing and puppets and lots of fun!

They taught the story about Jesus calming the seas by having the children act out the story in the boat with the wind (fan) and waves (squirt bottles) while Jesus slept and then Jesus rose and ordered the wind and waves to be still.

Faces painted!!!

They made power wheels and talked about we need God's power just like the wheels need the air to move!!!

Played with the parachute and learned about God's power to protect and bring us safely down when we have troubles!

Learned some dance moves to "Love is Deep" as they learned about the power in God's love!!

Saw video on the "Miracles of Jesus"

And of course had snacks and learned the memory verse Psalms 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

And got to be engulfed in a giant bubble to learn God's protection and power surrounds us all!!!

Anyone who doubts you can learn about God while having tons of fun should come to one of the camps!!!!

WE LOVE JESUS!!!

When You Were Sick . .

2010-06-03T02:37:00.000-07:00

May 12th, Seacoast Medical Team from Seacoast church in South Carolina did a community clinic at Mangwaneni, Mbabane CarePoint. Usually we have clinic only for the sick children who come to our CarePoint to eat, but that day it was open up to young and old. We had 13 medical staff, including a dentist, who saw about 130 patients.

The crowd!

The staff with interpreters!!!

The pharmacy.

The dentist waiting room!

It was such a blessing!!! Thank you Seacoast!!!

Youth Celebration @ Fonteyn!!!

2010-05-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted but a lot went on the last week between school terms. I had posted about Mangwaneni's Youth Celebration on May 2nd but Fonteyn was not to be outdone!!!

May 13th was a beautiful day and the youth had a great time!! (Check out the spy in the tree)

We started with rhythm and musical games! (yes that is die hard musical chairs!)

Then went to team games.

We had fill the bucket by passing handfuls, wrap your team in toilet tissue & carry your team races!!!

Of course we had the one handed hand stand, find the right shoe and pyramid stacking races!!!

What would races be without who can eat and swallow 4 bananas the fastest!!

And Jabu finished her bunch first!!!!

From pop your balloon first!!! (Note the popped pink balloon - He won!)

To down the soda fastest!!

And the winning team was!!!!

Then it was time for praise and worship and teaching from Harrison on 1 John 4:4!!

Those that had been attendeding Youth Club regularly received their 2010 "Creating Christlike Leaders" bright orange youth T-shirt!! We all had a great time fellowshipping and learning about how great God is!!!!!

Tribute to Gugu wami

2010-05-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the memorial and all night vigil for my closest Swazi friend, Gugu Dlamini "Goo-goo Slah-mee-knee". Tomorrow before dawn she will be buried. I have been to burials before but this will be my first all night vigil. It will take place at the husband's parents homestead and will be outside under a tent all night (it should be nice and cold--remember we are heading into winter here). It is part of the mourning process here in Swaziland. We will sing, people will preach, we will sing, preach, sing, preach, etc. until just before dawn when Gugu will be laid to rest. Unlike the US (burial being before the sun rises is also unlike the US) we will not only have a short service by the grave but we will lower and bury the coffin, shoveling spadefuls of dirt on and packing it down every so often. It is a hard but a meaningful time.

I affectionately called her Gugu wami "goo-goo wah-me" (my Gugu). She is the Swazi friend who gave me my Siswati name; Nomathemba Dlamini "No-mah-tim-bah Slah-mee-knee" It means "You bring hope". She would call out "my Noma" when she needed me in the office. Most call me Make Sandra (momma Sandra) but I was always Nomathemba to my precious Gugu.

Gugu had a way of making you feel at home and loved from the first moment you met her. She gave great hugs and could always made me laugh even when I was in a bad mood.

She was God's hands and feet. Gugu's life was not easy by any means but she never let you know that. Even on really bad days, she would bring joy and love to the office.

This past Monday, the office staff met to share and mourn and rejoice Gugu's life. It was unanimous that the one word that we would use to describe Gugu was LOVE. No one ever spent any amount of time with Gugu and did not feel cherished. She was the heart of the office. We joked that you could not even go to the kitchen to get tea or to the restroom without passing Gugu's office door and getting a big smile! If we could just love on people half as well as she did. She was absolutely God's hands and feet!!!

She is survived by her father, her husband and 3 beautiful daughters, Khetsiwe "Ket-see-way" (far left), Noncedo "Known-tay-dow" (eldest and in front of Gugu) and Sethu "Set-too" (next to me) who are pictured below at Roger and Mary's engagement party 18 months ago.

1 John 3:18 says "Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions." Gugu wami, you showed us well!!! I love you and miss you and look forward to dancing with you in the presence of the King for all eternity!!!!!

God is AMAZING!!!

2010-05-08T05:58:00.001-07:00

God has been growing me in such leaps and bounds, and stretching me beyond my comfort levels. Amazing, exhausting, scary and special are the words that come to mind. So before next week and several different ministries occur, I must share some of the more personal things God has been blessing me with.

I’ve been reading Richard Blackaby’s book Unlimiting God. It is an excellent book and one scripture has been challenging me, repeatedly. It is 2 Kings 4:1-7, where the widow came to Elisha to say the creditors were coming to sell her sons into slavery. “He (Elisha) instructed her to gather all the containers she could borrow from her neighbors. ‘Do not gather just a few,’ he urged her. She was to pour her meager amount of oil into those containers, then ‘set aside the full ones.’” And then the question in the book that has haunted me “If God gave you that message, how many containers would you collect? When would you decide you had gathered enough?” “The flow of oil ceased because the widow had no capacity to receive anything more from God. It wasn’t that God couldn’t keep the oil coming; the woman simply was incapable of receiving any more . . . God responded to the level of her faith.”

Oh, to grow my level of faith!!!

He has blessed me with so much, not so much materially as He has in joy and peace and hunger to know Him more. I thought the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime through Southern Africa was beyond my grasp, financially and time away from the office. But God let the oil flow.

The trip was birthed in an effort to give support to a former colleague, Karabo "KB" from Botswana by attending his wedding and helping out the day before. KB is a testimony of God’s grace and love as God he grew this young man, whose life had reached the bottom, through his mom placing him in a teen challenge program in foreign country to overcome his addictions. Her graduated from there and pursued bible college and become an instrumental worker in discipling our cooks at Children's Cup and now he had found a godly woman, Lebo, to share his life with. It was an honor to be able to attend.

If that was not enough, God enabled us to be able to see one of the 7Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls (just a few hundred kilometers beyond the wedding)

And then to travel down to see the ministry going on in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe through Celebration church and Children’s Cup and to spend time with Zinty, who used to be my right hand person with Mission of Mercy in Swaziland, and her husband Lungile.

God’s hand was evident the whole trip; from the shoestring budget, the safe roads, my truck not having any trouble, smooth passage at the borders, and no problems with the police.

He blessed us with getting to spend time with old friends who had moved away and to make new ones.

God is so faithful!!! What if I had brought Him more jars to fill?

Youth Celebration @ Mangwaneni!!!

2010-05-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

Children's Cup youth discipleship leaders are going to every CarePoint over the term break and celebrating the youth clubs. This past Saturday, Mangwaneni CarePoint had their youth club celebration day!!! What chaos!! What fun!! What surprises!!

They played challenge after challenge from unwrapping a roll of toilet paper the fastest around your team to eating a bunch of bananas first, from getting a straw in your mouth first without use of your hands or blowing a balloon up until it pops to pair chugging of a 2 liter soda. Sweets were to be had for all winners. Laughter resounded off the walls as 14 of our youth participated and many younger children watched with longing to be older. Harrison, assisted by some of Mangwaneni's youth, had a time of singing and worship followed by a teaching on 1 John 4:4 "Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world." The youth also won sweets for sharing other verses they had memorized. At the conclusion, after prayer, those who have been attending the youth program regularly were rewarded with a brand new, bright orange, youth club 2010 t-shirt with "Creating Christlike Leaders" on it. Swaziland, watch out for these youth as God starts working mightily in their lives. (Sphesihle Bhembe "Spay-see-sleigh Bim-bay") is one of those. Keep her in your prayers as she tests on May 22nd to attend an advanced high school. If she passes, this will be a great opportunity for a brighter future for her and we will work with her to try to raise the funds for her to attend.) Check out the pictures of all the fun!

Serveolution

2010-04-04T03:17:00.000-07:00

A week ago Friday, our bible clubs did a serve day for their communities. I had the honor to join the Fonteyn CarePoint on their outreach to a 90 year old gogo (grandmother). She was not sure how to handle 55 children coming to serve her and allowed us only to help outside of her home.

The children brought firewood as they walked the 20 minutes through the paths from the CarePoint to her homestead. They took turns with the slashers to cut the tall grass and carry the cut grass and trash away. My heart swelled as the children sang songs in Siswati of God's love. Before we left we all bowed our heads as teacher Portia led the kids in praying for the gogo. It was hot and sweaty day and the walk back was all uphill but I wouldn't trade the opportunity for anything. I have the best job in the world!!! Thank you for letting me be God's hands and feet here.

Potential

2010-03-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

This time of year seems to be hardest for me every year. I have come to realize that after having to see so much need in Jan. and Feb. of children unable to afford school fees and to be able to help so few, it becomes overwhelming. This year in particular has been tough. With the struggles in the US economy and the crisis in other parts of the world and a low exchange rate, we have had to tighten our belts, prioritize and be creative and unfortunately say "no" more often.

God is faithful and continues to show up. "So don't get discourage and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." Galations 6:9

In my discouragement He has opened my eyes to 3 certain individuals and told me "potential". Let me explain. There were 2 girls at the Fonteyn CarePoint that work so hard to help the teachers and cooks at the CarePoint. They did not have fees for school and had sat out all last year. I took a day with the girls and teacher Nomvula and tried to find them a place in a secondary school. I discovered that their final testing from grade 7 (entrance tests for high school) were extremely poor. We finally settled on them repeating grade 7 and working hard to improve their grades and scores. I say this because on that day God started educating me on the higher education system.

There is a private high school near my home that is nice and does a 5 year program in 4 years. I spoke with the headmaster (principal) and she agreed that if I found children with potential, I can let them apply to attend the school and take a test in May for 2011. They do not have scholarships but the test would let us both know if these children have the potential to make it. If they have the potential then we can see what next step God has for helping fund them.

I knew the girls I had been with that day did not have that potential but God started pointing out some other children in need with "potential".

Sphesihle Bhembe "Spay-see-sleigh Bim-bay" from our sewing graduation was the first child God highlighted to me. The other sewing graduates were in Form 1(high school) this year but Sphesihle was in grade 7 (the last year of primary school). She place 3rd in her class last year. (Every class ranks you as 1st on down and EVERY child knows their ranking.) She helps the cooks often at the Mangwaneni CarePoint and loves to learn. She is "clever" (how they refer to being smart). She will fill out an application and we will try and get her to test in May and see what unfolds.

The second child was Nonhlahla Masini, he is an 18 year old who volunteers at HPC. He is orphaned with small siblings that are placed at our I'm Not Forgotten program. He has a serving heart and God opened up a conversation that let me know that Nonhlahla was in grade 7. He is not discouraged that it has taken him so many years to afford to attend school, he keeps smiling and trying and he ranked high in his class last year. He will fill out, apply and test in May.

Then God started showing me that "potential" isn't just in going to high school. At Fonteyn, the other day, we had approved some work to be done and Dumiso Mankwakwa "Do-me-sew Mahn-gwah-gwah" a 14 year old who works to help at the CarePoint without anyone even asking was there helping the workmen. The owner said that the boy worked hard and has, you guessed it, "potential". I visited with Dumiso some and found that he was in 1st grade because of the free education this year for grade 1 and 2. (14 years old and never been to school!) I told him to work hard this year especially in learning his English and if he could excel this year and maybe next we could check into the qualifications of the intern work program the owner, who was doing the projects, has in Manzini.

Time will tell how these stories will unfold but God is soooo good!!! Nothing happens overnight and He is showing me just one at a time, the possible plans for different children. I stand amazed in His presence and encouraged that He also holds each child in the palm of His hand!!!!

Never Too Late to Have a Merry Christmas!!!

2010-02-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

Surprise! I got a call Wednesday of last week asking for help in transporting boxes of Samaritan Purse boxes to our Fonteyn CarePoint. The Catholic church in Mbabane had gotten a delivery and was making arrangements to pass them out to all the children in the local government schools and preschools. I stuffed my bakki "bah-key" (truck) full of large boxes of gift boxes and made 4 trips back and forth to the CarePoint. Fonteyn school children walked the 2 kilometers and picked their boxes up at our CarePoint and Mangwaneni "Mahn-gwah-nay-nee" CarePoint walked our preschool children to the Mangwaneni Primary School for their boxes. It was so much fun!!!

For the older children a booklet about Jesus also accompanied their box.

Most of the boxes we left sealed so all the contents would get home safely. But as you can see we opened a few of them. Even though it is summer here now, the children and adults were thrilled to find warm caps and gloves and scarves in the boxes for the children. In a few months it will be chilly enough that these will help keep the kids from catching colds. Also crayons, pencils, toothbrushes and washcloths are great and needed items. And the toys and sweets are fun. Thanks to all who help fill these boxes!!!! They are such a blessing!!!

Sewing Class Graduation!!!

2010-02-22T05:27:00.000-08:00

Another milestone at Mangwaneni CarePoint. We had 4 girls graduate from our first sewing skills training. Sphesihle Bhembe "Spay-see-sleigh Bim-bay"; Nontobeko Shabangu "Known-toe-bay-go Shah-bawn-goo"; Thembi Mncina "Tim-bee M(click)ee-nah" and Bongekile Dlamini who is in high school and could not attend the graduation because her new school is far away. We are working at all our CarePoints to develop ways to grow skills and values in the boys and girls that will help them succeed.

Diane Page, one of our newer and domestically talented missionaries, (I can barely sew let alone design a program) has been overseeing the project. Dudu "Doo-doo" is our actual sewing teacher at the CarePoint. Here you see them with one of our graduates.

We have learned a lot and the next class will have even more spiritual and practical applications to life beyond sewing. As you can see the girls did several projects over the course of their class. They also made placemats that we sold to team members that visited last year.

As part of their graduation they not only were awarded a certificate but a box with 2 meters of fabric, thread, ruler, pins, scissors and all the tools they need to start their own projects.

We had invited our proud parents to join in the celebration.

Now comes the learning on how to save and budget when you make money. We are very proud of our graduates and look forward to selling you some of the items they make when you come visit us in Swaziland!!!