The longer I am here the more at home I become. I know that I am called to this land and these people in this culture. It’s not always going to be “rainbows and sunshine” but I believe it is during the times of darkness and clouds that the Lord reveals a lot of who He is to me. He reveals things that I have tried to hide or that I still need to be free from. He shows me my ugly side and reminds me that He isn’t finished with the work He has started in me. I guess this is another one of those random entries, but this has honestly been on my heart a lot lately.
I have seen teams come and go not only here in Swaziland, but also in other areas. I was one of these people too, so I am just as guilty. We as Americans enter various countries expecting to see God work, expecting to bring glory to His name, expecting recognition of any kind from those around us for this great thing we are doing, this sacrifice we seem to be making, taking a few weeks or a few months off to share the gospel with the world. Why are we looking for recognition for the things He has called us to do? Not only called us to do, but actually commands us to do. There are days I think back to past years, serving in New Zealand or even staying in America, all the things that are different than things here in Swaziland and how much we take things for granted. Man, if I could go back and change things I would. I wouldn’t go into new situations acting like I deserve to be there or that people even should recognize that I am around. I would take it seriously when I have the opportunity to minister to prostitutes working the streets or to the kid that is desperately wanting to be accepted into a gang just to belong to a family. I would think twice before blowing off children’s ministry as “something to keep them busy” or stopping to build that relationship with the kid everyone makes fun of.
We are taught to be the best at everything no matter how it is we get there. Even as small children we dream about what we want to be when we grow up. Everything we want is at our disposal, no matter the cost. And then I come and live here in Swaziland. Everyone has heard the statistics before. But statistics are only numbers. Sure they may make people aware to the tragedy and injustice that exists here, but what about the relationships? What happened to being the body of Christ to everyone we encounter? What happened to loving our neighbor as ourself? Why do we continue playing these games of “look at the great things I have done” instead of feeding those that go days without eating? What about allowing the children here to dream of bigger things, or changing their future, or of getting out of this dreadful cycle of poverty? Lets allow them to dream bigger! While others may see the people of Swaziland as numbers I see them as my family. It is difficult for me to sit down and write out the injustice I see around me everyday because it is being done to my family. I am not here to exploit or to receive praise. I am merely obeying the words spoken to me by my Father. “This is my command: Love each other.”
