The Walk with the Word

It was the day before the big Litsemba Day event at the Somholo Stadium in Swaziland. So much work had gone into planning the details of the day – with the continual focus remaining --- “how can we bring HOPE to the children of Swaziland?” HOPE is found in one place --- in Jesus --- so every aspect of the day’s events needed to shine the light of truth on the one solid fact – Jesus is our only hope.

July 23 was the big day. Bible Camps held at 30 different churches had lavished the children with these three facts --- “Jesus loves them” – “Jesus chose them” – and “Jesus is their HOPE”. The shear volume of children attending the camps was more than overwhelming. And while our wonderful volunteers were taxed to their limits with trying to manage 200 – 400 children at each church, when 40 – 100 had been expected ----- they were also humbled with the realization that ---- “the fields are ripe unto harvest”. We saw that with our own eyes. The magnitude of the number of children wanting, seeking, hurting, hoping ---- was paralleled with the greatness of our God. I kept feeling Him whisper in my heart – “I know each one of them intimately – and I love them deeply – tell them.”

So on July 22 (the day before the big event), the teams had left for their final day of serving and loving the little ones and the stadium was abuzz with activity and work as preparations were well underway for the day long message of HOPE on July 23rd.

The potential for God felt like a tsunami wave on the horizon ---- and the spiritual opposition felt just as big. So I began the day asking God where I needed to be and what I needed to do – to further HIS plans and battle effectively against the plans of the enemy (for they were thick in the air – the enemy was not pleased).

God opened the door for me to do something I’ve never done before.

I was blessed with a reprieve from all responsibilities --- and instead given the entire day to pray at the stadium. Now – 10 years ago, if someone had told me I needed to pray all day long – I would not have known where to begin and I certainly would not have known what to say beyond the Lord’s Prayer and “God is great…”.
But oh how God has grown and changed this daughter. (Oh how she needed to be grown and changed – still does.) ☺

So I went to the stadium with my backpack equipped with my Bible, my Ipod, a bottle of water, my Swazi cell, and a granola bar ---- ready for the day of walking and talking with God. And I was truly ecstatic. In a whole lifetime – you don’t have many days like this one was sure to be.
I’ve endured enough spiritual warfare and made enough bad choices in my life --- that I truly, truly, truly LOVE sitting, walking, talking with God – and most of all listening for HIM. I also felt the electrical currents of spiritual opposition in the air – and knew we had to enter into battle and we had to have MORE OF GOD’S PRESENCE or disaster was looming.
So as I arrived at the stadium while the dew was still thick on the ground – I could literally feel the struggle taking place in the unseen realm --- and I felt humbled and awed to imagine the powerful angels encircling me. I went to the center of the field and watched as the stage was being assembled, the equipment was being bolted and secured, the lighting and sound affixed into place and the cables, chains, cords, and ropes fastened and tightened. There were problems – but God had people in place that day who would not back away from the problems. I saw God in their tenacity and skill.
As I sat in the middle of the field and observed – I asked God what I could possibly do to enter into the arena and make a difference for the children. And He was very clear in His response to me. In Ephesians 6 we read about putting on the full armor of God --- and one of the pieces of equipment we need is the “sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word”. There had never been a Christian event of this magnitude at this stadium – and oddly enough – children had NEVER been welcome to events held at the stadium. The stadium is positioned geographically between two landmarks – on one side of the stadium is a beautiful but dark mountain range where the bodies of past kings have been entombed after their death. The mountains are guarded as the dead bodies are protected. (Note – the kings who died were entombed with their bodyguards – who were alive when entombed with the dead king. A gruesome way to continue “protecting” the king.) Much witchcraft takes place in the mountains as witchdoctors illegally seek to sneak past the guards and use body parts from the decayed kings in making the “mutu” for concoctions and potions – it’s all truly evil.
Then on the other side of the stadium is a high mountain with one steep cliff side --- which up until about 100 years ago was used as “execution rock”. This was the place where criminals would be sentenced to death by the king. They would be required to hike up the side of the mountain and jump to their death off the cliff side.
And our day of HOPE for the children was to be held in between these two ominously evil places.
So God said --- “Donna – pull our your sword – MY WORD – and speak MY WORDS all over this stadium.” I was to go on the offensive – not using the sword to protect – but using the sword to push back the evil that had become so comfortable in this place. So I prayed long and hard – and leaned into the prayers I knew were being said for me here at home (everyone should be allowed to feel the deep comfort of prayer warriors likes my husband, sister, close friends, and family). I knew my complete inability to step onto this field ---- but I praised God because I KNOW HIM TO BE THE VICTOR --- and I wanted to see His victory in this place. I prayed and stood up – opened my Bible and asked God what words He wanted the blade’s edge laced with. He guided me to the Psalms – King David was a warrior with a heart for God --- His words would be used in this battle. So I began reading Psalm 1 and walked in a tight spiral slowly making my way outwards from the center of the stadium. At the end of each chapter I would pray words from the chapter that seemed as if they had been written for this place, this time, these moments. It was amazing, humbling, powerful, and serious.
People were all around me – working diligently to do their part – and yet it felt as if I was completely alone with God between the mountain range and execution rock. And it was the best place to be on earth – no fear – yet intense evil pushing back against the Words being spoken out loud. I could almost see the pressing in of the enemy – but I could also feel the pressing back of God --- and I was honored to see GOD’S great strength --- He is so much more powerful than the enemy. There is power in the Blood of Christ. May we as His children not waste one drop of His powerful Blood. As a little girl, I remember singing the song in our little Baptist Church “There is power, power, wonderworking power – in the blood – of the Lamb”. And I remember at a very young age wondering where the power was – I couldn’t see it or feel it. But as I have walked with God – I have come to know it. And on July 22 wedged between two mountains used for evil – God showed Himself powerful and claimed the ground as holy ground to be used for HIS great purposes. I was in awe ---- as I kept walking, reading, and praying.
7 hours later the stadium had been covered with a blanket of God’s Word and over 70 Psalms had been read to securely tuck in the covers over this now claimed Holy Ground.
Never have I ever been so honored to spend an entire day reading (out loud) God’s Word, praying with purpose given by our Father, and feeling the victory from God in the marrow of my bones. I walked and prayed over the very ground where for years and years young maidens who were deemed pure and beautiful would dance bare breasted before the king to vie for the “opportunity” to become his next wife. I felt God’s grief over the lust and perversion and then felt His joy at claiming the ground as His own. And all along – I continually remembered that this was just me – little me – nothing special or different or powerful about me --- but that God was allowing me to simply be present as HE did what only HE could do. He won.
Throughout the day – God kept bringing the picture image to my mind of Elijah the prophet in 1 Kings 18 --- as he battled with the prophets of Baal. I felt God showing me the picture of the altar prepared and the water being poured over it --- knowing even the dousing of the altar would not prevent God’s fire from consuming the offering. I wondered why this kept coming to mind as I read in the Psalms --- but could not deny that this story of God’s faithfulness and power was being constantly whispered to my heart.

Exhausted and drained, I left the stadium to return to the hotel and work with the tired and exhausted teams coming in from serving the thousands of children they had loved on and cared for during the day.

Next morning – July 23rd, up early to leave at 5:00AM with prayer warriors - we drove to the stadium to once again pray over the grounds. It is a beautiful thing to stand in a circle with those who trust, love, and praise God – no matter how things may appear.
As we began praying a loud as God guided, the event coordinator, Masi Willis, quietly came and whispered in my ear – “please have the group pray over the sound system – the dew has seeped through the covering over the sound board – and the equipment got soaked – nothing with work – we need prayer”. And so I shared with the group and we prayed to the ONE who could fix it. As we then broke off to walk individually and pray --- I stopped in my tracks and was overcome with emotion --- as I realized ---- just as in Elijah’s day --- God had allowed the sound system to be doused with water --- and HE would NOT allow the water to hinder His consuming fire to receive the offering. I knew HE WAS SHOWING HIMSELF to us. And so I praised Him for what I KNEW he was about to do. Two hours later the sound system came to life ---- and worked beautifully for the entire day. God’s message was heard loud and clear --- and His praises were lifted loudly over the mountains surrounding the stadium.

How is it that a God of such great power and authority would be willing to pause in His perfect holiness and allow us to experience and see Him? What makes Him care for us so deeply? Why does He even notice our tiny world or give ear to our situation?
He is a good, good God. He is the only safe, right, pure, secure place to rest our head. In our weakness HE IS STRONG.
Makes me welcome my weak knees…

God's presence in a young man named Peter - vivid and beautiful...

Peter is a young man of 25 who has lived in the rural areas of Swaziland all his life. Orphaned at the age of 5 when his mother died and never really knowing who his father was, Peter knew despair at a tender, early age.
Taken in by a kind lady who use to employ his mother, Peter was saved from a life of living under the bushes and begging for food. For this he is most grateful and speaks with much love and kindness towards the dear lady who raised him. But she was very poor herself, and so while he was kept safe, there were many needs left unmet.

When I met Peter for the first time in March of this year, he graciously agreed to hop in our car and help us find the many rural churches we were visiting to assess whether they were a “fit” for our upcoming Bible Camps. Peter had lived in this remote area all his life and everyone knew him well – so he was the perfect guide sent by God (we had not chosen him – God had sent him to us). Just love seeing God like that. ☺
During our day of riding and meeting church pastors, I had repeatedly offered Peter bits of food as I nibbled here and there on banana, granola bars, etc. He would politely decline unless it was a soft fruit. At the end of the day I knew he had not eaten nearly enough – and I did not want to leave him hungry so I pressed to leave him food as we were dropping him near where he lived. When he looked at the food and declined, I pressed. He finally explained that he had a very painful jaw tooth that would only allow him to each ripe bananas and very soft foods. I asked if he would allow me to see the tooth – he agreed – I could see the black center and grey fingers spreading from the black center of his back left jaw tooth. I asked him if he had ever seen a dentist and he shyly shook his head “no”. I asked if he would be willing to go to the dentist so his tooth could be cared for and with a spark of fear in his eye he said he would be willing.

Just weeks before I had traveled to Swaziland, a dear lady from a ladies group at a church near our home had slipped $40 in my hand and said, please use this when you have a need in Africa. She had graciously meant that I should use the money for myself when I had a need. But as I stood there with Peter, in a matter of moments, I praised God that He had met every one of my needs and that He had even provided money in my pocket to hopefully meet this young man’s need. The money was literally in my skirt pocket as I had prayed over it and carried it with me throughout the trip eager to see where it was suppose to go. I quickly asked the kind man driving me (a gentleman from New York who has sold all he owns and moved to Swaziland to serve) if he would be willing to arrange a dentist appointment, drive the 2 hours to collect Peter and be his “dad” for the whole affair of caring for the tooth. Mark Hackett is a wonderful many who loves God and looks for opportunities to serve Him . He was already saying “yes” before I could finish my request.

I left Peter that day with a plan and a prayer ---- and we were all blessed to have been able to see God’s love flow to Peter.

Two weeks later, after I was back home in Georgia, I received an email from Mark that Peter’s visit to the dentist was done. The jaw tooth was indeed infected and the wisdom tooth underneath it was infected as well. More extensive work would need to be done. This was much more serious than we had realized. Appointments were made to visit an oral surgeon. I prayed and asked God for provision. Days later the surgery was complete and all was well for Peter. This infected jaw could have easily developed into a fatal situation--- God chose that Peter would be saved --- we could see this clearly through His detailed choreography of events. Praise God!

So when Mark shared with me the remaining funds needed to pay for the oral surgery, I prayed and committed to finding a way to pay for them. Peter felt loved and cared for --- and I knew God had already laid out His plans.

The WMU at Coal Mountain Baptist Church, where the dear lady who had given me the initial $40 attends as well, had invited me to share with their group about the work in Africa I had seen God doing. After our evening together, they lovingly placed a very generous donation in my hands and asked that I use it to further God’s work. I was blessed beyond words.
I had been diligent and prayerful to allot the funds as God would have them to be used. And get this --- I had just enough funds remaining to fully cover Peter’s oral surgery bill. So I prayed to confirm this was God’s plan --- and felt that good peace wash over me. So the funds were sent. Peter felt the goodness of the Lord through these ladies hands.
And I saw His goodness as well.

The brief time I spent with Peter also touched another Swazi lady who was in the car with us the day he assisted us in finding the rural churches. Paula was touched by his meek demeanor and by God’s very clear desire to meet Peter’s needs through the gift I carried in my skirt pocket. His story was/is very touching.

So during the days between then and now, Paula has been at work in her church in in Mbabane. She has completed all the needed paperwork and contacted Peter to see if he would like to join YWAM and serve God in other countries!!!!! YWAM – Youth With A Mission – is a solid, Godly organization that equips young people with a heart for God to serve others and evangelize the gospel of Christ.
Peter, a young man orphaned at an early age, who has lived in rural Swaziland all his life ---- and who has loved God deeply and openly calling God his one and only Father --- now has an amazing opportunity and future ahead of him ----- all because he was willing to guide us to churches and he caught our focused attention because of a terrible tooth ache that needed attention. Isn’t GOD BEAUTIFUL! YES!!!!!

So as I have been here this trip – the plans have been put in order by Paula for Peter’s application into YWAM and he has been accepted. He will move to their training center here in central Swaziland and live here for several months ---- and is then scheduled to live and serve in Egypt. EGYPT! The place he has read about in his Bible, the place that is in great need of GOD, and a place far, far away from the rural hills of Swaziland. Peter had shared with me on the first day we met, that he longed to become more educated, he wanted to share the gospel with others, and he wanted to become a writer someday.
Are you praising God with me??!!!

Paula had arranged for Peter to receive a scholarship of about $900 USD --- and she has committed to trying to raise some of the still needed $900. I told her I would love to share this beautiful story and see if God also touched any of you to contribute to Peter’s YWAM costs. I’ll need to ask her how we can get the funds to YWAM for Peter ---- so there are a few details to iron out still in that regard.
But ----- I am so thrilled to see God’s goodness to Peter.
Just as my trip to rural Swaziland led me to meet a young man named Peter who was in need ---- and God provided for his needs; I am completely certain Peter’s trip to Egypt (and all the other places God will take him in the future) will bring him before people in need, and God will provide for those situations as well.

God is sovereign, omnipresent, and omniscient. He is the holder of the plans. He is most worthy of all our praise. We stand in awe of HIM.

Surrounded by children...

First – so sorry I have not been able to post (or even write) over the past few days. Usually I’m able to write a bit – to help process the day – even if I’m not able to post it. But this past week has been a whirlwind of activity and prayer. Every moment I’ve had a part from the group has been so focused on prayer and listening for God’s whispers to my heart --- that I have not set aside time to write about it.

Mornings have begun at 5:15AM with group prayer and devotion at 5:45. It’s been so sweet to sit in the early morning dark with others seeking God. Devotions spoken, scripture read, songs of worship lifted up, and prayers uttered ---- all combined to begin our day in a powerful way. Out of the group of 340 --- about 30 of us would meet each morning. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being in a place, a situation, where you know God has called you to be – and yet you KNOW you have no control or power over the outcome of the day’s events. But you can feel the words “in my weakness, He is strong” pulsing through your veins. God’s Word is life and light to me.

The work has been non-stop through out the day, with sleep coming after midnight every night. (And for those who know me well – you know I’m diligent with my 8-9 hours of sleep each night. But that is not the case here.)

We have seen miracles – truly, not exaggerated occurances, but real miracles happen. God has heard our prayers and yours --- and has responded with a mighty YES. ☺
At the 30 churches where we have worked – we had expected (according to Pastors estimates) anywhere from 15 – 100 children. Everyday there were 50 – 400 children at the churches. Our teams were blessed and overwhelmed with the numbers. We were able to see the “fields are ripe unto harvest” – saw it with our eyes. We had to pray and cry and release our plans to God --- since we didn’t have enough food, we didn’t have enough Bible school supplies, we didn’t have enough team members, ---- but ----- we DID HAVE GOD. He called them there, He had a plan, we just needed to readjust our minds. So the lead teachers and I prayed constantly for God’s enabling of them to shift and adjust the beautiful curriculum they were using to accommodate hundreds of children. And He did. The outcome looked much different than what they had planned ---- but we pray it looked exactly as God had planned. (Thank you Kristi and Jodi for writing the curriculum – I could feel you here with us --- and your stories and activities are now in the hearts, minds, and souls of these beautiful children.) As vans of volunteers left the churches on the final day – they could hear the children singing “Jesus loves me, Jesus chose me, Jesus is my hope”. Many tears…
We did not have the budget nor the ability to bring food to this great number of children each day – it was overwhelming. There are SO many hurting children and people here. So we all prayed – longing for a “loaves and fishes” story. The WMU at a sweet church near my home and where my parents are members, Coal Mountain Baptist Church, had blessed me with funds to be used as God guided. I had used a portion of their gift to purchase Bible School supplies for the children and churches, another portion to purchase supplies to be used in Kenya, and another portion to pay for additional oral surgery for a young man named Peter here in Swaziland --- that’s another blog post soon to come (a sweet story that must be told). But I was prayerfully holding on to the last $200, waiting for that “nudge” from God. And the nudge came on Wednesday. We used the last $200 to purchase 100 big bags of oranges to take out to each church to give the children. The van pulled out Thursday morning bulging with eager, tired volunteers, loads of warm clothes they had brought with them to give to the children, and a gazillion oranges to share. ☺
The children could feel “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” as they received new clothes, food in their stomachs, and a feast in their heart with the final day of curriculum shared in adapted ways that would accommodate the magnitude of numbers the team served.

And so God provided --- according to HIS PLANS. We surrendered our plans and embraced His ---- as we realized we could not – but He could. We were unprepared for the numbers – He was fully prepared. We were ill equipped for their needs – He was what they needed. May they remember Jesus loves them, Jesus chose them, and Jesus is their hope ---- long after we are gone – for the rest of their days.
Many, many, many accepted Christ as their Savior. The numbers were too large to count --- truly. But God has their names written down. Praise God!

Seeing God with my eyes

It’s 3:10AM, Sunday morning, and sleep is playing games with me. Ha!

So I’m doing what most of us Christians do when we are awake in the wee hours – I’m praying. It’s not an all together bad thing to be awake in the middle of the night – and pray – because there are VERY few distractions from focusing fully on God. Our mind tries to tell us “this is wrong, I need to be sleeping, I’ll be too tired to meet the demands of tomorrow if I do not sleep”. But my soul whispers to my mind, God knows exactly what will be required of me tomorrow and He will give me the rest that is needed to meet the demands of the day. So I take my peace.

It’s a beautiful thing to spend time with God while everything around you is quiet and still. Sort of goes along with “Be still and know that I am God”. (Isn’t God beautiful.) And so I thank God for the unexpected, unplanned, quiet nighttime minutes with Him.

I’m thinking of the scripture I love so very much “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”. It’s a verse I often pray and He always delivers. Do you have a deep, gut level desire to “see God”? I do. Perhaps it’s because God chooses to allow me to see pain and suffering in this world, perhaps it’s because I allow God to open my eyes and my heart to that suffering, perhaps it’s because I “see” these painful realities and will not shut my eyes to them ---- that I have a desire in the marrow of my bones to SEE GOD. If I could not see God – then I think I would curl up in the fetal position and hide quietly in the corner of life. It’s the life giving response in my soul to a dying world --- I must see God in order to function at all. Perhaps it is true for you too.

Seeing God gives life to me and pours energy into me – which leads me to press forward – toward the goal that has been set before me. And I know – it’s not a goal I have set – it’s a calling from God. He knows for me to move forward He must allow me to see HIM – or I will become weak and useless. And so God graciously allows me to see Him – as I live life playing Hide and Go Seek with God. I must clarify here – I do not believe God “hides” --- but I know the plan of the enemy is to distract us, deter us, or overwhelm us with anything and everything possible, so that we are not able to “see God in the land of the living”. On the contrary, I believe God places Himself before our eyes constantly – and we just sometimes miss seeing Him. He is with us, He is showing Himself to us, He is watching to see if we are looking for Him. Oh what blessed children we are --- that the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE will show Himself to us and make Himself known to us.

How sad that we too often are so consumed with our problems, our situations, our needs, our desires, ourselves ---- that we miss seeing the fullness of God surrounding us.

And so --- I purpose in my heart to be watchful, to seek Him, and to store in my heart the abundant way He allows this tiny daughter to see her amazing Father.

Today I saw my Father …

- When countless people who do not know me from Adam returned my smile in an airport on the opposite side of the world from the place I call home.

- When I was not able to log onto my computer and produce a much needed document for a dear lady from Taiwan who had forgotten to bring the required paperwork with her – and her family was being held in Customs. In our frustration, we received a phone call 1 hour into our struggle with technology --- that the Customs agent had decided to extend grace and release them, along with the 10 boxes of blankets they were bringing with them. I was doing all the “right” things to retrieve her needed paperwork – the enemy was blocking my every move (it seemed at the moment) – very frustrating indeed. When I got the phone call that all was well ---- I saw God. He showed anyone who was watching for Him, that HE would not be hindered --- He would rescue them from their dire situation --- and He would allow me to see Him – in the moment of my inability. Isn’t that beautiful? It didn’t matter then that I was unable --- because I got to clearly see (and so did they I will add) – that HE IS ABLE.

- When another young man was held in Customs – a 23 year old college student with such a heart for serving God. As I got word he was “stuck in Customs”, I prayed and followed two dear friends who live here in South Africa as we went to the information desk to see if they would allow me access to go to the Customs department and help him in his situation (not that tiny me could do anything – but my Father could and as we waited for His plan to unfold, I might be of some comfort). It’s very uncommon to receive what I was requesting – access to an inaccessible area of the airport. As I stood at the counter patiently waiting for the important looking fellow with the badge to hear my request, a tiny, soft-spoken woman who would not weigh 80 lbs. soaking wet, tapped me on my elbow. She softly said, if you want help, come with me. I looked at my South African companion and inquired with my eyes what I should do. She motioned for me to stay put and she went with the tiny messenger. Moments later – the tap come again on my elbow and the same words, “if you want help, come with me”. She was wearing a tiny badge (proportionate to her size) I asked her gently where my friend was. She explained she is waiting for you and gave me quick, almost secretive directions where to go and find my friend and receive the help I needed. It was like a scene in a movie. I whispered a prayer asking God to lead me and carry me. He did. I found myself walking down a back corridor that led to the inner security check for officers at the airport. My friend was there with a guard of some sort who said he would escort me. I followed Him as my friend stayed behind, only I would be allowed through security. I was escorted by this young guard to the inner catacombs of the airport. Immigrations, Customs, --- scary and sketch yes – but was I at complete peace – yes. I was told numerous times, “we are shocked to see you here – no one is allowed in this area unless they are in trouble”. I smiled and felt God with me. The young man was released to spend the night in the airport and catch a flight to Swaziland in the morning – and I was escorted by my this guard out of the airport catacombs. As we walked the long distance back to my companions (and back into the world – for it felt as if we had visited a movie set from Bourne Identity), the young guard turned to me and said, “Are you a Christian?” I gently replied, “Oh yes, I love God very much, and that is why I am here in your country so far from my home.” He turned and looked at me ---- and I saw God. He slowly smiled. I then asked, “Do you know God?” His reply, “Yes I do, and I thought I could see him in you as well.” God carried me to places I had not planned to go – to places others did not visit today (unless they were in trouble) – so that I could see Him even there.

- When I was finally able to log onto my computer and get on the internet (just minutes after the hour long struggle with my Taiwanese friend – interesting yes), and glanced at my emails quickly to see if anything pertinent to the morning had been sent that needed my immediate attention. My eyes found an email from a dear couple from South Carolina, who had sent me word the day before I left that they were praying for me. Her loving message this morning was to ask me how much Pete needed to fully fund his trip to Kenya to serve with Steve, Maggie, and me. And then she typed, “whatever is needed – tell me – and a check will be in the mail by evening”. I burst into tears- standing in the hotel lobby – for this was a large amount of money. It was/is a deep desire of my heart --- to have Pete with us in Kenya this year. And in that moment, God said yes, I will provide, I will meet your needs (this was a “want” that was also a “need” of my heart). I saw God in her generosity and I wept. Oh how I saw God.

- When we got word early this morning that Litsemba Day would happen. I’ll clarify. For over 9 months now we at Heart for Africa have been planning for the trip that is taking place now. With over 300 volunteers (who I am greeting in Joburg), shipping containers packed full of Bibles, blankets, beanies, flip flops, clothes, etc. --- to give to the children of Swaziland during 3 day Bible Camps (like Vacation Bible School) in rural churches throughout the entire country as well as the Litsemba Day Event on July 23. Litsemba means hope in Siswati, and the entire trip will focus on every aspect, every activity, every gift, every detail --- bringing HOPE to the hurting children of this country. It has been a huge undertaking, one that is much more proportionate to God than to us. And the potential “good fruit that will last” is certainly God sized as well. In a country with the highest HIV rate in the world, where children are orphaned everyday and left scared, alone, and hungry, the right response must be more of GOD. His love, His way, His truth, His light, His life giving bread, His Word, He is surely the only right response to such overwhelming pain and suffering. And so we have worked to bring God’s Hope to a country that is literally dying. But we have dared to step onto a battlefield that had been claimed long ago by the enemy. And he has not been happy that we would dare to enter into what he considered his territory. God, however, has been VERY clear – He would win the battle – but we were to be a part of the scrimmage. Perhaps Janine will write another book giving account to all the strategies and battle plans that have surely been laid out against this work of God, for it could fill a book (it’s too much to try and chronicle on a blog). But, I’ll share some of the lies --- that Heart for Africa has been accused of being sex trafficking agents, child abusers, dangerous people who could not be trusted, and money hungry westerners trying to make money off the plight of the children of Swaziland. All such accusations have infuriated us, brought us to tears, and eventually made us laugh – because of their absolute absurdity. The enemy is a master deceiver and he has worked overtime to try and deceive the people of this dying country --- so they would not trust our help – and therefore not be able to receive the help GOD was sending to them. Less than a week ago, we were told the Litsemba Day event, planned for over 9 months, to be held at the national stadium with 15,000 planning to attend, with an entire team already in place here making the final arrangements (one of which being Maggie), would be cancelled and not allowed to take place due to accusations of sex trafficking plans against the children. And so we prayed. We knew over 300 people had plane tickets in hand and were coming to bring HOPE to the children and people of Swaziland ----- and we had just been told, it would not be allowed to take place. We prayed --- and God gave peace. We did not change our plans, because God had not changed His plans. Then early this morning – we received word that God had opened the flood gates of His powerful goodness and made a way. He has parted the Red Sea again and defeated the schemes of the enemy. God is worthy of ALL our praise. It was announced by the king and the government officials --- the Litsemba Day WILL take place --- and not only that --- but the King has now declared the day of July 23 a NATIONAL HOLIDAY – in honor of HOPE being brought to the nation. God has won – the enemy has been defeated – and the children and people of Swaziland will receive what God has been planning for them. The King of Swaziland will most likely attend ---- oh but much more importantly --- the KING OF KINGS will most certainly be there. I am in awe of His power.

And so I could continue writing until the sun wakes up --- but will stop here.

“I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”…

I thank God that He chooses to allow us to see HIM.

May others see God in our lives --- for the holy, powerful, patient, sovereign, almighty, omniscient, gracious, loving God that He is.

Everything else pales in comparison ---- when we have become spoiled to seeing God.

Is there anything else worth looking for or watching to see?

Thank you God for letting me see you today. I’m overwhelmed at your loving kindness.