Our mission teams swoop in to Mkhombokati, all bells and whistles blowing, ready to put on a show and sing and teach. As one precious team member lovingly describes it, we arrive and “make a circus out of everything.” Our short-term teams carry special friends of special friends and supplies and songs and hope to unpack the simple gift of making good on the promise of showing up, just as the teams before us have and the teams that follow us will.

We certainly go with intention and plans and purpose, working to ensure that the activities of our specific short-term mission fit into the long-term goals of both the Swaziland ministry at Capital and the strategic development goals of the Swaziland missionary field staff.

Our teams, however, have just a few hours during each of five precious days to build and strengthen relationships through loving on and laughing with the children. There are only so many finite minutes to hug and hope and help. In an instant, we pack up our three rings, zip and clip up our bags and roll out of town. We cringe at what feels like a tearing of us from them, as the bus bumps down the road on that last day, now familiar faces waving and fading behind us.

In the grief and the pain of good-bye, God dresses our wounds with the peace of knowing that our little flock will be well looked after. And that’s because they have a shepherd. Two shepherds, actually. Their names are Mbuso and Zama.

The ministry in Swaziland, which operates 33 CarePoints and serves over 6,000 children is not a relief/aid organization. One would think, amidst such intense poverty, that aid would be, by default and necessity, a constant priority. And yes, of course there are gardens and farms and projects designed to enable the feeding of all those children 5 days a week. And yes, there are building projects designed to improve the function of the CarePoints purpose. And yes, there are garages full of underwear and socks and items to replace the clothes whose holes no longer provide cover. There are statistics related to all of these. But they aren’t the ones that matter most.

At the heart of this ministry lies one word: development. The seat of the ministry’s emotion and passion and the place from which it both groans and rejoices is not from providing stuff, but from serving and shaping souls through discipleship and development.

The book When Helping Hurts defines development as the “process of ongoing change that moves all the people involved—both the ‘helpers’ and the ‘helped’—closer to being in right relationship with God. It is a process that people do with each other, not simply for each other.” Our western culture is quick to measure mission trip success with checklists and the pounds and piles of things. It feels good to hand out a shiny new pair of shoes do a barefoot child. A photo of this does wonders to market a ministry. But let’s be careful to catch ourselves in the trap of overvaluing the giving of stuff and focus instead on hard conversations that focus on development. Let’s wrestle with how and what and where our time is truly most valued and aligned with the overall ministry vision. 

The dedicated missionaries have made this ministry about a single noun: people; and about all kinds of verbs, like training and equipping and empowering and coaching. Their ultimate pot of gold is to raise up Swazi’s to care for their own out of a place of knowledge of and abundance in the Lord’s kingdom, not out of the fear that comes from the despondent cycle of scarcity on this earth.

There are many examples of how this strategy is being executed throughout the ministry:

Sisekelo Setfu

Swazis and missionaries wrote and developed this a custom discipleship curriculum that is taught daily to the children at each CarePoint.

Ngesikhatsi

Swazis and missionaries created this custom grief counseling program that takes small groups of children through intense personal sessions, teaching them how to express and process their unimaginable grief and loss, putting them on a path to freedom and forgiveness. (Forty seven children at Mkhombokati have been blessed by this program.)

Sports Ministry (for the fatherless)

An amazing bunch of exuberant young men travel to CarePoints throughout the month, offering life coaching through soccer. They teach a custom curriculum that pairs life skills such as courage in conjunction with soccer skills. They work to simultaneously raise up boys in sport and reach out to the fatherless.

But it is the Shepherds, born out of the Swaziland Leadership Academy (SLA) that are the heart beat of this ministry.

Each year, the missionaries pluck a small (10 to 15) group of young men and women who show initiative and interest directly from the CarePoints to become SLA students. The students then spend eight months in South Africa where they are intensely poured into, coming face to face with their own past, their own pain and their own stories, sifting beauty from the ashes and the faithfulness of God. They are also given a crash course on managing attendance spreadsheets and all the foreign minutiae of administration that management demands.

SLA students are transformed, tended to as people and trained as leaders, emerging from this journey of spiritual formation ready to discern and execute.

Upon their return to Swaziland, each student is assigned a CarePoint to which he or she becomes its Shepherd. There, they serve the children after school four days a week, acting as big a brother or sister, as a mother and/or father, as a disciplinarian and counselor and teacher and friend. In a land with 40% unemployment and omnipresent illness and death, these Shepherds are walking monuments, beacons of hope to thousands of children.

Mbuso (pictured above right) is our veteran shepherd. His smile is magnetic, with a transcendant gravitational pull. Mbuso’s mind dwells on what is true. He is curious and confident and wholehearted. He lives not far away from the CarePoint himself, in the homestead on which he was born, a small concrete block with a bed and a lone light bulb. Our team was treated to dinner at his homestead, an evening under the stars that forever redefined hospitality in my playbook of practicing Christianity. Zama (pictured above left) is Mkhombokati’s new shepherd. Her smile is soft and sweet and shy. She is gracious and tender and her gentleness is evident to all. She is approachable and encouraging and teachable. She embodies the fruits of the spirit.

First and second year Shepherds are volunteers; they do not get paid. They serve, making a daily difference in the lives of our special Mkhombokati friends even as I type. They give their time to raise the children of their country into good citizens of both the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Kingdom of the King of Kings.

Shauna Neiquist wrote, “connection heals us more than achievement ever could.” And the Bible says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

The connection and love that Mbuso and Zama  selflessly offer as living sacrifices inspire and encourage us all.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:9-11

-Tara Ross

Well we’ve been praying for rain, and today it was that rain we received.

Today was the first “Family Fun Day” to be held at Mkhobokati. Our Fun Day committee (Derek & Laura) spent hours meeting, brainstorming, packing and organizing supplies. Late last night the whole team huddled up, assigned stations and were ready to roll this morning with a bounce house, relay races, a soccer clinic, a dance-off, slack line, amoeba tag… we were ready for some serious FUN. As we started to pull out supplies, as the children began to swarm around us and their families lined up at the gate, we looked up and saw the skies open and the rain began to pour down. Not just a drizzle, but a sudden and dramatic torrential rain.

The course of our Fun Day took a turn. A turn for the worse? All of our time and effort put to waste? But how could we mourn this rain? This is the rain we have been praying fervently ever since we heard of the historic drought, this is rain that everyone we’ve visited has been desperate for. Confused about how exactly to feel, those of us with rain jackets bundled up to welcome soaking wet families at the gate and usher them into the multi-purpose building.

As I huddled under the outdoor shelter with a group of kids to watch the downpour my mind wandered toward songs about rain. Lets face it, the song “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring….” makes no sense and “Rain, rain, go away” just didn’t quite sit well in the midst of a drought so I asked Sisephile, a talented teen we’ve been getting to know, “Do you have any songs about rain?” Immediately her voice rang out, and every child around us followed her lead in perfect harmony, “Let it rain! Let it rain! Let the buckets of heaven pour down.” We clapped our hands and swayed together willing that rain to continue. I was no longer conflicted.

I knew in that moment that there was no way our day would be ruined by the rain. I knew it was nothing but a beautiful blessing, reminding me that our plans are no match for the awesome plans God has for our lives.
The grills were moved under the roof to continue cooking a meal for all five hundred of our expected guests and while the food cooked we gathered the children, their families, the Care Point staff and our team with no plan at all but to wait out the rain together. There was not an inch to spare in the 30’ x 50’ cinder block building with a metal roof. But we were all warm and dry and protected, something that wouldn’t have been possible ago when the Care Point consisted of a tree on a hill.
The next few hours were spent in celebration, gratitude and joy. Parents and grandparents sitting in tiny chairs meant for preschoolers, crowds standing at the back, our team sitting on the dusty concrete with the kids, all trying to see through the cloud of smoke that was pouring in from the grills just outside. But what we all saw through the smoke was well worth our stinging eyes and aching knees. Groups of children from the care point had lovingly prepared poetry, songs and dances to share with us. Words cannot describe the passion, effort and talent that went into their performance today. And we are so grateful for this beautiful gesture of their love.

But there was something else there.

Though these performances were directed at us, their visitors from across the world, I could not help but look back at their families whose eyes were full of pride. They shouted out their support, sang along with each song, and just like we would expect back at home, I saw many a mother with her camera phone out recording every moment of her child’s moment in the limelight.

These parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles walked in the fence looking weary. These are men and women struggling to survive and keep their children from starving, but even before we had the chance to serve them the biggest meal they’ll have all year, even though we didn’t have
the chance to lavish their kids with a bouncy house and relay races and a dance party, before they received a homemade cupcake for the walk home… they were uplifted by their own choir, their own songs and dances and heritage, they were uplifted by their own children. In that
moment I saw a pride and a hope that just maybe their kids were going to be okay.

If I had to choose a favorite moment from today, I would fail miserably. There are just too many. As I look back over the last twelve hours, my mind jumps to several that would compete for “favorite”. Here are just a few:

1. In VBS this week, we’ve been talking about how to love God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. LOVE GOD. Today, we talked about the importance of loving our neighbor. LOVE OTHERS. At one point, Tara held up a map and showed the kids where SLC, UT and Swaziland, Africa are located. Then she said that we flew in an airplane for 22 hours to come and see the kids because we believe they are our neighbors and we LOVE them. When she said how far away Utah is from Swaziland, many kids audibly gasped and covered their mouths in shock. They had no idea. It was an incredible moment to see them realize that we would fly half way around the world to love on them. They are SO worth it!

2. Music is my passion and I felt like we needed to share one particular song with the kids this week: Good Good Father. But as I planned to lead the song, I feared that it might be painful for them. So many have lost earthly Dads (and Moms). Would it remind them that they didn’t have parents? Would it hurt more than it helped?

But as I walked around the Care Point today, I heard little voices following me singing lines like, “I’m loved by you, it’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am…” Everywhere I turned, different children were singing the song as they played. The truth that God is our father wasn’t painful at all. In fact, the message brought hope to these sweet kids. They can walk around with their heads held high knowing that are sons and daughters of the King of Kings!

3. I went on a homestead visit with a few other team members and a Swazi staff member. When we arrived, we met the Grandmother that is taking care of four children and a young man. As we presented the gift of food (rice, beans, maize and a bucket filled with kitchen necessities), the Grandmother began to dance where she sat. But soon, she was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that she hopped to her feet, threw her head back in laughter, and did a victory dance. It was an amazing moment that I will never forget! Lord – may I live life full of gratitude for your good gifts!

4. We ate dinner at Mbuso’s (one of the Swazi shepherds) house and it was quite an amazing experience! We ate traditional Swazi food (yum!) and ate outside under the vast African night sky. We ate, and prayed, and sang, and laughed together. What a glorious picture of unity in Christ. Even though we don’t speak the same language, we are united in our love for Jesus and our love for each other.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds. Each day gets better and better…

Grace & Peace from Swaziland! Umusu Nekuthula!

Suzanne

As I sit at the dining table at the guest house at Sunset Palms, I struggle to organize, maybe even identify, my thoughts and feelings. I’m listening to the chatter and laughter of my teammates in the kitchen (whom I absolutely adore), while “At The Cross” is playing in the living room. The first thought that pops into my mind is joy. Joy that I’m living in these moments, fully present and  uncomfortable, being willing to stretch towards my God given potential. Walking on Holy ground at the Mkhombokati Care Point, visiting the homesteads of these precious children, trying to establish trust with the teenage girls, washing their callous scorned feet, reminds me that God just wants me to show up.  He wants me to be willing to show up and answer His call. I do not prefer being uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, I might hate it. But eventually, I have to stop running from it.

One of our missionaries, Morgan, that’s from Alabama (so grateful she’s not an Alabama fan, but I’d still love her, she’s awesome), talked about how important it was for us as Christians to be uncomfortable, otherwise we are stagnant in our walk. So there’s that.

Mkhombokati, brings such a mixture of emotions. I have an overwhelming sense of peace being in this place. And some anxiety – am I giving these kids enough?  Devastation over the poverty, illness, sanitation. 63% of the Swaziland population do not have one meal a day. Not one meal! 2015 was the driest year in a CENTURY. No crops. No food. Cows dropping dead.  Watching these parents/grandparents fight to survive and care for their families, at times can feel so hopeless, but then I get the privilege to pray over their land, their family, their finances, and their health. I feel the power of God here. I believe He hears me and I’m reminded that I am getting to be a part of His Kingdom right here on earth, in Africa and that I’m an active part of His story. Wow.

I wish I could articulate my thoughts in a more profound way.  I’m having a difficult time processing everything I’ve seen and experienced here. I’m blown away by the leadership and commitment of the missionaries and the Swazi staff. The life they are building, the lives they are impacting, the sacrifices they’ve made, are extraordinary. I have felt so welcomed and loved and cared for here. The family that runs the guest house, Steve and Amy McAdams, (they are also from Alabama), have treated us like royalty. Let’s just talk about the cheese grits, the homemade biscuits and gravy, and banana pudding! Seriously. Worth going to Swazi for those biscuits. Troy is definitely going to need to plan another trip for himself!

Today, our children (because they are all our children) had their first spelling bee at Mkombokati. It was beyond exciting and empowering to watch these students think and struggle and spell these English words correctly. The crowd would roar when one of our friends would get it right. They felt such pride and so did we. This brought hope and inspiration to the community.  We took pictures of the top spellers in the competition and printed them out on a Polaroid printer for them to have as a memory with their first, second and third place ribbons.  They don’t have mirrors or many pictures of themselves so this is an absolute delight for them. They love to look at themselves. It’s marvelous. I hope this was the first of many spelling bees for these brilliant kiddos.

There’s no way to efficiently describe my gratitude for this opportunity. I look into the faces of Nkosephayo and Lihle and Tandzile and so many others and I burst wide open. I will carry them with me, their imprint on my soul. They have altered the lens through which I see this world in the most profound way. Thank you for sharing your home dear Swazi’s.