Litsemba for Lesibovu

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Swazi, party of 12!

Oh friends. You would struggle to believe the stories if I told you. How God has let us wander around a bit, waiting on Him to define who is to travel with us, when we would travel, how He would provide...It's such an adventure just getting ready for the adventure of a mission trip!!

Months ago, the first people who committed to this team were my chiropractor Denise and her husband Brad. We've known each other a long time, and I was so thankful to have them on board. Rather early on, I asked Denise about the possibility of their son Josh, a great musician and singer, coming along, since this year we were really praying for more males as well as a worship leader. She said she would ask him, but it ended just not being something he felt he should consider.

It wasn't much longer before our church's worship pastor, Robert, said he would consider going with us as part of the team. We planned and prayed that God, funding, and circumstances would allow him to join us. As time went on, we began to assume Robert was going to be leading worship for us in Swaziland, though he was always careful to say that he was still taking steps to go, but did not ever say he was positive he would. Things seemed to be falling into place just like we had prayed.

When we learned a couple of weeks ago that Robert felt God had clearly closed the door for him to come with us, I was disappointed, but also not very surprised. I had felt some hesitancy that things would work out, not in a pessimistic way, but just prompting of the Holy Spirit to wait and trust, even in disappointment. His certainty and the peace we all felt was good confirmation that God was up to something beyond our plans. When we trusted so much in Robert's ability as a worship leader, and experience as a short-term missionary, we were not leaning on God as much to guide us, and we hadn't even left yet! I love that Robert was humble enough to surrender the position of leadership we were wanting him to have, and also his spot on the team, with absolute trust that his desire to go wasn't as important as what we needed to experience and without pressure to please us as a team.

We sat and discussed as a team. Without Robert, we were really close to having all the money necessary for our expenses. That sounded really good and we were happy to think of a positive spin on something disappointing. Then Denise and Brad thought maybe Josh would consider going in Robert's place. They talked to him over the weekend, but with barely three weeks' notice, he was understandably hesitant to commit, with work commitments and college resuming soon.

Over the weekend though, there were a lot of prayers said, and the Holy Spirit kept working. This past Monday morning, Josh called his mom to tell her he felt he was supposed to join our team! We really are beyond thankful that not only do we have a worship leader, but another young man who can be a great example to the kids we will meet. God is so gracious to bring those to our team to encourage us and be part of the group for a season, like Robert, and then to move in hearts and work out details for a late change (to our way of thinking) to the final team.

As of Friday evening, we finally have tickets!! The joy in our hearts that this milestone has been crossed is just unreal. We are so thankful!! God definitely has worked, in HIS timing. We had planned to buy tickets LAST Friday and just did not move forward with it, even after touching base with the travel agent. Now we can look back and see that there was a reason the Lord kept us from only buying 11 tickets. We are so glad to be back to 12 team members, and ask you to keep praying for us as we prepare to leave. We have the final funds to still gather, and supplies we need to take to the children. We have seen so much provision and answered prayer and just keep sharing these stories to hopefully encourage you as they have us!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Waiting on the Lord

We have seen God work mightily this week. Over $7,000 has been given in a few days' time. Now we need approximately $3,500 for our team 's lodging and transportation in country and about $4,300 for the flights we are to buy tomorrow. We need these final funds for airfare most urgently. We have a little longer to gather funds for the land package part of our trip.

If you have thought of giving, but haven't yet, this would be an awesome time. We are prayerful and hopeful that God is going to continue to amaze us with His goodness. We are waiting with hope that our team will be with the children of Lesibovu this time next month. Thank you for praying with us.

To give and receive a tax deductible receipt: PayPal to donate@gracekleincommunity.com.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

With All Our Hearts?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

This is one of those times in life where the rubber meets the road. Do I really believe what I say? Am I able to completely surrender my heart to trusting the Lord fully and allow Him to provide for our team, or not - and still say He is good?

Twelve people have felt called to serve the community of Lesibovu in Swaziland this August. We have worked to earn money, sent support letters, hosted fundraisers, friends fundraised!, and we've shared our hopes for this mission with many friends and various church groups. We have prayed, asked others for prayer, and are committing to devoted times of prayer this weekend as we seek the will of the Lord regarding this trip.

We have seen the Lord move friends, family, and strangers to give over the last year. It has been a huge part of the learning process as we humbly share the need for money for plane tickets, which are just.so.expensive. Southeastern Africa is just REALLY far away. Tickets are each over $400 more expensive this year, which is another $4,000 for our team's total need. There has been a crazy amount of time put into phone calls and emails with airlines and travel agents to try to find the cheapest reasonable options, which still ends up including over 30 hours of traveling.

During our team meeting last week, our team member/worship pastor Robert reminded us how we needed to remember not to "strive" - which means to struggle or fight vigorously. I have just repeated that to myself all week, mulling it over, praying, as we are trying so hard to balance our willingness to work with our desire to allow God to provide, without striving. I felt like I finally grasped that the opposite of striving would be "surrender" - to cease fighting and give control to another.

So that's where I am and where I believe the team is as a whole. We all deeply desire to go to Swaziland. We cannot imagine not going to Swaziland together. We want to be reunited with children we love, we want to encourage the missionaries and Pastor Welcome in person. We want to worship with them, to introduce them to our other friends and see how God works in each life through our time there.

We also want God's will above all else. Surrender. The verse above clearly states that we are not to lean on our own understanding, and in our understanding, honestly it is just hard to imagine not all of us going. But, we know that He may not answer our prayers for provision. It may be more important for us to learn a lesson in trusting when things don't go our way. That's hard to admit, and not at all what I want His will to be. If part of us are to stay home, then we need to know clearly who that is. That will be a painful and sad realization, but we are accepting that it is possible. We know the God loves Lesibovu more than even we do, and He loves us too, so His plan is not just acceptable - it is perfect.

Our prayer is that by Saturday, the money we still need to purchase plane tickets and pay for our land package expenses will have been given, and we can take care of paying for those things on Monday.

One month from today, August 3, is the day we are supposed to arrive in Swaziland. At this point without considerably more donations, there will not be 12 of us arriving, so please pray for our hearts, surrendered to what our Father has planned.

If you are moved to give, we would greatly appreciate donations of any amount. You may give through PayPal to donate@gracekleincommunity.com with 'Missions' in the memo or contact any team member: James, Jennifer, Isaac and Abigail Vines, Glennleigh Boyd, Denise and Brad Wheeler, Victoria Gosnell, Robert Hope, David Watts, Marlena Cantrell and Katherine Leipold.

Please pray that we keep this Scripture in mind and that we see the path straightened for us. Thank you!

In all your ways, acknowledge Him

and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Buy One, Give One T-Shirts!!

the second annual
BUY ONE, GIVE ONE!!

Your purchase of a t-shirt guarantees the gift of a t-shirt
to a child at the Lesibovu CarePoint when our team visits in August!

$20 = a shirt for you plus a shirt
for a Swazi child!

You may remember last year's wonderful campaign that many of you helped with, as we sold shirts to give shirts to the children of Lesibovu. The photo on the top of our blog shows that every single child received a shirt due to your generosity. This year, we would love to do the same thing again, but we need your help. Instead of 170ish kids, we are looking at taking shirts for nearly 300 this year. Please help us meet this goal, as we cannot give them to only some of the children. We appreciate your help so much. Believe me, their smiles are worth it, and we will bring back photos to prove that!

We have multiple color options and styles this year and also a canvas tote for purchase! Scroll down to see all of the options and make your purchase!

**IMPORTANT before you purchase: If you need your order shipped, please include a note to the seller including your shipping address and email address. At checkout,
see "Review your information" then "add special instructions to the seller" just under the shipping address. We will invoice you for the shipping separately - $3 for the first shirt, and $1 for each additional shirt. **

Adult 100% Preshrunk Cotton Tees
Sizes Small thru XXXL

Ladies Cut 100% Cotton Tees

Sizes Small thru 2XL

Ladies 100% Cotton Tank Top

Sizes Small thru 2XL, slightly fitted, feminine cut

*Available in eggplant only

Kids' 100% Preshrunk Cotton Tees

Sizes XS thru XL

We will be delivering the red option kids' shirts at Lesibovu

Canvas Tote Bag

10w X 14h X 5d

Saturday, February 22, 2014

2013 Annual Impact Report from Children's HopeChest

This article blows me away with all the impressive numbers that actually represent precious children and lives touched by generous gifts from folks like YOU! Our well, funded through the Change Their Story campaign last year, is listed, and I was given an opportunity to try to briefly put into words how God has changed my life through serving as a Sponsorship Coordinator at Lesibovu.

Please view this interactive page as not just cool statistics, but prayerfully read and realize what God is doing through this beautiful ministry. He is calling many to serve Him, by financially giving, through their letters of encouragement, or by traveling with a team to visit Swaziland in person.

http://www.hopechest.org/report-2013/

Monday, January 27, 2014

And then, there were SHOES!

Back in late October we announced a drive to get shoes for the children at Lesibovu. You responded - WOW - you responded! Within just a few weeks, we had over $3,000 given by so many people who took this need seriously. The money was transferred through Children's HopeChest, and the shoes were bought while the kids were off for Christmas/their summer break.

Last Friday, the big day arrived, and our friends who serve full-time in Swaziland, were able to be present for shoe delivery day. Over 200 pairs of shoes were given out; play shoes for little ones, and approved school shoes that are part of the required uniform for the students in the Lesibovu community. Enjoy these photos of our precious CarePoint children. If you would like to be a part of the trip going to love on these kids IN PERSON in June, please let me know. We need a few more team members and are so excited to be able to again see their faces in real life. These pictures just make me more ready than ever to be back!
Thank you, Amy and Steve, for helping us feel like we were there!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Litsemba (HOPE) for Takitsi

You know, we hear good stuff from time to time about Lesibovu. Then, sometimes we hear AMAZING things that can only be described as God-things.

A little background:

During our first visit to Swaziland, Alli and I visited Lesibovu along with the McAdams, last of all the CarePoints. The children were very overwhelmed, having never seen many white people before, since it is a really rural area, and about a 45 minute drive from Manzini. We tried to not be too pushy, just saying hello a lot, smiling, and trying not to frighten too many young children, since the babies especially were terrified of our pale skin. Then we all gathered together in their church building and Pastor Welcome prayed and asked if anyone would like to share a testimony with us.

Takitsi - May 2012

A young teenage girl raised her hand and confidently walked to the front of the building. She had been pointed out to us earlier in the day. Takitsi was 14, and had had a hard life; double orphaned, neglected, and mistreated. She had no one to really advocate for her, and was only in the fourth grade. When we asked why she was only that far along in school, we heard how lack of family to help pay school fees nor support her made it basically impossible to keep up. However, the cooks and missionaries knew of her reputation to work diligently, trying to catch up in school, and also coming to Lesibovu every chance she could.

So with that little bit of information about her, and knowing her struggles, when Takitsi began reading from her own Bible in perfect English, we paid attention. This is what she read that day from Psalm 119. Please, really notice these words and picture this young girl reading the Truth she obviously believed, based on her strong voice and radiant smile:

¹³⁷Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
¹³⁸You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.
¹³⁹My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.
¹⁴⁰Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.
¹⁴¹I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.
¹⁴⁴Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁵I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!

I will observe Your statutes.

¹⁴⁶I cried to You; save me

And I shall keep Your testimonies.
¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
¹⁴⁸My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.
¹⁵⁰Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.
¹⁵¹You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
¹⁵²Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.

¹⁵³Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
¹⁵⁴Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
¹⁵⁶Great are Your mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.
¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.
¹⁵⁹Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

At that point, Alli and I were pretty much wrecked, eyes full of tears. This girl's faith, and JOY despite circumstances we cannot even imagine, just shook us to our core. Trying to take in all we had just heard, we then listened as Pastor Welcome thanked us for coming, and prayed for us. Then we gave out dresses to the girls and shirts to the boys, receiving some shy smiles and "thank you"s. We were preparing to leave after visiting the CarePoint when Pastor Welcome wanted the children to sing for us. I asked what the meaning of this beautiful song was, and he told me that it is about how the Israelites are crossing to the Promised Land.

He said, "It is a song of hope." Hope. Litsemba.

This is a small clip of the scene that made me want to get back to Swaziland as soon as I could, and brings me to tears every.single.time. I hear it. Hang on, because it isn't awesome quality video due to many emotions and a lot of wind blowing around. When you get to the 0:33 mark though, really pay attention. There's a girl in a new pink dress over her school uniform. You'll see Takitsi's smile and hear her voice ring out, and it's all worth it. She blew us away with her joy, her testimony, her smile, and her voice lifted in praise to the Lord.

Thankfully, I was able to see Takitsi this past summer when I returned to Lesibovu. She remembered me, hugged me daily, and we chatted a little. School was going well, though it was hard to make it to the CarePoint as much as she wanted due to studying and trying to complete her work. I encouraged her that she had ministered to me greatly the previous year. She humbly smiled and accepted when I asked her to please sing that song again for us.

Then today, I received this email from our great contact at Children's HopeChest:

Below is a report we got about a girl from the Lesibovu community; she is not profiled only because of her being in high school and not being able to make it to the CP most days. But the staff know her and knows she is a great girl who is apparently quite smart! It is always so encouraging to hear about young girls excelling despite their circumstances!

Kriek said that the staff is working on something especially for the older girls where they can come report with them and where they can spend some time discipling them, despite them getting out of school too late to attend the CarePoint.

One of the girls who has been a real leader there since the very beginning is Takitsi. Anyone who visits Lesibovu notices her and her beautiful smile. Our first visit there she stood and gave a testimony of her love for God.

She just completed Form 3 (grade 10) in December with an overall 93%! That is a huge accomplishment, especially in Swaziland, and especially considering the fact that she has no parents or immediate family to support her.

Because of her outstanding performance, arrangements have been made for her to attend Form 4 in Manzini at St. Michaels, a really great High School here in town.

Do you realize what has happened? This girl who was years behind in schooling has more than caught up. She is excelling! Now she is receiving a better opportunity than she ever would have before, with help for her school fees through sponsorship dollars that benefit all the children at Lesibovu.

THIS is why we do what we do! God is working in this community, even in a precious teenage girl's life, who by the world's standard has no hope, no reason to be joyful. She is not listening to the doubt and the obvious issues that could plague her, but is focusing on the voice of Truth, who is motivating her to live for Him.

Praise Him, for His beautiful gifts, for the gift of Takitsi and her testimony that still inspires me to trust in my Savior the way she does. Please pray for Takitsi, and many other children like her who need litsemba - hope. If you would like to know how to help share that hope, please ask. There isn't much in the world that I would want to do more.

Takitsi receiving trophy for CarePoint choir competition - fall 2013

me with Takitsi - August 2013