This last Wednesday, we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon at Mvutjini CarePoint. It is the newest CarePoint here, near Ezulwini (just down the MR-3 for those of you familiar with Swaziland). Fellow missionaries The Hildebrants have been overseeing the CarePoint since they arrived last September, but with their recently added responsibilities, they are spread much more thinly and don't have the extra time needed to dedicate to the facility. They will keep visiting Mvutjini as much as they're able to, but our family has taken over the overseeing of the CarePoint. Mitch and Char have built and developed such a foundation of sound relationships, and we will do our very best to grow what is already in place.
At the facility, we were introduced to the beautiful children, the facilitators, and the volunteer bomake (bo-mah-gay) -- a team of TWENTY amazing women who serve the CarePoint by cooking five days per week. Along with the introductions, we also helped with the CarePoint's bi-annual progress reports. To see what happens on "this side" is incredible. Basically, the information that you receive as sponsors in the States is updated through these BPRs. The children are asked questions about their homesteads, their schooling, health, etc., and this specific information for each child is sent from the field, to Mission of Mercy, and then onto the sponsors. Pictures are also updated, and new children are added regularly to allow for more sponsorship -- essentially more JESUS.
**Side Note: If you do not sponsor a child, it's an incredible opportunity. For just $34/month, a sponsored child receives Christian teaching and discipleship, educational and learning activities, health monitoring, nutritional assistance (feeding and supplements), and social development. Please visit this link for more information and to take the next step to making a difference in the life of a child! Additionally, if you're ready to partner with a child and are feeling led to support one in Swaziland, you may contact Mission of Mercy and inquire about possible sponsorship at either the Mvutjini or Madonsa CarePoints (the facilities in which we oversee as a family). We will see these children most regularly (every two weeks!) and are happy to send pictures and updates on your sponsored child.
I've thought a lot recently about our first trip here in 2008 -- how I was completely broken and heartsick for the people of Swaziland. However, in over two years, I can attest to how God has done an incredible work in me and changed my heart and my eyes that see. What appeared destitute and hopeless is no longer because of God's work through Children's Cup, Mission of Mercy, and other incredible organizations in poverty-stricken areas of the world. We are in awe of what's happening in our new corner of the world. It's just awesome.
Some pictures of our day...
The children of Emvutjini lining up for their meal. Because it was BPR day, it was a special day celebrating the children that are sponsored and how faithfully God is providing from around the globe. The children received a very extra-special meal of chicken, rice, and gravy. By the way, if you've ever served and packed food at Feed My Starving Children, this rice and gravy is what you have measured and placed into bags, ever so carefully! From FMSC to Africa!
The bomake "dishing" for the children.
One of the adorable bomake as she was leaving to walk home for the day. We are teasing her that she needed to be extra careful and to not break any of her eggs. :)
This sweet little boy (the one whom Avery has in a headlock!) is Nelso. Scott and Kari Raymond (from River Valley Church -- they have visited Swaziland twice and we're just waiting for God to give him the green light to join us in the field!) are his sponsors, and they met him in 2010. Since he is at Mvutjini, we will see him every two weeks and will keep sending reports from the field. Isn't he beautiful?
Some beautiful girlies -- note the sweet girl on my left. You'll see her again in my next post!
Our internet connection is being very temperamental this morning, so I'm going to publish this, but I have a few more pictures from our Wednesday that I'll post as soon as I'm able. Until then, please PRAY about child sponsorship, and PRAY about visiting Swaziland (there is a team from River Valley Church visiting this December!). You'll find that your heart will be forever changed and your eyes will never see the same again.
