I’ve been thinking a lot about the way things appear.
It’s been three months today since we crossed the border into Swaziland, and things look so very different than when we were here on short-term trips in 2008 and 2009. God is doing such amazing things in us, but He truly spoon-feeds us, little by little, slowly enlarging our hearts and our capacities for Him to be able to work through us. He protects us -- not giving us one huge dose of Swaziland on any given day, but smaller doses that we can chew on (for a long, long time) and digest. Hindsight is usually 20/20, especially with three years of long and very thorough digestion. :)
For example -- this picture below would have rocked me in 2007, and similar scenes did rock me in 2008. My thought would have been that these poor children would have to stand in line to “dish” and receive food. These are the pictures that we in the States would see all the time -- the sad faces of the children worldwide that are underprivileged.
However, when taking this picture today at Mvutjini CarePoint, my thought was that this beautiful children GET to stand in line to “dish” and receive food. This food shipped in containers from Feed My Starving Children changes everything. These children’s conditions quickly move from surviving to thriving.
I spent a lot of time today with this precious girl.
Her name is Bongekile. She is five years old and newer to Mvutjini (since January). She immediately caught my eye and attention. Her adorable little outfit, her bloated belly that kept peeking out of her shirt, her very small frame, her wide eyes, and her beautiful hair. We cuddled and cuddled today, and I just assumed that her protruding tummy was due to malnutrition and being new to the CarePoint. However, after talking with a facilitator about her, we learned that she is quite sick. Three years ago, I would have been heartsick. How could this happen to such a beautiful girl? But, with today’s perspective, Bongekile is getting the treatment that she needs. She is taken regularly to Baylor Clinic and is seen by wonderful doctors -- an opportunity that she wouldn’t have otherwise. She is receiving an education, attending preschool at the CarePoint. This little girl has a great chance at a bright, bright future ahead of her.
I am thankful for perspective. I am thankful for JESUS.
But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14 (NASB)