CMS: Eswatini Mission Trip

Update 1: received 30 March

" all connections went smoothly and we have arrived at Hawane Farm Men's Rehab Centre where we will be based for a week. All mod cons and we will be treated to a bbq this evening prepared by Julius and family, followed by a briefing of do's and don'ts. The farm has started the sheep project which was in its prep stage when Sue and I visited 18 months ago.The exciting news is they have moved the distribution centre out from the Main Church as it has expanded, also they have formed a grass air strip because there are some light planes being donated and this will enable supplies to be distributed more efficiently and easier to the remote ICBCs.
Tomorrow we will attend the first service at the Potters Wheel Church at 8.30 so an early start. Will fill you in more each day, but it looks to be a packed full on all round experience for us all with time to share and reflect in the evening around God's word. A big thank you to LBC for the donations we were able to pack. "

Please pray for the team as they spend Easter Sunday with the local fellowship. Praise God for the work He is doing in this local church and this farm project.

Update 2: received 2 April

Sunday (31 March)

"So today we enjoyed fellowship at The Potters Wheel Church first service at 8.30, with some 400 early worshippers. The worship was amazing lead singer Pastor Thebelai who headed up the choir tour last Nov. It was lovely to be greeted by her. Pastor Kevin, the charity founder brought a powerful challenging Easter message, several of our group were emotionally overcome. Following the service we went to experience a cultural village accompanied by song and dance, some of our group joined in. Although a touristy bit, it has helped us understand the traditional Swazi people and their beleifs. This afternoon we visited Hawane child care and met the 44 orphaned children who CMS have taken under their wing. Team sharing/building relationships and relaxation back at the Hawane Farm and men's centre concludes our first full day in Eswatini."

Monday (1 April)

" Today we spent part of the morning at the women's centre which is a safe house for 15 ladies who have been sexually abused or are trying to get off substances. We learnt about the 12-month Christian-based Teen Challenge Programme they go through during their stay, we joined in their chapel service and chatted with a few of them. Again emotions ran high amongst our group as we digested their personal stories.
The rest of the day we spent at KaNcesi ICBC set in stunning landscape and met Pastor Joel, we prayed with him as an LBC group, then set to work closing off three boundaries with the fencing some of the LBC gift purchased. There is a pre-school combined Church building shell and a smaĺl pastor home.  At present there are 30 children between 3-5 who attend, walking to and fro each day from the surrounding area.
A rather tired team we spent the evening reflecting and sharing. We are grateful to answered prayer that the dynamics of the team are so far working well."

So there is lots for us to be praising God for, for answered prayer. Praise Him for the work He is doing in this community and in the lives of those who are impacted by this work. Pray for the ongoing work, both the ongoing transforming work of His Spirit in this place and for the physical work being carried out  Pray for Pastors Joel, Kevin and Thebelai. Pray for the "Teen Challenge Programme". Pray for the team, for energy, for fellowship and for the blessings of our God on each of their lives.

Update 3: received 4 April

Tuesday (2 April)

"Another full on day, we joined the men for their service and heard through testominies how two men's lives had been transformed from a life of substance abuse.They are following a 12 month residential challenge ministries programme. We then went over to spend the rest of the morning at Hawane pre-school joining their class. The children learn Christian songs and prayers. After lunch we went to another ICBC and met pastor Mcolisi and his wife who showed us around, they opened pre-school with 30 children, and a congregation of 70, mostly youngsters. They have a solar powered bore hole which will help with irrigating the vegatable plot. A visit to local glass factory rounded our outing. Tomorrow we go to Lavumisa a long drive south and stay overnight to visit furthest established ICBC. No internet for 36 hours!..."

Please continue to pray for the team and for the local projects and outreaches that they are visiting.

 

Update 4: received 5 April

Thursday (4 April)

"At Lavumisa we stayed at an established ICBC which now has 260 members, a good 50% youngsters, some 35 attend pre-school. The Church had basic huts for us to stay overnight (some of us slept under the stars). After visiting some of the locals we spent an evening around a camp fire reflecting on the day's experiences, highs, lows and what God had spoken to us about. Thursday we travelled back to Hawane and spent the afternoon cutting up rolls of donated carpet to distribute to the pre-schools and sorting furniture. Tonight we will say goodbye to Julious our guide and leader, pack up, reflect on the day and move on tomorrow to the big children's orphan home in Bulembu in the mountains."

Please continue to pray for the team in their reflections and that God will show them all very clearly how He wants to use them on this trip and afterwards.

Update 5: received 7 April

Saturday (6 April)

"We left Hawane Farm men's centre and dropped into the Kancesi ICBC to meet the locals who had continued to fence off the land. To our surprise they had completed the works and were excited to show us their achievement. We joined the pre-school class and were sung and heard them praying. We were able to leave much needed gifts of craft items,  the teacher was extremely grateful. Unfortunatly we missed pastor Joel who was out visiting, but we all felt a sense of belonging to this new Church plant. From there we travelled to Bulembu child care housing at present 311 children and spent time at the 0-2 age orphan group, visited the central kitchen, then joined supper with the 6-18 year olds, chatting with them at the table. We were shown a typical aunties cramped house which was very humbling experience, she is responsible for 5-6 children of same gender, but mixed ages. Our evening was spent having Michelle giving a short talk about Bulembu and reflection of the day."

Sunday (7 April)

"so just before we head off for Church quick up date from yesterday. We split into two groups: some went to spend play time with the toddlers, others decorated the Church toilet block, having time to speak with local lads who joined us. After looking around the museum history of the mine, we went for a rather wet walk to the SA border. Unfortunatly Alicia slipped over and has badly been bruised on leg and elbow,  but nothng broken. We went to the high school to be entertained with traditional dance, song and some drama explaining Swazi marriage culture. They fed us as a fund raiser for end of term commisiining service where the pupils are presented with Bibles."

Please pray for healing for Alicia today and for the team as they share this Sunday with the local church.  Pray for the young people who were presented with Bibles, that God will use these gifts of His word in their lives.  Pray for the aunties and those who are cared for at the child care centre.

Update 6: received 8 April

Monday (8 April)

"Today first dry day in Bulembu, we joined high school Christian based assembly, were shown their merit shop, method of teaching the pupils value of earning. We had a painting work party and some of the group helped book in the donations and bagging up baby clothing parcels for the community. After lunch we joined primary school for extra club activities, singing, dance sewing and games. We were given a tour of the various enterprises which help feed the childrens centre."

Please pray for team and for the community at Bulembu.