Before beginning this new blog, I want to thank all of you
who have been reading my updates and sending me messages.  I rarely have time to respond to the messages
I receive, but I love hearing from each of you and knowing that you are
thinking of me.  :)

This past week has been a time for me and my team of
discovering needs.  There are so many
here. . . My heart hurts deeply for the little children who have never
experienced "enough food."  A similar
feeling rises up in me as I see that their parents simply cannot find
work.  The basic education that I have
always viewed as a "right" in the United States
is not so common here.  After spending
several afternoons visiting the Manzini hospital, I am made all too aware of another
need:  Decent medical care.  Enough nurses.  Clean sheets. 
Child prostitution is also a sickeningly prevalent problem.  The physical needs I have seen here go on and
on.  Of course we crave justice.  And at the same time we are all extremely
helpless.  My prayers are for God's
heart.  In the face of such deep and far
reaching need, what does God ask of us?  I
am beginning to understand the answer: 
He calls us to serve.  This service is not about making ourselves feel good.  It's about bringing love to people who may never have experienced it.  It's not about exalting ourselves.  It's about exalting the God who has sent us.

In this, I am beginning to learn to really follow Jesus.

It takes more than I thought it would when I made the
decision so long ago… But I would never follow another.  He alone speaks hope in despair and brings
light in the darkness.  He heals diseases
and even holds power over death.  He is the one who will meet all of our needs.  With
what little faith I realize I have, my God has proven himself so powerful.  I've known his presence and have seen his miracles.  God is good; even in Swaziland.  Don't forget it, my friends. 

"This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope:

The Lord's love indeed never ceases.

For his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

Lamenations 3:21-23