"Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom
of God belongs to such as
these." 

~Jesus  (Mark 10:14)

In Swaziland,
there always seems to be an abundance of children.  Everywhere we go, the children tend to
gather.  They are hoping for songs and
games, someone to pick them up, or possibly to be given a piece of candy.  They like to show us how fast they can run
and how good they are at braiding hair. 
They like to tell us stories in SiSwati 
even when we can't understand what they are talking about.  Their little bare feet are tougher than our
shoes, and their names are tougher to pronounce than any names I've ever
heard!  Over the past several months
we've all found that it's easy to love these little children.

We are reminded by Jesus that these little
ones are especially precious to him, and we also know that they require special
care and attention.  Little children are
completely dependent on their parents for every need.  Sadly, parents in Swaziland are
hard to come by.  When we set our feet in
Swaziland, we set our feet in a nation of orphans.  The AIDS pandemic is devastating for those
who are directly affected, and it is just as devastating for the children who
are left behind.  Most of the children
are living with gogos (or grandmas) who sometimes take care of more than 5 or
10 children on small homesteads.  Many of
these gogos have outlived all of their own children, and are now left with the
heavy burden of caring for their grandchildren. 
An entire generation is slowly being lost.  The next generation is made up of the
fatherless and motherless - children desperate for love. 

Since we have been here, we have often had
opportunities to invite some of these children into our home for weekend
visits, medical attention, shopping trips for new clothes, fun in our giant
bath tub, and a safe place to sleep. 
Just this past weekend, we were enjoying the company of 6 children!  Yes, it is possible that we are spoiling them
a little, but our biggest hope is only that they can receive a little extra
love, and that we can send them home with food, medicine, and clothing.  I am grateful for all of the financial donors
from the U.S. who have made it possible for us to take the children we love so
much to medical clinics, give them warm clothes for the winter, and to pay
their school fees.  We are only the
vessels through which God is pouring out his love and provision on this
nation.  What an exciting job!

I want to ask for special prayers for one boy
in particular - his name is Siyabonga (meaning "thanks" - on the far left of the photograph enjoying the delights of running water and new underpants).  This 5-year-old has lost both of his
parents, and is now living with a gogo who is unable and unwilling to care for
him.  It is evident that he is being
physically and emotionally abused. 
Siyabonga is only one of many children to suffer abuse, but by the grace
of God, this one has fallen into our hands. 
As he is now staying at our home, please pray that we will have the
wisdom to know what to do next and where to take him.  Please pray that a safe home can be found for
him.

The hands and feet of Christ are at work in Swaziland.
They won't grow weary.

Thank you for being part of what God is doing here through us

With love and gratitude

Katie Movic