love anyway

Mother Theresa is a hero of the faith. She spent most of her life caring for what the world considers “the least”. She is a role model I pray God could use me to become a fraction like. Listen to these impactful words that she not only said but lived:

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for the underdog anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you've got and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Wow, she loved well! I believe God is calls me to do something similar. Not that I want to be Mother Teresa but I believe God has called me to work with the poor and the sick.

I began to think the other day how amazing it is to do what I’m doing. I have the privilege to serve people that God values so dearly. He treasures and values “the poor” those who lack, those that have a need. And yet He loves me enough to allow me to go and reflect Him to these great people. I feel so honored but yet so unworthy to do such a task. I don’t take this opportunity lightly, I can easily be replaced.

Thank you God for allowing me to do something I love and do it for an eternal impact. I don’t understand your ways for they are far beyond mine. 

Let me update you on what’s been happening in the great southern region of Africa and Children’s Cup. Last weekend Pastor Ben and myself brought a small team to Xai Xai, Mozambique. Pastor Joe Champion has planted a church in Xai Xai and this weekend they were dedicating the building. We went to work with the children and help with the food. We had a great time although we had a huge obstacle a language barrier. No one spoke nor understood English. Even the guys we brought from Swaziland had this barrier because none spoke nor understood siSwati the Mozambiqueans (?) only spoke Portuguese. We found ways to work it out though. Xai Xai is a beautiful city right on the Indian Ocean. One morning I awoke early and saw blue whales jumping in the ocean it was quite a sight to see. I thought I was dreaming.

This past Saturday I participated in a kids outreach a local care point. We called it “Super Saturday” we had jumping castles (spacewalks), puppets, games, worship, Bible stories and many other fun things for the kids. It was a great day! This week we are going to four care points and doing a very similar thing. As you can see there is never a shortage of things to do here we are busy loving and serving people. Its great and exhausting LoL Pray God will give me some energy Lord knows I need it!

Continue to pray for the Swazi people and the missionaries here. About a week and a half ago a guy broke in a lady’s house we go to church with. The guy raped the land lord’s maid and then stabbed the lady that goes to church with us daughter three times. Her daughter is fourteen years old. The stabbing didn’t puncture any vital organs. But as you can imagine the girl is traumatized by the whole event. Things like this happen way to frequently around here. The Lord said “If my people who are called by my name, would humble themselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways He said He would hear from heaven and come and heal our land.” So pray! Please pray so we might see a change in Swaziland.


About two weeks ago I was asked to speak to the youth. I was nervous and hesitant but agreed to do so. We were starting a new series titled “Extreme” and my topic was extreme love. The Lord led me to speak on “loving through the cross” for when we love the cross we can love anybody even our enemies. Because we forgive them for they know not what they are doing. When we love like this it doesn’t make sense the world doesn’t understand this love. For the world is only capable of loving conditionally. Then I shared the story of Australian missionaries to India the Staine’s family. Graham Staine and his two boys were burned to death in their vehicle by Indian rebels in 1999. What was so amazing was Gladdest Staine’s comment to the people right after they pulled her husband her 8 and 10 year old’s scorched bodies out of the vehicle.

Staines Family

“I have only one message to the people of India. I’m not bitter, neither am I angry. But I have one great desire, that each citizen of this country should establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who gave His life for our sins. Let us burn hatred and spread the flame of Christ’s love.”

I used this to illustrate what extreme love looks like in a modern day. Many people came to the altar that evening to exchange their bitterness and hatred for love. It was a great night.


Oh yea, also pray for this weekend. We are having the first ever youth camp. We are taking about 50-60 teenagers away for this weekend and praying they will connect with God and He would do a work in each one of their lives.

Thank you for partnering with me. Together we bring hope to the great people of Swaziland.

walking through tough times, just walking through not staying

Carrying a jug of water up hill on my head.

When I think about the Lord I’m left in awe. Although I don’t always understand His ways, I know He is painting on a canvas that’s much larger than my point of view. . .

This past week has been a busy and quite difficult week for me. For the past two months I had a roommate and friend to share this incredible African journey with. When my friend left last Sunday I had to go through another transition very similar to what day one was like but not as fun. This time I was alone. I felt isolated and found myself missing home, family, and friends more than ever. It wasn’t a fun experience. The Africa I loved so much felt like a prison of solitude and isolation. I couldn’t sleep at night all I could think about was the comforts of home and friends. On top of going through the “brick wall” as missionaries call it I was asked to speak to 412, HPC’s youth group. Also I was responsible preparing the interns for Intern Sunday. I was caring a huge load and yet was going through so much in the inside. Through the whole experience I felt so far from the ones I love but yet I knew God was so close. Although felt Him with me He remained so quite. I needed Him to speak to me and just say something.

“Say it will be ok and you will make it through this or something” I would plea. But I would get nothing. After a few days of going through this persevering, trying so hard not to show what I’m going through to the other missionaries and the interns.

God may not have said anything, but He was defiantly doing something. I found myself immersed in an enabling grace to complete the many task given to me. 412 went far better than I could ever expect or hope for. God came and ministered to His people. The interns and I had the opportunity to pray with many youth. Some came to the alter in tears wanting to repent and to exchange bitterness for love.

Intern Directors, the interns and myself. All dressed up! Went out to eat to celebrate the great job they all did on Intern Sunday.

Also the interns did a superb job yesterday for Intern Sunday. The interns performed a drama Sunday to the congregation and also shared their testimonies. Hearing their testimonies and seeing them act in the drama left me in tears. I’m proud of each one of them. 

God taught me a lot this week. And the same amazing enabling grace that helped me preserve and complete the tasks given to me also helped me fall back in love with Africa. I’m more excited than ever to be where I’m at. I went through a tough moment but I’ve learned from it. I’m focused and ready to continue to be used by God to minister to what the world considers the least.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MY EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED TO: brandon@childrenscup.org

Making a stick & mud house!

I'm offically a Swazi. . . my new name is Jabulani

I think I’m going to cancel my flight home and just stay here in Swaziland. I love Swaziland and Children’s Cup way too much to leave. . .

A few weeks ago I went with a team to “Lomahasha” a rural community about two hours away from Mbabane (where I stay). Our purpose for traveling to Lomahasha was to do power camps in three care points. Power camp is very similar to Vacation Bible School we did games, crafts, snacks, Bible stories and many other activities. My personal responsibility was to work games. I wasn’t too crazy about the idea at first, playing games in the middle of the blistering sun. But after the first group came to our station to play I was confident I was right where I needed to be. We played many different games with a parachute. My favorite game was the “Lion game”. All the kids would sit on the ground around the parachute and cover their feet with the parachute. Then all the children were given strict instructions that they can’t look under the parachute no matter what happens. :-) After all feet are under the parachute I would pretend I was a lion and I would go under the parachute and pull the kids under the parachute. They would all start laughing so hard as they wait in anticipation if they will be next to pulled under. But while I’m pulling them under there is another teacher walking around the parachute trying to “save” the kids from the hungry lion. The kids would scream, “Help! The lion has me” and the teacher would run to the rescue. It was a great game all the kids LOVED. After playing the game we would explain the significance behind it. You see the lion represented the devil. He wants to devour us and to hurt us. And when the devil comes to try to get us if we call on Jesus (the other teacher) he will come and rescue us.

This past Saturday I had the incredible opportunity to build a mud house. It was a dive straight into Swazi culture. We dug dirt from the earth until there was a huge pile of dirt next to the structure where the house was being built. Then we would go downhill and fetch water from a stream. We would put the huge jugs on our heads and carry the water uphill and mix the water with the dirt. We mixed the dirt and the water making mud then we threw the mud on this stick structure.

If you have been following my blog you will know that some of the locals call me “cheese boy”. Well after working on the house this day one of the guys said, “You are no longer a cheese boy but a true Swazi. We must now give you a Swazi name.”

Someone suggested, “I think he should be called Jabulani.”

Then others said, “Yabo! (Yes!) he is defiantly a Jabulani” (Jabulani means happiness)


I have a prayer request I would like all my readers to help me with:



Since I’ve been in Swaziland I’ve been hounded by many, many people. They ask me can you help me with money here. . . or can you help me financially here. . . It’s gotten quite overwhelming to say the least. I can’t go to town without being stopped at least 5-6 times. I want to help people but giving a hand out isn’t always the best way to help someone. Also I don’t have enough resources to help everyone I see with a need. If you can join with me as a pray to the Lord for discernment I would greatly appreciate it. I need all the help I can get. 

Overall I’m having a great time loving and serving the amazing people of this beautiful country. I really could see myself living here long term!

a story can change everything

(Please know that I haven’t shared the name of my friend in this blog. I want to protect his identity. He gave me permission to share his story with you.)

One of my fellow Swazi friends just shared his story with me. I have to say after hearing it I find myself broken once again.  This story is his reality. It’s not a book were he can quickly flip a few pages and see what’s next but each day he lives in faith and trust things will get better. His faith encourages and humbles me. Let me share his life’s story with you. . . 

This is a pineapple field i saw on the side of the road. 

It all started when he told me that Thursday his aunt passed away. He said, “I wonder if my mom even knows her sister died.”  Out of curiosity I asked, “Where is your mom? Why wouldn’t she know?” To answer this question he had to open the book of his life and read the story from the very beginning.

 He read, “You see Brandon my mom was a good woman and a hard worker. But for whatever reason my dad abused her and us. So she left to get away from him, she moved to South Africa. And since we lived in rural Swazi I never really had the opportunity to go to school. One day a woman saw my daily life and asked me, “If you ever had the opportunity to go to school would you ever go?” I answered, “Of course I would I want to make something of myself.” Brandon I thank god for this NEW MOM that took me in and let me stay at her place. She let me stay with her and her children and she even paid my school fees. She was so good to me but her children weren’t so nice to me though they kept telling me “you’re gonna fail. You are never gonna make it all the way through school you’re so far behind.” But I have nothing against them. I forgave them.  My NEW MOM would get very upset when she saw her kids treat me that way.”

I have known this particular person for quite some time but I never knew this about him. I never knew his story.  The crazy thing is he isn’t done we are only half way through it.  Let’s continue . . .

“Some thought I was only going to school to cause trouble. The teachers didn’t really accept me. But over time they started to see I really just want to learn. So they started treating me slightly better. Let me tell you about the time our school was taking a trip to Durban. We needed 1,500 Rand to go ($193). Well I didn’t have the money so I wasn’t going. I was ok with not going I didn’t have to go. All the other kids were so excited about going. They would come up to me saying, “We’re going to Durban! We’re going to Durban!” Kind of teasing me. Then two days before the trip my teachers pulled me aside.  They told me since I’ve been doing so well in school and staying out of trouble they wanted to provide me with the funds to go on the trip.  But even with the trip cost taking care of, I still didn’t have the funds for food for the trip. The teachers went a step further and gave me the needed funds for food for the trip. All I could do after this was thank God. I was so happy! Brandon God has been faithful through it all. He is all I really have. It can get tough and hard at times and I just cry. But God will come and comfort me through in those times.”

The longer I’m (Brandon now) here in Swaziland the more I’m seeing everyone has a story, everyone including myself. These stories don’t always have the happily ever after ending. In fact we don’t know how our story will end. However there is one thing I do know and its:

 Matthew 6:33   

“Seek first the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you all you need.”

I love this picture

 

I’m also realizing that being a Christian doesn’t mean things are always easy. There is no “become a Christian and things will always be great Gospel.” No, sometimes God asks use to walk through a season of suffering. And in those times it’s tough and hard it seems “like we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.” There is good news even in that season of our life. The good news is we are just walking through we aren’t camping out in the valley we are just walking through it. We just need to trust God while we are walking through, for He is surly walking with us through it although He might be very quite.

I share stories like with you because I want others to see what reality is for some people. So we can see we are so blessed and at times we don’t even know it. We must thank God for our blessings and pray for others that are walking through circumstances that may be difficult. We must pray that they will have strength to preserve through life’s difficulties. Pray for peace in the middle of the chaos and confusion. Pray that they will never give up on hope or on Jesus. 

an awesome God, trust, and a cheese boy

DISCLAIMER: This blog is quite different than the previous ones. It’s completely random and has many different topics. You English buffs will have a hard time reading it.  Enjoy!

I want to open this blog entry with a thought I’ve been thinking:

It’s absolutely amazing to travel to a foreign place and see so many new things, people, and cultures. And to know that God knows all about all of it. He knows each person by name. He knows their story. He knows their situation. He knows their needs.  He knows all about those mountains ranges that I never seen before and I’m seeing now for the first time. He shaped them with His very hand. He knows about each animal on the savannah everyone from the tiny ant to the large elephant. He knows them all.

After reflecting on that thought I’m left feeling pretty insignificant and left in complete awe of the incredible God we serve. It’s pretty amazing isn’t it? That we serve an incredible God that knows all everything. He knows about the things we never thought about considering.  He knows about those who live rural areas. Most of us don’t even know they exist, but God knows.

God is teaching me so much here! But one thing specifically He is teaching me is trust. To trust Him no matter what the circumstance looks like. In a previous entry “broken” I spoke about the little girls being raped. That was a situation God was teaching trust. At first I was so angry. Honestly I was angry at God. How could He allow that in all of His sovereignty? The Holy Spirit quickly convicted me, “For who are you to judge the Lord?”  Although I don’t understand that situation but I know God’s ways are so much higher than my own and I have to fully trust Him weather I understand or not.

The locals call Dustin and I “Cheese Boy” which means you’re spoiled, you don’t have to work, or everything is handed to you. They call us that not out of being derogatory or anything it’s kind of a joke. We don’t mind it. The kids in the care points call us “mlungu” which means “the white guy”. I think it’s hilarious. I was told in other parts of Africa you don’t want to be referred to as that but here it’s ok.  

I’m trying to learn as much siSwati as I can while I’m here. I have many great teachers that won’t allow me to pass them unless a great them with something in siSwati. I love it!!! Who knows how much I’ll learn in the next couple of months. I might become fluent in siSwati that would be awesome!

Until next time Salanikahle! (you all stay well)

gogo at the gate called beautiful

Acts 3 speaks about a beggar at the gate called beautiful. Let us all refresh ourselves with the story.
Acts 3:1-11

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.


I’ve had a similar experience here in Swaziland. Every day I walk to the market and see this crippled “gogo” (grandma) sitting right outside the entrance to the market. She will sit on the hard stone floor for hours in the cold with on her light jacket. I’m not quite sure what’s wrong with her legs but I know she can barely walk.
Like I said I see her EVERY DAY but sadly I never acknowledged her. I never greeted her with a “Sawabonai” (Hello) or anything. The Lord quickly started to convict me on this. I told Dustin Anderson to hold me accountable because next time I see her I have to acknowledge her and speak with her. Sure enough about a few hours later we needed to go to the market and there she was in her same spot. Dustin looked at me and said, “There you go! Here is your opportunity!”

So while Dustin went into the market to get our needed items I sat on the ground in the freezing cold next to the gogo and spoke to her. As soon as I sat down she smiled with the biggest smile you could imagine. As if someone finally sees me and acknowledges me. With her huge smile I noticed she had no teeth. She greeted me with a big Sawaboni!!! At this point everyone that is walking by is staring at us. Before this no one seemed to know this gogo existed. She continued to speak in siSwati and she couldn’t understand my English. She quickly found a nearby person to translate. Our translator was this very elegant Swazi woman that seemed to be annoyed at this whole idea of me trying to commutate with cripple gogo. I soon discovered the gogo sits there every day in the freezing weather and knits items to sell. All she had was two sets of turquoise socks which she was trying to sell for 15Rand ($1.50). I bought the socks to support the gogo. It made her day she was so happy. Afterwards I went into the market. When we exited the market she saw me and waved and smiled with her HUGE smile. I had to give her a little something else. I introduced Dustin to my new gogo friend with no translator. She communicated with us that she would buy new yarn with the money I donated to her. We blessed her physically and also spiritually as we left.

I don’t know what it is about this gogo but she has a special place in my heart. I can’t stop thinking about her. Her smile is burned into my head. Ever since I left that market that day I’ve been praying for her constantly.
I met her for the first time yesterday. Today we went to the market and there she was in her spot. Again she me and before I could greet her she waved across the market at me with her huge smile. I went and tried to talk to her but I couldn’t understand a thing.

I’m going to bring this nurse with me in the near future over to the market. She speaks siSwati and she can translate for me. When she comes I plan to pray for her there in the market. I can’t wait to update you when that happens!

broken

I want to first and for most apologize on this delayed blog. I didn't realize how slow the internet was here. And how limited my time would be to use it. I’m sorry guys I really do love and appreciate you. I will post blogs and email as much as I can.

As I reflect on the past two weeks I'm left speechless. God has taught me so much these past couple of days. But anyway let me tell you what has been happening. . .

This journey up to this point has been far different than past "mission trips". Living in a country you face a totally new set of challenges than you would by just visiting. I've been learning how to drive, shop, and how to live when there is a difference in two cultures. It has been fun but quite difficult at times. Right now there are eight guys living under one roof. There is myself, Dustin (from HPC in the states), Laybo, Karl, Philani , Sapewo, Musa, and NalaNala . The guys are awesome I really enjoy hanging out with them. They are many different ages I believe the youngest is about 14 and the oldest is around thirty. They all have a story and a testimony that would humble you. I’m looking forward to learning from them and sharing the next 11 months of my life with them.

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks with the Swazi interns. The internship is quite similar to the intern programs in the states. Just as my house mates have a story you should hear the 7 interns also have some crazy stories. The internship students are from three different countries The Congo, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland. The interns are hungry for more of God and they serve in any way Children’s Cup or HPC needs them to. Such as the other day all the interns, Dustin, and myself helped a team unload a huge ocean cargo container full of food for the kids in the care points. The cargo container was delayed many weeks due to a strike in Durban, South Africa. The care points were approaching the end of their supplies so it was good to unload and quickly get the supplies to those in need.

Today I broke. I witnessed something that I will forever remember and it brings a statistic to reality. Today I was asked to travel with the medical team to the care points to assist in medical exams. What I witnessed broke me. . . While at the first care point the nurses treated many typical cases such as ringworm, worms, diarrhea, coughing ect. Then this one child came in I honestly thought it was a little boy. After hearing what the teacher said I knew that it couldn’t be true. The teacher said, “She has sores in her vagina.” (the child was about 5) The nurse brought her to a side room and examined the sores. The nurse came back and said, “It’s hard to tell but there is a possibility she could be getting abused I’ll need to refer her to a hospital for further examinations.” I started asking many questions of course. Little did I know what I would witness at the following care point about 20 min down the road.

We made it to the next care point. There were kids everywhere absolutely everywhere at this care point. They were playing on the playground equipment, watering the plants in the garden, and some were just waiting for food. Then there was a line waiting to come to clinic. The clinic started just as the last one did same ol same ol. Then it was time to examine the last child. The last child was another suspected abuse victim. (this child was about 7 and there was evidence to believe she was) you could see it all over the child I truly believe that she was getting abused. I wasn’t the only one. The child looked like an abuse and scared to death puppy lost, scared, and jumpy. (I’m just trying to show you how she was acting) The staff had already tried to report it and obviously things haven’t changed. So they are going to try again. Before the child left the nurse prayed over her and then the nurse asked me to pray. For the first time in my life I didn’t know how to pray. I didn’t know what to say. God obliviously saw everything this child was going through. So I prayed a quick prayer over her in tears “God what do I say what can I say. This is your child. And I’m speechless. Be her protector and go home with her since we can not.”

I was broken, confused, and speechless. What do you say? What do you pray? On the bus ride home the nurse could tell I wasn’t ok. So we talked about all we just witnessed. I told her what I was thinking. I told her, “That was my first time I didn’t know how to pray. And I don’t know how to express what I feeling at this moment.” She said, “Brandon you’re feeling the way you’re supposed to feel. And the moment you don’t feel there is a problem. When I first got here and witness these very things I broke down. I broke down in the middle of a care point weeping. I wanted to know, “where was God in the middle of this injustice.” And God spoke to me and taught me to trust Him. Brandon you have to trust that God is the Father to the fatherless and He is the Hope to the hopeless weather we see it or not. He is all that He is weather we see it or not.” I believe all she said but I’m still broken and speechless.

Please pray for the people in Swaziland. And please pray that God will help me and strengthen me to do what He planned for me here.