Swaziland, Jan 2019

Practical work, Prison ministry and Prayer groups

In Swaziland, we spent some time helping around the house at our hosts’ beautiful place in Southern Swaziland, an area in great need.
Abrie and Tobie went to do prison ministry; it didn’t go as planned since a prisoner escaped and they were not allowed to go in. Talita and I attended a Bible Study group were we studied the book of Haggai and had good fellowship with the women. They were are all very positive about the future of Swaziland and made the conclusion that like the Israelites in Haggai, they must first build up the house of God and then focus on the rest of the needs.
A lady at the Bible study group told about three women she met who works for the Hosea Project reaching out to the prostitutes in the city. It’s very hard to get them out of prostitution because they get R 2,500 – R 3,000 a night. Many of them have children in school and live classy lifestyles, they did not receive education so nowhere else will they get a job with the same “salary”. The people from Hosea Project do need our prayers. The men attended a prayer meeting were Abrie got to share about Sudan.

Gathering in ‘high places’

We had an amazing conference at a missionary farm in the highest point in Swaziland. Abrie presented an evangelism workshop after which we all went on an outreach into town along with the attendees to put to practise what they have learned. We saw God’s hand and guidance in the conversations and responses we received.

Putting the Theory to Practice

We had a group of three and the girl in our team took her workshop notes with. After witnessing to two men they asked her how to share the Gospel, she went through her notes with them. They listened intently and thanked her, saying they will put it to practice. The other person in our team was Pastor C who is a missionary from Zambia, he sent some very encouraging feedback to Abrie:
“ I would like to thank you for wonderful presentation.
I learnt the following from the workshop:
1 . We should point people to Christ.
2. Passion for reaching out to the lost
3. Awareness about human trafficking
4. Awareness about abortion
We really need to teach our church members the importance of keeping themselves pure before God.Thank you so much for leaving us some tools like the Way of the Master to use in Evangelism. God Bless you and the family. Amen” ​

Facing the issues

The next day they learnt about human trafficking, abortion and prostitution which are all big problems in Swaziland. Abrie shared a video on abortion which resulted in many people saying they lost they appetite at lunchtime.

In Faith we grow

This farm started with a few children and now gives home to over 40 children who needed a place, we spent time with the pre-school children and helped with the tutoring. Sunday morning we attended two churches; Abrie was given time to share about our mission and Frontline Fellowship, they prayed for us and specifically asked that we pray for Swaziland to receive Godly leaders since they are currently having elections.

Pray for the body of Christ, the church

Please pray with us for Swaziland which, according to CDC (Centres for Disease Control and prevention) has the highest percentage of HIV and TB patients in the world, resulting in many orphans and broken homes.
“Only one life, it will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” – CT Studd
We urge you to pray for the people of Africa. Let our prayer and lives be proactive, reaching out to the unreached and strengthening those working for His Kingdom that the Church may grow. God’s Kingdom come, His will be done. On this earth as it is in Heaven.
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

Sources:
NKJV Holy Bible
https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/countries/swaziland/