This is the "busy season" for us here in Swaziland.  But thankfully it is not the kind of "busy season" that accountants talk about from January to April 15th, or retail workers bemoan from Black Friday through New Year's.  "Busy season" here is a good thing.  Sure there is a lot of extra work involved.  But the rewards greatly outweigh the difficulties.  So much gets accomplished in such a short amount of time that it is staggering.  Hundreds and hundreds of children receive new school shoes, school uniforms, back packs, clothes, and school supplies.  Thousands get to participate in VBS, make crafts, hear stories and be held by someone who loves them in the name of Jesus.  How do we accomplish all this?  Only through the sacrifice and service of over 200 short term missionaries who come to help out at the care points during the months of May through August.

This summer there will be roughly 25 teams visiting Swaziland either through Children's HopeChest or Adventures in Missions.  Most of these teams are coming to serve at a specific care point where they will distribute supplies that they have been buying and raising money for all year.  They will play, read books, tell stories, sing, dance, feed and clothe the orphans and vulnerable children of Swaziland.  But most of all, they will love them.  Carry them.  Wipe their faces.  Wash their feet.  Bandage their wounds.  Blow bubbles.  Visit their homes.  Pray over them.  Paint their faces and fingernails.  And be Jesus.  Whispering into little ears that may have never heard the words "I love you" that Jesus cares and sent them all this way just to tell them that.

There are those that would argue that perhaps the money spent on air fare for all these teams might be better spent in buying food and supplies, paying school fees, or building shelter for these kids.  But the love that they receive during these short months, the affection and tangible evidence that they are not alone, that God has not forgotten... that is so very priceless.  It could never, never be replaced with a new building or a better meal or a new pair of shoes.  James 1:27 says that "pure and undefiled religion is this, to VISIT widows and orphans in their distress".  Pretty clear, huh?

And I know (from experience and from the testimony of many others) that the benefit not only goes to the children of Swaziland, but to those who come to minister to them.  More often than not, short term visitors say that they feel they received much more than they gave.  I believe that's because in being obedient to God's word, we receive a special measure of His blessing. 

Please pray for us as we press on through this 'busy season'.  Pray for health for the staff and our families, for good communication as we try to coordinate so many people going in so many different directions, and most of all for our vehicle situation.  It seems like causing problems with our transportation is always a favorite weapon of the enemy, but it is magnified tremendously during this time of the year.  If our cars aren't all working, we can't get out to the kids.  We can't get visiting teams out to the kids.  We can't get food to the kids.  Just one vehicle being out of commission throws the whole system out of whack.  And in the past couple of weeks, there have been major problems with at least 5 of the ministry vehicles.

Thank you for being willing to pray for us.  We truly could not be here without your prayers, love and support.  We are so honored and thankful to be a small piece of God's hands at work here in Swaziland. 

And who knows.....maybe next summer YOU could be a part of the 'busy season' in Swaziland, too!