Many of you know that we have started a ministry within AIM here in Swaziland to disabled children and their parents. I wanted to tell you more about what we have been doing, some of the families we have been able to help, and our vision for the future.
THE BEGINNING:
God put an interest in people with disabilities in my (Amy) heart as a young girl through Joni Eareckson Tada’s story. Read more about her and her ministry here: joniandfriends.org That love grew through personal relationships, working at summer camps, college outreaches, and in 2011: Mukelo (Mumu).
MUMU:
Fast forward to our time here in Swaziland. Our sweet Mukelo came to live with us almost seven years ago!None of us had any doubt that she was so important to her Creator that He had sent us to help take care of her. Her little life has touched many, many others- as those of you who have met her will understand. One of the many ways that God has used her is to open communication with those who also have children with special needs. Because it is often seen as a curse to have a child with disabilities, they are kept hidden so often, but Mumu is helping people in Swaziland talk about it and see that these children are special and loved and can have meaningful lives.
LABALIGUGU (la-ball-ee-GOO-goo):
Labaligugu is the name of the ministry that has been started as a direct result of Mumu’s life and influence. In siSwati it means Treasured Ones and that is exactly the message we want to convey to the children, their families, and their communities. Right now there are 20 children and their families that are involved in Labaligugu. These families are being helped with food, therapy, doctor visits, and diapers. They get to participate in special events several times a year where the kids can have fun and interact with each other and with volunteers – making crafts, watching movies, playing games and on jumping castles – while their caregivers (mom, granny, dad or sibling) get to relax, have fun, and get to know others who can relate to the many struggles of raising a child with disabilities in a culture that shuns and disapproves.
STAFF:
Sibongile is our Swazi staff member who visits the families, calls and checks on moms, grannies and kids, delivers diapers and helps with visits to the center where some of the kids go for therapy several times a month. She is great with the kids and with the families too.
Danielle Ford is a friend who was here in Eswatini for a year with another organization and is now back home in Washington state, raising support to come back and work full time with Labaligugu as an AIM missionary. Please pray for her financial support to come quickly so that we can put her to work soon!
ENCOURAGEMENT:
It’s easy sometimes, to feel alone in this mission to show value to people with disabilities, but God has recently encouraged us with other people, other Swazi’s, who have similar visions. One is Nolwazi, a Swazi Occupational Therapist who is volunteering a couple of afternoons a month to do workshops with families at various care points. Another is Deliswa, a teacher who has a degree in Special Ed and is already making huge strides toward working with government agencies and programs in addressing the issues facing people with disabilities in our country. We are looking forward to working with both of these women in the future.
THE VISION:
Our idea for the future is focused on:
1: helping these kids meet the potential instilled in them by their Creator and teaching them about Him and His love for them,
2: helping the families of these ‘treasured ones’ be able to care for them well,
3: helping communities see the value that these kids have and embrace them and their families.
In our next newsletter we will talk more about the ways that we think God wants us to work out this vision!
FAMILY:
Quick updates on us:
Katie is engaged! Dan is a wonderful young man and we are excited to welcome him into our family. His goal is to finish his bachelors in Engineering from Northern Illinois University before the wedding, which is scheduled for October, 2020. Katie is using her newly earned Veterinary Assistant’s certificate working for a vet and loving it!
Maggie had what we hope is her last surgery for a while last week. This was a repair of her wrist/thumb resulting from the same injury that prompted the elbow surgery a few months ago. She is very brave and much tougher than I would be! We are thankful for a good orthopedic surgeon in Nelspruit, South Africa and even for a guest house that is very near the hospital and run by a wonderful couple of fellow Believers where we can stay when visiting the doctors.
Ellie and Maggie’s days are filled with caring for children of friends, keeping up with their schooling and baking! We are very proud of them and their generosity and love for others, especially little ones.
Mumu has had a recent struggle with another chest infection but seems to be finally getting some improvement. Please pray for her to avoid any more infections to her lungs this winter. (It’s winter now for us).
If you are interested in learning more about Labaligugu, please visit our FB page and Like, Follow and/or Share!
