What Will I Learn?

August 11:
Three and a half weeks in foreign countries, including eight days on an epic mission trip. What have I learned? I know it's something but whether or not I'll be able to put it into understandable terms is another question. Yesterday was our last day doing home visits and being at the care points. Today we fly back.

My Bhobokazi Home Visit Team

Everyone from Bhobokazi

It cannot be said enough, the people in Swaziland have the most raw faith I have ever seen. They have SO few material things but a reliance on God that can move mountains. They know scripture inside and out - many of them without owning Bibles. When they sing to the Lord, they SING! So what are we like in North America? The Bible says to "not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

Leaving the Care Points for the last time

Where is our heart? Why do we say "Africans have nothing", when in reality, many of the ones we met have EVERYTHING. Everything worthwhile anyways. If we declare they have "nothing", does that not mean we are putting meaning and value into - something? And what? Material stuff? I know that I have relied on my stuff more than I realized. If I'm sick, I rely on medicine, not God. If I'm cold I rely on clothes or a thermostat, not God. If I'm hungry I rely on my fridge, not God. Oh how I desire to have that raw faith. To look to my Savior first. I am now even more grateful for the countless blessings I have in life. When I am sick, or cold, or hungry I can thank God for blessing me with ways to solve those problems. I can thank him for showering me with his love and mercy. Psalm 103 is full of verses that remind me what I should be truly thankful for. May I never forget what is truly important and put my hope in the King.