A story from Children’s HopeChest shows how the Lord called a poor pastor in Swaziland, Pastor Walter, to give out of his pocket.  Pastor Walter describes how his heart was so moved to obeyed God’s word and call in James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….

Watch how God has blessed and continues to bless Pastor Walter’s obedience and work…

The Pastor Walter Story from Children's HopeChest on Vimeo.

During my visit to Swaziland in October 2009, I met Pastor Walter and his wife, saw the carepoints he started and are now supported by people through Children’s HopeChest.

The video below shows progress made toward Pastor Walter’s vision by October 2009 as the walls are built onto the Church building at Bhalekane. It is not shown in this video, but a primary school is also added to the grounds, and a field on the grounds was freshly plowed to grow cash crops. More importantly, there is a noticeable improvement in the countenance of the children at Bhalekane carepoint relative to children of Ludlati carepoint who did not have this level of care and resource.  We are so happy to get started with Ludlati, and we look forward to watching love turn into hope and joy.

Progress at Bhalekane Carepoint through Pastor Walter from KnownToMe on Vimeo.

Though we are not “pastors”, all followers of Christ are instructed by Jesus to obey God’s commands to love one another and care for the needy, and we are blessed with joy when we obey.  We can share in some joy now by reading a young swazi boy’s perspective how his life is changed through the support of a carepoint…

Story from a boy in Swaziland named Musa (from Children’s HopeChest):

“My name is Musa. I am five. My mother and father are dead from AIDS. Now my sister Zodwa is taking care of me. She’s 12. After my parents died, we ate grass for food, but now that is changed. Every day the go-gos cook food for us at the carepoint. At the carepoint, Zodwa and I eat two meals each day. I no longer think about food so much. Now I dream of school. Thank you for making this place for me and Zodwa. Please do not ever forget us. I do not want to be hungry again.”

Great story… but not yet where I’d like to see his efforts end up.  I’m always struck by how little I do to help - how little I truly sacrifice - when I read one of these stories.  Pastor walter is doing ALL he can.  I can still do more.  The body of Christ everywhere must play a role in all of this if we are to live as He lived.

1John 2:1-6
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

PS.  I like the title of the post, but its not quite difficult enough to say as is - how about “Seeds Sown in Swaziland Seek Shelter in the Sword of the Son”?