Poverty

I've seen poverty.  In many places.  But today I experienced poverty I could never imagine.  If you look at a topographical map of Swaziland you will notice the population centers and are at the Western edge of the country.  This is where the money is.  This is where the jobs are.  This is where the King's money is.  It is not uncommon to see large homes (mixed in with shanty towns), or BMW's and Mercedes. 

The elevation is high.  From the time you enter the Governmental capital of Mbabane you begin an elevation decent.  It is like the entire country is built upon the side of a long descending hill.  You travel through three major climate zones.  The second level, which is about 1000 feet lower than Mbabane, is the largest city, Manzini.  Manzini is the city we are staying in at a relatively nice hotel.  There is money here as well. 

Then you drive East to the lowest level of the country that descends for another hour to the area of Big Bend.  when you reach Big Bend you reach the end of Swaziland in a huge valley.  To the West are the mountains that hold Mbabane and Manzini.  To the East is a large cliff ridge that separates Swaziland from Mozambique and South Africa. 

The area of Big Bend is just over an hour drive from Manzini, but it is a world apart.  It is a desolate place.  While the rest of the country is wet and green, Big Bend is dry and cracked.  It's a lonely desolate place in which there are no jobs for Swazis.  The only employer is a foreign sugar cane plantation that doesn't employ Swazis.

On the back roads around Big Bend you will find the rejects of the Swazi society, the poorest of the poor.  The rejected.  The hopeless. 

Poverty is awful, but I've never seen poverty like Big Bend.  This was not a poor district in the middle of a town.  This was poverty with absolutely no support system around them.  Suppose a child of this area happened to get an education...say as an electrician.  Such a child would not stay to work in Big Bend because there are no jobs available.  None. 

Back in June when Rob's family was visiting Swaziland they were at a care point called Moria center, run by a lady from England.  While they were there, a pastor showed up because he heard Children's Hope Chest would be there.  He begged them to come with them because people were starving and they needed help.  Rob and the others from Children's Hope chest followed the pastor up Big Bends Back roads and found the people I met today.  Many had not eaten in weeks.  Did you hear that?  Weeks!!!  

Not only that, but this community was feeling the whole effect of the AIDS Pandemic.  Hundreds of children had been orphaned by AIDS and more were sick and dying.  Rob and the others from Children's Hope Chest immediately went out and got a couple of cooking pots and some food to start the Big Bend Care Point. 

I have a feeling that if Jesus were physically on earth today, he would be here.  Among the poorest of the poor.  Among those who are suffering the most.  Today, I saw that Jesus is there physically through the Big Bend Care Point that is still up and running 6 months later.  This is a place where orphans and vulnerable children are receiving the only meal they will receive on a daily basis.  They've already gone from eating once every few weeks, to eating every day because of God using Rob and his family and Children's Hope Chest. 

But, this Big Bend Care Point is not sponsored.  A church is needed to adopt this care-point and to build a real kitchen, a real church building, a real school, dig a real water well (their only water source is a 3km walk caring 5 gallon jugs on their heads).  This is an opportunity I want to ask you all to being praying about.  Individuals within a church are needed to sponsor the 150 orphans who come to this care point every day. 

This is an opportunity that we need to uncover if God is placing before us.  This might be an opportunity to love some desperate people with the love of Jesus.  Please take time over the next couple of days for us to pray for discernment as we will be looking at other care points that are not yet sponsored.  There is much need here, and in the US we have so much abundance.  Let's discover through pray where God wants to use us to meet Him here in Swaziland, Africa.   

Comments

[Matt Ferrell]

Brian-Thinking and praying for you, Rob, and everyone else on the trip. Specifically praying that God will reveal to you where He wants us to be. Holding down the fort here and looking forward to continue to read your updates on what God is doing in you and through you.

[Andy Ingram]

Brian, we will definitely be praying for you guys and for the role that God may give not only Souled Out but also WVC. Keep strong in Him, brother!

[Tresa]

It is always one thing to hear the numbers and see the pictures, but truly heart changing to be in the midst! I am praying for you and Rob as you grieve at what you are seeing each day, and praying that through it God will strengthen your resolve to not be a bystander. Let Rob know that all is well here!

[Jen Zimmerman]

I am so thankful to hear about the things you are witnessing in Swaziland, both the beautiful and the heartbreaking. We are praying for you and the decisions we will soon be making about a specific impact in Swaziland. May God bless your heart and mind today!

[stu]

bc--
bro, it's awesome to read the things God's stirring in your heart, but you are a terrible speller. either way, i'm excited for you guys, but also know how heartbreaking it is to be where you are. sounds like you'll be bringing back some incredible opportunities for all of us to get in on. come back safe.

stu