Sunday, March 30, 2008

WANNA GO TO AFRICA?
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Lisa Black---committed mom, loving wife, and passionate missionary to Swaziland---has just announced a trip opportunity to go and catch the vision of ministering to the "children of the dirt". Here's what Lisa has to say:
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We are very excited to announce our first vision trip for Nsoko, Swaziland. Since we arrived in Swaziland a year ago we have been focusing on this rural area which is consumed with great need, as well as some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. One day Gary was showing some of the World Racers an area an hour and a half from our home. They stumbled upon a group of starving children; we have come to refer to as "children of the Dirt". They had not eaten in weeks, and the GoGo that was trying to care for them was beside herself with grief. Knowing God would hear her prayers she told us she never stopped praying that He would send someone to help the children. The precious children in this area all have a story. Some are double orphan, meaning both parents have died. Some children as young as 5 are the oldest living member of their household and struggle to care for their siblings. The poverty is overwhelming, the amount of small children fending for themselves is heartwrentching, and the rate of HIV/AIDS affecting every age group of this country is mind-blowing. However there is hope.
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God has highlighted this country in the hearts of many people around the world. We realize not all people are called to move to a third world country, but we are all commanded in scripture to care for the orphan and the widow. The mission of a "Vision Trip" is to take Americans with a heart for the dying and forgotten men, women and children of Swaziland, and connect the people, heart, and resources of the two countries. It is a controlled environment to expose you to the devastation as well as the beauty and the hope of Africa. Swaziland is considered to be the "pulpit" of Africa, meaning that the prophesy and healing will flow from Swaziland into the rest of the continent. Swaziland is a "one Tribe nation", so tribal warfare is not an issue here, which makes it a safer place to visit than most of the rest of Africa. As the "church" and business leaders of America link hands with the Church and business leaders of Africa miracles begin to happen for everyone.
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Please pray about joining us for 7 days and nights of reality and hope. Through the beauty of the land and its people you will be changed. Through the experiences and relationships you could help change a nation. We will start our days with prayer and then go to minister where the Lord leads us. We will hold and pray for the children, teach them and sing with them. We will minister healing to the GoGos, and encourage them in their daily lives. We will be working on building projects in the homes in the neighborhood. You will see the community center that has just been built and opened, as well as our first G-42 church plant. You will walk the property where the first children's village will soon come to life. We will enjoy a genuine African worship, and meet the people of Nsoko. You will hear their stories and realize that they are no different than you. They have dreams, they love their children, and life has cost them more than they could pay.
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Dates for the vision are June 18th thru the 25th, 2008 .

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Trip includes all your lodging, food, transportation, and a safari; we will take care of all the details, so all you have to do is focus on are the vision and the ministry.
We are looking for people to partner their churches, business, and families to our projects here, in Swaziland. People can join us as families, or representatives of a church body, bible study or a business.
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You can read Gary's blog or my blog for more information,
as well as email me if you have any questions:
lisa@theblacktribe.com .
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Nsoko Project Update from Traci on Vimeo.
Looking forward to seeing you in Swaziland!
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So does that cause something to stir in your heart? Perhaps you've always wanted to go to Africa but you've always just thought "no way could I do that". I thought the same thing last summer when someone suggested I go to Swaziland. But God provided the way. And if He wants you there, He'll provide your way as well. So before you say "no", why not at least say "yes" to praying about it. You just never know what our wildly imaginative God has in store for you!

2 comments:

Karen Deborah said...

are you going? Was it last summer? Seems like you just got back.

Elysa said...

I would love to go again but I'm afraid that this June would be too soon after just going in January. It was last summer that author Lisa Samson suggested I go with her on the trip she and her daughter were taking.