Musings from Graceland

OLD STUFF = LIFE!
.

I am so excited!!!!!! In less than just a couple of weeks, thanks to the donations of clothes, jewelry, shoes, accessories, etc. we have raised nearly $50 through "Consigning for a Cause". This translates to a lot of food for a lot of children in Swaziland. When we donate through Children's HopeChest, they can feed a child for just a nickel a meal. Much of the time, the consignment money will be funneled thru that amazingly, effective organization. This time I'm actually sending it to a missionary couple who recently started their ministry in Swaziland.

.

Inge and Dudley Donaldson are ministering primarily to members of the Zionist churches in Swaziland as Dudley teaches at their Bible college. But on top of that, they've gotten involved with other areas of service including helping feed children at a rural school and carepoint. This particular carepoint feeds over 100 children. It is not a sponsored one, such as the ones involved with Children's HopeChest. A secular charity often donates food but it is inconsistent so many times the food runs out and the kids are left hungry til more food is donated. Dudley and Inge have bought some food for them, but living on the typical limited income associated with missionaries who must raise their own support, they can't provide all the food that the carepoint needs straight from their own funds.

.

This is where we get the blessing! Thanks to the generosity of folks who have donated their items to be sold at local consignment stores, we get to help feed these precious children! Here's what Donald said about the food needs:

.

"...the [big bag of] mealie meal costs the equivalent of about $20 and the beans are around $50. With over 100 kids to feed, a bag of mealie meal lasts 2-3 days, depending on how soupy they make it. A bag of beans might last 4 days."

.

I'm hoping by the end of the month, we've raised through our sales, enough money to feed these children for a whole week. And I pray that God will move on hearts and people will provide a way for them to eat every day in the future.

.

Below are some photos taken at the carepoint:

Preschoolers and their teacher in front of the school building where they spend half their day. Below is the inside of their classroom.These are the elementary aged children in front of their school built by the Methodist Church. The structure itself is very nice and sturdy but you can see by the photos that the furnishings are very sparse. Dudley and the children tote the bags of mealie meal and beans. Swazi children know how to work!The children are all lined up to eat the thick, corn meal mush made from the mealie meal. Many days a bowl of mealie meal pap is the only meal they get. Some days they get nothing. Dudley said that when they first arrived, these two sisters started crying they were so hungry.

Eating the traditional Swazi way is using no utensils.Afterwards they wash up their own dishes. The teachers asked the Donaldsons to bring them some dishwashing detergent. They had run out and because so many of the children are HIV/AIDs positive, they were afraid of passing disease without the soap.

Afterwards, full bellies mean happy, content faces!31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

.

Thanks to all of you who have been a part of loving our Jesus and these precious least of these through "Consigning for a Cause". It has blessed me tremendously and I hope has been pleasing to our Lord.