This is cross-posted from GetAndyToSwazi.com, my blog about the journey to, at, and from Swaziland:
My friends and I decided to make a club that only the people of our choosing would be able to join. Someone thought it would be funny to make our own country, and the name “Swaziland” was suggested. The rest of the week at camp was filled with us as the leaders of our “country” coming up with laws and deciding who was worthy to be a part of our community.
Fast forward to 15 years later, and a country that I had thought I had “made up” in a church van is now a place I find myself being called to go to on a missions trip in October.
The kingdom of Swaziland is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa with a population of a little over one million people. It has been hit hard by HIV, and has the highest HIV prevalence in the world. One in four adults are living with AIDS. Orphans and vulnerable children account for an estimated 15 percent of the total population. Life expectancy is just 49 years - one of the lowest in the world.
In a place where there seems to be so much despair, it can seem very dark. Swaziland is at the moment before sunrise, where the light seems to be so far away that it may never come back again. Just like the sun breaking through that dark, hope is on the horizon. Children's Cup is on the ground and is helping meet the Swazi orphans’ basic needs. But food, shelter, medicine and education are not enough to heal their emotions. Most have been sexually abused, beaten and some have even been forced to murder and maim as child warriors. They need hope. Hope’s name is Jesus!
It can seem overwhelming and confusing what an American can do to help in a little over a week to change the lives of these children. Honestly, our goal is simple: love on them like they have never been loved on before. We are going to spend almost our entire time doing VBS activities, playing sports, and sharing our time with them. The rest of the time will be devoted to helping out the missionaries with any needs they may have.
God has been working on my heart to reach out to the Swazi people for over 15 years. I have finally answered the call to step out of my comfort zone and into a new country and culture.
If you feel God calling you to support me, will you do that today? Whether it is prayerfully or financially, I appreciate anything that you can do to help in this Great Commission.
Salakahle, (Stay well)
Andrew Youso
P.S. My total amount needed for this trip is $3000. With some incredibly generous gifts already in, I have $1665 left to go. I need $1065 of that by July 15th, so your immediate gifts would be greatly appreciated!
Fast forward to 15 years later, and a country that I had thought I had “made up” in a church van is now a place I find myself being called to go to on a missions trip in October.
The kingdom of Swaziland is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa with a population of a little over one million people. It has been hit hard by HIV, and has the highest HIV prevalence in the world. One in four adults are living with AIDS. Orphans and vulnerable children account for an estimated 15 percent of the total population. Life expectancy is just 49 years - one of the lowest in the world.
In a place where there seems to be so much despair, it can seem very dark. Swaziland is at the moment before sunrise, where the light seems to be so far away that it may never come back again. Just like the sun breaking through that dark, hope is on the horizon. Children's Cup is on the ground and is helping meet the Swazi orphans’ basic needs. But food, shelter, medicine and education are not enough to heal their emotions. Most have been sexually abused, beaten and some have even been forced to murder and maim as child warriors. They need hope. Hope’s name is Jesus!
It can seem overwhelming and confusing what an American can do to help in a little over a week to change the lives of these children. Honestly, our goal is simple: love on them like they have never been loved on before. We are going to spend almost our entire time doing VBS activities, playing sports, and sharing our time with them. The rest of the time will be devoted to helping out the missionaries with any needs they may have.
God has been working on my heart to reach out to the Swazi people for over 15 years. I have finally answered the call to step out of my comfort zone and into a new country and culture.
If you feel God calling you to support me, will you do that today? Whether it is prayerfully or financially, I appreciate anything that you can do to help in this Great Commission.
Salakahle, (Stay well)
Andrew Youso
P.S. My total amount needed for this trip is $3000. With some incredibly generous gifts already in, I have $1665 left to go. I need $1065 of that by July 15th, so your immediate gifts would be greatly appreciated!
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