We awakened early on Wednesday morning, eager to finally take the girls to meet the children in the village of Bhunya. As we drove 45 minutes to reach this church nestled into the side of a mountain, we gave our team some background information that would help them understand the situations of the families we would encounter.
Bhunya was once a successful community, thanks to the sugar mill that employed hundreds of workers. Sugar cane grows well in this African climate. We loved seeing children chewing on it, both in the cities and in the villages. The unrefined state provides a natural energy source for these kids who do so much walking.
But there is a market for refined sugar, as well. As is always the case, one large employer affects many other businesses in a community; when the workers are paid, they are able to spend their money in other area businesses, keeping yet more people employed. But the sugar mill closed down a few years ago, and it didn’t take long for other businesses to close shop, as well. The plant stands almost empty now—as empty as the bellies of the children who have no working parents.
Sangro Sugar Mill. Please pray for it to reopen.
We told the girls a little bit about Pastor Jan Dvuba and his wife Mumci, who teaches at a preschool. They have a vision for a community center where villagers can learn basic English, job skills or trades, simple math so other can’t take advantage of them when making change, etc. Both work tirelessly to serve the people God has entrusted to them.
Pastor Jan, Mumci, and their four children
We picked up Pastor Jan and headed into the village. Our first stop was at a preschool where two teachers manage to instruct 70 little ones. The mass of children filed out of a tiny trailer and lined up for a short program outside. We were impressed with the many songs, Bible verses, and poems they shared. Even more astounding was the way these two women kept that many young children on task!
We made sure each child received an apple and a few pieces of candy, which brings great big smiles from the kids.
Often when little children notice that we’re white Americans driving by, they chase our car with outstretched arms and open hands, calling after us, “Sweet? Sweet?” They’ve learned that we usually have big bags of candy to share, and it’s real treat for them. These preschool children were no different, and even older children who were out of school pressed near in hopes of a taste. We didn’t disappoint them.
The classroom space is cramped, and the supplies are few, but the women caring for the children are true educators making the best out of their limited resources.
From town, we made our way up the steep slopes to the rural church where Pastor Jan Dvuba had 17 children and their families waiting for us. Their stories were similar, but we felt the urgency of each one . . . fathers laid off at the sugar mill, parents unable to find employment, families relying on the church for food, sickness and death leaving children without caregivers. The few who are able to work as street vendors bring in only about $30 a month.
Many single mothers and grandmothers are caring for large groups of children
with little or no support.
with little or no support.
And the most gut-wrenching tales were those of abandonment, where mothers or fathers have walked away from their families to pursue a life with someone else.
Xoliswa's heart cry is for her mother to return home. Yet she sings with joy to the Lord!
Xoliswa is one of these broken children who told us with tears about her mother “dumping” Xoliswa so she could go live with another man where Xoliswa is not allowed to visit. Her grandmother cares for her, and the church provides some food. Her greatest heart’s desire is for her mother to return home. But meanwhile Xoliswa keeps pressing on. She hopes to become a lawyer someday so she can help provide for her family. She loves to worship the Lord, and she quickly learned a new song from Sara. This precious young lady is leading others in worship and participating in church services. She finds joy in the midst of trouble as she clings to the Lord and His plans for her life.
Xoliswa with Sara after learning a new song of praise.
And how little Sabelo captured our hearts with his crooked smile! His father died and his mother deserted him when he was four years old. His grandmother took him in, though she is unable to work to provide for him. It’s a struggle to put food on the table on a daily basis, so the church helps as much as they can. Yet this little guy has big dreams of becoming a police officer someday. He enjoys simple pleasures like playing soccer with his friends. And in his words, “To the future sponsor: I would try with my best . . . to work hard at school . . . .”
Sweet Sabelo
We heard the same thing repeated from all of these children—promises to work hard so they can obtain jobs someday in order to help their families and the village. “If I can get the sponsorship, this can be a huge difference in my life.” “If I am sponsored, my future will be bright.” “I could be in the position to help the other children.” “I promise you I will do my best.”
And from Mnguni, “In the coming future, I will be someone, not something and [it will] give me power to thank God because He is the one who provided you to me.”
Mnguni is not invisible to us.
Such sweetness from these tender ones who could claim a right to bitterness. They were thankful for our coming—even before they have sponsors—just because we listened to their stories and cared.
But we won’t stop there. It’s why Grand Staff Ministries exists. We bring their stories home to you so the Lord can move on His people to answer the cries of the hearts of these children. Sponsorship covers tuition, a school uniform, and some food. It truly changes the futures of these vulnerable children.
You’d think it would be impossible to put a price tag on hope. But I can. It’s $25 a month for an elementary student in Swaziland, and $50 a month for a high schooler.
Have you ever purchased a car or large appliance and had the sales person throw in something extra just to make the expenditure that much sweeter? You were already getting a product you wanted and needed, and you were satisfied with the choice and price. It would have been just fine to leave it at that. But it was made just a little bit more enjoyable because you got a bonus of some sort—maybe cash back or zero percent interest or perhaps a toaster or DVD player thrown in for good measure.
It’s no different when we get a “bonus” from the Lord. He has given us so much: salvation, deliverance, peace, joy, love . . . the list goes on forever. Even if He never gave us anything else, the gift of His life brought us all this and more blessings than we could ever contain.
But how sweet it is to discover that there is something we can do for Him that will actually make our joy more complete. We can give something to Him that really pleases Him. What is this amazing thing? It is giving our lives back to the One Who gave His life for us.
How do we do this? With pure, undefiled religion. Helping widows and orphans. (James 1:27) Helping anyone we can help, if it’s in our power to do so. (James 2:14-17) Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, and clothing the naked. (Mathew 25:35 – 40)
Jesus went so far as to say that when we help others in need, we’re actually helping Him.
During this current economic crisis, helping others is a sacrifice for many of us. God knows that. But it’s still what we need to do. So He sweetens the deal. Throws in something extra.
He actually promises that He considers our ministry to the poor a loan we make to Him. One He will repay. Proverbs 19:17 reads, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.”
Our motivation to give isn’t so we can get. It’s to obey Him and know we’re pleasing Him. It’s to walk in true love and compassion. But having the right motive doesn’t change what He promises He will do.
We’ve all heard it said that “you can’t take it with you,” regarding money and possessions. So true. But when we obey Him from true hearts, we can send it on ahead by investing in His Kingdom work. Talk about a win-win retirement plan!
The Old Testament patterns sacrifices placed on the altar with fire, making a sweet smelling savor for the Lord.
We see this in the New Testament, as well. Philippians 4:18 says that an offering Paul received from God’s people had the odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to the Lord.
And it’s true for us today as we imitate Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:2 tells us to walk in love, even as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as an offering and sacrifice that smelled good to the Lord.
Before we took this trip, four of these children had sponsors. Since our return home, two more children from Bhunya have been sponsored. Twelve more are ready and praying for someone to help them. And many others in the village are hoping for the opportunity to be placed on the waiting list.
Perhaps you sense the Lord tugging on your heart to consider one of these little ones from Bhunya. So many of them are older children who are sometimes hard to find sponsors for. But they are waiting in eager anticipation and great willingness to apply themselves to learning.
Please don’t delay. You can contact me with an email, call me on the phone, or check out our website for pictures and biographies of children who are waiting. becky@grandstaffministries.com or (620) 543-6518
www.grandstaffministries.com/childsponsorship.php
You’ll find great satisfaction in changing the future—and even eternity—in the life of a child God wants to love through you.
It doesn’t get any sweeter than that.
