sponsorship

I Believe in Angels

I've always believed that God leads His people. The first time we traveled to Swaziland, Africa, in 2006, was expecting His guidance more than ever, even if it meant sending an angel to trumpet the way. My husband Tracy and I knew He was tugging on our hearts to go, but our question was whether or not He was also asking us to move to Swaziland.

I'd heard about the children orphaned by AIDS, but until I arrived, there was no way to imagine how hopeless their situation had become. Swaziland is a kingdom of about 1 million people. It has the highest incidence of AIDS in the world--now almost half the population.

During that first visit, I was shocked to see how few middle-aged adults were still living. Then stricken to learn that only one in ten children will live to be 35 years old.

The statistics were blows to my way of thinking. But they've worsened in just five short years. Where there were over 11% of the homesteads led by children in 2006, now in 2011 there are 20% of these homes with no adult living there.
The parents aren't at work. They're not out of town for the weekend. They're dead. And the children fend for themselves.

That number doesn't take into account the children who are living with relatives who don't want them. Aunts and uncles who are already struggling to feed their own children. Grandmothers, called gogos, who feel life has paid a dirty trick on them, for after raising their own children and expecting to be cared for in old age, they are now raising several grandchildren while grieving for lost sons and daughters. Often they're trying to keep sick children alive with little food or medicine.

Incidences of child trafficking have skyrocketed. Vulnerable children are kidnapped on their way to school or while carrying water. They're forced into hard labor or sold to the sex trade. As much as that breaks my heart, I've been tormented even more over children who have so little self-worh that they willingly sell their bodies for one ride on the school bus.

To make a nearly hopeless situation even worse, there is much misinformation about how AIDS is spread. One myth says that having sex with a virgin will cure the AIDS, so this adds to the number of children who are raped as they cross a field on the way home from school.

The need is overwhelming, and over time I found myself tempted to think we'd never make a dent.

Then I met Angel Khoza. Her father is deceased, and there is no information available on her mother. She's living with her grandmother, who is raising many other grandchildren. But Angel smiled at me and totally melted my heart. After returning home, she was in my thoughts and prayers often. So when I went back to Swaziland this year, I searched for her in the crowds of children at the squatter's camp.

Sure enough, when she arrived, she made her way over to me for a big hug. I teased, "I know you! What's your name?" After a two year absence, I wanted to be sure I really had the right child since they change so much.

She replied with a shy smile, "Angel."

I pretended to be shocked, as though I were meeting a movie star or famous politician as I asked, "Angel Khoza?" Her mouth flew open, she squealed in delight, and she threw her arms around me in a huge hug as she propelling herself onto me. She was amazed that I really knew her, even her last name. She stayed by my side for the entire visit, joyfully beaming and nearly knocking me over with continual hugs.

I couldn't help but think that if this were the only reason I returned to Africa, it would be worth the trip. Angel needed to know she was much more than just one more face in the crowd of needy children. She is known. Important. Cherished. Valued. Loved.

And as much as I remember her, how much more does our heavenly Father know and love her?

God sees all the children the same way I see little Angel. He is filled with the joy of knowing them individually. He sees calling. He sees potential. And He sees a plan to connect many of His people with these hurting children so they will also know they're loved.

He made my job clear on that first visit, and He didn't even have to send an archangel with the message. He wasn't calling me to move to Africa, but rather to share the plight of these kids with my American brothers and sisters. And while we aren't exactly "angels," He still wants to use some of us to share His message of love.

Together, we're making a difference. Over 60 children are attending school, eating regular meals, and receiving God's love because of our partners. Children sponsorship is only $25 a month. Won't you ask Him if He's calling you to be His hands and feet to His precious children in Swaziland and Mozambique?

Yes, I believe in angels. I believe in all the "Angels" in this world. And I believe in the special messengers of love who will join hands with us at Grand Staff Ministries so we can make a difference.

Child sponsorship is a wonderful way to provide schooling and food to children who would otherwise go without. For only $25 a month, you can change the future--and we believe even eternity--for one child!

One of our tasks while we're in Africa is to identify needy children who are under the care of a godly overseer. We only work with people we have come to trust, knowing that integrity with the funds is of the utmost importance. These ministers ensure that the funds are spent on the children's needs. They are also responsible for sharing God's love with each child. Some of these are pastors who have taken in orphans, while others have started Christian schools for the children.

We have children in Swaziland and Mozambique waiting for sponsors.

In Swaziland, HIV/AIDS has left a tremendous number of children without parents, education, food, or even hope. Swaziland has the highest incidence of AIDS in the world. A few of the children from Hope House in Motshane are profiled below. Please contact us if one of them has touched your heart.

Lethokuhle's mother is deceased, and her father's whereabouts are unknown. Yet she is a happy ten year old girl eager to study. She lives with her gog (grandmother) with at least four of her cousins and her aunt. Her grandfather lives, but he is too old to work. Lethokule's name means "bring something good." We hope and believe that she will indeed find a good future and a hope so she can bring to the world all the good things God has placed in her.

Phumzile is a nine year old girl who is being raised by her elderly parents. Neither of them are able to work, and they're caring for at least five grandchildren. Her name means "given," and in spite of hard times, her parents know she was truly given to them by God. They are a faithful family trusting in the Lord Jesus to hear their cries to care for the little ones.

There are many more children waiting at Hope House, but I'd like to tell you about some of those from the squatter's camp in Manzini. This is land the king set aside for those who don't own a home. They can construct a simple mud hut on this property. There is great poverty, disease, and hopelessness.

But Pastor Jacinto Sambo and his family moved to this camp so they could have an impact with the love of Jesus. They started a church and a preschool, and they are caring for some of the children whose grandparents have passed away. They have a feeding program in addition to the many other ways they're making a difference in the lives of children. This is a glimpse of some of the children waiting at the squatter's camp.

Susan's mother is a member of The Faithful Church, and she cooks for the children in Sunday School. She is greatly challenged to provide a school uniform or other incidentals for Susan. Her father was not discussed, so we don't know his whereabouts or even whether or not he lives . . . only that he is not providing for her. Susan appears to have been burned on her face at some point, but she maintains a loving, kind spirit.