Greetings everyone!
I have been back from Swaziland for a little while but have been swamped with life and reflection since returning home. Many of you have sent emails or phone calls wondering what is going on with me.
I apologize for the silence. My intovert personality takes me into a lockdown mode when I am processing. My time in Swazi was so spiritually profund, I have had to take some time to reflect and spend some serious time with the Lord to discern all that I took in, and the many things He spoke to me while I was there.
One of the most profound days of the trip happened when we had a Beauty for Ashes luncheon and time of ministry with some of the Go-go’s (grandmother’s) that care for many of the orphans.
This was a unique opportunity to minister to the hurting women of Swaziland. Women in Swazi are not regarded as the queens they are, and can be treated as a commodity. They are expected to take care of the household and the children without thought to their needs, wishes or desires. They are not taught about their worth and value as a Child of God, or their value simply as a human being. As a result, many go through life simply existing, and carrying a great load of pain.
Part of our ministry in Swaziland is a ministry called Beauty for Ashes. Beauty for Ashes gives hope and support for women through the Word of God, prayers and support of other women.
Our team helped minister to the heartbroken; and comforted the women as they mourned. There was a time of sharing testimonies, prayer and scripture reading. I shared from God’s word and we had a time of Worship. The Holy Spirit reigned down on us in the middle of the restaurant. There wasn’t a woman present that wasn’t crying out to the Lord. My team then washed the feet of the Swazi women, and prayed over them individually as they tearfully sang praises. The Lord showed up in a most unique way. As our team finished washing the Swazi women’s feet, Ashes began to fly through the air. There wasn’t a fire to be seen, or the smell of smoke in the air. The ashes floated through the air around the women as they sang and prayed. Each bucket that was used to wash the feet of the Swazi women had ashes floating in the water. Isaiah 61 came to life before our eyes. …Give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3
Ashes in a bucket after washing the Swazi women’s feet
The presence of the Lord literally blew the Ashes away from these women as He crowned us with beauty and joy in the midst of our pain. God was glorified, women were uplifted and a wave of change swept through all of us.
This is just one example of how the Lord showed up during this trip. I was blown away when we were leaving to find out that we had been ministering for 5 HOURS! Only then did I realize I was tired. I’m grateful to the Lord for meeting all of us where we were and for crowning us with Beauty for all of the Ashes that the Enemy sends our way.
Pray for me and the team as we will be headed back to Swazi in April. I may not know all of His plans for my future but I believe that Africa is my destiny!
Good to hear from you Toya!!!! Know that God used you and the other women to minister to the ladies of Swazi!! Love you and will be praying for you in the days ahead!!!