II Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
These verses have been the heartbeat of our ministry and many others for years and years. The deep, longing desire to see the Swazi people fully learn and understand enough to go themselves to teach others. For some ladies, taking the message of Jesus Christ and teaching weekly Bible studies has meant leaving their own communities and walking 3+ hours each way so others can learn more about the Lord. Not just accepting Jesus Christ, which is vitally important, but going deeper in grasping and digesting God’s Word together to a new community.
Yesterday, our team started the day off super early to share with opening assembly at the local primary school in the Hawane community. We sang “My God is so Big” to “Akekho Ofana No Jesu” (There is No One Like Jesus), Lacie shared a lesson on The Armor of God and Pastor Allen wrapped up the importance of everyone reading, studying, memorizing and sharing God’s Word.
After sweet reunions and introductions to a few of the Hawane ladies to the rest of the team, we began the journey to the community of Hawane Dam. Our team honestly was anticipating maybe 6-7 ladies but wow, God showed up. The ladies kept coming. And coming. And coming to having 25+ ladies at this new work Bible study. The ladies sang, testified and encouraged the one another. Pastor Allen shared a lesson on Freedom from Bondage, Jesus has the power to set people free.
After the Bible study, we all split into four groups to visit homesteads in the area. We took food parcels and planned to pray with families. What we did not expect was that at every single homestead we visited, the families have already been impacted by the weekly ladies Bible study. Story after story of how God has helped them grow more in Him to seeing healing in their family as folks have prayed for them to feeling that someone cared about them because of a visit to watching their community build a stronger bond together.
Only God! He deserves ALL the glory and praise. Not because of these ladies or our team coming to serve but God. These ladies have been obedient to go because God told them to go tell others how in another neighboring community about Him. Are we all willing to go and share? It could be next door or next county or state or across the ocean? What stops us from going and telling others?
Today, God gave me the honor and privilege to lead these ladies in a Bible study in their own community. They need time to gather together and be fed so they can continue to go and teach. They cannot always go and teach on an empty cup. This was their time for their cups to be filled and God overflowed. At the end, God told me clearly to pray over each woman. For health, marriages, families, prodigal children, unity, strength, boldness. God knows what each need is for their lives. As we finished, no one wanting to leave as we knew we were all in the presence of God.