As we prepare to return to Swaziland, the memories of previous mission trips come flooding back and we anxiously look forward to another opportunity to Live in Love in a country that so badly needs our love and compassion. I thought I'd share a journal entry I wrote just weeks after we returned from Africa last October. I hope that in sharing it, you can get a better idea of what my personal motivation and passion are for this vast mission field.
"It’s now been two weeks since our medical mission team left Swaziland Africa, a Kingdom smaller than the state of New Jersey, embedded in the northeast quadrant of southern Africa. Upon returning home from any mission trip, I am always forced to succumb to the routine of my ‘normal’ life, leaving behind the sights and sounds of people less fortunate than us. Incredibly, after two weeks, my mind is still racing with thoughts of the amazing people I met, the miracles that were accomplished and the lives that were affected.
As I reflect on our trip, I am continually astounded by the compassion of the Children’s Cup missionaries. A team of 7 Americans, they minister daily to the basic human needs of abandoned, orphaned and vulnerable children. Never before have I witnessed such commitment to a cause that is so worthwhile. These missionaries don’t give lip service to their plan of action; they give their hearts, their sweat and their tears!
During our first prayer gathering on Monday morning, one of the missionaries asked us a thought-provoking question: “Why do we do what we do?” He then went on to say, “If lives don’t change because of what we’re doing, life is pointless.” This really made me think. Not just about our mission trip and why we were there in Swaziland but about life in general. How many of us can say that we are changing lives by doing what we do? Are we living a personal life that exemplifies God’s love? Have we followed God’s calling in our professional lives? Do we find time to donate our energy to a worthy cause in His name? Are we changing lives? The good news is, as long as we have life to live, we can make changes and change lives!
When asked about my trip to Africa, I’m still speechless. It’s hard to sum up our trip in a few words. I guess in one sentence I can say that my heart was touched and I’m anxious to return! The children of Africa need our help and Children’s Cup needs our support. It’s easy to become focused and overwhelmed by the amount of need. I choose to stay focused on the nearly 1,800 people we saw in Clinics and in knowing that we met some of their needs. I focus on the thousands of children that the Cup Missionaries feed each day through the Care Points. And finally, I focus on the ongoing ministry that Ben, Suzie, Daran, Teresa, Charles, Kristen, Patrick and all those on their Swazi Team are accomplishing one child at a time. Thanks to them, these children are no longer forgotten." - Originally written October 2006 by Syndy
Friday, September 28, 2007
Swazi Thoughts - October, 2006
Live in Love Africa Tour 2007
It’s time for Syndy and Lori to hit the road and take to the skies again. On October 8 we depart for Swaziland and Mozambique, 2 countries in south eastern Africa. This is a return to Swaziland for us but a “first” to Mozambique.
So, what takes us to this part of the world? Several things but in a nutshell to serve in Love, to Live in Love. Now for the details…
We will be working closely with the missionaries from Children’s Cup who live in Swaziland and serve the vulnerable and forgotten children in this area. A beautiful example of choosing to Live in Love in everyday. The missionaries have many responsibilities including running care points where children may come once a day for a meal, often their only meal of the day. As a nurse, Teresa also runs a clinic where the children may go when they are sick or injured.
Syndy will combine her professional photography skills with her love for children who are vulnerable and in need. She will work in numerous venues including the creation of profiles of individual children to share with others and extensive photography of the children, staff, and the missionaries. Every photo Syndy composes is meaningful and has a story. One of the special projects is visiting the children’s ward at a local hospital. With permission from family members, Syndy will photograph the children and provide the families with a printed portrait of their child; a memorable, and possibly the only, keepsake of this kind for the families. Check back often to learn about all the projects Syndy is doing in Africa.
Lori will utilize her knowledge and experience to begin developing hospice and palliative programs with Teresa and the Children’s Cup team. This is an overwhelming need with a high rate of HIV/AIDS and minimal to no services for end of life care for children. Many of the children are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS and now face the same future. Our goal is to help them understand what is happening, decrease their fear of the unknown, ensure them they will not be alone, and give them the hope of what is waiting for them. Check back to see the progress and possibilities.
Additionally we are completing the “Shoe Project”, a tangible way to serve those who serve. Many women (about 75 at last count) cook the meals at each Children’s Cup Care Point. That’s 15 Care Points with up to 5 women each. The women live in the same rural and poverty stricken communities as the children but volunteer their time and energy everyday just so the children in their communities can have a meal. These women still have their own families to care and cook for at the beginning and end of the day. These beautiful and strong women choose to Live in Love every day.
Daran, Teresa, and their 4 children will be our companions, drivers, and tour guides throughout our time in Swaziland and Mozambique. Their kind, giving, and caring hearts are apparent in all they do. (www.rehmeyers.blogspot.com)
The women who cook, Daran, Teresa, and their family, the missionaries, their staffs, and so many others in Africa and in the states who support this tender work, their love for others shines in them and through them. I believe they know no other way to live.
If you would like to help Live in Love or Children’s Cup support the vulnerable children they work with, please contact us at lilblog@aol.com. All financial contributions are tax deductible. All prayer support is just plain good. Both will make a difference in the life of a child. Both are appreciated more than you will know. Both are 2 more ways to Live in Love.
Please join us on this journey as we post regular updates, stories, and all the “happenings” from the southeast coast of Africa. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
As always,
Live in Love – LiL
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Testify to Love
All the colors of the rainbow
All of voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breath I take I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the Hope in every heart will speak what love has done.
Lyrics and music by Paul Field, Henk Pool, Ralph Van Manen, and Robert Riekerk. © 1996 Windswept Music/MCA Holland.
