“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing…” – PS 68:5&6
There are about 850 + orphaned and vulnerable children that come to our care points. We are feeding them daily, and teaching them about the love of God. This past week Zwakele and I spent some extended time with Nokwanda, an 11 year old girl from one of our care points. Nokwanda had raised sores covering her head that were causing her a lot of pain. Because of the financial support from churches in the USA funding our work we have the ability to get our children much needed medical care. Without that support from our partner churches we simply wouldn’t have the means to see that every one of those 850+ children could get medical attention.
Being enabled to take children for medical treatment is by far one of my favorite things about our ministry. To me it is so “the real deal.” It’s part of doing the works of Jesus, along with declaring His Word.
In Swaziland (and so many places around the world) there many people suffering because they simply don’t have the money to travel to a doctor, let alone pay to get consultation. In some instances the cost is merely a few dollars to get much needed medication, but the people just don’t have it. This is needless suffering; and it’s also what Bono calls “stupid poverty.” Can you even imagine that a dollar or two could be the difference between life and death? In these cases we need to act to help alleviate this suffering.
Nokwanda is a child that has no means to see a doctor. So Zwakele and I took her to see one. I didn’t know much about Nokwanda’s story before we picked her up from her care point. Zwakele told me that Nokwanda’s father had died, and that the mother had married another man. Because of the new marriage of her mother, Nokwanda and her siblings had been dumped on their elderly grandmother to be cared for.
Typically in Swazi culture, a spouse will not care for children from their partner’s previous marriage(s). It is very sad, and both men and women are guilty of this absence of responsibility. So Nokwanda has now lost her father and basically her mother as well. 
We took Nokwanda to get the medicine she needed and then we made a special detour. We went to KFC! There are 4 Kentucky Fried Chicken’s in Swaziland and they are always slamming with business. KFC is a preferred delicacy here and we wanted Nokwanda to have a special treat. We got some chicken, and of course a soft serve ice cream for desert, and just enjoyed the afternoon together. We talked a bunch, and we embarrassed Nokwanda a little as we told her that we loved her and that she could always talk to us. As we sat in the KFC with each other, I just had an overwhelming sense that we were doing exactly what God had made us for. As Nokwanda has basically lost both of her parents, God has called Zwakele and I to step up and love Nokwanda and be her family. God does set the lonely in families! For all of us who know Jesus, we are a family, and we belong to one another. I am just so thankful that I get to minister that truth and Jesus’ love to the children around me.
AND if it wasn’t for your support, we simply couldn’t do it! Thank you so much for your giving, which allows us to walk in our calling. May God bless you abundantly!
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – GAL 6:10
Ah, you two shine Christ’s light so bright I can see it clear over here.
Peace to you both!
Love this Dennis! I am so excited to e moving toward joining in the labor of love you and your family are doing among these precious children of our God!
Always love reading about your work there. Thank you for sharing, and bless you all.
hey dennis! what a great story! i just am so excited to think what Nokwanda was feeling as you guys sat there eating your KFC… feelings that too many kids in the world take for granted, but that she will never forget… LOVE!!!
I really am hoping (and praying) that I will get out there soon to love on some of those kids! I would move there tomorrow, but there is this little road block in the way… (called hubby and kids! lol)
See you soon… give my hugs to all those kids!!!
Hey Dennis, this is a great update!! Thanks for sharing. BTW, you can post the link directly to your article!
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god_article.php?id=7537
That sounds so much like Malawi…we worked with a ministry there that took kids off the street, and they were almost all step kids! You guys are doing an awesome thing there, Dennis!
Love it, Dennis!
When I was working in Swaziland, there were only 2 KFCs…1 in Mbabane and 1 in Manzini. And even then, 20 years ago, it was THE favorite place among our preschool staff and youth group. In fact, I had a domestic worker, Fikile, that I adored and treasured. I found out that her birthday was coming up and that she’d never had a party even though she was my age…mid 20’s at the time. So I told her that I was going to give her a small party and invite my landlady who was also her employer. She got to pick the menu for the day and though I would have chosen Kowloon’s or a curry takeout, KFC was HER definite first choice.
Fikile told me that she would never, ever forget that day. And I know that for Nokwanda it will be the same.
In prosperous, eat-out-all-the-time America, we take so much for granted. Our kids are jaded by it all by the time they’re in their teens. Its all so ho-hum in many ways.
But for those kids, times like going to the KFC mean something. And the biggest thing they mean is LOVE!
I just finished reading a Charles Martin novel entitled WRAPPED IN RAIN. In it, the main character grows up with an abusive father. And one of the things he says as a grown man when faced with another little boy who needed care is that love is spelled T-I-M-E.
You and Zwakele are being used by God to give back what the Devil has stolen from way too many children.
Thank you for that.
I love you guys!
Elysa
Dennis!! Tears in my eyes reading this post. I think of the little girl at Thulwane with the thorn in her foot and that you guys took her for doctor and KFC and got her some clothes…..her smile the next morning! You could tell she felt cherished. You are the hands and feet and heart of Jesus my friend. Thank you thank you thank you. We pray for you all daily and miss you something terrible. See you next summer.