A
half hour drive off the pavement on dirt rouged roads. Pass schools,
barbed wire fences, cinderblock houses and cows. Deep into a Swazi
forest filled with giant cactus and throne trees. A bit of God’s
Kingdom was tucked away. It wasn’t much, really it wasn’t anything.
Well not to the western eye. But to the fifty children gathered under
the big tree it was everything. It was their life source. Literally.
A meal. Their only meal that day. Two big cast iron pots sat with
cool coals underneath and warm rice inside.
We slowly approached the big tree finding our way down animal paths and
around throne bushes. The children were surprised and curious to see
our white faces. They hadn’t see foreigners in over a year and we were
the second visitors to them. They looked uncertain, afraid to move or
be noticed. We weren’t quite sure what to do either. We fumbled with
saying hello and how are you in their language. They whispered their
response.
Everyone made their way to a big open area on uneven ground after the
food was gone. They lined up like a choir, little kids in front and
taller in back in uniform rows. With the help of our translator we
taught them some songs. Smiles began to break across faces. Laughter
started to rumble quietly. Making Melodies in My Heart
for those that don’t know is song that progresses with hilarious
intensity using full advantage of all body parts. Thumbs up, elbows
bent, knees bent, butt out, head cocked, one eye closed, tongue out,
and spin around. The laughter was uncontrollable now.
Attitudes
and personalities began to emerge. They taught us a song in their
language. I caught onto the hand motions easily enough and muttered
the words with low hums. I got the impression I was singing praise to
God for all that he has provided. I identified the words thank you and Jesus in their language.
We walked them through the ancient story of Noah’s ark using boys and
girls as animals, requiring animal sounds from them. The message was
of God’s promise in the rainbow. A current day reminder that God
watches over us and wants us to be safe in him. We finished our time
by forming them into the first ever Swazi baseball team with a fat
stick as a bat and walnut size fruit for balls.
What does God’s Kingdom look like? Sound? Feel? Smell? Taste Like?
There was something absolutely beautiful and wonderful happening far
off the main road. Hidden in the deep thick brush of a corner of
Swazi. The Garden. God’s Kingdom. A place of joy, rest, peace, and a
full stomach.
*This was at one of Adventures in Missions many Care Points in
Swaziland. A place where orphans and come and get food everyday.
