Over the last few months Gene’ has been meeting with a group of high school students at one of the care points. Each time they met they studied God’s word together and shared special times memorizing scripture. Today we were a part of the study time. She asked each one to quote the verse they had learned the week before. Each child quoted the verse. They were a little timid at first, but in time every one of the students had quoted the verse and received a sweet (candy).

Gene’ told the students, as a gift for being such devoted students of the Word and for learning their verses each week, we had a gift for each of them.  She gave each child their own bible. I wish you could have seen them as they flipped through each page with interest and awe. Then Gene’ asked them to turn to Revelation 22:7.

As each child turned the pages of their bible they laughed when she said, “Just go to the end. It will be easier to find.” With a ruffle of laughter they turned their bibles to that page. Then she read “And behold I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” She reminded them of the importance of obeying God’s Word and learning it. She encouraged them to continue to memorize verses. At the end she had the students write down the things they had learned. Each child wrote many of the verses they had learned along with words of encouragement about how their lives had been changed.

What a great reminder to me that what our missionaries are doing here is much more than just feeding 6,000 orphans. They are leading them to know God’s word and live by it daily. That is why it is so important that we pour into the lives of those who are here long term. It is also a great reminder that for those who are sponsoring a long term missionary your giving is not in vain.

Thank you all for your prayers. Please keep them coming. Pray also for Mark and Allison, Steve and Amy, Julie, Kriek and Jumbo the full time missionary staff here and the many Swazi nationals who assist them on a daily basis not just to supply food, but the Word of God to the people of this country.