It is amazing to see how the Lord works and how He puts events in place to accomplish His plan. I was scheduled to meet a group of World Racers and their parents at a nearby care point. The World Race is a program through Adventures in Missions where 18-25 year old young adults visit 11 countries in 11 months while doing mission work. Admittedly, I wasn’t real excited about going because I had a lot I needed to accomplish last week trying to get medical supplies arranged for a medical team that is coming this week. When volunteers were requested in our weekly leadership meeting, I volunteered because something deep inside was telling me I should. I arrived at the care point and met with the World Racers and their parents. (This week the parents have been invited to join the Racers in Swaziland to see what they are doing in the ministry. The parents will fly back to their homes at the end of the week.) I shared with several team members a little about how God had called my family to Swaziland and what we do here. A home visit had been scheduled for the afternoon so two racers, their moms, the preschool teacher, one of the cooks and the three kids that live at the homestead all loaded up in the car. It was a full load. The preschool teacher had stated that we could walk, but it was far. I have been here long enough to know when a Swazi woman says “it is far”…I need to drive! Once we arrived, I was thankful I drove!
The homestead consisted of a stick and mud house, outside kitchen, long drop (bathroom) and a nice shade tree. We were greeted by three women. They immediately got two homemade benches for us to sit on while they sat on a straw mat on the ground in front of us. The preschool teacher began to translate for us and explain to the ladies that we had come to pray with them and bless them with some food. The ladies were very thankful and began to share with us how they attend church and pray because their “burdens are heavy on their shoulders”. As the conversation progressed, it became evident that they did not understand the Gospel. The translator turned to me and asked if I could share the Gospel with them. I asked them if the only reason they went to church was to “ease” their burdens? They simply answered, “Yes”.
I proceeded to clarify that there is more to being a Christian than going to church. I presented the Gospel and explained the plan of salvation. One of the racers told us about her prayer on the way to Swaziland and how God had impressed upon her that she would meet three Swazi women. Even before she met these women, she began to pray for them. She shared that this visit was no accident and that God had directed our paths to these three ladies.
After a long conversation of explaining the true meaning of being a Christian, each lady prayed to surrender her heart to Christ and cried out to God that He would be Lord of her life. With their hands in the air, they praised Jesus for His blessings and for sending us to them. I told them they needed to read the Bible and learn from the lessons God has given us. I explained it was very important to surround themselves with other believers and to encourage each other as Christians.
After talking with them, I realized none of them owned a Bible. I went to a local bookstore and bought three Bibles printed in Siswati. Two days later, our group went back to this homestead, prayed with them again and gave them each their own copy of God’s Word. They were overjoyed to receive their very own Bible!
Please help me pray that these women will read the Bibles and grow in Him. I hope I get the opportunity to follow up with them periodically to see how their walk with Christ is maturing.
God had definitely gone ahead of us to set up this meeting! I am so glad that I was obedient to carry out His plans that day and not pursue my own agenda! Heaven is rejoicing that three Swazi women have welcomed Jesus into their hearts! To God be the glory!
Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-Yes, establish the work of our hands.”This verse is my prayer for our family, our staff and those who are following our journey. Lord, please go before us and establish your work!
Thank you to our supporters that make it possible for us to be here. We do not take this task lightly and we are so grateful for the support team that God keeps blessing us with. Every now and then, God gives us a glimpse of how He is using our team for His kingdom.
Because of Him,
Greg Mullins
I am so thankful your sweet family has followed God’s call to Swaziland and have led these three women to the Lord!! Praise Jesus!!!
What a great message of encouragement. Thank you for giving of yourselves for the Kingdom’s sake. Please continue to share the stories with us it makes the people we pray for so much more real.