I attend a woman’s Bible study every Wednesday, we have been doing a study on hearing the voice of God. A few weeks ago while we were going over the homework someone challenged the group to not just hear God’s voice but to do what He says and to do it immediately. A lot of times we know God wants something from us and we intend to get to it eventually. A lot of times eventually never comes around and that thing that God has called us to is forgotten completely. We miss out on becoming more intimate with God as a result and whatever other blessings that God may have had in mind based on our obedience to His voice.
All that being said, I went home that day, encouraged and excited. What was God asking me to do? How would I know it was God? Would it be something that I would willingly respond to in His time and not my own? That night as I was trying to go to sleep, I started having all these great ideas of how I could bless the people of Swaziland. I spent at least 3 hours lying there and planning out all this stuff I could do for people. I knew of a church that has been raising money FOREVER, just for some new chairs, I could easily give to them. I knew of a girl that was trying to get into university and had spent all her resources just on transportation to get the right paperwork in, leaving no money left even for a meal. I see children all the time in rags, others that can’t be in school because of school fees, mom’s that need formula for their babies. And the list goes on.
Then I thought of the children in Nsoko, those sweet sweet children that don’t have shoes, the ones that wear rags that are shredded in many areas, the ones that eat only if the carepoint has food that week. The children that are raising their siblings because one or both parents in dead and many times the other had abandoned them. The ones who come to play at the Center in Nsoko because they know they won’t be turned away no matter what. These same children sometimes sleep on the porch of the center because there is no one to go home to. These are the children that God has called me to do a clothing drive for. It seemed like so little for their so many needs, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was telling me to do it and to do it immediately.
I started calling around to a few missionary families in the area that I knew had children and asked if they wanted to donate, I then went through my own stuff and pulled out the clothing that I won’t get back into no matter how I watch what I eat, I grabbed shoes that I never wear. Then I asked a team that was leaving if they wanted to donate anything for this clothing drive. There was a family on the team and so more kids clothes, but adult sizes. I then ran out to a store to purchase girls and boys underwear. As I was about to drive the 90 min. drive to surprise the pastor and the children, I passed by a truck on the side of the road, a man was selling oranges in bags of 30. I bought 4 bags and was finally on my way.
When I got to the carepoint, I told the pastor my intention and he was thrilled, him and his wife were so thankful, they do what they can, sometimes giving children food and leaving theirs with none for a night. We organzied the kids by age, youngest to oldest and washed all their hands and feet and faces, then we redressed them in the new clothes and gave them all an orange. We got to the adults and were able to bless them with new things as well and gave them all an orange.
God is so amazing and I am so thankful that I listened to His voice, because I was blessed beyond anything I could imagine that day. One little boy got a new pair of sneakers and socks. He started strutting around and the older children kept calling out to him what nice shoes they were. I never saw a boy so proud to wear used shoes. At the end of the day everbody was dressed in clothing the right size and there was about one black bag left of clothing we hadn’t used. Nobody went home without something new. About 90 people in all.
Very inspiring story Chris. I pray Christ uses each of us a little more each day. joe
Hi I… um… haa…uhh… hahh giggle giggle more giggling… well hi Aunt Christine,
Nice work on the clothing thing. I sure you made lots of children happy.
Joey Chenoweth
um Aunt Christine, help all the children have food and family and help them to have food and clothes and help them have nice family’s, and wait wait help the angels watch over the kids from God, and and and help term to have water, thats it. bye Aunt Christine (runs away and immediately fights with Joey)
Hi Christine,
I’ve been reading your blogs since you went over and just had to write! This one had me in tears! It’s amazing what you are doing over there and so inspiring. It’s amazing how one pair of shoes can transform a child’s life, how a new shirt can give a renewed sense of hope to someone, how giving an orange to a hungry child is an answer to prayer. I’m praying that God continues to speak to you and that he provides the resources for you to continue to bless the people around you. Thank you for being willing to be God hands and feet!
maybe you should move down there permanently.
Hi, I’m the woman your sister, Amy is renting from. She is a very dear person. She shared this with me this morning. How awesome and inspiring. Great to be introduced to you this way. God Bless You.
Kate Fady-Rivera
Chris once again your story has brought me to tears of joy at the provisions God has made for you and the Swazi people you are ministering to. I’m praying for Him to continue to open up opportunities where you can really serve as the hands and feet of Christ. Love you sis and hope I have the chance someday to see firsthand the work you are doing there.
How beautiful your actions were. I too had tears of joy to read your story of how you met the needs of children and adults and were ministering to Jesus at the same time. Glad that you had your heart and arms open wide!!!! Peace and grace to you,Christine. May you do mighty works down there.
Enjoy being with Don and Caryle and Abby and Jacob and Caley and Bonnie and Sarah and CHS as you minister and visit together!!!!
Scott R. Davis
What an awesome story…reminds me of our days in SA 🙂 God is truly using you to clothe the naked and feed the hungry! We’d love to help out with another project like this in the future. (We are buying flip-flops for Cody’s ministry, as they move to Haiti this fall) May the Lord continue to speak to you and may you respond to His voice, and be blessed. Love, Sue & Merrill
from Olivia Aunt Christine, I really am glad you are helping the poor children-adults. and I hope you are having an awesome time there. I liked the pictures that you sent. sometimes I cry because I miss you so much. and it is very heartbreaking. It is so good to see your pictures. I’ll see you when I’m 9and one half. I love you Olivia (write back)
from Mom Good listening Chris. You will continue to be blessed as you obey Gods voice. I’ve been trying to do the same thing. Lets pray for each other to both be instantly obedient. May the Lord bring you great joy and sucess in your endeavors.
God Bless That is wonderful. God must smie when he looks at you and sees all your energy put ot for him.
Amen Keep up Your Great work
Let us know where we can send things. I would be glad to ship all kinds of stuff. let me know what you need
[email protected]
God Bless You
In Christ,
Steve P
Christine, I am almost speachless. I just want to say that I am so thankful that you listened to God and acted upon what He said. You are truly inspiring!
I am so proud of you, you are truly bringing the word of God to life. I am in awe of what God is doing through you, the lives that are being impacted for His Kingdom.
You are truly God’s hand extended.
I love you, continue to do the work of the Lord, for what you do is not in vain.
Christine,
It’s great when He gives us ears to hear and a heart to obey. Not by your power, but in God’s power and His motivation within you.
How awesome that all those kids got new clothes; and the people who gave were blessed too!!! I bet they loved the sweet oranges too. 🙂
Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Sis, I cant contain my joy and the waterworks at seeing Christ in you reaching the lost and hurting, bringing a healing balm in a tangible way. He sure prepared you with Salvation Army Clothing Closet practice all those years! How my heart leaps at seeing Gods power in weakness and His provision when resources are more than lacking! OUR GOD is Truely a GOOD GOD! Who can compare? He is smiling on you and your obediance,and sacrafice. I pray the the peoples heart-doors have been flung open through your act of kindness and love, so that they may one day enter the Heavenly Gates with us.
luv ya
Jeanette