Chic fil a and a Swaziland Orphan

April 21, 2011 | by Adventures in Missions | 2 Comments | Views 0

The story below reminded me of my son Josiah.  He was born in 1987, just one year before Khanyisile whose story is below.  Josiah has graduated from high school and college, gotten married, and is working his way toward starting his own Chic Fil A in California.  He’s been blessed with opportunities and he’s made the most of them.  A real American success story as anyone can see! He’s overcome his own diversity to be sure – but even still contrast his life with that of Khanyisile below.

 

MYSELF

My name is Khanyisile Nosmilo
Magagula. I was born in 1988 at
Lavumisa. I was raised by my Aunt who
passed away in 2003. My Aunt told me that my mother left me when I was 6 months
old. She disappeared and no body has any
idea where she was, until in 2004 when a man came and told us that she died.

 

Before my Aunt died, she was
able to look after me, because she took me to school when she was working as a
shop cleaner. Then in 1999, she lost
that job. After that she could not pay
my fees because she did not have money. She tried to ask her friends and relatives, but no one was willing to
help. I then started working as a baby
sitter so that we could have some food to eat and have some clothes. I was 13 years old when I started to baby
sit.

When my Aunt died I started
to save money so that I could go back to school, luckily in 2005 I got that
chance when I joined Pastor Sam’s family until now, they have treated me as
their child by giving me food, shelter, and taking me to school from primary
level to where I am now. The Dlamini family is trying their best and we are still
struggling together for me to finish school.

About my father, Aunt told me
nothing but she kept on saying it was complicated but she will try to explain
everything when I am old enough to deal with such staff. Since she died so
early before she could tell me, there is no one to ask then.

Early 2010 when I was at my
Uncle’s funeral, one of the family members told me about my mother. I then went to search for my mother’s home. I finally found it and they told me
everything about my parents. I was
shocked to find out that the person I used to call my Uncle was my really
father and I discovered that during his funeral.

My dream is to do my best and
finish school and go to the University. I am appealing for help to continue with my Form 3 @ Apex Tutorial
Academy.   I believe this school is capable of making my
dream come to pass.  

 

Out of everything Khanyisile wrote the thing that struck me most was in the last sentence.  Dreams?  Really?  Someone who has been through so much tragedy in her life, is 23 years old and still in 10th grade, and she still has dreams? 

 

I am humbled.  I lose my dreams for life if my car breaks down.  I lose hope if an unexpected bill comes due.  My heart faints if things get complicated or don’t go my way.  My faith shrinks as I wallow in narcissism.

 

I can learn a lot from Khanyisile.

 

2 responses to “Chic fil a and a Swaziland Orphan”

1. We all can, Scott. As always, you’re gracious in leading with humility. It is this dichotomy that you illustrate that drives me and gives my life purpose. Thanks for being one of the few who are similarly driven.

2. Yea Scott:

   Nice post Buddy. I’ve also seen all these posts as faith builders. I’m also humbled, Scott. Scott, the following comes to me so much: I saw a very humbling experience some time ago on TV showing a group of children who were sitting in a circle. These children were smiling & I’m thinking why are these kids smiling so much. What do they have to smile about? They have so little. Do they have parents? There are so many questions to ask God. I perceived them as very strong children. What occured that day is that the Holy Spirit Revealed to me that some or most of thes kids know Jesus. Praise The Lord. 🙂 🙂 🙂