Tomorrow we leave Swaziland. After 8 weeks in country we’re re-packing the bags we came with and preparing for the long plane ride home. Now I need to unpack my experiences here. I always have mixed emotions when I go to Swaziland and when I leave to go home. It’s always hard to go, always hard to leave. I suppose that is an indicator of a blessed life full to so many good things. Thank you Lord.
How do I summarize these past 8 weeks? I’m trying to get my finger on it. So much work, so much hope, and yet so much darkness. The weight of it all consumes the deepest parts of me. While I interact with those I love, answer emails, and make plans for the the future there is always the contemplative undercurrent of the paradox that is Swaziland. Undeniable light and unspeakable pain. I am never away from that influence deep within. I am a functional Swaziaholic.
I see some of the disparity in the faces of the children. One child exhibits unbridled joy and gives my heart hope for a Swaziland full of people living the abundant lives they were created for. Life is still a party. A smile is the easiest response to any situation. 
Another child reveals the difficult path of the life they are headed down. The worries and darkness already show on the face and in every step. Life is a march, not a dance. Day after day of survival bleeds hope from the soul.
I spend a lot of time working with people on plans, models, and strategies to help Swaziland. Leading trips, rallying resources, bolstering staff, encouraging locals. All these things consume my days here in Swaziland.
But as I sit here with a few quiet moments before I say final goodbye’s I have thoughts and convictions. With apologies to donors, organizations, consultants and every well meaning participant in the Swazi endeavor – all of the above activity is necessary but none of it will save Swaziland.
The only thing that will save Swaziland is Jesus. The root of every issue here is spiritual and the spiritual strongholds here are indeed strong and only broken with spiritual power. HIV? Spiritual Issue. Orphans? Spiritual Issue. Monarchy? Spiritual Issue. Failed economy? Spiritual Issue. Compromised pastors? Spiritual Issue. Broken families? Spiritual Issue.
I am not trying to oversimplify the complicated cultural, political, economic, and anthropoligical context. All these things are part of understanding the spiritual battle for the lives of the children pictured above and all those they represent.
For the innocents and the helpless this battle belongs to the Lord but it is ours to fight! We need to continue to come alongside those Swazi’s who are fulfilling the ministry of Jesus:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18,19)
As I leave Swaziland I am determined to return with a sword in my hand (Eph. 6) and with a towel around my waist (Jn 13).
And while I am gone I want to learn how to more actively and powerfully work on my knees.
“Oh Swaziland, Swaziland, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to
you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen
gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.”
you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen
gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.”
The battle belongs to the Lord. But the war won’t last forever.
