Brandon Jones is an ordinary name for an extraordinary person.  I met Brandon in Swaziland a couple years ago while he was on a trip there with his church.  He came back again the next year and I happened to be in country again then as well.  He heard me talking about our need for some short term leadership at our ministry center at Nsoko and took me seriously!

 

When he returned home he and I continued talking about a role for him to help us bridge leadership at Nsoko to more permanent leadership.  Brandon made a 6 month commitment beginning in November of last year and he's almost finished - he leaves us early next month.  He's moving on to a vision for His life the Lord showed him over the past few months. 

 

I love this picture because it demonstrates Brandon always moving - always showing up even when you don't expect him.  I was taking pictures of the kids carrying chairs to church and then...

 

In the past 6 months he's provided largely single-handed management to a ministry in a very needy community among hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children.  He's had to apply himself to tasks way outside his experience.  But along the way he loved the people at every turn.  He's lived a spartan life in a difficult environment.  He's endured loneliness and a lot of other difficulties not uncommon to missionaries.  He's been available - and isn't that the biggest part of what the Lord is asking all of us?

 

Over the weekend he posted this video to his facebook page.  I wanted to share it with my blog readers.  It shows the hope, the need, the personality, the activity, the randomness, and the joy of ministry in Nsoko.  Thanks Brandon - you've served well!