Part of living in Swaziland is the calculated risk that your life will be overrun by a particular need God calls you to. This is usually messy, emotional, exasperating, exhilarating, and downright inconvenient. But saying “yes” to what the Lord puts in front of us, at all costs, is the essence of discipleship and Kingdom living. Saying no is death to life in the Spirit. So, my recommendation comes out of personal experience and long emotional stories – when opportunity comes to do something God calls you to do, please say yes.
I’d like to tell you about a missionary family we have on staff living in Swaziland. Two years ago Steve and Amy McAdams and their three girls moved from Birmingham to Swaziland. They have been serving faithfully in all kinds of roles. Amy in particular has been spending a lot of time at the local government hospital. For those of you who read my first paragraph carefully, this is is a dangerous activity for anyone with a pulse combined with a commitment to Christ.
As is predictable, Amy came face to face – literally – with an opportunity to say “Yes.” You can read here about a little girl she met named Mukelo (pronounced moogelo). A short-cut to the full story is Mukelo was abandoned at the hospital by her mother. Mukelo is around 2 years old and has cerebral palsy. Absent miraculous healing, she will be dependent on full time care her entire life. She’s a sweet little girl. She’s living with a contorted body, some difficulty eating and breathing, and vision impairment. She’s a 24 hour requirement – just like a newborn baby.
Not long after Amy met Mukelo, she came to live with the McAdams family in a foster care agreement with social welfare. The policy is Mukelo is not allowed to travel outside Swaziland. Given two years on the field, the McAdams’ have been planning a trip back to the US to shore up their support raising. They’ve worked to get Mukelo placed in a children’s home in Swaziland but there are none that accept children with disabilities. So, at this time they are unable to travel home. It’s tough on their children who haven’t seen family for a couple years and they do need to address their ongoing support if they want to stay in country and fulfill the call on their lives to serve the Swazi people.
Here’s where you can pray. And perhaps someone who reads this will say “yes.” We are looking for someone to come to Swaziland and take care of Mukelo for a month or more over the holidays. Ideally late November through the middle of January. Would you pray for this that God would provide a caretaker? Would you even put yourself in the messy, emotional, exasperating, exhilarating, and downright inconvenient position of saying “yes.”
If you hear a “yes” in your spirit that you are brave enough to admit, please let me know as soon as possible. I will connect you to Steve and Amy to talk more about what that might look like for you and little Mukelo.
Thanks for praying.
Praying and sharing.
Beautifully written-the wonderful and exasperating love for Mukelo is so evident in Steve and Amy’s lives and in their family. She is thriving because of their intervention-ordained by God. Unconditional, sacrificial love. Truly beautiful and truly touching for all of us who walk beside them.
I’m praying Scott. I sent this out to my network of dreamers – praying for a taker!
If I wasn’t going through what I am right now, I would do it in a heartbeat. I worked with CP’s in my younger years at a childrens hospital. My heart goes out for the McAdams and will of course keep them in my prayers. Maybe when I heal from my last Swazi adventure I will be able to help out.
How wonderful to hear of the McAdams love for one precious little one. I wish that I had the availability to go… Instead, I’m praying, sharing this post on my FB, and trusting that the Lord is calling someone special to this role and opening the doors for them to do it.
Praying for the need, Scott…..and also sharing the post on FB! Trusting God for the answer!!!
also praying!
Praying for the Lord’s provision of a caretaker for Mukelo in this season. God sees our needs and He meets them. Blessings.
Thank you for posting this Scott. I am Amy’s mother. This situation is on my heart all the time. I have many people in my circle of friends praying for a caretaker for Mukelo. If they could get a travel visaa for her, I would gladly care for her here. I believe God has a plan. I just hope it includes me getting to spend time with my grandchildren!
Our Father is absolutely going to make this happen. Get ready. Be encouraged. I promise you. The work is already done. Continue walking by FAITH and wait patiently on the Lord. He loves you and will always be the defender of His children.
I’m praying for Mukelo and Scott, Amy and family. I met and held little Mukelo in Feb or March when I was in Swaziland. It broke my heart knowing the lack of facilities in Swaziland and that I couldn’t do anything for her. I was so thankful when Scott and Amy stepped up and said yes when I couldn’t. I knew God was telling me it wasn’t part of His plan for me to say yes but it still broke my heart. I will continue to pray for them all. God will provide,make no mistake about that!
I will certainly be praying.