Monday, March 10, 2008

Angels are alive and well in Swaziland!

There is much talk about the dark spiritual forces at work in Swaziland and the constant spiritual battle between the witch craft /voodoo practices and Christianity. It has also been said that the King is done with the West (US & UK) because he is tired of the strings they attach and that he’s opening an embassy in Kuwait and Libya which are Muslim countries. In addition, there is a big mosque being built in downtown Manzini. I could certainly be easy to get discouraged about the impact of Christianity in this country. But I am here to tell you that God is alive and well in Swaziland and that His angels are in Swaziland. As always, they come in different forms.

Friday morning was a beautiful relatively cool morning and I was getting a lot of work done organizing and documenting status on some of the projects that are going on in the Central Circuit. I was listening to my Christian music and life just couldn’t get any better. Around noon I went to go help a friend, Jacci, from Bible Study pack up her things to move from Manzini to Mbabane. I walked across the primary school to the mission to get my car. When Mr. Mambo opened the garage I could see that my right rear tire was flat. (The left one was flat on Monday.) I said to myself “Great.” I knew there was no way I could get it changed at the church because no one was around and I don’t have a jack. So, since I now know where to go have a flat fixed, I thought I might as well just drive there again. (I know, it’s horrible for the rim, but this is Swaziland and there isn’t AAA.) I tried to start the car and the battery was dead. It was the second time in a week that I had a dead battery and a flat tire. I took a deep breath, told myself not to panic and said a little prayer for peace and guidance. Then I called my friend to tell her I wouldn’t be coming to help her. My mind immediately started going down the road that it was a Friday, no one was around, I needed cash and groceries, etc. Jacci said “What just a minute. I’ll call you right back.”

As it turned out, another friend Karen and her husband, Randy, had just arrived to help her. It was a last minute decision for them to come help. She asked if I had a jack, which of course I didn’t. Randy came right over. As it turned out the woman Jacci was living with had a very nice jack. Randy brought it along. He changed the tire for me and then we took the battery out of the car and went to find a place to buy a new battery in Manzini. We found an auto part store, bought a new battery, Randy put it in and I am back in business.

Was this a coincidence? I don’t think so. I firmly believe that Karen and Randy’s last minute decision to help Jacci pack was part of God’s plan. God knew I was going to need help and wouldn’t be able to Help Jacci. Once again He knew my needs before I did. He wanted me to know I am not alone even when it seems as if I am. Randy was my angel. When we were finished we went over to Jacci’s and helped her finish the packing, and then I was able to go to the bank and get food for the weekend. Oh, and where did I get the money to pay for the battery (few places take a charge card here.)? Jacci had paid me in Rand on Wednesday for a computer battery I bought for her while I was in the US. I forgot I had the cash on me until Randy asked if I had money to buy a battery!

So, yes, I firmly believe that no matter how strong the evil spirits are in Swaziland, God and his army of angels are with me every step of the way. All I have to do is depend on Him. Have a blessed day and keep an eye and ear out for your angel.

1 comment:

Dianne (aussies) said...

Chris, Remember that you are one of the Angels in Swaziland.

After reading your blog it makes you realize how good we have it. When things go wrong for me some days here I know to read your blog so that I can put the trivial issues of my day back into perspective.
Take care,
Love Dianne