Day One

I have so many things bouncing around in my head, I don't know where to begin. So I'll start with basics.  Swaziland is beautiful.  In the South where we are, the terrain is mountainous and verdant.  It is stunning.  The people we have been introduced to are gracious and kind and hospitable.

Today was packed full of learning opportunities.  This morning we visited with a caregiver volunteering with World Vision.  It was an adventure just getting there, and the story is amazing.  You can read my take and see a video about that experience on the World Vision page to the right.  This afternoon, we went to a local church to hear from the various Bible Clubs in the area.  This meeting represented 5 pastors from the community that have formed an alliance  - meeting monthly to pray for each other and their community (sounds familiar?).  There were about 250 kids singing songs and quoting bible verses.  It was so much fun!  Check out the audio of their singing at the bottom of this post!  By time we actually left, I think I had one of them down!  Siyabonga, Jesu!  (Thank you Jesus)

But what has stuck with me all day was what "Bongi" (the National Director of Development for World Vision Swaziland) said this morning during our devotion.  He said that at the heart of all that World Vision does is the question: "Where is the child in all of this?"  So, no matter what they are doing, if this question can't be answered, the work is missing the mark.

I love this!  It is a clear measure of their intentional commitment to their vision.  In Austin, as we hold out the vision of a united Body of Christ connecting with the needs of the region so that the community experiences spiritual, cultural and social transformation, I wonder what the question is we should be asking in order to insure our work is hitting the mark?