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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 5/4/2008
It has been a wonderful week full of laughs and many tears. I have been all over the country and doing all types of things, but this has been an amazing week! I just pray that as tomorrow is our last day here, that the Lord will give me a peace and remind me that while I am leaving, He is staying and is still at work here!
I will write a better description of this week once I am home, but here is a brief overview.
Saturday: I went with one of my students, Magamase, and Michelle up the mountain looking for Nondumiso, a different student. She has very poor vision and so I was looking for her to take to clinic. Magamase accidentally took us on the wrong koombie, so it was an unsuccessful adventure.
Sunday: Church at Mbabane Chapel, a place I have grown to love!
Monday: Went up the mountain with Allison and Magamase, and successfully found Nondumiso, and got permission to take her with me to clinic the next day. We got to walk across a crazy wooden bridge in the process.
Tuesday: Took Nondumiso with me to clinic and discovered how awful her vision is. Dr. Pons saw her and prescribed glasses, so soon she will see much better. Also said goodbye to St. Theresa's Clinic, and the Children's Cup Clinic and Care Point. I hope to visit again, and will miss these people.
Wednesday: Ran errands all over the place. Got to hang out with the beautiful children at SACRO for a while!
Thursday: Went to Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki with Amber. It was an adventure just getting their as May Day is a holiday and there weren't many koombies. This is practically on the other side of the country and it was beautiful. Once we got there we were able to observe cataract surgery and also got to visit the children's ward. It was an amazing experience. Also we got to visit Dr. Pon's house which is a beautiful old farm with guest houses now. It was a huge blessing.
Friday: Went to SACRO all day and got to just love on the children. It was a wonderful day full of many tears. I also got to inform 6 little boys that their school fees for next year were covered and that they would be able to go to school. It turns out that with your support, I was able to raise more than enough money for Ezulwini Catholic Primary School fees, and was also able to support the remaining kids at SACRO who didn't have sponsors. This was amazing.
Saturday: Our family ministry kind of fell through and so at the last minute we all decided to go up the mountain and bring the kids down to our house (many are students at ECPS). We ended up having over 25 kids at our house watching movies and drinking hot chocolate all afternoon. It was so much fun.
Sunday: Today was our last day at church and it was sad to tell everyone goodbye, but we have been greatly blessed by the church family at Mbabane Chapel.
This was my week! Pray that everything goes well tomorrow, as I try and take Nondomiso to get glasses. Also please pray that the Lord will be with us as we prepare to leave this country. Thank you so much for your support. This may be our last update from Africa. I can't wait to see you in less than 2 weeks!
Blessings!
Carrie
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 4/27/2008
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uniformed. ... Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ... All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ... If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. ... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all thing, endures all things. Love never ends. ... So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Portions of 1 Corinthians 12 and 13
For the last 8 months I have been living amongst a diverse group of people. Whether I look at the first portion in South Africa as a member of a team of 34 or this semester as Team Kenya with 13 and our extended family of the Swazi Team with 15, I see the beauty of the body of Christ. Last night was our last big family dinner, where our team goes over to the Swazi Team house in Manzini for dinner and worship. As I looked at everyone I realized the beauty and precision with which the Lord builds His body. When we walk in our identity and have the same spirit, and above all love, the Lord moves mightily. Each of us are unique, each of us were brought to Swaziland for a specific and different purpose. And I am thankful to be surrounded by people who not only rejoice in what God has called them to do, but also rejoice in what God has called others to. It is a beautiful thing. I have been so blessed by this family!
Here is just a glimpse at the beauty of my brothers and sisters on Team Kenya:
dD: Pastor at the church under the tree, blessing and loving women at the market into a passion for the Lord! Has powerful visions and dreams for those here and prayers powerfully for them and speaks His truth into their lives.
Nicole: Teacher to some of the most challenging students at Mahlanya Primary School, challenging them and loving them pointing them to Jesus and showing them that they are valued and able!
 This is Nicole with some of the children she walks with to the care point on her way to school.
Allison: Teacher and beloved friend to students at Mahlanya Primary School, showing them the compassion of Christ and giving everything she has to love them and bring them to Jesus.
 Here is Allison with some of her students!
Teresa: One of the funniest women I know, who is also so wise and so giving. She has loved and taught young women in a high school that they are important, valued, and loved by the Lord, and also loved on the women at the market. She has been all over the place, and has brought the joy and hope of the Lord to each place.
Amber: She is gracious, compassionate, powerful, and persevering, and has shown this by ministering to the children and mothers at the hospital and being broken for them each day. She has experienced the death of so many children and has continued to love and serve and allow God to be her strength.
Here is Amber with Mcosili an abandoned boy at Mbabane Government Hospital.
Chelsea: Teacher Chelsea is loving, challenging, and such a dreamer. She is the one who introduced me to Ezulwini Catholic Primary School. She taught English to grade 6 and 7. This was a huge job, and she gave it everything she had. She became not only their teacher, but also their friend. She also works with youth at her church and speaks truth. She dreams beautiful dreams and has the faith and the power to do great things!
Abby: She is real and honest and this spirit has enabled her to connect to the girls at the high school who she taught and also to the women at the market that she has loved on and encouraged. Her life is a testimony to the love of God and this has encouraged women here and has reminded me the importance of living life with people as a testimony to the Father!
Melissa: She has the heart of the Father. She has ministered with Amber in the hospital and also at an orphanage, and she is amazing! After loosing child after child and being frustrated and angry, she continues to love and continues to persevere. She allows God to be her strength and even though it hurts to love so much, she does it! Even when she doesn't understand, she keeps going and loving: she personifies the statement, "Love never fails".
Tessa: Full of love and dreams. Her voice speaks truth and is encouraging and powerful! She gives all that she has and more, and trusts God for the rest. She loved on children at a drop-in center for vulnerable children in a very powerful way. She spoiled little kids in a way that beautifully displays the heart of the Father!
 Here is Tessa and Lindo, a beautiful girl, at the SACRO drop-in center.
Michelle: A true heart of compassion combined with wisdom and power to work to change things. She loves on the children at the drop-in center as well. Teaching them, serving them, and praying on their behalf-- believing more for them, and allowing God to take them there.
 Here is Michelle in Zinhle, a beautiful girl at SACRO.
J.B.: A heart for people. Able to build relationships with anyone, and willing to love the unlovable. Playing soccer with kids, men, everyone; encouraging and speaking truth to men in the bus ranks and youth in the church; and loving and blessing the homeless. He goes when he doesn't feel it, he perseveres despite challenges and trusts God to move! It is a powerful thing!
Michael: Personable and able to make friendships with everyone. Able to preach and speak truth to all people, and also willing just to listen. Goes where he is needed and gives what he has. He uses what he has or where he is to allow God to move.
Cassie (our leader): Giving and serving and obedient to the Lord. Willing to persevere when it is hard. Fights the fight and continues in the face of attack! She loves and encourages especially through sharing what the Lord is doing in her life. Has a beautiful excitement for the things of the Lord!
This is my team, my family, a body of Christ! I am blessed to see people walk in their identity and so thankful that above what part or role they play, they love! I am also so thankful for the whole body of Christ. The fact that brothers and sisters all over the world serve the same God; this is amazing, beautiful, and powerful! May we unite in love and grow in unity and fight for His kingdom to come! I thank my church, my community, my family, and friends who together form amazing bodies of Christ! What a beautiful thing, to work together with a single purpose, filled by one spirit, and known by love! I will miss my family here, but know that God has brought us together for a powerful purpose, and though we might now share a house in a month, we will still be united!
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 4/20/2008
"He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zachaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.'" Luke 19:1-6
This week a lot of us said goodbye to our current ministries as schools closed for their holiday break. Therefore, many of us had parties at our various locations. On Wednesday, I had a party for my students. I wrote all of them personal notes, baked cake, had popcorn (puff corn), and projected "Chronicles of Narnia" for them. It was a lot of fun. I dearly love these students and loved being able to give them a fun morning. While showing the film, the above scripture came to mind.
We were only able to show it to my class at first because the classroom couldn't hold more students. But that didn't keep other students from watching the movie. There were children hanging inside the windows, standing on stools outside to see in, and one student even climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of the movie. This reminded me of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was small of stature and couldn't see over the crowd, but that didn't keep him from seeing Jesus. Likewise, this student wasn't in grade four, and couldn't get up to the window to see, but that didn't stop him. My prayer is that these students would be even more excited to find Jesus than they were to see the movie. We showed Chronicles of Narnia so we could share about Jesus and remind them that we came to love them because Jesus loves them. They know all about Jesus, but it isn't personal, powerful, or loving. So please keep these children in your prayers! Let's fight on their behalf, that the intimacy of the Father would captivate their hearts.
And I pray that I will always be willing to climb the tree!
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 4/14/2008
The Lord is powerful. The Lord is good. The Lord is faithful and worthy, and the list could go on forever. I cannot describe the greatness of His name or His character. But one thing I can say, is that He needs no disclaimers. He needs no ifs. His covenants are always true. We may think that things are conditional, but the Lord's love is unconditional and His character never changes. This is what the Lord has been teaching me.
Life often seems to be based on circumstances, but God is bigger than this. When God made His promises to us He knew what tomorrow held! Nothing surprises Him and He is above all and in all. Do I understand bad things? No. Do I think that He causes evil things to happen? No. But I do know that He sees and knows and is continually there for us.
I look at people like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (also known as Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego). In Daniel 3 we read about their experience in the fiery furnace. They did not conditionally serve God. They did not say that if the Lord delivered them they would serve Him. They knew that the Lord made no disclaimers on His promises, and therefore they had no disclaimers in their lives. They did not know His plan, but they knew His heart. Therefore, they replied to the threat of the furnace, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." And God met them in this place and delivered them for His glory.
I examine the finite understanding that man has of God in the book of Mark in the tenth chapter. Here I see that the disciples could not grasp the magnitude of Christ. After addressing the rich young man, this is what Jesus said, ‘"How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!' And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.' And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.'" God knows how hard things are. He realizes that the things He desires for us are impossible if we are apart from Him, and yet He beckons us anyway. Why? How? For His glory and by His power. Nothing is impossible for God, no fine print needed. It is simple and it is true.
We each have a calling on our life. We each have a name, an identity in the Lord. There are mountains in our path and dreams that are bigger than us, and God has called us here. He knows that we can't do it, I think that is why He has brought us here. He asks us for faith, for faith to Claim this for Him, for faith to walk in who we are and testify to who He is.
The Lord selected and gifted individuals in order to construct His tabernacle as recorded in Exodus. These passages have comforted and challenged me in new ways. In Exodus 35:30-35 it says, "Then Moses said to the people of Israel,'See the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for settings, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver--by any sort of workman or skilled designer." You see, God asks us to do things that are beyond ourselves, but He also equips us to do these things. The pressure is not on us. By faith we walk in His calling, and in humility we walk without disclaimers.
I was recently convicted of the disclaimers that I speak about my life. The Lord told me a long time ago that I was His beloved physician. He told me that I was to pursue medicine and that this was part of what He made me for. He gave me details and left some things up to faith. However, when I speak with those around me, I place disclaimers on my life. I often say, "If I get into medical school," or, "I am working hard and hope to...". These would be o.k. statements if the Lord had not spoken clearly to me in this area. But He has. Therefore, my attitude should be, "By His grace when I get into medical school..." and "With His help I work hard to pursue His calling". You see nothing is impossible for Him. I pray that I grasp this and walk in it, and I pray that you also will receive His dreams for your life and dare to allow Him to do the impossible through you!
Join me in praising the Living God who delights in making the impossible possible!
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 3/31/2008
I wrote the previous blog yesterday afternoon, and then last night received two successive calls from my mom. The first phone call informed me that $1,000 had already been raised, and we just rejoiced in the way that the Lord was providing. We continued to talk and catch up and then said our goodbyes. Within an hour, I received a second call from my mother. She had just been informed that another $2,000 had been raised. Yes, from Wednesday to Sunday the Lord provided $3,000 and it isn't over yet. There are so many details I could write about, how the Lord's timing is always perfect, how the Lord provides and intricately works all things together for His good. But, instead I just want to praise my God. For He is good, and big, and faithful, and nothing is impossible for Him. I am overwhelmed by His goodness. When I first took the step of faith, I was certain that He would provide. However, as I thought about what I did, I questioned my actions. I wondered if I was crazy. So now I stand so blessed and so excited to testify about the power of my King! I pray that He will continue to open the floodgates of Heaven and provide beyond what we can imagine. I pray that the Lord will receive all the glory and that this will start a revival at school. There are already several students who have been so thankful and so excited about being able to stay at school, and we in turn get to tell them that it is all because a God loves them so much that He brought nations together to provide for their fees. So please join me in praising our God, and to all of you who have supported these students, this is the heart of God, and thank you for being obedient to His calling!
"Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords for his steadfast love endures forever, to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever... It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever, and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136: 1-4, 23-26
So I give thanks to the Provider of all good things, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the orchestrator of great works, for His steadfast love endures forever. To Him who remembers the orphaned and the poor, for His steadfast love endures forever. To Him who calls a simple girl to take a step of faith, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to Him who is faithful, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to Him to whom nothing is impossible, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the one who has the whole world in His hands, for His steadfast love endures forever! Give thanks to the Lord of Swaziland and America, His steadfast love endures forever!
What a mighty God we serve!
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 3/31/2008
This week I was reminded of a story I’ve heard in church several times.
One day a little girl went out onto the beach only to discover that thousands of starfish had been washed up onto the shore and were unable to return to the ocean. She immediately began to throw them back into the ocean one at a time. A little while later, a man came walking down the beach and stopped when he saw her. He asked what she was doing, as she couldn’t possibly help them all. She replied, maybe not, but it matters to this one.
Sometimes I feel just like that little girl! Every day I hear of kids who are hungry, people who are sick and dying, abuse and neglect, people who just need a little help, and I am trying to throw them back into the water with God’s help. I continue to try and seek the Lord’s heart in this, and am learning to trust all of these things to him. I may not be able to help all of them; indeed, the Lord is not calling me to help all of these situations, but when He calls me to throw one back in the ocean, I know that it will matter to that one!
So this week, the Lord placed on my heart a God sized vision. On Wednesday, I was testing my children’s vision when the headmaster came in asking for certain kids to come to his office. After a few minutes they returned to class only to get their backpacks and leave. I asked another student what was happening and they told me the students had been sent home because they had not paid their school fees. You see, there is no free education in Swaziland, and many children cannot afford the costs. Often the school lets them come for a while but then they are sent home before examinations, meaning that even if they have mastered the material, they will have to start over next year. Exams start today. My heart broke when I saw many of my students go home, and thought about what that meant for them. What would they do if they are sitting at home all day everyday? Would they be safe? What will their future look like? What would the Lord have me do? So I asked to see a list of all of the students who were unable to pay, and also asked to see how much they owed. The next morning I was given a list of 127 students, and I didn’t know what to do! I had no idea that this many had been sent home. As I copied the list I became overwhelmed once again by Swaziland. The school fees that they owe now totaled over 4,000 American dollars, and what was the Lord asking me to do. I went back in to talk with the headmaster and just felt like I was supposed to stand in the gap for these little children. I hate being seen as the white American with money when I come as an ambassador of Christ, but I also remember that Jesus said to help those who are less fortunate. All of a sudden I found myself saying that I would try and find sponsors for all of the children, and by the end of the day the headmaster had agreed to allow the children to come back to write their exams and I would pay the school as soon as I got the money.
Friday a beautiful student in my fourth grade class, Nondumiso, had returned to school with a huge smile on her face! She has captured my heart and I continually pray that the Lord would have his hand on her life and bring her up as a mighty woman of God. She is smart and is such an amazing girl! And it matters to this one!
My teacher, Nana, and I have been able to have many conversations as we teach together. When I began to talk to her about school fees she was so grateful that I was looking into helping these students. When she asked me if I was going to pay for them all, I reminded her that I did not have the money. She looked puzzled, and I replied that I serve a mighty God and he was leading me into this decision and so I was taking a step of faith trusting that He will provide. So that is what I am doing! I am trusting the Lord in the midst of feeling crazy, and know that nothing is impossible for Him!
So I ask you to pray over this situation. I am looking for sponsors for many children at Ezulwini Catholic Primary School. These students are from grade 1 to grade 7. Most of these children have some kind of parents, but their families just cannot afford school fees. What the children owe right now averages to $35 per student. If you are interested in helping us out, or would like to know more, please contact me or my mom, Kathleen Ingram. My e-mail is ingraca@auburn.edu, my mother’s e-mail is atiad81@earthlink.net. The Lord is already providing some money, and I am excited to see the Lord bring the rest of the money in! All of the money will go directly to the school, and I am able to obtain receipts, and can even send you a picture of a child and a thank you letter, as this will be a great blessing to these children! Isn’t it great that we serve a big God who cares for each of us. I know that this is impossible for me, but I rejoice in the fact that nothing is impossible for Him!
Thank you for your prayers! They keep me going in this hard place!
by His grace,
Carrie
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 3/24/2008
Isn’t it funny how so much comes down to perspective. Thursday, Chelsea and I went walking back into the community near our house hoping to run into our students and hang out with them. Before we had gone too far down the dirt path, we met a group of girls from our school. We walked with them to their homestead singing and talking, and just having a good time. We met her family and after a while the mom told our friend to take us to the shop. Chelsea and I agreed not knowing what was in store for us. We began walking back from where we came from but then turned down a different little path. We walked and walked and walked seemingly going nowhere. Finally, after a long hike uphill we got on a dirt road. We continued walking and talking with these girls and after a few more turns we finally came to the shop. We literally just looked at the shop and then kept going. Chelsea and I had no idea where we were at this time. We just kept following our friends trusting that these little ones knew where we were. While passing a homestead we were invited in and when they asked us where we lived, we could only reply, “I think near here.” Needless to say this brought about a good bit of laughter. We continued on our way and after chasing goats and a little girl catching a giant grasshopper for dinner, Chelsea and I began to get a little nervous that we wouldn’t make it home before it got dark. We asked the girls if they were taking us home, and in return they raised their eyebrows. This normally means yes, but it wasn’t the firm answer I was looking for. Right when I was sure we were lost, we emerged onto the main road... on the other side... two houses from where we stay. I was amazed! If only I could see!
This might sound crazy, but this is exactly what the Lord has been teaching me! The Lord has been showing me that first I must desire to see through His eyes! He sees all, and understands all! He determines my path and therefore I might not always understand what is going on, but I can be confident that He is in control. My thoughts are so limited, but His are infinite, and if I walk in faith, he will lead me on His path. Just like the little girls led me on an amazing adventure through their community, He will lead me safely home and I don’t have to know the way.
Of course I desire to have my mind set on Him, and I desire to know the way. But I must be willing to have faith and be obedient either way. This Holy Week was wonderful, and as I looked through the scriptures one thing stood out. In a short time span Peter goes from proclaiming Jesus as the Christ to rebuking Him for speaking about his coming death and resurrection. Peter went from having his mind set on the Lord to having his mind set on the things of man, and is sharply rebuked. But Peter’s mind couldn’t comprehend Jesus’ death and resurrection. Likewise, my mind finds it hard to understand many of the Lord’s paths in my life. Sometimes I don’t know how I got to Africa, but then I marvel at the work He is doing. So I ask for the Lord to give me grace to see through His eyes, and remember that I serve a living God! My God died and rose again! He has risen! He has risen indeed! I cannot understand it, but I see it through His eyes, and nothing is impossible for this Lord!
I pray that we will all receive His spiritual eyes so that we can walk in the power of the resurrection and can walk secure knowing that He directs our path!
May you have a very blessed week!
Carrie
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 3/17/2008
The Lord has greatly blessed me during this past week! He has heard my cry for encouragement and strength and has lavishly lifted my head! I cannot begin to describe how wonderful my week has been, and so I want to give glory to the Lord at this time!
Clinic went really well, and I was able to contribute more than I usually do.
I taught science class this week, and the students were amazing! They had a lot of fun and I could just feel the Lord loving them through me. This was nothing big for American students, but I think it was a new experience for them. They were able to learn hands on, and it was such a joy to be able to provide them with this opportunity. I am so blessed to begin to be able to see relationships developing and to be able to just continue to love on them and speak truth into their lives.
Bible Study has also been challenging and has been such a blessing to me! The Fraser's have been so hospitable and have spiritually fed and encouraged me. I was especially confronted this week by who I love more. The Lord reminded me that I am to love him first and always. So when I get home sick, I have to seek the reason for it, and make sure that my heart and focus remain on Christ!
We were also able to watch a movie on the projector and it was a great night of family fun! We made pizza and just got to be a "family". It was so nice!
Church was great and again challenged me to make Christ the Lord of all areas of my life! The Lord has been calling me to a deeper level of sacrifice and faith, and as I continue to press in deeper, he meets me with His power!
I also found out that my parents are coming to see me in April, and this makes me so excited!
I could continue, about the little ways the Lord has blessed me, but know that He hears our cries and is quick to answer. I praise Him for His steadfast love and faithfulness.
On a different note, please keep the nation of Swaziland in your prayers as workers are striking in certain areas and there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the government at this time.
Happy Easter! I pray that the Lord will richly meet you during this holy week! I am so thankful that I serve a living and active God. May He be exalted this week and always!
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Posted in General Articles
by Carrie Ingram
on 3/8/2008
Beautiful mountains, roadside markets, speed bumps without number, cows everywhere, noisy bus ranks, hospitable people, and many other things are Swaziland. This is what you see at the surface. Once you begin to go deeper, you realize some of the harsher realities of this society. It doesn't take long to discover that everyone in this country is touched by AIDS. Whether they have it or someone in their family has it, its effects go deep. Orphans are everywhere. Children are raising children, grandparents are raising their grandchildren as the parent generation is dying. School is expensive, and hope is waning as situations look bleak. Jobs are few, church is often twisted, and daily survival is often the goal. Science class teaches about appropriate touches because abuse is so common. Two children at one care point were raped last week. Two teachers who work for this organization are fighting for their marriages in spite of their husbands lack of faithfulness. Witchcraft and fear reign over this country and spiritual warfare is so very real. This is just a glimpse of this country. These people are beautiful, but they are in bondage to so many things. It is easy to say that it is hopeless, but this too is a lie. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, and so I will continue to pray, knowing that this is the most powerful thing! I have been struggling to continue without seeing fruit. I have been fighting for faith, and the Lord is answering my prayer! He has encouraged me this week through the story of Joseph. In spite of the situation looking bleak, Joseph kept his faith. The Lord was with him and he was successful in all that He did. Even in prison the Lord was with him. And the Lord was also preparing for the future. In spite of it looking hopeless, Joseph continued, and through him the Lord spared His people. And in hindsight Joseph was able to see the hand of God in every moment. It was hard, and it was painful, but it was not pointless. I am here, and I am walking with the Lord, and He is moving! And because I am here, you are reading this, and you are praying, and the Lord is moving through your prayers! So keep praying, and in faith wait to see the Lord move and provide! Thank you for your partnership! The Lord is big! Thank God He is God!
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