Want to get involved in the Swaziland
ministry? Going isn’t the only option…
Mindy Harrington is a prime example of carrying on
the ministry she was first introduced to during her trip to Swaziland in
2009. In an interview with Mindy she
shared her heart for Swaziland and some of the experiences that impacted her
enough to carry on the ministry even a year after her trip.
God began preparing Mindy for Swaziland a whole year
in advance, the year before her 50th birthday! Fifty is a big number, and Mindy expressed
the negative feelings and dread she had towards the big five-oh and how God
wanted to redeem that for her. She felt
called to designate her 49th year a Year of Jubilee in preparation
for her next big hurtle. During this
year of jubilee in Mindy’s life, she began feeling called to go to Africa! During her search for mission trips, she
found an adult trip that landed right over her 50th birthday and she
took the big leap!
“I didn’t
know anybody!“ Mindy recounts, she had never travelled by herself,
but she said, “Okay Lord, it’s you and me…let’s go!” And so she waved goodbye to her husband at
the airport and flew to Africa. Once in
the Johannesburg airport she began searching for her teammates. She spotted a few people wearing the same AIM
shirts clumped together and headed in their direction and they all bonded very
quickly.
When asked what sort of experiences stuck out in Mindy’s memory, she recalled
some of their ministry opportunities.
One of the ministry opportunities was VBS, the program of which Mindy
put together herself. She explained how
she felt like God really helped her come up with what they should do and how
wonderful it was to see everyone else enabled to put it into practice. “It was really neat to see how everyone would
come together and work together in the different culture.”
The memories kept coming to mind as Mindy related
them. She spoke about how the poverty
was very striking. “To see those little 2 and 3 year-olds walking all by
themselves along that long, dirt road to the care point, because that’s where
they knew help was, was really moving to me.
Working with the AIDs support group, the women would get all dressed up
in their best clothes with their high heels and they would walk all the way to
the support group and then would have to walk all the way back. And to meet pastor Gift and see how he was
giving his life to this ministry…”
Another memory spoke loud and clear, “I learned so
much about ‘being’ and to see the listening prayer put into practice.” In one instance, she was sitting by a Gogo
(an African term for Grandma) and they didn’t speak the same language at all
and they were just sitting there and she said, “‘Boy I wish I could do
something!’ and her leader said, ‘You are doing something.’ And just to be sitting their validating
somebody by being with them was very eye opening.” Mindy went on and on recounting the memories
that made her experience in Swaziland so life changing.
But then, she came home and found herself asking,
“Well, now what?” She shared how she
would frequently pray, “I don’t know what to do, God, but I’m available.” She and her teammates reconnected after a
while and began bouncing ideas around of what they could do to carry on the
ministry they were a part of in Swaziland while being stateside. The idea of a bake sale was thrown out and it
stuck with Mindy so she ran with it!
She and her son made tons of food! Her friend and her 4 year old daughter
brought in tons of pink cup cakes. Mindy
began crying over the phone as she related the story. “Each time we sold something
we would tell what the bake sale was for and how we were raising funds for
Swaziland, and soon the kids would come in with their whole piggy banks and I
would ask, ‘Well how much do you want to give?’ and they would respond, ‘All of
it.'” It was so touching to hear how one
woman’s experience on a mission trip in Swaziland, stuck with her so deeply
that when she shared her stories others were moved to give all they had; their
whole piggy banks.
Swazi Vehicle Fund Update!
The
Lord provides! A World Race alumni
recently raised $7,000 for the
Swaziland vehicle fund! This is very
close to what is required for us to be able purchase a sturdy 4WheelDrive
Pajero that can handle the rough roads of Swaziland. In the past month, we went from needing to
raise $11,950 to $4,950!
This vehicle will make a
difference in the lives of the people and children AIM ministers to causing
us to quickly and efficiently bring food and supplies to their aid. Our Swazi staff will be blessed by this
vehicle; it will make airport trips to pick up mission teams cheaper and
easier. 
Another
AIM alumni recently raised $5,000
through a junior high youth group fundraiser to provide food supplies for the
people of Swaziland! Nothing is
impossible; we praise the Lord and thank you for the difference you are making
in our ministry and the people of Swaziland.
Tragic Loss…
We
were recently informed that Jumbo’s mother passed away June 13th. With Jumbo and Kriek having a baby on the
way, it is very hard for them
as Jumbo’s mother was so looking forward to being
a part of her grandchild’s life. Her
passing is a mystery as the doctors reported that her heart simply stopped beating;
she was 62 years old. Please be praying
for the Gerber’s as they walk through this sad loss. Their faith is strong and sure as they take
confidence in the One who is by her side now.
Jumbo’s mom was a tireless servant who could cook for hundreds. Hers was a life well lived with her family
and community. For those of you who know
Jumbo and Kriek, a word of encouragement can go a long way at this time.
THANK FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND PARTNERSHIP!
Sincerely,
AIM
Swaziland
