Writing My Story and Theirs

A friend I've never met, but who is definitely a kindred spirit, who shares my heart for Africa and desire to serve God, who visited my special children while she was in Swaziland this fall, wrote this blog post.  She says so beautifully many of the same things I've seen in my own life in 2010 and also what I pray will be accomplished in 2011.

There are 4 days left of 2010. Many chapters have been written.

If your story has been like mine,  it’s been filled with some extreme highs & some shocking lows. But that’s what makes a good story, isn’t it? Intrigue. Seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Then at the last possible moment a hero rides in to save the damsel & her dying city from sure defeat?

Jesus has been my hero this year. And He’s saved me from losing my mind in the midst of the darkest days. And truth be told, it’s been during those difficult times that I’ve felt closest to Him.

Here’s how I want the last four pages of my 2010 storybook fulfilled. I want to be found…
Loving – my family, my friends & my enemies with Christ’s unconditional love
Laughing – finding joy in the simple things
Giving – giving my time, my resources, myself like never before
Advocating – being a voice for the ‘least of these’

Truth be told, I’m not so concerned about my 2010 Storybook ending on a high note. I want to Change the Storybooks for some kids I met back in September in Swaziland, Africa. I saw first hand what a difference an education can make. Education is often the deciding factor of a life filled with hope or a life left to chance. And in Swaziland, the chances are not in a child’s favor.

Because of the impact of extreme poverty, many children in Swaziland, Africa do not have the opportunity to go to school. They must work, search for food, or walk long distances to get water. However, even with these obstacles removed, many children cannot afford the minimal costs of school attendance.

Help keep a child in school–where they belong–learning how to read and write and study. Education is the key to independence and the gateway to making dreams come true. Sometimes, those fees are less than $100/year. Your funds will support our Bheveni CarePoint (and other carepoints) in Africa that work with children to develop their educational opportunities AND their Christian character.

So how will you spend your last 4 days of 2010?
Will you send it out with a BANG?
Give more than you ever have?
Dream bigger than you thought you could?
Change the story of children who need an education?

Just say YES! You’ve got just 4 days to change not only your story, but to change the life story of a child in Swaziland. Be the hero. Be the hands & feet of Jesus, who rides in to change the story & bring hope to a dying nation!

Change Their Story by providing Education Opportunities
My sons have been raising funds to help children in Swaziland, specifically at our Bheveni Carepoint, to have a chance at an education. They have raised nearly $800 towards their goal of $1,000. That $1,000 could provide a year of education for up to TEN kids! For many, money is the only thing stopping them from attending school. Please visit Andy & Jonny’s webpage at the link above, for more info & be sure to click that big SUPPORT ME button!

I pray that as your 2010 Storybook comes to a close, you are able to open the first chapter of 2011 with hope & joy & an outward focus on changing the Storybooks of children all over the world! Adventure awaits!