We must go live to feed the hungry and stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward, keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
Fill us up, send us out…
As we seek Your face we remind ourselves of a broken world
-Tim Hughes "God of Justice"

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible….and without faith it is impossible to please God. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family." Hebrews 11:1, 3a, 6, 7

This week has been kind of frustrating in seeing the hurt and need in Swaziland.  There is so much to do and so little that I am able to do.  Sometimes I feel that I am trying to put a Band-aid over a wound that needs stitches…
    We have been here for 5 weeks and it is awesome to finally be making some real relationships with people here and living life with them.  I want to be able to use every ounce of energy that I have here in Swazi while I am here.  I am truly enjoying my time here and though what I am doing is challenging, it is very worth it.  It is funny because all of the Swazis that we meet say, "Only 4 months! Your time here is so short."  Many times to me it seems so long!  
    My friend Erin on the other Swazi team spoke at our team dinner last night and she had very encouraging words.  She has been reading in Hebrews and spoke about Hebrews 11 where it talks about living by faith.  I am here in Swazi living by faith, and knowing that I may not see the fruits of my labor here.  I am living here by faith knowing that God is moving and He will continue the work and love that I am trying to pour out.  Erin's words were so encouraging about the others in Hebrews 11 who lived by faith in hopes of what God was going to do through them.  
    Working with kids who are hurting and have so many problems can be so frustrating and draining, but God's word promises that if I am living by faith then I can trust that God is going to do the impossible.  Ultimately the people who I interact with are in God's hands and He will fulfill His plan for their lives. I am merely a tool that God is using for this time.  
    Erin encouraged us to write our own part in Hebrews as a child of God living by faith.  Here is mine:
   
By faith, Nicole took 4 months of her life to dedicate to the people of Swaziland.  She helped teach 6th graders English and she poured out love to them.  Nicole spent every bit of energy and strength that God gave her to minister to the people of Swaziland, and by faith she entrusted her new relationships to God with full expectancy that He would continue to move in their lives.  Even though she could not see the future God had for their lives, she relied on the promises of an unfailing God.  By faith Nicole lived in Swaziland, knowing that God had called her here for such a time as this to be the hands and feet of Christ to a lost and broken nation.