Swaziland Mission Trip
Donation protected
www.hopechest.org
Hi Friends,
Visiting South Africa with an intention full of help, hope and service has been a dream of mine since before the year 2000. Opportunities to visit South Africa came and went over the last 20 years and I know now that it has been all God’s timing, not mine. In fact, in 2003, as I was finishing up my BA in anthropology I had begun the intense Peace Corps application process where I had requested to be stationed in South Africa. I soon learned that my husband and I were expecting our first child. Obviously, my life took on a different path than the one I thought planned. Over the last few years, I have felt this yearning and heaviness in my heart to give back to God’s people. South Africa is always in the back of my mind. It’s hard to explain really, it’s like a gentle tugging or a quiet reverent connectedness I feel towards this place.
The church that I attend, La Croix United Methodist, has partnered with an organization called Children’s Hope Chest. Over the last few years, I have watched the partnership amongst this organization and our church congregation grow to fascinating heights. Orphaned children and their communities are being transformed due to the partnership between La Croix and Hope Chest. Children who would not otherwise have access to clean water or a regular meal now have it. I believe that we, as Americans, can often take this for granted.
Since you are reading this, I ask you to just pause for a moment and think about your own life without fresh water. Think about not being able to give your child, or yourself, a drink of water without causing potential death and disease. Think about abandoning your child because you couldn't get adequite medical care. I am enamored with the transformation that is not only happening in the Swaziland community, but also in the hearts of the La Croix congregation and even more so in my own heart. I want to give to this opportunity in more ways than just sending a monthly check. I feel blessed and honored that God has put this so heavy on my heart to offer my service to Hope Chest and the children in Swaziland. Some may think it ridiculous to get involved and some may think it too risky, but I think it necessary and of obligation.
After much research, I have been greatly touched by the work that Children's Hope Chest is doing in the world. Their moto is “Transforming lives and communities through partnerships.” Children’s Hope Chests’ website explains that, “together we can empower vulnerable children and their communities to become holistically transformed, while reducing poverty, abandonment and violence.” I highly suggest you visit their website for yourself. Who knows, you may be greatly touched and inspired as well.
Our family personally sponsors a child through the Timbutini-woh, Swaziland community. It is a great possibility that I will be able to meet the young girl who we sponsor. How awesome to be able to meet her and get to know her and share God’s love with her. It makes my heart sing.
Swaziland has the greatest number of orphaned children on the African continent because their Aids/HIV rate is as high as 25% of the population. This astounding number is representative of extreme brokenness, but I believe that miseducation, lack of medical care and nonexistent Christian values may have a lot to do with it. One of the dire repercussions of this problem is abandoned children and siblings raising siblings. So, I humbly ask for your support to aid my attempt in helping to spread the love and hope of Christ to these deserving children.
Kind regards,
Jill LeGrand
Hi Friends,
Visiting South Africa with an intention full of help, hope and service has been a dream of mine since before the year 2000. Opportunities to visit South Africa came and went over the last 20 years and I know now that it has been all God’s timing, not mine. In fact, in 2003, as I was finishing up my BA in anthropology I had begun the intense Peace Corps application process where I had requested to be stationed in South Africa. I soon learned that my husband and I were expecting our first child. Obviously, my life took on a different path than the one I thought planned. Over the last few years, I have felt this yearning and heaviness in my heart to give back to God’s people. South Africa is always in the back of my mind. It’s hard to explain really, it’s like a gentle tugging or a quiet reverent connectedness I feel towards this place.
The church that I attend, La Croix United Methodist, has partnered with an organization called Children’s Hope Chest. Over the last few years, I have watched the partnership amongst this organization and our church congregation grow to fascinating heights. Orphaned children and their communities are being transformed due to the partnership between La Croix and Hope Chest. Children who would not otherwise have access to clean water or a regular meal now have it. I believe that we, as Americans, can often take this for granted.
Since you are reading this, I ask you to just pause for a moment and think about your own life without fresh water. Think about not being able to give your child, or yourself, a drink of water without causing potential death and disease. Think about abandoning your child because you couldn't get adequite medical care. I am enamored with the transformation that is not only happening in the Swaziland community, but also in the hearts of the La Croix congregation and even more so in my own heart. I want to give to this opportunity in more ways than just sending a monthly check. I feel blessed and honored that God has put this so heavy on my heart to offer my service to Hope Chest and the children in Swaziland. Some may think it ridiculous to get involved and some may think it too risky, but I think it necessary and of obligation.
After much research, I have been greatly touched by the work that Children's Hope Chest is doing in the world. Their moto is “Transforming lives and communities through partnerships.” Children’s Hope Chests’ website explains that, “together we can empower vulnerable children and their communities to become holistically transformed, while reducing poverty, abandonment and violence.” I highly suggest you visit their website for yourself. Who knows, you may be greatly touched and inspired as well.
Our family personally sponsors a child through the Timbutini-woh, Swaziland community. It is a great possibility that I will be able to meet the young girl who we sponsor. How awesome to be able to meet her and get to know her and share God’s love with her. It makes my heart sing.
Swaziland has the greatest number of orphaned children on the African continent because their Aids/HIV rate is as high as 25% of the population. This astounding number is representative of extreme brokenness, but I believe that miseducation, lack of medical care and nonexistent Christian values may have a lot to do with it. One of the dire repercussions of this problem is abandoned children and siblings raising siblings. So, I humbly ask for your support to aid my attempt in helping to spread the love and hope of Christ to these deserving children.
Kind regards,
Jill LeGrand
Organizer
Jill Jungers LeGrand
Organizer
Cape Girardeau, MO