March 19, 2017

March Update and 2016 Review

We’ve been looking back at what our mission organization has been able to accomplish in 2016. We’re proud to say that we’re only a small part of this movement in Swaziland. We’re grateful that God plans are bigger than our plans- we are sitting back in amazement of what he’s doing here.

Ministry is more about quality over quantity, but sometimes the numbers are fun to look at and be encouraged at all the Lord is doing-

2016 stats

  • 7,200 children fed minimum 5 days/week at 38 carepoints
  • Pounds of Food Served: 553,533
  • Home Visits: 765
  • Care Packages: 720
  • School Packages: 450
  • School Uniforms: 350
  • Scholarships: 203 (school is free until 8th grade)
  • Short Term Missionaries Hosted: 502

This Year:

We’ve had a great start to 2017- K2 the Church and a World Race squad have already paid visits and another WR squad will arrive this month. We feel refreshed by simply spending some quality time with Americans who are coming to the mission field with fresh eyes and energy- some fellow Utahns no less! One of our western staff members got married this month to a Swazi staff member and we had a great time seeing a blend of cultures in action at the festivities. (Watch the video below to the end to see Zach learn to dance at the wedding!)

Our Current Season:

Jesus called us to be his hands and feet; he called us to surrender. One way we’re trying to surrender is with our time so we can keep healthy disciplines. We’re trying to take a full day off once a week, trying to read and pray as a family more. It’s really helped us to keep from getting frustrated with small things. Still, if we can be honest, some days it’s hard to relax. It’s surprisingly easy to question ourselves: “Are we being effective”? “Are we doing harm living in the ‘wealthy’ part of town”? “Do we have too many luxuries?” In times like these, it’s been great to go back through the encouraging notes and cards from you guys. Thank you to everyone who is supporting us through prayer and also financially, we’re so blessed and thankful to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Please take a minute each day this week and pray for Swaziland, we’ve noticed a creeping darkness that we’ve seen taking ground this month. Please join us in praying for God to shine a light, to change the country forever.

Praise report:

We’re feeling really blessed to have found some new friends that are a source of life and joyful community. We’ve also been able to have some great church experiences lately which had been a struggle for most of 2016. Thank you for your many prayers!!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any prayer requests or questions about the ministry.



God bless,
Brandon and Melinda.




3 Comments

Tara Ross

March 20, 2017 at 3:05 AM So glad for the update! It’s wonderful to hear from you! I appreciate how you are surrendering your time, even when you must be so overwhelmed by how much there is to be done. I love the re-centering as a discipline.

I’m so excited to hear about the wedding! 🙂

Can you share more about the “creeping darkness” and how we can more specifically pray about that? .. And OH I am so glad to hear that you have made some new friends and had some good church experiences! Love you and can’t wait to hug you all!

Lindsey Baxter

March 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM What a beautiful vido you share and I love your hearts. You are making a difference and it’s amazing to see. Keeping you in my prayers for safety and strength, for the kids and Swaziland

Heidi Rogers

March 21, 2017 at 8:00 PM I love the video! God bless you guys!

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