I Believe in Angels









I've always believed that God leads His people. The first time we traveled to Swaziland, Africa, in 2006, was expecting His guidance more than ever, even if it meant sending an angel to trumpet the way. My husband Tracy and I knew He was tugging on our hearts to go, but our question was whether or not He was also asking us to move to Swaziland.

I'd heard about the children orphaned by AIDS, but until I arrived, there was no way to imagine how hopeless their situation had become. Swaziland is a kingdom of about 1 million people. It has the highest incidence of AIDS in the world--some estimates are up to half the population.

During that first visit, I was shocked to see how few middle-aged adults were still living. Then stricken to learn that only one in ten children will live to be 35 years old.

The statistics were blows to my way of thinking. Over 11% of the homesteads are led by children. The parents aren't at work. They're not out of town for the weekend. They're dead. And the children fend for themselves.

That number doesn't take into account the children who are living with relatives who don't want them. Aunts and uncles who are already struggling to feed their own children. Grandmothers, called gogos, who feel life had paid a dirty trick on them, for after raising their own children and expecting to be cared for in old age, they are now raising several grandchildren while grieving for lost sons and daughters. Often they're trying to keep sick children alive with little food or medicine.

Incidences of child trafficking have skyrocketed. Vulnerable children are kidnapped on their way to school or while carrying water. They're forced into hard labor or sold to the sex trade. As much as that breaks my heart, I've been tormented even more over children who have so little self-worh that they willingly sell their bodies for one ride on the school bus.

To make a nearly hopeless situation even worse, there is much misinformation about how AIDS is spread. One myth says that having sex with a virgin will cure the AIDS, so this adds to the number of children who are raped as they cross a field on the way home from school.

The need is overwhelming, and over time I found myself tempted to think we'd never make a dent.

Then I met Angel Khoza. Her father is deceased, and there is no information available on her mother. She's living with her grandmother, who is raising many other grandchildren. But Angel smiled at me and totally melted my heart. After returning home, she was in my thoughts and prayers often. So when I went back to Swaziland this year, I searched for her in the crowds of children at the squatter's camp.

Sure enough, when she arrived, she made her way over to me for a big hug. I teased, "I know you! What's your name?" After a two year absence, I wanted to be sure I really had the right child since they change so much.

She replied with a shy smile, "Angel."

I pretended to be shocked, as though I were meeting a movie star or famous politician as I asked, "Angel Khoza?" Her mouth flew open, she squealed in delight, and she threw her arms around me in a huge hug as she propelling herself onto me. She was amazed that I really knew her. She stayed by my side for the entire visit, joyfully beaming and nearly knocking me over with continual hugs.

I couldn't help but think that if this were the only reason I returned to Africa, it would be worth the trip. Angel needed to know she was much more than just one more face in the crowd of needy children. She is known. Important. Cherished. Valued. Loved.

And as much as I remember her, how much more does our heavenly Father know and love her?

God sees all the children the same way I see little Angel. He is filled with the joy of knowing them individually. He sees calling. He sees potential. And He sees a plan to connect many of His people with these hurting children so they will also know they're loved.

He made my job clear on that first visit, and He didn't even have to send an archangel with the message. He wasn't calling me to move to Africa, but rather to share the plight of these kids with my American brothers and sisters. And while we aren't exactly "angels," He still wants to use some of us to share His message of love.

Together, we're making a difference. Over 50 children are attending school, eating regular meals, and receiving God's love because of our partners. Children sponsorship is only $25 a month. Won't you ask Him if He's calling you to be His hands and feet to His precious children in Swaziland and Mozambique?

Yes, I believe in angels. I believe in all the "Angels" in this world. And I believe in the special messengers of love who will join hands with us at Grand Staff Ministries so we can make a difference.

Child sponsorship is a wonderful way to provide schooling and food to children who would otherwise go without. For only $25 a month, you can change the future--and we believe even eternity--for one child!

One of our tasks while we're in Africa is to identify needy children who are under the care of a godly overseer. We only work with people we have come to trust, knowing that integrity with the funds is of the utmost importance. These ministers ensure that the funds are spent on the children's needs. They are also responsible for sharing God's love with each child. Some of these are pastors who have taken in orphans, while others have started Christian schools for the children.

We have children in Swaziland and Mozambique waiting for sponsors.

In Swaziland, HIV/AIDS has left a tremendous number of children without parents, education, food, or even hope. Swaziland has the highest incidence of AIDS in the world. A few of the children from Hope House in Motshane are profiled below. Please contact us if one of them has touched your heart.

Wonderboy is an 8 year old orphan who loves basketball and soccer. He hopes to be a teacher someday. His father died of AIDS when he was about 3 years old, and his mother is also sick and dying. His relatives have many challenges already caring for their own families, so Hope House was asked to help him and his sister Lindelwa, pictured below.

Lindelwa is 9 years old, loves netball, and wants to someday design and make dresses. She had a hearing problem that the specialists were unable to help with. Her teachers were unable to communicate with her in class. By God's grace, she was miraculously healed, and her hearing is restored.

Nqobile and her twin brother live at the squatter's camp in Manzini, Swaziland. Their mother is deceased, and their father's whereabouts are unknown. They lived with their grandmother until she also died. They had no one to care for them, so Pastor Sambo of The Faithful Church took them in. He and his wife have several children of their own, yet they could not let these children roam about uncared for. They are laying down their lives every day . . . one of us needs to come alongside them to help lift the burden. Ultimately, it will help keep that smile on little Nqobile's face.

Many other children are waiting besides those pictured here. If you would like to see more photos, please contact us. Thank you.