What an amazing week it has been here in Pretoria. God has taken me on another unexpected journey, revealing Himself in so many ways day in and day out. Have been here since last Wednesday with a precious little 9 year old girl from Swaziland named Lomasontfo. What began as a simple trip to South Africa has really turned into another great “God” adventure. Lomasontfo has a rapidly growing aneurysmic bone cyst on her left mandible that has grown to the point of needing immediate attention if she was to survive. (look at all the fancy words I’m learning too)

 Our medical team at Childrens Cup has been working for months to get the Swazi government to pay for her treatment in South Africa as the Swazi doctors are simply not equipped to deal with her condition. Long story short, the progress was coming to a halt so our medical team and Cup staff went to work to find a way to get Lomasontfo some help. As always, after much hard work God came through in the form of help from Mission of Mercy who granted a substantial sum of money in order that her life could be saved. 

So here I go to Pretoria, South Africa with 3 people I don’t know and only one that speaks English as a native language. Along with Lomasontfo was her older sister, who initially was not too happy about the whole thing(had to bring a family member as we were transporting a minor across international borders as well as for medical consent) and Lori Schweighardt, a missionary who works with the church and CarePoint near Lomasontfos home. Lori is just an incredible lady who has worked with Lomasontfo for quite some time and really has a gift for children. She’s also pretty good at reading a map, keeping my directionally challenged self from getting hopelessly lost!!

In the midst of all the medical procedures and occasional frustrations that go along with such things (especially in Africa!!) God has been our constant comfort and companion, always paving the way in front of us and showing up just at the right time. There are way too many examples to try to capture them all here, but from providing a 3D CT scan at no charge, to finding a safe place to stay He has just blessed us beyond belief.

My heart was heavy for this incredible little girl as we started this journey, not knowing for sure whether she could be helped, or even the grim reality that she may not survive the surgery. Even though she is so severely afflicted she still has that childlike joy and innocence. You can see the smile in the pictures. She got her very first Barbie doll (well sorta, it was a knock off Barbie, coconut scented doll with a big sticker that said “smell me”)  as well as her first trip to Macdonalds on this trip. I was pretty excited about Macdonalds too!

 She doesn’t talk much but she loves to sing and dance, both of which she is very good at. It’s been so cool to watch her and her sister too as they really open up to the love that God has for them both. I can only hope that in some small way to be an example to them of the unending love of Jesus. These are ministry opportunities that are just priceless, I don’t want to miss a single one.

My prayers have gone from those of healing to those of simple love and thankfulness to God for the life of this beautiful child that He has so graciously allowed me to be a part of. God is in the healing business. He can and will heal her completely as He sees fit. As we continue to embrace His love, we are embracing His presence in our lives and if nothing else that’s the “Romans 8:38” kind of love I want them both to experience.

 And after all….If God be for us, who can be against us? Thanks for your love and prayers.