OK so I suppose I need to do a Lomosontfo update. If you are not up to date on the story of our little friend from Maphaveni you can get up to speed with the Nov 17, 2008 posting on this site.

It’s just been an incredible story from the start and another opportunity to see God work and show Himself strong to unbelievers. We had to wait til after the new year began to be able to round up all the necessary surgeons needed for the operation. In addition to the maxiofacial specialist performing the bulk of the operation a vascular surgeon was required to tie off the carotid in the neck as well as a plastic surgeon. Long story short, the surgery went EXTREMELY well, completed in under 6 hours. They were able to perform all the work from inside her mouth, saving a very large incision that would have been required on the outside of her face. Lomosontfos jaw will be wired shut until mid March when they can be removed. Her rapid healing has amazed the doctors and hospital staff, we were able to bring her back to Swaziland in less than 3 weeks after the surgery. Considering they had to remove the entire left side of her jaw and replace it with a new joint at the back and a metal replacement jaw that is screwed into her existing bone at the front her recovery is nothing short of miraculous. God surely gets all the glory for this. Thanks to all who have faithfully prayed for this precious child…..James 5:16-17

…pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.   NKJV

As you can see there is still a considerable amount of swelling which is continuing to improve. Doctors say that her cheekbone was actually moved out of place by the tumor but will find its way back to normal with time. We are housing her at the Mahkholweni clinic until the wires can be removed next month. Lomosontfo has been able to resume school here and has adjusted well to the new surroundings. Its been amazing to see the transformation in her with the growth that was so prominent on her face no longer there she seems to be much more comfortable around people. She loves to sing and dance and has been quite busy practicing these skills since returning.  Her English has also improved dramatically (can’t say the same for my Siswati) since that was the only way she could communicate with me.  She did teach me a few new words, let’s hope I retain them.

All in all, another life changing experience for all who were involved, especially me. Thanks to the multitude of people from Childrens Cup, Mission of Mercy, Love In Life and so many others who came together to save one little life here in Swaziland. This is one the enemy cannot have!!! Thank you Jesus for your healing power. 

Matt 8:16-17

And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“He Himself took our infirmities

And bore our sicknesses.” 

NKJV

Dan 11:32
but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
NKJV

The part of this verse that really stuck out to me was “people who know their God”. It seems there is a common misconception  that we need to be “prepared” to be used by God. I’m not saying there is no room for degrees and education in th Kingdom of God but we need to remember the people Jesus used to turn the world upside down. Simon and his brother Andrew were the first 2 chosen, along with numbers 3 and 4 (James and John) who were all fisherman. These were common everyday people who knew how to work with their hands, maybe even a little rough around the edges but Jesus saw beyond those rough edges and looked at a polished precious stone inside.

Throughout history Jesus’s church has grown through the lives of committed men and women who chose to know Him and Him alone. Social status, economic or education had nothing to do with it. C’mon, think about it…God used a shepard boy to become King of Israel. The world looks at “human” credentials as a prerequisite for success, looking for the strongest, best educated, most attractive as if Gods work can be accomplished through human effort. God surely uses a different set of scales when he weighs a person, He looks at their character and heart.

1 Sam 16:7

7 But the Lord said to Samuel,”Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
NKJV

See what I mean? If a man can do Gods work in his own strength, it’s not Gods work at all!! Its all about realizing we can do nothing except through his grace and empowerment, resulting in complete dependence on Him. Then and only then can we accomplish things that could only be a result of His supernatural power. Then God gets all the glory, it has nothing to do with us.  Make sense?

I think Micah 6:8 sums up the qualifications for serving God:

Mic 6:8

Mic 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
NIV

Here are a few pictures of the people God uses. No matter where you are or what you have done, he can use YOU too.

I just recently returned from a short trip to the U.S. after my first 5 months in Africa. Here are some random thoughts and highlights.

-Grandchildren are awesome. Everyone ought to have them. It was great to see 2 year old Jailyn and her new sister Hailey who was born in Sept after I left.

-Celebration Church is still the best church in the world. (HPC Swaziland comes in a close second)  I have gotten to see some of the EG services here but there’s nothing like the live experience AND getting to see my Celebration family.

-Diet Coke tastes better in Africa. I’m sure its due to some toxic chemical they are allowed to use here that was outlawed years ago in the U.S.

-They still drive on the right side of the road in America….and I was just getting used to driving on the left. I also had to remember to stop driving “like an African” . There are definitely 2 distinct driving styles on these 2 continents.

- You have to pump your own gas in America. I had become accustomed to having the gas pumped,  oil checked and windshield washed. I asked the guy to check the air in the tires the other day and he crawled under and checked the spare tire too!!!

-EVERYBODY loves President Obama. We should all pray for him.

-Almost everywhere in America has air conditioning. I think I went for at least 4 or 5 days without sweating.

- Did I mention Starbucks coffee? That was the very first stop when we arrived in Atlanta. First really good cup of coffee I had since leaving the States.  

So all in all it was just an incredible trip but I must say I am happy to be back in Africa. Because this is where God has called me it is surely home now. There’s just so much to do here and I am ready to dive into 2009 headfirst. Theres something about being in the perfect will of God, knowing that you are in the middle of His plan and purpose for your life that just brings a peace and joy that cannot be described. For any of you who are not there (and you know who you are…) I highly recommend it.

Sure living in Africa has its challenges and trials but thats just life, I don’t think it matters where you live. When life seems to be getting a little rough, I challenge all of you to remember what the apostle Paul had to say:

Phil 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
NIV

Grace, peace and blessings to all.