by Zinty Chasusa

“My name is Yoliswa Dlamini. My friends call me Kunu. I live with my grandmother and two brothers, Mcondisi and Fanafana. I turned 14 years on the 2 February. I never knew my parents. My father died when I was still a baby; my mother left me when I was a month old. My grandparents took care of me. When I was about seven, my grandfather died. My grandmother doesn’t work and she struggled to put a meal on the table for me and my brothers. When I was about 10 years old, I heard about this place where children received a free meal everyday. The idea of a guaranteed meal every day seemed very appealing to me, so I went. I received more than just a free meal.

Today, about 4 years later, I am thankful that I have not ended up like many of the other girls I see around me in the community. I am thankful that I don’t have to sell my body for sex just so I can get some money to buy a meal. I am thankful that I am in school and have the opportunity to receive an education. I am thankful that I can be all that God wants me to be.”

Kunu, a leader, among her peers, loves to sing and dance. She is involved in the various youth activities at the care point, and even helps take care of the younger children at the care point. Her favorite subject at school is Accounting. She wants to be a teacher one day so she can help her grandmother have a better life. When asked what she is thankful for, Kunu, responded, “I am thankful to be living the life that I’ve been given!”

“You’ve always been right there for me; …
you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.” Psalm 27:9-10 The Message

I would like to introduce everyone to…Mbekelweni Care Point. God is amazing and continues to prove faithful here in Swaziland. We have broke ground and began the process of building and will soon be a vessel of God’s word to the children in this community.

28 youth, 10 adults…all of us are leaders. A month ago 38 of us showed up at Malolotja Nature Reserve for a 3 day retreat. Cup’s youth program is about 8 months old and we have established five leadership teams. Over the 3 days we were able to invest leadership skills in these 5 CarePoint teams.

The very first night Jacci Zuniga shared about how God desires to restore every part of our life. She talked about forgiveness of sin but also the fullness and abundant life that is in Christ. The youth let Jesus come close into their wounds and the hurting or hard places in their lives. It was an amazing time of inner healing and restoration. Jacci, helped the youth overcome forgiveness, insecurity, pride, bitterness and other issues of the heart.

The youth participated in teambuilding activities which stretched their ability to work as a cohesive unit. Throughout the weekend they worked together to push cars, navigate caves, accomplish difficult task in addition to designing and performing dramas.

Jordan, Mark, Kay, Zinty, Lelo and Karl all spoke on living out your leadership. They stressed servant leadership and living a life submitted to and trusting in God.

They youth heard and hopefully saw in our actions true leadership. These 28 youth encountered the responsibility and privilege of leadership. God is moving in their hearts. Foundations were laid for an incredible future for Cup’s youth programs.

Some comments from the retreat

“Midnight and it is a bout 35 degrees outside. Wake up, wake up! Roused in the middle of the night, the youth leadership teams had to make a human pyramid. This military theme is too much fun. “

“The rope burned my hands but because I did not want to let my team down I hung on. Our team won the competition”

“I had to learn how to work and communicate with my team members in order to accomplish our goals. I learned that a strong team includes and encourages all of its team members.”

Join us as 40 Days of prayer comes near. We need you to team up with us as we life up the children of Africa together. We will be praying for all of the kids and the outreaches of Children’s Cup. Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given has us and we would love to life Africa up as one voice. This event will begin August 1st so please sign up to recieve a booklet or check out the website. God bless and thank you for your prayers!

It has truly proved an amazing year already and it is only July! God is good…

Today in Swaziland… It’s currently 60 degrees and all 12 of us americans in the country are planning on having a BBQ! Imagine, I went to the grocery store and it wasn’t even busy. It’s like they don’t even know what today is…?

On a real note, please keep us in prayer as we maintain our daily ministries and serve the children of Swaziland and continue to seek God!

Happy Independence Day…God bless!