Joyce Meyer’s preaching is a perfect fit for beautiful, but beset, Swaziland. The absence of theological hyperbole and the poignant applicability of her messages really reach the hearts of the people.
A little over a year ago David Meyer (World Outreach Director for Joyce Meyer Ministries) asked me to see what it would take to get the their broadcasts aired on Swazi TV. David Van Rensburg and I went to the TV offices armed with a lot of “selling points” and reasons why it would be good for the country if the programs were aired. We were ready to convince them. But we didn’t get to use our grand presentations.
The programming official we met with said, “I know about her ministry from South African TV. We’ve had many requests to put it on here in Swaziland.” We gingerly posed the question about what it would cost. The official said, “No cost. Our nation needs this.”
Now, a little more than a year later the nation has been heavily impacted. It seems everyone we meet watches the broadcast. In fact, we dared not make a public announcement of her January 12th visit to Swaziland. Any facility in the nation large enough to handle the crowd was already booked or under construction. Instead, we chose to have her minister to about 500 pastors, national church leaders, and government officials that work alongside Children’s Cup.
Her message at first startled the audience when she frankly stated that her father had sexually abused her for more than a decade. Then her words very quickly brought sobs that turned into joyous praise as she told them about overcoming adversity and being used by God--and God would do the same thing for each and every one of them. (And please note: Joyce in recent years was able to win her father to Christ and baptize him in water.)
What an appropriate message for Swaziland – a place where women and children are so often abused! Five hundred leaders didn’t just walk out of that conference hall; they marched with a mandate, a message, and an example to empower the people of their nation.
Joyce’s books, videos and audio tapes are sweeping the nation. Each book or tape will be read or watched by dozens of people as it is passed around.
continued next column>> |
Joyce Meyer Ministries helped fund the construction and food for ‘Cup’s five CarePoints—places of hope in the middle of despair. During her visit, Joyce asked to see at least one of the five Children’s Cup CarePoints where we care for about 2,500 AIDS orphans and vulnerable children.
David Meyer is astute in managing its missions investments. They don’t just throw a pile of money on the table and say, “Go do something.” David personally looks into the projects and helps fund what he confirms are meaningful and effective projects.
To date they have invested about $2.00 for every $1.00 ‘Cup has raised for Swaziland. It’s not a formal “matching” relationship, but that’s what the numbers show. ‘Cup’s challenge is to keep up our end financially and be effective with manpower allocation.
The first CarePoint ‘Cup built is in one of the highest crime rate areas in the nation. Right next door is a new police precinct that remains unmanned—some claim it is too dangerous for the police to be there. But Children’s Cup personnel and children have never been bothered. It’s as if the neighborhood put the word out, “Leave them alone. They’re helping our children.”
The site Joyce went to is called Murray Camp—right in the heart of a neighborhood of mud, stone, and stick dwellings. About a thousand kids swarmed the site, got a good meal and excitedly sang to the lady who helps them so much.
What does it mean to an abused, once-hopeless orphan to get to hug the neck of such a person from America?
Children’s Cup is honored to have the confidence of Joyce Meyer Ministries. If you are in contact with them, please help us thank them for all they do for the hurting little ones in Africa.
Click here to learn more about Children's Cup CarePoints. If you'd like to know more about Joyce Meyer Ministries, we encourage you to visit her online at www.joycemeyer.org.
|
