God Does Great Things
“Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes” 1 Samuel 12:16
The Lord allowed me to take a small team to Africa in September. Several months before our three week trip, the Lord prepared me for the battle and encouraged me to continue preparing for the trip in faith, though the obstacles seemed overwhelming:
– In July there was major political unrest in both eSwatini and South Africa.
– In eSwatini the borders were completely closed, and the US marines were called in and a US embassy vehicle was shot at.
– COVID numbers increased in both countries, and the lockdown level went up in South Africa (which would have prevented us from meeting with any groups).
– In late August, our flights to Africa were cancelled and I had to scramble to get new flights on a different airline.
– The regulations due to COVID continued to fluctuate and we had to get a total of three COVID tests throughout the journey.
– Our scheduled African shuttle driver quit one week before we were to arrive there.
– Our first flight was to Newark, NJ, and Hurricane Ida caused flights to be cancelled up to 3 days prior to our departure date.
– Prior to the trip I’d been unable to wear a mask for more than a few minutes at a time. When a friend asked how I’d cope for the long flights and mandatory masking, as well as mandatory masking in both countries we were to visit, I had to reply, “I don’t know, but I trust God.”
– The US government official site listed both countries at Level 4 “Do Not Travel” because of violence and high COVID rates. (Our US government said “no” but the King of Kings said “yes!”)
– Two team members had to drop out a week before we were to leave.
– While we were there, the borders closed for one day.
– The day we were to get our final COVID tests to return to the US there were official reports of political protests planned in the city where we had to be tested and the US embassy sent a message not to travel there unless absolutely necessary.
– Hurricane Sam was brewing right when we were supposed to cross the Atlantic back to the US, with much uncertainty of whether our flights would happen as planned.
“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!”
Joel 2:21
God is faithful and did great things!
– Because one of our team members had to drop out, she was able to focus on rallying a prayer team of about 40 women to cover us daily in prayer!
– I had two “episodes” early on with my mask. The first was on the initial flight, lasting only five minutes. The Lord enabled me not to fling the mask off my face (which would have caused a big problem!). The second episode was very intense, in an airport, and I couldn’t even see clearly for a period of time, was in tears, and had trouble breathing. Margaret held my hand, prayed for me, and quoted scripture. Once I began quoting scripture with her, I had a miraculous breakthrough! Immediately the episode passed, and I had no more problems during the remaining three weeks!
– We were able to meet with all Swaziserve project partners and see firsthand that all projects are going well; it was a wonderful time of mutual encouragement with each.
– We had a delightful time with “M” from the unreached people group; he shared his testimony about Christ’s transforming power in his life from a militant jihadist to a Wycliffe Bible translator! We were also blessed to get to spend time with his beautiful wife and infant daughter, and others who are ministering to the unreached people group (they’ve never heard of the saving mercy of Jesus Christ) in the island nation of “C.” We had good natured arguments over who was more blessed with our fellowship, them or us!
– Team member Margaret Guthrie and I got to teach on lamenting, “Be still and know that I am God,” our eternal inheritance, Psalm 32, and Psalm 33 in nine different communities.
– We got to meet with all 40 or so sponsored kids; all are flourishing.
– We got to see the new orphanage for the first time. Our ministry partner Edith is doing a remarkable job. All the kids are healthy and happy. The pig, chicken, and garden projects are flourishing. The kids help with these projects so are learning agricultural skills, and the products not only supply the orphanage with plentiful food but are also sold for a profit to benefit the kids and meet their needs.
– There was so much gratitude in the four communities where team member John Guthrie taught six CPR classes. One leader expressed her thankfulness saying that too many people drown, and no one knew how to help them before. Since there are no emergency services in most of these areas, or those services are hours away, rapt attention was paid to his presentations, and we trust that the attendees will continue to practice the skills learned in these trainings.
– We were able to supply about 250 households with the “luxuries” of oil, salt, and sugar. Margaret did a wonderful job giving a short devotional with verses concerning these three things (including the Gospel message!) to everyone to whom we provided. One feisty prayer warrior told us that the day before she’d asked God for salt for her family and told Him she trusted Him to answer. Imagine the joy we all felt when the very next day He provided!
– We also had the joy of providing a month’s worth of food for two single moms in desperate straits.
– The giving wasn’t just one way; we were humbled by their sacrificial gifts of meals, garden produce, a mat, handicrafts, and more.
– Three different women approached me about starting new Moms in Prayer (MIP) groups! One of these women was originally praying with a group in the dump where she worked. She now has a regular job and wants to start a new group. Another of the women is a teacher at a primary school where the problems are intense (violence, drugs, sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, to name a few—-at a primary school!) and the teachers embraced MIP! Ten of them are now meeting each week to pray for the school and students. We were able to meet with and encourage six other existing MIP groups and to equip them with MIP materials.
– Maria Olivia, a woman who runs an orphanage for over 1,000 kids in Maputo, Mozambique, traveled to eSwatini for a day to meet with me. She’s a dynamo with lots of great ideas and a solid vision for growing Moms in Prayer groups in her country.
– We were so encouraged by the obvious spiritual growth in individuals and in the Bible study and praying moms’ groups!
– God provided us with an amazing young man as our replacement driver. Jomo’s skills at driving the large shuttle over rutted dirt roads were remarkable. He’s a Christian and was delighted to fellowship with us as an integral member of our team. He selflessly went way above and beyond the call of duty to help us in so many ways—protecting, interpreting, helping us shop for and distribute goods, and so much more. Jomo was a gift!
– Our team worked together well. It’s not easy to be thrown together for three solid weeks of intense work, but the Holy Spirit provided the oil of unity. We were also able to capitalize on one another’s God–given strengths, and my team members were incredibly patient with my weaknesses!
– This trip was bountiful in times of spontaneous prayer for many we met along the way, ongoing discipling of ministry partners, and impromptu counseling sessions as needed.
– God provided bonus times of running into old friends with the joy of reuniting!
– So much love was given and received!
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them and we are glad.” The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad.
Psalm 126:2-3
– Oh, and at the last minute the protests were postponed for one week so we were able to get our COVID tests in peace (though the presence of more police cars than we could count was a bit intimidating!) and return safely back to the US.
God indeed does great things!
[Kay West, wife, mother and writer, serves with her husband as missionaries in Southern Africa through Swaziserve, which they founded. Her leadership extends to Mom’s in Prayer International, International Leadership Developer for Southern African and Global Prison Outreach Coordinator. She shares her qualification for these works comes only through Jesus’ words found in Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” You can find out more about her life at, Singing for Joy. Contact: kwest@swaziserve.com]
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