Do you know that one light switch that you
always keep in the “on” position? Maybe
you put tape over it, or maybe you buy one of those metal switch guards. Or maybe you want to be able to turn it off
but the usual position of the switch is “On.”
For me it’s the porch light. I
pretty much always keep it on.
Around this time every year I am asked the same
question: “So, are you going back to
Africa this summer?” It’s not
surprising. Since 2007 I have been to
Africa five times. I have numerous
relationships with people there, and I suppose it has become a defining part of
my year. For me, the “Swaziland Trip
Switch” is set to the “Go” position, unless something prevents me (like that
motorcycle accident I had in 2011). And
this year, unless I am prevented somehow, I plan to return again. To that end, I ask you again for your prayers
and support.
Much of the work that we will be doing is still
in the planning stages. We will once
again distribute clothing, food, and medical supplies in the various villages
where we have done so in the past. We
will also be holding free clinics in those villages. I will also be reuniting with many friends I
have made over the years. This year we
may be expanding our ministry into South Africa as well, I’ll let you know as I
know more. You can follow my blog at: http://comfortforswaziland.blogspot.com
Please pray for me as I prepare to go. A few specific prayer requests are:
1)
End of
the school year. A
colleague once described the end of the school year to a train wreck. Lots of very frenetic activity followed by a
sudden halt. Thanks to snow days, I will
be leaving for Africa the day after my last day of school.
2)
Support
raising. I need to raise $3300
this year. If you are willing to
contribute, you may make a check out to Bridge Community Church with “M.
Sander-Swaziland” in the memo line. You
can also donate online at www.swazilandrelief.org
3)
Traveling. I don’t sleep well on planes and busses, and
it is a long journey.
4)
Spiritual
and emotional preparation.
Please pray for me as I make my preparations for the teaching and
dramas/puppetry that I will be doing.
Also, my wife won’t be going this summer, so I will miss her. Please pray for us as we are apart.
5)
Relationship
building. One of the most
important aspects of Swaziland Relief is the building and maintaining of
relationships in Swaziland. They are
difficult to maintain over the great distance.
Please pray that they will be renewed and refreshed.
6)
God
first! Lastly, please pray
that I put God first in all things. This
isn’t “my” trip, it’s His work that I am privileged to be a part of. Please pray I put my ego aside and seek His
purposes.
