Indisputable evidence that HE, GOD, personally did all this.

The sun is rising over the mountains here in Eswatini and the smoke from winter fires is causing a haze that looks very beautiful against the orange sky.

This week we will celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of Project Canaan and 100+ people are flying in from all over the world to celebrate all that God has done in these past ten years.

Last night we had dinner with the Heart for Africa staff members who are here to prepare for the upcoming trip. We have an incredible team who works diligently in the US to support the work here in Eswatini.  Ian and I are thankful for each and every one of them and simply couldn’t do what we do without them. While celebrating all the good things that have happened in the past ten years, I found myself also remembering many of the hurts that I have felt during those same years, and my heart was sad. 

When I was in business I understood the “rules” of business, managing expectations, delivering against commitments and the importance of integrity.  When we stepped into the Ministry world, it was like going down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. What should have been up, was down, and what should have been down, was up.

I have often said to Ian that in this Ministry, many people have a “say” or a “vote” in our lives, and what we are supposed to be doing and even how we do it, even when they really don’t have any skin in the game.  Our skin is all in. 

During these past ten years we have lost friends because they didn’t agree with the vision of Project Canaan, we have had donors walk away because they didn’t agree with the importance of bringing water from the top of the mountain so that we could become “water secure” and we have had people say things that have hurt us (and our children) deeply.  But we have continued to follow Jesus, and the vision HE has given us, through it all.

This morning I got up early to shake off all this negativity and start the day with joy and peace, two words that I have been praying for the past few days as I mentally prepare for the week ahead.

Early morning on the farm.

I am one of those people who reads my bible on a tablet, but this morning I went back to my old bible that I was reading when we first started this journey. I was led to Isaiah 41:8-20, which was highlighted many years ago, but when I read it now, I see that it was not only comforting, but incredibly prophetic. I hope you will read the whole scripture – it is PROFOUND.

“But you, Israel, are my servant.
    You’re Jacob, my first choice,
    descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
    called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.
    I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
    There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
    I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

“Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
    will end up out in the cold—
    real losers.
Those who worked against you
    will end up empty-handed—
    nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
    you won’t find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
    not even a memory.
That’s right. Because I, your God,
    have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
    I’m right here to help you.’

“Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
    Don’t be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
    I’ll help you.
I, God, want to reassure you.
    The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I’m transforming you from worm to harrow,
    from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you’ll smooth out the mountains,
    turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You’ll open the rough ground to the weather,
    to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you’ll be confident and exuberant,
    expansive in The Holy of Israel!

 “The poor and homeless are desperate for water,
    their tongues parched and no water to be found.
But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them,
    and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.
I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills,
    spout fountains in the valleys.
I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond,
    the waterless waste into splashing creeks.
I’ll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland,
    also acacia, myrtle, and olive.
I’ll place the cypress in the desert,
    with plenty of oaks and pines.
Everyone will see this. No one can miss it—
    unavoidable, indisputable evidence
That I, God, personally did this.
    It’s created and signed by The Holy of Israel.

Isaiah 41:8-20 (Message)

This week we celebrate the “indisputable evidence that HE, GOD, personally did all this”. 

Live from Eswatini … today I choose forgiveness.

Janine

If you would like to make a 10th Anniversary gift to help us continue the work at Project Canaan, please do so today by clicking here for a donation in the US or by clicking here for a donation in Canada.