Twitter loves Swaziland

I just had an experience I found humorous. This past month, Swaziland has been front and center for me. We just returned from there last week. Because its AIDS rate is the highest in the world and because hungry, parentless children dressed in rags roam the streets looking for food, I’ve responde…

By Seth Barnes

15 February 2009, 12:02 am

By Seth Barnes

15 February 2009, 12:02 am

I just had an experience I found humorous. This past month, Swaziland has been front and center for me. We just returned from there last week. Because its AIDS rate is the highest in the world and because hungry, parentless children dressed in rags roam the streets looking for food, I’ve responded and asked my friends to respond.

I’m not World Vision or UNICEF, but I can do what is mine to do. Yesterday, as I considered its pain, I posted this to Twitter: “I’m meditating on Swaziland’s pain this morning. When you know the people, it is overwhelming. I need help.”

Quickly, there was a response in my email. Someone had understood my plea for aid! Somehow, through the magic of the internet, a spiritual connection had been formed.

I opened it and read this from Twitter: “You have asked for help on Twitter. A lot of persons are. Follow @911 and help them out!”

*Sigh*

Well, the sad reality is that, Twitter aside, we’ve taken on too much in Swaziland. We feed 2700 orphans (largely because of our partnership with CHC and my friend Tom Davis), but we need more money and people. Our staff are burning out, and in two weeks, if circumstances don’t change, I’m taking an axe to the budget. That said, the progress there has been remarkable and has been a faith venture – God always shows up with what we need.

Check out the video of our Nsoko base below:

Comments (8)

Emmanuel

February 15, 2009 at 10:05 am

Dear Dadi Seth,
We will be praying for the Swaziland.May God will be provide all things which AIM Adventure Mission in that area.
God bless You and all Aim Mission staff.
With blessings and best wishes.
Emmanuel
Tami

February 15, 2009 at 1:52 pm

wooo horsie put away that axe! The Lord has only begun His work there and as always the Lord will provide. We are so willing to lay our lives aside for the people of Nsoko just help us get there. The Lord will take care of the rest!
Heather

February 15, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Praying for peace and wisdom, and provision. Also, what is your Twitter account?
Pat Burrows

February 15, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Seth- I know God provides but for those of us who want to partner with Him and you, would you post a link that would make it easier for us to do so?

Thanks!
seth

February 15, 2009 at 11:19 pm

Thanks for the encouragement folks. Heather and any others interested, my Twitter is simply SethBarnes.

To the rest of you – once again a number of folks responded wanting to help. Jen and I talked; she went with us to Swaziland and got wrecked and she and her husband have a “yes” in their spirits to whatever God is asking. That’s all he wants from all of us.
Tim Shutes

February 16, 2009 at 9:09 am

Hi,

Seeing your call for help led me to thank the Lord b/c one of the students in my youth ministry – Rachael – recently heard the call of the Lord in her life toward missions, and will be spending 3 months in Swaziland with AIM this summer! We’re so proud of her, and excited because of how much we believe in your work there.

Keep pressing on – he will supply the workers, it’s our job not to chase them away!

My wife and I are going to be Rachael’s prayer partners – so Swaziland will definitely be in our prayers.

Blessings.
Tim
jen peters

October 19, 2022 at 11:26 am

Seth, this post is breaking my heart. I am praying for you, Karen, Jumbo, Kriek, Gift and all of the beautiful people of Swaziland. What else do we do? Please, call me. Everything I have is being held on to very loosely…what can I do? Let’s talk…let’s talk BIG. 616-786-9368
Jimmy Huts

October 19, 2022 at 11:26 am

We are praying for you and for Swazi. I have talked to several people that God has put Swazi on there hearts. We are praying that the June adult trip makes so we can come help. In the mean time I will put out the word to those people and see if we can send some help now. How do we get that help to you?