We have been quiet on the blog lately, but it is not because we have not done anything. On the contrary…
I have been helping two Americans build deck flooring for a church and community center in Nsoko, Swaziland. Nsoko is one of the most impoverished parts of the country and also a place where hope is springing forth in the form of a medical clinic, a community center, and an “orphan village”. It is also where the mercury hovered at 103°F and shade was a joke. I felt good that some of the decks were soaked in my sweat…
The most REWARDING Swaziland experience happened last week while we hosted a Vision Trip for Children’s Hope Chest. It was a rewarding and quite significant experience. I was part of handing out shoes. This was not a cold, disconnected, “Here’s your shoes, go with God” day. I washed and dried their feet, applied band-aids, and made sure their new shoes fit. Then I prayed the blessing of God on each of their little lives.
It would have been so easy to sit on the sidelines – to take pictures or sort the shoes- but it was a whole other experience to get my “hands wet”. I washed the feet of little kids that felt like the feet of adults – scarred, hardened, callused little feet that have walked many, many miles …
I left the U.S. thinking I was coming to Swaziland to help the orphans… the truth is that the orphans are helping me realize that hunger, hurt, poverty, tears and loneliness are not spectator sports.
Marius
I’m with Vince… you guys love SO WELL!!!
Totally humbled by you!
Peace
We love you guys and are there with you in spirit!
D & MC
It brought tears to my eyes as i saw what the two of you were doing! You truely are the hands God. I heard your heart Marcus and that beautiful smile on Jodi’s face as the two of you ministered to these sweet little ones. Thank you for your faithfulness. our prayers are with you. Be blessed faithful servants.
Marius and Jodi,
You are truly a blessing to those people. I really wish I could have physically helped those kids with their shoes. Keep up the good work and keep the blog going as it keeps me grounded and humbled.
Joe Nacchia
Homes and Land of the Emerald Coast
This just broke my heart but also filled me with joy. What a blessing for each of you to be a part of this love of God. I know that being God’s hands is hard but oh so rewarding. You are centainly in the right place. Praise God for that.
Love, Marty
What a great way to end a day to see you guys & the work you are doing for the Him.
Marius You said it best you are not at a spectator sport you are very much part of the “game”.
May God bless you both & give you strength,courage & wisdom to
fulfill the calling put upon you.
Love you guys,
J & C
what a precious gift to these children – prayed specifically for you both today – for you to go from strength to strength in His power – LOVE YOU.
What a beautiful sight! You are obviously being blessed, doing the very thing our Lord did. Good to see you both happy and healthy. Lots of love, Jay and Cindy
Oh guys,
You made me cry. I remember washing the teenage boys’ hands when we were there and how rough and callused they were; hands revealing their life of hard work and hard lives.
You are doing a wonderful thing! You are honoring God. And He will reward you!
I just wish I could have been a part of this.:)
A medical clinic? Wow, that is wonderful!
My love to you both,
Robin Harris
Jodi and Marius
Jodi and Marius
I love getting your e-mails. It just melts my heart to see all of the little children with smiles on their faces, as you wash their feet, hug on them, fit them with new shoes, and just show them the love of Jesus. I learn so much from you, just be seeing the pictures, and imagining how I would feel if I were there helping both of you. Please know that I continue to pray for you, and ask God for peace that surpasses all human understanding, for both of you. You definitely are in your element. Praise God for your willingness to be warriors for the Kingdom of God.
Love,
Virginia
it was awesome to serve with you marius (and jodi). love and miss you guys.
Oh, what a blessing those children must be to you and the opportunity to serve them in this way. I know God’s heart jumps with joy.
Love you both,
Hallie
Wow! You guys are doing an amazing work! We are keeping ya’ll in our prayers all of the time!
Marius, that last picture of the decks…it looked like you worked hard on that one cause it was certainly wet! :0)
Jodi, it’s so good seeing that smile on your face!
I hope you guys continue to do miraculous works in those childrens lives!
Love ya’ll!
Chris and Becky
Jodie and Marius,
All of your pictures are so spectacular. They are the best I’ve seen from most ministries, and can’t wait for yours to arrive. They really depict where you are and what you’re doing. You are doing a wonderful work and I’m proud to be a small part. I pray God’s blessing all around you and those you minister to.
G
Absolutely LOVED seeing the photos and reading your post. I’d love to snag the photo of the homemade toy if that’s okay. I often tell my children about the creativity of the African children when it comes to making playthings.
You guys keep my heart soft and connected with a hurting world. Thanks for taking the time to write. Thanks for taking my place in the foreign mission field. God bless you in the richest way.