I always try to see the positives to any situation, or at least to understand it.  I preach to all my students Atticus’ Finch quote to “climb into someone’s skin and walk around in it.”  But there’s one positive I never wanted to see, and that’s the two-line positive of a pregnancy test. “It’s positive, […]

                This life is a battlefield.  Battles are won not by our own hands but when we’re on our knees lifting hands in prayer.  I am so thankful for my prayer warriors back home because I would be a wreck already otherwise.  I even have children at an orphanage […]

                I left America two weeks ago today, but it feels like I’ve been in Swaziland for months now.  Much  has happened, yet it feels like nothing significant to report (other than the event of the previous post).  After all, how do you put into words what has become […]

Disclaimer: If you do not believe in the Holy Spirit or casting out of evil spirits, then no need to read any further; this post is not for you. On Sunday, June 29th, I experienced something I will never forget.  The morning started like any other one.  I picked up the Ambassador team and brought […]

“Ms. Martin, do you HAVE to leave us?” a young man raised his hand one day in class. He was a quiet student, one who tried not to be noticed, one who seldom raised his hand, one who I never thought would care that I was leaving.  I sucked in my breath and choked down […]

“Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard you calling in the night.  I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.” The time has come.  I wasn’t expecting the call to come now.  Actually, I was preparing for digging deeper roots here for at […]

As I reflect on this year of 2013, I can’t fathom how much has happened. My dream became a reality in February when we raised enough money to open and operate Hope for Life home in Swaziland.  My heart was overflowing when my family–Mom, Garret, and Laura– experienced my second home for themselves over the […]

Proof that God’s plan is far greater than our own. The parallels between Hosea’s Heart and Awakening Coffee are astounding, and the point at which we have crossed paths could be dictated by no one but God.  Partnering with Awakening Coffee seemed to come from far out of left field, but to God, it was […]

“Lord, I don’t need anymore reasons to go; I am completely ready.  Just say the word, and I’ll move to Swazi.  But if you want me here, I need you to give me a reason to stay.” Although I’d like to think that I was ready to live in Swazi at any moment the last […]

I found out my life wasn’t normal… When I realized that not every family has a sock basket, filled with all the unmatched socks from the laundry.  And that not every mother pays her children one cent for every pair of socks that they match.  And that not every child thinks that’s a brilliant way […]