If we could do it all over again, how many of us would choose to
stay, “one hundred percent,” sexually pure until marriage? I know there are several women and men who
would love to have to chance to be physically pure, if they could. Here in Swaziland, there is an organization
called “CHERISH” where young women my age teach high school girls the
importance of staying sexually pure. The
leaders go into the local high schools and create small groups with girls who
wish to participate, and then they go through a biblical based curriculum that
teaches the girls about the importance of virginity and purity from God’s
perspective. It is an eight week study
that empowers the girls in the high school to become leaders of their peers in
this topic.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set
an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in
purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
After praying about this ministry and the other ministry
opportunities that were available, I felt God leading me to this ministry. I would like to think that if I had some
older girls pouring into me when I was that age, I would have made very
different decisions. I feel that in the
world we live in today, it is so important for young women to feel accepted by
Christ and view their virginity/purity as a priceless gift that they will one
day give to their husbands. Knowing all
this, I couldn’t imagine my time being better spent than investing in these
young girls lives and giving them advice about situations they will face in the
future if they haven’t yet. So I have
decided to spend the next 10 weeks of my time here in Swaziland,
totally devoted to this program, the women who run it, and the girls who will
participate. There are three women in
charge of the program right now…Swazie (24), Phumlile (22), and GuGu (18). These girls have participated in the program
and have been trained in teaching the curriculum. These girls have such a passion for the “next
generation” and their goal is to have an HIV free generation. They are such a joy to be around and have
already begun to help us with the language and culture differences. Alene, Jess, and I are the girls who are
helping out the Swazi’s in the Cherish program. In addition to running the bible study, we are also taking it upon
ourselves to disciple the female leaders (Swazie, Phumlile, GuGu) to teach them
some of what we have learned and to learn from them and their experiences as
well. I am so happy that God is giving
me this opportunity…I know it will be great experience for working with girls
in the future and practicing discipling others, which I plan to continue doing
for the rest of my life.
Prayer Requests:
- For Swazie, Phumlile, and
GuGu to grow as leaders and prepare them for this upcoming session - For the high school girls who
are going to be in the study-prepare their hearts to be broken and rebuilt
by their heavenly Father - For the schools that were
chosen to allow us to come in and do the bible study - For Alene, Jess, and I to
follow the Holy Spirit in our words and actions and to prepare us to teach
as well and empower the Swazi leaders - For our discipleship with the
Swazi girls
Cherish
- Mission: producing a generation of cherished women who are faithful to God
and will be faithful to their husbands. - Purpose: to
create a safe place for young women to study and follow God’s instruction
for sexual purity - Vision: to see
all “tinkhundlas” (communities) have a cherish group led by a female
Swazi, who has finished high school - Goal: to
have an HIV free generation - Life
Verse: Isaiah 61:1-3
