Swaziland is a country of contrast. Beautiful country, beautiful people...ugly pandemic of HIV ravaging the people, leaving tens of thousands of orphans in their wake. Almost 1 out of every 2 people in Swaziland has HIV and the country has lost 1/3 of it's population in the last five years!!
We have been able to minister to and train pastors at our first Go Global African Leadership Conference at HPC Swaziland. We have served and spent time with the children and volunteers at many Children's Cup care points. (10,000 orphans are fed, medically treated, discipled, and have their education paid for due to a partnership with HPC/Children's Cup/other great ARC churches like Household of Faith, Celebration JAX., and Life Church of Memphis.)
I have spent time with some incredible missionaries that have left "everything" behind and committed their lives to caring for these children and serving at HPC, Swaziland. I look forward to continuing serving alongside Ben and Susan, Lad and Crystal, and Mark and Kay! I have much love for you all!
I have been left with a sense of awe and heartache all at the same time. I look forward to bringing a team from HPC El Paso as soon as God permits.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Africa
You may be wondering, why is Pastor Buck going to Africa? Just a few thoughts I would like to share. We have two HPC Campuses in Africa. One in Mozambique and one in Swaziland (Southern Africa). We have ten HPC Campuses on the planet-in Louisiana, Africa, and El Paso. How cool is that?
We are in Africa because we are a healing place for a hurting world and Swaziland is hurting. Life expectancy in Swaziland is lower than any other place in the world, 29.9 years. This country also has the highest HIV rate of any place in the world, 42.7% of the people in the country are infected with the virus. This terrible disease has left a country full of orphans...We are there because that's where Jesus would be.
Healing Place Church helped to provide 2.6 million meals to orphans in Swaziland in 2008 through a ministry called Children's Cup. We also care for 28,000 orphans a day in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. When you give your tithes to HPC El Paso this is just one of things we do to accomplish our mission of being "a healing place for a hurting world". There is a lot of hurting in this world, but God is doing great things through His church!
Jesus has always had a heart for hurting people. This why we seek out and minister to His people with Jesus-style compassion. He said to Go into the nations and that is why we cross borders. Our God is great and His mercy endures forever and He is with us to the very end of the age!
We are in Africa because we are a healing place for a hurting world and Swaziland is hurting. Life expectancy in Swaziland is lower than any other place in the world, 29.9 years. This country also has the highest HIV rate of any place in the world, 42.7% of the people in the country are infected with the virus. This terrible disease has left a country full of orphans...We are there because that's where Jesus would be.
Healing Place Church helped to provide 2.6 million meals to orphans in Swaziland in 2008 through a ministry called Children's Cup. We also care for 28,000 orphans a day in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. When you give your tithes to HPC El Paso this is just one of things we do to accomplish our mission of being "a healing place for a hurting world". There is a lot of hurting in this world, but God is doing great things through His church!
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus has always had a heart for hurting people. This why we seek out and minister to His people with Jesus-style compassion. He said to Go into the nations and that is why we cross borders. Our God is great and His mercy endures forever and He is with us to the very end of the age!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Marriage
We just got back from our marriage life group. We had a blast! We are doing the Love Dare curriculum from the movie Fireproof. Lots of good dialogue and transparency in the group. After that, we had a good old-fashioned pool party. The guys played water volleyball while the girls hit the hot tub. Everyone had a great time. Thanks Juan and Angela!
Esther and I have been a part of a marriage life group for almost seven years now. So many great couples really committed to going ALL THE WAY in marriage. We share our struggles, challenges, and good times in our marriage. Our marriage is better and stronger than ever because we are a part of our HPC Life Group. We don't lead it, we just enjoy it! We honor our spouses with our intentionality and commitment to doing what it takes to have a successful marriage. Thanks God for so many amazing couples committed to honoring You through their marriage.
Esther and I have been a part of a marriage life group for almost seven years now. So many great couples really committed to going ALL THE WAY in marriage. We share our struggles, challenges, and good times in our marriage. Our marriage is better and stronger than ever because we are a part of our HPC Life Group. We don't lead it, we just enjoy it! We honor our spouses with our intentionality and commitment to doing what it takes to have a successful marriage. Thanks God for so many amazing couples committed to honoring You through their marriage.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Vision
What an incredible heart God has for El Paso and Juarez. At HPC El Paso, we are fortunate to be a part of that movement. I have been praying for our future and feel we have received a spiritual break through and answers to several key questions.
As a church, we have been blessed with so many great leaders and I am looking forward to seeing them unleashed along the path to our destiny. The Bible says, that without vision the people perish, but with a God-given vision the people flourish!
There are so many hurting people in our communities. Together, we can and will reach the world by serving one!
As a church, we have been blessed with so many great leaders and I am looking forward to seeing them unleashed along the path to our destiny. The Bible says, that without vision the people perish, but with a God-given vision the people flourish!
There are so many hurting people in our communities. Together, we can and will reach the world by serving one!
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