Seth Barnes - Miracle in Swaziland

Toya McClean and her team of women witnessed a creative miracle of God last week. They were in Swaziland on a vision trip, emotionally exhausted by all they'd seen, and then, in a time of ministry, God showed up in a way they'll never forget.

Visiting people's homes made of mud and sticks had pushed some of the women on the team over the edge. Most of the day they kept saying, "This is too much. How much more of this will we see? How do you call this a home? Why doesn't someone do something?"

They were broken as they participated in a ministry called "Beauty for Ashes" (based on Isaiah 61) that gives women the opportunity to share their pain with one another.

Women in Swazi culture are expected to hide their pain. They live for years not knowing if anyone understands what they've endured.

They've been abused mentally and physically, beaten, kicked out of their homes and forsaken by their families.

Toya shared what happened as they facilitated the Beauty for Ashes ministry: "We spent time with them sharing our testimonies and allowing them to share theirs. I asked the Swazi ladies to sing as we washed their feet and prayed. As we moved from woman to woman, the Swazi ladies sang and danced and praised the Lord. Most of my team was in tears.

We could feel the presence of God. Then, the most remarkable thing happen. Ashes began falling on us out of thin air! We didn't know what to think or say. We were awestruck."

God surprises us sometimes. When, in the midst of suffering, people worship him, he loves to show up in ways that knock their socks off. Cynics and agnostics are risking a lot in dismissing this personal and powerful God we serve. He is real and he is active.