My dad has worked at Heart for Africa for almost 10 years so I already felt a connection to Project Canaan. I thought I knew what to expect when I would arrive but I didn’t. The overwhelming presence of joy, peace, excitement, and the spirit of the Lord when you step onto Project Canaan is indescribable.
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. This is so incredible for me to think about in relation to all the lives that have been impacted & changed for the better due to Heart for Africa and Project Canaan. For perspective, there are 420+ kids living at the children’s homes and 450 people are employed through all the operations of Project Canaan.
In all honesty, I’ve been a “lukewarm” Christian the last few years. Isaiah 60:22 is one of my favorite verses, “When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen”. This verse sits so heavy on my heart thinking about this time in my life & how my first trip lined up. He knew this was the perfect time for me to experience Eswatini. Prior to my trip I had been pouring myself into what I needed to do to get close with God again. This trip was a huge factor. Many of the moments in Eswatini were spent just taking in the goodness and presence of God. From talking and playing with kids, homestead visits, hearing stories of what the people have been through, yet their faith is strong as ever. It’s easy to lose sight of Him in the US and focus on everything else that’s happening in our world and wonder where He is. The truth be told, He’s everywhere just as in Eswatini and every other country of the world. He’s the almighty, powerful God who already has our story written out, from the precious hundreds and hundreds of kids on Project Canaan, to my life, and to yours too.
This whole trip was filled with God winks down to every minute of the day. On the first day of Camp Canaan, my group went to music and Grace was there. Let me tell you about Grace. When she was born they were essentially told there was no hope for her. She would never walk, talk, or do any of that. Little did they know God had a plan for her. When we started singing & dancing, she got right up and did it with us. In that moment, hearing her sing about joy in her heart, I was moved to tears. It was just incredible to think of what had been said about her future and see how she is the complete opposite of that. If I may say so myself, she is the epitome of joy. She is always laughing, has the biggest smile on her face and is the first to get up and dance. All the kids on PC continually blow me away with the amount of love they have for strangers. The feeling when you’re walking and a child you’ve never seen before comes up and holds your hand and smiles the biggest smile at you, it’s indescribable.
I had the privilege of bringing 3 little babies home to Project Canaan. It’s a heartbreaking yet heartwarming experience in one. Going to rescue them from whatever the situation may be and bringing them to a safe haven where they will be loved, taken amazing care of, and taught who the Father is and His never ending love for them. I heard the quote, “The safest place to be is in the middle of God’s will.” The first place I think of is Project Canaan. That’s a perfect example of how it felt to me being there and it fills my heart with overwhelming praise that these babies have a new direction in life and I got to be a part of it.
My YEBO was utterly life changing and I’m inviting you to say YEBO as well, whether it be in the form of going on a trip, making a one time gift, or child sponsorship. I can’t stop, and won’t stop, telling everyone about how life changing this trip was and the amazing work Heart for Africa and Project Canaan continues to do.
While my heart is still overflowing with love and all the lasting memories from my trip, I can’t help but feel a piece of my heart is still in Eswatini and calling me back.
Sarah Bryant, Heart for Africa Trip Volunteer