MAHLANGATSHA – A group of American church leaders visiting Eswatini this week has been immersed in village life in Mahlangatsha, where they witnessed how clean water, farming and small businesses are changing lives.
The delegation, which arrived in the country on Monday, included pastors and church members from Los Angeles, California. Leading the group was Christine Hayworth, Director of Church Engagement at World Vision US. Among the visitors were Pastor Albert Tate of Fellowship Monrovia Church and his family, Pastor Pitts from Second Baptist Church, and Pastor Wayne Chaney, Pastor Brittnay and Tiffany Dean from Antioch Church of Long Beach.
Their visit included participation in World Vision’s CHOSEN campaign, held at the Mahlangatsha Area Programme. The initiative flips the traditional model of child sponsorship—this time, children were given the opportunity to select their own sponsors from among the visiting group.
“Being chosen today has been the most humbling experience,” said Pastor Pitts. “It feels as though I was chosen by God Himself.”
The group later visited Nhlotjeni, a rural community under Mambatfweni, where more than 77 households have long struggled without access to clean water. Residents shared stories of collecting water from sources also used by livestock, which often led to sickness, especially among children.
One woman told the delegation how things changed when World Vision responded to their plea. “Now we have tap water right next to our homes. We no longer compete with cows for water. Our children are healthier, and we are much happier,” she said.
As she spoke, women in the group burst into spontaneous singing and clapping, a joyful expression of how much their lives have improved.
The visitors also toured a small farm run by local women who now grow produce thanks to the reliable water supply. Another stop included a visit to a women’s sewing group that has turned vocational training into a thriving business. The women make and sell clothing to the community, including school uniforms for nearby schools.
The visit ends today as the pastors and church members prepare to return to the United States.
Discussion about this post