{"id":36877,"date":"2020-12-02T18:39:58","date_gmt":"2020-12-02T23:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/"},"modified":"2020-12-02T18:39:58","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T23:39:58","slug":"emerging_joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/","title":{"rendered":"Emerging Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Helen Keller<\/em><\/p>\n

During these unprecedented times, I have discovered just how fundamentally true this quote is.\u00a0 We often see without visualizing and connect without touching; but use our hearts to connect with the heart in our fellow man.<\/p>\n

For the past seven months, I have been home in the breathtaking state of Tennessee due to the coronavirus pandemic.\u00a0 From the southeastern region of the United States of America to Southern Africa, I have been delighted to experience how the bonds of friendship, community and faith transcend time and distance.\u00a0 I have shared in many major life events and blessings that have occurred in the lives of my friends, colleagues and church members in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Social media and various cross-platform messaging and voice applications have not only been a conduit to remain connected, but a means for our relationships to continue to thrive.<\/p>\n

I have laughed, shared feelings of frustration and hope, and rejoiced with my friends- all through my computer or phone screens.\u00a0 A great deal of our communication revolves around the status of our countries in reference to the coronavirus. We discuss new births, border closings, infection rates, the reopening of in-person learning for specific grades, institution of checkpoints, allegations of human rights violations at the aforementioned stops, relaxed cross-border travel, and coronavirus economic downturn in Eswatini.<\/p>\n

New Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have celebrated with first, second, and third time mothers, fathers, and even grandparents during this pandemic. It is beautiful to witness how new life brings about a peace even in the midst of a storm. As I talked with Mrs. Sbongile Manyatsi, CSC Women\u2019s Wing Treasurer, via WhatsApp, she exclaimed, \u201cI\u2019ve got another grandson out of this pandemic. Now I have two baby boys.\u201d\u00a0 I could feel the joy in her her heart through the inflection in her voice. And I rejoiced with her as I offered blessings and congratulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

My colleague, Mr. Melusi Matsenjwa, and his wife welcomed their third child, baby Matsenjwa into the world on April 16, 2020. Six days after I boarded my flight at King Mswati III International Airport to return home, I received a photo of Baby Matsenjwa gracefully adorned in a pink outfit and matching tutu, complimented with a black and white panda hat. The corresponding group message read, \u201cNewborn ka Matsenjwa. Thank you for your prayers.\u201d\u00a0 Two additional photos soon followed with her gazing lovingly into her father\u2019s eyes as he held her. This warm exchange truly warmed my heart. Subsequently, more photos of the now family of five flooded my WhatApp inbox which caused me to reflect on the beautiful outcome of the lockdown in Eswatini and worldwide- it provided the time and space for families to bond and make precious memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Cannon_eSwatini_Dec_2020_(4).jpeg\"My dear friend Lungile gave birth to a beautiful baby girl at Mbabane Government Hospital on Friday, October 2, 2020.\u00a0 That same day she sent photos of Baby Lisa via WhatApp so that I could share in the precious moment although I was thousands of miles away.\u00a0 Even before Baby Lisa entered the world, Lungile shared photos of her surprise baby shower with me. Her family and friends threw her a wonderful celebration at Mantenga Nature Reserve and Cultural Village which is set along the Usushwana River and home to Mantenga Falls,\u00a0Eswatini\u2019s largest waterfall.\u00a0 Her message read, \u201cHello dear Sister\u2026. I wish you were there. My family and friends had organized a surprise baby shower for me at Mantenga today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Educational and Economic Re-openings<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cannon_eSwatini_Dec_2020.jpeg\"Rebecca, a mission co-worker from Ghana, had a very vibrant ministry prior to the start of the pandemic.\u00a0 She heads \u201cTeens Aloud Foundation\u201d in the Kingdom of Eswatini, a ministry whose purpose is to challenge the young generation to believe in their gifted purpose and passionately pursue Jesus Christ and take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth. In addition, she co-led a hostel fellowship with students from Mbuluzi School in the north western region of the country on Saturdays and is a teacher at Inkhanyeti School, a private school in Manzini.<\/p>\n

As schools closed in March due to the pandemic, Rebecca had to find unique ways to remain connected and engaged with her students. In July, educational institutions reopened for completing classes to allow those students to prepare for their external examinations. Rebecca explained, \u201cI\u2019m doing well by God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 Teachers have resumed physical teaching (taking all the precautions) for the final class students as their final exams begin in October.\u201d\u00a0 Although Teens Aloud continue to gather virtually for meetings and sessions, she expressed that everyone was looking forward to their virtual leadership training on the first Saturday in November.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Cannon_eSwatini_Dec_2020(2).jpeg\"Phased re-opening of churches, sports and businesses soon followed.\u00a0 During the first week in September, my friend Mr. Nkambule wrote, “Most [businesses] have opened except liquor production and distribution, churches are allowed 30% attendance, other gatherings as well cannot more than 100 [people] at funerals and weddings.\u201d\u00a0 This is a blessing, especially for non-essential workers like Ms. Angela, a hair stylist at Venus Hair Salon, affectionately known as \u201cthe shop.\u201d\u00a0 Being a non-essential worker, she had been out of work since the lockdown began in late March. She recently returned to work in October and exclaimed, \u201cEverything is fine by God\u2019s grace\u2026. things are normal. We are back to work.\u201d\u00a0 Together, we have been rejoicing over the country\u2019s progress and the reopening of businesses.<\/p>\n

Working Together<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another noteworthy result of the pandemic, is the collaborative work that sprung forth from the three church bodies of Eswatini: Council of Swaziland Churches, Eswatini Conference of Churches, and League of Churches.<\/p>\n

To insure that everyone played a role in stopping the pandemic, the Eswatini government engaged the Church to assist in these efforts. In former times, the three church bodies worked independently, focusing on the needs of their member denominations. However, this pandemic galvanized them to come together and work for a common cause- defeating the coronavirus and preserving the lives of EmaSwati and the nation as a whole.<\/p>\n

Initially, they worked in tandem to issue a joint public statement when the partial lockdown began in March 2020. From the beginning, they were on one accord to provide pastoral guidance to the nation, propagate scientific-based knowledge of COVID-19, and encourage members to follow precautions and regulations set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of Eswatini.<\/p>\n

As the lockdown progressed from partial to full, and then to relaxed restrictions, the three church bodies continued to work hand-in-hand to provide consultation and work to achieve strategies that would led to successful outcomes of what the government put in place.<\/p>\n

Eswatini, as with countries worldwide, have experienced the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their society, economy, mental and emotional health, healthcare system, and environmental vitality. \u00a0Despite this, we have witnessed how God is still moving and working in the lives of His people in tangible ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The work of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Global Ministries and our partner organizations continues. I rejoice as we put on a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3). \u00a0In Jesus’ name. Amen.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Helen Keller During these unprecedented times, I have discovered just how fundamentally true this quote is.\u00a0 We often … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20124,"featured_media":36878,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[],"topic":[20239],"region":[20007,20035],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEmerging Joy - Global Ministries<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Emerging Joy - Global Ministries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Helen Keller During these unprecedented times, I have discovered just how fundamentally true this quote is.\u00a0 We often … Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Global Ministries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-12-02T23:39:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Cannon_eSwatini_Dec_2020_4.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1008\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"465\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kahala Cannon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kahala Cannon\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/\",\"name\":\"Emerging Joy - Global Ministries\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-12-02T23:39:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-12-02T23:39:58+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#\/schema\/person\/f99ca550c724d53f441d2135fc5037fd\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/emerging_joy\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Emerging Joy\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/\",\"name\":\"Global Ministries\",\"description\":\"Global Ministries is a common missional witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. 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