This month my new team and I are living on a farm called Project Canaan and working on the property as our act of service to them.
Project Canaan (PC) started as a home for Swazi children who had been rescued from guardians who either could not or would not provide for their needs for various reasons.
At the beginning of the month, PC was home to 151 Swazi children, but during our stay, that number has risen to 155. Ian and Janine, the founders of PC, are the legal guardians of all 155 children.
Upon arrival we were greeted by our go-to woman for the next few weeks: Chris Cheek, or as we call her, Gogo. She was brought to the property in order to be a grandma (or gogo) for the children on the project.
The next day she gave us a tour of the beautiful farm that would be our home for the next month. The project has its own dairy farm, raises its own chickens, and is currently working on an aquaponics garden, all with the goal of being self-sustaining in the next few years.
PC funnels its production into the community to provide for those who are starving and unable to provide for themselves as a result of a recent 2-year drought, physical limitations, and other disabilities.
Here’s what a typical day looks like for us:
8:00-2:30: Working on projects around the farm. So far these projects have ranged from shoveling gravel, building a wall, creating a filing system for the medical clinic, and staining houses.
2:30-3:45: Break. My teammates and I tend to spend this time relaxing, spending time with God, eating pie (one of my new teammates enjoys making delicious pies and I’m not mad about it), or all of the above.
3:45-5:00: During this time we come down the hill for playtime with the toddlers or to read to the older children—the eldest being 6 years old. We have so much fun sharing time with these sweet children, and have truly been growing to love them. Additionally, as we’ve heard the stories of how some of them were rescued and brought to the home, we have also been able to stand in awe of God’s love and redemption for these children as well.
5:00-10:00: This is our real time to relax, share a meal, and have team time before winding down for another day on the farm.
On the weekends, we sometimes get the unique opportunity of accompanying Gogo to some of the nearby homesteads in order to give food, clothing, love, and hope to those in need. Also, during this time we may visit homesteads in order to check on a baby to make sure it is receiving the care it needs to survive, as it is always the hope that the family is able to provide sufficiently for the child’s needs and that the child can remain with his or her family.
Overall, this has been a great month of getting the privilege to see into the culture of Swaziland and to work with people who have such big hearts to help those in need. Additionally, it has been so eye-opening to see people living with so little who still have so much joy!
This Friday my squad and I will be leaving Africa and heading to Argentina for the start of 4 months in South America.
Please pray that we are able to continue the Race with the same energy with which we started it and that God would begin preparing us for what comes next.
