How does one summarize an indescribable month in
Swaziland? Walking into Swaziland I
expected a flat, desert-like landscape only hoping that the month would pass by
quickly and without a lasting effect. I
was wrong. Not only was Swaziland the
complete opposite of what I had envisioned it to be, it left an undeniable
impression on me. With the formation of
new teams and being paired with another team this past month of May, there was
no telling what the month would look like.
As soon as we met our ministry contact, met the organization’s team, and
had our first meeting we knew that the month would hold something unique. However, we had no idea how special the month
would be. Our ministry contact was a
woman originally from Fresno, California.
A few years back she came to Swaziland on a church mission trip and
little did she know how her heart would break for this country. Corine went from a life of success and
comfortability to a life of scarce living and strongholds. Her dedication to Hope Rises (the ministry)
goes unmatched. She greeted us with a
strong smile and in raw honesty gave her testimony sparing no detail. Who was this woman? What emanated from her was this magnetic
joy. It was almost sickening (in a good
way) how real she was and how easily she connected to our teams. Just from her warm welcome we knew that the
month would “come easy.” We knew that we
were in good and safe hands.
Just
after meeting Corine we were all introduced the Hope Rises team which is made
up of volunteers. No one on the team I
supported through any means. The work
they contribute is that of their own free time, energy, and resources. What type of work do they do…? A lot of construction, cooking/ feeding, and
other related community service works.
For what reason? For the
community’s betterment. It was
intimidating not knowing who they were (or even what African culture was really
like). It certainly took some time for
us to connect with the team, but once we did I can say that my heart became
burdened for the Hope Rises team. To
even put it in some sort of perspective what we wanted for the month was to
come alongside the Hope Rises team.
Seems like a simple concept, but when thinking about short term missions
(in a general sense) most short terms teams have a certain goal in mind. For example, building a house in a matter of
a week or completing one phase of a long-term project. We did not want to create a tempo for our
ministry contact but submitted to the pace, people, and environment of
Swaziland. Besides, who were we to be
jumping in and calling the shots when we did not know a thing about Hope Rises
and the people involved.
From that initial meeting our month took off from
there. Our goal for the month was to
help in the construction of the preschool (our living quarters) and a care
point. A care point is a place in which
food is cooked and where the community comes to get food supplied by the local
government. Because the poverty is
extraordinarily severe, the government has worked with non-profits to ensure
that communities are supplied with food.
Thus these care points are places of nourishment literally.
One of main tasks in Swaziland was to assist the Hope Rises
team in finishing a care point in the next town over. It involved manually mixing sand, cement mix,
and soil to make plaster. On our first
day of work we had no idea how to do anything concerning Swazi labor. Fortunately, the guys were EXTREMELY patient
with us. Even though it seemed like we
were just getting in the way of their work they allowed us to help them. They definitely had a lot of grace! As our time progressed and our four guys
continued in the plastering process, we began to get good at it. More importantly a natural trust began to
form between the Swaziland guys and the World Race guys. Ironically, at the beginning of the month the
four of us (Stephen, Kelly, Vinny, and I) had a hard time connecting with the
Hope Rises team, but the end of the month a bond had been established. It actually made working easier taking on a
life of its own.
Like I said something special happened while we were in
Swaziland. Actually, coming into the
race I hoped that Swaziland would go by fast, but ironically it left a lasting
impression on my heart. Who would have
thought that the one country I would want to go by quickly at the beginning of
the race was the month that I could not easily leave behind. Swaziland was by
far the most enjoyable month on the race for me. I know I have a complete change of heart
going from not wanting any memories of Swaziland to trying to capture countless
memories of it. Even now my heart aches
to be there. God was /is without a doubt
there. I cannot explain why I know that
for a fact, but I could feel it. It’s
hard not to say that God wasn’t moving in that place especially at knowing how
amazing the month was from start to finish.
Even now my heart aches to be there.
I can truly say that I am without words when it comes to talking about
Swaziland.
What can I say about Swaziland that accurately sums up the
country / month? Swaziland was by far
the most enjoyable month on the race for me.
Actually, coming into the race I hoped that Swaziland would go by fast,
but ironically it left a lasting impression on my heart. I know I have a complete change of heart
going from not wanting any memories of Swaziland to trying to capture countless
memories of it. Even now my heart aches
to be there. I can truly say that I am
without words when it comes to talking about Swaziland.
Here are a few pictures of our time in Swaziland:
