With tears in my eyes I finish saying my goodbyes to our South African hosts. I then drag my bags onto the bus that will take us to Swaziland. This travel day was much different then our last three as it did not involve flying on an airplane or include a time change. Instead it was only a 5 or so hour drive to the border of South Africa and Swaziland where we walked across without our passport in hand. Yea…that happened. We of course got our passports given back to us after we walked across.
We then said our goodbyes to our men as they split off to go to a separate ministry, and we 45 ladies hopped back on our buses to go to our ministry. As we drove over the border I was absolutely shocked at the beauty that surrounded me. It was the most wonderful surprise. Swaziland is absolutely beautiful! The landscape is made up of rolling green hills scattered with boulders.
After an hour or so driving we turn off the main road to head up the mountain to our ministry. The thirty-minute drive up the steep gravel road was filled with awe and anticipation for all of us ladies knew we were headed to El Sheddai, an orphanage that sits at the very top of the mountain. I could already see my month. I saw my self surrounded by tons of little children. I imagined holding a little baby. I could already feel the heartache of knowing we would have to leave at the end of the month.
Then we were given our assigned buddy for the month and God broke every single one of my expectations I had set.
My buddy’s name is Siboniso. He is 18 years old.
In that moment I knew that my month would look very different then I had expected it to be. Not that it would be bad, but I knew it was going to be a hard road to figure out how to connect and impact an 18 year old boy. I can’t even connect with my own 18 year old brothers. God knows I need to be uncomfortable in order to grow and to learn.
Later I found out why I was chosen to be Siboniso’s buddy. He loves to bake and to cook. He also loves to draw. I also know God wants to use me to speak into His life. You can see he has been equipped with boldness, with leadership, a desire to learn, and an undeniable light.
I am excited to dig into this month and see all that God has in store. On Sunday Siboniso helped by making us ladies delicious pancakes. He even made them in shapes! 🙂
