I thought I’d send out a mid-month update to my family and friends, but then decided to post it as a blog instead! Enjoy!
1. Blanket Fort: We had team time in a blanket fort…so thankful for bunk beds this month! First time not sleeping on my air mattress all month, kind of a luxury to have a bed! We ate ice cream and had a lovely time in our blanket fort. Did I mention I’m not allergic/sensitive to milk or wheat anymore? So cool that God has healed that!
2. We helped out at a Christmas party, it was a small one apparently, about 120 kids. The kids were given treat bags (cookies, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, washcloth….we actually bagged these our first day here in Swaziland, so it was cool to get to give done out too), an apple, & a cabbage. The cabbages were so huge and some of the kids so little they could hardly carry them. So cute. Obviously the reality is not so cute, 5+ km walk home with that cabbage wouldn’t be so fun for them. and it would be a meal for the entire family…cabbage. The kids are adorable and so full of love! The little ones sat on our laps during the program, some of the kids sang & danced. Everyone was fed at the party; rice, potato salad, coleslaw, beet-slaw, & meat. And they had a bouncy castle!
3. American Thanksgiving. Some how this Canadian girl is on our planning committee for the three teams that are staying together this month. I have been recruited to help with dinner. We are so thankful we have an oven this month! (First time on the race my team has had an oven).
4. Ministry: I’m on the agriculture team. But the truck has been broken down a lot, so we’ve only planted seedlings one day so far. But we’ve had the opportunity to do done other things; gardening here at the base, visiting kids and playing with them at a Carepoint, decorating for a music performance, helping at a Christmas party, and putting treat bags together. Hopefully Lucky will have the truck working this week so we can get some planting done! It is planting season here!
5. Finally, this month has been great for spending quality time with God, digging into the word, and reading done great books. The words “be strong and courageous” keep coming to mind. The Lord says this a lot to Joshua and the Israelites. I’ve been contemplating what being strong and courageous means for my life; both here on the race and when I go home after the race.
Thank you for all your prayers, love and support! I am so blessed to be here and experience God in this place. I love Swaziland and am excited for the coming weeks & months I get to spend in this part of the world!
