PVT
When I first learned that we could do a week of mission work with Allison, I was hoping for a country in Asia. Then I learned we would be going to Swaziland, I wasn’t really thrilled. I didn’t want to get shots and I also had the typical “don’t send me to Africa God” mentality. But God is so good to us!!!
We planned to go a few days early to explore Johannesburg in South Africa. The people in Africa are so friendly and nice! Anytime we needed help with something, they would take the time not just to tell us the info we needed but took us where we needed to be.
I was so excited the day we flew to Swaziland, I would get to see my racer!!! It was so good to hug Allison and really get to spend time hearing about all the things she had been doing.
Our first day of mission work we had a meeting with the AIM team in Swaziland. I am very impressed with how they don’t just want to help by doing everything for them, but to help empower them to be self sufficient. They help people start business, grow gardens, etc.
School is not free in Africa. AIM helps pay for school and feed the children as well. It was heartbreaking to know that when we helped feed the children, that was probably the only meal they would get that day.
Many of the children raise themselves, as the have only one parent, and that parent usually works in another area and they are left to themselves. All they really wanted was a hug or a touch because they don’t have a parent there daily to love on them. I so enjoyed loving on the little ones!
The one thing I learned is that everyone just wants to be loved. It doesn’t matter how much money you do or do not have, the color of your skin, we all need to feel like we are loved and that we matter.
My husband also liked putting a roof on an outdoor kitchen, and digging a trench for the water line from the above ground water tank.
It was also amazing to see how much our daughter had grown in the last 9 months! She has learned to hear and do what God is asking of her.I see where her confidence in who she is has changed so much. You can see how much she has grown in God. She also had so much joy!! Even after all the tough things all the racers had to see and endure, they seem to be joyful!
I would encourage anyone thinking about going on this trip to go!!
So to those who say “God I’ll do anything for you but don’t send me to Africa”, I say you would be blessed to be called to Africa!!!
I would encourage anyone who could go, to try and find a way to go.
