Life in Swazi
The first week we were in Swaziland was PVT (parent vision trip). We were all in Manzini for the week and those of us who did not have parents come meet us on the field got to hang out and do some Ask the Lord ministry for the week. It was a sweet time full of lots of unknowns, disorganization, time with friends, and sweet moments with the Lord. Though we did not get to do much that week, we did have plenty of time together as half of the squad, lots of adventures in a new country, and a lot of down time to spend with the Lord. The Lord did some pretty cool things in my heart that week and I am grateful for the new revelations that came out of it.
When PVT was finished, we all headed to our ministry sites for the month. For our time here in Swazi, the squad is basically split in half. My team and I are with the half of the squad who is out in the bush of Swazi. We are in a town called Nsoko doing care point ministry. Each team that is here is stationed at a different care point. My team got lucky and is stationed at the care point closest to where we are living. We only have to walk a half of a mile to get to ministry, some other teams have to walk three miles one way each day. Either way, it is cool to literally walk the same journey’s the kids walk each and every day to get to the care points in order to receive food, attention, and lessons about the Lord that loves them.
Our care point is the newest care point and is still in the “survive” stage. Basically, they’re just trying to make it by at this point. The care point is just a simple shelter with two rooms. One room is a kitchen where Gogo’s prepare meals packed by Feed My Starving Children, and the other room is the classroom where the students come after school each day to learn about Jesus. (Side note: If you have ever helped pack meals for feed my starving children, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping provide nourishment to these kids who so desperately need it. The impact these simple packages make is indescribable.) Our daily ministry is simple, help cook, play with the kids as they arrive (ages 2-19), do whatever is needed during the lesson, and then give the kids food and send them home. It’s simple, yet powerful.
These kids are much different than the kids we have worked with for most of the race. They are ornery, aggressive, and rather rambunctious. They are just a lot to handle, but my team and I are praying for peace, patience, and grace to love them like Jesus does. As we have been praying for the kids, one thing that has become clear is that their innocence is being attacked. So, if your looking for more specific ways to partner with my team and I in prayer this month, there you have it. Pray for us and pray for these kids.
Personally, it has been incredibly hard for me to interact with these kids. Yes, they are a lot to handle, but for me it is incredibly hard to see them in the conditions they are in. I just want to take them home, give them a bath, wash and mend their clothes (or buy them new ones), cook them a nutritious meal, and allow them to sleep in a peaceful, clean bed. I know I can’t do any of that, but I’m not helpless either. The Lord has my team and I here this month for a specific reason and purpose. To be a light to these kids and to love them like he does. So though we may not be able to fulfill our earthly desires to help these kids, we can do many things that will have a longer lasting impact. A kingdom impact. So, as I look at them daily and see their hurt and brokenness, I get to look into their eyes and see Jesus. I get to serve them. I get to love them. I get to feel for them and with them. That’s an honor and a privilege, not a broken burden.
So, all in all this month has been awesome and hard. It’s hard to give my all to these kids. It’s hard to live in the middle of nowhere in the African bush, it’s hard to live with 25 other people at once. But it’s amazing to see God’s promises coming true, to get to live his truth and be his light daily, and to get to live the dream the Lord placed in me two years ago to travel the world and bring his word to the lost and broken.
