(I can’t post pictures because it would use too much data).
There were a lot of firsts for me this past week.
- I was on the edge of a hurricane (not anything severe, but we left Atlanta as the rains started).
- I flew in a Boeing 777.
- I flew on an international flight.
- I flew over an entire ocean, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
- I explored a market in a middle-eastern country.
- I slept on a bus (never been tired enough to sleep in a moving vehicle before).
- I was awake for 36 hours and didn’t sleep at all on the first flight (which was 13 hours) no matter how hard I tried.
- I slept on a plane (the second one; I was so tired at this point that I finally fell asleep).
- I stepped on a different continent.
- I saw stars I have never seen before because we are now in the southern hemisphere.
- I went to an African church service (which was amazing).
We got to Swaziland on Thursday the 14th and didn’t start ministry until Tuesday. The days between involved rest, hanging out, and spending time with local kids who came to the care center where we are sleeping. It was tough to get here and not start our actual ministry for a few days, but the time of rest was much needed.
Adventures in Missions partners with Children’s Hope Chest to operate Care Centers in Swaziland, which provide a meal for children each day and a place to be safe. I think there about 15 care centers all over the country. Many of the children are orphans. The care center at which my team is working is a 5km drive (or walk, which we thankfully haven’t done yet) to the north of where we are staying. It is a plot of land with one bare building which has two rooms and a storage area. There is also a cooking shelter. It was a little shocking to get there because the care center in which we are staying has electricity, running water, several buildings, and a playground. The past two days have been exhausting, but I am glad to meet all the children and play with them. Our day consists of getting there at 11am and playing with the little children until lunch. We then help serve food for them and eat our own lunch. After that, we play or entertain or teach them, and then interact with the older children who come after school. We usually leave around 4pm. We will be serving at this location for two weeks, after which we will go to a debrief for a few days to discuss and relax before moving to Lesotho. I will try to post more often, but please be aware that WiFi here is rare and expensive.
Thanks for reading.
Luke
P.S.
It’s spring here, so nightfall at 6pm has been throwing me off.
We made the best kettle corn I’ve ever had in my life last night.
The stars are absolutely amazing. This side of the Milky Way is so vibrant, it looks like there is a cloud in the sky, even with some light pollution.
