Oct. 4, 2018
Since arriving in Nsoko, my team and I have met a few missionaries and their families in this area. The region of eSwatini that I’m currently in is one of the poorest in the country; the faithfulness and trust that these families have to the Lord is just incredible.
A few of my friends and I had the honor to serve at an event that a local missionary named Charity put together called Renew Me 2018. Charity has been working so hard to bring this vision to life over the past year. Even with 5 children in her house, she chose to take on the task of pulling together this event- and the outcome was beautiful. Renew Me is a women’s missionary retreat, meant to be a time of restoration, relaxation, and renewal for missionary women all over eSwatini. Each of the attending ladies have given up their lives of comfortability and familiarity to fulfill the calling that the Lord has placed on their hearts. They have all said to “yes” to their Kingdom Calling and are spreading the hope and good news of Jesus Christ every day.
Thirty women came together from all over the country to be a part of this event during its first year in the making. They got to be a little “pampered” with American luxuries (like coffee creamer- it was a big hit) and had sessions and worship to share in fellowship with each other. There was also a hairstylist who flew out from the states to give the women some new cuts and styles, and a masseuse to give massages.
All the women we met were beautiful and inspiring. I lead worship for this event with a couple of girls from my squad, and being in a room full of these women worshiping gives me a loss for words. The passion and love that filled the room was so intense and so real. I got to play my original song, Dance With You, and quite a few ladies told me how deeply it touched their hearts.
As a part of the serve team I also helped prepare food, decorate, and clean up. The ladies were so eager to talk with and get to know us. Many sweet conversations were had and we got to ask questions to women who have been living on the field for years. I learned about so many different ministries and organizations that are doing so much good and impacting so many communities around the world. We thought we were going to serve and pour into these women, but we found that we were being loved and poured into right back.
One of my favorite moments was when a women named Wendy (who, ironically, is from North Carolina) walked outside to find me and give me a “momma hug.” She didn’t know how much it was needed. I believe many women felt renewed and restored after this weekend, and had a new excitement for their ministries.
Isiah 40:31
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
