Here are some of the most memorable things that happened during my time in Swaziland. Some I’ll never forget, some I may not want to remember, but all of it makes for a great time while living in a new culture and serving the Lord and his people. I sometimes like to refer to these as #JustSwaziThings or #OnlyInAfrica. 

 

Farmers tans galore. 

 

The most beautiful stars I’ve ever seen. 

 

Names so hard to pronounce we didn’t get them right until 2 months of learning them. 

 

Stoney sodas. I’m pretty sure they’re only sold in Africa. Might start a petition for that to change. 

 

Slamming on the brakes during car rides so you don’t hit the herd of goats/cows/pigs/donkeys just hanging out in the middle of the road. 

 

Wanting to speak Spanish when I’m talking to children because it’s the only other language my brain goes to. 

 

The plague of insects that filled out room one night. Never want to re-live that one.

 

I got a pink weave. It only cost me $6. Probably the best and worst decision I’ve ever made. 

 

Our compound cats- Fitzgerald (fitz for short… we didn’t know it was a girl until it started breastfeeding) and her daughter, Tiny, the kitten. They are probably the most well-fed cats in Swaziland. 

 

Having no shower curtains or bathroom stall curtains in a bathroom shared with 20 girls. Privacy was at an all-time low.

 

Sugarcane fields for miles and miles. Sugarcane trucks that pull over so the children can climb them and steal some sweet bark. 

 

Dirt covered feet, always. 

 

Chopping a chickens head off and eating that same chicken for dinner that night. 

 

Scorpions. And killing them. 

 

Bus rides that feel like a movie scene. So, so peaceful. 

 

Eating at KFC in a third world country. Why are there KFC’s here? I still dunno. 

 

The dead dog that decided to rot and decay on the side of the road right outside of our compound. That is, until somebody burned it. The smell still lingered for 2 months. 

Africa is a crazy and awesome place. The Kingdom of eSwatini will surely always have a little piece of my heart. 

Much love,

Abigail