Wake up: Each morning, I wake up between 5 and 6:30 am! We have devotionals at 7, so I have to be up before then, but I try to get up at 5 when I can because it’s a sweet time I get to spend with the Lord without any distractions!
Devotionals: Devotionals are at 7 am with the whole squad! Devotionals is a 30 minute time period that we get to spend with the Lord in whatever way we choose to. Although the whole squad is together, we are each in our own little bubbles with Jesus. That can involve praying to him, journaling, reading the Bible, water coloring, etc.
Time between after devos and ministry: This time can be spent in whatever way we choose. Sometimes it looks like spending extra time with the Lord! Sometimes it looks like doing your laundry so that you aren’t stuck wearing the same thing 5 days in a row!
Walk to ministry: Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 am, my team walks an hour to ministry! The walk can be tiring at times, but our view is beautiful and it gives us plenty of time to bond and connect.
Ministry- We are at ministry from about 11:30 to 4:30! Our ministry is at a care point called Mahongeni that kids from the age of 1 to 20 come to. We have the best Sheppard named Bongiwe that the kids refer to as “Aunt Bongiwe”. She is like a firecracker, always bringing life and fun to each day!! At the care point, most days involve playing with the kids all day and showing them love. Sometimes this means running ourselves ragged playing touch (which is tag in the states) or it looks like simply holding a child and just talking to them. Some days we have gone on prayer walks and had the chance to pray over a multitude of things in the community, such as provision and health. We have also done two house visits where our team goes with our Sheppard to someone’s home nearby and we get the chance to talk to these people about the Lord and their lives, as well as pray over them. I have personally really enjoyed doing that. Overall, ministry can be very exhausting and draining, but it is the most life-giving and fulfilling thing I have ever had the chance to be a part of. Those kids smiles alone make my day and I wouldn’t have things any other way.
Dinner: Each day, dinner is around 5:30 and we alternate between eating Swazi meals and American meals. A typical Swazi meal is beef, pop, and butternut squash. Our squad is blessed with a cook named Doli that prepares our delicious meals for us each night.
Team time: Every day, each team gets together some time after dinner and discusses different things! Team time is a great chance to just have a safe space and connect over our experiences and feelings. Team time serves as a wonderful release each day and I am so grateful for it.
Bedtime: Bedtime is pretty self-explanatory! After team time, everybody is more than ready to go to bed and prepare for the next long day. Sleep is definitely not taken for granted!!
This is a glimpse into my day to day life in Swaziland! Life has been incredibly different in Swazi compared to my life in the states, which has resulted in a whole bunch of growth. I am so thankful for the time I have been given in Swaziland and the time I have left! Anyways, thanks for tuning in! I hope to get out another blog real soon on what the Lord has been teaching me; however, there is no WiFi in Swaziland so it may be a little difficult! Also, I am still fundraising for the race and would be so appreciative of any financial support at all! You can donate through the donate tab on my blog! Talk to y’all soon!!<33
