- Ministry of the month:
This month we were serving at El Shaddai ministries in the mountains of Swaziland. It is an orphanage for children of all ages. It is also connected with a primary school which all the area children attend for free. They have preschool on site for the area children as well. The first week we were here my team helped with preschool where I found myself teaching the entire class with no notice at all. It was crazy but I loved every second. We also lead chapel in the evenings for the children here. The rest of the time here I spent in the baby house. I loved being able to love on the babies and toddlers, playing with them and constantly praying for them. In the afternoons we would play with the older kids, helping them with their homework, making bracelets or doing crafts, and talking about Jesus. I also helped Christal, a former World Racer who is a volunteer here bake.
- Favorite Memory:
Because we were in the mountains this month we had lots of opportunities to hike. One day I went on a hike up a mountain with Adam and Jordan. It was such a fantastic time to enjoy Gods amazing creation and the accomplishment of reaching the top is always so worth it.
- Biggest Challenge:
It was a challenge at times this month to be around so many people with different thoughts and attitudes toward ministry. I had to focus on myself and what Jesus was calling me to do, and not worry about anyone else, or let their attitudes effect me.
- Worst Food:
I've been having a very blessed race and once again we cooked for ourselves and it was delicious! I did have to supplement my jelly sandwiches with cheese.
- Random WR Moment:
On Thanksgiving all the food was ready but we needed to carve the turkey. There was no more counter space so I put the pan on the floor and started carving the turkey. There were lots of laughs but it was delicious.
- Funniest Moment:
At the end of the month we headed back to South Africa. We stopped at a little store right before the border to spend the rest of our Swazi money. It was pretty funny to see everyone try to spend all their money on the most random snack food we could find, because the selection was that small.
- What I’ll miss:
All the kids. I'll miss the babies running up to me when I got there in the morning and all the high fives they would give me. I'll miss Maria and Siphe, the two little girls I got really attached to and the time that I was able to spend with them.
- Spiritual Lesson/Revelation:
God has just been continuing to lavish me with his love. It has been amazing being in His mountains this month because nature is one of my favorite things to be in. I loved seeing God in so many ways this month: through the children, the mountains, the clouds, the rain, the sunshine, through everything.
- Prayer Requests:
For the children at El Shaddai. They are so special and have really impacted my life. That they will know and understand the love of Jesus and accept him for themselves. Also for the country of Swaziland as a whole. It is such a special country that has a very dim future unless something changes. Pray that God moves in huge ways in the this country and uses the children here at El Shaddai to play a role in it.
