A a year ago, I applied for the World Race Gap Year. I began preparing for this amazing journey that never really seemed real.
Until it was.
There I was, after almost a year of fundraising and preparing under my belt, standing in Atlanta with my squad. Saying goodbye to my parents. Saying goodbye to the comforts of America. Saying goodbye to Chipotle burrito bowls.
While these goodbyes were very hard, I knew the amazing plans that the Lord had in store for me and my new family in Swaziland. After three travel days, four countries, two bus rides, and two flights, my squad and I were exhausted but so ready to bring the kingdom.
As I type this very blog, I am sitting on my sleeping-pad on the floor of my new house in rural Swaziland, and man, I never thought a place so, so far away could feel so much like home… but this does. Something that I have come to realize is that wherever the Lord places you can feel like home, because He is always there with you.
Now let me tell you a lil’ bit about what life is like here in Swaziland.
You wake up to the sound of laughing children on their way to preschool. You eat breakfast, brush your teeth, get ready for ministry, and leave. The ministry site is about a 10 minute walk down the road.
The ministry site that my and my team are serving at has around 40 primary schoolers and 15 younger children that attend there. A carepoint is basically a place for children to come and get ministered to, fed, and taught a few bible lessons right after school. They are usually there from around one and a half to two hours.
My team and I are in sort of a classroom setting there, teaching and telling testimonies of how God has moved in our lives. We sing songs and dance with them, and then interact with them on a more social level after the lesson, talking one-on-one, learning names, etc.
The children are so beautiful and loving. The people are all so kind and welcoming.
I have already seen and experienced Christ in ways that I had never before. He is on the move here. He has great things planned for my squad and I during our time here. He is so good.
My life here in Swazi is pretty sweet, I am already dreading saying goodbye.
Thanks for staying updated everyone, miss you guys so much.
—Abigael
To stay up to date via social media::
Instagram: @abigaelpena
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Abigael Pena
