11 Moments of Swazi
1. Hang out sessions with teammates: I have loved getting to know my teammates this month. I enjoyed spending time with them one-on-one but also as we cooked meals or played cards together.
2. Sunrises and sunsets: Every day brought beauty in the sun, the clouds, the stars. I don’t think I’ve ever taken so many photos of the same landscape over and over, but be so amazed at every single one.
3. Friendship Bracelets: I absolutely loved making bracelets with the kids. It is always neat to watch all of the kids work together and support each other in making their bracelets. And the look of accomplishment they have when they are finished with their bracelet is so encouraging.
4. Conversations with Family: Who knew how comforting family would be until you are away from them for so long? It is nice to be able to connect with family and share silly stories, but also the struggles of the journey with them. It is comforting to hear their voices and see their smiles, and to join in their lives, if only for a few moments.
5. Climbing a Waterfall: I climbed a waterfall this month! I didn’t think I would be brave enough to rock climb a waterfall. But again, the Lord filled me with confidence and a great supportive team to walk through the journey with me.
6. Card games: Playing card games with the children. Learning new games like Garbage and Speed, but also teaching them new games like Nerts and Spoons. Although many of the kids were much better at the games than I was, it was such a relaxing time to hang out with them and enjoy the fun times!
7. Photobooth Sessions: I loved watching the kids entertain themselves with the different types of fun designs with the photobooth application. The crazy eye designs and distortions of the face made them giggle. I absolutely sat entranced with their excitement in how many different ways they wanted to see their faces designed.
8. Teaching Overcome Dance: We worked with the older girls at the mission to teach them the Overcomers dance that my first team created in Thailand.
9. Painting the wall: Victoria Baker and I painted our squad’s route on the mural on the wall. I enjoyed painting. The Lord brings so much peace and relaxation to me when I paint. It was quality time for Victoria and I as we decided how to leave our print on the wall for the future teams and express our creativity through it.
10. Hiking with the children: It was fun to take the kids outside of the mission compound. To explore all of God’s beauty and creation by hiking around the mountains of Swaziland. Their bravery was evident as they climbed all sorts of heights of rocks and the side of mountains. Then they would take off down the mountain with no reservations.
11. Last Chapel Session: The children prepared a special dance for us on the last night. The younger girls sang two different songs to us, then the older girls and guys sang several songs for us. Then the older girls did two different flag routines. For the finale, the oldest boys did a step routine. I found it a huge blessing for the children to show off their abilities in using their gifts and talents from the Lord.
What a fantastic month that I loved! Continue to lift up the children and leadership at El Shaddai Children’s Home. Continue to pray for the nation of Swazi as well!
