I am now in Swaziland. Wow, a year ago I signed up for The World Race and now I am here. I have to say it took forever to get here. Let me tell you a little about my process to getting here. If you read my previous blog it talks all about training camp and everything God spoke to me through that. On September 7th I picked up my 34 lb. pack, my smaller backpack, and my guitar to head out on a year long kingdom come journey. At training camp I was asked to be treasurer for my team which means I take care of the financial needs for my teammates and budget the money. The first day of launch (which is basically 4 more days of training in Atlanta right before we leave the country) I learned most everything I need to know about handling the finances which was/is very stressful and I am not usually a stressed person. I, however, believe that God is going to grow me through this and teach me how to be more independent. There was one night where our parents were there because AIM likes to get the parents involved and we had worship that night. The next day I had to tell me parents goodbye which was sad but wasn’t too terribly hard because they told me they will release me and I absolutely knew this is what I am supposed to do so I just have to obey. From there until the end of launch all of the racers sat in sessions listening to various speakers. On September 11th I woke up at 3:30 am, gathered my things together, and my squad left in a mega bus at 4:20 for a 11 hour drive to D.C.. on September 12th we finally took off in an airplane where we had a 10 hour layover in Qatar. This was so amazing. We were able to go out into Doha, however, I had taken my malaria meds on an empty stomach so I found a random toilet in the market place to puke in. Fun. Arriving in a Middle Eastern country and everyone looking at you strangely because your American and then you throw up in a bathroom. Strange. At 1:30 A.M. on September 14th we took off again on a plane and arrived at 10 A.M. in Johannesburg, South Africa. When we landed we got on a bus and drove for 6 hours to Nsoko, Swaziland. Finally on Thursday night we arrived at our ministry sight. On Friday morning I woke up to the screaming and playing of Swazi children. My teammate Lissie and I went outside for the intention to go on a walk but got stopped by children wanting to play. I absolutely love Africa, the mountains of Swaziland are beautiful. However, they are in need of much rain. They are in a terrible drought which causes famine. Swazi needs all the prayers possible for a whole lot of rain. The same day I had the opportunity to make a video of one of my squad mates testimony and every time I hear it it makes my tear up a little because it’s just that powerful. The next day I was playing guitar outside and this man walked around the corner and said, “teach me guitar.” So he taught me a Siswati song and I taught him guitar and it was super fun. Many people in Swaziland speak English because they are supposed to learn it growing up in school which makes it much easier for communication, such a blessing. Then the next day another young man said, “teach me guitar.” No question asked. So I began to teach him and he caught on very quickly and it was a blast. At Church here in Swazi, there is a lot of singing and a short sermon. We are at the AIM base where they partner with a ministry called hope chest which has various different care points spread out. Basically these care points provide food and discipleship for orphans and those who have just gotten out of school. Our job is to disciple and teach the kids to the best of our ability the Word of God. On Monday we met our “shepherd” who is the person who is head over a certain care point. His name is Mzwandele, he is 27 and very passionate about his ministry. Tuesday was our first official day of ministry. We walked half a mile to our care point where we ministered with very young children and primary schoolers. I absolutely love it.
