Swaziland. Deep Breath.
I LOVED Swaziland.
Out in the middle of the bush of Nsoko, Swaziland sat the AIM care point called The Anchor Center.
The land was stretched far and wide, with side ways thorny trees, red dirt roads and cotton candy clouds. From the second we stepped out of the bus, and were surrounded by small hands and big smiles, I knew this was a place I could learn to quickly love. (and, did)
Our ministry was a hodge podge of goodness.
Including, preschool, care points, feeding children, bible teachings (usually for the babes), home visits
and digging trenches for a new water line at the Anchor Center.
Three teams lived at the Anchor center, and community living became more real.
AIM has 10 care points throughout Nsoko area, which on a daily basis provide at least one meal for the local children surrounding each care point. At each care point the GoGo’s (Grandmothers) come along daily and cook the meals (rice and beans) for the kiddos. The GoGo’s are faithful in their work, and quickly found a special place in my heart. (basically I loved them, and any time I could spend with them)
With Christmas fast approaching we had the opportunity to participate in the care points Christmas Parties.
The Christmas parties were ‘special’ for the kids, it was the one time in the year they received meat with their meal, along with some other special things like coleslaw, beet root salad and potato salad. They get to play special games, color, jump in a bounce house and have their faces painted. The day was special and the energy, excitement and pure joy that came from their little faces was contagious. To top it off they also received a small gift, which most could barely wait to open.
Along with feeding at the care points, they provide a discipleship program (throughout the year) for the children – this program is led by the ‘D-Team’ and the newly stationed Malloy’s and Spragg’s (missionaries from the states). They all have the most incredible hearts for Swazi and Gods love is exemplified in their daily lives. They were a blessing to our teams, and became our family away from home.
They welcomed us in, loved on us, included us in their lives and made us feel so special.
[Thanksgiving would not have been the same without them]
[Thanksgiving Family Photo with the Spragg’s, Malloy’s and the D-Team]
Back to The Anchor Center…
The constant kids that surrounded The Anchor Center, stole a special place in my heart. They joined us for morning devotions and worship on the porch, constantly asked us to push them on the swing and anytime we stepped foot out of the team house would grab for our hands in hopes to follow us in whatever daily activity we were about to get into. I especially loved the babes that joined us for our devos and worship, my favorite was the ones who would attempt to sing along to every worship song they did not know the words to.
Swaziland, was a treat. I loved the people, the land and the animals that randomly roamed around. (especially the baby ones) I would get most excited when ministry included the GoGo’s or children – and with that there was usually animal spotting’s – If there was a choice between GoGo’s and children for which ministry to go to my classic statement would be ‘doesn’t matter to me, it’s a win win, I love them both’ – my team quickly would tease me with the statement. GoGo’s, babies and pigs Oh MY!! (hence the title of my blog)
So in honor of the title. Enjoy…
[Pure excitement after catching a baby pig, and lets be honest pigs are fast, I had help]
God is good, he’s on the move here in Swazi – blessed to be apart of this journey.
Thank you for all your love, prayers and support!!
