Being a hairstylist, you get to do a variety of hair styles on guests that come to the salon. My time here has been a nice change of pace from being behind the chair to in action. Trimming my teammates beards, haircuts… and now adding to the list of things I’m able to say I could put on my resume… weave. That’s right, “Dana Karpinski” in fact learned how to weave hair. I can see it now as you read my resume, “learned the art of weave in Africa. I spent many of hours working on finishing my teammates’ hair. While the process is somewhat simple, it’s also quite time consuming. Not to mention the time and pain for the person getting it done. I should know you are now looking at the new (and maybe improved isn’t the right word but then again maybe), Dana…
It’s been a joy getting to know Lindelai (pastor’s wife) while staying on the main care point here in Nsoko, Swaziland. Lindelai has been such a blessing to our team as we have been coming to her for many different reasons. One of them being a lot of the girls wanting weave. She comes in the afternoon and stays over till all hours of the night trying to finish one of us and start on another, before she gathers her keys and shoes and walks back to her humbly sized home next to the AIM office. How do I even begin the describe this amazing woman? She is the type of person who brings the love of Jesus where she goes. She’s the woman who always is full of joy, and with joy, much laughter. This past week we found out she is pregnant and celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her husband. Getting our hair done has been a great way we could financially support her while also making time for us to pray over her and her family as they get ready for their new addition. You could see in her eyes that they were joy filled. Not just because she was pregnant, but because the Lord had blessed her.
Jesus continues to shower blessing upon blessing to Swaziland since we have arrived. First with the rain, then all the small blessings, including two of my teammates being in the room and making eye contact with the King of Swaziland. We had been praying we could meet him and share the good news. He blessed our ministry host and family by allowing them to purchase land in the Nsoko community. Being surrounded by locals, they have gained their trust to be able to purchase land. Their obedience to God has been so evident – and God has blessed them. Sense purchasing, they have started building their new home. They have seen through obeying God that He has broken so many walls down with the shy Swazi people. The Swazi people now know how serious God’s love is for each one of them.
Through my time in Swaziland, I have learned a lot. I have witnessed God’s overflow of blessing on this country, my squad, and I this month. Not only that I have experienced how much our obedience can do for God’s Kingdom and glorify God. Being with more than two teams this month has been a great time to grow closer to people and build deeper relationships. Overall, I’m in awe every day of where I am, what I’m doing and the impact it has on the Kingdom. I’m still short on funds and I could always use more prayers, so if you would like to partner with God, please pray – and if you’re able or willing to financially support, you can at the top of this page. Thank you for your prayers and support. I really can’t thank you enough. God is so good, and He is doing great things every day.
