This month we get to live and work at beautiful El Shaddai, an orphanage for boys and girls of all ages. The little community is placed on top of a mountaintop in the heart of Swaziland. As you drive up the massive, green rolling hills and approach the church, barn and several buildings that make up El Shaddai you would never guess that this is an orphanage. It’s a home to around 60 awesome kids.
We live in a few tiny houses on the edge of the property and had the most amazing view of the river and surrounding mountains. Every day we just walk up our hill and are with the kids. Our ministry for the month is just to love on them. We spend time in the baby house. There is a preschool that El Shaddai runs for the community, so we help with the classes. Every day we spend time tutoring and mentoring the older kids. We also help with odd-jobs on the grounds. One of my favorite jobs is to cut down weeds in the cornfield with a machete. Yesss.
We’re really getting to know these kids. I have loved getting to consistently hang out with them, really getting to know them and build relationships. One of my favorite nights was our girl’s night. All the girls from Rooted Waters and N’ Pursuit got dressed up and had a special time with all the teenage girls of El Shaddai. We had a Bible study, finding scriptures about being women of God. We painted nails and talked. We had an awesome dance party- these girls can dance like you wouldn’t believe. It was such a special memory.
God is doing amazing things through this ministry. I feel so honored to be here, in such a beautiful place, with such beautiful people. Thank you for being a part of these kids lives through your prayers and support.
Here are some pictures from our time here.
