Teaching Kids in Swaziland,
Swaziland is Beautifu! Adventures in Missions has an office base in Swaziland. Their vision for Swaziland is to walk alongside the community in discipleship, mentoring, and by providing education, future sustainability and kingdom impact. In the beginning of the month, we had a day where we went to the office and really learned exactly what they do. I’ve never been so encouraged by missionaries who literally live and work for Gods purposes.
My team is living with two other teams in an A.I.M house. Our teams are currently helping with many different jobs such as I.T, manual labor (cutting grass, digging holes, etc..), graphic design, medical, and teaching at mission schools (pre/k) where they feed underprivileged kids twice a day and provide free education for preschoolers. This month I’m helping at the school assisting the teacher in a classroom with a large group of 5 and 6 year olds.
The first day I stepped out of the van and was attacked by tiny children wanting hugs, to be carried, and to touch me. They were all giggling and laughing and it was the sweetest thing that melted my heart. Everyday since then, they run to us when we get there and scream “Teee-cha”. It’s awesome!
But this is where my heart is with it. I love kids, don’t get me wrong they are precious little human beings, extremely cute and I want to cuddle them all, unashamedly. If my job was to hold kids all day I would do it for free. One day far from now having my own family is a desire of my heart. One day. But as for now I would call my love for kids a babysitters love and let me explain as honestly as I can. 🙂
Kids are gross and unsanitary and naturally not well behaved. Coming on The World Race, I wanted to dive deeper into children’s ministry because I’d say that’s one of my weaknesses. Children’s ministry is non-negotiable on the World Race, kids are everywhere and they all need the gospel just has much as any other age “for such is the kingdom of Heaven”. The first experience on the race that I had with kids was last month in Mozambique. Our teams and Beacon of Hope went to a church, made sandwiches and brought school supplies to the people who have lost their homes in a flood. There were lots of kids! Playing in groups passing a ball is easy, bible skits are easy, but when you’re not in groups with kids, I feel awkward and just smile like a psychopath. I literally have no idea what to do. I asked my teammates about it and their advice made me laugh, “act like a monkey and they will love you.” It makes me laugh but at the same time they’re just kiddos. Then this month I’m surrounded by them. I prayed really hard for grace and patience. When I got there I was like ‘alright God I can do this, these kids are so stinking cute!’ They have the cutest English/Swazi accent, untucked uniforms, and big smiles.
The first day the teacher leaves me in the room for a few minutes by myself with 20 six year olds. Shoot. They are supposed to be ”coloring quietly”.. nope, they head for crawling under the tables (I had to drag a kid out), yelling at each other , and throwing crayons. I have a short tolerance for misbehaved kids who don’t listen. You listen the first time. Unrealistic expectation, but let me dream. Then there’s the sanitation, which I know in other countries isn’t such a big priority. So when they sneeze, cough, pee outside and come back to class and eat with their hands, my sanitation senses tingle and it makes me back off which in a two room school it’s hard not to be in the middle of them all. Going back to asking God to soften my heart and pray the prayer “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Luke 18:16-17
*Prayers would be welcomed as we work at the school to build relationships with the little ones, invest into them, play with them and have a genuine love for the dirty kiddos.
*To let them crawl all over me and embrace them like Jesus would.
*Prayers for the teachers who have been teaching at the school a long time and need rest, there names are Treasure and Cindy.
*Prayers for the kids, any medical issues, healing of sicknesses and a safe learning environment.
*Prayers for the missionaries and the Adventures in Missions staff here in Swaziland to continue the steadfast purpose in pursuing discipleship.
Love from Swaziland ??????
~Gabby:)
