Swazi in recap. Africa is awesome! I really do enjoy it here overall. Temperatures are generally pleasant during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. I like it! The general feel of the landscape – the rolling hills of prairie grass speckled with cattle, spotted groves of trees, occasional windmills, and smooth highways remind me of the Dakotas or Montana. It seems like we just rolled into this beautiful country and now we are jumping on a bus to the border of Botswana where our new ministry site lies. The town where we will be near is called Bokspits. It sounds like it will be pretty remote so sounds like I’m going on another internet fast as I have been this month. It’s actually been refreshing not having that wi-fi temptation 24/7 – more time to read, fellowship, and just be in the present.
But anyway this last month in Ntabas, Swaziland, just a 20 minute Kumbi (large taxi van) ride outside Manzini, was a month of fun ministry and extreme community living. We worked primarily at small preschools called Care Points in the city of Manzini. Tayo and I worked together at one Care Point called Magwaneni. There were 30 kids there total from 4-6 years old. These kids were the most energetic, clingy bunch of rascals I have yet to come across. I had 21 of them. Thankfully I wasn’t the primary teacher; I assisted the teacher as best I could and played with the kids during their generous recess. Although being around crazy kids 3 hours a day 5 days a week isn’t exactly my gig, I will miss them – their faces, smiles, antics, and mannerisms. I was reminded more than once as I sat with loads of children on my lap and back how Jesus welcomed the little children. I often wish I could hold my Father’s hand with as much trust as some of those little kids did mine.
I also spent a few hours a week working at a hospice center called Hope House, a place where terminally ill people are able to receive good Christian care and comfort. I had the privilege of getting to know an older couple by the name of Wilson and Constance. I usually saved visiting them until last because they were my favorite and I always looked forward to conversing with Wilson, your typical wise old grandfatherly figure. I had the privilege of asking for advice from him on different life topics, talking about the Bible, and just about his life. I think I may have enjoyed our times together more than he did. I first met Wilson as he was shuffling along with his walker on one of his four daily walks to the facility gates and back. He cordially accepted my offer for company and I made sure to visit him every day I returned to Hope House. I met and prayed with several other patients during my visits there, but I had the privilege of getting to know a young boy named Lungelo better than the rest, besides Wilson. Lungelo is HIV positive and was in pretty bad shape when he arrived at hope house a few months ago but now he is looking much healthier and lively. I always enjoyed my times with him, kicking the soccer ball around, eating raw sugar cane we cut down in a nearby field, and just hanging out.
Community. With constantly being around 15 other people in a small house with one bucket shower bathroom located in the girls room, no sink in the house, and rank outhouses in the backyard, I didn’t find myself as low on energy as I thought I would. But it was still a challenge at times; a challenge to find alone time for myself and to be with God. So thankful for my bros Ray, Seth, Greg, Jeff and Luke. We were all able to have some good man time throughout the month, even if it meant just holing up in our room and watching a movie to separate from the general fray of things.
In other news, I am thinking about reentry back into America in two months and what that is going to look like! I would much appreciate your prayers for provision in the areas of a job and a vehicle. Thank you all so much for your continued support in this journey God has me on. It is now winding down. I’m on mile 22 of the marathon! Through the wall and surging forward to finish strong! By God’s grace. The Lord bless and keep you!
