Our month two debrief in Nelspruit, South Africa flew by and
before I knew it I was in a van headed to Swaziland. It was Friday, November 2
and we had just left Nelspruit after lunch. It was only a short 4-5 hour ride
to Manzini, Swaziland. We had expected more waits and delays at the border, but
fashionably crossed without any hesitation.
Our team is partnering with Team Dengal during November. We
are currently doing ministry in the town of Buhleni, Swaziland. Buhleni is way
north in Swaziland, located about 25 kilometers from the border with South
Africa. We are staying in small huts on a large compound in the countryside,
about a 30 minute walk into the town. There is electricity, but only in the
main building, not in the huts where we are sleeping. There are sleeping
mattresses in the huts, but they are very thin. We had a very rude awakening
the first night by the mosquitoes, which won’t let us sleep at all. We ended up
setting up tents at 3AM and slept in tents in the hut. Weird, but after night
one we have been sleeping well. There are no toilets with running water; only
pits- the girls on our team have just loved this! Overall, the facilities are
very nice, there is beautiful scenery, and it’s very safe.
We are doing a variety of things this month in terms of
ministry. During the first couple of days here, we introduced ourselves to the
local hospital/clinic which is located just 10 minutes walking distance from
our homestead (house). We also introduced ourselves to the local primary and
secondary school, which is located right across the street from the clinic. We
will be volunteering at both of those places during the month. Every morning
from 7AM to 8AM there is a bible study at the clinic. We also go from 10AM to
1PM which are the visiting hours there. We go to visit the patients, encourage
them, and pray with them. We will be teaching English at the school two times
per week. The last main thing that we will be doing is working here in the
homestead. We will be digging a trench for garbage, hoeing to prepare a garden,
and repairing the huts we are staying in because they were recently damaged
from a hail storm.
All of these things are nice and cool and I have the ability
to participate in, but before the race and especially during the race I have
found my talent in Africa to be able to meet and connect with the local people.
I have established a group called the D.I.R.T.Y. group (Developing Intentional
Relationships with Today’s Youth). My ministry I will focus on personally
during the month of November in Swaziland is to really connect here with the
local community. Last month it was challenging to do this because of lack of
nearby community, neighbors, and safety concerns, but this month I can really
focus on this. We have neighbors surrounding us on all sides that are both
friendly and respectful to me. I have already met and developed relationships
with all of them.
I will explain what I want to do. Every day I one or two
other people and I will visit a family nearby. I don’t like big groups because
I feel like that’s intimidating to the locals and might be overwhelming. During
our visit, we might be invited inside their house or sit on their front porch.
We will talk about their family names, ages, family, jobs, dreams, and plans. I
intentionally get to know them as best as I can. I don’t necessarily talk about
God, but if an opportunity arises, I take it and will pry just a bit. I don’t
want to be the guy that shoves Jesus down their throat on the first visit, but
I want to be the guy that they notice is different from others. I want my
actions to be louder than my words and I want to be a light in their world.
I’m getting dirty both with youth and with everyone else.
I’m so excited for how this month has started and I’m looking forward to
further developing the relationships I have started.
Internet in Swaziland is both very expensive and very rare,
but I will do my best to frequently update.Please check facebook for pics, because it takes wayy to long to upload them on the blog!
