It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a blog! The wait is over! As many of you know, I took a gap year to embark on a 9 month journey of experiencing and seeking more of the Lord’s kingdom. I left home 1 month ago and I wanted to give you the inside scoop on where I’m living, church, ministry, etc. so keep reading!
Living situation: I’m currently living with 50 other people! This includes my 44 squad mates, squad leaders, and team leaders. Upon arrival we found out that the Lord has so graciously blessed us with a roof over our heads and so much more. We have 3 bunk rooms and about 11 bunk beds in each room with 3 showers (cold showers, but showers!!!), 3 toilets, and 2 sinks. We also have a community area that connects to the kitchen. It’s been interesting trying to figure out how to do life with 50 other people, and adjusting to a new routine. Community has never been more real! Also, we have no power and no wifi! We are unsure if we will get power in the 3 months of being here, so thank you Olivia for my headlamp- it’s getting some top notch usage. Not to mention by the end of this I’ll be a hand washing pro! Doing laundry has become a great bonding time for my team.
Ministry: Kids, kids, and more KIDS! My team and I’s ministry is going to a local care point where both kids in preschool, primary school, and high school, ages 2-23, come after school or if they are not in school. We play with them, teach them a weekly lesson, serve them food, and pour out all of our love to them while also serving the sheppards and gogos. We arrive at 10 and stay until 2:30-4. I’ve truly never met kids so full of love, joy, and Jesus and it’s so cool getting to know them and learn from them. Some of my favorite things have been talking to the older students who are so intelligent and wise, dishing the food plates, learning the suswati language, and having all the sweet girls (and boys) braid my hair even when it turns into a tangled mess.
What is church like here is Africa: We walk about a mile to church and it usually starts around 11am and goes till 1:30. From 11-12:15 we worship and the rest of the time is the message. They do have a translator for the pastors sermon, but it’s still very difficult to follow along.
Food:
Breakfast: 2 scoops of oatmeal and 2 boiled eggs. I’ve even purchased some apples and carrots from the local store to mix things up.
Lunch: 2 pb&j sandwiches.
Dinner is seriously SO good! We have 2 Swazi women who we help cook dinner Mon-Friday. It changes each night, but a few things we’ve had are:
- Rice with beef and coleslaw
- Porge with meat, salad, beats, and butternut sqaush
- Spaghetti
- Rice, beans, and sweet potato
- Taco salad
- Chile
- Breakfast burritos
- Pasta with potatoes and meatballs
What is the Lord teaching me: Since being here, the Lord is revealing and teaching me all about His love, and is filling my heart with so much gratefulness. Not only through His word, but through the kids and this community. It’s so beautiful looking into these children’s eyes and seeing Jesus. It’s so sweet feeling the Lord wrap His arms around me every time a kid gives me a hug. And it’s so amazing seeing how much passion and fire these kiddos have in their soul. They are the strongest and most fearless people I’ve ever met.
How you can be praying for my squad and I: Please pray for overflowing love to pour out into the children and people of the community! Pray for understanding of the language, what God is showing me, and of God’s word. Pray for my team and I’s ministry and relationship as a team/squad. Pray for protection and good health over Swaziland, and for the people’s hearts to be restored by the power of the Lord’s grace and love. Pray that we would walk in boldness and that He is glorified in all that we do!
Thank you again with my whole heart to everyone who is supporting me both in prayer and financially. I am still fundraising for my final $15,800 fundraising goal due in January. I have $4,060 to raise!!!! How crazy! THANK YOU!!!! If you feel led to donate you can do so through my blog, cash app, venmo, or paypal!
Cashapp: $jordanconleyy
Venmo: Jordan-conley-10
Paypal: PayPal.Me/jordanconleyy
Our Papa is so sweet, and I’ve never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus for the new way of life and for renewing my soul each day.
Sending so much love from Africa, my sweet friends and family!
