Hello everyone! In this blog I will tell you a piece of my story that will forever be in my heart. I went from having the greatest time in Africa in ministry to being back home within 2.5 days unexpectedly.
If you remember my last blog I had just talked about how I was going to chose being there in Swaziland, how I was going to continue the hike and allow God to use me. I ended that blog saying “I’m right where I’m supposed to be here in The Kingdom of eSwatini. God had other plans! The evening we found out, I felt my heart shattered and I felt like something so great was ripped right out of my heart and stepped on over and over again.
That day of ministry was probably my favorite day of ministry. Not knowing it was my last day there. On the way to the Care point. We listened to music and made our 1 hour and 15 min drive through the mountains a party bus drive. We were hyped, we were excited to see our sweet kiddos! We had arrived at the Care point, on this day our leaders had to stay back home and do leadership logistics. Monique and I were volunteering being teachers during our time there. It was Friday and it had been a rough week but we were looking forward into teaching. That day class ended early and the kids even preformed for us, Monique and I looked at each other and said “we will record this next week when we comeback”.
The day went on and we sang with the kids and the Shepherd (the one who oversees the care point) and the other ladies that volunteer to help there. We danced Waka Waka with the kids 4 times in the beating hot sun! That day we all decided to just ignore the sun/heat and play with kids like no other. As time approached to start heading home we started saying bye and “see you on Tuesday!”. We hugged the kids and the ladies and told them the same.
Our drive back home started at 4 pm and while we had an hour and 15 mins till we got home, we started reminiscing on the day and how good it was!! About 45 mins in, we got a flat tire. We pull over and got out of the van. During the flat tire we met this sweet family out by the road, we took pictures with them and just talked to them while the tire was being fixed. 20 mins later we hopped back into the and start the journey again. 5 mins later changed everything.
Jadon turned around and asked us if we had “seen the text”. We all laughed and said “what are you talking about we don’t even have service”. So he started reading it aloud.
“Weird update: As travel restrictions and border closings are increasing rapidly, Adventures in Missions is moving quickly to bring many squads back to the U.S. You will be leaving the field as soon as we can coordinate transportation and you will be returning to the U.S.”
Whatever text said after that didn’t matter. I felt the anger and the sadness begin to build up. I was waiting to wake up and think how can this be. As I saw my teammates go from joyful to confused and sadness, I looked at everyone and said “WE ARE GOING TO PRAY”. In that moment I knew we needed our Heavenly Father. Our dreams had just felt like it collapsed. 15 mins after finding out, we got a flat tire again. In that moment we saw this as a great memory. Two flat tires and going home so suddenly.
We got back on the van and continue to sing worship songs. We were moments from being home. When our driver got us home and opened the door for us. I got out and stopped, I looked at the green little house we were living in, I remember sobbing and saying “I am not going in”. I didn’t want to hear that we were going home. Eventually I was dragged in.
“Our packs have to be packed by 8:30 am tomorrow morning”. That’s the confirmation that broke that last piece of my heart. There was so much unknown after that. When we were leaving?,where were we going? So many questions. The goal was to get us out of Swaziland before they closed our boarder. The next morning we crossed two boarders and were in South Africa. Within less than 24 hours we had already grabbed all of our belongings and left. We sat in grief and anger as our trip came to an end. We spent the next 23 hours in Pretoria South Africa as we waited to hear about our flights. Nothing became real until I heard my leader Katie tell us that they had booked us flights for the next day at 8 pm. Within 32 hours our dreams had taken a turn.
As I sat there and thought about the kids we told “we will see you on Tuesday” and the goodbyes that weren’t said, my heart grew thankful. Thankful because I still had the opportunity to have an impact on the small kids and volunteers for such a short amount of time. In the reality of it, God knew that I wasn’t supposed to be there on Tuesday. He still gave me the opportunity to meet these people.
Being back in the states hasn’t been easy. I came back to fear, unknown, anger, and no toilet paper. I haven’t been able to see my friends or family. I do know that this where God wants me. Not because I have no choice in being here but it’s no surprise to God that is going on. I believe that this WILL be used for His Glory. As I process my trip being cut short, I will lift up this nation/world with prayers.
Love you all. – Jo
