Swaziland has been a remarkable place, our ministry has been great, and it's been incredible spending the month with Team Commission. This is our last month in Africa, a continent that will forever hold a piece of my heart!
Here are a few memorable moments as I look back upon my month:
1. Meeting and playing with Eli, an eight-year-old Swazi girl who was adopted by an American missionary. Eli reminded me of the child-within as we swung from the monkey bars (which is much easier as an actual child!), slid down the slide together, and swung on the swings. She reminded me that the Kingdom belongs to the childlike and the importance of focusing on others verses oneself.
2. Working in the garden, tilling the soil. This simple act reminded me that this is exactly what's been happening in my heart over the last 8 months – God has been tilling the soil of my heart – he's been revealing things I didn't know existed, showing me how to heal and find freedom, and allowed me to grow in remarkable ways.
(Liz and Jaclyn working in the garden)
3. Sitting in the playground leaning against the trailer with a child in my lap and about 5 others around me soaking in some love and attention!
4. Karen and Hannah's car wash station! Sounds like a simple job – however – In a country with no water pressure, hoses, or brushes – it was a bit more involved. We filled buckets of water, poured them over the car to rinse it off, then used wash cloths and dish soap, then poured more bucketfuls of water over it to rinse the soap, resulting in a much-cleaner car than what we started with 🙂
5. Care points! Our ministry this month has centered around the 10 care points in Nsoko. While we haven't spent tremendous time at the care points, they are important nonetheless. We have been able to share bible stories, play games, do crafts, and simply love the kids. My prayer is for these kids to grow up knowing the love of the Lord and the great plans he has for them. I pray for opportunities to open up for these kids as they learn and grow. I pray for the door of education and opportunity to remain open for them and future generations
(The "kitchen" at one of the care points)
6. At one care point, the kids were playing a game of sharks and minos – one little guy quickly became an obstacle and was trampled. He began crying as he laid in the dirt. I walked over, scooped him up and held him until he calmed down.
7. Off days! This month has been unusual in the sense that we've done absolutely NOTHING on our off days! There's no where to go, no Internet, no nothing, which means our off days are actually rest days. We all slept in late, laid around for most of the day watching movies, playing games and simply hanging out in each others' company!
8. Hitch hiking! Getting Internet is always an ordeal – especially this month! The only place with Internet is roughly 5 miles away, at the only restaurant in the area, and public transportation leaves much to be desired.
After not getting Internet all month, a few of us wanted to do so this last weekend. We set out at 10:00am. We walked out of our gate and a few hundred yards down the street to then main road. I should mention that it rained the night before, leaving the street a bit muddy. We closely calculated each step in order to remain on solid ground – somehow Ashlee made a few missteps and ended up completely stepping out of her flip flop as it stuck in the mud! Once she retrieved it, she tried washing off in a puddle of muddy water!
15 minutes later, we were at the main road, where we crossed the street to the "bus stop". After waiting for 15 minutes without a vehicle in sight, we decided to walk – at least we'd be moving in the right direction and we could flag down a car along the way 🙂
We walked for a ways, waving at each passing car hoping for a ride. Finally, I thought of a grand idea – to enthusiastically jump up and down at the next car! As the next car approached, I jumped and hollered and waved my arms! As it passed us, I was disappointed my plan didn't work – until we saw break lights then backup lights! They rolled down the window and we asked for a ride to Nisela, unfortunately they didn't have the space for 6 of us! As they drove away, I was thankful they at least stopped! 🙂
We began walking again – we hardly missed a beat. Then a big, flat bed truck passed, pulled over and stopped for us, with several others on-board! We "jumped in", well, more like Ashlee boosted each of us in then we pulled her in! They took us half the distance we needed to go, we hopped out, and looked for our next ride, which came almost immediately! An hour and a half after leaving home, we finally made it to Internet, with a great story to accompany it!
9. One of our first days of ministry in Swaziland, Jaclyn, Ashlee and I had the opportunity to visit a family who had lost their home in a fire the night before. Apparently, the fire had been set intentionally by another family attempting to take revenge on them! Before the fire, the family had been sleeping in the bush, rather then in their home because they knew their lives were in danger – one night as they slept in the bush, their home and possessions burned to the ground. A neighbor called them and warned them to stay where they were – if they had come out they would have been killed. Although the family lost everything – one thing remained – faith and trust in the Lord! Please keep this family in your prayers as they attempt to rebuild not only their home, but their lives. This was a top moment because their faith and reliance in God was astounding – they believed he would provide for them and protect them.
10. Hiking! Since arriving in Nsoko at the beginning of the month, we all looked at the mountains surrounding us with a desire to hike them. Our wish became a reality! Erica and Mxolisi led the hike – we followed a trail that many kids follow each day to school. Kids hike to the other side of the mountain to go to school in South Africa instead of walking miles in the opposite direction. It was a strenuous climb, but we were reminded of God's love and provision along the way – a former World Race squad build this cross to remind those who pass of Jesus' love for them!
11. Dinner at Erica's house! Our contact, Erica, invited us all over to her house for dinner, fellowship and a time of prayer. She blessed us with an incredible meal and the warmth of her home. Before the night ended, we spent time in prayer to lift up Swaziland as a whole, the Anchor Center, any thing else the Lord has burdened our hearts for.
