Oh beautiful Swaziland. When I look back on last month, I see glimpses of Swaziland in snapshots in my memory.
I see the incredible mountain landscape. The winding river running through the mountains that surround us.
I remember a bible study time led my my squad mates when he kids were asked if they could ask Jesus for one thing what would it be. The little girl next to me whispers love.
I see my teammates and I wrapped up in blankets on top of the mountain watching the sunrise and thanking God for surrounding us with such beauty.
I see the transformation of the local preschool. From nothing but a small building with brown walls and a tiny chalkboard, to beautiful artwork on the walls. Numbers, shapes, colors, weather and animals filling the once empty space. I see all the children walk into their new classroom and begin running around the room pointing at the new artwork and yelling with joy. One girl walked up to us, grabbed our hands and said, “TEACHER! BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL!”
I remember one of my squad mates telling a 10 year old girl that she is beautiful and having my heart break as she replied, “no.” My squadmate argued and said, “yes, you are so beautiful” and the little girl replied, “no, in your heart you are laughing at me.”
I think of how we were blessed by donations to be able to take the kids to a movie theater. Some for their first time. They each got pizza, slushies, popcorn, and to spend $2 at the grocery store before the movie. Many said their favorite part was having their own money to spend at the store.
I see the toddlers and preschoolers gathering around their auntie with a garbage bag full of clothes. As she presents one hand-me-down at a time all the kids cheer with joy and gasp at their “new” clothes.
I see a man brought to tears as we gave his family a small donation of food. He asked us to pray that he would be able to afford to send all of his kids to school. Where going to school is the only way of making a future for yourself. Where the kids walk miles to a classroom that is so corrupt the teachers beat students severely for doing the wrong assignment.
I see my teammate shaken to the core after witnessing and stopping a small girl being molested by classmates outside of her school during the break.
I see vast night skies, galaxies and shooting stars in the bitter cold, with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand as my squad mates and I sing praises to the God who can bring healing to the country that captured our hearts.
I see brokenness clothed in beauty. I see hurt masked with warm smiles and greetings. I see hopelessness that I can only pray for. But I see a bright future for Swaziland in the little faces that sing praises at the top of their lungs to the God who rescues them.
