**just so you know this was written on september 18:)**
Ok, well, I’m in Africa now. MIND BLOWN!! After all the preparation, fundraising, training camp, launch, and 4.5 days of travel, I’m finally here (and already in love with the people). Right now I am at the AIM base in Swaziland and life is so different. No one is in a hurry, we have a new (pretty much strictly carb) diet, sharing showers with 17 people, and I have never felt so close to flying. I don’t think I have ever been so stress free. I’ve also never opened my bible this much in one day.
That’s all to say there has definitely been some “This is Africa moments.” The tire fell off the trailer of one of the vans on the way into Swaziland, we’ve had the same lunch every single day, and have already had last minute ministry changes because of lack of transportation. We have new bug friends in the showers and kitchen almost everyday, and have lost power in the middle of a beautiful, sunny day. Even in the midst of these moments, my time in Swaziland has been so incredible so far and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next few months.
The past few days specifically have been a whirlwind. This past weekend we arrived and started figuring out daily life! I have hand-washed my clothes twice now and taken multiple showers with lots of new bug friends. I’ve had some great quiet with God, good conversation with squadmates and finally started ministry. The past few days we have worked at a carepoint here. AIM has about many many carepoints throughout Swaziland. These points in the communities feed the local children, give them a place to play after school, and teach them about the love of Jesus. My team and I have the honor to help serve food, and shower them with love they may not get at home. Home visits are also part of our ministry; visiting, and getting to know people in the community. We also help the older ladies (the go-go’s) with whatever they need help with. Basically our ministry is to love kids, teach them, help out with whatever needs be done, and assist the shepherd (the person in charge of the carepoint).
Our shepherd, Sithulele, is 23 and hopes to go to university next year. He is so full of life and love for Jesus and the children he takes care of. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know him and engage in so much laughter with him. He also dreams of releasing an album of original music. My team and I are going to be featured, so be on the lookout;) It has been so fun getting to know him and the kids he cares for. They are the happiest children I have ever seen. This may sound cheesy but it is so true that they have so little and yet have so much joy in their hearts. They are so content to just sit with you and smile, laugh, and be loved on. Today I played with a little girl who had a minnie mouse hat on. She was really quiet at first and just seemed angry at the world. Keep in mind she is 3 years old. This beautiful little girl ended up spending the day with me, sitting on my lap, letting me tickle her and blessing me with her cute little laugh. All she wanted to do was give me a HUGE cheek-to-cheek hug and just sit and cuddle. I’ve never been so content being so dirty. God was definitely present in that moment and it was incredible! It simultaneously breaks my heart to see how little these sweet kids have, but also fills my heart with so much joy at how content and happy they are. They are not victims to their circumstances; instead they make the most of what they have and recognize the blessings in their life. This is a beautiful lesson these kids have taught me and is definitely something Jesus has been working me through!
Anyways, today we also had the opportunity to do a house visit. It was extremely uncomfortable at first. I didn’t know what to say and we were all sitting in a line in the shade so only Olivia and Joy did the talking. Even though I was uncomfortable God still moved. (he works no matter how I’m feeling). We laid hands over the older couple we were talking too, who just wanted to learn more about Jesus, and prayed for them. They told us how blessed they felt that we came to see them and invited us to come back. Now, I can’t wait to go back and get to know this beautiful couple and learn from them.
Tomorrow our ministry is evangelism …wow. We are going into the area of Matata where a lot of people congregate and we are expected to walk up to people, get to know them, and spread the gospel. I don’t know what to expect, what I’m going to say, how I’m going to communicate, but I know God is going to do amazing things and I can’t wait.
All in all, these first few days in Swaziland have been so incredibly amazing and God has already worked in my heart in so many ways (I’ll talk about that at a later time) and I can’t wait for God to work in the midst of me being uncomfortable tomorrow at Matata. This has been pretty scattered update but oh well! To sum this up, God has moved in some incredible ways and taught me so much, and I LOVE AFRICA!!
Psalm 126: 3 – The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad
Kate:)
