I think I’d be so bold to say that we went out with a bang in Lavender Hill (pun intended)! 
Now, a pun really isn’t as funny when you have to explain it; but in case you’re not tracking with me, let’s just say it wasn’t uncommon for us to hear gunshots in the distance some nights. So anyway, our last night in Lavender Hill was pretty awesome! We had a grill going outside and invited some of the people we had developed relationships with. Several parents of the kids we invested in came by to express their appreciation and recognition of influence in their kids. I always find it humbling to be graced with the fruit of our labor being revealed. Our time may be short in each place of this journey, but we confidently carry the Holy Spirit with us and know that any place our feet step will never be the same because of Jesus in us. I believe the promises of God that His word does not return void and some of those kids will live lives in Christ rather than turning to gangsterism. Tears were shed as we left our hosts and the people of the community that quickly worked their way into our hearts. I found myself thinking…dang, and this has to happen 11 times. Again, I trust in the promise that the Lord remains in that place after we leave. I also believe that He was perfectly aware of the length of time we would be there; and therefore, accordingly had a perfect plan for both them and us!
Now, a pun really isn’t as funny when you have to explain it; but in case you’re not tracking with me, let’s just say it wasn’t uncommon for us to hear gunshots in the distance some nights. So anyway, our last night in Lavender Hill was pretty awesome! We had a grill going outside and invited some of the people we had developed relationships with. Several parents of the kids we invested in came by to express their appreciation and recognition of influence in their kids. I always find it humbling to be graced with the fruit of our labor being revealed. Our time may be short in each place of this journey, but we confidently carry the Holy Spirit with us and know that any place our feet step will never be the same because of Jesus in us. I believe the promises of God that His word does not return void and some of those kids will live lives in Christ rather than turning to gangsterism. Tears were shed as we left our hosts and the people of the community that quickly worked their way into our hearts. I found myself thinking…dang, and this has to happen 11 times. Again, I trust in the promise that the Lord remains in that place after we leave. I also believe that He was perfectly aware of the length of time we would be there; and therefore, accordingly had a perfect plan for both them and us!We’ve been blessed with 4 days of challenge, encouragement, processing, rest, and fun with the squad at our debrief. I’m ready to head into Swaziland! The scene in Swazi will be quite different than our experience this last month. We’ll be working with an orphanage called El Shaddai! Also, the whole squad will be together this month! We’ve already learned to not hold on to expectations, but I can’t really elaborate much more on that anyway. We could be playing with kids, holding babies, painting, digging for something, helping to build, etc. We could be in a room with bunk beds or in our tents in a large empty room. Regardless of the unknown, I’m looking forward to our time there and I know that God has great plans in store! The life expectancy in Swaziland is pretty low if I’m not mistaken. There are a lot of orphans due to HIV and AIDS viruses being prevalent in the country. There is a lot of witchcraft that goes on as well that we will be pushing back against. I’m looking forward to continue growing with my team and in the ways God is calling me deeper with Him. I also look forward to sharing more about that as He develops it and helps me process.
Connection to the internet may be more limited next month so my blogs may be fewer. Please continue to pray for us. Please also share the ways the Lord leads you to pray for me/us even without hearing requests or stories. It’s always encouraging and builds faith for both parties to know that you personally hear from the Lord and that He loves me enough to tell someone else something about me…and vice versa.
