Two buses, two planes, a quick stop in Qatar and 87 hours of travel later, we finally made it to our new home in Swaziland!
We have zero wifi here in Nsoko, so if you’re wondering why I am posting a blog and not writing you personally to let you know I’m alive, it is because my squad leader is posting this from a limited supply of data split between 50 people.
We began traveling last Monday and arrived late Thursday. Our travel days are the coolest. My squad took a bus from Atlanta to D.C., had a layover there, spent a day in the airport, arrived in Qatar, flew to Johannesburg, and drove 6 hours to Swaziland. We were lucky enough to have a layover in Doha and were able to go into town and eat and explore which was the coolest experience ever!
On our first morning in Nsoko, we woke up to sound of kids playing just outside our room. It was literally heaven. There were so many sweet kids running around playing with us for hours. I help cook meals sometimes, go on lots of runs, take (a few) really refreshing cold showers, swing dance, star gaze, and try to learn SiSwati. Also… the stars are more beautiful here than anywhere else.
Our squad of fifty is living together this month and I could not be happier. There are no words to describe the love I have for these people and living with them this first week has been a crazy whirlwind in the best way! Our house has a kitchen, two bedrooms, three bathroom stalls, and four showers. We do our laundry in buckets outside. I am in a room with fifteen other girls. There is a playground outside our house and a couple schools nearby.
On the night we arrived, our ministry host told us “expectation is your enemy, flexibility is your friend.” That is so true. I was going to write out what a typical day for me looks like, but the fact is… there is no “typical day.” Every morning holds a day so unique and different. It’s so fun never having to look at the time. I usually don’t even know what day it is.
Our ministry this month is a care point near our house, about an hour and a half walk or a 10 minute drive. The shepherd at the care point is the best nineteen year old woman named Bonsile. She is by far one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. She came to the care point as a child and now is the head shepherd and looks out for over 100 kids every day. She is so joyful in her work and serves the Lord so well. My team has been going there to play with and love on the kids and serve our hosts as best as we can.
Thank you for your prayers for my squad, this beautiful country, and for me as I transition into this new lifestyle. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can!
I love you and my heart misses your smile.
All my love, Lydia
