Heyo from Swaziland! I hope you all are doing well! Sorry it’s been a minute since you’ve heard from me but life’s been pretty crazy lately and Africa’s Wi-Fi is basically nonexistent. Anywho, so much has changed in the past few weeks! My squad and I took part in our second of five debriefs, I was placed on an entirely new team (almost), and I’ve been in Swazi for five days already!! Wwhhhooooo. Month 5 is already underway… MONTH 5 everyone!
Can we all just take a moment to reminisce… to look back on the past year. I applied for the race over a year ago! Last January… with only dreams of actually getting to go on the race. And since then the flood of support and love from every one of you has been overwhelming. And now here we are month 5 in swaziland, almost halfway through the race, fully funded, and getting to share the love of Christ in 11 different countries on 3 different continents.
Reminisce over…. updates will now continue
First things first. My new team!!!
I am with one former member of DZ still, Ashley! New to my team is Naomi Trout, Monica Elder, TL Chamberlin, and Melissa Jordan. I’m so pumped to get to know these beautiful woman and serve/grow alongside them. Our team name is FAB (Fellowship A Blaze) or for long FABULOUS (Fellowship A Blaze Uniting the Lost On Untouched Soil)…. what a divine name the Lord has blessed this team with.
Second things second (haha). Swaziland!!!
My team and I are staying in the capital of Swazi, Manzini. We’re working with a nonprofit called Hoseas Heart. It is an amazing ministry that started a girls home here in swazi that takes in young girls who have been trafficed or been in high risk trafficing situations and gives them a safe place to live and be home schooled. Here is swazi most girls are trafficed from a young age and end up dropping out of school early due to many different circumstances. Hoseas Heart is giving these young woman a second chance. This month my team and I will be teaching the girls life skills( budgeting/finances, first aid, self defense, etc.), leading bible studies, mastering dance parties!!!, and helping Hoseas Heart put on an event called street night.
What is street night?
I’m so glad you asked. This Friday night my team and I, along with some long term missionaries here in swazi, will go and hand out invitations to woman selling themselves on the street. We’re inviting these woman to come this Saturday to a church where we will provide them a free meal, fun dance party, but more than that a safe place where they can take the night off. Street night will be happening Saturday night at 10pm (Africa time) so 2pm central time.
I’d like to ask all of you to send up some prayers for my team and me while this event is happening. That the women would come, that my team and I would be open vessels for the Lord to minister through, that we’re able to create a safe space where these women can come, have fun, and relax for one night.
Thank you all so much for the out pour of love and support you’ve given me throughout the last year or more. This calling to the race has been one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever had to face in my short 22 years. But you all make it a little easier, everytime you encourage me, and reach out to me with support. I’m looking very forward to seeing you all in 6 months! (Wow this year is flying by). Prepare you hearts for all the stories I’ll have to share!! I’m collecting quite the book of memories out here. I love you guys!
Stay Blessed,
Marah
