Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans12:12)
Money, money, money. A small child tells me, with his hand out in front of me expecting me to place money in his hand. When I say “no” he starts to pat my shorts to see if I have any money hiding in my pockets. When he comes up with nothing he just looks at me, and starts to pull at my glasses and at my watch. I tell him no, and when that doesn’t work I get up and walk away.
On the compound were the team and I are staying, we sometimes have (which is not very often) little children who like to throw rocks into the living area through the window or door to get our attention. One day Jenna my team mate was getting very frustrated because some of the children were taking cups, silverware, and other things from the kitchen, they were also trying to take things from the boys room from the windows. I could see her frustration, and at one point she tried to walk a girl to the gate and told her to go home. She just ran back in laughing and going back to her friends. I could feel Jenna’s pain and frustrations because I even tried to help and had no luck. We decided to shut all windows and doors and try to block out the banging on the metal door and glass windows. I know that this is a cry for attention and lack of discipline at home.
Sometimes when playing with the preschoolers while they are on their break I have a few little hands check my pockets and when they find nothing they go to holding my hand, or holding on to me. I have to remember that this is what they were brought up with. Some learn these habits from older siblings, and some from parents, they can’t help it because it whets they were taught. It’s a culture of survival for most.
During the week around 5 or 6pm people walk in an instead of asking to be prayed over, they tell you what’s wrong and expect you to pray for them. It took some getting used to the “me culture”, I know they mean well and just are looking for prayer. I also know that I can’t change what has been taught to them over generation.
Knowing the this is not how all the people of Swaziland act, and some that I have gotten to know are very nice and kind. I will never turn someone down for telling me to pray over them, or push a child away for checking what I have in my pockets, playing with my watch, or trying to play with my glasses. I have to continue to remember Romans12:12, even in tribulation I have to have faith in God and pray constantly for help and guidance. God shows up in so many ways, and I have to say that I am starting to fall in love with Swaziland, and I love every moment of it.
