Day six of the walk started out rough.
On our little sheet that codes the days, it was yellow, which equals
challenging. I was tired and had cramps. My head was still filled
with uncomfortable questions but I could not deny the fact that this
was what God called me to do, therefore quitting wasn’t an option.
We stopped twice on each 12 mile leg. Mentally I broke the day down
and told my self to just make it to the first pit stop. After
resting and eating a few orange slices I was even more tired but I
was determined to walk the entire 122 miles, no riding in the van.
At the break I told my self, “all you have to do is walk to the
next stop.� That thought in mind I slid off the back of the
Pajero, put my tired feet on the concrete and kept walking.
We had just come to the bottom of a
large hill when a guy walking the opposite way said hello. I
greeted
him, then lifted my head. A huge dazzling white smile captured my
attention. “Mapile� I practically screamed, then threw my arms
around my friend. We hugged and he turned to walk beside me. “What
are you doing here?�
large hill when a guy walking the opposite way said hello. I
greetedhim, then lifted my head. A huge dazzling white smile captured my
attention. “Mapile� I practically screamed, then threw my arms
around my friend. We hugged and he turned to walk beside me. “What
are you doing here?�
“I came to walk with you today, my
school is just close to here and I heard you were coming by.� I
had run into Mapile on our first night in Swaziland. When I told him
about the walk he expressed interest in joining me if his school
schedule would permit. We had worked together with past teams I led
and he was a wonderful translator and ministry partner. His quick
smile and laugh combined with a deep commitment to helping others
made time with Mapile a joy. God worked it out that we passed
Mapile’s school on Saturday morning the only day he was free. We
fell into step together and immediately started chatting. There is
something about walking and talking that makes conversation flow more
quickly than sitting face to face.
school is just close to here and I heard you were coming by.� I
had run into Mapile on our first night in Swaziland. When I told him
about the walk he expressed interest in joining me if his school
schedule would permit. We had worked together with past teams I led
and he was a wonderful translator and ministry partner. His quick
smile and laugh combined with a deep commitment to helping others
made time with Mapile a joy. God worked it out that we passed
Mapile’s school on Saturday morning the only day he was free. We
fell into step together and immediately started chatting. There is
something about walking and talking that makes conversation flow more
quickly than sitting face to face.
We chatted about his time at Bible
school, life, the state of affairs in Swaziland, future dreams, and
what we hoped to see the walk become. The time flew by and before I
knew it we were at our second pit stop, only four more miles.
school, life, the state of affairs in Swaziland, future dreams, and
what we hoped to see the walk become. The time flew by and before I
knew it we were at our second pit stop, only four more miles.
As we walked on Mapile started to open
up about life and tell me his story. He was raised by his
Grandmother (Gogo) and she worked incredibly hard to make sure that
he had an education and continued on in school no matter what. In
Swaziland where public school costs a lot of money that’s quite a
feat. During the most difficult times he learned to trust the God
his Gogo intimately knew. He realized that no matter what the
situation God would carry them through.
up about life and tell me his story. He was raised by his
Grandmother (Gogo) and she worked incredibly hard to make sure that
he had an education and continued on in school no matter what. In
Swaziland where public school costs a lot of money that’s quite a
feat. During the most difficult times he learned to trust the God
his Gogo intimately knew. He realized that no matter what the
situation God would carry them through.
As we walked, looking out at ridgeafter ridge of mountains in the background, I was honored to listen
to Mapile’s story and journey together with such an amazing man.
Before I knew it we were at the stopping place. Walking alongside
Mapilie filled me with hope for the future of Swaziland!
Mapile ended up staying with us for the
rest of the day and even translating for the Honorable Deputy Prime
Minister during the film screening we did that night. One moment he
was outside with the kids from a Care Point leading them in songs and
dances then just a few seconds later he walked inside and was
translating for the Swazi equivalent of our Secretary of State. At
the end of our uplifting day together Caroline, the walk leader, gave
Mapile an indestructible soccer ball from One World Football. She
said it was for his team.
rest of the day and even translating for the Honorable Deputy Prime
Minister during the film screening we did that night. One moment he
was outside with the kids from a Care Point leading them in songs and
dances then just a few seconds later he walked inside and was
translating for the Swazi equivalent of our Secretary of State. At
the end of our uplifting day together Caroline, the walk leader, gave
Mapile an indestructible soccer ball from One World Football. She
said it was for his team.
Last week, after we had finished the
walk, I had the chance to spend a night at the Bible college with
Mapile and some other friends. He whipped out his phone and started
showing me pictures. There on the screen were four very happy boys
holding a trademark blue One World Football. He explained to me,
“they live in an orphanage that we help through the Bible college.
Their field is filled with thorns and they kept loosing footballs, so
I gave them the indestructible one and they were jumping up and down
with excitement!�
walk, I had the chance to spend a night at the Bible college with
Mapile and some other friends. He whipped out his phone and started
showing me pictures. There on the screen were four very happy boys
holding a trademark blue One World Football. He explained to me,
“they live in an orphanage that we help through the Bible college.
Their field is filled with thorns and they kept loosing footballs, so
I gave them the indestructible one and they were jumping up and down
with excitement!�
