Hello friends and family! It is time for an update from AFRICA! It is still a little hard to believe I am actually here in Manzini, Swaziland. The landscape is more brown than green, but it’s mountainous and beautiful in its own way. The weather is actually cooler. The music is awesome. And the people are so friendly! I arrived in one week ago and I love it so far!
Along with being on a brand new continent, I am also here with a new team. At the end of last month, several members of G squad were raised up as new squad leaders, including my team leader Jackelyn. This meant team changes for most of us. It has been bittersweet. Saying goodbye to Team Gladiators was tough, but I am excited to get to do life with new team members. So meet Team Us. Unified Six. Unified Servants. Unencumbered Souls. These women are amazing and I cannot wait to see what God does in and through our team in this new season.
So this month we are staying at an AIM base in the city of Manzini. Team Intrepidous and Team Free Brids are also staying with us. It has been fun to be with so many other members of the squad, especially for large group home-cooked meals. Internet is the one thing that is not easy to come by in this city – so updates and communication back home will be limited. I am embracing the inconvenience though. Limited internet means more time to spend intentionally with God and my squad-mates.
Our teams are doing a variety of ministry this month. There are care points for children, hospice homes, village Christmas parties, sports ministry and manual labor jobs. I am working at the Mangwaneni care point helping in a pre-school class with my new teammate Sarah. We help in a class of roughly 20 children 4-6 years old. It is crazy most of the time, but I love kids. Here’s just a few of the smiling faces I get to see every day.
One week has already passed, but I am excited to spend three more weeks here in Swaziland before heading to South Africa in December!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for all those who are still processing team changes.
- Pray for unity within Team Us.
- Pray for patience and endurance for our teams in ministry – that we would always show the love and light of Christ.
- Pray for fundraising for myself and my squad. The remainder of our support is due at the end of 2014. I still need ~$4,000 to be fully-funded. If you are at all interested in joining with me or know someone who could partner with me financially, please contact me!
