This past week has been a week of transition. On Saturday, our team packed up and left our home in Nsoko to move about an hour away to Timbutini. It was hard to say goodbye to the place we came to love so much. There were many prayers and letters and pictures exchanged with all of our new friends; and we’re still receiving phone calls every few days from our ministry partners who are missing us. Nsoko has meant so much to our team; and I know it is going to always hold a special place in our hearts.
The purpose of our transition is to get another glimpse of life and ministry in Swaziland, as well as be as useful as possible to the full-time AIM staff. We are living on a homestead in Timbutini belonging to the family of one of the local AIM staff members, Lelo. It is a little different from Nsoko, but we love it. The girls all live in one round concrete hut with a grass roof, and the leaders actually have a room to ourself (!). We have a kitchen, but no running water in the house; so brushing my teeth outside while being surrounded by cows has already been an adventure. We are entertained by the goats coming home at night, and in the midst of our crazy animal house, it is amazing to see the beauty God has created out here. Every night we are blessed with a beautiful sunset and a cool breeze that draws us to spend our evenings outside. I am excited to get to know our new area better and to continue enjoying all God has provided.
As for ministry, that has been a transition as well. This week has been a huge shift from our “norm”. Instead of constant kids, this week has been a week of preparation. We have gone into the AIM office for most of the week to help sort, organize, and arrange bags of candy and presents for an intense Christmas party coming up on Saturday. This is the start of two months of weekend Christmas parties for all the kids at the carepoints. I cant even imagine what is to come this weekend, but I am excited. There is going to be presents, and food, and a time of sharing, and (rumor has it) even a bouncy castle! It sounds like it is going to be an amazing time of loving on these kids and I feel so blessed that we get to be a part of it.
It seems like our time in Timbutini is going to be a constant transition. Every week will vary in our ministry and there will be more variety of how we can be used. I am excited for this chance to be apart of another aspect of ministry in Swazi and another chance to learn more about the work being done here. I know it is only going to grow my love for this country. (And dont worry, the Christmas party on Saturday is going to be well documented by photos).
