For such a small country, Swaziland sure does pack one heck of a punch! I am serious when I say that I LOVE it here. Imagine with me for a moment: You wake up with cool, clean air and the sounds of 14 of your sisters sleeping peacefully in bunks. Soon after you rise out of bed, you begin to hear giggles of little children and the squeaking of the swing set as they begin to play on the playground right outside of your bedroom window. You walk to the front door, with instant coffee in hand, and open it to see a breathtaking view of the mountain in which you can literally see South Africa at its peak. You feel the cool breeze on your cheeks and go sit down in the dining/living room for your morning devotion. As the rest of the racers wake, the room begins to fill with sound, beginning with the silent page flipping and growing to small snickers and side conversations… It truly is the best way to wake up.
This is my life in here; Peaceful and almost dreamlike. However, the children are hungry and craving love and attention. Their eyes have seen pain and hurt, but while we are here…they allow us to hold play with them. They literally run into our arms and squeeze us as if they will never loosen their grip. There is no need to remind myself of the Lord’s power, glory and love, because I see it the moment I step out the front door, greet the locals retrieving water from the pump, and glance into the landscape. The Lord is moving in Swaziland.
I think there is something in the water, because every Swazi that we have met can sing beautifully and provide perfect harmony. Church services here are on a whole-nother-level. There is no way to describe it. It is not enough to praise the Lord with your words, you have to get off your seat and DANCE!!! I swear, the children have more rhythm than John Legend. There is no “Order of Service”, no “special music” and no schedule to keep. Someone begins to sing, and the rest follow suit. Anyone is invited to come to the pulpit and speak what the Lord is doing in their life or any prayer requests, church ends when it ends. It is one big family.
I am not sure what the rest of Africa holds for me, but this is an amazing start to an amazing 3 months here. If you were to ask me if I could see myself living here, I would respond, “I wouldn’t hate it!”
