Nisela, Swaziland:
Again, God is so gracious to allow me to see a friend, Haley, who
happened to be doing a 2 month mission with AIM and I was able to
reunite with her. We also went to a 4th of July party with
all the Americans in Swaziland …this place is not a massive country- so
gathering was rather simple- meeting new people and celebrating our Independence
was eventful! Tragically, this place is dying of HIV/AIDS. We worked
with Pastor Gift (native) and to see witness his passion for Swaziland
is beautiful. We were able to start clearing and digging the land for
his new house which had literally being provided by a man the month
before we arrived there. God is the provider–never doubt! It is said
that by 2050, there will be no more people in Swaziland because of AIDS.
I don’t get it- I can’t imagine how much the Lord yearns for a day that
no one will suffer like this anymore- Once again, I broke for them. To
meet children who walk for miles and miles a day to receive only 1 meal
is hard to swallow. Did you get that? 1 meal…miles of walking. I
struggle with the fact that they have to do this. I broke, again. We
lived in a Safari with Lucky the Lion. Yes, maybe it was a little
intense when he would growl/prowl at night, but other than that-
peaceful.
New Delhi-Dwarka Sector 8, India
: Where do I begin? It was hot! I mean, HOT! We worked with an
orphanage and adventured through the “Fruits of the Spirit� as we went
into detail about each of them. A great learning review it would be
funny how God challenges us when we speak truth out into existence. We
played games, painted rooms, fixed electrical problems, and etc.
Serving food everyday was my favorite– to see these kids line up with
a tiny tin plate and be so grateful for some rice and soup…man- again-
nothing is more humbling. We also worked with the Burmese refuges there
and it was more heart breaking stories to hear that their country was
being torn apart. They were fleeing their homes, being separated from
family members, and coming into a foreign place- with nothing! Again-
hopeless people, yet with the hope of Christ, they had everything! I
saw it when I went and communed in worship with them- their joy is
unexplainable. We also had Christmas in August
at our house to pass time. It was a joyous time reading the “Night
before Christmas�. We also lived on the roof top usually because of the
heat…sometimes you can get a brush of wind go past you at night, I
laughed a lot with Kelton and Nate of random stories told each night.
Though we lived in a “hot box� I loved every minute of it.
Random Memory:
Eli and I went for a run. While I pass this dog with no problem Eli on
the other hand was chased by it. To funny! Yeah- we lost 10 pounds in
that one run! Weight loss program = India .
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
: I don’t know what else to say besides, beautiful and captivating. I
love this culture. There is no doubt about it. Five of us men had the
privilege to go and help build a church literally from the ground up
and I ate it up! I love doing those kinds of things and it was awesome
to partake in something that God will use to bring people to His
KINGDOM! The family we worked with was stunning. Their personalities
were amazing, always servants, and were always willing to play games!
We worked and worked like crazy- but blessed with amazing/healthy food,
and honored that Christ brought us to His amazing art of nature. God
spoke to me so clearly at this place. Here, no troubles of the world
reside- just Jesus and all His glory! I loved looking out each day and
seeing sheets of rain coming, a billow of fog rises from over the
mountain, and my brothers becoming my brothers more and more through
trials.
Random Memory: Sequence is a card game. Enough said. :>) I was pricked with a needle/syringe as I vaccinated goats on their goat
farm one day because one crazy- out of control- goat decided to jump
off the ledge and hit the tin roof below causing me to loose focus on
what I was doing…Yeah, I laughed hard! Stupid goat…
Hong Kong : This place was so different than anything we had experienced. It was much like New York City
. Lights. Crowds. Shops. Outback. Theaters. Starbucks. Here we worked
with a local school and taught English. We sang karaoke with the
students, played scrabble, sports, and had these meetings where they
asked questions and we felt awkward because it was always the same
questions. Do you like Hong Kong ? How old are you? Who are you voting
for (President) and why? Like we had time to watch the debates and
such… these were just a few things which we did. We were also able to
attend the “Passion� which Chris Tomlin and David Crowder performed- followed by Louie Giglio
(not sure how to spell his name correctly) who brought the message
about “Grace.� They rocked it out! This place is in dire need of Christ
and many are coming to His name! A young generation is hurting– they
are taught that money and being successful are the number ONE goals to
be attained in this lifetime. Such a lie from the devil! My heart goes out to them and I pray that God will reveal His truth to them!
Random Memory:
Having the best birthday party ever that was planned out by Angie…she
did an incredible job and her heart was definitely a servant’s heart.
It was the best time that I had in Hong Kong- not because it was my
birthday- but because of everyone I was with and what we did…singing
karaoke- eating Outback- Starbucks-Photo Booth.
Cambodia:
Well, this place was much different. The minute I entered into this
country I felt darkness. I didn’t want to be there at all- I desired to
go back to Thailand
and work with the family that we had built the church with. Being at
the end of the race- we were all mentally, physically, emotionally, and
spiritually drained. We came to help and be servants and it seemed like
nothing was coming through in the ministry aspect- a lot of
uncertainty, disappointment, etc. We were able to go to the Killing Fields
and witness where millions were slaughtered. It was heartbreaking to
witness this and I just couldn’t grasp that we were surrounded by
people each day whose family member had either been killed or hurt by
this tragic event. Some of us guys went and played sports and formed
relationships while others went to orphanages and played- and some went
to a village that lived in the “trash dumps.� This place needs your
prayers for mass healings (heart issues). There has been much death
here and the devil has tried everything in his might to bring
destruction to lives, but I believe God can over take and bring healing
and peace to his broken people. He is a redemptive God!
Random Memory:
I went running one day and met a man who invited me to this Sunday
evening “foreigner and native run� called the HASH. That next Sunday,
Rachel and I went and had a blast…a 2:30 hour run and it was beautiful
to run through the land, mud, rain, etc. If you are a runner- you would
love this- if not- well, I don’t recommend it! The following Sunday I
did it again by myself and met the most unique and beautiful people in
which I was able to share God with one of the girls. How cool is God
right?
I hope you know God is moving mightily in this world. Thank YOU for being apart of His Kingdom work here on earth! Blessings!
Striving to be more like Him everyday,
Robby
