When arriving at our base in Nsoko, Swaziland, we were greeted by a sweet family of three: David (29), Jenna (27) and their son Manning (almost two). Jenna was pregnant the first month we were here and on October 4, baby Azariah was born. We like to consider him our squad baby:)
Originally from South Carolina and Michigan, David and Jenna met through The World Race. They were on the same squad in 2013. In 2015 they got married, then after that felt called to move to overseas to an unreached country, specifically Nepal. During their CGA training with Adventures in Missions, they were asked to move to Manzini, Swaziland to gain experience first on the field with a base that had been there for 10 years. This was something Jenna knew would be hard since it meant they would have to say goodbye to Swaziland. “I didn’t want to go to another place that was going to break my heart to leave, but the Lord was so good in that,” she said. It was a country they went to on their race that they both really loved. The plan was to move to Swaziland in October 2016, but the Lord had other plans. Jenna was pregnant with Manning and they were expecting to deliver in Swazi. When their funding stopped completely in September it delayed their moving date back quite a bit. Two weeks after Manning was born in January of 2017, all of their funding came in. “Our delivery with Manning got so bad and dangerous that in that moment, we realized why the Lord stopped our funding until he was born.” They moved to Manzini in April of 2017 where they trained before moving to Nepal in November. There they were hit with the difficulty of having a baby in Nepal and the importance of community. When a Gap Year squad came through Nepal, David and Jenna got to pour into them. This is when the Lord gave them a heart for the Gap Year program and they fell in love with it. When their teammates were being called other places, they asked the Lord if Nepal was still the place for them. Jenna felt like the Lord was telling her it was okay to go home, but they knew that meant Swaziland. They told AIM leadership that they would love to take on a role with Gap Year if that was possible in Swaziland. It just so happened that the contract had been signed to build a base in Nsoko, Swaziland specifically for Gap Year for six months of the year with no one to host. “It was exactly what we were supposed to be doing, it just took a really long time to get there.”
They went home to the states for a month before moving to Nsoko in June 2018. Three months later, their first squad arrived and made the brand-new base a home. “Now that there are people in it, it feels so real,” said Jenna. The construction process started around when they got there in June, so she didn’t think it would be ready for us. Luckily it was just ready enough that we could live in it and now she said it feels like their home too. The hosts job is mentorship and pouring into the squad, along with logistical things like making sure we have everything we need (transportation to ministry/food/water). “My role is to not only find new ministry, but to make sure the teams know where they are going and what they are doing each week,” said David. “It’s knowing what works for a squad of 50 people and what doesn’t.” A cool way that he has been able to use the logistical work as an opportunity to be a mentor is by bringing some of us grocery shopping each time. We all joke that we feel so much wiser after we go grocery shopping with him because of the wisdom he shares with us. Some of David’s favorite parts of being host are getting to have teams over to their house, having one-on-one time with each of the guys and pouring into them, getting to do teachings with the squad and the worship group that he started.
This season of new responsibilities has been really good for them but has brought its challenges. “Having a baby come at the same time as our first squad has made it difficult to balance everything [family and host responsibilities],” said David. “The hardest is trying to balance it all, knowing when to pass things off and letting others help with things that have a simple solution. When I try to tackle everything, it means there is very little time that I am at home, and for obvious reasons that makes life more difficult.” The Lord is teaching them so much at this point in their lives. Jenna said that she is learning what it looks like to be a stay at home mom overseas. “Some days I forget how significant that is,” she said. “My main purpose right now is raising my kids to know and love the Lord. And if that’s all I do in Swaziland, that’s enough. Whatever the Lord calls you to regardless of what it looks like is enough.” Part of that is taking a step away from the logistical side of being host and getting to love on the squad as a big sister/aunt. That has been a huge blessing to us. She has encouraged us to be present on our race. “It’s so easy to be ‘over it’ while on the race,” said Jenna, “whether that be over ministry, food, transportation or anything else. It’s okay to have those days but dwelling in it makes you miss out on what the Lord may have for you in that country.” It’s been an important thing to remember on the harder days. “Never let yourself be over the adventure that the Lord has you on,” she said.
Being a long-term missionary isn’t something that comes without sacrifice. The hardest part about being overseas for them has been being away from family. Because Manning and Azariah’s cousins are so close in age, it’s been hard for them to not grow up with them the way Jenna got to with her cousins. It’s also been difficult being away from their parents since they aren’t getting to see their grandchildren as often. “Both of our families know that we are following the Lord,” said Jenna, “but it’s harder now that there are grandbabies involved. They understand it but aren’t always happy about it.” With that, they have stepped away from that community and gotten to find a new one outside of what looks like family. Jenna said that one of the best parts about being in Swaziland is showing their kids how big the community of Christ is outside of parents, cousins and grandparents. The community they have found here in Nsoko has been so sweet for them and the boys. “Those are Manning’s cousins now,” said Jenna. “People are in and out of your life so fast, but the Lord works to build those relationships in such a short time.” She even talked about how our squad has become family. “You all have only been here two months and you already feel like family to us,” she said. “It stinks that it’s going to be hard when you guys leave. No matter what, your squad will always be one of our favorite squads. You’re so significant and you were here when our baby was born.” They get to go home every two years for three months, and their first furlough is June 2019. Raising their children here in Swaziland has been exciting for David and Jenna. They moved to Swaziland the first time when Manning was only three months old and in Jenna’s words, “He has thrived. His view of the world is so much bigger living overseas and I’m so excited to see what that’s going to look like as he gets older.” They are committed to five years in Swazi as hosts, but they are unsure of what will come after. She said that they could see themselves both staying in Swazi or going back to the states after the five years are up. They hope that the boys learn to be happy with less during their time in Swaziland: To be happy with what they have and what they receive.
One of the highlights of my time in Swaziland has been being a part of the worship group that David started. “My heart was always to stretch someone to a direction of creativity that they didn’t know they were gifted in: the ability to write, the ability to sing,” said David. “I want them to see that there is something in them that they just needed more confidence in: singing, playing guitar, whatever it may be.” He thought that there would be maybe five people that would want to be a part of it, but he was overwhelmed in a good way by how many ended up in the group. “When there were 15 of you, it was a pleasant surprise.” David learned that he has the ability to speak truth into someone in order for them to walk in their full potential. That may be a hard truth or may be something that pushes them beyond something they’re comfortable doing. In the worship group he’s found he’s able to do that in challenging us with assignments, making us write in a style that we don’t want to, or making us look at scripture in a way we haven’t ever looked at it. He’s able to see the potential in racers, pull out what the Lord has for them, and help show them something what the Lord wants to teach them. “I want to help play some little part in making people on fire for the Lord and leading people to lead others in worship,” he said. “Whether that’s in writing together or sitting, laughing, playing and singing in corporate worship, that can spread through the squad and then when those 50 people split, there are 50 people on fire who want everyone to be worshiping around them. And whether you go back out on the mission field or you are at home in college or jobs, there is a group of contagious people that I was able to help.” He said he wants to teach us that if we are constantly trying to hide a gift that the Lord has given us and run away from it, we are not living in the full potential that the Lord has for us. “It took me way too long to realize that,” he said. “What the worship group ended up being is way better than what we were expecting or even intended,” said Jenna. The class has definitely pushed me to explore the gifts the Lord has given me through the different assignments. It’s an amazing group that has such a passion for worship and desire to grow in it.
David and Jenna have been such a blessing to me throughout my time in Swaziland. Their passion for mentoring us and their obedience to the Lord is so encouraging. They are like family to me now and I am going to miss them so much as I continue my Race. The work they are doing here in Swaziland is so important and has made such a difference in my Race experience.
Dear David, Jenna, Manning and Azariah,
I really don’t know how to put into words how thankful I am for you all. When I heard the term “hosts” I had no expectations, but if I had had them, you all would have exceeded them. I was really excited when I got here and saw that you guys were the same age as my sister and brother-in-law with kiddos close to the same ages. I knew it would be hard to be away from them, especially when my nephew would be born in January, but you all were such a blessing and comfort to me in that. Thank you for opening up your home to me and filling me up in so many ways throughout my time in Swaziland.
David, thank you for all the wisdom you’ve shared with me through grocery shopping, random conversations at the base, and the worship group. The group has been one of the best things about these last three months. I’ve loved getting to explore the gifts that the Lord has given me in worship and learn in each aspect. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write, play different instruments, lead at church, and yes… even sing some. The assignments have stretched me and opened my eyes to the power and variety of worship. I am sad to leave the group behind in Swazi but will continue to pursue the growth that was started here. Also, thanks for making sure we stay hydrated and fed. That’s been great.
Jenna, thank you for being such a good friend. You really do feel like a big sister to me now and I have loved every time I’ve gotten to hang out with you. I am so thankful for the positivity and joy that you’ve had with us. Hanging out with you has been a highlight of my time in Swazi because I always feel so filled afterwards. Your desire to be the best mother to your boys is so sweet and you are doing an amazing job. You are a wonderful example of a God-fearing wife, mother and woman. I am going to miss you so, so much.
Manning and Azariah, thanks for being my little buddies. I know you aren’t going to remember me, but I know you are going to become such men of God. You have the coolest parents who love the Lord so much. I loved getting to hold you and let you throw up on me, Azariah. I’m going to miss that stage with my nephew so honestly it was kind a sweet. And Manning, seriously thanks for being such a sweet little friend. Your laugh is adorable, and I will miss you lots.
Thank you all for making me laugh, encouraging me to grow, and being an example of a family that loves the Lord with everything you have. I’ll be praying for you as you do so many amazing things in Swaziland. You’ve made a difference in our squad and everyone on it. I love you guys lots and will miss you as I continue the Race. I know we will stay in touch and get to hang out again one day:)
Love,
Sarah
