Our ministry in Swaziland looks a tad bit different everyday but for the most part we are here to love on some kiddos (young & old) at certain locations AIM has set up to feed, teach, and show some kids the love of God.
This is kinda a breakdown of what goes on day to day:
Monday – sabbath day ::: we relax at our compound with some Jesus time & have a staff meeting with all the shepherds
Tuesday – care point ::: we teach bible stories to about 12 preschoolers
Wednesday – care point ::: we go visit homes around our care point and pray / share the gospel
Thursday – care point ::: we decorate a little room where they teach preschool or we help our shepherd with paperwork
Friday – care point ::: we teach new games or just play games with the kids that come to our care point
Saturday – adventure day ::: a resort place to get American food and our only source of wifi & power or we go to SaveMor, a gas station, to get some snacks
Sunday – church ::: swazi church lasts from about 11am – 2pm, it is loud and passionate and full of life
We’re starting to get into routines for our ministry and a constant prayer for swazi right now is for me to always be in constant wonder of what God is doing here and to be present.
And one of those things God showed me are the kids.
We walk an hour to ministry and when I’m almost there and worn out I look to the care point. I see the little faces when we walk through the gate light up and start calling our names. I see the kids get up and run to us with open arms as far as they can stretch and run into us. And in an instant my mood changes – from tiredness and selfishness to instant joy. This little experience I had one day reminded me of the story in Luke 18:15-17 which says
“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
We are those kids in this story. Just like the kids in swazi light up, run to us and call our names, that is how Jesus sees us and we see him. We run to Jesus with all our might and abundant joy because He is a life bringer. We run into His arms so fast and our arms open wide saying “Lord here is everything”. And He welcomes us in with open arms, running us as well.
In these 2 more months in swazi, I’m praying for more of these realizations because this time can be so casual and natural that the wonder of what He’s doing can fly by. There is so much joy and love for Jesus here! Our kids are amazing! Our shepherds are amazing!
