As we wrap up our time here in Eswatini, I am starting to grieve. I can’t even explain how much I have loved being here. I love the people, I love the ministry, I love the kids, I love the climate, I love the mountains. I have made some great relationships with the people at our ministry and at our church. I have seen hearts softened. I have seen confidence building in people that didn’t know they had in any. I have seen children smile more than they probably ever have. Overall, I have just seen God move. Over the last few weeks, I have started to recognize things that have become my new normal and make me feel at home. Some of these things I will really miss and some of these things I can live without. However, if I ever experience them again, it will take me back to a time where God showed me something new, where I reached new depths in my relationship with the Lord, and where the Lord truly revealed how big He is. I will miss a lot of people from this season, but…
I will miss the sound of baby chicks consistently chirping around our homestead. I will miss the shadows of mountains as far as you can see. I will miss the random flashes of lighting that you can see almost every night. I will miss the three hour church services where we pray and sing and dance. I will miss eating PB&Js every single day. I will miss the relief of eating ice pops in the heat of the day. I will miss the insanely random flavors of Lays chips they have here. I will miss the bumpy roadtrips to the carepoints every morning and every afternoon. I will miss the cows and goats and donkeys that roam freely along every road. I will miss the sound of children scream-counting in preschool. I will miss the pride and joy on their face as they show me their finished assignments. I will miss the way they say “kangaroo” and “polar bear.” I will miss the way they shout my name a hundred times when they want me to hold their feet as they climb across the monkey bars. I will miss the Siswati language lessons that the kids and ladies at the carepoints have given me. I will miss the smiles and giggles when we get out the bubbles. I will miss the game “double double this this.” I will miss the dozens of goodbye hugs at the end of every day. I will miss Swaziland.
I hope that you will pray with me this week. Pray for the people we have met. Pray that they will be able to eat everyday and be satisfied. Pray that they will have the money for school, and will do well there. Pray that the children will be safe as they walk miles and miles every day just to go to school. Pray that they will be vulnerable with the shepherds at their carepoints and will ask for help when they need it. Pray that they will be sponsored. Pray that they will have clothes and shoes that fit them. Pray for their health in unsanitary conditions. Pray for the parents who are just trying to do their best and it’s not enough. Pray for the orphans who have nothing but the generosity of donors. Pray for the kids who have parents that do more harm than good. Pray for Swaziland’s leaders and authorities. Pray for the people here to love and depend on God. Pray for me as I grieve the people and time I spent here. Pray that I will continue to grow and for God to use me in this next ministry. Pray for safety and unity of my team. Pray for our leaders. Overall, pray for hearts to be won!
If you have read my blogs and would like to be a part of helping these children receive food, education, and health services, please consider sponsoring. I would love to talk with you about some children that I have worked with and have visited the homes of. I would love to tell you what they are like, and may even have pictures for you. It really is such a small amount of money per month that completely changes the lives of these kids. It may even save their life. If you are interested please message me on social media or email me at [email protected]
Here is the link to sponsor!
https://sponsorship.adventures.org/?filter%5B0%5D=&filter%5B1%5D=&filter%5B2%5D=&filter%5B4%5D=2
