Eswatini!
Hello everyone! I hope this blog finds everyone well. Our Squad had an incredible 6 weeks in Eswatini (Swaziland). Not a lot of service or great Wi-Fi so here is the update now!
Swazi is a beautiful small landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. There are many game reserves with rhinos, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hippos, lions and many other unique animals.
Swazi culture is some of the most laid back and restful I have ever experienced. Although there is a lot of hurt and definitely hardship, there is a sense of peace among a lot of the Swazi people that you can so evidently see in their amazing smiles. Life in Swazi is quite simple. After about being three weeks in, you start to realize that you really don’t need a whole lot to be happy and at peace.
The slowed down pace, nowhere and no way to really go anywhere, and no WIFI really brings out a lot of time for reflecting, spending time with the Lord, and spending genuine engaged time with each other. (Outside of ministry)
Ministry!
While in Eswatini each guys team (2 guys teams of 8 each) are split up and sent to four different care points with a full girls team. At the care points we are tasked with helping the Gogo (one of the grandmas of the kids who helps out at the care point) make lunch for the kids of that community.. We do this by cutting wood, building a fire, throwing the water and rice food mixture into a giant pot, and mixing until it’s ready.
We then usually have time to do some worship and prayer with the shepherd and others in the community who show up. Then the Kids show up and we feed them, hang out with them, play with them and ultimately love them. A Lot of times we sing worship songs with them or will tell them a bible story.
All of the kids at our care point are so sweet and some really cool relationships were formed. Despite a lot of the kids’ home lives not always being the best and most of the time this being their only meal a day, these kids have so much joy and love sharing it with total strangers. They truly have impacted me in so many ways of gratitude and child-like faith.
PVT!
Another exciting opportunity that our squad got to participate in was Parent Vision trip or PVT. This was a time where Parents of Racers were able to come to Eswatini for a week and see their racer for the first time in 7-8 months.
I am so incredibly thankful that my parents were able to fly out for the week and do ministry here in Swaziland. It was such a sweet time for them not to just hear about but actually see what life has been like for the past 8 months. I also loved having the time to catch up about life back home and to really dive deeper in relationship with them over the week. I Love you mom and dad! 🙂
Looking Forward
As I am writing this blog I am in my last country of this race. Our squad has three and a half weeks left in South Africa and then we head home to America. Although this “race” is coming to end, the Lord has truly given me a lot of peace about the next season. This year has truly been life changing.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Gratitude
As always I am filled with gratitude to those back home who have supported me this year. I am in awe of yalls’ generosity and the way in which the Lord has provided. Everyone who has been praying also has had a great effect on our squad this year and I am thankful for that as well. Feel free to reach out for anything or if you have any prayer requests. I love you all.
Until next time…
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