Eswatini

Eswatini has been so rewarding and a place that is now very near and dear to my heart.

A looks in our lives here:

Our weeks start with walking to church. It is about a mile round trip. African church is nothing like I’ve experienced before. A ton of singing and dancing worship seems to only have one volume and that is turned up to the max. Then we listen to a sermon that usually lasts about 1 to 2 hours long. The rest of our Sundays usually consist of swimming in the rented pool on the property or hand washing our clothes.

Monday we walk to the tar road and start our drive to Manzini where we street evangelize. My group usually finds ourselves at a local park where people like to eat their lunch. There we sit and talk to people hearing about their back grounds and lives. Most have lost parents and our having to support siblings or other family members. Our lunch plans have stayed the same the last few weeks. Start at Nando’s (our favorite) order our meals twice one to eat there and one to give to someone on our way to the grocery store. Where all the teams meet and grocery stop for the next week.
Tuesday through Friday we are at the carepoints. A carepoint is a place that kids can come to hang out and receive a meal. There is also grief training and Bible study opportunities. We have come along side the cooks and shepards that care for these kids. They are there way before we arrive and long after we have left. Usually when we get there the preschool kids are waiting at the gate ready to play. Then our day is filled with projects around the care point. This has included fetching water, picking up trash, digging a trash hole, or working in the garden. This has been a great time to get to know the shepards and the cooks. Around 2 is when the school kids start trickling in these is anywhere from 100-300 kids that come through depending on the weather or time of year. We sing songs, dance, learn hand shakes, and so much more. Once most kids our there we have been doing a skit of popular Bible stories. Jesus walked on water, David and Goliath, Feeding 5,000, have been some of the favorites. Then it’s time to eat ! We serve a rice curry meal that is cooked in a giant cauldron each kid lines up with their “dishes” which really means anything that can hold food. Each kid receives a meal.
Some days at the carepoint look a little different especially if we have house visits. On these days we walk to surrounding homesteads and take them beans,rice, and cooking oil. It’s a great opportunity to meet the families and hear stories. They usually are so happy and blessed that we came to visit that they want to give us a gift …. Usually it’s a chicken! Yep a whole live chicken.
That about sums up what out days here in eswatini look like.

God has moved in such mighty ways I have had to rely on him and trust his plan with everything I’ve got. It may seem like I came to help people but my faith has been strengthened by these people. They trust wholeheartedly that God will provide. I have never really had to trust that God will give me food I just have always had the means to get a meal or go to the grocery store. This trip has completely opened my eyes to trust and having a hope that surpasses all understanding. The joy that comes from the lord has made me smile a little brighter and love a little harder. I’ve definitely been challenged in my faith which has made me dive deeper in the word and lean on my community of believers. I can’t see what else God has in store for me. Ngiyakutsandza (I love you), until next time.