Transitioning

From one country to the next we’ve made our way to Manzini, Eswatini! We’ve been here for about three weeks now and it’s a big change. Starting with housing, our placement back in Jay Bay was a cozy house with 3 floors not too far out of town. Now we are currently downsizing to a tiny cottage out in the bush. Talking with my friends comparing the two, Jay Bay had a lot of stuff to do, but not much time to do it, and Eswatini has a lot less options with a lot more free time. One thing the tight knit space has done is bond our team to another degree. I already thought we were close, but that was nothing. Also not having phone service has been a huge blessing from the Lord. It has started so much conversation thanks to disconnecting our phones and created unity especially when its late at night and we’re sleep deprived doing random stuff because we have nothing better to do!

Before, I mentioned how I am seeing how walking with the Lord reaps harvest. It makes me think of John 13: 7 when Jesus says, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” I didn’t understand why God didn’t want me to really push towards having a relationship with the kids with the Beats and Books program back in Jay Bay, I thought, “Isn’t this the reason I’m here?” God quickly humbled me with the question, “Do you want them to like you or me?” So instead of chasing connection with them, God turned my gaze to Him. He set my desire, my hope, to be the salt and light again.

Transitioning to our job here, we work with 450 kids at an after school care point. God reopened the door to work with kids, but this time seeking to spread hope, not boost my own ego. Hope was something else God opened my eyes to. Hope isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. Spreading the Good News so that all who listen can be saved, is why he created me, and there’s 450 kids I see everyday that I get the opportunity to share that with.

I also mentioned that I’ve been working on my identity in Christ. For a long time in my past I struggled with getting my confidence back, but being here I’ve felt so much healing and confirmation! I am a daughter in Christ and I can be proud of that! I can stand my ground now and let me tell you, that’s something you really need to be able to do here.

Another answered prayer is knowing why He brought me on this trip. He’s blessed me with the passion for singing and dancing and I’ve seen Him use that as a way to bond with the kids so much while incorporating the gospel! He walked next to me in each step of this walk holding my hand and using the gifts He gave me to shine His light. I have to say, if these kids feel half the amount of joy that I’ve experienced from this trip by the end, I am satisfied. We as Christians, as missionaries, as disciples, have to remember that we are the clay and God is the potter. So Lord, mold me and shape me to be more like you.

Above all, the Lord has taught me gratitude. The kids who come to the care point really only have the clothes on their backs and maybe a school uniform occasionally. It’s so humbling especially when in my head I’m thinking about how sick I am of wearing the same four outfits everyday. I’ve come to appreciate the feeling of conviction the Lord has put on me, but it stings a little.

Regarding the care point, sure they come for community, but the main reason they come is to get a meal, because for most, it’s the only one they’ll get in the day. Honestly it’s made me have to check myself. “How much food do I waste or just don’t eat because I don’t like it?” Also flip the perspective, “How much extra food do I eat when I’m bored and just eat because I can.” Aaah! Gluttony, it has such a strong grip on me. It’s one thing to know about starvation, but to see it day in and day out for these young kids is an out of body experience. Even fun gatherings… we’ve gone to a couple African pool parties in the neighborhood we’re in and they’ll have bachelorett parties, birthday parties, etc. and there won’t be any food there. It’s things like that that I don’t even think about when it comes to food, but once it’s not there I notice. Sometimes I just want to give a kid my sandwich for lunch since the rice they get lacks so much nutrients, but we aren’t supposed to give anyone food. Being that there’s 450 kids, once one kid gets something fights can break out.

I hope I could give you a little taste of the mission work we’ve experienced so far and as we are wrapping up our trip in the next week I’d really love any of your thoughts and prayers you have for the kids! We are showing them the Lord’s love, but how much more of God’s light could we shine if we were all praying! It doesn’t matter if we’re here in Manzini or back in the states, prayer is so so powerful lets not forget! God bless you all!