Hello sweet friends!!
My feet have found their way to a new continent and have planted in a small yet beautiful country called Eswatini. Eswatini is inside South Africa and was originally named Swaziland. It’s one of the very few monarchies left in the world, ruled by a King who has many wives and many palaces spotted around the country.
I’ve been blessed to end up at an Adventures of Missions base that consists of 3 houses, a pool, and lots of space to roam and spend time with the Lord.
My expectations for Africa have been exceeded in multiple ways, including the natural beauty here and how green and mountainous it is! Most roads are dirt, and it’s common to stop every 5 or so minutes for a herd of cows (the most massive cows I’ve ever seen.) or goats crossing!
And here, our purpose is to bring the love of Jesus to orphan children at something we call “Carepoints”.
We go to these Carepoints Tuesday through Friday!
Carepoints are similar to school campuses; kids preschool-aged come to class early in the morning to be taught by their teacher who volunteers their time. Cooks stay all day on campus to make meals for children, which normally are the kids’ only meal for the day. (Sometimes I enjoy going into the kitchen to learn songs in African languages and dance around with the cooks!!) After the kids eat lunch, we play with them until 3. That could consist of holding hands in a circle playing African duck-duck-goose, holding children as they fall asleep, or reading their favorite books with them!
I’ve quickly fallen in love with this ministry. In all honesty, I feel like they are ministering to me more than I am to them. These kids know how to love, and how to love WELL.
The crinkle of their noses and sparkle of their eyes is where I see Jesus. And even so, the intense passion and joy gleaming in their eyes radiates how much the Lord loves His little children.
Saturdays are our adventure days, and we plan on going to a beach in South Africa one of the weekends, go on a hike another weekend, and visit a neighboring country Mozambique another!
Sundays are our Sabbaths. These days are set aside for us to rest and stay on the base. We normally do “Squad Church” where there’s worship and a message in the morning. The rest is up to you.
Monday is a ATL day, which means “ask the Lord” day! This is where we spend time in prayer asking the Lord what He has for us that day. That may look like going into town to evangelize or stay back to intercede on behalf of the country!
Wifi is very rare here so I don’t expect to post many updates.
Today marks 2 months until the end of the race which saddens my heart!! I’m so thankful that the Lord brought me here, surrounded by community, learning a ton about Him and myself, and sharing His love with others!
You could be praying that I continue to abide in His love as I transition home and think about the future and what He has for me, because I have yet to know!!
I love you all.
Rachel
