#2

First full week in Swazi is done!

Incredible meal

       Monday is our squad leader day, so I had a productive day, then went out to lunch with Wesley and the D Squad leaders at a restaurant with a safari reserve. 

GIRAFFE BACK THERE

He's posing

       We had our first day at the care point and only went until Thursday because Friday we did outreach in Manzini. Days at the care point are full. We are there for 8 hours each day, starting in the morning at 9:00am with only a few kids and with women who stop by to hang out, typically do a house visit in the afternoon, then at 3:00pm a bunch of kids show up after school to hang out for the hour and get food. This is a moment by moment ministry. The Lord’s energy is the only way we can get through these days fully and pour out all our oil. I’m really happy with how this first week went. There was a lot that happened, but slowing down and asking God to bring me to the moment really did help me to pour out love more intentionally. There are already a few kids that I’m connecting with, and I’m happy that we can continue to build those relationships the next three weeks. Feeling so encouraged even though I was nervous coming into kids ministry. 

Walking to house visit

House visit with one of our cooks

Avetandua taking a nap

Lunch time

The playground!

With all the AIM staff

Luke holding the tastiest fat cake

       Friday was sweet because we got to meet up with the D squad guys and the rest of the AIM staff in Manzini to pray and evangelize. I went out with a few staff, Luke on D squad, Wesley, and Caitrin. It was a really good day. The ride to Manzini from Nsoko is about two hours, so I had some good thinking time in the car. 

       Saturday we got to go on a safari! Sadly I wasn’t with my squad, but I still got to be with the awesome leaders and see elephants, rhinos, and two sleeping lions. I thought it was really cool, but I have to say feeding the animals at our Airbnb was so awesome. For the rest of the day we got to chill, and Sunday was our sabbath.

Squad @ the safari!

BROTHA

Crane

Elephant with a hat

Littttttle giraffe

Sleepy lions

Ellie and I :)

       I have had lots of time to think the past 24 hours which is great, but dang there’s a lot. God is teaching me right now to wield my sword (aka the Word) and be a warrior against the enemy. I’ve felt some sort of block from the Lord for about a month now, meaning it’s been hard to receive from Him. Just feeling insecure and insignificant especially as a leader. I’ve been wanting God to come crashing in and pull me out of the funk, but I think He wants me to learn my authority in Him, and that I don’t have less of a portion as a child of God. I have just as much access as anyone else to Him. It’s hard to renew my mind daily, but I know it’s refining me and He has me exactly where He wants me. 

      There are still three weeks left of our time on the field! Wow how time really has flown, but I know Jesus will do so much in this time we have overseas.

Thank you God for your creation