It’s officially been two weeks here in Swaziland! That’s honestly crazy to say, it’s gone by unreasonably fast. I will say, I’m absolutely loving it here. Each week has consisted of four days at ministry and three more chill days at the base. For ministry, we are going to care points, which are essentially places where kids can come during or after school to get fed a meal, be in community, and learn about Jesus! We are there to love on them, as most of the kids aren’t necessarily loved on at home. Seeing the kids each day has become one of my greatest joys. Truly, I feel as if they give back to me more than I could ever give to them. Seeing their smiles and pure excitement with the most simple things just brings something out in me that I think was lost years ago. It’s given me a much greater appreciation for small moments or gifts in life that I often overlook.
As much as I have been truly enjoying every bit of ministry, I’ve been struggling to feel like I’m actually growing here as much as I’d hoped. Since children’s ministry is something I thrive in, it’s been difficult to discover how I’m actually being challenged. It’s almost as if I feel like something must be wrong because everything I’m experiencing here seems to be all that I could’ve hoped for. My mind can’t comprehend the idea that maybe I’m actually just thriving. That maybe the Lord’s desire is that I could be poured into by everything around me so I can simply sit back and fall in love with Him. Maybe I’ve been too focused on being transformed and growing to become someone new each day. Maybe the Lord wants me to fully grasp the complexity of who He is, and not who I need to be.
What’s been especially sweet about this time in Swazi is how much closer I’ve been able to get with my team. Each team was assigned to a different care point for the duration of our time here. This means we spend the whole day together Tuesday through Friday. On top of that, we have team time at the base after each ministry day. This can look different depending on the day, but it allows us to connect with each other apart from ministry at the care point. My team has been going through a book called The Familiar Stranger, which talks about fully knowing the Holy Spirit. It dives into what it means to live by the spirit, and how we can know the Bible not as just an ancient rumor but as truly lived experience. We just began reading it, but I’m enjoying it so much!
On the second Sunday, we attended church here for the first time! The service was two hours long, and included lots of worship and dancing! Our large group made up most of the congregation, but there were quite a few kids who immediately ran over to us and danced with us during worship. The message was a more simple one, but it was cool to hear the pastor so passionate in his preaching! I’m not sure if it’s the language barrier, but I’ve noticed that I’ve heard the Word of God been taught on in a much more simplified manner than what I’m used to at home. Today, the sermon was filled with many repeated statements that seemed common sense to me. I had a moment where I thought I could just tune out a little bit and journal on my own. But then the Lord turned me back to the sermon. He’s been teaching me to fall in love with the simple gospel again. Often times, I fall into the belief that I only need to hear what’s new and complex when it comes to theology. The truth is, the good news is so incredibly powerful and the Lord’s been opening my eyes to how much it shows us about His love for us. I want to weep every time I hear the gospel, because truly it’s the most beautiful story of His grace.
The other night, I found myself missing home for the first time. Not to say I hadn’t missed seeing my family, but until that night I hadn’t had a moment where I actually wished I were home. It was the end of the week and I was overwhelmed and feeling drained. I wanted to call my family to feel the comfort of being back home. However, the service wasn’t working great and I knew the Lord was asking me to spend time with Him. So I went away from the crowd and sat in my bed to open the book of Psalms. Each one I read held a similar theme, which essentially was: The Lord is my refuge, I find shelter in Him. That night, He reminded me that wherever my Lord is, is where I’m home. Even with all the business around me, I knew I could find shelter in Him as His presence is where I want to be always. Home is wherever He is.
To sum it up, I’m falling in love with the people of Swazi more and more everyday! Life on the mission field isn’t always exactly how it looks in the pictures, but it’s definitely been a journey I love being apart of. The Lord reveals so much when we open our eyes to Him in every setting. This mission doesn’t just stay in Africa, but it’s the ongoing adventure we say yes to when we give our lives to Jesus!
Thank you for taking a little trip into what my mind looks like right now. If any of you aren’t already, I’d love for you to join my WhatsApp group to receive more regular updates and prayer requests! You can join through this link!
Dear Avery,
I can totally relate to letting the Gospel be just what it is, enough to fill you with joy. To know that the mysterious God who created this whole Universe- including this beautiful, magnificent Earth we live on- also created and sustains me, is a deep, deep source of joy from which we can dip as many times as we need to. That gives us the strength we need to share that richness with others, as He guides us. Also, I can relate to reading the Psalms- yes! It’s been said that every human emotion known to us is expressed within the Psalms. Sooo comforting and affirming.
Bless you and your team as you continue in your work (and play)😍
Love, your Auntie Dorothy