After 46 hours of traveling, we finally made it to Eswatini! We had an 8 hour flight to London where we had a layover for 12 hours, an 11 hour flight to Johannesburg, and then a 6 hour bus ride to Eswatini. It’s safe to say we were all exhausted by the time we got to our host’s house- where we will be staying for the next month.
At training camp, we were taught about the three levels that we were supposed to feel: brokenness, abandonment, and then dependency on God. While in Georgia, we were all sleeping in the same room on sleeping pads, eating way less food than we were used to. That began my feeling of brokenness. Once I arrived in Africa, I realized how different I live when I am in the comfort of my own home. There is no air conditioning here, there are bugs and geckos crawling all over, malnourished dogs with ticks and sores, and a shower that we have to crouch down in to use- not to mention the fact that we found out that the most poisonous snakes in the world are located here in Eswatini (how exciting!). This is one of the most challenging things that I have ever done but also one of the most humbling experiences. I am able to see that despite not having everything that I need, I am able to turn to God and He will give me everything that I actually need- which is still something that I’m working on 🙂
On our first full day in Eswatini, we went into downtown Manzini to explore and get to know the people there. Eswatini is nothing like America. Everybody you walk by instantly smiles and waves with an unexplainable joy. Honestly, it’s nothing like I expected.
We were walking through town, making our way through a scavenger hunt, when we came across an older woman named Rejoice, who was so happy to see missionaries from America. While we were talking to her, a young man came up to us and explained that he had just been kicked out of the hospital and that he needed money for his medical treatments. One of the people in my group told him that we didn’t have money to give but that we could pray for him. The man replied by saying that he didn’t want any of that satanic stuff and that it wouldn’t do anything for him.
This was our first encounter in Eswatini, and Rejoice lifted us up and encouraged us that we were going to run into people who saw us as rich Americans but that we were giving her people something far greater than money. Before we left, we got into a circle, held hands, and prayed. I could feel the Holy Spirit fill me up in that prayer. I never expected to run into someone with such a radiant love for God, especially on the first day we were there. God knew exactly what I needed to see that day, and so graciously gave me the encouragement that even though it is going to be difficult, I are here for a purpose.
1 Corinthians 15:58
“So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
