When in Swazi

KWhen in Swazi

So, Swazi. Let me give you a rundown of what it looked like.

First, D Squad was separated the guys went to the city of Manzini and the girls went to what they called “the bush.” In the bush, the main spots were a gas station called Savemor and the Safari Restaurant. Life slowed down a lot, and it became a season of sitting with the Lord, even if part of the reason was because there was nothing else to do.

A week in Swazi looked like this:

Monday was ATL (Ask The Lord) Day.
The were ATL days usually ATL means evangelism, but not always it’s quite literally whatever the Lord asks of you but since there wasn’t much of a place for the girls to go, we often stayed on base and ministered to each other. It ended up being a really sweet time of pouring into one another and learning what it looks like to ask the Lord what to do with your day. That was something I really grew in and wrestled with, because I didn’t always know what the voice of the Lord sounded like.

But I’ve grown to trust that I do know His voice. In John 10 it says the sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice. For most of the Race so far, I struggled because I never had a loud, clear encounter with God. I got angry that He wasn’t meeting me the way I wanted. But let me tell you  the Lord does not usually speak how you expect or want, and when and where He does it is sweeter.

Tuesday–Friday were long days at Care Points.
Kids would come for a meal, a lesson, and to PLAY. I’ll say it I never fully understood the culture of Swazi, but I loved our shepherd dearly. Swazi is a predominantly Christian or at least gospel-exposed country, and almost everyone says they believe in God, but a lot of it felt like a faithless religion. One of our reoccurring prayers was for revival in that place. There was also such a violence in the culture, even in the little kids, and it was hard to see. But it was so encouraging to see the believers in Swazi and all the leaders coming together to love the kids. There are about 32 Care Points total and D Squad served at about six.

Saturday was Adventure day, where we usually went to the Safari Restaurant and Savemor.

Sunday was Sabbath, where we could go to church and rest in the Lord.

Swazi was a slow and draining country, but it was also filled with so much joy. I loved living with the D Squad girls. It was such a sweet place and getting to know each girl deeper was so precious.

On Mondays, for ATL day, we also went to a Bible study with all the shepherds in the area. It was special to see everyone gathered in the name of Jesus, ready to go out and love people.

Swazi was a place of routine and stillness. I have never read my Bible as much as I did there, and it was a special time to go deeper in my relationship with God and what it looks like.

I think the overarching thing God taught me was to pour out all your oil, to break your alabaster jar and spill it at His feet. In the pouring out, He will fill you. Do not be scared to give Him everything because He will not leave you empty.