What an incredible trip this has been… Completely different than any other trip, and perhaps my favorite one of all! Something was different this time… In the past, there have always been stories and experiences that broke my heart and I think it led me to a place where I felt more pity than kinship. But this trip has been special because it went to a whole new level…
We found joy in the midst of suffering… Laughter in the middle of pain and struggles… Hope dropped into the center of despair… It was clear that God used our team to bring a special message of hope to this community…
Last days are always hard and I was surprised at the Pastor’s words as he opened our time of prayer and worship (with dancing!!)… He said, “The day has come and the hour is coming of your departure. I want to hide because I don’t want to experience that… You have left footprints on our soil and you have left footprints on our heart.”
All we did was show up… It’s amazing how God can use such a small offering. We started the day with planting and I had the blessing of talking to M while she watered. She said, “Are you coming back next year?” “M… I’m praying that I will be here… you pray too.” She said, “Well, if you come back but have to go to a different church, we would understand, but come to see us.” I said, “M… if I’m in Swaziland, I’m coming here, or I don’t want to come at all.” Her eyes welled up and she said, “I can see that you love us… I can feel it, all in my heart.”
I’m still amazed that somehow God can work that kind of a bond, in just a few days, in people who are so different… But He can… That’s how powerful His love is!
After we finished our work… we played… we talked… we just enjoyed each other’s company… Zack and Nick, with another dad on our team, played soccer… We sorted clothes that we had brought… we made bracelets that another team member had brought…
As it came time to leave, Pastor asked our team to come up front as they wanted to bless us… we had no idea what was coming... One by one, our names were called and a different member of the church came to dress us in a traditional swazi wrap… It was the most special, honorable thing they could have done… This is a trip I will always treasure!
I’m sure I’ll have much more to say, as I continue to process this trip, but in the am. we leave to go to the airport… I can’t believe another year has come and gone, that once again I have to say goodbye… But while I am sad, I go with heart full of smiles and laughter… I can’t wait to come back!
1 comment:
I cannot imagine saying goodbye to all those who now feel like family. I have to admit that the tone of this trip has been different than your last two trips I followed. You are so right that your posts have been more focussed on the relationships that God has brought into your life. It is as though God has taken you deeper and deeper into their lives, you have given your heart but they have given theirs also.
I have so enjoyed reading!
love Naomi
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