I remember quite clearly before I embarked on this trip a conversation I had with my father about the length of time I would be in Africa. "Alene," he said, "I am sure that 9 months is a lot longer than you think." I honestly don't remember my reply, but of course, being the teenage daughter that I am, I flippantly tossed the comment aside. Parents are always right? Oh yes. Nine months is a lot longer than I bargained for. But by no means do I have any regrets in choosing this trip or being away for so long. I have learned more about life in this nine months than I can describe with words.

 

It's crazy to say it, but there are only two more weeks left in ministry before our team goes to do a week of debrief and then flies back home. I am having a hard time focusing on the present at this point, as I am so excited to be home to see family and friends. I am not so sure I will be ready for it, but as a team we have been praying a lot about what is to come. The ministry that I have been doing all semester long actually ends today. We will visit our last school and have a celebration with the girls and say goodbye. I can only pray that we have had an impact on their decisions with staying pure, and know that God has each and every girl in His hands. 

So what do my last two weeks look like, you might ask. I was actually telling my discipler, Caroline, the other day, that God has a sense of humor about the ministry I have been doing. Last semester, I worked with children, which, needless to say, tested my patience on SO many levels. This semester, Cherish has been a series of  mis-communications and failed plans, and again, God has tested my patience and my ability to show grace to others. I have learned a TON, but in these last two weeks, God is blessing me with an AWESOME opportunity that I am SO excited about. (Not to say that the ministry I was doing before wasn't exciting, as I can assure you it was!)

 

I met a woman named Jesse who works with another missions organization here in Swaziland called Children's Cup. She is a nurse from the states and works with the children at each of the care points. She was so gracious in offering to take me along with her while she is doing check-ups on the kids! Yesterday was my first day in shadowing her and I learned so much. They take a "mobile clinic" to each care point and basically give each child a physical and provide them with the prescriptions that they need. It was amazing to see the hands and feet of Christ at work through Jesse and her team. I have a new understanding of what helping the "least of these" means after being a part of her ministry. I thank God for such an amazing opportunity, as I am hoping to do something similar to her in the future! Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures up of her and the children soon =]

So, that's what's up in Swaziland. I hope all is well in the states. I am praying for you! See you in a few!