Ready or not, Here I come.
Ok so quick things to update you on since the last post:
The day after arriving in Swaziland, the team went with Make(pronounced Ma-gay, means Mrs)Shandu to her weekly Bible Study. Make Shandu lives in a part of the missions houses that we had our orientation in. We took a kombi(they very hectic very of public transportation) to the Sibebe area where the bible study takes place every week. Three young kids were already there when we arrived, waiting in the field beside the road where we had the bible study. When we began the study, there were probably only 5 kids there max. During the time it was going on, kids kept coming and coming from all over....walking from wherever their kombi let them off at. I would say we ended up with close to 20 kids by the time we finished. Our bible study included songs sung by the kids and by our team. Our team acted out the David and Goliath bible story as well, with me being Goliath, naturally.What a blessing it was to see the Swazi kids praising God. A true example of the child like faith we all should strive to acquire.
WHOA! That was my first thought. I guess hearing God speaking to me in such a clear way like that blew my mind. I never experienced it like that before. I guess being surrounded by constant distraction in America never really allowed me to hear God's voice so clearly. But here, it was just me, God, and the mountains. This is just one of the many examples of God speaking to me since arriving in Swaziland. I know that He has a perfect and good plan for Swaziland and it's people. I can't wait to see what God does while on this trip. I know He will continue to show His amazing power and love to the people of Swaziland.
Speaking of the people of Swaziland. Let me tell you they know how to two things perfectly: Church and Worship.
First off, church here isn't an hour long. I know that may be a foreign concept to some of you but man, let me tell you, the Swazis know how to do church. Their services last anywhere from 2-3 hours and they pour out everything to learn about God and worship uninhibitedly. Did I mention they worship in PERFECT harmony. Its simply breathtaking. Not only do they sing while they worship, they dance and jump around with arms reaching towards the Heavens. The first time I encountered the Swazi way of worship, my eyes became teary and if it weren't for having contacts, tears would've been rolling down my eyes....it was that powerful. In their type of worship, its God and them...they don't care who is watching them or who is around. They worship the way worship was intended to be. Why can't we do this in America?
So here we are: the night before we go out into the homestead communities. Its going to be the missionaries, God, and the community. As Tori, one of the girls on our team put as her facebook status tonight.:
I ask that you all continue to pray for the team, as the spiritual warfare will be heating up soon. In a country where evil and witchcraft are common, the spiritual warfare may be one of our biggest struggles to overcome. Whether it be demonic activity or just plain ole sinful nature, I know that God is more powerful than any of that and will allow to overcome it in His name. Pray that the team will walk in confidence and will speak the word of God clearly to the souls of the Swazi people.
As I leave, and leave all the distractions behind. I would like to challenge everyone reading this. You don't have to be across the world to be a missionary. Our team felt called to come to Swaziland, but there are souls that need Jesus right in your back yard. Don't be afraid, God can and will use you, just like He is using us. You just gotta open your heart to it. I leave you with this verse, it comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
To God Be the Glory
-Reh
The day after arriving in Swaziland, the team went with Make(pronounced Ma-gay, means Mrs)Shandu to her weekly Bible Study. Make Shandu lives in a part of the missions houses that we had our orientation in. We took a kombi(they very hectic very of public transportation) to the Sibebe area where the bible study takes place every week. Three young kids were already there when we arrived, waiting in the field beside the road where we had the bible study. When we began the study, there were probably only 5 kids there max. During the time it was going on, kids kept coming and coming from all over....walking from wherever their kombi let them off at. I would say we ended up with close to 20 kids by the time we finished. Our bible study included songs sung by the kids and by our team. Our team acted out the David and Goliath bible story as well, with me being Goliath, naturally.What a blessing it was to see the Swazi kids praising God. A true example of the child like faith we all should strive to acquire.
After that we went back to the missions home for a quick break before going to help with the Swazi Youth Leadership weekend at Manzini Baptist Church. During our break, I was sitting on the hill in the back yard reading my Bible. Looking around at the surrounding mountains, I flipped to Isaiah 55 and God spoke to me in verses 12 and 13. (Reminder that I was surrounded by mountains). This is what Isaiah 55:12-13 says:
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
WHOA! That was my first thought. I guess hearing God speaking to me in such a clear way like that blew my mind. I never experienced it like that before. I guess being surrounded by constant distraction in America never really allowed me to hear God's voice so clearly. But here, it was just me, God, and the mountains. This is just one of the many examples of God speaking to me since arriving in Swaziland. I know that He has a perfect and good plan for Swaziland and it's people. I can't wait to see what God does while on this trip. I know He will continue to show His amazing power and love to the people of Swaziland.
Speaking of the people of Swaziland. Let me tell you they know how to two things perfectly: Church and Worship.
First off, church here isn't an hour long. I know that may be a foreign concept to some of you but man, let me tell you, the Swazis know how to do church. Their services last anywhere from 2-3 hours and they pour out everything to learn about God and worship uninhibitedly. Did I mention they worship in PERFECT harmony. Its simply breathtaking. Not only do they sing while they worship, they dance and jump around with arms reaching towards the Heavens. The first time I encountered the Swazi way of worship, my eyes became teary and if it weren't for having contacts, tears would've been rolling down my eyes....it was that powerful. In their type of worship, its God and them...they don't care who is watching them or who is around. They worship the way worship was intended to be. Why can't we do this in America?
So here we are: the night before we go out into the homestead communities. Its going to be the missionaries, God, and the community. As Tori, one of the girls on our team put as her facebook status tonight.:
I do indeed praise the Lord for this opportunity. I pray that only God is glorified through us and none of us take credit for what we are doing in these communities. Glory be to God forever and ever. Amen.goodbye shower, goodbye toilet, goodbye city, goodbye facebook, goodbye skype, goodbye blogger, goodbye hair-dryer, goodbye straightener, goodbye english, goodbye warmth, goodbye good food, and hello basin bathing, hello squaty potty, hello more journaling, hello hair pulled up, hello siswati, and hello rice, rice, rice, and more rice. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!
I ask that you all continue to pray for the team, as the spiritual warfare will be heating up soon. In a country where evil and witchcraft are common, the spiritual warfare may be one of our biggest struggles to overcome. Whether it be demonic activity or just plain ole sinful nature, I know that God is more powerful than any of that and will allow to overcome it in His name. Pray that the team will walk in confidence and will speak the word of God clearly to the souls of the Swazi people.
As I leave, and leave all the distractions behind. I would like to challenge everyone reading this. You don't have to be across the world to be a missionary. Our team felt called to come to Swaziland, but there are souls that need Jesus right in your back yard. Don't be afraid, God can and will use you, just like He is using us. You just gotta open your heart to it. I leave you with this verse, it comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
To God Be the Glory
-Reh
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