Its hard to believe that its been three years since we packed up our belongings and boarded a plane to the other side of the world. They say, time flies when you are having fun and I truly believe this statement is correct. In some respects, we feel that we are just now beginning. We are breaking down walls and reaching out to people who have been closed off for several years. The people in the community have given us Swazi names and accept us as we come to visit. They now treat us as locals, and not just outsiders. We feel very much at home here and are enjoying this journey God has sent us on. Throughout our time here we have encountered a lot of people from North America and we are often asked a lot of questions when we meet new people. This blog will hopefully answer some of your questions about our life in Swaziland.
1. How did you get to Swaziland?
Our church, in Alabama, sponsors a Care Point here in Swaziland. In 2008, God made it very clear that both of us should go on the short-term trip our church was leading. I had just taken a new teaching job and Mark was leading his own successful business. We thought the idea of summer short-term trips would be just perfect for us! We came that first year and were immediately ruined. Ruined for the children of this beautiful country. Outraged for the injustice. Physically ill for all the hungry people we saw. Sick for the lack of care for the dying.
It took us several months to process all that we experienced that first year. When it came time to sign up for the next years trip, I think we were one of the first to join the team. There was no question as to if we were going back, it was just when. In 2009, God organized another wonderful team to spend ten days at our churchs Care Point. When we landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mark turned to me and said, Welcome home! I looked at him like he was a two-headed alien. What was he talking about? This is not my home! This is a summer short-term home! We enjoyed every second of our trip that year and made some wonderful connections to children and staff members. Every single conversation, every step we took, and every person we met that second year was totally orchestrated by God. He made it completely clear to both of us, that Swaziland was where He wanted us to serve Him. He took away all of my initial fears, worries, concerns, and struggles and gave us both a peace about beginning this journey.
We returned from the second trip with such an amazing feeling. We finally figured out where God wanted us! We immediately began the process of selling our belongings, getting approved with AIM, telling family and friends, and mentally and physically preparing ourselves for living in a third world country. From the day we said Yes we have never looked back, had any hesitation, or had any regrets about moving our family to Swaziland.
2. Have your children adjusted to living in Swaziland?
My first response when someone asks me this is, Have you seen my pictures that I post on FB? I just dont post the happy ones. I dont just post the ones with my girls holding cute babies.I simply post them in action. We receive confirmation almost daily through our girls. They absolutely love living here and getting to know so many children. We truly feel that they are making the biggest difference here in Swaziland. They speak the language, they are on the kids level, and they have the biggest hearts of anyone I know. As parents, we are moved every single day at how much they selflessly give to the children here. I am thankful that they are being raised on the mission field and that they are seeing how others live.
Soon after we moved here, I asked the girls to write a journal entry as a part of their home school lessons. The topic was, Tell me about your most exciting memory. Thinking that they would tell about a birthday or Christmas present, needless to say, I was blown away by their responses. Without each one knowing, one said that her happiest memory was the day we told her that we were moving to Swaziland. The other one said that her happiest memory was the actual day we moved to Swaziland! Confirmation once again!
3. What does a typical day look like?
If there is one thing to say about any day on the field, it is not typical. Each day brings about new decisions, new choices, and new adventures. Our main focus is to oversee eleven of the thirty-four Care Points in Swaziland. We try to visit each one every week or at least every other week. We build relationships with the ladies that cook at these Care Points. We make sure they have the food they need to cook. We take sick children to the doctor. We visit homesteads to take food hampers. We make sure our discipleship team has the tools and lessons they need to teach the children. We lead teams from North America. We write newsletters for our sponsored Care Points. We store and hand out clothing in extreme situations. We work with preschool teachers to make sure they have adequate teaching materials. We get to play with orphans and vulnerable children.most of whom have never received loving touch. We work closely with Timbali Crafts at several Care Points.
To give you a daily schedule is basically impossible. Every single day is different and brings about a new set of adventures. One thing that we have learned is to be flexible and extremely patient. We are now understanding of this culture and are completely fine if a day does not go as we have planned it. We know that God has His hands in this and we trust that He will guide our every move.
4. How long will you be in Swaziland?
When we first moved here, in 2010, we committed to two years of service. Last September we added two more years to our time here. We are now taking this journey one year at a time. Lord willing, we know we will fulfill our second commitment. After that, we dont know. God made it very clear to us when we moved here. He also made it clear that we were to extend our time here. We feel that if He wants us to stay longer, He will let us know. We trust in His timing with everything. These are not our plans, but His.
5. What are your needs and/or prayer requests?
We are often asked this question and I would be lying if I said that my first thought isnt money. We are fully supported by individuals and churches in America. We have had amazing faith over the past three years, and God has provided every single need weve had. We have not gone without a single meal. We have not missed a months rent. We have not gone without power or water, unless its just an African problem. We have been so blessed by individuals who selflessly give each month to support us to live in Swaziland. There are times, however, that we do look at our support account and nearly hyperventilate. Sometimes our support dips so low that we wonder if we will receive pay that month. Its an immediate shock, but when the shock wears off, we know that some way, some how, He will provide for us. And He has!
We ask for prayer for safety and protection. I have heard of Swaziland being referred to as satans playground. So, I ask for protection from the enemy for our family as well as the people of this beautiful country.
As silly as this may sound, we ask for prayer for our car. We only have one car and the amount of road we cover weekly is astounding. Its not only the amount of road we travel, but the actual roads we travel on. We travel on mainly dirt roads with huge boulders and that combination will do a number on the inner workings of a car. We are currently car less as ours has a major oil leak and possibly needs a new engine. Just pray for all the ministry vehicles, because without transportation, we basically shut down.
We also ask for prayers for our oldest daughter, Madeline. All of her life, she has suffered from extreme eczema. While the first two years here, she was able to maintain her eczema with a few flare-ups, but now she is really suffering. We are headed into summer and with that are very hot temperatures. Heat and eczema do not mix! Please pray for healing for her and that we find just the right combinations of medicines to make her more comfortable.
I hope this helps everyone understand a little more about our journey to Swaziland. We are so thankful for your prayers, support, and love.
Blessings,
Allison
