“Sonibonani!” That’s the Swaziland greeting similar to hello. The direct translation however is “Do you see me?” to which we reply “yebo” or “yes” The person who said soniboani then asks “unjani” or “how are you?’ and we reply “niapila” or “I am fine.”
Now you can all know a little SiSwati. 😉
Things are good here. Frustrating at times but so is life back in the States. Our leaders have now left to be with the team in South Africa. So we are on our own until the debriefs of Feb. 21-28; April 4-11; May 11-15. Before our leaders left we were able to take a day off to go as a team to Execution Rock and Milane Game reserve (not sure that’s spelled correctly but its close). It was great to spend some time with Becca and Blair before they left and to see some local wildlife – check out some of my teammate’s blog pages. Oh and Becca has some sweet pictures up on her latest blog post of some things happening here. (http://rebeccaherndon.myadventures.org)
We have been slowly falling into ministry here. There was vision team here last week and then a few Christmas parties to attend before people leave Nsoko to either go home for the summer holidays or on vacation (not many as we are in a poor area). Oh and when a vision team is here we drop our schedule and follow theirs. This week was the first week of full ministry for us. AIM has 8 care points that they are manning in this area and we have now been to 6 of them. I don’t know the kids stories or how long they have been coming to the care points (CPs) but the kids in this area really need these CPs as some of them that I saw looked to be suffering from Kwashiorkor. We are trying to learn what our roles should be in the care points and house visits that are daily our schedule.
The Lord is growing me so much right now. In short, He’s teaching me how to rely on Him, how to let Him be my spiritual guide instead of looking for others to fill that role. Not an easy process and one that’s been with me for a while now. I’ve just never been faced with such circumstances as these that I’m almost forced to take it to heart this time. My team has been amazing in helping through this, letting me depend on them when I need it, like helping me process but encouraging me to take things to the Lord. Over the past few months I really have learned a lot about myself, who I feel spiritually fed from, how I process what I’m going through, and how to do that before I stew in it for a few days and wonder why I feel stuck and without God. Please continue to pray for this process. It can be painful and to make matters worse homesickness is beginning to hit with a vengeance.
Tomorrow we will be going to watch the soccer team play the best team in the league (the team that our guys have been practicing with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). And Sunday I will be preaching in church (4 PMish here; 8 AM CST). Please be praying for that. I have absolutely no idea what God wants me talk about.
I love y’all, oh yeah and I heard the horns are going to the National Championship!! Hook ‘em!!
Howdy Katie,
Peace and the Lords blessings to you. What an opportunity!!! To travel the world while your young enough to physically do it. I pray for you daily and am rewarded when I get a blog from you.
The news that you may have not seen is that a few days ago it snowed from Corpus Christi to Houston up to east of I 35! The national news commented about how Houston didn’t own a snowplow, gee wonder why.
We had an owl conference last night at our house. They were hooting so much it excited the (Sandra’s) dogs to riot mode.
Christopher and I went to Sapulpa OK for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time with friends there.
What an opportunity you have to be non distracted with the busyness of what’s going on in Texas. Your world now is all that you should be focused on. To see how a culture other than the one you grew up in shapes the people in it is a blessing beyond sight. God has blessed you with the understanding that He is in control and what ever comes before you He will guide and inspire you to greatness. Every step in the road brings a new picture to inspire to relish to praise the One who created it. Oh, how I wish I were there. When I was young there wasn’t much that I didn’t do. I backpacked into wilderness areas solo on a few occasions and mostly with friends who shared the same sense of adventure. So, trekking with a purpose would have been so much easier. Don’t worry about what’s behind you cherish what’s in front.
Katie,
I trust that God will use this time to draw you to rely on Him for everything. It is a hard lesson, but one very worth learning. Thanks for sharing this. I’m praying for you!
Erin
Oh Katie, you no longer need any of that Spanish I tried to teach you 😛 I’m so glad God is challenging you and pushing you to rely on Him. I will definitely pray that He continues that, but is also a source of comfort in those moments when homesickness hits. Know that you are in our hearts and minds often. Joe and I make jokes all the time and hypothesize what you would say if you were here with us 🙂 I love you!!!
Sarah