Reflections From Eswatini

Hello family and friends, 

Wow, it is month 8 and I am currently in Rwanda, Africa serving with Pastor Innocent alongside successful ministries. I love it here in Rwanda and am already learning so much. The pastor has three sons and it’s week one and it already feels like family here. We spend a lot of time hanging out with the boys when they are not in school. We play cards with them and sing so many songs. Below is a little video of our first week here. Enjoy 🙂 

This month we have had a little more time and space to reflect because a lot of the time is spent preparing sermons for church. I was reflecting on my past month in eSwatini and was like man what a hard month. But when I look back, there is so much goodness that has come out of it. So I wanted to share some of my reflections with you from eSwatini aka Swaziland. 

1. Isaiah 45:19 “…I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.” Seeking the Lord never is done in vain. Everything flows from and is affected by this relationship. 
2. The farm team I was on in eSwatini switched ministries many times and reminded me that one of the few things in my life that is consistent is the Lord. 
3. The Lord has been revealing a new part of my testimony and I have been working through that. 
4. I really love language and learning new ones. I’ve learned that it is so respectful to the cultures we are in to attempt to learn some. So one of the first things I learn to say in each language is Hello, how are you? And what is your name? I’m telling you, knowing these simple things is huge! Also back in Colombia the Lord told me how important names are and it’s important to know them wherever you are. This is one way we can care about the people around us. Also my team jokes that I am usually the person that people ask “so how do you say this?” in the native language. 
5. We should be spending more energy seeking Gods presence rather than exerting more energy fighting the enemy. The battle belongs to the Lord always and is never done in our strength alone. 
6. It’s important to not focus just on the losses but to celebrate the little victories, especially against sin. 
7. I love fat cakes. In the Siswati language they are called lifet’s. Basically a deep fried bread ball. ?? Also learning I cope with food. Haha 
8. Hebrews 12:5-6 & 11. So good. The Lord disciplines the ones he loves. Discipline yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Learned a lot about discipline, obedience and love and how they are all connected. 
9. The Lords love is always WORTH IT! 
10. Routines are great. But they can sometimes become a distraction. 

Some of our leadership team was able to be with us on the field and stay in Swazi and do Ministry with us. Our mentor Amy who is absolutely incredible, asked us a question to reflect on and it is just so good not to share. The question she asked was “What do I know about Gods character that is unquestionable because of my testimony?” What a question. As I began to reflect, this is what I came up with from my testimony. 

1. It is always worth giving up something you love for the Lord. The Lord is always worth it and there is so much good that comes from it! This is something I often have to mourn first, but because of my experience I know I can give up my desires again and it be fruitful! 
2. There is always more freedom in bringing sin or struggles to the light and to community. Satan wants to isolate us and make us feel alone in our struggles. 
3. Jesus is trustworthy and the only thing that is constant and consistent.

So my question for ya’ll is the same. What do you know about Gods character that is unquestionable because of your testimony? I encourage you to reflect on this. And I would love to know, so feel free to reach out or comment below 🙂

Until next time,

Cass! <3