Hey everyone!! Life has been crazy on The Race for the past six weeks, but it has been so sweet+ rewarding! We arrived in Manzini, Africa the beginning of March! This was the first time all of our teams were back together in a country since Nicaragua!! Our first week here was Awakening! We met up with two other squads (gap K + semester W) + spent the week sharing testimonies, in teachings, worshipping, + spending time in community! This was such a refreshing time for me, + I got to have some very intentional time spent with the Lord! It was also so cool to hear about how the Lord had worked in + through the other squads!
After Awakening, we got to experience a small bit of ministry + did a few days of carepoints! Carepoints are safe locations where kids walk to after school. They get to have a hot meal, spend time with their friends, + be loved on! They also get taught about the Lord! When we are at carepoints, our main mission is to love on the kids. They often just crave physical touch + someone to just be with them.
After we got to experience a little bit of ministry, our parents came (YAY YAY YAY!!!) for PVT (parent vision trip)!! It was so good to see my parents + to see them experience a taste of race life! They got to go to the carepoints with us, and also do some house visits! PVT was such an encouraging time + I felt so refreshed by it! It was amazing to see the Lord working in the hearts of all the parents! During PVT, we also did times of worship, testimonies, games, and went on some fun little excursions!
From PVT, we went straight into a week of debrief to discuss India, Nepal, our first week of ministry, + PVT! We also had a lot of squad time, testimony time, + time to sabbath + rest! During this time, we really got to catch up with the sqaud again + it was so refreshing to all of us!
After debrief, we went right back into normal ministry! The sqaud leaders went on their SQL retreat that first week, + it was so cool to see everyone step up in leadership + responsibility! I think we all grew so much that week by realizing that we didn’t just have to pour into each other, worship, + be intentional, but we actually wanted to!
For ministry here, we have evangelism days every Monday! We go out into town in groups of 3 or 4 people + just ask the Lord who to talk to, where to go, + who to pray over! We are at carepoints all day Tuesday through Friday, + we do two house visits a week! During house visits, we minister to the family, encourage them, pray over them, + provide them with food!
Swazi has been so sweet so far. Even though life has been so busy (+ filled with packing, moving, + SO many border crossings from South Africa to Swaziland), the Lord has continued to show me the importance of rest + being with Him. Sabbaths are something that the Lord has used to speak to my heart through rest, time with him, intentionality, + worship. I love having a day to reset + be refreshed with + by the Lord! God has continued to show me the depth of His love for me, even in the way that He pursues my heart + fulfills my desires. There have been such sweet moments with the Lord lately, from a cup of coffee from a stranger, to notes of encouragement from squadmates that spoke directly to my heart. He’s shown me that His love is displayed through the love of the people around me. He has also shown me the importance of keeping my eyes fixed on Him in ALL situations + to practice self-control over my thoughts! (go read Philippians 4:4-9!) Guys, the Lord is so good!! The other day, I was feeling discouraged + so I sat down + made a list of all the ways God had been good to me. Some of them were big, + some were small, but now whenever I’m feeling discouraged I have a whole list to refocus my heart + mind on the goodness of God! Thank you Jesus!
As I’m in the final stretch of the race, please continue to pray for me to finish strong! Pray that the Lord will give me endurance, strength, + joy in very long days! Pray that I’ll continue to dig in + get the absolute most out of the 30 some remaining days! Also please be praying for my transition home, that it won’t be difficult + that I will readjust well! Thank you all for your prayers + continued support!!!
Madelyn, It was soooo fun and GOOD to see pictures from your parents’ visit. I teared up at seeing your reunion and then again as I watched their farewell. I am glad they got to visit you! I am thankful that you are doing well and learning to lean into the Lord through all the emotions! You are loved and missed and here, but glad for what God is doing through you there! Love, Neisha
Thanks for the update, Madelyn! It’s always good to hear how and what your team is doing. Dad and I are praying that these last weeks will continue to be fruitful in you and through you as you serve. We love you so much and can’t wait to see you again. 🙂 Give it all you’ve got in this home stretch!! 🙂
Mom