Erica Zeiler
Hello All,
Sorry for my lack of blogging since I left three weeks ago. I have so much to say and yet no words to explain. I’ll start from the beginning. After spending 12 hours at the ATL airport, 17 hours on the plane, and another day and a half of driving into Swaziland, it’s safe to say that we were completely traveled out. God blessed us with insanely safe travels. Never once, did I feel unsafe.
Upon arriving to our home in Nsoko, we were greeted with dozens upon dozens of smiling children jumping up and down. I could hardly make it out of the van before a little girl ran at me with her arms wide open, ready for me to pick her up and love on her.
There is quite a variety of ministry opportunities here is Swazi. I spend the mornings working at care points. There I assist in teaching orphans or helping out the GoGo’s (grandmothers) with meal preparations for the community. Two days out of the week, I do more hands on labor. We have been working on building two new showers for the community center and building a chicken coop for Pastor Gift. The afternoons are spent building relationships with children or doing house visits. Through the house visits, I have met two people, both suffering from Tb and Aids.
I can’t even tell how hard it is to stand there and see this. Bringing hope to a woman who has not been able get out of bed for months is something I wasn’t quite prepared for to be honest. I knew it would be hard. I knew I would see death and disease. I knew this all, but have learned that there is no way to prepare yourself for it.
Friday afternoons, I spend in a young women’s small group made up of myself, four of my team members, and several other young Swazi women. I love it. It is so awesome to get to know these women and learn about their culture, their hardships, and their dreams.
I have also grown to love my team. Saying it is hard to live in a house with 18 other young women is an understatement. Yet, even with its hardships, there is so much, laughter, love, and growth.
God is doing big things in my heart. Most of which, I am not completely aware of at this point. I know he has me here for a reason. The fact that my team is made up of all women is no coincidence. The lack of communication is yet another circumstance God is growing me in.
I am excited to see how I grow from this and to see prayers answered. But more than that, I look forward to growing closer and closer to God. My Faith has never been shaken so hard. I’ve never asked more questions, nor have I ever had to be so open minded.
I hope all is well. I love and miss everyone. I can’t wait to see everyone. Thank you all for your prayers.
Erica Bane
Hey Erica,
We all miss you so much! It is very strange with you not here. I keep looking at the front door for you to walk in.
However, I am so proud of you and I now know that you are supposed to be there. I am sorry for doubting it. I am so proud and amazed at you and your team members. Your story and all the stories have really touched me. I know that people in America do not truly understand what these people suffer, especially the children and women. I will keep praying for you all and the Swaziland people. We are all good here and I went to church with Nana. I plan to go again this Sunday. She misses you very much. Ansley will be going to Homecoming on Oct. 18th. I can’t wait to see you and hear all your experiences in Africa. I feel that God has graced you with an experience that will forever change your life in a powerful way. I pray for you and your team members safety and well-being. I love reading all the updates. I love you and I know God has blessed me with a special and compassionate daughter. Love, Mom
Hi Beth: I’m glad you made it to your destination safely. What an experiance! I pray for you and your team everyday and am excited to read your blogs and hear all that you “Swazi girls” are doing over there. Love Aunt Sue 🙂
Abby,
I am thinking of and praying for you often. I cannot wait to hear of what God is doing in your life while in Africa. Reading about what Bailey has experienced blew my mind. What a way to gain perspective on life, eh? Nothing short of amazing. My best to all of you who are sacrificing so much to be a blessing to/for others.
Michelle C. Smith, Oregon
Hello Bailey,
Hi you wonderful person you!!! You don’t know me but I am an old friend of your moms from high school and I just recently found her on Facebook and she told me what you were doing and I just wanted to say that you are a VERY SPECIAL person and you should be VERY PROUD of yourself!!! She gave me your link and told me to email you so here I am!!! LOL!!!
It sounds like you are doing wonderful things and I know god is smiling on you and the whole group for what you brave people are doing. From what I have read everything is going well—(maybe except for the very long plane ride )–LOL!!!!
I just wanted to say WAY TO GO GIRL and keep up the great things you are doing!!!!!! God bless you and all the people that are with you!!!! Stay safe and when you are coming home, tell your mom and dad that you want a welcoming home party, you DESERVE IT!!!! LOL!!!!! Bye!!!!
Hey Abby!
It sounds like your team is having some great experiences! I can’t wait to hear what has impacted you the most out of all of it. I know God is doing great things in you as He is using you to bless so many hurting people there. We’re praying for you!
Brenda and fam