Swaziland…Round 2!

Sanibonani bangami bami!  (Hello to all my friends!)

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying your Spring season!

This December I returned to the States after my first year serving in Swaziland, and it was such an incredible journey! I spent the year teaching history and wearing many different hats in my job, studying the siSwati language, making friends, and falling in love with the country of Swaziland….well now eSwatini since the king has renamed the country.

It was so difficult to leave eSwatini at the end of the year because it became a new home for me, where I experienced friendship, love, and belonging. I am so overjoyed to say that I am returning to Swaziland more long term for an initial commitment of 2 years!

I will be making a change in my job and organization and now I will be working with Adventures in Mission with their Labaligugu (treasured ones) ministry to children with special needs and I will create my own ministry for women in prostitution.

Many people in Swaziland believe that children with disabilities reflect curses and witchcraft on the families, and there often are not enough resources for families to provide the children with the extra care that they need. Labaligugu provides occupational therapy, financial resources, and emotional support to families who have children with special needs. They are bringing me on staff to create and oversee a residential home alongside the existing team to care for the children during the week so they can have a safe place to say while their families are working, or in the most desperate situations children can be fostered in the home until we can help find them a safe and permanent place to live.

I will never be able to describe how thankful I have been to have such incredible spiritual, emotional, and financial support on this journey, and I am praying and hoping that you would consider supporting me emotionally, in prayer, and/or financially on this next step.

Ngyabonga kakhulu (thank you SO much!)