March and April

Back:
I saw the doctor in Joburg and he said the scar on my back is healing normally. I am able to run now and, even though I am technically not supposed to play sports for another week, I played ultimate Frisbee on Sunday and everything was ok. There is absolutely no pain.

Easter Services:

There was a good turnout of about 200 people. Julia and I had the children for at least 2 hours each day. We used a combination of stories and drama to tell of Christ’s death and resurrection. We also taught them some new games like 4 corners.

Some doctrinal confusion was revealed during the services, for instance speaking in tongues. I think as a result of watching televised Pentecostal services)

Meetings:

The morning after Easter services we left for Joburg for a big regional meeting (AMTM). There were over 500 missionary adults and children there with the IMB from all over southern Africa. The meetings were surprisingly interesting and helpful to my ministry. It was nice to here about what things work for other people and what doesn’t so that I can learn from their mistakes. After the AMTM was single’s retreat. This was for all the single missionaries from the 20-somethings to the 60+ group. I was just excited to see my friend Jena who works in Uganda. After a week and a half of living out of a suitcase I was ready to come back to Swaziland.

Peanut:

The day we left Joburg I fell in love. His name is Peanut and he is about 9in high and about a foot and a half long. He’s a reddish brown 3 year old dachshund. A missionary family is going stateside for a few months and was giving him away. Julia and I jumped at the offer.

School Break:

School break starts April 18 and lasts about 3weeks. Weekends and school breaks are my busiest times since that’s when the students are not in school. I’m trying to figure out what to do during this school break. I’m still in the planning stages of partnering with a high school to starting a girl’s soccer team. I know how Kingdom values can be easily incorporated into sportsmanship. I’m really hoping and praying that this soccer team works out. Athletics (maybe not so much soccer, but that’s what is big here) is an area where God has gifted me and I want to use that gift for Him.

Also, lately I’ve been looking into a “Reach for Life” book to see if the 40 lesson study that accompanies the book would be a good thing to do in Swaziland. Please pray that God will make clear what He wants me to do in my future ministry, specifically school break.

Finally:

I’ve entered another phase of homesickness lately. I think mostly because I’m missing out on my older sister’s wedding planning: important stuff, like picking out her wedding dress, that I always thought that I would be there for.