Hello Everyone!

I am praying for you all back home and hope you are doing well! :) I realize I haven’t told many stories from our ministry here In Eswatini, and I am eager to give you a picture of the amazing things God has been doing here!

Our time in Eswatini has been all about relationships. We’ve built such meaningful connections with the kids at the care point that when it’s time to leave each day, the goodbye hugs could last forever if we let them. Some of my favorite moments this past week were spent with a small group of younger children. Throughout the week we have set lesson times, but I also had the chance to share a few Bible stories in smaller groups. On the first day, they gathered around and listened intently as I told the story of Jonah. These kids are usually very energetic and rowdy, but each time I began a story, they grew quiet in a way that was so special to witness. The second day, I shared several stories and a few of my favorite verses. A little boy we call Peter (an English name we gave him, since the clicks in his African name are difficult for us to pronounce) sat beside me on the bench. I shared a few verses from John 3 and asked if he had ever truly accepted Jesus into his heart. When I asked if he believed he would go to heaven one day, he said he wasn’t sure. He’s probably around 10 years old and already understands the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection, so I was able to explain the promise of eternal life through Christ. He told me he had never prayed to accept Jesus before, so we prayed a salvation prayer I had written earlier with my team in Johannesburg. Even now, it makes me emotional to remember opening my eyes after the prayer and seeing the huge smile on his face. I gave him a big hug and reminded him of the truth: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) and because of that we have the hope of an eternity in heaven with Christ! It’s moments like these that make the heat, missing home, etc. more than worth it. My heart is so full!

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve truly loved getting to know the middle and high school girls here, especially through several meaningful conversations with a young girl named Promise. One day, she opened up to me about having to repeat a grade after someone stole her calculator right before a final exam that would determine her next year, and she also shared how much responsibility she carries—often navigating each day independently without always having enough food or money. Seeing this small young girl and hearing her story was more than heartbreaking, but in the middle of it, God’s presence felt so near, and we were able to talk about where He is in the midst of hardship and what it looks like to draw closer to Him through it. I encouraged her to keep moving forward with a kingdom mindset rather than with a worldly viewpoint, and our friendship has grown so special, and we’ve made it a habit to pray together each day before we leave!

My final story from this past week is actually from a field day we helped at for another care point. I got to know a 15-year-old named Amanda throughout the morning, and she shared with me how she has been getting bullied at school for her appearance. I actually had a very similar story to hers as she struggles with not being popular and only having one close friend. It was God’s perfect ordaining that I ended up talking to her out of the close to 400 kids there that day! We talked about what I have learned about the truth of who we are in Christ Jesus, and since graduating high school, how the popularity is worth nothing in comparison to having a true friend! I also got to point her to Psalm 139 as a passage to hold on to! We both left so encouraged, and I am so thankful to the Lord for the ways He is using my story to minister to others!

I could share so many beautiful kingdom moments with you, but I feel so blessed that God had given me the opportunity to come alongside these kids who often do not have mentors, friends, a solid church community, or even parents around to encourage and point them to Christ! I hope this encourages you today! I’ve been thinking more and more about how thankful I am for the way you all supported me and provided what I needed to come on this trip, and I can’t express how thankful I am! Our team has about two and a half weeks until we fly home for a week of debrief in Atlanta. I am definitely ready and looking forward to coming home, but it is so bitter sweet! A piece of my heart will truly stay with the children in Eswatini forever! I truly cannot wait to see you all soon!

Love,

Abigail or Bapekile (my current Siswati name :)