Ballywillan team to Eswatini 2019

Hi again! So far today has been really good! Although any day in which one gets to sleep in is a good day. Albeit I only got to sleep in until about 8:15. Anyway, we began today by walking over to the Mens' Centre Chapel and- like in the Women's centre- we joined them in worship. They ended by blessing us before we left, and we didn't get to stay long too, as we had agreed to go back to the Women's Centre. When we got there we got to talk and mingle with all the girls again before getting them to teach us how to sing one of their songs. We did film us trying to sing and dance with them but I fear it to be too awkward looking to post. By the time we left it was time for our farewell lunch at Potter's Wheel. We met up with Pastor Julien and Kevin and Helen Ward and talked to them about our favourite and least favourite moments on the trip as well as something we'd learnt along the way. This led to the shedding of a couple of tears yet again. Honestly, we just...

Good day everyone! It has been a busy day and yet we were only focusing on two activities! We got up and headed straight over to Npolonjeni where we met up with Pastor John and another Bongani. From there we divided into two groups and made home visits to drop off rice packs to people in the neighbourhood. The first house belonged to an elderly couple however, the house itself was fairly grim. It was small, cramped, dirty with no lights. It was basically poverty at its worst but nevertheless the people were kind enough to let us in to pray for them and hear us out; in fact they were over the moon that we had honoured them by visiting.  It meant a great deal as they had no family and in their culture it is good to have people come to the house.  The elderly lady was called Josphine and according to ex nurse Liz Houston she had suffered a stroke leaving her with paralysis down her right side.  Josphine believed this was a curse as she had been to a witch doctor after she...

Hi folks! We are back in Hawane again and it's weird how quickly it has become like a second home here. I can never wait to get back every time we are away... Anyway, it was an early start this morning in Bulembu. We had breakfast before heading out to Bulembu's high school to join in their assembly in which another missionary group from America also participated in. It was during this service in which we were announced as being "Bally of Willan" which we found pretty funny. As soon as we finished with the assembly we were shown around the area and what the future of the high school will hopefully look like. We learnt about how the kids there did not get any money but instead earned merits which they got for doing jobs and doing well grade wise and for good behaviour. They also raised chickens to earn money.  It was shortly after this that I began to feel unwell and so headed back to the lodge with my mum where I finished last nights blog and read a book. ...

Hi again! We are currently in Bulembu and enjoying our Sunday off. We started this morning by going to Potterwheel church. We had to be in church for 8:30am (there’s literally a timer that counts down to the beginning of the service and everything).There was lots of singing and dancing to be done and we even took communion during one of the songs. All in all, the service lasted an hour and a half and was really enjoyable. We even got to see the women from the Women’s Centre there along with Kevin and Helen Ward. Just after the service we sat outside and had coffee, mingling with the locals. After we left we went back to Hawane for a light lunch which consisted mainly of fruit, before Bongani took us the scenic root to Bulembu. Also note that the weather was so hot today. At one point we got up to 40 degrees (the mini van Lindsey, Liz M, my mum, Bongani and I took also had no air conditioning. Which was great fun). During the drive we did stop to get some pictures by a dam nearby. It ...

Hi folks! It's day six in Eswatini and so far, so good! Today was pretty chill actually. We were out the door by 8am today, which wasn't as bad as yesterday, and were headed to Ngwenya. It's a small area that is still in the process of being built. The pastor showed us around and the plans they had for the area but I don't remember much of what he said because I was too distracted by the baby I was allowed to hold. I think we should just appreciate the fact that I haven't taken at least one child home. Anyway, they are building a church there next to the paster's home along with a pre-school While we were there, a group of children were entertained yet again by Liz Houston who read to them before we began handing out the kids clothes we'd brought with us. We weren't there for any longer than an hour before we were driving to a Swazi glass shop which we stopped to have coffee in and make a few purchases. Actually "a few" doesn't really co...

I'm back again to tell you all that we've all had a superb day! We were up at 6am this morning and ready to go for breakfast in the most gorgeous hotel called The Mountain Inn. We were welcomed by the owner, Marcus Ward, and were allowed to select from the tasty food in the buffet and then shown to the board room where we would get more privacy and avoid the rush of guests. It was also while we ate we went over to the window which had the most amazing view of the mountains and valley. You could just stare at it all day.   Also, during breakfast, we learned of a spiritual battle between the Devil and the Lord's good work in Eswatini. After hearing about this we felt compelled to pray. Honestly, standing there in the boardroom, looking out over the mountains and discussing how, as christians, we were fighting against the darkness...I felt pretty powerful in that moment. As if I was at Castle Cair Paravel in Narnia or one of the knights at the round table. We were giv...