S-P-A-R

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 can't help ourselves!

After that we decided to split the group in half to do different things. Both Liz M and Liz H, Lindsey, Victoria and I were to head back to the Glass Shop and pick up some groceries whilst Stephen, Geoff, Bill, Jackie, Heather and my mum went back to Mpolonjeni to finish off painting the church. Well, this was a lot of fun. My group wandered around the Glass Shop for about an hour only buying a few small things before we went in search of the Superspar. Unfortunately, Bongani was with the other group and so we didn't exactly know the way. We ended up driving down a short, bumpy road that definitely wasn't near the Spar. This lead to an odd interaction between Lindsey and a gentleman that happened to be sitting with two other men. Lindsey just stuck her head out of the window of the van and called the man over asking him whether he knew where the Spar was. She then proceeded to spell out 'S-P-A-R' before he asked what it was she was looking to buy. We told him milk and then he asked 'What kind of milk?'' We told him cows milk and then he told us to head into the city half an hour away. We thanked him and drove 30 seconds across the road to a very small store, hoping it had what we need. It did, but the guy probably thinks we're a bunch of weirdos.

The other group finally finished painting and met up with us back at base in Hawane, which led to a mad dash to get ready to go to the 'Soaking Service' at Potter's Wheel. We all hopped back into the vans and set off for Potter's Wheel. However, we were still almost late after Lead-foot-Liz was back at it again, only this time we were caught and pulled over for speeding. Both vans had to pay a fine of 60 Rand (which is only, like, four pounds). Anyways, shame on us.

The Soaking Service was great but didn't actually involve us getting soaked. It was just like another Sunday Service only this time people were allowed to go up and tell everyone what they believed God to be telling them. This involved people coming up and saying that God told them some people in the congregation were ill and that they could come up to the front to be prayed for. It also allowed people to come and talk about verses from the Bible they felt God was reminding them of.

By the time the service was over and we'd finished our cups of coffees, we were ready to head back to Hawane for a late dinner of toast, fruit and ice cream. Now we are all packing and getting ready to say goodbye to Eswatini tomorrow. It almost doesn't feel really that we've been here for over a week and part of me (and the rest of the team), doesn't really want to leave. I have a feeling we'll be back in the future though. Next time I'm going to bring someone my own age with me. As much fun as it has been with everyone, they just don't get my lingo or understand memes. Applicants for position of 'Amy's Eswatini Buddy' now welcome.

"I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful." 2 Timothy 4:7