June 6 (day 15)

Monday

Last day in Swaziland. BOO! I honestly do not want to leave at all! I love it here in Africa.

My prayer is that God will continually speak into my heart things He has spoken to me while here in Swaziland. I never want to forget how He changed me and transformed me. His power is so real here, and I want to feel that same power back in the States. And I hope I don't forget my experiences here in Swaziland...with the land, with the people, with my team, with God... It was incredibly life changing and I want to keep on changing this way forever.

Right now we're sitting in the chill place after having an incredible breakfast. Rich and Andrew came up at 8 this morning and made everyone french toast. How sweet of them. And it was so good. My team is seriously so awesome.

Today we drive back to South Africa and will see off our SNU half at the airport. What am I going to do without them?! I'm really going to miss every single one of them :( God was so present with each person here and I never want to forget how we all grew together and transformed together.
...............................................................................
Just pulled out of the flatt for the last time. I don't want to go. I started to cry when we were pulling out and waving goodbye to Andy and Amy. I'm really going to miss it here and the people I've been with and the ways God has been moving in our hearts and lives. I'm going to miss fellowship and serving. All the laughter. The beauty. The people...the children.

The countryside, the flowers (that I'm not allowed to bring back with me), the colorful birds, the rolling hills that completely surround you no matter where you are, women walking around with babies tied to their backs, riding in the vans, our great drivers (which way?! Sezwe!), Pick-n-Pay, granadilla, lemon creams, grapetiser, Ntondoze, cows roaming everywhere, the beautiful blue sky, the stars, TLC, the SIFE team, Manzini, real church, true love, strong presence of the Spirit, impalas, PB&Js.

I'm just dreading going back!

P.S. Got to make sure to say hello to everyone in the family for Andy and Amy.
...............................................................................
Sitting in the chill place #2 at Koinonia in South Africa. I don't want to think about going back to the States and to the lifestyle there. I don't want to lose focus on what I've learned here, but I know I will. There are just so many distractions back home.

We had to say goodbye to our SNU half today. I hated to see them go. It's not the same without them here with us all the time. It makes me sad...it really just isn't the same at all! It's almost surreal that they're gone. It's so wierd being here without them. But I just thank God for them and how we grew together throughout our time here. And I thank Him for my MVNU team and I pray that we can continue to grow together back at school. I just love MVSNU so much.

I just pray that God will continually break my heart. I don't want to forget about the devastation all around me or become numb to it. And I don't want to forget the joy of the people, either. I pray that God continues to keep the spirit of community alive as we all seek to serve Him. I just thank Him so much for this experience and for all the many blessings. I thank Him for His presence among us. And I thank God for His love. God, you are awesome and I love you for everything that you are.

I've heard so many people say that they're leaving a piece of their heart here in Africa. It's the same for me. I pray that one day I will be able to return to get it back (or I could just stay here). I love Africa!