GLA {Community Outreach} AMAZING!

What was your FAVORITE part of your trip?

Number 1 question I have received, and by far the hardest to answer. How do I pick just one day or one thing that happened when everything was absolutely amazing.  I am going to warn you now I don't have an answer to the question so you won't get one.  I am also going to try and describe a few of the best days of my life, and I can guarantee what I am going to write is not going to do these experiences or people justice.  There really are not enough words.

Jerry and Karen Holte with the Rhino

I am going to start with a couple of people we met our first day in country, they are amazing.  Jerry and Karen Holte are missionaries with Children's Cup in Swaziland, they serve as the directors for GLA.  Global Leadership Academy is a year long discipleship program that gives young people an opportunity to become leaders in their communities.  The program is centered on teaching young people to walk as Jesus Christ walked and how to bring hope and the love for the Lord to their communities.  The interns with GLA are from all over Africa, and there is even an amazing woman in Swazi all the way from Louisiana!!! The interns apply for the intense program and are chosen for their leadership qualities and faith in the Lord... And let me tell you they are AMAZING!!!
SO back to the Holte's... They met us in Johannesburg when we got off the plane, Jerry's cousin John and his wife Nancy were a part of my team from RVC so it was really cool to see them reunited.  On the bus from J-Burg to Swazi I had the pleasure of sitting next to Karen and Nancy for the 5hr trip and man was it fun to listen to them re-connect and hear about their faith walks. 

Emily, Karen and Gretch

Jerry and Karen have amazing faith testimonies and it was so wonderful to get to talk with them and learn from them while in Africa.  Karen really acted like a mentor to me and my roommate Emily while in Swazi, she was so kind and loving and always had the right thing to say.  We spent lots of time talking about life and love and all of the things the Lord has planned for us.  She was the "mom" of our trip, always making sure we were doing alright and had the answers for EVERYTHING. I can't imagine what this trip would have been like without them there to minister to us, and I am so thankful the Lord put them in my life!
On our drive to the RVC/GLA compound, Karen and Jerry talked with us about all of the amazing interns they have this year and how they are like their children.  Once we met the inters and watched them interact with Karen and Jerry it was so evident that they loved each person at GLA like they were their own kids.  They were so full of love to all of the inters there, and spoke so highly of all of them. 

Rachel and I leaving RVC for our community walk

On our 2nd day in country of 4th day of the trip or Friday Feb 22nd... We had the opportunity to go out in the community with the GLA interns and the lead team from RVC.  I was pretty nervous about going out in the community and giving my testimony to people I didn't even know, but it turned out to be ONE of my favorite experiences.  The BEST part of that morning was watching the interns and lead team interact with the community members.  They had such BOLDNESS in their faith and had no problems giving their testimonies and explaining that we were there blessing them because the bible says to.  Rachel, Gareld and I had an amazing group of interns and we were lead by Vukani a GLA graduate and member of the RVC lead team.  There was a moment when we were at a house and Rachel and I just stopped and realized this morning wasn't about us telling people our stories, we realized our purpose on this journey was to pray for the interns and for Vukani as they ministered to THEIR community.  It was such a humbling experience to meet people in the community who had nothing compared to what I have at home but yet they were so happy and so proud.  We met a woman who was raising pigs and chickens.  She brought us back to the pig pens to show off her prized possessions.  She was so proud to show up all that she had and all the promises it gave to her family, God really had his hands on us that morning opening our eyes to such extreme hurt but also to such happiness. I hope you enjoy all of the photos from our morning community walk!!

Rachel and I with our GLA interns

Robert, Sebzora, Vukani and I with a women in the community

The community market place

GLA interns in action

Gerald ministering with Vukani

 

More to come I promise!!

Swazi Blessings {Days 1-3}

When anxiety was great within me,  

your consolation brought me joy. {Psalm 94:19}

Every day there was a scripture or multiple scriptures that we either talked about or that really just hit home to me.  We talked about the verse above, and I think it set the tone for entire trip.  When we were anxious or had fear the Lord calmed us with his words and his presence.

The first three days of my trip to Swaziland were insane, packed to the brim and emotionally overwhelming.  As I look back on my journal entries {I am SOOO thankful for the advice to journal daily} I can tell how exhausted I was because parts of my journal just don't make sense... So as I posted earlier {actually in flight!} the plane ride was very long, and as many of you may or may not know I am very scared of flying [fear concurred]! We said a big group prayer when we got to the airport and again in small groups on the plane.  My row mates Rachel and Emily made me feel so safe and loved, constantly checking in on how I was doing and distracting me from take offs and landings. I used my essential oils from my friend Brittany and they were a life saver {+Dramamine}.

Stephen, Avery, Krista, Iliea and Ellie Prince

Once we landed in J-burg we got to FINALLY meet our missionaries the Prince's and Holte's {More on the Holtes in the GLA post}!! Krista and her husband Stephen moved their family from MN to Swazi 2 years ago and have been helping build the RVC ministry in Swazi.  Krista found me on Facebook a month of so before we left on the trip so we had been chatting and getting to know each other from 8,000 miles away.  It was so awesome to finally get to hug her and here her amazing testimony in person.  The Prince family is one of the most amazing families I have ever met. Their dedication and devotion to the kingdom of God are so evident in everything they do.  Their sweet children have such servant hearts and are the most well behaved kiddos I have ever met!! The girls and I share a passion for hair accessories which made for some fun photo op's.

Iliea, Gretch and Ellie

After a night in Jo-burg spent trying to stay awake and learning about Swazi culture, we geared up for a long bus ride to Swaziland. We did yoga and enjoyed the beautiful scenery! My roomie Emily is a Yoga junkie, so she had some good moves for Rachel and I.  The Hotel we stayed at in Johannesburg was breathtaking, the accommodations were amazing the the hotel grounds were spectacular.

Rachel and Emily practicing

Gretch and Emily

Our entire group getting ready to head to Swazi

Our bus ride to Swaziland was about 4 1/2hrs and was a blast!! Krista talked about Swazi culture and Swazi history, our bus driver even had some stories for us.  We stopped about halfway at a GORGEOUS truck stop!!! We got to stretch our legs and have some lunch. They had pretty Americanized food with some local favorites. Cadberry is really big over there and they had some amazing chocolate called 'Top Deck' that I forgot to take a picture of... But it was fabulous!

Lunch time at Appaloosa

Once we arrived in Swazi we checked in to Emafini {Our home for the week!}

The view is breathtaking and the accommodations were so perfect! I wasn't expecting anything close to how nice Emafini is, we are so BLESSED!! 

RVC Team 1 seeing the church for the first time

After dropping off our bags and changing we headed to the River Valley Church- Swazi campus.  As soon as we pulled into the compound, tears instantly filled my eyes.  The interns from GLA{Global Leadership Academy~Post to come soon} were all singing and dancing, welcoming us to their home and to the church.  It was such an amazing afternoon that I doubt I will ever forget! Once we took a quick tour of the church it was time to get to work.  Gerald and Dean got the fun task of landscaping with Vukani and some of the interns.  It was pretty entertaining as the appointed photographer for the day to walk around and see everyone working and laughing and "learning" how to garden!

Meeting the GLA interns

 Nancy, John and Emily took on the task of sorting clothes that had been donated {with some help from a couple cute Prince girls!}.  Pastor Darin and Chris were in charge of chalking the soccer field, very entertaining to watch!! Rachel and Jeff (Sorry I didn't get a photo of you Jeff) cleaned the bathrooms and Krista and Jayne got to sort ministry supplies. Max and Sam alternated between helping to do random things and playing the the massive heard of kids that had congregated when we arrived! They helped us pass out hats that were donated by RVC, all the kids loved them and wore them all afternoon.

Dean and Gareld landscaping

Kiddos with their new hats from RVC ladies

Nancy, John and Emily sorting clothes

Krista and Jayne sorting supplies

Rachel doing some scrubbing!

Ellie found some shorts 

Sam and Iliea sorting ministry supplies

Pastor Darin doing some manual labor

Chalking the soccer field

The girls!

 After we had cleaned, sorted, and gardened we took a few minuets to play on the playground Stephen built.  The view was absolutely breathtaking and made for a perfect backdrop for our photos and for our memories.

Amazing memories in the first three days... To be continued

Love, Hugs and God's Blessings ~ Gretch

{First} Reflections~Swaziland

How do I even find the words to tell you about the most amazing 10 days of my life?!?

"Be Joyful in HOPE

Patient in AFFLICTION

and faithful in PRAYER" ~Romans 12:12

Well first off I am home, safe and sound. I was greeted at the airport by my brother in-law Josh, cousin Cindy and her 3 sweet kiddos.  They made the cutest sign and gave some amazing hugs!! My momma picked me up form the airport and then proceeded to help me with laundry, clean and take me out to lunch. I came home to beautiful flowers from Chad and lots of kisses from Hunter, I am such a lucky girl!!

The traveling was long; 5hrs on a bus from Swaziland to Johannesburg, 17hr flight from J-burg to Atlanta, 2hr layover with customs and then a 2 1/2 hr flight back home to MN.  I slept a good 10 hrs on the long flight, and watched a few movies.  Besides being grouchy about leaving Africa, and then transitioning to being so ready to be home, the traveling went well. 

There were so many amazing moments that I experienced that I am going to have to give you some bullet points, pictures and a brief summery and then I'll blog on each day to give you a more detailed summery!! I don't want to leave any detail out, but I understand that not everyone wants to read a 20page post on my trip to Africa...

SO here it goes:
Day 1 & 2:
-Left MN at 11am day 1, landed in Atlanta, 3hr layover, left for Africa around 6pm(if I remember right...) flew 15hrs

Group Shot MSP Airport 2/19/2013

-Landed in Jo-burg around 4pm day 2, met the Prince and Holte Familes (They are the missionaries that hosted us in country, both supported by River Valley Church). They are also FANTASTIC people of God with amazing testimonies.  Pizza dinner followed by some much needed rest...

Day 3:
Left Jo-burg for a 5 hr bus ride to Swaziland. 
Dropped off our bags at Emefini (our lodging for the week) and then headed to the River Valley Church-Swazi location.
We were greeting by the GLA interns (more on them later), tears, laughter and JOY!
We worked on getting the church ready for the big weekend, and played with some amazing kiddos!

Team 1, missionaries and lead team at RVC-Swazi 2/21/2013

Day 4:
We did a community walk with the GLA interns to invite familes in the community to the RVC open house and bless them with donated clothes, shoes and hats. In the evening we had a service for the youth in the community.  Pastor Darrin spoke as well as the youth pastor Lizwi. Many kids and teens gave their lives to Christ that afternoon. 

Alter Call at One Student Service 2/22/2013

Day 5:
Open house at RVC Swazi:
*Eye Clinic with Dr. John-Saw over 150 people, gave away glasses and medication.
*Activites for kids and teens-soccer, volley ball and jumping castles.
*Food for everyone
Team 2 arrives in Swazi- great to have them join us!!

Swazi kiddos at RVC open house 2/23/2013

Day 6:
RVC Swaziland Launch!!!!
AMAZING day, more to come on this event but here are a few photos...

RVC Swaziland Team-Launch Day 2/24/2013

Pastor Mduduzi and Pastor Rob with translator 2/24/2013

Me and my friend Nowanda on Launch Sunday

Launch of RVC-Swazi (photo courtesy of Children's Cup)

Lulu, TJ and Precious leading amazing worship! 2/24/2013

Day 7:
Shopping and evening Safari!!

Emily (my roomie) and I at our shopping location-beautiful right?

Such an amazing experience to see God's creations~2/25/2013

Day 8:
~Sunrise Safari, GLA, Sponsor Child Lunch- Getting to meat Nompelo (Best part of my day!!!)

 

 

GLA, RVC-Swazi compund

 Day 9:
Goodbyes, Shopping, bus ride to Jo-burg, leave Africa

Getting ready for devos, apparently me and Avery were the only ones ready...

Me and the amazing Prine girls!!! 2/27/2013

Sad to be leaving!!

Shopping stop before we cross the boarder to South Africa

Emily and I sad to be leaving Swaziland

Many reasons to be sad!!! 17hr flight is one of those

As I'm sure you can tell I took a lot of pictures and had an AMAZING time!!! God was so present throughout this entire trip, I can't even put it into words yet...
As I attempt to process this trip, please give me GRACE and I promise I will post sooo many more details as the next days/weeks go on.

Love, Hugs and God's ABUNDANT Blessings!!

~Gretch