Hello to everyone from Eswatini, it’s hard to believe that the year has already ended and the new one has begun. December is a short month at the Lusito Shop with work coming to a stop for two weeks over the Christmas holidays. This allows the staff to travel to their homes and spend an extended time with their families. The shop opens back up January 6 with a full schedule of work having everyone get back into the swing of things quickly.
We will have a new arrival when the shop opens up in the form of a teacher this month. I will follow up with introductions as the month goes on. Keep your eyes peeled to Instagram for pictures and news on the exciting step forward in getting our classroom setting underway. It is the hope and plan to have a fully functional classroom equipping young people with the technical skills and knowledge to become licensed mechanics. In turn this opens up more doors of employment for them and better wages to support their families.
At the end of January our first team of volunteers with Mercy Tech arrives for a full month of work. This is such a great way for people to give of their time and talents for the Lord. I’m looking forward to seeing some good friends and meeting a few new ones as well. Time flies when the house is full and everyone is heading out for their days of work around Project Canaan ending with meals usually around a bonfire discussing the day’s activities.
In Eswatini the school year starts with the New Year and ends the end of November. We finished off the school year with a kindergarten graduation and a fun filled graduation party. What a change in the kids from January to November! Being witness to their growth in so many areas from language and math skills to how they interact with their friends and peers is heartwarming. The work and love that their amazing “Teacher Shelly” put into them this last year is mind blowing, I was so happy to have a front row seat. Kinder was definitely a highlight this last year for me.
In November my four boys Spencer, Todd, Caleb and our “adopted son” Alec came over for a week to visit. A sweet time was had by all as we celebrated their Dad’s life and legacy and toured around Eswatini. Some of our highlights were breakfast at the Candle Factory, a game drive with some special kids celebrating their tenth birthdays and a trip to Sibebe Rock spending the day at the water park. A special moment for sure was introducing them to their Dad’s namesake little Ross and seeing them spend time with him. Of course their time here would not have been complete without a trip up the mountain on dirt bikes and the side by side. Someone might have even laid a bike down. I’m so grateful for the time I had here with them and will treasure the memories for years to come.
Just after my boys left friends of ours Cindy and Kevin Craig arrived to spend Christmas with me. They had booked their trip to come over for the holidays way back in May. How amazing is God? He knew this would be my first Christmas without Ross and how hard it would be for me spending it somewhat alone so He put it in the hearts of my friends to plan a trip here. I will be forever grateful for their selfless actions to leave their own families over the holidays and be with me. This was an immeasurable gift of time and friendship. We have travelled the country including going to South Africa for three days to Kruger National Park, a trip I might mention included camping in the park.
It has been sweet to see them meet all my friends here and spend time with them as well. Thank you Cindy and Kevin from the bottom of my heart!
It’s been a little over a year now since I moved over here to Eswatini to join Ross and yet it seems like a lifetime ago. Everything has changed in my life except the Lord. In many ways I’m still trying to access how to move forward depending solely on God to guide me day by day. I no longer think I have my ten year plan in place but rather I’m learning to take each day as it comes and not waste energy worrying about next year or even next month. Matthew 6 v 25-34 sums up what I’m trying to remember and live right now. Ending with verse 34 NIV saying “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own”
Finally I’ll leave you with these verses. Psalm 9 v 9-10 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
I pray this new year that each one of us remember who it is that will never leave us or forsake us, who will guide us, comfort us and be everything we need in all times and situations. The Lord God Almighty!
Love Laurie