Happy Sunday from Eswatini! Sundays are a special day for every team because Swazi worship is like no other. We had team members at three churches today – Thunzini, Mgamudze and Velebantfu Baptist Churches. Worship was praise-filled, life-giving, and spirit-led. Also, our two newest team members, Danny and Rodney, both had their first opportunity to preach on a Sunday morning. Praise God for these willing men who gave the Word!
After church and some rest, we hosted a Braai at Phumula Guesthouse for some of our friends. The food was good, but the laughter shared across the “kids table” (made up of 20 and 30 somethings to be clear) was all joy. After dinner we took some time to reflect on our trip so far, how we’ve seen God moving and what are intentions are for the rest of our trip. A few tears (is it a Swazi trip without a few tears?) but again, all joy.
I headed out to return some of our friends to their homes, and upon my return, I walked into the most beautiful sight – Ellie and Meaghan sitting on the floor, massaging Make Annah Twala and Thuli Vilane’s feet. They had painted their fingernails and were working on toes. I could see how much joy all of these women were having together – laughing, being silly, enjoying a restful moment and relishing in the presence of the Lord and one another. I thought of Isaiah 52:7 –
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
I have known these Make for many years. They are faithful, faithful women of God who have gone up and down these mountains and valleys preaching that Good News. They have beautifully delivered the message of salvation. They have sowed peace. They have showered good tidings like rain upon their people. How beautiful in the mountains are their feet.
And they preached it in their backyard.
You don’t have to go to Africa to be a missionary. In fact, you don’t have to even leave your own city.
But you have to have willing feet.
The Lord asks us to be willing, palms up and open, to recieve where we are needed most. We have to be willing to go wherever He calls. That may be in your city, your Judea; in your community, your Samaria. But it also may be in the mountains of Eswatini, the end of the earth (Matt. 28). How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news….where is your mountain today?
Maggie, loving the updates, the pictures, and your beautiful insights. Thank you so much. And please give my love to Annah, Thuli, Xolani, Mpumelelo, Chris, and everyone. I am praying for each of you by name! I have not met Meaghan, Elle (Ellie? Elizabeth?), Danny, Rodney, (or you!), but I am thankful for you and praying for you. And OF COURSE Elinor, Lydia, and Wayne. 😊 And all our Swazi friends.