In Faith We Grow

Peter and Michelle’s story is about faith, obedience, and God’s growth.

Michelle grew up here in Eswatini. Life was not easy when she was a child, but she looks back now and thanks the Lord for those struggles because they shaped her into who He needed her to be. She once said she would never return (she even had an NYC sticker to prove it!)—yet here she is, back on the very soil she tried to leave behind, serving God with her husband.

When Peter and Michelle married, they bought a piece of land with no clear plan, only faith. For three years, they lived in what had been a cow shed. People thought they were crazy—two college graduates (he’s a horticulturist, she’s a botanist) walking away from their careers to live with almost nothing. But they were simply learning to walk in obedience and trust God’s timing.

God began to unfold the vision. What started as caring for ten children grew into Pasture Valley, now a home for 54 children. For seven years, they prayed before God opened the door to expand, and since then, the work has continued to multiply.

Today, Pasture Valley has many branches:

• Hope Outreach reaches 650 children, helping keep mothers and children together.
• Scholarships provide education for orphans and those with learning challenges.
• Girls excelling academically are given the chance to attend a private Christian school.
• Crafts & Coffee Shop supports local village women who sell handmade goods and receive immediate payment plus Christmas bonuses.
• Skills & Training Programs equip young people to work with their hands, from sewing to renewable energy.
• STREEC (Solar Training Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Center) is the only program of its kind in Eswatini. It is now a fully accredited college program that trains the next generation to think beyond employment and create businesses that bless their communities.

The work keeps expanding. They have just purchased a small bus to visit schools, recruit young science students, and raise awareness about environmental care.

However, through it all, Peter and Michelle remain clear: food, clothing, skills, and education are good gifts, but without Christ, they mean nothing. As they reminded us, our job is obedience—to plant seeds. God brings the growth.

We saw this firsthand as Sunny, the social worker, took us on a tour. We delivered the donated gifts from North Carolina—books, wooden crosses, Beanie Babies, and tennis shoes that brought big smiles to two boys’ faces.

Later, we grabbed a quick KFC lunch 🙌 before heading to Hawane Baptist Church. We met Nono, a nurse, who received the three large luggage bags of pharmaceutical supplies and medicine that members of First Baptist Church, Morehead City, provided. Before joining the team this week, Nono returned to the clinic and administered some medication patients have been waiting on for a long time. To God be the glory!

As we served the local Church, Hawane Baptist, Terrie reminded the youth that they are fearfully and wonderfully made; a masterpiece created by God. Afterwards, they made a creative mask showcasing who God says they are in Christ Jesus. Elinor shared God’s Word with the women, GoGo Annah taught the children, and Lydia and Heather helped alongside. Meanwhile, Pastors Wayne, Mike, and Chris went on a home visit to encourage a family.

We ended the day at Magala Country Club, grateful for another day of being Jesus’s hands and feet in Africa.

Fun Fact: As we departed the round table meeting at Pasture Valley, one of the team interpreters I adopted as my spiritual daughter tapped me on the arm and pointed to the top of a box. In bold text, I read: Bread – Manna (Exodus 16:4). It is the very chapter I had been teaching the youth all week. 🥰