Tuesday, July 2nd – 10 team members met at First Baptist Church in Washington to board the bus for Raleigh Durham airport. We were surrounded by family and friends. To be sent off on this mission trip to Swaziland with such love, support and prayers was overwhelming. A former Swazi alumnus, Mrs. Evelyn Inabinett at the age of 94 was there cheering us on. We know others were not physically present, but were praying for us as well. We stopped in Greenville to get two more team members and the last two team members met us at the airport. We are thankful for Stan Edwards for driving us to the airport and his riding buddy, Tadge.
We are praising God for a smooth and uneventful travel and flight. Joyce was apprehensive about flying again after so many years, but she had a positive experience. Jimmy and Donna had great conversations on the plane with a beautiful young woman named Tricia. Tricia went to Swaziland as a high school senior and fell in love with the people. She answered God’s call. She is a physican’s assistant working in a small private hospital in Swaziland.
The team traveled well, claimed all luggage, exchanged money for rand, and miraculously spent less than an hour with Avis rental picking up our 3 prepaid vehicles. We arrived at BIMS (Baptist International Mission Service), unloaded vehicles and went to dinner. Jane who is in charge of the medical reports for all missionaries in southern Africa, joined us for dinner. Jim and Teresa F., the IMB cluster leaders for Swaziland and Losotho, along with their daughter, Bek were waiting for us at the restaurant as well. It was a great time of fellowship and getting to meet them. Jimmy has communicated many times, but never had the opportunity to meet them. They are appreciative of the work that teams are doing in Swaziland.
After a delicious dinner, we gathered briefly for team devotion and logistics for tomorrow. Pray for our travels as we leave South Africa and go into Swaziland. Pray for our drivers as they get use to driving on the wrong side of the road. Pray for each team member to be open to God’s calling and God moments. Pray for the Swazi people and the ministry work that lies before us. Pray for good rest.
