We’re nearing the two month mark over here. In many ways it feels like
we’ve been here a lot longer. In fact I can’t even write that first
sentence without feeling like I’m doing bad math…
The students
are all in the full swings of their ministries. My team is learning
the ups and downs of the kids at the Joshua Project, and they are doing
an incredible job of it. Its exciting to watch some of the students
really stepping out to bring new energy and ideas to their ministries.
Using their own gifts to add to what’s already there.
are all in the full swings of their ministries. My team is learning
the ups and downs of the kids at the Joshua Project, and they are doing
an incredible job of it. Its exciting to watch some of the students
really stepping out to bring new energy and ideas to their ministries.
Using their own gifts to add to what’s already there.
We’re in the process of finalizing the teams that we will be in once January hits. It looks like I will be in Swaziland, a small kingdom that leeches off of the Northeast border of South Africa. I spent a week there last year (you can read about it here). Its a beautiful country – rural in a lot of ways, mountains all over the place; but it’s a dark place – the AIDS rate in Swaziland is over 40% (the highest of any country in the world), witchcraft is pretty rampant, and the government is quite shaky, but on a positive note – it’s where Coca Cola gets a lot of sugar for really cheap…. All of the teams that are coming together look amazing, and I am incredibly excited about the Swazi team. Swaziland will be a tough place to lead and do ministry, but I have a lot of faith in the team that I’m being given. God seems to have dumped a lot of grace out there.
My cough has carried through the last five weeks, but I think we’ve
finally found the medicine to kick the old joker. This is brilliant
news, because I am tired of being holed up in my house – quarantined
and coughing up a lung – away from all the students and ministries.
As you can imagine. Sickness makes for a bad update. I’ve spent
most of my days watching bad movies, perfecting sandwich recipes,
sitting in the yard, walking to the gas station for exercise, and
wishing I had a dog. I feel like an old man.
On the good days I’ve been able to think a lot. I’ve been spending a lot of time in John, right before Jesus gets betrayed (13-17). Jesus’ last conversation with the disciples before the resurrection – the last supper, the foot washing, the disciples not seeming to understand much, the promise of the Holy Spirit. Its good, thick stuff. In the last week I was asked to lead communion and teach on the Holy Spirit, so that’s only dug me further into the text.
Sickness and sitting around all day have left my brain pretty mushy – so standing me in front of people to teach for a few hours is a strange idea. But I think things have gone well, and that people have learned, and that regardless of my babbling the Spirit has pushed me aside and done some teaching of his own. I’m grateful for that.
I wish there was more to update you about. I’m sure there is more than I’m letting on. But for now pray that this sickness would continue to fade out – and that I would be able to ease my way back into life and responsibilities here. I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot. Getting refocused will be hard, and having enough energy to do it well will be another challenge.
But the Father has been good. He’s been showing up in subtle ways and providing the things that I need – things I don’t even know that I need. I pray that He’s doing the same for you.
Matt! that is so exciting to hear that you will be leading in Swaziland. I miss it so incredibly much. I will be praying for your team and the ministry there, God is going to do great things!