The Harvest is Ready

How could I possibly only have 1 week of ministry left in Eswatini?! The Lord is so good, and I am so excited to tell you all about it. The Lord has grown my heart of compassion and given me boldness to step out in faith.

In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen some heavy things that have weighed on my heart. Kids at the care points have been eating out of the garbage, just trying to survive. As we go into town, homeless people beg us for food, their faces full of desperation. The people of Eswatini are hungry, both physically and spiritually. The needs are overwhelming, and it has deeply impacted me. But even in the midst of this brokenness and heaviness, I know God is working. I feel called to be here, to be a part of what He’s doing in the lives of the people here, and in my own.

Last night, my team hosted a revival night (an all-night worship night) and we invited people from the surrounding communities to join us. The worship was so awesome and spontaneous, and the atmosphere was filled with God’s presence. I was about to head to bed, not expecting anything else from the night, but God had more in store for me. As the night went on, I noticed a young girl who was sobbing. I approached her, asking what was wrong, and she told me, “nothing.” I then asked if she knew Jesus, and she said that she had only heard a little bit about Him but wanted to know more. I asked if she had a Bible, and when she said no, I ran to grab mine to give it to her. Then I prayed over her. Later, my friend Lydia and I were preparing for a prayer walk, and when I returned with the Bible, Lydia was already praying with her. The three of us went on the prayer walk together, and the young girl shared with us that she didn’t go to church and lived with her aunt since her mom had recently passed away and she doesn’t know who her dad is. She was 15 years old. We took time to explain the gospel, the concept of sin and repentance, and the beautiful truth that Jesus cleanses us from all of it. When we asked if she wanted this for herself, she said yes. Lydia and I prayed over her, and I encouraged her to pray, asking Jesus to be the King over her life—and she did. We were all crying, filled with joy and awe at what the Lord had done. If that was the only reason God called me to Africa, I would be completely content. It was the most beautiful and powerful moment of my trip, a moment that I will remember with me forever. Lydia asked her how she felt afterward, and the girl said, “so free.” Then went over to highlight some verses in her Bible to guide her in her walk with Jesus.

As I reflect on the journey so far, I am amazed at how the Lord is moving in this place. There is a great harvest here, and it is such a privilege to be a part of it. There are so many people who are hungry and ready for Jesus to be king of their life. Even though we may not see the seeds blossom into something more, the Lord has given us the opportunity to plant them and show others his love. I can’t wait to see what else God will do in the days ahead.