Quick update from Eswatini !!

I’m in awe typing that my squad is already going into week 4 at the Adventures base here in Eswatini ! The more insane reality is that the race is over in exactly 40 days. It feels like just yesterday I announced that I was packing up my 50lb backpack and going on the world race. After a month left in eswatini, a few days traveling back to the states, and then a week of debriefing in Georgia I’ll be home again, back to Massachusetts. That reality shocks, excites, & saddens me all in one. With the simplicity of this country we have had many moments of stillness. In those times when we aren’t at ministry, it has been so refreshing to look back at the goodness of the Lord that has followed this journey.

This past 8 months has come with blessing upon blessings. To be surrounded by 40 unique and amazing individuals that I have had the privilege to learn from & be loved by, has been an experience I know is beyond rare in this generation. The three different countries and unique cultures the hold have opened my eyes to so many realities, good and bad. The worship, laughter, friendships, ministry moments, & love that I’ve experienced these past 8 months have been some of the deepest feelings of joy I’ve ever experienced.

Through it all there obviously has been many hard moments as well. Moments I never knew about before joining. Moments where all I wanted to do was give up. Moments where home and the comforts of my bed, friends & family nagged on my mind all day. Multiple days where I laid sick in bed with who knows what infections. Days where community was overwhelming and living with 40 people in confined spaces made me desperate to be alone. There have been many bad mental, physical, and spiritual days that are more typical than what appears.

However, as I look back, I see the Lord goodness prevail through it all. I see my heart held carefully be the Lord, transformed and put back together. I see a renewed mind and a desire to live for the kingdom, not half in. Most importantly I see the growth my relationship with the Lord has had and that is worth as many bad days that come. I know that none of those bad moments go void because God’s purposes for it all are bigger than my limitations of understanding. WHO am I to look at the blessings and thankful God, but not accepts the hard moments as well. God never promised easy, he promised life with Him. Yet I know that his love for me means that no tears, frustration, confusion, horrible days, or any emotions do not go uncared for by the Lord of Lords. So with that truth and encouragement I press on with deep perseverance that if my God has brought me this far, he will continue to guide me.

I want to end this update with the verse that has continuously encoruaged me and been the anthem for this gap year : Hebrews 12:2 ”“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

As I continue to run this race (literally) and then get home and continue to seek the kingdom, I would be so appreciative of prayer!! My requests are for a heart to press in deeper, increased capacity to love those around me, & to give everything I’ve got for this season & seasons to come.

It’s beautiful here in the kingdom of Eswatini & What a joy it has been to love these people !

As always
all my love,
Emily