Refined
We are officially more than halfway through our race! We arrived in Eswatini, our second country, on March 15th, and have been really enjoying both our new home and new ministry.
We’re living on a Bible college campus in a small cottage - two bedrooms shared between the eight of us, one bathroom, and a tiny kitchen. There’s no oven, no AC, and no washing machine, which has stretched us, but it’s been really sweet learning how to live simply together!!
I never thought I’d say this, but hand-washing my laundry has actually become one of my favorite weekend rhythms! I’ve also really loved cooking for the team - we’re paired up each week and are in charge of making dinner once or twice. We choose what to make and shop for groceries on a set budget, which has made it a really enjoyable part of our week!
It has all reminded me that we really don’t need much at all to feel full, cared for, and at home!
Our Daily Rythms So Far
Our weeks have begun to fall into a steady rhythm.
Monday mornings are ATL (Ask the Lord) time, where we head into Manzini with no real plan - just asking God to lead us to the right people with whom to share the gospel. It’s stretching us in the best way, learning to be bold and trust Him in it. Then in the afternoons, we switch gears and go grocery shopping for the week!
Tuesday through Friday, we serve at one of the AIM (Adventures in Missions) carepoints. Mornings are spent helping the gogos (SiSwati for grandmother or elderly women) cook and prepare food for the local kids, and by 1:30, when school lets out, everything changes. The yard quickly fills with running, laughing, and so much energy.
We get to tell Bible stories, teach lessons, play games, and simply spend time with the kids! Their joy is so contagious, and it’s such a gift to be part of their lives, even in small ways! I loved connecting with the kids in South Africa, but outside the classroom, we rarely saw the same kids twice. Here, I’ve loved being able to say “see you tomorrow” and actually mean it. Seeing the same faces day after day has been so special! It’s definitely been a challenge learning everyone’s names, but we’re already building such sweet relationships. I can tell it’s going to be hard to say goodbye in a few weeks!!
Saturday nights, we’ve been having worship nights with our neighbors on the campus (both college students and families). Our squad leader Ella, brought her guitar from the States, and with so many musically talented girls on our team, worship has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Singing together, especially songs like “How He Loves,” has made me feel so close to God in a way that’s hard to put into words.
A Season Of Refinement
Recently, I’ve felt God refining me in both leadership and in my heart. Leading morning devotions with the gogos has been a huge part of that. I’m learning to speak up more, pray with confidence, and to not overthink every word or decision. After the experience I had in South Africa speaking in front of a school, God has been reminding me to keep my hands open and let Him use me however He wants.
It’s not always easy, but it’s been really good - and I’m starting to see how much growth can come from just saying yes and stepping out in faith. Like a potter with his clay, God is shaping both what I do and who I am. He is showing me that true refinement touches my inner thoughts, my outward actions, and my heart’s desires, all for His glory.
One of my favorite verses lately has been Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” It’s been a reminder that God cares not just about what we say or do, but about what’s going on in our hearts.
Matthew 12:33–37 talks about how a tree is identified by its fruit - that what is in our hearts eventually comes out in what we say. This season has challenged me in the best way: God isn’t only refining my actions, He’s purifying my heart. What I think, what I desire, and how I respond are all being shaped to reflect Him more clearly!
I think that’s what this season has been about for me so far - letting God refine me from the inside out, aligning my heart, my thoughts, and my words to glorify Him in every part of my life!
