Hello Family and Friends!
Life in Eswatini has been full of unique moments and meaningful work. Each day brings new opportunities to grow in faith, love on others, and learn more about God’s heart for His people. I wanted to give you a glimpse into what a “typical” day looks like for me—bottom bunk, skirts, chickens, and all!
7:00 AM – Rise and Shine
The day kicks off bright and early with my alarm waking me up. I roll out of my bottom bunk, usually giving my head a friendly “good morning” tap on the top bunk (it’s practically a daily tradition at this point). Skirts are the go-to for ministry here, so I throw one on and get ready—though I do miss my pants from time to time. Then it’s off to the great bathroom battle! With one bathroom for all of us, it’s every person for themselves, and speed is key!
7:15 AM – Breakfast and Packing Lunch
Breakfast is usually quick and simple—either cereal or, if I’m treating myself, a muffin. After breakfast, I make my lunch: two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (the classic!) and a share of the team’s three bags of chips.
7:45 AM – Quiet Time on the Porch
Once I’m done with breakfast and make my lunch, I grab my Bible and journal and head to the porch for my personal devotional time. This is one of my favorite parts of the day. Spending quiet time with the Lord helps me center my heart and prepare for whatever challenges and joys the day will bring.
8:30 AM – Packing Up for Ministry
I finish up my quiet time and it’s time to pack my bag up for the day. I grab my sandwiches, water bottle, Bible, and any other essentials. Often, Ministry days require some flexibility, so I try to be prepared for whatever activities or surprises might come our way.
8:45 AM – The Uphill Trek
We lock up the house and leave the homestead, beginning our steep uphill walk to the road. It’s a solid cardio workout every morning, but it’s worth it once we reach the top and see our driver, Mpendulo, waiting for us. We pile into the kumbi, pray together, and head off to the care point.
9:30 AM – Arriving at the Care Point
The moment we arrive, a group of preschoolers race to greet us at the fence joining the kids who were already eagerly waiting. Their hugs and smiles make every early morning worth it, and within seconds, we’re transformed into human jungle gyms. Whether it’s piggyback rides, spinning in circles, or repeatedly picking up the kids to put them on the monkey bars. These kids have a way of bringing out the joy in everyone they meet!
10:00 AM – Devotions with the Shepherds and Cooks
Once the kids head to class, we join the shepherds (care point leaders) and cooks for a morning devotional. These women work tirelessly to keep the care point running, and it’s an honor to worship and pray with them. We read from the Bible, sing together, and share encouragement, with one of the shepherds translating into Siswati. After devotions, we plan the day ahead and discuss any tasks that need to be done.
Engaging personally with the local people has been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. Spending time with the shepherds and cooks during morning devotions is a precious opportunity to deepen these relationships. They’ve taught me a few phrases in Siswati (though I’m still working on my pronunciation!) and have shared so much wisdom about their faith and perseverance. These connections have been key in helping me better understand and communicate with the community.
10:30 AM – Home Visits
Home visits are one of the highlights of our mornings. With bags of rice and beans balanced on our heads (and let me tell you, the locals make it look effortless, but it’s definitely not), we walk to visit families in need. Once we arrive, we spend time praying with them, sharing some scripture and encouraging words, helping out with chores like sweeping the yard, and dropping off food supplies.
One of the unique challenges of sharing the Gospel in Eswatini is navigating language and cultural differences. For example, while many of the people we visit understand some English, I’ve had to rely heavily on translators to ensure the message of the Gospel is clear. There’s also the challenge of adapting biblical concepts to align with the local traditions and worldviews. For instance, when sharing Bible stories, I’ve learned to incorporate examples that reflect their daily lives, like using their chores or family gatherings as analogies.
One of my most memorable home visits involved our first chicken gift. I carried him all the way back to the care point and even named him George. I may have gotten a little too attached and shed a tear or two thinking the cooks were going to kill him for dinner. The shepherds reassured me George was being given to the homestead next door, which brought me a bit of comfort—until I found out later that was their way of saying George went to chicken heaven.
This experience taught me an important lesson about cultural differences and the need to adapt. For the locals, chickens are a practical resource and a meaningful gift, whereas, for me, George became a pet. It’s moments like these that remind me how important it is to understand and respect different perspectives while still finding ways to connect on a deeper level. From then on, I’ve happily let someone else carry the chickens, knowing that each moment is a chance to learn and grow in cultural humility.
11:30 AM – Helping Around the Care Point
Back at the care point, we lend a hand with various tasks like gardening, picking up trash, or serving meals to the preschoolers. Lunchtime for the kids is always a bit of an adventure, as we do our best to fend off the determined goats and chickens while making sure every child gets their food. It’s chaotic, but it’s also beautiful to see their gratitude for lunch that they without fail offer me a bite of every day.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
When the preschoolers finish their meal, my team and I sneak away for our lunch break. It’s our chance to recharge and finalize plans for the afternoon. We brainstorm skits we might perform, pick out songs or games to play with the kids, and iron out any last-minute details. And if we’re feeling especially wiped out, we might even squeeze in a quick power nap—because ministry life can really take it out of you!
1:00 PM – Playtime with the Kids
The afternoon starts with more playtime. Whether it’s drawing pictures in the dirt, doodling on cardboard, or playing soccer, these moments are all about building relationships and showing Christ’s love.
2:00 PM – The Older Kids Arrive
When school lets out, the primary and high school kids arrive at the care point, instantly filling the space with their energy and curiosity. The dynamic of the carepoint completely changes and the afternoon comes alive with their laughter and endless questions—it’s always an adventure!
2:30 PM – Bible Skits and Lessons
This is easily one of my favorite parts of the day. We’ve acted out skits like David and Goliath, Peter walking on water, and Jesus feeding the five thousand. With a little creativity—like using a backpack full of rocks and sticks for “bread and fish” or an orange as Goliath’s stone—we bring these Bible stories to life in the most fun and relatable way. After the skits, we dive into the lessons, sharing how God’s love is woven into their everyday lives. It’s such a joy to see their faces light up as they connect with the stories!
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how much actions matter in cross-cultural ministry. While sharing Bible stories is so important, living out Christ’s love through small acts of kindness—whether it’s sweeping a yard, carrying rice, or simply sitting and listening—often communicates the Gospel more powerfully than words ever could. For many here, actions speak louder than sermons, and I’ve seen God use these simple moments to plant seeds of faith in the hearts of those we serve.
4:00 PM – Hanging Out and Saying Goodbye
The rest of the afternoon is all about spending time with the kids—whether it’s kicking a soccer ball around, dancing like nobody’s watching, or just sitting and having heartfelt conversations. By the time the kumbi rolls up to take us home, we’re completely wiped out but so grateful for another day of connection, laughter, and ministry.
5:00 PM – Dinner Prep
Back at the house, whoever’s on dinner duty heads straight into the kitchen. We have 3 people scheduled for dinner each night. Cooking for 16 people with just a burner and a sink, we’ve learned to get pretty creative with rice, pasta, and whatever else we can come up with. If it’s not my turn to cook, I’ll use the time to handwash my laundry (a surprisingly good upper body workout!) or to journal about the day’s highlights and little moments.
6:30 PM – Dinner and Storytime
Dinner is our time to reconnect as a squad. Since we’re spread out at different care points during the day, this is when we come together to swap funny stories, share moments of growth, and talk about any challenges we may have faced. It’s always a mix of laughter, reflection, and encouragement.
7:30 PM – Team Time
In the evenings, Team Agape gathers for intentional time together. Sometimes it’s a Bible study or group prayer, and other times it’s something more relaxed, like a fun movie night (we’re currently working our way through the Hunger Games series). These moments remind me how much I love and appreciate my team—they’re such a big part of what makes this journey so special.
10:00 PM – Lights Out
After a long, fulfilling day, I finally crawl back into my bottom bunk, take a moment to reflect on everything that happened, and settle in for some much-needed rest. Tomorrow will bring its own adventures, challenges, and chances to share God’s love, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.
If you want to check out some more pictures from my ministry feel free to check out my news letter or sign up for future newsletters with the links below!
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Life in Eswatini may not be glamorous, but it’s full of purpose. Every moment—whether it’s laughing with kids, carrying rice to families, or just sitting quietly in prayer—feels like a step closer to God’s heart. Thank you for being part of this journey through your prayers and support. I hope this gives you a glimpse into what ministry here looks like and how God is at work every single day.
With love,
Faith <3
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