How does one prepare....?

Hello Friends!

Today is Saturday and its hard to believe we have only a few days left before the first construction team and I depart for Swaziland. And what a journey it has been already. God is amazing and His hand is in the details everyday.

For those of you who may not know me as well, I'd like to tell you just a bit about how God has been working in my life since last fall...

After twentysome years in the corporate world as a design director, my career was really beginning to seem a lot less satisfying to me. And although I've been very blessed through the years with opportunities to develop myself professionally and creatively, the clients and titles and material things were becoming very insignificant. God was definitely speaking to me about stepping out in faith and giving Him a chance to show me His plan for the next phase of my life. After much prayer and repeated confirmation, it was apparent that although I had no idea what was in store for my future, it was time to prepare for some big changes. So in November, I took a deep breath and resigned my position.

The overall sense of peace we're sometimes blessed with is amazing in itself. I had no idea at the time what kind of doors might open for me, but I knew as long as I kept myself flexible and available, it would be revealed. I will admit, living life day-to-day has been a little different for me, but with every question comes an answer and I am learning not to be anxious.

I think it was mid-January when I offered to help assist Donna LaChance in preparing materials and developing processes for the travel teams. During this time, Kevin Ward contacted Pastor Stan about the possibility of having a couple individuals come over for a 90-day stay to help him with administrative tasks and various responsibilities related to our project. I have felt an overwhelming passion to serve with this ministry since I first heard about it, so I was certain this was something I should seriously consider. (I was literally jumping up and down in my living room when I got the phone call about this from Marilyn!) And after a couple weeks of prayer, the next thing I knew, I was scrambling to figure what I needed to wrap up around here in order to be away for three months.

It has been pretty crazy since then, just the juggling act between trying to wrap up several free-lance projects, organizing all of my personal and financial affairs, and trying to learn how to prepare myself spiritually, emotionally and financially. I have been trying to learn as much as I can about the Swazi culture and society, and that in itself can be a little emotionally draining and bring on some anxious moments here and there. But God has been really faithful about relieving my anxieties and providing answers to my questions very quickly.

Their seasons are opposite of ours, so its going to be winter over there soon. I am staying in a house with a nurse, Emma, who has been serving there for 2 1/2 years (a lot of comfort in just knowing I'll be living with her...). According to Kevin, my responsibilities may involve various things including helping to organize a data base for the children's records, tracking receipts and expenses for our project, assisting with the importing/exporting of the craft items, working directly with the orphans at Hawane Farm and visiting the teen girl's home to share with them. Basically, I think I need to be very flexible and just be willing to serve in any way they need me to.

Even though I've been watching documentaries and reading a lot of blogs from others who are serving or have served in Swaziland, I 'm still not sure how we are to prepare ourselves to go from the richest society in the world to a such a desperate, seemingly hopeless situation. I just pray that God will give us the strength and wisdom we need to accomplish our tasks and more importantly, the humility and grace that we need to serve in the best way we can to develop a long-lasting relationship. I pray that He is preparing the hearts and minds of the people in Swaziland for change, because I believe that if enough churches like our own can step up and help, we will see a entire nation transformed.

Okay, since I only have four more days, I think I better start packing. That's a bit of a guessing game in itself, but somehow, I'm sure I'll end up with what I need. I can't tell you how excited and how very grateful I am for this opportunity to serve. What an awesome journey this is for all of us as a church. Thanks so much for all of your support for our teams and please pray diligently for the people of Swaziland. I look forward to writing my next journal entry from Africa!

Many blessings,
Heidi