As we drove through the streets of Swaziland, passports freshley stamped, I was overwhelmed with two completely contradictory emotions. My heart was full of joy and sorrow all at the same time.
Joy because I was finaly to the place where God so obviously wants me. The people of Swazi passing by made my heart leap, I was finally where I belong. Even though the last month flew by, it also in a sense seemed to drag on. Because I knew where I was supposed to be, I just wasn’t there yet. So now I had FINALLY made it. Now is my time to shine!!
But even through this joy there was a heart-wrenching amount of sadness. As we drove past the houses, made from anything people could find.. mud and sticks, cardboard, rocks.. my heart broke for the people in them. The poverty here overwhelms my soul. Yet even through it you can see the love in the eyes of the people.
i LOVE it here. I love the people. I love the beauty. I love the simple way of life. I love my teammates and leaders that surround me. Is it normal to love being in a place of such destruction and poverty? Probably not. I guess to some people that might probably make me a freak. Which may be true, but I’m not simply a freak, I’m a JESUS FREAK. And if that’s really so wrong, then my heart doesn’t want to be right. 🙂
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing! Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the NATIONS! For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let YOUR glory be above all the earth.
Psalms 57:7-11
My heart is filled with joy and thanksfulness.
