"Lord, you are my guide, I rely on you.  I put my hope in things not seen, your promises are true.  You are faithful, your joy is my strength".  This is a verse from Hillsong's "You are Faithful" (if you are not familiar with Hillsong, get them in your life). 

 

So if you aren't too depressed after reading that last entry (congrats, that was heavy huh? And that was the edited version, imagine all that the Lord's had to listen to).  Yes, it's been hard but life is hard BUT God is faithful and I see more of His faithfulness as I am putting my hope in things not seen (i.e. all the days ahead of me).  I have a place to stay, i was given a car to drive, and all of my physical needs are being met so praise you, Lord, for that. 

 

He's given me a lot of "gifts".  One is the gift of laughter.  My grandpa said (jokingly) to my 13-year-old cousin "Hey did you hear they fired Becca in Africa" and my cousin responded "Did Jesus fire her?"

 

One of the biggest "gifts" i have been given since i've been home has been the team members from my church who came in August to Swaziland.  I will never forget the day my mom and i drove straight to church from LAX and as I was stepping out of the car i hear "Sawubona" (hello in SiSwati) and I was overjoyed and wanted to cry. 

 

 

 

 

The team walked a day in the life of a Swazi girl, they painted their nails, they did crafts, they sang and taught, they filled gift bags, they decorated, they shared their own stories, they even risked their lives one night and slept with wild animals snoring outside.  That's all great but you know what impacted me the most is they loved on these precious daughters of the King of Kings who others have neglected and forgotten.  They were the extra arms to hug these girls and they are the same arms that are now hugging me here in California and whispering in my ear "i miss the girls too".  They lived alongside these beautiful Swazi girls who have stolen my heart and danced with them, ate with them, listened to them, prayed with them, sang with them, and told them how God sees them.  When I tell my mom "I miss Phumlile" she doesn't say "now which one is that?" she gets to say..."she has such a sweet spirit or i remember when Phumlile...".  They have experienced the beauty of these girls and I'm so thankful to have shared experiences with this team who is now loving me by saying SiSwati phrases and still keeping "inside jokes" alive.  :)