The last 4 days or so we went to Swaziland and then had some R&R at a camping resort called Klein Kariba. “Today we got up at 4:30 am (wooo!) to drive to Swaziland!! The drive was spectacular. We watched the amazing sunrise—the tinges of pink and orange brought in the day, while the sun peeked up behind the hills. We drove through thick fog that lied so beautifully throughout the trees and brush that it looked like a dream. Once we got into Swaziland, we began the intense hike up to a huge granite slab. We had to stop not only to catch our breath, but to admire the gorgeous views of the surrounding hills, valleys, and giant rocks. After climbing through a crevasse and then up through a small opening, (which, by the way, contained the root of a tree…so we basically climbed up the root of a tree) we finally made it up to the big rocks where I felt like I was on top of the world. This beautiful view just made me appreciate God’s creation all the more. It was almost overwhelming to be surrounded by the vastness of it all.” Driving back home, we also got to see an amazing sunset, as you can see in the picture. It was breathtaking.
Sadly, more goodbyes were in store on Sunday when we left the Kilnerton Centre, where we had lived in such great community for 4 weeks. Klein Kariba was beautiful and it was actually in a pretty rural area about two hours away. Apparently, having zebra roaming on the golf course is an everyday occurrence. “Retreat has been amazing and so relaxing. It’s nice to just take a couple of days to begin processing everything. I went on a run in the evening and saw a bunch of monkeys! They were so cute and just sat there watching me as they picked at the ground for food. I had to stop and watch them for a few minutes because I was literally 10 feet away from them. Later in the night the team gathered around a bonfire and we talked about what we got out of the trip. I would say that joy was the prevalent theme in the conversation. It was so nice to watch the crackling embers and sit wrapped in a blanket among people I have grown to love so much on this incredible journey. The last night of retreat we sat around the fire and worshipped for ours. I looked up at the night sky and found myself awestruck by the countless stars. The stars in South Africa are actually different from the ones we see back home. Wow. The song “Indescribable” has a line that says, “You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name, you are amazing, God”.”
I never wanted the trip to end but my last day in the beautiful country of South Africa had arrived. “I woke up at 6 to go on one last run. I found myself on a red dirt trail in the brush, and I just started praying aloud. I felt so connected to God, it was amazing. All of the sudden, I saw a zebra crossing the path about 15 feet away. That was pretty cool. The sun was just beginning to rise as I finished the run and I stood and watched it in its splendor. It was so blindingly beautiful. Pure gold spread across the sky and warmed my face. Later, I got to go horseback riding with a few people back in the brush and I saw some more wildlife up close. The ride to the airport was pretty quiet; no one wanted it to be over. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Sala kahle, goodbye, South Africa.”
What I learned on this mission trip, in a sentence: Joy is not the absence of pain or suffering, but the presence of God with his overwhelming love and grace.
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