To Paint a Picture

FIRST: Thank you to everyone who supported me and helped me to get here! You are all incredible and I’m so blessed by you, can’t thank you enough!

Ok so, just want to start off by saying a 15 hour plane ride isn’t as difficult as it sounds with Advil PM at your side 😉

We got here around 6:45 pm, greeted by a lovely Swazi smile we made our way to Pretoria to stay in a host home for the night. It was beautiful, like really beautiful and cozy and sweet. The next morning we hopped on our bus to Swaziland. For a hot second there I swear we were back in West Texas and then BOOM… mountains, valleys, trees, and clearly African landscapes haha. We pulled up to our little home within a care point right as the sun set.

With waxed concrete floors that squeak anytime you move, ice cold showers, one mouse we set free outside and another we’ve let claim his spot as a roommate, swaying bunk beds, large spiders in just about every corner, and a stove top outside, I’ve never been more content. Life is simple here. Life is fun here. And the Lord is clearly here.

We wake to laughter from the little nuggets outside at the playground before they head to school. For the first couple of days we simply played with the kids. I met my first friend, Ayanda, a quiet and gentle 8 year old soul who I can’t wait to get to know even more. She immediately took my hair down to braid it and I realized quickly how tender my head really is haha. These children love so quickly and it’s a joy to be able to snuggle them for small moments on the playground before they want to go down the slide again. Which, by the way, happens like this: you go to sit on the slide thinking they will come down behind you, but oh no… all 7 if them try to pile on your lap at once as you sit and try to push yourself down the slide. It’s hilarious and the laughs don’t stop.

One night as we were sitting outside our house, and we got an invite to come and play soccer. We were way in over our heads, they were good you guys. Even my girl Kyra Brown back home, the soccer star that she is, might have been schooled 😉

The sky is SO vast and mountains take on the backdrop, it’s really incredible. As soon as the sun sinks down the stars appear and cover the open sky. Jesus has been continually reminding me to be still and sit in awe of his presence that surrounds me. He brought me to the book of Habakkuk and has showed me to “wonder and be astounded” by him while waiting to see him move. He keeps bringing me back to childlike faith, and I am so eager to see his power come in amazing ways!!

Love your girl,
Baylie <3 (or as the kids like to call me, babyyyy)

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