Volunteer Reflections #6

We have had a great weekend with the youth leaders of Swaziland. Friday, we spent the morning preparing for the retreat by working on lessons and running errands in town. We got to the Baptist Church in Manzini a little before 5:00 and visited with the youth while more people arrived. We had rice and chicken for dinner and then began the meeting. After some worship songs, Brinkley gave her testimony and then Hunter taught on the “High Price of Leadership.” Afterwards, we had tea time and enjoyed visiting with friends.
Saturday was an earlier morning. We arrived in Manzini at 8:30, and Hunter taught her second lesson- “Let Your Light Shine.” The youth leaders also had time set aside to divide up into their 4 regions and have some discussion time. We spent some time praying together, mostly for unity and commitment amongst the youth in Swaziland. The youth leaders ask that you also join us in praying specifically for these things. After the morning lesson and discussion, we presented the youth leaders with t-shirts that had been donated, and they were absolutely thrilled. The National Youth Committee then surprised us and presented us with a traditional Swaziland wrap. After lunch, we cleaned the church, and everyone headed home. The weekend seemed to fly by, but it was obvious that God was present. The youth leaders really encouraged each other and enjoyed the fellowship. We loved seeing friends from all over the country, many of whom we have known since 2002 or 2005 but have not seen them since then.
Saturday night, Jane and Ntombi spent the night with us like last weekend. We only watched two movies this time, but stayed up late talking and sharing. This morning, we went to Sithwethweni with Monica and the kids. This is a church around the Manzini area that we had never visited. Afterwards, we stopped in Ezulwini for lunch. Jane and Ntombi came back to the mission house with us, and we watched the movie that we had not stayed awake for last night. Unfortunately, after the movie, we had to take them home. We are leaving tomorrow for Nhlangano, so we have spent the weekend saying good-bye to the youth and youth leaders in this area.
We are really excited about spending the rest of our time in Swaziland with Wayne and Barbara Myers. We are not exactly sure what our schedule entails, but we will continue to send updates as frequently as possible. Thank you for all of your prayers with this year’s Youth Leaders’ Retreat. We were so blessed to be a part of it again this year. Both of us were here for the retreat last year, and it was actually Hunter’s 3rd year in a row speaking. Everything ran so smoothly and the youth loved every minute of it. God is using the youth of this country to do amazing things. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they face daily struggles and challenges.
We have included several pictures from the YLR. There is one of Hunter with Sandile and Simanga, a few group shots, one of Hunter teaching, and one of Brinkley with Phiwayinkhosi (have fun trying to pronounce that name). The last two pictures are of the Sithwethweni church and of us with Jane and Ntombi outside of it. We hope you enjoy these pictures! Please feel free to email us if you would like more details about any of these events. We just so many stories, it is hard to pick out which ones to share!!

Love, Hunter and Brinkley