pray for swaziland

Sawubona! (That's "Hello!" is Siswati.) :)

Today was packing day for Swaziland.  We packed almost an entire suitcase full of soccer balls...hope they like to play soccer. ;)  Other bags were filled with packages from sponsors to go to their sponsored kids, supplies for crafts and lessons, and other things to leave behind at the Care Pointe for the kids.  This is what some of the bags for sponsor kids looked like:

I really feel so blessed to get to be one of the people that gets to see each kid's face, knowing that someone put that little bag together of things just for him/her. 

There are a TON of things that are going to be happening during the ten trip to Swaziland.  If you are interested in praying for the trip, here are some ideas of things you can pray for:

Before the trip.  

• Peace.  There are a few young parents on the trip that are very nervous about leaving their little ones behind, and being unsure how much they will be able to communicate for ten days.  Also, that nerves are calmed.  It can be intimidating to leave the country and go into a new culture, but that we have peace in stepping out in faith.  
• Please pray that all of the loose ends are tied up within the next 10 days.  Of course everyone has busy schedules, but we will also be finishing packing and making sure we have all the supplies we need.  
• That our hearts are prepared and open to what we may see and what God has prepared and planned for the week.  We have some things planned but of course that may or may not be what God has in store.  Please pray that we are ready for anything and open to His plan. 
• Team cohesion, patience, and kindness.

Day 1, June 9.

• For the first of two traveling days - that our travel is easy and safe. 
• Peace and patience for the team, and that anxious thoughts are gone.
• Pray for the week and the relationships that will be formed throughout the time in Swaziland, and especially in our partner community, Njojane.

Day 2, June 10.

• We arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa this evening to meet our missionary hosts.  Please pray for our hosts,  the Prince family, as they prepare for our arrival.  We are thankful for them, but this will be a long week for their family as they care for us and help with questions throughout our time. 

Day 3, June 11.

• Please pray that as we travel from Johannesburg to Mbabane, Swaziland that we will all be safe.
• We will be visiting one of the other Care Pointe centers.  Pray that this is a positive experience, that God blesses our interactions with the children.  
• That we will be able to communicate with them despite cultural and language differences.

Day 4, June 12.

• This is a big day on the trip!  This is the first day we will spend at the Njojane Care Pointe (the partner community with Connection Pointe Christian Church).  
• I will get to meet little Ncedile, the girl that my parents sponsor through One Child Matters.  Please pray that she will be open and excited, and that this will be a memorable experience for her.  I pray that she feels loved and relates that to the love of Christ.
• This morning we will be doing a VBS with the preschool children, with the "God made me" and "God loves me" lessons.  Pray that the kids understand us, and that God uses that time how He has planned.  We understand that He might have something different planned than our lessons.
• The afternoon will be spend with the older kids, playing, interacting, and getting to know them.
• The evening will hold a church service at the Care Pointe.  Pray for the team that we fully experience worshiping in a different culture, and remember the moment.
• The Smiths on our trip will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary in Njojane!

Ncedile

Day 5, June 13.

• We will be in Njojane again today, but this time doing home visits in the community.  I am not totally sure what we are going to do, or if it is go-with-the-flow, but please pray for that time and interaction!
• Please pray that we are encouraging and loving with the Care Pointe staff and volunteers.  
• Pray over the relationship between the Njojane Care Pointe and Brownsburg, IN - that this community of people will last through eternity.

Day 6, June 14.

• Today the team will be experiencing Children's Cup Global Leadership Academy (GLA).  Pray over our conversations, worship, and time together.  
• We will also be visiting the I Am Not Forgotten orphanage today, where we will be playing games, doing Bible activities, and talking with them.  Please pray that we are a light into their lives.

Day 7, June 15.

• Pray for the people back home.  I am looking forward to the adventure and stepping out in faith as an individual.  For others on the trip, there are little kids at home that will be missing their parents, and parents that will be missing their kids.  Please ask for comfort during this time and that they will be able to communicate through texting, emails,  or pictures.
• I ask that you pray people are moved while I am gone to help cover the costs of the trip, as funds can come in until the day I get back.  I wholeheartedly support this cause and am prepared to pay what I need to, but I believe that this is an opportunity for people to participate in what God does in Swaziland.  I pray for people to give with glad hearts. (http://cpccweb.org/globalgiving) 

Day 8, June 16.

• HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, JIMMY!!!! LOVE YOU!!!
• This day we will attend a bilingual church service (cool, huh?).  
• We will spend the afternoon with the pastor who leads the services at the Njojane Care Pointe.  Pray that the Holy Spirit guides us and our conversations today.

Day 9, June 17.

• Today is the cultural day.  We will be in eastern Swaziland, and it's my understanding we will be trying different types of game and learning more about their land and customs.  Pretty excited about this!
• We will also be visiting another Care Pointe in an area called Section 19. 

Day 10, June 18.

• The last full day in Swaziland! Pray that we leave every bit of energy and love that we can with the kids at the Care Pointe.  
• Pray that the team works and communicates well together, that the interactions are positive and uplifting as our trip comes to a close. 
• Pray that we are encouraging to our hosts and any that we contact in our last day.

Day 11, June 19.

• Today we will be traveling home.  Pray for rest and patience before we see our friends and family tomorrow!

We are due to arrive home on June 20 at 12:02pm.  

I am hoping to update my blog to keep in touch as much as possible, and the church also has a blog: www.cpccglobal.org.  Or email me!  I appreciate all of your prayers and any encouragement you can provide.  You are all great!

Emily :)

emilyesnapp@gmail.com