Today marked the beginning of our service days, and it was nothing short of impactful. But before we dive into today’s experiences, we wanted to share more about the second half of yesterday!
We had the privilege of immersing ourselves in Eswatini’s rich culture by visiting a traditional village where customs are preserved. We learned about the intricately built huts—each taking eight weeks to construct—and saw how daily life is carried out, including the unique “kitchens” enclosed by carefully crafted stick fences.
A highlight of the visit was experiencing traditional dances, with a few of our team members getting pulled into the fun—resulting in plenty of laughter! The rhythmic sounds of African songs filled the air, and the coordinated movements were mesmerizing to watch. It was an unforgettable experience.
For dinner, we visited Bush Pizzeria & Cafe, owned by one of Natalie’s good friends. Coincidentally, it was also her friend’s birthday, so we had the joy of singing and celebrating while enjoying a delicious spread of wood-fired pizzas.
To end the night, we prepared bags of donations for the children and staff at the carepoints. Thanks to $9,000 in donations, we’re able to provide a variety of fun and useful items throughout the week, including laptops and STEM robotics kits. We also wrote handwritten notes of appreciation for each staff member to thank them for their dedication.
Now, onto today…
We started the morning with an awesome gratitude exercise led by McKenna and team devotions. We then headed to meet the Children’s Cup staff, where Katelyn led a heartfelt devotional to encourage the staff. Our group also presented a small gift as a token of appreciation for their hard work in running the carepoints so effectively.
After devotionals, we visited the storage containers holding Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) meal packs. This was especially meaningful for Katelyn, who works with FMSC, organizing mobilepacks where tens of thousands of meals are packed in just an hour and shipped to communities in need—like Eswatini. It was also a full-circle moment, as Natalie hosted a mobilepack this past summer, where she met Katelyn while working the event. Natalie’s father, Greg, was also part of that event. Now, all three of them stood together in Eswatini, seeing the very meal packs they helped send, being put to use.
Next, we drove to our first CarePoint of the week—Madonsa—where we were greeted with warm smiles and the joyful giggles of children.
Rolling up our sleeves, we got to work painting several rooms at the carepoint while the preschoolers finished their lessons. Wanting to make the space more inviting, we also began painting a mural to brighten up the area for the kids. It was cool to see Jack and Nick in their element with a work project.
In the afternoon, we spent quality time engaging with the children—singing, playing games, storytelling, and simply sharing moments of joy. One of the special highlights was seeing their faces light up as Zoey handed out some of the 600 bracelets she had lovingly prepared for this trip.
Snappy has been capturing incredible moments with her camera, so stay tuned—we’ll have plenty of heartfelt images to share once we’re home!
At the carepoint, we also assisted the bomake (the elderly women and cooks) in preparing and serving meals, ensuring that each child received a nutritious bowl of food. Their laughter and boundless energy were contagious, reminding us just how powerful even the simplest acts of kindness can be.
Carol led a special appreciation moment for the bomake and babe (groundskeeper), taking time to recognize their hard work and dedication. Two of these incredible women have been serving meals to children for over 20 years, and the groundskeeper even built the carepoint’s building himself! To show our gratitude, we gifted them useful items like knives, chopping boards, tools, Bibles, Vaseline, and more—small tokens of appreciation for the immense impact they’ve made in feeding and caring for so many children.
Today was a day of connection, service, and heartfelt moments that underscored the power of community and generosity. We feel incredibly blessed and excited for the days ahead at the carepoints.
We wrapped up the evening reflecting on our experiences at a beautiful spot called Malendela’s.
More to come soon—stay tuned!