What do a giant jump castle, plastic eggs, cotton balls, and 500 pieces of meat have in common? If you said Big Fun Day you would be correct. Today we had so much fun singing, watching the children dance, decorating cupcakes and playing games with all of the children. They LOVED the jump castle. The eggs, cotton balls, gum, blasters, and crackers were all used for relays. These children love to have fun and today was all about the bounty of God’s goodness. Two of my favorite mental pictures were of a little boy about 4 years old laying down with his knees under him sound asleep while about 350 children jumped, sang and cheered all around him. I knew how he felt in being tired, but I am sure it would have been very awkward for an old woman to join him. lol The second mental picture was of a little boy about 3 years old. He had a runny nose and was sucking on his fingers as he walked into the performance hall as the children did their program. As he passed by me I saw a huge smudge of frosting from the cupcakes on the side of his jaw. He must have loved his cupcake! That makes me smile again because so many had never iced or eaten a cupcake. If you cook over an open fire you don’t often have baked goods. Oh my what I take for granted.

The children had worked every afternoon here preparing a program for us today. They did traditional tribal dances. They sang with the most beautiful voices. They have no musical instruments, so the human voice is the only musical instrument. The children learn from a very young age to sing harmony. I can’t help but believe heaven will be much like what we heard today as they sang Hallelujah! You will all want to hear the recording I have of the all care point choir singing Jingle Bells. They sing it “Jingly bells jingly bells”. It is precious. So precious I bought 3 CDs. lol My Christmas will be so precious with them singing Christmas Carols!!!!

Our final goodbyes were mixed once again with lingering hugs and tears. One of our team members said it so well when she said “We never know if they will be here when we return, but we know we have given everything we had to them.” Most will be here as we return next time. If you have ever wanted to come on mission please know you have an open invitation. You don’t have to be a member of a specific church. You just need to love the Lord and want to serve Him on mission. Both Highview and Westwood will probably be coming again next year and they would love to have you join them.

We will worship with our Swazi family tomorrow then depart to South Africa for a safari on Monday then travel home on Tuesday evening. Not sure that internet will be available, but we sure cherish your prayers. As my daughter would say, thank you for joining us as we have traveled “To the Ends of the Earth.” Until all know Him we will continue to tell. Praying you will join us next time and until we get home remember us in your prayers.