I have been in Nsoko, Swaziland for almost 2 weeks now and it has already been quite a whirlwind. The Lord has been teaching and stretching me in ways I never imagined and I am so thankful to Him for this time.

The other interns and I are staying at a house out in the local sugar cane fields. The gardner for the house is a kind, older gentleman named Mr. Pearie. I remember the day our “host” Erica pointed him out to us because he wears this silly looking hat and long plastic apron when he works and he makes us all smile when we see him. He doesn’t speak much English, but we’ve all grown to love his presence. He is an intensely diligent worker. He is here working sometimes before we wake up and is usually still here when we get home in the afternoons and the grounds show his dedication. It is beautiful here.

One night as I was lying in bed listening to the sprinklers going outside my window and trying so hard not to be overwhelmed by everything on my shoulders at the time, I thought of how God is the gardner of my life. How I can go to sleep and rest peacefully knowing that He is constantly working on me, pruning what needs to be pruned, watering and shining His light on what needs growth. I don’t have to worry or be afraid because the God of the universe has me in His hands. And He is not going to let me go. He is forever faithful and His dedication in my life is evident everywhere I look. He makes my life beautiful. That doesn’t always mean it is going to be easy, but it is always worth it and it is life abounding. The Lord has continually encouraged me and strengthened me with this truth these past couple of weeks and I pray He encourages you.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15: 1-5

Thank you for your prayers, they are invaluable. A few specific things you can be praying for::
* The community of Nsoko as a whole. For Spiritual growth, protection from spiritual warfare, for The Lord to continue to raise up Godly men.
* For The Lord to lead all of us here serving with His love and light and to continue to pursue Him above all.
* For my heart to always be postured toward The Lord and His will for me here, no matter how challenging or hard that may be.

In Christ,
Marlena