Less than 5 days!

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.  -Psalm 103:1-5

In five days, I will be over 8,000 miles away.  In five days, I will be surrounded by people of another nationality, who speak another language, eat different foods, wear different clothes, but worship the same God.  In five days, I will be in a place that has become my second home- Swaziland, Africa.  This will by my seventh trip to Swaziland, and I am so blessed to have this opportunity.

God has been working in my life in big ways this year.  By His faithfulness, I finished my first year of medical school about a week ago.  Through this extremely challenging year, He has been teaching me what it looks like to depend on Him in every aspect of my life.  Whether this was financially, academically, or raising money for Africa, He has been faithful just as He promises.  The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. -1 Thess 5:24


The last few days before I leave for Swaziland are always filled with Bible Study planning, shopping, packing, last minute visits with family and friends, and preparing to be gone for the summer.  This time is no different - lots and lots of planning and organizing. This summer, I am hoping to partner with several different Christian organizations while serving in Swaziland.  Primarily, this trip is through the International Mission Board so I will be assisting three missionary families (the Allens, Myers, and Hoskins) who live in Swaziland and are planting churches there.  I will also have the opportunity to work with the newly launched ministry- Jabula - and will deliver soccer balls to youth and children.  Lastly, through a school grant, I will be conducting HIV research as well as working in several rural clinics with American nurses and doctors.  During the last two weeks of my trip, I will joining a team of eight youth and adults which includes my parents, 13-year-old brother, and first cousin.  We will be leading Bible Studies, revivals, and doing homestead visits.

I am so excited to see what God has in store for these five and a half weeks in Swaziland! My biggest passions -Jesus, Africa, sports, and medicine- are all being combined into this trip.  Also, some of my best friends in the whole world live in Swaziland, and I cannot wait to spend time with them.  I am really looking forward to introducing them to people in my family they have never met before.  What an incredible opportunity and blessing to serve with my family in Africa! PTL.

On a final note, there is a lot of preparation that needs to take place over the next few days.  Please join me in prayer for focus, perspective, and direction as I work on Bible Studies and plans.  Also, please pray for the Swazi people to have open hearts as they hear the Good News this summer (winter for them).

Until the whole world hears,
Hunter