Sawubona! (Hello in SiSwati),
Greetings from the Kingdom of Swaziland! I've now officially been in Global Leadership Academy (GLA) for 1 month! It's a great feeling and I can say that I'm very blessed. I now have a family of 21 other interns and 10 GLA staff leaders; a mix of Swazis, Congolese, Tanzanians, Zimbabweans, and ME, the one and only American intern. I'm being immersed into African culture and it's preparing me well for my ministry work that lies ahead in Zimbabwe. I can see this very clearly and I'm thankful that God is putting me through this process, as hard as it may be. The days are long and the work is hard but I will gladly do it for the Lord :)
So what is Global Leadership Academy like? It's challenging but REWARDING. For the next 10 months I will be intensely studying the Bible and what it means to be a Godly leader, I will be communicating and living with Africans every day, I will be serving in every and any capacity for the Lord at Healing Place Church Swaziland and at Children's Cup carepoints with the children. I will be part of Kitchen Krew at the campus, working in the garden, helping tutor children at the "I am Not Forgotten House", doing hospital ministry, helping lead Scripture Union and Morning Assembly at a high school near our campus, leading worship at HPC's youth called 412, helping with Kids Power Camps and HPC children's ministry called KFC (not the chicken but Kids for Christ!), and the list goes on and on..... sounds busy huh? Well it certainly is!
I've been blessed with a wonderful roommate named Goodness (see picture above). Goodness is a Swazi and she's around my age. We get along great! I'm having so much fun learning SiSwati phrases and learning SiSwati and Shona songs. I actually got to lead my first Shona song this past Friday night at HPC 412 youth. I loved being able to usher people into God's presence through worship and I was told I sounded like a true African when singing it :) Coming up I will be spending more and more time helping HPC's children's ministry and working with the children at the carepoints. I simply can't wait because as you all know Children's Ministry is my passion and my calling. I'm looking forward to the day I'm in Zimbabwe full-time helping lead Celebration Kids Ministry. I know in my heart that all of this preparation is going to be SO valuable to that ministry.
I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank all of my financial and prayer partners. I simply could not be here without you and I'm forever grateful. Your giving is changing the lives of African children; they are being VALUED, LOVED, and EMPOWERED, and most of all they are learning the love of Jesus.
As I proceed with GLA I'm asking for prayers in the following areas:
-That God would continue to do a work in all of us interns; that God would keep stretching and molding us into the Godly men and women He has called us to be.
-For physical, mental, and spiritual strength as I go through GLA.
-For peace when I'm missing friends and family in both USA and Zimbabwe.
-For my next steps into Zimbabwe full-time.
-And for my ministry financial support. I'm still in need of more monthly supporters.
God Bless!
Shannon
Donation Details:
Online: http://www.worldoutreach.org Click Donate and Select My Name. USA and International Cards Accepted.
Or Mail Checks to: World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
