janellesmoker - Hugs, tears & excitement!

We ended our last week in South Africa with a very bittersweet goodbye to the ones that we grew so close to. The title of this blog is what we experienced in full swing this week. Our last week was full with ministry and the usual day to day things. Everyday we were trying to soak up every moment with the kids and try not to focus on the last day that was coming so fast. Our team enjoyed being at the orpahanage and spending time together!

We also had the oppurtunuty to create a Beauty from Ashes mini conference for the women of the oprphanage which consisted of just spending quality, intentional, distraction free time with them. All of the women that work at the orphanage were raised there and now work there and we wanted to give them a couple of hours of refresh, relaxation and for them to know that we care about them. It was so fun to get to know them on a new level and see them enjoy the little things. We had a time of session/sharing and refreshments. We also had a photo booth, washing feet, and painting nails section. We just hungout with them, heard their stories and became deeper friends while we talked about God’s hand in our lives!

We finished out the week with our last day of ministry at the orphanage. The kids were sad and unsure of why we were leaving and all we could do was hug them and tell them we love and care about them so much. The orphanage owner gave us handwritten notes and chocolate and prayed over us for our next month in Eswatini. We cried, laughed and hugged and tried to soak it all up. I was so sad leaving them but at the same time I am so excited to see what God does in Eswatini!

a few of us also had the opportunity to do childcare for an event that the church/school that we were staying at was having. It turned out to be different than I thought it was but it was such a great time of spending more time with kids from the area!!