Meet the Office

This past month has been another all squad which means all 18 of us have been here at AIM’s base in Eswatini or Swaziland. AIM is the same organization that we are doing the World Race with, and it has been really neat to see and work along side them on the other side of the world. Here at their base, they have several different areas of ministry opportunities. Our squad was split into smaller groups and placed at different ministry locations for the month. The different ministry areas include administration work, maintenance, care point ministry, and farm/agriculture work.

My group was placed at SLA (Servant Leadership Academy) which is the administration group. My team of three, myself, Cluadia, and Shelby have loved the ministry we have had the opportunity of partnering with these last few weeks.

At SLA, their main program is a 4 year discipleship/shepherding program for 18-28 year olds who want to pour into the children in their community. AIM has many different care points around the area, and each functions as an after school, feeding program, and discipleship and leadership building type of program for many children in the community. At each care point, there are youth leaders called Shepherds which are the same students that attended SLA’s 4 year shepherding school. 

We have been able to see the value in this 4 year program for these shepherds. We have been developing, recasting vision, and renewing the curriculum that is taught to the shepherds, so that they can better lead the children at each of their care points. We have been writing lessons that help develop each of their personal walks with God, deepen their understanding of discipleship and mentorship, and teach them skills and values that would be helpful for leading a teaching a group of students. Some of the lessons have included talks on the love of Father God, Kingdom living, dying to self, repentance & confession, servant leadership, stewardship, God’s will, and spiritual disciplines. It has been an incredible experience. In addition to writing the curriculum, we have also had the opportunity to teach year 3 and year 4 students a couple of the lessons. 

Our team at the office has been such a joy to work with. In addition to the three of us, SLA has a small office staff that we have been working along side with every day. I asked them if they would share briefly how they got involved with SLA, and following is what they sent me.

Meet Mpendulo!

“Hey hey, team team..I would like to share part of my journey to SLA. First of all, I take this as my salvation journey. I joined SLA 2013 where I under gone a 8 months training with LXP in Jeffery’s Bay. A brief background, it was after I finished my high school and had no plans as what next since I’m done with school, then came this opportunity to represent my community through serving at a Carepoint (Bhalekane Carepoint). I wasn’t a committed Christian by that time since some things were not as clear about Christianity to me. Yes I grew up going to church but not knowing deep what it means, I grew up with that mentality of church on Sundays as a routine up until I grasped the opportunity I was given to take part in the Leadership training. I began to find Christ and my true identity in Christ through this training and all the questions I used to have growing up were answered up until today I’m a firm Christian committed to doing the Lord’s will with my whole being. That’s why I take it as my turning point, God has been faithful because I have served at Carepoint faithfully up until I was promoted to serve in the SLA office which still work hand in hand with the Shepherds at Carepoints through discipling children  with the different programs we have: Ngesikhatsi and Sisekelo Setfu. I feel in a safe place where God has put me to serve him. Yes I’m not perfect, still learning some of the things there and there to keep my spiritual life growing.”

Meet Lindo! 

“Good morning my special friends.I joined the organization in 2018. I went to a leadership school which was based in Nhlangano (AOH). I really thank God for such an opportunity in my life. When the ladies approached me about this opportunity, I didn’t understand what I was going to do there.  I didn’t want to go to training but my mom the following day brought a traveling case (used for packing clothes). This actually meant that I have to go to this training. During the training, I learnt more about God and about Christanity. After the training I used to serve at my carepoint for the past 4 years. I recently graduated and finished my 4 years. I was excited that I finished this commitment that I made one day. Currently I joined the SLA department.”

Meet Sanele! 

“Greetings family! Here’s my brief report on *how did I got involved with SLA?* To start with, I joined SLA as a Shepherd 2017. That year, I was in training and I came back to serve in my Care Point for two years. I grew with more passion in serving in the Department especially coordinating the Ngesikhatsi Grief Support Course. I learnt a lot about offering support to others and bringing the light of God to those dealing with grief. I am grateful for the opportunity for my growth in working with others. I love the SLA team and they’re supportive. We share plans and goals for the department, which is why I feel more appreciated and valued in their presence.”

Each of them has made our group feel so welcome and a part of the staff. We will miss them so much and all of the work they do to pour into the shepherds/youth leaders in their community.