A Swazi Testimony
My name is Hunter Johnson and I am 16 years old. I am a senior at a small, private Christian school about 30 miles from my home in Washington, North Carolina. Recently, I had the opportunity to return to the beautiful country of Swaziland with a team of 17 people from my church, First Baptist Church of Washington. This was my second trip to Africa. Both times I have gone, our team has been in charge of leading the National Youth Camp. My church has sent many teams to Swaziland since 1996. My dad has been six times (including two trips with me), and I have had the opportunity to go in August of 2002 and 2005.
Since I have been home, many people have asked me to compare my most recent trip to the one I took three years ago. I find that very difficult to do. These trips were both so different, but it was definitely harder to leave this time. First of all, I was reminded how incredible it is to be a part of the Swazi's worship. Their love for God is so evident, and it is obvious that God is present in their lives. They are the most loving people and so incredibly happy, all of the time. It is so refreshing to be around people w! ho always seem to be satisfied with what they have. They lack so much and continue to be so happy. Their joy is contagious, even if you are only around them for a short amount of time. My heart broke for them, because of the conditions they live in, and at the same time I was filled with love for each and every one of them.
I was able to make very strong friendships with some of the Swazi youth, with the bond of Christ bringing us closer. Before one of the worship services, I asked one of the guys I had met, who I later became closest to, why he was always so happy. He told me he was always happy because what the Bible commanded in Phil 4:4. When I got back to the hotel that night, I read that verse: "Rejoice in the Lord, always. I will say it again; Rejoice." Simanga never knew the impact those words had on me. I have referred back to them many times since I have been home, and it has kept me smiling on more than one occasion. I have also been able to send three letters to him and six more letters to other friends I made.
As a senior in high school, the questions of college and future plans have become part of my daily life. I was struggling with what I college I wanted to go to, and what I wanted to major in before I went to Swaziland. While I was there, I knew God was speaking to me. For the first time in my life, I knew I was being called to the mission field for more than just a two-week trip. I had never considered going into the mission field as a career, and now I pray about it every day. I have started looking into some things, such as a trip back to Swaziland for the summer of 2007. I have even begun to ask questions about the Journeyman program. These thoughts had never crossed my mind before August, and I honestly know that God had different plans than I did, about how this trip would affect my life. I have finally learned to let God take the lead and be in total control. Although I still am unsure about which college I will be attending, I am no longer worried. I know that there is a much bigger plan than what I can see.