Last week we picked up 24 Next Step Interns that will be staying with us for the next two months.  The days following were filled with orientation, “getting to know you” activities, and the Lifeline Retreat- two days of intensive inward focus to prepare for them for all of the ministry they’ll be doing.  Sunday was commissioning.  We blessed, encouraged and prayed over each of our summer interns that they may walk in the fullness of all God has for them. What an honor.

This week has been spent introducing the Next Steppers to Qwa Qwa and relationship evangelism. They’ve been meeting new friends, learning new cultures, and sharing in new experiences. They’ve been challenged as they’re stepping out into ministry.  They’ve been hungry to experience more of God and they are focused on making the most of every opportunity that the next two months will provide.

Join us in praying for these interns. Pray that God’s boldness, wisdom and knowledge fills each of them as they walk in faith, and trust in Him.  Pray that He will lead them every step they take and uphold them as they encounter tests or trials along the way.  Most of all, pray that the love of Jesus flow through them during each and every encounter they have both in the villages and at “home” on the base.

The beginning of a new term for our Twenty4Seven interns means a few changes to the class and ministry schedule.  As term 3 begins, our interns are unenthusiastically taking a break from LaunchPad but looking forward to some of the new ministry opportunities that are presenting themselves.

Over the next two months our interns will tutor students at a local farm school, strengthen relationships in Intabazwe and build a one-room house for a family that lives nearby.  We are excited to see God at work in new ways while learning a few new skills!

- Kelly Corder, Twenty4Seven Director

Ladies night looks a little different here at Thrive than it does elsewhere.  Our Twenty4Seven female interns get together with Jenn, a member of our leadership team- and talk about all things girly;  in terms of how they relate to God and to one another.  Over the last month, ladies night has focused on the book Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge.  Our Thrive ladies are learning about what it means to be uniquely created by God, with aspects of femininity that make women both complex and beautiful.  They are learning what it means for Christ to be the lover of their souls- and how to passionately love Him in return.  This is ladies night- pursuing God together.

As our time here in Swaziland is winding down we are tired, sore, and happy. We have spent hours and days transforming properties, with the bulk of our work going into houses that will be, or are already being used as homes for local orphans. What an amazing time we’ve had painting, digging, raking, machete yielding, and so much more! We’ve all walked away with not only a sense of what has been accomplished but also knowing that so much more will be done in the hearts of those who live in the places we’ve renovated. It’s so encouraging to know that the children we see walking around Bulembu will soon have a home and a nicer place to play after school. As we return home at the end of this week, we will remember that the homes we’ve painted, gardens we’ve built, and overgrown fields we’ve seen transform into lawns are all just outward symbols of lives that will be strengthened, empowered and touched with the love of Jesus in each of those locations.

During our time in Swaziland our interns have experienced first hand what it means to serve one another and to put others before yourself. The sunburns will fade, the blisters will heal, but hopefully the lessons learned will last a lifetime.

~ Kelly Corder, Internship Director

Our 24/7 interns are on an outreach trip to Bulembu, Swaziland where they are serving Bulembu Ministries.  This ministry is working towards the revitalization of the town where they are located. Bulembu had been a bustling mining town of 10,000 people that was deserted in 2001 after the mines shut down. The renovation and rejuvenation of Bulembu started in 2006, and for the last ten days, our interns have been investing their hard work and sweat into the vision of seeing this community restored.  In the heat of the Swaziland sun, our interns have already painted two homes that are used as orphanages, dug irrigation trenches for 12 homes, and worked on landscaping.  Through their  hard work, they are blessing another ministry and literally helping to rebuild a community.

As our 24/7 interns teach LaunchPad, we continue to hear encouraging stories about how God is impacting and changing lives through this outreach. Here is a testimony from Mahoa Sipho, one of our students at the Club View class:

Launch Pad has really taught me about how much Jesus really loves me and cares about me. The reason I come to LaunchPad is because there’s always something new to learn about Christ and I have found my purpose through this class- it turns lives around. ~Mahoa Sipho

And here is what 24/7 intern, Sam Behrman has to say about her LaunchPad class:

From the beginning of LaunchPad classes at Mampoi High School, god has been raising up leaders within our group. During the first week, each of the students expressed a desire to become small group leaders. One of the learners, Tefo, has been translating for each of our lessons. Even though the topics of love, sex, and relationships are taboo in Basotho culture, the students have been very interested and involved by participating in discussions and asking questions. They are not afraid to approach these issues with honesty and without timidity.

We asked Katy, one of our interns to share a little bit about what the first few weeks of “intern life” has been like so far. Here it is, in her own words…

This is Africa. Zebras. Skits. Big bugs. Relationship Evangelism. Thatch roofs. Classes. Uphill walks. We (the eight interns) have been here almost a month! The time has flown by so fast yet at the same time the days are long and we have filled them full. The first week we spent time getting to know each other, learning about the ministry, and how to find our way around the base. We competed in a “Go-Fetch” game (my team won), which consisted of running around the base taking pictures of different locations to help us find our way around the base. Running also has helped me gain my bearings—although, the altitude definitely makes for an interesting run as do the animals!

Throughout the next couple of weeks, we spent time in class, preparing for LaunchPad, at Hope House and going to Qwa Qwa for relationship evangelism. We practiced and performed “Tumo’s Journey” in the local schools to promote the LaunchPad classes that we will be teaching this term. I will be teaching at Clubview and we had about 25 kids the first week! Also, between classes and team devotions, we have really been able to dig deep into the Word and generate some great discussions. I am so thankful for everything that we have already done and am expectant for what is to come!

Beginning in February the interns will be teaching the class “Discover your Gifts” to the Leadership Summit coaches as part of their development. It was great timing when the interns “dropped in” on one of their coach training days as they toured Qwa Qwa.

The day provided a relaxed opportunity to share a little about themselves with the coaches as well as open time to visit one on one. The coaches were thrilled to meet their new “teachers” prior to the classes beginning.  It was evident in how well everyone got along that this was going to be an amazing God-inspired year!

Photos of interns and coaches meeting.

This year our Thrive family is blessed with 8 year-long interns. They arrived on January 20th and spent their first week immersed in team building, orientation to the ministry, and touring the villages that we serve.

The week came to a climax on Sunday, when the interns were commissioned by Thrive Staff. With a focus on the call to ‘Possess the Land’, the interns were challenged and released to lay claim of God’s promises for all He has in store for them this year. It was evident during the ceremony that each of our interns has accepted this challenge and is prepared to possess all that God has for them.

We are thrilled and privileged to play a part in what God will accomplish in and through these young godly leaders!

Meet this year’s interns ›

There is a little boy who’s captured my heart at the orphanage where the interns volunteer. Nkosi, whose name means Warrior, is eighteen months old and is often sick. He usually just sits limply in someone’s lap the whole time we’re there.

Kelly visited Hope House this week and spent some time with Nkosi. He was doing so well! He was healthier and stronger than he’s been in a very long time. God is good!