I’m not in New York anymore…

   

  After my long 15 hour trip from NYC to Johannesburg, Africa; I waited for my connecting flight to Swaziland. With only 2 hours of sleep and waiting on long lines at the airport, my body was starting to crave rest. After 4 hours of waiting for my second flight, I jumped on a small bus taking me to a very small plane. So I sat on the bus with my head laying down on my bag and my eyes closed, as the people loaded on. 

 When I got to my seat on the plane, I was greeted with a huge smile by an older woman from Swaziland. She tells me “We are neighbors, we sat next to each other on the bus and now on the plane.” I looked at her and smiled right back in agreement. 

She asked me “Where are you from?” I replied “United States.” She said “No, Where else?” I answered her “New York.” So, she began to tell me all about her impression of New Yorkers… I knew this would be interesting! 

  “I visited New York before, it’s beautiful! One thing I remember above how beautiful it looked was the way it treated me. I would walk down the streets and smile and say hello to everyone I saw. People would just look at me with faces, never responding. Someone told me “If you don’t know me, why would you talk to me?” They sit right next to you and won’t even look at you. Here in Swaziland, we say hello to everyone. We talk to each other like we know each other. We love each other as brother and sister. W e care and look after one another. “

As a New Yorker I could have taken offense to what she said, but I didn’t because it was the absolute truth. I was guilty of doing it myself to her while I sat next to her on the bus ride. She helped me realize something, I’m not in New York anymore… I’m in Swaziland. Because of what she said, I was reminded of the very reason I love it here. Swaziland may not have all of the attractions and glitz New York offers but it has something we don’t have… Friendship and Love to one another.

  She continued to share with me about herself and her love for her community. At the age of 65 she works as a farmer and helps take care of 6 orphaned children. She shared with me her concern and love for the elderly and prayers to see more people reach out and care for them. I was inspired by her story and heart. 

   Swaziland is in great need but it’s moments like this that I know… I need Swaziland in my life. I am so happy to be back here. I know during the next three months as I serve with Adventures In Missions I will be learning new things everyday and I look forward to sharing it with you. God Bless! – Christina Vale