My First Time in Africa

Reflections on my first mission trip.

About a year ago, I visited Africa for the first time. It’s strange to think about it. So much has happened since that first 10-day trip in 2023. I never could have imagined what would come to pass in the following months. That small mission trip was so much more impactful than I ever could have imagined. It’s hard to wrap my head around. A whole year has now come and gone since that first step off the plane into Africa. It’s difficult to explain what that trip was like. I can’t capture exactly what I felt in words. Perhaps some images will help.

After 2 full days of travel, my team and I made it to eSwatini, a small country in Southern Africa. We were serving at a girls’ home and school called Hosea’s Heart. They take in and help restore young women who were victims of sex trafficking and abuse, something that isn’t uncommon in that country.

Admittedly, I was a little nervous about this trip. All of my travels in the past were centered around adventure and the outdoors. They were all about getting out there, having fun, and checking things off the bucket list. And of course, photographing the adventures along the way. This was different. After all, I was visiting a girls’ safe home in Africa. I’m a white guy from Wisconsin. I knew what that sounded like on paper. In many ways, I’m the exact opposite of the people I came to serve. I might not be rich by American standards, but I definitely grew up in privilege. I came from a good, safe family. I always had food and a place to sleep. I’ve never been abused, let alone trafficked. And I’m a dude. But the idea of Africa sounded too good to pass up, and some very persuasive friends sold me on the idea. So before I knew it, I was on my way to Hosea’s Heart.

I didn’t know any of their individual stories, but I figured that these girls have probably had some of the worst experiences someone could have with human beings, especially men. The last thing I wanted to do was make them feel uncomfortable, especially with my camera.

To my surprise, I was received very well by the girls. Way better than I anticipated! A few days in, one of them taught me how to say “bhuti,” the SiSwati word for brother. After that, they all started calling me their brother. My initial fears and concerns melted away quickly.

I expected to visit Hosea’s Heart, serve, snap some pictures, make some memories, and maybe make a friend or 2 along the way if I was lucky. By the end, these girls left an indelible mark on my own heart. I had become more than friends with them. They truly felt like family. We would laugh, tell jokes, and make fun of each other. I came to eSwatini with a team to serve them. But by the end, I felt like I was the one being served every day. Through their joy, their smiles, their voices. Just through being who they are.

When that final day at the land came, it was difficult not to feel emotional. The 10 days were already over, but I felt like I had just started. It felt incomplete. In all my travels, I had never developed such an attachment to a place or people before, especially in such a short time. I remember desperately hoping and praying that this trip was not some one-time thing. Something that just comes and goes. The thought of never seeing my new Swazi sisters again was too sad to comprehend.

Lucky for me, that first trip would not be my last. That sadness was temporary. I never could have imagined what would follow. Over the past year, I ended up getting more involved with Hosea’s Heart, and was even given an opportunity to serve in eSwatini longer term. My prayers were answered. I’ve now spent over 3 months working and serving at Hosea’s Heart. It’s steadily becoming a second home to me. But even so, I can’t help but wonder and look forward to the future and my next stay in eSwatini, whenever that may be.

If you’d like to learn more about Hosea’s Heart and/or donate to support their ministry, you can visit them at hoseasheart.org.

Friendly Disclaimer:

Thanks for reading! Because of the nature of Hosea’s Heart and the work they do, I am not able to share images that clearly identify many of the people that I met and served in eSwatini. This is to protect the identity of certain individuals from former abusers and traffickers, and not draw unwanted attention to them. The images in this blog were carefully selected for this purpose and to honor Hosea’s Heart and the ones who call Hosea’s Heart their home.