SWAZILAND!!

HELLO!!

Wow, so much has happened since I last wrote! We wrapped up ministry in Lesotho, reunited with the squad in Swaziland, my parents came to visit, we did ministry together, and so much more!

Time has been flying by, and I’ve been incredibly busy. But before I head to my next country next week, I wanted to take a moment to share what’s been going on!
Ministry in Lesotho was such a powerful experience. We had the opportunity to visit a prison where Marshall spoke at the main Sunday service, and I had the privilege of speaking at a Bible study for around 40 men and women. It was incredible to worship alongside these individuals. The group I spoke to was deeply committed to their faith and involved in a two-year program. I shared a message about the Lord, the purpose He has for our lives, and the importance of relying on Him for all our needs. I also encouraged them to stay passionate about the Lord and never lose their fire. It was amazing to see their eagerness to learn and grow in their faith, something I reflected on from my own childhood when Bible class was something we sometimes took for granted. These men, in prison, were hungry for the Word of God, and that was truly inspiring. After this trip, we returned to base, wrapped up house visits, and did some manual labor in the community before heading to Swaziland to reunite with the rest of the squad!

When we arrived in Swaziland (or Eswatini, as it’s now called), it was such a sweet reunion with the squad after being apart for about 40 days. For a whole month, we did ministry together, staying at a base and sharing stories about what God had done in South Africa with the girls and in Lesotho with the guys.
Ministry in Eswatini looked a little different, though, as we were divided into three random groups. I was the only guy at my carepoint, but I was with some of my best friends, which made the experience even more special. A carepoint is a place where kids from local communities come after school to receive a free meal. We would play with them, love on them, and then lead them in a Vacation Bible School-style class. After singing and dancing, we’d share a Bible story and do a skit, followed by more playtime. While the kids were in school, we did house visits in the community, met with parents or mothers, and prayed over the families and the neighborhood through prayer walks.

One testimony that really stood out to me was the fact that the free meals these kids received every day were Manna Packs from Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). For those who don’t know, my childhood school, Northwest Christian School, has partnered with FMSC for years, and I’ve spent over a decade packing these Manna Packs. To now be in Africa, handing them out every day, and witnessing the direct impact of that effort was surreal. The moment I smelled the soy in the packs, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was such a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in my life, and it was incredible to see how His work has come full circle.

When my parents came to visit, it felt surreal. I cried when I finally hugged them, as I hadn’t seen them in over six months. Being apart from my family was one of the hardest sacrifices I made to be on this journey, but it was also a decision I knew God was calling me to. When I saw them on February 23, it was a moment I’d been anticipating for months. Getting to worship with them, minister together, and show them the beautiful country I’ve been living in was an unforgettable experience. Even though their visit was short, it was absolutely perfect. And now, I can’t wait to see them again in May! Thank you to everyone who sent cards and packages with them—it meant the world to me.
This past week, I’ve been in a town in South Africa doing debrief, reflecting on all that God has done during our time in Africa. Yesterday, we visited Kruger National Park, one of the largest and most famous game parks in Africa. We had an unforgettable game drive, seeing massive herds of elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and more. It was such an amazing experience!

Now, we’re finishing our time in Swaziland with a few days of worship and teaching, reuniting with two other squads. It’s been incredible to hear testimonies from around the world and to celebrate all the ways the Lord has been moving globally.

In just six days, I’ll be flying to Singapore, then taking a boat to Batam, an island in Indonesia. While in Indonesia, we’ll focus on evangelism to Muslims, partner with local ministries, and potentially visit a prison again. There’s also a chance we’ll be able to visit unreached islands to spread the gospel—an opportunity I’ve dreamed of for years!

Two of the girls’ teams will be heading to Malaysia, and we’ll miss them, but I’m looking forward to reuniting with them in May for the last two weeks of this journey.

God has been incredibly faithful during my time in Africa, and I’m beyond excited for what He has in store for us in Asia. Africa has taught me to stay present, continue to dive into His Word, and always look to Him first, rather than anything of this world. With less than three months left on this journey, I want to continue focusing on the Lord and those around me because my time here is quickly running out.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and messages! They mean the world to me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to chat and hear from everyone back home. I miss you all so much!

I also survived a spider bite!! But that’s a story for another time!

Love you all!

Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)

Jackson Schlesinger

PHOTOS!

FMSC food!

me and mom!

us and some family friends doing FMSC a long time ago

kruger national park

bug bite *yikes*