On June 1st 2011, I wrote this in my first blog journaling our move to Africa: “Once we move to Africa, 365 short days from today, we hope you will continue to follow our adventure as we begin to bring in abandoned babies, work with orphan headed-households in the community around Project Canaan, grow and export tons of food and so much more. Of course, that will all be dependent on us having electricity, internet access and a few other basics like fresh water. You see ... the journey REALLY does begin today. People have asked me when I am going to write my next book. My answer is that this blog is the next book, and you get to read it as it happens.”
One year later – on my blog dated May 31st, 2012 – I wrote: “The 365-day countdown has come to an end. Today is the day we get on a plane and move to Swaziland, Africa. This year has flown by, but this past week seemed like it took another year. Transition is hard and I can't say that I have handled it well…there were many tears, too many times snapping at my family, and then more tears. But today is the day I have longed for since 2003. It is time to move and serve the Lord whom I love on a continent that I love.”
Just the words electricity, internet access and fresh water bring up memories of the challenges we have overcome, and how God has provided in each and every circumstance. As I write these words, it’s May 29th, 2021; we have lived in Africa for 9 years, which honestly has flown by. Today I am writing my 489th weekly blog (not missing one Saturday in nine years!), but today will be my last WEEKLY blog. This move has had a significant impact on the entire Maxwell family, and we have all LIVED through the highs and the lows, the joy and the sorrow, the reward and the sacrifice of serving the Lord. I thought you, my dear reader and friend, would like to hear the voices of Ian, Spencer and Chloe in this final weekly blog as you have heard my voice a lot over the past ten years.
Here are a few questions that we thought you might like to hear the answers to:
What has been the hardest part of the past 9 years for you personally?
Chloe: “There has been a lot of “hard,” from the stories of each child and the fires, to saying goodbye to my sister Nomsa and people betraying us. The hardest part though, I would say, is being so far away from each of my family members for so many years and figuring out how to manage a long-distance family.”
Spencer: “I would say the hardest part (that I have come “a long way” on) would be knowing what I should tell my folks, and what I shouldn’t. For example, if mom starts the call with “we received a new baby that was found in a pit latrine” it’s hard to say that I am struggling with school or a friendship because how does that compare to a baby being found under such circumstances? But at the same time, we are each going through life and have struggles. We can’t say one is worse than the other because not only is it relative, it’s personal. So being able to hear what my parents tell me is going on and still being able to process my own circumstances was challenging, but liberating.”
Ian: “Thinking I screwed up my daughter’s high school years by enrolling her in an international private school in Eswatini. It didn’t work out and she lost a full semester. She ended up graduating from Morrison Academy in Taiwan, that turned out to one of the best decisions we made as parents.”
Janine: “The hardest part for me was not being able to “be there” for Spencer and Chloe when I felt they needed us most, but having to try to help from afar. The second hardest was hearing the harsh criticism of people who were telling us from afar how we were doing things wrong and how to do them better.”
What has been the best part of the past 9 years for you personally?
Chloe: “Seeing the plan unfold and all of the parts working together so well. It surprises me every time, but somehow Project Canaan is more amazing, more developed and more inspiring every time I go home. Also seeing the number of people that have been a part of this crazy journey, even if only for specific times, each person that has played a specific role in Project Canaan being what it is today.”
Spencer: “Knowing that even though it’s hard on all of us, we believe our family was called to this mission. We all believe God is in control, which alleviates so much stress in my life- a serious example would be when people ask if I’m afraid for my parents getting bit by a snake. I can honestly respond that I am not worried because if that’s a part of Gods plan, so be it. I know they are protected and are called to this mission, which makes it easier to explain to friends (even those that wouldn’t be on the faith spectrum).”
Ian: “Being in the front seat witnessing God develop a vision. He uses people who are available, to bring wisdom, skills, finance and prayer together to bring the vision to life. From African bush, Project Canaan has emerged to bring HOPE to Eswatini and I have had the privilege to see it all.”
Janine: “Feeling the presence of God every day is a wonderful thing and knowing that He is directing our steps is so assuring. Seeing Grace walk, noticing that Miracle can now see, discovering that Holly and Ivy are no longer deaf, watching Phiwa skip into a hospital for reconstructive facial surgery are all proof that Jesus is alive and well and present here.
What would you do differently if you were to move to Africa again?
Spencer: “I would prioritize internal communication between our family. In the last year we established a weekly family phone call on Sundays that is something I look forward to. Sure, before I could call my parents anytime (before 9pm their time) but having a designated time schedule (even though it may sound “corporate”) is really important in creating a structure for our family to have consistent communication.”
Ian: “I would have bought a bulldozer. No really… I would have bought a bulldozer.”
Janine: “I would get more advice on how to stay better connected with Spencer and Chloe and I would also be more intentional in planning family holidays that were not in Africa.”
What do you wish people knew about this journey that they may not know?
Chloe: “I am so grateful that my parents said yes, because if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have 289 brothers and sisters that I love, I wouldn’t have the confidence to fearlessly travel the world and absorb new cultures, and I wouldn’t have the extremely personal example my parents have left to show my children one day of what it looks like to literally be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Spencer: "I think people would be surprised to hear all the junk people say to us about our mission. The critiques left and right, people sharing how they think we should run the organization, as well as the straight-up ugliness people show us is kind of surprising. Which makes it all the better when people truly support us with words of encouragement!
Ian: “The journey over the past decade+ has had its highs and lows but through it all the Lord has given me an inner peace which has filled me with joy in the “high” time and sustained me during the “low” times. This journey is an adventure, every day I get to see some of what the Lord is doing, (just a peek under the tent), and I’m filled to the brim.”
Janine: “I think sometimes we make living in Africa look easy, but it’s not. It’s all hard and it’s heartbreaking. We are human. We hurt, we bleed, we feel pain and lonliness. But God is with us always and even in our darkest hours He has never left us nor forsaken us. This is the good news of the gospel that we share daily with our Swazi brothers and sisters.
What are you most thankful for about the Maxwell’s moving to Africa story?
Chloe: “I am most thankful that I am a Maxwell and that this is part of my story. We only get one life – At 24 years old, I’ve had the opportunity to see the world, understand poverty, truly understand and experience the impact that one person can make and because of this, I believe both Spencer, my 288 brothers and sisters and I can change the world.”
Spencer: “Umm isn’t it obvious? That WE were called to this mission?! How many times have we heard “I could never do what your parents are doing” when really, anyone could pick up and move to anywhere to do anything. I am so fortunate that not only did God call my folks to Africa, but that they said YES. My life is forever changed by this project and it has exposed me to things I will carry for the rest of my life. I am also so thankful for all the people that have encouraged our family from the start, and have stayed with us through this process. You know who you are and I can’t thank you enough.”
Ian: “That our whole family said “Yes” when asked about moving to Africa. Our lives would be dramatically different if we had said no.”
Janine: “That we did it. Fear did not hold us back. People did not hold us back. We put down our nets and followed him with abandon. The impossible became possible because God was with us at every step, and our children were able to experience it first hand and our children’s children will be blessed because of it.
Thank you for taking this journey with our entire family. Thank you for supporting me each week by crying with me, wiping my tears from afar, joining with me in prayer and cheering us all on from a distance. Thank you to those of you who serve with us every day here in Eswatini, or elsewhere in the world.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me words of encouragement about how much you have enjoyed my blog, but also words of understanding of why it is time to take the next step in the way this blog is shared. Nine years ago, as I wrote in that blog before our departure for Swaziland, “It is time to move and serve the Lord . . .” – that declaration still resonates! Every step of this journey has been taken in faith, and it’s time to invite you to share your journey, your experiences and the manner in which God has invited you into this story. There are still stories to be told, chapters yet to be written and it’s time for them to be shared by those who’ve said “yebo” to this call.
I promise to write to you monthly in the Heart for Africa Share HOPE blog, so please be sure to sign up for it.
I have two final requests, and I hope that ALL of you will participate in both;
1. Would you take a moment to write an email to me at janine@heartforafrica.org or leave a comment on the social media platform where you read this blog? Please share a favorite blog, story, or why you continued to read this blog for as long as you have.
2. Would you make a small (or large) one-time gift to the children of Project Canaan, which will go towards special needs that arise (like emergency surgery, special staff gifts etc.)? While the blog was free, raising nearly 300 children is expensive! Every gift you make is another step towards raising the next generation of leadership for this country we all love so much.
In the U.S. Please click here.
In Canada Please click here.
Lastly, please know that Jesus is securely on the throne, even in the country in which you live. I have readers from all over the world, and while every nation has suffered during the past 18 months, Jesus is still alive and He is with you always.
My new book HOPE LIVES HERE is now available for pre-order so please be sure to order yours today!
In the U.S. you can order it directly from us at Khutsala by clicking here.
In Canada you can receive it now as it is available as print on demand on amazon.ca.
Just click here!
Live from Eswatini … may the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace.
Janine
P.S. A few facts about my blog that you might find interesting:
My top 3 most read blog articles were:
1. Just Tears https://janinemaxwell.blogspot.com/2018/04/just-tears.html
2. 7 Babies in 7 Days https://janinemaxwell.blogspot.com/2018/10/7-babies-in-7-days.html
3. What is a “mushroom Daycare”? You might not want to know. https://janinemaxwell.blogspot.com/2017/06/what-is-mushroom-daycare-you-might-not.html
Most of my readership came from 18 countries as seen below:
|
United States |
571,547 |
|
Canada |
84,698 |
|
Russia |
21,679 |
|
Eswatini |
15,132 |
|
Taiwan |
12,423 |
|
Sweden |
9,654 |
|
United Kingdom |
9,412 |
|
Germany |
6,903 |
|
France |
6,387 |
|
South Africa |
6,298 |
|
Ukraine |
5,257 |
|
Kenya |
1,140 |
|
Netherlands |
897 |
|
Japan |
884 |
|
Australia |
863 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
802 |
|
Brazil |
749 |
|
Belgium |
735 |
I have had 818,493 all time blog reads.
Thanks for spending some or all of the last
10 years with me!
Much love,
Janine
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