And they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like  the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.' Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. 

I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.

Ezekiel 36:35-36. 

(While reading this God kept saying Swazi, Swazi! It is desolate, it is broken but through you guys I am going to pour out my living water. I don't need you but because of my grace there is going to be growth and renewal through you and within you. Expect it. God is good!)

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Hi everyone!

My name is Jillian Gray and I am 20 years old but I will be 21 by the time we all meet in September.

I am from Nova Scotia, Canada and live with my family in a really small town called Antigonish. 

I love to run so all you runners on the team bring your sneakers cause we are going to run all over Swaziland. I also love art, especially drawing and photography.

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For the past 2 years I have worked in a CACL group home for men who are physically, mentally, and behaviorally disabled. There are 6 men and I basically get to serve them and help them live their daily lives. It can be extremely challenging at times but I LOVE my job!

This past year along with work I helped lead a Christian community on a campus in my town. I loved it and it was the first time I ever really lived out missions as a way of life. I loved intentionally doing things like leading and speaking, discipling, doing Bible studies and outreaches etc. It made me rely on God to speak through my gifts and humbled me to see fruit and growth in my friends. God is so good!

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My mission trip experiences have been a blessing to me. I have gone on two short trips to Bolivia with members of my family and that is where God really started to grow a passion for His glory within me. Last summer I got to go on a trip with AIM to Haiti for the month of June. It was a World Race Relief trip and I can testify without a doubt that God is moving in Haiti!

God stretched me and grew me on each of these short trips but when He really took hold of me and made me surrender myself to Him was the year after I graduated high school (2008-2009). I was an FYM (First Year Missionary) with AIM for 9 months. FYM was a missionary training program with teaching and outreach. I spent the first half of the trip in South Africa and the second half of the trip in Swaziland. Yes, Swazi! So this will be my second time and I can testify that God is moving in Swaziland. I LOVE it there and I cannot wait to go back. God completely wrecked me in Swazi and broke me for His people. I can’t wait to watch all of you fall in love with it as well! Be encouraged and know that you have signed up to go to a beautiful place full of beautiful people and loved by a beautiful God. Expect to experience God's love more strongly than ever and to be overwhelmed by His steadfast love and faithfulness. He shines though Swaziland and it is impossible not to see His glory. Get ready!

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PS: I have a blog from before, jilliangray.myadventures.org, if you want to read about life in Swaziland and there are a bunch of pictures and a few videos. If you have any questions just add me to facebook or email me and I can try and answer them. Things like culture, packing, etc… I should be able to help.