Meet Rachel – one of our incredibly dedicated partners. She has a wildly courageous heart to go into the darkest places of the world and bring light. We’re so honored to partner with her and her efforts in the African Kingdom of Eswatini.
Rachel’s organization, Deep Water Eswatini, is on a mission to create a physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe space for anyone to be seen and known. They work specifically with the “after-hours” community. As you read on, we know you’ll be inspired!
1. What is Deep Water Eswatini?
Deep Water Eswatini is a new faith-based organization located in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Our mandate is to be safe people creating safe spaces, even in the darkest corners of our city. We connect with the “after-hours” community of Manzini, comprising everything from sex work to homelessness to addiction and everything in between. We take time to build safe relationships with the community and serve as a bridge to the wealth of resources in this nation according to the journey each individual is on – whether it’s rehabilitation, educational opportunities, job training, counseling, or something else. Our vision is to see a safe world where anyone can experience dignity restoration and personal empowerment to step into freedom and purpose.
2. What can you tell us about the outreaches you organize?
Our outreach strategies are deeply intentional, yet completely Spirit-led. Every week we visit hot spots where we meet members of the sex work and addiction communities, and we engage in conversations in an effort to build safe, non-transactional relationships. Sometimes we take small gifts or snacks with us, such as earrings or apples, to help bridge the awkwardness of meeting new people. Through patience and consistency, the community blesses us with their trust, and we have faith to see lives transformed.
3. Your website says that you dive into the hard conversations, creating emotional safety by bringing awareness to stigmatized challenges in the community. What do those stigmatized challenges look like?
Those stigmatized challenges look like trauma, sex work, abortion, pedophilia, homosexuality, domestic violence, addiction, depression, suicide, mental health disorders… We don’t turn away from heavy challenges. We sit with you exactly where you are in whatever you are experiencing.
4. What is one thing that surprised you about moving to Eswatini?
I am continually amazed by the wealth and depth of community and relationships in this context. Relationships always hold priority over whatever task needs to be done – which is quite the opposite of our Western mindset!
5. What is a common misconception about the work you do?
A common misconception is that we rescue people. We are not saviors. We rescue no one.
Rather, we sit with and walk alongside people in their journeys so they are empowered to take their own steps toward freedom.
6. If Deep Water Eswatini was to expand and had no financial limitations, what would that look like?
Our dream is to have a fully staffed, 24/7 drop-in center in the heart of our city and to expand to other communities in this nation. The centers will be equipped with counselors, social workers, medical staff, outreach programs, and more.
7. Tell us about a personal experience with your ministry that has stuck with you?
For me, my team is always my priority – I am passionate about empowering them to walk with the community. Later in our first year, there were a few outreaches where I had the opportunity to just step back (almost completely), and watch my incredible team engage with people and do the work. I can’t even begin to express how amazed and proud I am of each one of them and their boldness to dive into the after-hours community, despite the stigma they may face from the outside.
8. What is your hope for the people that will be helped by the work you’re doing?
My hope is that they will learn how wide, long, far, and deep the love of Christ is – not because we preach at them, but because we demonstrate His radical love exactly where they are. My hope is that after experiencing the revelation of Christ’s love for them, they will have the courage to choose to step into freedom, purpose, and transformation.
9. How have you seen yourself change and grow since founding Deep Water Eswatini?
I feel myself being stretched in leadership constantly. I’m learning what it means to depend on God and the people He has sent to surround me in each season of this journey. I’ve seen my own growth in my strengths of vision casting, coaching, and team building.
10. How can we pray for you?
Please pray for me, our team, the community we reach, and our nation as a whole. Pray for depths of relationships. Pray for open doors and the courage to step through them. Pray for resources – finances, skilled staff/volunteers, and network. Pray for a physical space for an office and a future drop-in center. Pray for protection and wisdom in navigating these uncharted waters.
11. How can someone support Deep Water?
Donate to our launch campaign, which will cover all our operational costs for 2023! Also, like/subscribe/share our social media pages!
12. How has The Cause helped your ministry?
The Cause is amazing, and there’s no way I could navigate Deep Water’s launch without them! The Cause has helped (and continues to help) with a strategy for team building, fundraising, campaigning, and so much more. They are a constant source of encouragement and wisdom. I can’t thank you all enough!
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