Chris in Swaziland

Blog moved to new website

2010-03-18T10:39:00.006-05:00

Per the announcement in my last update, my blog is now located on the new One Child At A Time, One Heart At A Time website. I hope you will continue to follow what’s happening in Swaziland on the new website.

Click on the following url to access the new website or cut and paste it into your browser.

http://onechildoneheart.org/blog/blog-2

Blessings to you all!

Changes for 2010!

2010-02-23T12:00:00.000-06:00

After a busy and seemingly short time in the US, I am back on African soil! It is hard to believe that two and a half months passed so quickly. The time in the US was filled with precious memories of wonderful times spent with family, friends, and worshiping with my family in Christ not only in Round Rock, Texas, but in Idaho and California as well. Here’s a quick recap:
I was in Round Rock for most of the month of December. I was blessed to worship in my church home and attend the annual Christmas bell concert benefiting the Round Rock Serving Center. The Bell ministry at First United Methodist Church in Round Rock blessed us with the most beautiful music one can imagine. And then the following week I was able to be further blessed by the Christmas choral concert benefiting the Round Rock Caregivers. This concert consisted of choirs from 12 churches in Round Rock. Each church performed one or two songs and then at the end the choirs from all 12 churches came together to sing the Hallelujah Chorus. Words cannot describe how awesome it is. Christmas was spent at my house with my youngest son Scott and his girlfriend Tara, my niece and her family, my dear friend Mary and her family and then as a special surprise treat, my God daughter Denise and her three sons came to spend the evening and the following day with us. It was a very relaxed and wonderful time spent simply enjoying each other’s company.

On the 27th I flew to Seattle to spend a week with my oldest son Christopher, and his wife Jen. I had an awesome time catching up with them and Jen’s family. The area is so incredibly beautiful, though I must say I always freeze in that part of the country in December. From there I went to Idaho to spend a few days with my brother and his wife. There are so many memories there of mom and dad. While there we spent a few days up in the mountains in their “getaway” house. It snowed much of the time we were up there. Have you ever gone in a hot tub when it was snowing on you? When the cold snow would hit our skin it felt like little tingles covering our bodies. It was absolutely incredible.

It’s a good thing I got some rest in December because once I returned to Round Rock in January, things started getting real busy. The second week in January I spoke about Swaziland to the United Methodist Temple District United Methodist Women’s Epiphany gathering and at a soup luncheon at my own church. Both were awesome opportunities. It was at a Temple district UMW meeting in 2002 that I heard a missionary speak of her kids in Nepal that put the spark of wanting to be a mission in my heart. A few days later I joined other adults from our church on a mission trip to San Leon, Texas to help with the reconstruction efforts to some of the homes that were damaged by hurricane Ike 18 months earlier. San Leon is on a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water. It took the brunt of hurricane’s force. Most people forgot about hurricane Ike many months ago, but many people in this small town can’t forget because they are still living in houses that haven’t been repaired. They are reminded daily of that disaster. Our team went to assist UMCOR’s (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) on-going relief efforts in that area. If you are not familiar with UMCOR, I encourage you to go to their website (www.umcor.org) and see the work they do both in the United States and internationally. Their organization and compassion are outstanding. They have been hosting teams from all around the United States and from many different denominations since shortly after the hurricane. They work with the government and the local community to find the people who have the greatest need and the least amount of resources. Then they assess the damage, organize the building materials needed and the labor to repair the homes. Most of the people didn’t have insurance and the amount of relief they receive from FEMA is now where near adequate, but with the help of dedicated UMCOR volunteers and willing teams that provide the labor they are rebuilding people’s homes and their lives. Being in Africa is a humbling experience, but seeing the conditions in the United States that these people have had to live in was probably even more humbling. It certainly brings meaning to the phrase: “there but for the grace of God, go I.”

From there I went to spend the last two weeks of January in California where I was spoiled by my dear friend Laura and her family. We spent time up in the mountains, played tourist in San Francisco having a wonderful meal at Fisherman’s wharf and simply enjoyed hanging out. I also had the opportunity to reconnect with my sisters-in-Christ that I shared a week with last summer in Bulembu. Afterwards I spent an awesome evening in Pacific Grove being spoiled by one of my newer dear friends from that Bulembu experience and then speaking at her church. The church was small but very beautiful, the organ music incredible, and the congregation very warm and welcoming. The following Sunday I was blessed to spend with Jeri and Gary driving up to a small but mighty church in Vacaville where we participated in a wonderful worship service complete with African drums. After the service we were treated to an African meal and then I shared my work and love of Swaziland with them. From there Jeri and Gary took me to their church in Los Gatos which was as large as the church in Vacaville was small. But it was also very warm and welcoming. Talk about open hearts, open minds, open doors. All three of these congregations don’t just say the words, it was clear that they truly believe in practicing these beliefs.

By then it was February and I flew back to Texas. The last 3 weeks of my time at home was very, very busy and just flew by. I had more speaking engagements and was blessed and warmly welcomed each place I went. Each of the three churches I visited were so special in their own way. I also spent as much time as I could with my family and friends.
During the last 3 – 4 weeks of my time in the US, the Lord ve me His answer on how long my commitment and stay in Swaziland would be. While He didn’t give me a specific date of when I would come back to the US, He did clearly guide me and two of my dear longtime friends and supporters of my ministry in Swaziland (Laura from California and Deb from Minnesota) to form a nonprofit. It took nothing short of a miracle to do all of the necessary planning and paper work in just a few weeks. But by the grace of God, we did it and have opened a nonprofit in the State of Texas. The name is: One Child At A Time – One Heart At A Time. We have applied for tax-exempt status with the IRS and waiting for their approval. Our heads are swimming and our hearts are full. We can’t believe this dream has actually come true and we are excited for the possibilities it opens up to continue the ministry in Swaziland.
This blog is moving to our new website: http://onechildoneheart.org . The new website will allow us to have more communication with you, our faithful supporters and open up additional avenues for financial support. There will be an easier way for you to comment and respond to my blog. I look forward to another God filled and directed year in Swaziland and I pray that God richly blesses us all in 2010.

Dec 1st - A big day for Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu

2009-12-07T10:23:00.005-06:00

Tuesday, December 1st was a big day for our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu Project. After many months of working towards our goal, we brought the kids from Lutfotja Methodist Primary school that are a part of this project, HIV+ and receiving monthly medication to the newly opened satellite Baylor-Bristol-Meyers Squibb Children's Clinical Center of Excellence in Manzini. Let me explain what a milestone this is for our project and our kids.

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has a Children’s foundation in Swaziland which is an international non-profit non-governmental organization founded as a partnership between Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative and the government of Swaziland. In 2006 it opened the Baylor College of Medicine Bristol Myers-Squibb Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence-Swaziland (COE) in Mbabane which is a state-of-the-art Pediatric AIDS facility that tests, treats and cares for children and their families that are HIV+. It is very impressive but more importantly it provides the best care and treatment possible for those who attend their facility. They also operate satellite clinics in two cities in Swaziland, one of which is at the RFM Hospital/Clinic in Manzini. The clinic in Manzini was operating out of several of their existing rooms in the RFM’s pediatric clinic. They did a phenomenal job, with the little space and resources they had in Manzini. They were slated to open a new clinic on the grounds of the RFM in Manzini in February, 2009. After funding and other delays, they finally opened the new clinic the last week of November, 2009.

Since August, 2008, we have been paying the transport costs for 7 children and their primary caregiver to go to various clinics to receive their monthly medication. Most went to the Baylor clinic at RFM but some went to outlying rural clinics to receive their medication. The care and treatment at these rural clinics is not at the same level as the care and treatment at Baylor. Doctors are usually not present at the rural clinics, sometimes they run out of medication and we had one child who received the wrong dosage over 6 months ago and has been ill ever since. Thoko and I started talking about trying to get all of our kids to Baylor in RFM in the fall of 2008. Baylor asked for us to wait until their new satellite clinic opened in 2009 because of the space limitation. Thoko and I wanted all of our kids at Baylor in RFM for many reasons. One is that the care is superior and if the child is ill with an HIV opportunistic disease, they also treat that disease. Another reason is that it would be easier for us to communicate and coordinate with Baylor, the school, the parents and our volunteers. In addition, it would save us (Thoko, the other volunteers and I) a lot of time, worry and transport money for us to make sure the school and the parents have the money for transport before the child’s visit. We also hope that this will unite the children and families so they can support each other in living positively with HIV. Thoko was the main driver of this initiative. She talked to the Baylor nurses several times and of course she was the one who talked to the parents explaining what was required to make this happen. My role, as always, is to be supportive, assist when possible and play my white American trump card if needed which I rarely need to do. In addition, it was easier for the Baylor (American) Dr. to communicate with me just as it was easier for the Baylor nurses (Swazi), the parents, and the school counselor/head teacher to communicate with Thoko. As part of this move, we also added 7 more children to our program.

This sounds like it should be a simple thing, but just trying to keep up with all the kid’s appointments and then get their medical cards and talk to the parents took a lot of perseverance. Luckily, all of the parents of children who attended rural clinics agreed to the transfer and really did a super job of getting the information needed. And those parents whose kids were already at Baylor agreed to work with us and Baylor to have their children come on the same day.

Finally, we had everything set. We picked Tuesday, 12/1 to be the day of our first visit. We picked that day because it was the first week that the new satellite clinic was open and the last day we could do this before I left and everyone involved felt it would be best if I was present to assist as needed. We also had the school counselor and the Lutfotja Methodist Church CCS that is our voice, arms and legs in the community when Thoko and I can’t be there to come with the children. So we hired a kombi (van) to pick everyone up at 8:00 from Lutfotja and bring them to Manzini. Of course the kombi didn’t leave at 8:00 so things didn’t go quite as quick as we had hoped. But considering everything, things went really well. It was good all four of us were there to assist. It was a little confusing for awhile. It was a good thing that I was there because I could explain things quicker and easier to the Baylor receptionists, nurses and Dr. and Thoko could communicate with the parents and kids easier.

The nurses, Dr. and I decided that the second Tuesday of each month would be “Methodist day” at Baylor. We will be working together to get all of our kids on the same schedule and keep them there. I also promised that we would make sure that the parent or guardian of each child comes each time so that we will have been communication regarding the child’s care. Our plan is that the Lutfotja CCS would come with the children and then our committee would meet them at Baylor. Eventually we hope to get women from St. Paul’s to bring lunch to the children before they go back home.

Another benefit to this arrangement is that since (Thoko, the volunteers and I) will meet them at Baylor on our day. If a child is also sick and needs medication that is not available in the RFM pharmacy, we will be able to quickly go to a local pharmacy to purchase the medication and send it home with the child.

The day went really well. The parents, school counselor and the Lutfotja CCS were so appreciative. Baylor was pleased that we will be there to help with communication and follow-thru with the children and their families. We really couldn’t have asked for a bigger success. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized that December 1^st was World AIDS Day (even though I knew it) and that we had commemorated that day by improving the treatment these children that are HIV+ will get. How awesome is that? It is one of those moments when it does feel good to be able to do something that will really improve a child’s situation and hopefully their life. Praise God.

Nonjabulo and Ubuntu

2009-12-06T06:58:00.002-06:00

The Sunday before I left to come back to the States (11-29) I went to visit Thini and see Nonjabulo and her mom Nonhlanhla. I almost didn't recognize Nonjabulo when I walked in the door! She was so adorable sitting propped up on the couch with a cute frilly little dress on. (I know they dressed her up just for my visit.) She is the sweetest little girl. I picked her up and she fussed a bit so her mom (who was hanging up the wash when I arrived) came right in to quickly nurse her for just a bit and then Nonjabulo was ready to play and smile. Praise God this child is doing so well. I can't remember how much she weighs now, but her weight had come up considerably (for her) and she was actually feeling a bit heavy. I say it again, Praise God!

The other purpose for my visit was to deliver some "specially formulated" sorghum porridge I purchased to try with some of the kids who are having trouble getting well or are very underweight. 100% of the daily vitamins and minerals have been added to this porridge so if there is a problem with obtaining proper nutrition, one serving of this should be all they need, though it isn't enough to fill their stomachs for the day. This is advertised as tasting very similar to the sour porridge or store bought porridge that would normally be eaten. Nonjabulo and her mom are two of my "test" cases. The feed back I received is that it is "very nice." I looked at another replacement option that was developed in the US and while it is a cheaper alternative than this sorgum porridge, the people don't like the taste because it isn't anything similar to what the people are used to eating and therefore they won't eat it or they take out the soy bits and eat only the rice which defeats the purpose.

The problem is making sure they people who I've given it to eat a single serving every day and that they don't give it away to someone else in their family or community who is in need. The first time I gave Thini 3 bags of this porridge, she gave one away to a child in her community who was very sick with HIV and TB and was severely underweight. I tried to tell her that the porridge was special for Nonjabulo and her mom, but realized Thini's action is what makes her Thini. This type of behavior is known as Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. Ubuntu and love describe Thini. So while I can't be sure this porridge will actually benefit Nonjabulo and her mom, I have to have faith that it will. This is just one more situation where I have to let go and Let God handle it.

The other problem with feeding people in this way is that once you start, you have to continue feeding them. I'm not sure if I will continue with this project when I return from the States. It's expensive and hard to manage with individual families and it isn't feasible to prepare and serve to an entire school. I wanted to give it a try and see the affect on the three families I've given it to. Generally speaking, giving people food is not the right answer. I just felt I had to try something because malnutrition is such an issue. The Swazi's eat a lot of maize - in sour porridge in the morning, at noon time a thicker version with a few sugar beans in a sauce over the maize, and then again in the evening. Malnutrition is more of a result of what they eat rather than whether or not they get enough to eat each day. A diet of mainly maize no matter how much they eat will result in malnutrition unless they can add a lot more protein and other vitamins and minerals. I'm praying for guidance and wisdom in this matter.

Siphiwe and Lwethu’s wedding on November 28

2009-12-04T08:45:00.007-06:00

On Saturday, November 28^th, Siphiwe and Lwethu got married. For those of you who may not remember or who may be new to my blog, when I arrived in Swaziland Siphiwe was there on a two year assignment as a Pastor’s assistance and local preacher. I think he was about 23 or 24 when I first arrived. He is very tall, kind of quiet but has a great sense of humor. He is a wonderful young man. He reminded me a lot of my sons. He was my angel. He went with me wherever I needed to go, showed me the ropes and introduced me to people. He taught me a lot especially about the culture. I call him my South African son. I know that he has no idea how much his presence and help meant to me. I’m not sure I could have made it through those first few months without him. Over the year and a half that we were both in Swaziland, I also discovered that he has wisdom and spiritual insights way beyond his young years. He left Swaziland last December to be an associate pastor in a church in South Africa. He was taking correspondence courses during his assignment in Swaziland and during this past year in SA. He passed all his courses and now will start a two year program at Seminary.

While in Swaziland, Siphiwe met a really nice young Swazi woman named Lwethu. Even though he swore to me that he would never marry a Swazi woman because he was looking forward to going back to SA, love prevailed. She is very sweet, pretty quiet but also has a great sense of humor. She is going to make a very good pastor’s wife.

So, Saturday was the first part of their wedding. It held in Swaziland. The wedding was beautiful. I cried. What more can I say? Ok, so there is a bit more. The wedding was very western and similar to what you might expect to see in the states. The wedding was supposed to start at 9:30. I arrived at 9:35 a bit upset I was late. There was only one other person and the Bishop there. About an hour later people started arriving and at 11:30, the wedding finally began. The wedding was held at a hotel. I don’t really know why, but I’m told weddings don’t necessarily happen in churches, evidently not even for Pastors. The room was decorated in their colors: silver and hot pink. They announce what their wedding colors are on the invitation. It is amazing how many people came dressed in silver and hot pink. The wedding program was very similar to the wedding I attended last September. (I wrote a blog on that wedding also.) I love how the bride’s attendants and the groomsmen dance down the isle. Then the groom came in from the front of the accompanied by a female member of his family (I think a cousin). He had his own music playing for his dance from the front of the room to about halfway down the isle. His music was “How Great Thou Art”. (Yep, I cried for that too.) His cousin sat down in the audience. Then Lwethu walked down the isle on the arm of her very proud Uncle. (I didn’t realize until then that both of her parents had passed away. Her Uncle raised her.) They walk down the isle very, very slowly. One thing I’ve noticed is that they leave the brides dress so long that some one has to move it each time she takes a step so she doesn’t trip on it. Lwethu looked very, very nervous and I could tell she was crying. I was so worried for her. When they reached Siphiwe, the Minister performing the service asked who would give the bride away. Her uncle responded and then Siphiwe and Lwethu walked the rest of the way to the front together. I think that is real sweet.

The service was a bit different because so many ministers were involved. Rev. France Mabuvso, a newly ordained full Reverend in Central Swaziland Circuit was the Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Sikumbuzo Ngama, the former superintendent gave the opening prayer. The Bishop, Rev. Sizwa, performed the service and signed the marriage certificate. Rev. Kanana Nyamaka, the current superintendent for Central Swaziland Circuit gave the beneficiation. Just before the benediction, all of the reverends and pastors who were attending circled the couple and prayed for them. That was awesome.

After the vows were said and the rings exchanged, the Bishop had two chairs brought down from the table where the wedding party sits during the service. This table is located where we would normally have an altar. Siphiwe and Lwethu sat in front of the audience facing the Bishop. The Bishop said he was going to speak to the Siphiwe and Lwethu but we would be able to hear what he had to say. He also said he was going to speak in English because he “looses too many words when he has to speak in Siswati.” I was so happy. The Bishop spoke about colors and paint brushes. Basically saying they can paint their marriage any color they choose. They can paint it happy or paint it miserable. It is their choice which they must make every day and they must paint it together. He also told Siphiwe it was his job to totally love Lwethu. And he told Lwethu it was her job to totally respect Siphiwe in all he does. The Bishop went on to say that Siphiwe has to love Lwethu so much that she has no choice but to love him back and that she has to respect Siphiwe so much that he has no choice but to respect her back. It was an interesting way to put it, but considering the culture it was the perfect way to make his point. As the Bishop spoke, he required responses from both of them, and if he didn’t get an answer he asked the question again and didn’t move on until he got answer. What pressure!

Just before the benediction, all of the reverends and pastors who were attending circled the couple and prayed for them. That was awesome. After the wedding a meal was served and just like in the US, Siphiwe and Lwethu went around to each guest and gave them a little box of mints. There wasn’t a cake cutting ceremony because the cake is cut with the explanation of why they are cutting the cake as one during the wedding ceremony. There also wasn’t dancing, but that may have been because shortly after the wedding and reception all of the family and certain “family representatives” headed to South Africa to where Siphiwe’s family lives. Sunday morning there was another ceremony during which and they both wore their wedding clothes. Then everyone changed into traditional clothing and the bride was taken to the groom’s family’s home. She presented traditional gifts to the family and then there was a celebration meal which included a braai (cookout).

The only down point of the wedding, is the same thing that detracts from every service here. Everyone takes pictures. They just get up and walk right down in front no matter what is going on and take pictures. I kept thinking that in the US, the bride and the photographer would be furious that this was happening. I couldn’t get very many pictures, in part because there was always someone taking a picture in the way.

It was a great day. And I pray the young couple will be very happy and find a way to grow in their marriage to each other and their love of the Lord even though for part of the time they will be separated because of his studies and then possibly because of where he will be assigned as a minister. Their life won’t be easy, but I am sure it will be very blessed.

Thanksgiving Day

2009-12-03T08:50:00.000-06:00

I am writing this from the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am on my way back to Texas for the holidays. I will return to Swaziland towards the end of February. The past week or so has been very full and a lot has happened. I will try to update you a little bit at a time over the next few days in an attempt to shorten the blog postings.

Last Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) we went to pay a home visit on a family out in the rural area. The family consists of a mother, father, two grown children and an auntie. All of them are mentally challenged; some obviously more than others. As is usually the case, it is hard to see the severe need and conditions. But one thing I noticed is how involved the community was in helping the family. The family's mud and stick houses had collapsed in the rain but the community came together to rebuild them for the family. They even put in a very nice concrete floor. It was elevated just a bit above the ground so that even in a severe downpour the water won't seep through.

As I sat there looking at the beautiful blue sky with white clouds and bright green grass on the hills I couldn't help but be so thankful that I get to spend my Thanksgiving Day out in the rural area of Swaziland with dear, sweet sisters in Christ. As I sat marveling at how beautiful God's creation is, praying for the people in the homestead as well as at home in the States I made a long mental list of blessings I am so thankful for. I was going to post them on my blog, but time got away from me and it didn't happen. Every day since then has been full of nonstop commitments or things to tie up before leaving for the States.

As always, there is a brief worship center with prayers, songs and speeches before we hand out the clothes or whatever we bring.

Thini brought one of the orange boxes that were donated to the Manyano several months ago. They have basic home care items in them such as gloves, soap, Vaseline, bandages, notebook, pen, etc. that one might need to use when visiting a homestead, especially if the person is sick. Thini, the amazing, wonderful loving spirit that she is did her little dance while singing praises to the Lord as she brought the box over to the CCS (Christian Care Service) for that community.

After visiting the homestead the three of us stopped by to visit Nomile which of course we all enjoyed. Then I rushed home for a shower and then went up to Mbabane to Steve and Monica's house for thanksgiving dinner. They are long term missionaries from the US. It was a wonderful time in beautiful surroundings filled with beautiful Christian fellowship. I am very thankful for the opportunity God has given me to serve Him in Swaziland.

I think my Wi-Fi time is about up so I will continue with more updates when I arrive in Washington, DC. It will give me something to do in my 6 hour layover before I board a plane to Austin.

Today's Pics

2009-11-24T14:02:00.001-06:00

The following two pictures were taken from the inside of my car when we pulled up to Lomngeletjane. The kids just swarmed my car. I actually had to tell some of the kids to "hamba" (go) in an attempt to get them to back away just a bit from my car so I wouldn't drive over their toes! And then there were so many hands for me to touch as I said hello to each child. And of course there was the other Nothando. She always comes up and stands quietly by me with a big smile waiting for me to say "Hi Nothando" to her. She thinks it is so great that we have the same name. Oh to be loved and wanted. I am going to miss all these kids while I am in the States but I can't allow myself to think of that yet.

Nomile has hit her goal weight of 8.6 kg (almost 19 lbs)! Normally she would be released tomorrow, but we have to find a place for her to go. Please keep praying that they don't make her go back to her grandparent's house or surrounding area, and that the social worker can get her into ABC House in Bulembu.

Thoko gave me a pair of sandals to take to Nomile. They were a little big on her but she loved them. Most of the time she was trying to take them off and then put them back on again. She was making sounds even more today than yesterday. I swear she said "down" one time after I said it to her.

And Nomile is no longer afraid of the camera. When she saw the flash when I took the first picture she laughed out loud and then wanted to come closer while I did it again. She also liked looking at herself on the camera.

Oh, but she cried so when I put her back in her crib and said bye-bye. It breaks my mother's heart, just as it did every day when my kids were little and I would have to say good bye to them when I went off to work.

More on Nomile!

2009-11-23T10:35:00.000-06:00

What a day. I got a few things done this morning that I had planned, but not as much as I had hoped considering I only have a l little more than a week before I leave to come home. However, the big thing that happened today is that Thoko gave Nomile's grandfather transport money so he could come meet us at the hospital and talk to Nomile's social worker. She thought he would probably feel more free to tell the real story if the grandmother wasn't around. (Thoko is sure that his wife, Nomile's grandmother abuses him as well.) We were supposed to meet him at the hospital at noon, but Thoko was in a meeting that went longer than she thought it would. So by the time Thoko and I went to the hospital it was close to 2:00. We didn't see him outside where she had told him to meet her so we went to see Nomile. We walked in the door and the grandfather was sitting on a chair. Nomile was sitting in her crib. My heart stopped. I really didn't want the grandfather to see Nomile, especially without Thoko and I because I was worried how Nomile would react or what was going through her little mind. Nomile was not her normal self. I've noticed that when there is more than one person giving her attention, she doesn't seem to be able to handle it. She just kind of withdraws into her original behavior. I've also noticed if something is uncomfortable, such as when she wets her nappie, that she briefly withdraws. I wasn't surprised to find her unresponsive again.

To my surprise, she did hold her hands out to me and let me hold her and rock her. She leaned her head against my lips, the signal for more kisses. She gave a couple of small smiles, but not even close to what I saw yesterday. Thoko said the grandfather could not believe she was the same child. Thoko took him to speak with the social worker and I stayed with Nomile. (Aw, too bad...NOT!) Nomile and I had such fun. She is now saying "bababa" and I said "mamamama" to her and she repeated me. She was reaching out for me to play with her even more than yesterday. All of the nurses and workers that came into the room said they couldn't believe what a different child she is. I stood her on the floor today. She had a ball exploring, playing with the balloon, a telephone rattle I bought her last week and a toy truck. But what she really liked was trying to sneak by me while I tried to tickle her tummy. She also liked walking into the main ward. The first time she did it she waved bye-bye to me! I would run after her, throwing her into the air and blowing on her tummy and she would just squeal. It was such a joy. Thoko and the Grandfather were with the social worker for about two hours.

When Thoko came back, she told me that the grandfather told the social worker everything. The story is unbelievable. The grandfather was actually praying that the grandmother would kill the child so that she would be out of her pain and misery. I can understand his desperation, but a grandparent praying that prayer is beyond my comprehension. He told the social worker about the shack she had to sleep in alone whether it was cold, hot or raining. He told her he thought she would die by the end of the day the morning he had another child carry her to Thoko's house. He told the social worker that the child couldn't come home and couldn't even go home with someone in the area because his wife would make life miserable for Nomile and whoever took her in. Thoko talked to her about the ABC House at Bulembu and the social worker said they could probably make that happen but that they wouldn't be able to put her up for adoption. I assume the main reason is because there is not documented proof that the father and mother of the child are alive or dead. Thoko told the social worker that we didn't care about that, but that she and I wanted the child to be in a place where we knew she would be loved and cared for. She also told her that I would really like to know the child will be safe before I leave for home. The social worker said the grandfather would have to sign an affidavit and he said he would sign it. He does not want her to come home. I had chills as Thoko was telling me about the visit. On one hand the behavior of the grandparents is unfathomable to me; on the other hand I am thanking God for wrapping his arms around this child and saving her. I want to cry and shout for joy at the same time. Nothing is a done deal yet, so we have to be cautious and diligent to make this happen, but I know in my heart that the Lord is answering all of our prayers. And the grandfather is now saying a prayer of thanks and praying that the child gets moved to ABC House or someplace that will love and care for Nomile.

The social worker that is in charge of Nomile's case is on holiday this week, so we will have to follow up with her next Monday, but Thoko said both social workers had been to visit Nomile and said that it was so clearly evident that the child had been abused. I think just about everyone knows Nomile's story. I was actually almost as afraid for the grandfather when he entered the malnutrition unit as I was for Nomile's reaction. Lucky for him, all of the mothers and babies who were there when she was admitted have now gone.

By the way, the grandfather and Nomile look a lot a like. You can certainly tell they are related. And in case you haven't gathered, Nomile has discovered the camera isn't a bad thing! This last picture is her making her great little motor boat sound.

Rain, rain went away so I could go out and play (with Nomile)

2009-11-22T11:36:00.004-06:00

Thursday Thoko and I went to measure some of the Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu kids at Lutfotja for uniforms, shoes, etc. and to see how they are doing. It was another cold, rainy day. The roads were really bad. We went to the High School to ask when school reports were coming out and I just slipped and slid down the road. When we got back to Manzini Thoko and I stopped in to see Nomile. Nomile was in a bad mood. I think she wasn't feeling well. We couldn't get a smile out of her no matter how hard we tried and she didn't want to be held or touched. We stayed for a little while and then left. It was still raining. It rained all night long and all day Friday and Friday night without letting up. By Friday, I was so tired of looking at the torrent of water and the mud and being cold that I stayed home all day with a blanket wrapped around me. I didn't even go visit Nomile, which I did feel bad about.

Saturday morning the rain stopped. Briefly. I did some things on the computer and then decided I better eat some breakfast. Breakfast didn't go in my stomach well but I kept going. I went to visit one of the members of St. Paul's that had some clothes to give Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu. We visited for a couple of hours and by then it had stopped raining for good. My plan was to go from her house to the hospital. By the time I left her house I was achy, really sick to my stomach and my head hurt so i went home. Tylenol helped. This morning I awoke to the sun shining, birds singing and the sounds of soccer players glad to be playing after so many days of rain. I was feeling better, but still not great. So I took more Tylenol and took a nap instead of going to church. By afternoon I was feeling a bit better and went to see Nomile. I was feeling real bad that no one had gone to see her since Thursday and that was not a good visit.

I walked into the Malnutrition Unit and she was lying in her bed, but she smiled as soon as she saw me. I laid my head down on the bed with her and talked to her and then started tickling her. I just love that sweet girl's laugh. It is so precious. I spent about three hours playing with her, giving her the special milk to drink a couple of times, rocking and singing to her. I brought some bubbles but she didn't really know what to think about them. The greatest thing is that she is now making some noise and she initiated touching me (hitting my hand and patting me as I rocked her). She is the best little motor boat there is and she was making all the little sounds I've been making to her. Once she even said "ba" when I blew the bubbles. I held her for a long time singing "Jesus Loves You" to her and she was humming with me. (I have this thing that I always change the words to Jesus Love You when I'm singing to a baby or little one. I know He loves me, I want them to know He loves them.) The ladies and nurse's aide kept laughing at how happy she was. I understood as a new mom said to one of the moms that has been there for awhile that I loved Nomile. Towards the end while I was rocking her she cuddled her head up next to my neck and fell asleep. I tried to put her in her crib so I could leave, but of course she woke up and cried. I held my hands out and she got up and came to me. I could tell the mothers thought I was spoiling her. But as I rocked her, I whispered in her ear that Grandma Shirley (my mom) would say I'm not spoiling her. She would say Nomile just needs to be held and rocked a little more. Soon it was time for her to have another drink of her milk, and after that I kissed her goodbye and left. She didn't cry, but those big sad eyes of hers make me feel so bad when I leave her.

it is amazing what a couple of hours holding a precious little one, singing and laughing will do for a person's emotional, physical and spiritual health. By the way, she weighs 8.1 kg.

Most of the kids that were in the malnutrition unit have been released. Only three other kids that have been there for a while still remain and one of them is an orphaned child born to parents from Mozambique. They don't know what they are going to do with her, so in the meantime they keep her in the malnutrition unit where she receives a bit more care and it's not as noisy as it is on the regular ward. They've moved Nomile into the crib next to hers. Most people play and talk to both children as they walk by. There was a new small child. I don't know the child's age and the mother must not speak English. The child is quite a bit taller than Nomile. But the child was either seizing most of the time I was there, or has very, very severe cerebral palsy. My guess is she was having slight seizures and has severe cerebral palsy. That was real sad to see. I know there isn't going to be much that can be done for the child. The mother was taking such care in feeding it spoonfuls of milk; wiping the child's mouth after every spoonful. The child reminded me of a few of the kids I worked with at the State home in Southern Indiana. I can't believe the pain and hardship the mothers and the children who are handicapped endure in this country. I am even more amazed that so many handicapped children and adults are alive because not that long ago they would have been killed. I know that many of these children are alive because their mothers or gogos refused to follow cultural tradition and kept them alive many times risking abuse to themselves and certainly not receiving any help to care for the child. That is true love.

Thoko and Samkelisiwe, Samkelisiwe was so sick when we first met her in August of 2008. Doesn't she have a beautiful smile?

The Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu kids from Lutfotja. Our little family has grown. We are now seeing that 14 children get to the clinic to get their monthly ARVs and medical care for other illnesses as needed. We have about 6 or 7 families that we help in other ways as appropriate.

What a GREAT Day!

2009-11-18T12:46:00.000-06:00

Today was a great day in spite of the fact that once again today I didn't have enough water to do anything. But I decided I wasn't going to let that get to me. I keep a couple of 5 litre bottles of water in my house for days when I don't have water. So I heated some up on the stove so I could take a makeshift shower and wash my breakfast dishes. Then I was off to the paint store to buy more paint for the teacher's house. I took it up to Lomngeletjane and then headed to Cashbuild in Matsapha to buy more cement (Yes, AGAIN. I swear I don't know where it all goes.) I also got bricks for the stove I am having built this weekend for Lomngeletjane. The guy, who always takes my order, asked me how much he charges me for transport. We discuss this every time I come. I told him that he had been charging me 150 rand the last couple of trips, but I would really like it if he would charge me 75 rand. And he said why? And as always I said because I am buying the materials for the church to build a school and I’ve spent a fortune at this store over the last two years. He shook his head as normal, but when I got in the car I saw that today he gave me the transport for 75 rand! By the grace of God I managed to get all of this done and get to Bible Study just a few minutes late. Amazing.

After Bible study I went back to Matsapha to pick up the steel frames for the stove. It took me about 45 minutes of driving up and down just about every street in Matsapha until I finally found the place. I called the place I was trying to find 3 times for directions. I kept asking for a street name and the woman would say "Precious, you will never find us if I give you the name of the street." Granted half the time the street signs aren't pointing in the correct direction, but they do help this American figure out if I am at least in the ball park. I finally found it and actually felt like I had conquered one more thing in Swaziland. I should have been writing down all these little successes over the last 2+ years. Two years ago I would have been close to tears. Today I just kept going on street after street going partly on instinct knowing that eventually I would find the place.

After getting the frames I drove back up to Lomngeletjane to drop them off. Then I went to St. Paul's to see if the groundskeeper could wash my car since I wouldn't be going up to Lomngeletjane again until Friday. I started a pot of chicken soup (yes, I pretty much live on this stuff) and then went to the hospital to see Nomile.

When I approached the door and looked in the window, she saw me and gave me the cutest, greatest smile I think I've ever seen. My new routine seems to be picking her up, hugging and kissing her and then changing her nappie (diaper). She knows that I am changing her, and not laying her down to leave. Then we play. She is starting to make some sounds - pre-babbling. She loves it when I tickle her and get her toes. Then after a while all of a sudden she stopped laughing and playing. I wondered if she was tired so I started rocking her and singing Jesus Loves Me to her. She kind of hummed along with me. After a bit, when I could tell she was close to falling asleep I laid her in her bed and covered her up. She let me cover her and kiss her and didn't cry this time. The nurse had asked me to stop by her office when I left, so I did. She said the Dr. had ordered an ointment for her and the hospital didn't have it. The Dr. had told them to tell me so I could buy it from a chemist in town. They also thanked me profusely and shared how excited they are that Nomile is doing so well. I thanked them for all that they are doing for her.

As I was walking to my car, I couldn't help but think how God has changed my path. In 2006 I had a vision of returning to Africa to rock babies. Over 4 years later, it has finally happened. I feel like this is why I was called here: to rock this one child. It is a feeling I can't explain. But as I walk through the hospital and clinic, so many people from the Doctors to the security guards smile and say hello. I was thinking back to when I would walk through the hospital where my mom and sometimes my dad was and how that became almost like a second home and realized it was the same feeling as I now have walking through this hospital/clinic.

Yes, today was a very good day. I thank the Lord for making it so great.

You know you are a Methodist Volunteer in Mission when....

2009-11-16T14:05:00.001-06:00

When you aren't afraid to drive up, up, up the very squishy, muddy road in the rain to Lomngeletjane to deliver the paint for the teacher's house so it can hopefully be finished before you come home. John and the head teacher couldn't believe I actually made it up there. (You'd think they would have figured out by now I don't give up easily!)

The sign of a working volunteer in mission in Swaziland:

Or when you walk into a hospital and then a circuit stewards meeting with a skirt very muddy from walking in the rain, mud and just getting in and out of the muddy car - and you don't feel the slightest bit embarrassed.

Or when you almost cry when you see the smile of a small child as you walk into her room in the hospital.

Or when you change her poopy diaper with all of the Swazi mothers gathered around you talking and giggling amongst themselves. Thank God I still remembered how to change a diaper!

Or when you play tickle monster to the sweet little girl that didn't move or utter a sound less than a week ago and she laughs out loud and you hug and kiss her. (Once again the Swazi mothers keep talking and staring at you.)

And most definitely when you can't give enough praises to God for answering your prayers to heal this innocent child. Nomile now weighs 7.45 kg. Her goal weight is 8.6 kg. I can no longer feel every bony bump in her spine. She kept openly looking at me with the sweetest smile and just a hint of a dimple.

She is camera shy, but I managed to get a couple of pictures of her drinking her formula. When she finished I put her down and motioned for her to take her cup to the kitchen so the nurse's aid could wash it. The nurse's aid was so thrilled.

And then I had to leave. She cried when I put her back in her crib and it broke my heart but I know the other mothers and the nurse's aid will look after her and she will settle down.

A busy, productive Friday

2009-11-13T23:51:00.002-06:00

Friday was a very hot, busy day. I didn’t get everything done I had hoped to, but a lot was accomplished.

First the good news: Lomngeletjane is coming along. The plumber ran into an issue of mounting the geyser (hot water heater) but between he and John they think they worked out what needed to be done. Of course it meant another trip to the hardware store to buy more items. John has the Septic tank finished and the French drain is almost finished. He has started patching the plaster in spots where the plumber had to knock some out or the small spots that he missed when he did the plastering.

The greatest news was that some of the parents, mainly mothers and gogos, where there to put up the fencing the government gave them for a school garden. They gave Lomngeletjane enough for a garden 70m by 100m. John decided to use the existing perimeter fence on two sides and then use the new fence for the other two sides, Thus allowing the fencing to go far enough to surround not only the school garden, but the orchard they are planting. I am very excited and encouraged by John’s thinking and that so many people came out to help put up the fence.

The bad news is that sometime last week during a power outage due to one of the many storms we have been having, someone stole the electrical wires from the pole to the church and ripped out the wire that goes into the meter box. The church/school has to replace the wires to the meter box and then the electric company will come out and replace the main electrical wires that were stolen. I just can’t believe that mentality, but it happens all the time. The thugs take it to recycling places and sell it for the copper. I told John he needs to tell the police that they need to go hang out at the recycling places and arrest everyone that doesn’t have some sort of a license to have this stuff. The lack of electricity means we can’t pump water which means we can’t test the plumbing and it is harder to get water to mix the cement, though this part is doable.

I ended my day by going by the hospital to visit with Nomile. Thini was walking in directly ahead of her. Nomile cried at Thini at first, but when I came closer she put her arms out for me to hold her. Of course after a while she started kind of grunting/whining, so Thini took her and she settle in just fine. Then she started it again so I I took her back and she actually fell asleep while I was rocking her. I kept rocking her for a while, but then decided we should leave so I could get home before dark. Of course she woke up crying when we put her in bed. One of the nurses came in while we were there and wondered who Thini was. She thought she was the gogo. (If I was the gogo I wouldn’t be brave enough to show my face around that place.) I explained who she was. She explained to the nurse that was with her that I am the baby’s mother who brought her in. The nurse told me that she cries whenever I leave. I’m not sure if she was trying to tell me not to leave, to stop coming or just making a statement. At any rate, I won’t stop coming, I can’t stay there and really don’t want to sleep on the floor knowing there are huge cockroaches and probably mice running around. So, hopefully Nomile will at least learn that I will be back..at least until Dec 3^rd when I leave to go to the States.

Nomile, day two

2009-11-11T14:08:00.000-06:00

I went to the hospital a little after 5:00 PM to see Nomile. Unfortunately my day was full and I couldn't get there before then. As I was walking into the hospital two of the mom's of other children on the malnutrition unit stopped me and told me that Nomile was doing good. When I got to the ward, she was laying in bed with the teddy bear I bought her on her chest. One of her hands was on it, but she wasn't holding it. I picked her up and gave her a hug. She didn't respond, but she didn't pull away either. Then a few minutes later the nurses' aide came in to give her the special formula to drink. I sat her back on her bed. The aide tried to give it to her but she turned away. I waited a minute or two and then picked her up and sat in a chair. The aide saw that she came to me and gave me the cup. I held it up to Nomile and she drank it right down. She even helped hold the cup!

I held her for about 2 hours. She never made a sound and she would sneak peaks at people or me but wouldn't look directly at us. For the most part, she stayed in what ever position I put her in. I rocked her and hummed or sang softly to her, talked to her. Sometimes I would be talking to a couple of other babies in cribs next to her but I kept holding her and rubbing her bony little back. A few times she relaxed into my chest or leaned her head over to rest on me. I'm taking that as a sign that she felt safe. I could just feel her soaking up my being. It was like we were one, even though she wasn't holding on to me.

The moms of the babies all talk and interact with the different babies in the room. If one is crying and the mom is gone, the others try to help out. I could tell that they were laughing and talking about me, but of course I don't understand enough SiSwati to understand. Finally a mom asked me if I spoke SiSwati and I said no. They were surprised. Pretty soon the two moms that speak some English started asking me questions like where I live where I am from, if I have a husband, if I have kids, etc. When they found out I am from the US, then the questions changed to things such as will you take me to America; will you get me a job?; etc." They seemed surprised that I was making faces and baby sounds to a couple of the little ones so one finally asked me if I like kids. I told them yes and that seemed to amaze them for some reason.

About 7:00 the aide came in again and handed me another cup of formula. Nomile drank it right down. I praised God and Nomile. Then I sat her in her bed, put the teddy bear back in her arms, pulled up the side of the crib, said bye-bye and left. She didn't react or make a sound. She will one day. I just know she will.

Meet another precious child

2009-11-10T13:19:00.001-06:00

Meet Nomile (no-meal lee). She is probably 2+ years old. No one really knows because she was abandoned by her mother and her father. Her mother dumped her at the father's parents homestead when the child was about a year old which was around a year or so ago. The father's mother (Nomile's grandmother) has 12 children. Yes, twelve. Both the grandmother and grandfather are living. Six of the children live at home, with the youngest being about Nomile's age. Nomile was basically abused and neglected by the grandmother and the grandfather did very little to nothing to protect or care for the child or to stop the grandmother from abusing this child. This child's grandparents live on a homestead across the river from Thoko's house. A couple of weeks ago Thoko asked me what she should do about this child and I suggested we bring the child to the hospital clinic to have a Doctor look at her and decide where we go from there. Thoko finally decided she would bring the child to the hospital clinic today. Matter-of-fact, yesterday evening I actually bought 2 nappies (diapers) for the child to wear when she came to the Doctor. As it turned out, one of the baby's aunts brought Nomile to Thoko's house at 6:00 am and said the grandmother said she was giving the child to Thoko. She didn't want to deal with her anymore. Thoko cleaned up the child and found some clothes to put on her so she could bring her to the Doctor today.

I met them at the hospital clinic around 10:00 this morning. I had planned on running a few errands (delivering formula to Tiphelele and Nonjabulo) and then meeting them at the clinic. However, I was still exhausted from yesterday's events and so I was moving very slow this morning. Thoko and the Rural Health Motivator in her community said that as soon as the intake nurse looked at the child and started taking her vital statistics she said she would be admitted for severe malnutrition. I arrived as they were waiting to see the Doctor.

The Doctor is the same one that looked at two boys we brought in last week. We walked into the examining room and he is sitting at a table reading the newspaper. He acted bored and like we were disturbing him. I immediately had to take a real deep breath to keep my feelings towards the Doctor in check. Thoko is very subservient to a person, especially a male of any authority, so it was hard for her to really open up to the Doctor and tell him about the child. I filled in some of the blanks answering in more detail. He asked what we were prepared to do for the child. We didn't know what he was asking. I asked if he was talking about financial responsibility, because I would take care of what ever it cost to treat the child. He said no, he was talking about what we would do if he hospitalized her because that is what needed to happen. They expect a family member to accompany a child of her age in the hospital. I told the Doctor we would make a plan to do what needed to be done. I guess he finally realized we were sincere because he called a social worker. We went to her office and the bottom line is the child was admitted as a child without relatives. Nomile will be fed, cleaned and changed by nursing aides and the social worker will go investigate the homestead to see if Nomile will be able to return there when she is able to leave the hospital.

Malnutrition is what I will call a silent, deceiving illness or state of health. To look at this child, she appears to be healthy - her cheeks and tummy are fat. But when they took her clothes off, you could see that her arms, legs, rib cage, shoulders and the shoulder blade area were nothing but bones with a little skin stretched on them. She weighed 6.5 kgs which is about 14 pounds. The hardest thing to see in this child is that just by looking at her you can tell she has been neglected and abused. She is afraid to move and afraid to look at anyone. Thoko told me the child was put in a hut by herself to sleep. This child doesn't make a sound. You can tell that she is just trying to be invisible. When you hold her, it's like holding a straight board. She doesn't move. I held her and rocked her for a long time. She finally closed her eyes and was trying to sleep as I rocked her. Thoko touched her and she flinched back away from her.

It was very interesting to see the reaction on the malnutrition unit. The unit was full. It had 9 or 10 babies in it. One baby was just 6 weeks old and weighed only 2 kgs - about 4 1/2 pounds. There was barely room to stand in the room. But all of the mothers and the staff gathered around Nomile's crib asking questions. Then there was a very loud, heated, emotional discussion. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but I could tell they were outraged by the state of this child, especially the very obvious abuse and neglect this child had gone through at the hands of her grandmother. One of the mothers went to a corner in the room and cried. I knew how she felt because I kept fighting back the tears myself.

After Nomile was settled, Thoko and I took care of some other business and then went to buy a few things for Nomile. I also bought her a teddy bear. We took the things back to the hospital for her. While there the nurse's aide came in and gave her the specially fortified formula to drink. She will be fed every 3 hours. They told us she will initially loose weight, because some of the weight she currently has is fluid built up in her body. Once her system starts working again she will loose some of that fluid and then start gaining weight. Her target weight for release from the hospital is 8 kgs. Thoko, the Rural Health Motivator and I will make a plan to rotate when we visit the child. We're going to call Thini in as well. Our plan is to wrap this child in love because we know that her spirit needs to be nourished as much if not more than her body needs the nourishment.

As I was holding her I thought of how sure I was that Scott was going to be a girl. We wanted a girl and because my pregnancy was so different I just knew he was a girl. Christopher wanted a baby sister, but God's plan was for me to have two boys which as always I later realized was the best thing. But as I held Nomile today I also realized that this is the third very sick baby girl that God has put in my path. I also thought of the other children, mainly girls who have become so much a part of my life and I realized that God blessed me with boys as my biological children because he knew I would have many daughters here in Swaziland.

Please add this sweet baby girl to your prayers.

Tire prints in the sand

2009-11-10T02:31:00.006-06:00

Yesterday as I read my morning devotional, the target verse that stuck in my mind was Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone." The song “You can tell we are Christians by our (talk, walk, smile, prayer, etc.)" came into my heart and head. I prayed others would know I am a Christian by my actions and not (unkind) words. I thought this really applied to Christians at large, and especially those presently involved in conflicting views about some things pertaining to this circuit.

God’s sense of humour is not funny sometimes.

Yesterday was one of the most frustrating, irritating days I have had since being in Swaziland. Thoko and went to try and get some information from the Social Welfare Dept about a child who may be being abused or at the least probably has some emotional issues because of past abuse or possible inherited mental illness. That was an exercise in futility.

Then we went up to Lomngeletjane to talk to the head teacher about the situation with a couple of kids and then take 6 or 8 kids home after school so we could see just how far away their homestead is from school. First thing at Lomngeletjane I see the plumber has not been back to finish his work. He was supposed to be finished by Monday. He is holding up the finishing of the house. Grrr   Then our talk about the child we are trying to find services for seemed to go now where. It seemed like every time we were on a path to a conscientious, the path made a u-turn. Finally it was time for school to end. So we gathered up the kids, and put them in the back of my Honda CRV to drive them to their homesteads. (Yes, I had 6 or 8 kids sitting on top of each other in the far back of my car.)

The story we had was that these kids walk two hours one way to get to school each day. Most are in grade 1. From what people have said (without ever seeing their homesteads) we thought they lived in an area where I knew there was a primary school and a Children’s Cup care point. In my mind we were going to the homesteads to convince the guardians to send the kids to that school instead of Lomngeletjane. The children didn’t live where I thought they lived and though there is a school which is a bit closer, the children would have to cross a river that floods when there is rain. I realized I was just frustrated, emotionally and physically tired, and angry at “parents” who drop their kids off at their parent’s house and then never help take of them even financially. In reality, I was just plain cranky. I sat in my car as Thoko went to visit all of the homesteads. I used the security of my car as my excuse, but in reality, I was just nursing my ugly feelings. I knew I wasn’t the face of Christ. I kept praying for Him to give me patience and change my attitude and thinking. But I kept sitting there tired, cranky and hungry.

About 4:30 when Thoko was finally finished visiting all of the homesteads we headed back to St. Paul’s for our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu meeting that should have started at 5:00. It also started raining about that time. I stopped by a local store so Thoko could get something to eat and drink. About 3:00 I ate a Cliff bar hoping it would make me feel better. It didn’t. But Thoko hadn’t had anything all day. We went to our meeting, and dumped everything on the two board members, which I must confess, helped me feel a bit better. Our meeting ended about 8:00. I always take Thoko home after evening meetings because she lives out in the rural area and has no way to get home after the last bus leaves to her area around 5:00. I really didn’t want to drive her home because it was lightening, I was hungry, dog tired and hadn’t had a chance to go to the bathroom since about 10:00 in the morning. But I really didn’t mind. As always it was good for us to just talk about some things on the way to her house. Because of the rain, we couldn’t cross the river where we usually do, but had to go up river about 1 km to cross it. Even there the river was a bit higher than I like it to be, especially in the black darkness of night in the rural area without even light from the stars or the moon because of the clouds. The worst part for me about crossing here is that I’m not real familiar with the road from the river to Thoko’s house. I’ve only used this crossing 2 or 3 times and that was over a year ago. There are very few homesteads along the way.

I dropped Thoko off and then started back, praying that the Lord would not allow me to get lost at night in the middle of the rural area. I just kept asking him over and over to guide me and not let me get lost and not let me stall in the river. All of a sudden on the dirt-sandy road/path I saw a single set of tire tracks on the dirt road/path. I realized it was my tracks! I followed those tracks back to the river. Just before I got to where I knew I was by the river I started seeing several tracks on the road. I crossed the river with my stomach in my throat but with the confidence that the Lord was going to bring me through it. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to me.   The tire tracks in the sand made me think of the story and pictures of the footsteps in the sand: when there was one, it was because Jesus was carrying me. When there were many, He was by my side.

I am praising Him once again for not leaving me when I needed Him the most. And I’ve already asked forgiveness many times for not being open to His presence earlier in the day when I was so cranky, irritable and quiet. I am so humbled for thinking that the verse he put in my heart in the morning was more applicable to others than it was to me.   I can’t solve the problems in Swaziland or even do much to improve the lives or conditions of many of the children that are put before me. But I can, with His help do what I can kancane, kancane….bit by bit. And I can strive to have an attitude and voice such that others will know I’m a Christian by my actions and my gentleness.

Two frustrating days at RFM

2009-11-04T12:28:00.002-06:00

As stated in my last post, we took the two boys and their gogos from Lomngeletjane to the hospital/clinic in Manzini (RFM). As predicted, the pediatrician did nothing and was absolutely no help. I think I knew more than he did. It was so frustrating. But, I was trying to keep positive. The first boy lives with his gogo in Lomngeletjane but his father is alive and lives about 6 or 7 km away. He seems to have a small welding business. The boy's mother passed away a few years ago probably from complications of AIDS. He went to an English medium pre-school and was in grade 2 when he got meningitis. He survived which is very rare in Swaziland, however, he is now deaf. It is amazing because even though he seems to not hear anything, his SiSwati and English are very good. You can tell he is smart and he's very inquisitive. However, his behavior is totally out of control and no one does anything to try and discipline him. His behavior reminds me of Helen Keller. He is now in grade 1 and is totally disruptive it. He has also started running away to his father's place whenever someone is not with him.

The second boy is a little more complex. He has a rather mild form of cerebral palsy since birth. He has some level of mental retardation, but it is really hard to tell how much of it is because of his slight CP and the lack of therapy or individual attention. I think he might be brighter than he looks and than people think. The Doctor was even less helpful with this child than he was for the first child. This boy lives with his mother and gogo. The father is either deceased or has deserted them. The mother is "sick" so the gogo really cares for him.

The Doctor said he wanted to talk to parents of each child. So, this morning I drove up to Lomngeletjane very early to pick up the children and their parents. I had to go pick them up because the second boy's gogo said the mother wasn't well enough to walk to the bus stop and take public transport. She wasn't kidding. I have no idea what is wrong with the mother. My guess is she is HIV+ and probably not on medication or has an opportunistic illness. We got to the RFM about 8:00 this morning. We were the first two patients slated to see the Doctor. The Doctor didn't finish with his rounds in the hospital until 11:30. He took about 5 minutes with each family and basically said the same thing he said yesterday: "They need to be in a home/school for children with disabilities."

There aren't a lot of options here. But Thoko and I are going to start investigating to see what is available for each child. I found out today that the mother of the second child has an appointment at the Catholic school for handicapped children on Dec. 1st. I also found the phone number for the Swaziland School for the Deaf. Both of these options will probably involve removing the child from their family. In addition, I'm guessing there will be room, board and tuition costs that the children's families will not be able to pay.

It has been a very frustrating couple of days. I woke up this morning with a sore throat and had to sit outside in the cold, damp, drizzly weather for 3 1/2 hours waiting for these kids to see the Doctor which ended up to be a huge waste of time. He was no help and the options are not good. I have a real problem taking these kids away from their families; however, these kids have no future if they stay in their families. (Not that their future will be much better even if they go to the schools for the handicapped.) I'm holding onto Matthew 6:34: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I came home and made a big pot of chicken vegetable soup. I think I'll have a bowl and then go to bed early to ward off this cold/sore throat.

A busy Monday

2009-11-03T00:02:00.002-06:00

Yesterday didn't start out so well. I didn't get enough sleep the night before so I got a little later start than I had planned. So I must admit, I was a bit cranky. Every where I went - to the post office, to the hardware store, to the bank, it seemed like I was faced with the difficulties that come with doing business in Swaziland. This included being almost run off the road a few times by kombies (vans used as mini-buses/taxi's). I had to pray often to ask the Lord to remind me that my behavior is all that I can control and that I need to react as a Christian not a frustrated American. I thank God that he never lets me down.

The day also ended up being a day of driving. First I drove to downtown Manzini to get 5 bags of cement to take up to Lomngeletjane. But when I got to the hardware store I realized I didn't have enough cash and the charge for the debit card for just a few items is more than if I withdrew the cash from the bank. So I left the hardware store and went to the bank. I thought I was so organized and had tallied up what it would cost to finish the teacher's house. Yes, I said "FINISH the house!" Our goal is to have it finished by Nov. 13th. After waiting in a fairly long line to get up to the teller, she told me I couldn't cash a check for the amount I wanted to without going to my home branch which is in Matsapha. I didn't respond as Jesus would have. So it was time to take a deep breath, say a prayer and go to plan B: withdraw some cash from the ATM. But guess what? The ATM machine must have been running low on cash because it wouldn't let me withdraw the amount I usually do. This is Swaziland. Bank ATMs run out of cash, hospitals run out of oxygen. Oh well. (Chris, get over it.) I finally got the cement and headed up to Lomngeletjane. John and a couple of his guys unload it and then I picked up the kitchen sink and geyser (hot water heater) that I bought last week and headed to the hardware store in Matsapha to exchange them for the correct ones. (The hardware store had given us a 100L geyser instead of the 150L geyser, which was on special for the same price and the sink was made to be mounted a different way than we had planned to do.) So down the hill to Matsapha I go. I was driving right past my bank so I cashed the check and then headed to the hardware store. It took awhile but I got everything exchanged without a hassle, bought a few more bags of cement and headed back up to Lomngeletjane. (I'm beginning to think that John eats cement for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it goes so fast!)

The head teacher and I had a good talk about a couple of kids we are taking to get medical care as part of our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu project and talked about my plans in the last few remaining weeks before I leave for the holidays. I drove her down the hill to the point she would have changed kombies on her way home. From there I had to drive out to Luve to the High School where Mthokozisi attends. I drove out there on Sunday to deliver some food to them and Mthokozisi asked me about hiring a tractor to plow the field so they could plant maize. I wanted to talk to Thoko first, we agreed on a plan, but I needed to get the money back to him and I wouldn't have time the rest of the week so I made another trip out there. It takes about 30 to drive there one way. By the time I got back to St. Paul's, I was tired.

In case you haven't figured it out, banking is extremely difficult and expensive in Swaziland. I do most of my dealings in cash because it is so expensive to use checks. In addition, you can't just go into a store and write a check. Most places won't accept them unless you have done a lot of business with them and they know you. I give Bethuel checks to use when he purchases materials because he has done so much business with various places that they usually accept a check from him. You have no idea how lucky we are to have the banking system that we have in the US. It may have problems, but nothing like here. And there aren't banks in the rural areas. It would be so handy if I could just put some money in an account for Mthokozisi in Luve so he could pull it out as needed for transport or food. But there are not banks in Luve so that isn't an option.

Today I am headed back to the hardware store to buy more cement for John and a couple of small items and then head to the RFM (hospital/clinic) to sit with a couple of kids from Lomngeletjane so I can talk to the Doctor about them. Both the the kids have a handicap. I don't think there is anything we are going to be able to do for them, but the place to start is with the pediatrician to see if there is anything medical that can be done or where he suggests we take the kids. One child has a severe hearing problem and the other appears to have cerebral palsy. If he was in the states, he would receive some speech therapy and some physical therapy and would probably be able to attend regular classes in school. Those services aren't available here. I am looking for a course of action to help these kids.

The pictures below are of John finishing the floor in the living room of the teacher's house, and then a picture of a finished floor in one of the bedrooms. The last picture is of Mthokozisi and his sisters carrying the food I gave them on Sunday to their house. Just the thought of carrying one of those sacks of maize on my head makes my head, neck and back hurt!

Praises and another prayer request

2009-11-02T00:51:00.000-06:00

Saturday was a beautiful spring day - sunny, a blue sky with white billowing clouds and not too hot or cold. It was a perfect day in God's creation. I spent the day at a thanksgiving service for a wonderful pastor that is leaving the circuit. It was good to spend the day with friends and people I have come to consider family.

That evening Thini and I went by the hospital to visit Nonjabulo. I was very curious to see how she would be doing because on Friday afternoon they ran out of oxygen. That is the second time I know that has happened. I don't understand how a hospital can run out of such a basic, life sustaining item. I noticed there was a little one across the hall that was much sicker than the Nonjabulo and the little boy in her room and she had oxygen so I don't really know if they gave her Nonjabulo's' oxygen or if Nonjabulo's tank had run out and they didn't have more to replace it with. I was so thankful this didn't happen the week before or Nonjabulo may not have made it. We were pleasantly surprised to see that Nonjabulo was doing much better!. She was smiling and when I held her up to "stand" on my lap she actually put a little weight on her feet! Her grip was much stronger and she was making little baby pre-talking noises. She was so happy to see her gogo. Thini had been sick for a few days last week and didn't go to see her. Thini has that loving gogo quality that I think would make anyone smile, let alone her granddaughter. We left so happy singing praises to God for Nonjabulo's improvement. Once again, I would have loved to take a picture of her smiling face, but I just couldn't bring my camera out and invade the other's privacy. Maybe one day I will.

My prayer request is for my car. I know that seems odd. But I'm beginning to wonder if it will last me another year, let alone any longer should I stay past next year. Without my car, there's little I can really do. I do a lot of driving on a lot of really rough roads. I think the suspension is shot. The knocking noise it makes as I go over the holes and rocks in the dirt roads sounds real bad and I have noticed it just doesn't have the power it used to. It's only 11 or 12 years old with 174,000 km's on it so I really don't know what the problem should be. (She says with sarcasm in her voice.) My prayer is that: 1) it doesn't die on me somewhere in the middle of nowhere or in a dangerous spot. 2) that no one gets hurt when my car decides to give out. 3) That God would guide me as to his will with this vehicle and His plans for me. Should I keep just having faith it isn't going to fall apart on me or should I look for a newer, more mechanically sound vehicle. Automobiles cost a lot more here in comparison to the US and that is money that could go a long way to projects or helping out kids. And finally 4) If God does want me to get a newer vehicle, he would guide me to that vehicle.

Thank you for all your prayers. Nonjabulo is just one more piece of evidence that prayers really do help!

Nonjabulo

2009-10-28T14:35:00.001-05:00

Zitsile (the church secretary and my "Swazi daughter") and I stopped by the hospital this evening to see how Nonjabulo is doing. I am so thankful to be able to report that Nonjabulo is doing better. On Tuesday they took her off the oxygen, her fever was gone and her mom reported that she was drinking and eating without crying at every bite. This afternoon, she had the oxygen back on and her chart said her afternoon temperature was 100, but her eyes were big and bright and she wasn't missing a thing that was going on in the room. She held my finger with a good grip and she "played" with the little toy that Deb bought her. Played is probably an exaggeration, but she did reach for the toy, hold it and try to put it in her mouth. So, overall, she is doing much better. Still no smiles and she doesn't have much strength, but I feel so encouraged that this will come.

Zitsile had never been to the children's ward at the hospital. She didn't like it. One reason is that hospitals bring back the memory of her sister's last days and watching the woman in the bed next to her sister die. She couldn't believe the conditions. She asked where the mothers sleep. I told her on the floor, under the crib. She was shocked. She talked to the mothers of the other children so I got the scoop on them. They all have TB. (I'm not sure Zitsile figured that one out.) One little one about 2 has a huge sore on his head where they normally put an IV on small children. The mother said the nurses did something wrong with the IV and caused the sore. A second little one also about 2 was dropped by a care giver when he was 4 months old. They did a brain scan soon after the fall and said there wasn't damage. However, he can't sit up. He has been in the hospital for a month and he has also been waiting for about that long to get a referral to the Mbabane government hospital to see why he cannot sit up. I'm guessing he has some brain damage because he is obviously developmentally delayed. The third child is a boy of 12 years old. He is extremely sick. I'm sure he is HIV+ in addition to having TB, but there is probably more going on. He is nothing more than a skeleton. Literally. Think of the most severe case of anorexia that you have ever seen and then take more weight off. I've had a hard time talking to him and looking at him, but I try to wave and talk to the kids equally, but down deep I know that I can't face the physical sign of his illness. I am so amazed that the child is alive, but he did seem to be a bit better today than he has been. He sat up for a while and ate a little.

I sat there and a part of me wished I could take pictures to show you, but the other part of me, the part that always wins out, just can't do that because I feel it would be too much of an invasion of their privacy. Maybe one day they'll develop a device that can print the pictures in one's mind.

Please continue to keep these children, and many more like them, in your prayers.

Update on Nonjabulo

2009-10-25T07:36:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, (Saturday) I took Thini, Thoko, Gladys and two other circuit stewards to visit Nonjabulo. When we arrived, There were several people in the room and a woman was holding Nonjabulo praying over her. Nonjabulo was completely still. My instant thought was that she had lost the battle. The woman was praying mostly in SiSwati. Her prayers reminded me of a typical TV Evangleist. After she prayed for Nonjabulo, she handed her back to her mom, and then started praying for the next child in the room. When she handed Nonjabulo back I could see that her eyes were open. She actually looked at me and at Thini and the best part was she lifted her little hand up towards Thini's face as Thini was leaning over her kissing her and talking to her. She was still very weak, but that was more than she has done since being admitted. We all prayed over her again, and then I left because the room is so small there really wasn't room for us.

After church this morning, I stopped by the hospital on my way home. Nonjabulo was sleeping peacefully. Her fever was gone. She did open her eyes and wake up for a little bit. She looked at me with her big bright eyes. Then she reached out for my hand and actually gripped my finger. Not real strong, but once again that was more than she has done since being admitted this time. Her mom fed her a little bit. She has some cereal thinned with formula and she gives a little bit to Nonjabulo whenever she can. After she ate I asked if I could hold her. I held her and rocked her for a few minutes and then gave her back to her mom. Her mom and I both agreed that a big "Praise God" was in order.

Her little mom must be so exhausted. But she is so dedicated and always sounds hopeful. I thought back to when my oldest son Christopher was about 2 1/2 and was hospitalized with meningitis for a few days. I remember how hard it was and we didn't have near the severe conditions that they have in this hospital. I had a comfortable chair that reclined, decent hospital food, air conditioning and heating and Doctors and nurses who actually kept me up to speed on what was going on. Nonhlanhlana has to sleep on the hard floor or sit in a hard chair with the back broken out of it. The nurses come in and don't say a word. I so admire the women in this country for all they endure.

Praise be to God for Nonjabulo's improvement. Please continue to pray because she has a long way to go to be considered even slightly healthy. Usually after about 3 months, the ARVs have done their work and the health of the person stabilizes. And it generally takes about 3 to 4 months of treatment for the TB to clear up. Unfortunately, because we are dealing with both scenarios at the same time, the body has to fight harder and it may take longer. We will continue to pray for the best.

Please pray for Nonjabulo

2009-10-24T02:19:00.001-05:00

I spent last evening at the hospital with Thini, Nonhlanhla and baby Nonjabulo. The Dr. put her on oxygen in the afternoon. I had stopped by her room, briefly around noon. She was sleeping, but very congested. The mom said she was doing "a little bit better." I wasn't sure I agreed with her but said nothing. Then around 3:00 I got a text message from Thini that they had put her on oxygen and she asked me to come. She is a very sick little girl. The oxygen is helping her breathe better, but her breathing is very shallow and quick. She doesn't like to be moved and periodically she either has coughing spells or she is trying to cry. I can't really tell which it is, but she sounds awful week. She does fight when they try to give her some hydration fluid by mouth or when they try to feed her. She won't nurse. She is a petty good fighter, but the fight wears her out and then she drops back into sleep for a while. She did open her eyes for about ten minutes and just looked at Thini and then me. Thini waved a little toy Deb bought her in front of her face and she would look at it but didn't attempt to try and touch it.

It appears as if her fever has come down although it felt like she might be getting a small one back in the evening. It is so frustrating not to be able to get any information from anyone. The nurses don't want to speak to anyone and visitors aren't allowed when the Dr. visits. The only way I could speak to the Dr. is IF I happened to in the room when he arrived, which is very unlikely. They lock the doors to the ward when it isn't visiting hours.

So I have to exercise extreme patience and faith. Please pray for little Nonjabulo to recover. Her body is so little to be having to fight so hard, but she is trying. And please pray for her mom, Nonhlanhla who is with her night and day, sitting on a hard chair without a back and sleeping on the floor under the crib. There are 4 patients in that room, and all the mothers have to sleep on the floor under the small crib because there is not room for them to sleep any other place. Please pray for them as well. And please pray for Thini. She is so worried and "just doesn't know what to do." I can't help her other than to pray because I don't know how to help Nonjabulo either.

Another new baby!

2009-10-22T13:50:00.005-05:00

Tuesday, while Thoko and I were driving to Lutfotja she told me that her oldest granddaughter, Zwakele who is 19 years old, was pregnant and due this month. She is not married and after telling her that she was pregnant, she kind of isolated herself from the family. Zwakele works in the restaurant of one of the bigger hotels in Swaziland. Thoko says she really likes it and had a dream of perhaps going into the catering business. Like any mom or grandmother she was disappointed because she had hoped that her granddaughter would be able to achieve that dream. She was also concerned because she was so young and didn't realize how hard and expensive it is to raise a baby.

This morning I sent her a text message to ask what the plans were for today. She called me and told me her day yesterday got all mixed up because they had rushed her granddaughter to the hospital and she delivered the baby. So Thoko is a great grandmother! Meet Sibonelo. He is less than 24-hours old in this picture. Hopefully before too long I'll be able to get a picture of him when he isn't crying! As my mom would say, at least we know he has a healthy set of lungs.

While at the hospital, I went to see how Nonjabulo is doing. Her mom was holding her and she was sleeping. You could tell she still didn't feel well because whenever her mom tried to move her she would cry. But as long as mom was holding her upright, she was able to sleep. Please continue to pray for this little one. She is a very sick baby and the survival rate of a baby that is HIV+ and has TB is not very good. But we have faith that with all of the prayers going up for this sweet baby girl and with all of the love around her, she will get better.

The Lord is my strength

2009-10-20T12:39:00.004-05:00

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful blue sky and sunshine. After several days of cloudy, wet weather, the morning seemed even more beautiful. The sun was warm, but the air still had a touch of coolness in it. The hills have suddenly turned green. They are the type of green that almost hurts your eyes because it is so rich. The leaves on the trees and plants by the side of the road were still green after having the layers and layers of red dust washed off them by the rain. Our plan of the day was for Thoko and I to go to Lutfotja to get information on all of the kids that are part of Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu and check on the Nhlengethwa kids. We thought it wouldn't take long.

While at Lutfotja we were given information on 10 additional children that are all "sick and taking the tablets" (HIV+ taking medication). Most of them were in grade 1. We also learned more about a child-headed household of 8 children. In reality, they are two families sharing the same homestead. The mothers of the children were sisters. The fathers of the children are "late" (deceased). Before the mothers death they told the children to stay together to help each other out. The oldest child is 16, and the next oldest is 15. Then the ages go down as follows: 13, 11, 10, two are 8, and 7. None of these children appear to have health issues but are very vulnerable meaning they have no means by which to feed or support themselves. My mind started going into "understanding mode." At one point I kept asking questions such as why this, why that, I don't understand, didn't you say blah, blah, blah. Then I reminded myself that I had to stop trying to figure it out, trust God and take things one step at a time. Today has it's own troubles. I stopped asking the questions.

On our way out of the head teacher's office we saw several of the kids that we support under Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu. I counted 6 girls that are in serious need of a new uniform. I didn't bother counting the boys or those that need new shoes. I said to Thoko that I don't know how we are going to do it, but I would like these children to get new uniforms as part of the Christmas parcels we will be giving each family just before Christmas. (Unfortunately, I won't be around for the delivering of the parcels because I will be in the States.)

From Lutfotja we went to check on one our of kids (Ncamiso) who was not at school. He is a double orphan and lives with his gogo and an older sister. He is HIV+ and on medication but he has been very sick for over six months. He was getting his monthly ART medication at one of the rural clinics. They gave him the wrong dose several months ago. Evidently they gave him adult medication because they were out of the children's strength. I don't really know if that is true or not, but that is the story we've heard several times. We've been trying to get him healthy again ever since that event. The gogo had gotten a message to Thoko that one of the new medications that had been given to him required that it be taken with milk. So I bought some powdered milk to take to him. I couldn't buy regular milk because they don't have electricity so there would be no way to keep the milk cold. The gogo told us the Dr's suspect that he has TB again.

From Ncamiso's house we went to the High School where Mthokozisi Nhlengethwa goes to school. We wanted to see if they gave a spot in the high school to his sister, Nozipho who will be entering form 1 (8th grade) at the start of the new school year in January. They had given her a spot. A fee of 20 rand had to be paid by the end of November to hold her spot. The vice principal who is in charge of admissions, is a very caring woman. She went to check with the principal to see if I could pay the fee early. (They didn't have the formal receipts ready yet.) She came and said that since it was me, they would accept my payment early.
Thoko and I were so happy, but we also felt honored that the principal and vice principal are so willing to partner with us to take care of these children. (Thank you, Lord.)

From the High School we took the two youngest Nhlengethwa girls home because I had some groceries for them. Our local CCS person told me on Friday that they were out of food except for mealie meal. The grandparents were not home. They left last Friday to go to a funeral for a relative and hadn't returned yet. I so amazes me how children are left unattended I'm not sure I can ever get used to that part of this culture.

While we were at the Nhlengethwa's house I got a text message from Thini telling me that Nonjabulo was admitted to the hospital again today. Thoko and I went by the hospital to see how she is doing. Her weight has dropped back down to 4.6kgs. I noticed she was more congested than she has been. I don't know if it is the TB flaring up or if she has contracted a cold on top of everything else. She is back in a TB room with 4 other children with TB. All I could do was stand there and pray for the children as Thoko and Thini talked in Siswati about the baby.

I got home about 7:30 pm. It was a very long day. It started with God's amazing beauty, and then the needs became overwhelming, but we held to the fact that we are not alone in this. We have caring teachers and principals who care about these children and look out for them, we have the Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu committee and most of all, we know that God is always with us. He will guide us and He will carry us when we can't go on. He was certainly carrying me for awhile this afternoon when it all got too overwhelming and the burden too heavy. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

Please pray for our little Nonjabulo and all of the other sick children who are struggling so to survive.

Good news about Lomngeletjane!

2009-10-19T07:46:00.005-05:00

Things are moving along with the teacher’s house at Lomngeletjane. The inside walls are all plastered and we now have a dropped ceiling and doors! Yeabo! We’re still wrestling with the plumber who didn’t finish his work which is now going to delay us, but we’ve had a lot of progress in the last couple of weeks. Tomorrow a glass guy is going to come and put glass in all of the windows.

Work on the septic tank is also underway. The hole that was dug was three times as wide as it needed to be. So John will have to fill that hole back in and tamp down the dirt so it will be firm and support the walls. He will also have to dig the pit for the French drain, but I’m pleased with the recent progress.

The best news is that the head teacher talked to the Minister of Education regarding a garden for the school. Not a 6^th grade garden which is a requirement, but a school garden to feed to the children in an attempt to improve their nutrition status. The Minister of education referred her to the Agriculture Inspector for the schools and he gave the school several buckets, watering cans, gardening implements, etc. He is also going to give them some fencing. Even though the school is fenced, he says the garden should also be fenced to keep those who shouldn’t be in the garden out. (Whatever. As long as he’s donating the fencing I will most definitely agree with him!) I was talking with the head teacher about the severe malnutrition of so many of the kids in this area. We agreed that we have to put our heads together to come up with a plan. The children are getting soft porridge in the morning for breakfast and then mealie meal with maybe a few beans or black-eyed peas for lunch, but that isn’t adequate. The porridge and mealie meal are both just maize (a dense form of corn). Their diet is severely lacking in protein and vegetables. The head teacher was saying they would probably wait to start the school garden until January after the school break because if they planted before the break there wouldn’t be anyone to water it if it didn’t rain enough. In addition, the vegetables would be ripe during the holidays. The Holy Spirit kinda thumped me on the head to get my brain working and so I suggested to her that we make a deal with a few of the families that are part of our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu program and ask them to tend to the vegetable garden during the school break and in return they could take the vegetable that ripened during the holidays home and plant more seeds in their place so the vegetables would be ready when school starts up again the third week in January. She thought that was a great idea! Yeabo!

The scripture from my devotional today was from Matthew 6:25 – 34 - the “thou shall not worry” scripture. The focus verse was 34: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.” That really hit pierced my heart this morning. Now I know why. God gives us the gift of time; of today. He also gave us the freedom to choose how we use this gift. I can keep worrying about things I can’t do much about or I can have faith that God will lead us to do the most with what we have. I thank God for that gift.

Friday night in the ER

2009-10-18T03:11:00.001-05:00

Friday evening I got a call about 6:30 from Thini saying Nonjabulo was very sick and weak. So I went to pick up Thini, Nonjabulo and Nonnhlanhla (the mom) and take them to the emergency clinic at RFM (the hospital in Manzini.) Nonjabulo was very hot and very, very lethargic. She looked like she was barely breathing. Thini wrapped a real thick, heavy blanket around Nonjabulo before she got the car. Unlike in the States, they keep babies wrapped in these real thick heavy blankets no matter how warm it is outside. Friday night was very hot and muggy. I told her to not put the blanket around the baby because her fever was too high. I was amazed she immediately took the blanket off of the baby. (The baby still had on the long sleeve footed one piece terry cloth sleeper and a light receiving blanket around her.) We got to RFM about 7:30. Nonhlanhla took the baby to get in the que to see the Doctor and Thini and I went to get in the que to pay and get her chart. They couldn’t find her chart because the accounting office had it, so finally they made her up a temporary chart. Because the baby has TB, there was no fee for the visit.

It was some after 8:30 before a Doctor showed up. Thini and I had to wait outside because they would only allow the mom into the emergency room with the baby. Waiting brought back so many memories of taking my Christopher to emergency when he was a baby. He would get ear infections and spike a high temperature and of course it was always at night. I thought of how scared Nonhlanhla must be for her child and how blessed we were that my mom could come into the treatment room with Christopher and I. I thought of one particular time when they rushed us into a treatment room because Christopher’s temperature was so high. And they had us take off his clothes and continually sponge him down with cool water until the Doctor could check him. Christopher hated that and so did I but knew it was the right thing to do. I knew nothing like that was happening inside the emergency treatment room here. It drove me crazy to not be able to go in and ask the Doctor all kinds of questions and tell him everything I knew about the baby. I was especially worried because she didn’t have the chart that gave the history of illnesses and treatment that this little baby has been through in her brief little life. This was one of those times I had to just pray for patience and that the Lord would give the Doctor wisdom in treating this baby. About 10:30 they came out. I was surprised the Doctor didn’t admit her. Nonhlanhla didn’t know the diagnosis, only that they were supposed to get the medications prescribed filled and bring her back on Tuesday for a check up. I tried to glance at the medications, but couldn’t read what was written. I would have had to ask the pharmacist but instead I had to run and get the car because a thunderstorm had rolled through it was raining.

It is now Sunday morning. Thini says the baby is doing much better, but still not eating a lot. I don’t know how much she is drinking. So just when we got her weight up so she could come home from the hospital Thursday afternoon, she got sick on Friday afternoon and she has probably lost at least some of that precious weight gain.

Oh Lord, PLEASE heal this tiny, precious child of yours. Amen

The emergency room on a Friday night was much like what we would expect in our emergency rooms on a Friday or Saturday night except the basic facilities and resources are much, much worse. There was a group of people who had had too much to drink and were fighting with each other. Mainly one main was trying to go after two young women who had something to do with his friend who was lying on the floor while they waited to get the chart and pay the fee. A security guard finally came in. Security guards are usually pretty small people and they don’t carry weapons. I’m not exactly sure what anyone thought he would do but I guess at least his presence calmed things down a it. I told Thini that we had security guards or policemen in our emergency rooms as well, but ours carry phones and weapons including guns to back up their authority.

Here, when you wait in line to get your chart or see the Doctor, you sit on a bench at the “end of the que.” Every time someone is helped and leaves, the entire que stands up and moves up one position. It’s really kind of comical. I want to ask them if they have ever heard of giving people numbers, but I know that wouldn’t help. In Pediatrics, during the day, the patients first wait in the line to get their chart and then they go wait in another room for the child’s vitals to be taken and then they are given a number to go see the Doctor. The nurse at the Doctor’s door comes out and takes a half a dozen or so numbers out of the people’s hand at one time. She doesn’t take their name or keep the charts in any order so I’m not real sure what good the numbers are.

The waiting area for emergency is outside in the courtyards surrounding the emergency room. The emergency room is just a big room maybe about 1200 – 1400 square feet with a few beds sectioned off with curtains. Babies are kept in one section with as many babies sharing one bed as can fit on it. There are usually at least two or three babies on one bed. If the babies are smaller, there are more. The moms stand by them and move out of the way when the Doctor comes. If they are severely malnourished an IV will be started right there. They don’t group them by illness and there is no privacy. The nurses and Doctors try their best to be sterile, but there is no way they can keep up sterile conditions with all the people who come through there and the small cramped quarters. There isn’t air conditioning, so you can imagine how hot, stuffy and smelly it can get.

The US may have a lot of problems with medical care, and certainly not all clinics and hospitals are at the same level, but we have so much to be thankful for. Things could be much, much worse.

I mentioned earlier that there is no charge for treatment if the person has TB. That is because TB is so rampant in Swaziland. It is one of the more common opportunistic diseases as a result of HIV/AIDS. It also spreads very quickly because transmission is airborne. In an attempt to contain the spread of TB and to lesson the treatment time, they have made medical care free for TB patients. That is great. However, the cost of transport to get to the Doctor is still a huge issue. Most people, especially in the rural areas can’t afford the transport fee. And if they can, they crowd onto a bus or kombie (a van that is like a mini-bus making more frequent stops) thereby exposing everyone that is sitting around them to TB. Doctor visits and treatment for those who are HIV+ is also free. But the same issue of transport is still there. And then we have the issue of malnutrition which is huge in this country, not necessarily because of the lack of food, but because many live on a diet rich in maize (corn) and very low in protein, dairy products and vitamins from vegetables. It’s a complex problem with a complex solution. Conditions aren’t going to change any time soon. It will take years, if not generations, for changes of the magnitude that is needed to happen. But we can’t give up hope and our faith in the Lord to guide us day after day, and to help one person or child at a time.

A God-filled Day

2009-10-13T13:01:00.003-05:00

I went to bed early last night (8:30) because I was ready for the day to end. I slept well and woke up renewed and refreshed. I took it easy this morning, drinking a couple of cups of (decaf) coffee while I read my chapter for tomorrow's bible study and then answered some e-mails. (If you have sent me an e-mail and I haven't responded, please know that I loved hearing from you, I just sometimes don't get around to answering the e-mails in a timely fashion.) Then about 11:00 John called me asking when I was going to bring up the plans for the septic tank and I realized I had to get in gear. The rest of the day went at warp speed.

First I had to "draw" up the plans for the septic tank and french drain for the teacher's house based on a conversation we had with the health inspector a couple of weeks ago. Who would have guessed that one day I would be sitting in the southern part of Africa making a technical drawing for a builder to make a septic tank? I certainly wouldn't have guessed that and I can assure you neither did my Junior High or High School teachers!

Before taking the drawing up to John I went by the hospital/clinic to give Thembie some money for Dr fees and lunch. Today she was there with a 14 year old girl who was raped a year ago. The girl hadn't been to a Dr. because of the lack of money. So we were bringing her to have a HIV test and also to get medication for a possible STD. Sipho's mom is the girl's step-mom so of course she had to be there again today. She was so excited to tell me and show me that Sipho's mouth was clear of sores! It was truly a miracle. We all rejoiced and thanked God. I am not kidding. I've seen some amazing things, but this is an absolute miracle. All the prayers that have covered this baby have been answered. He looked like a completely different baby today. The nurses in the clinic couldn't get over the difference.

Thembie also brought another girl that is 11 years old. She is one of 15 grandchildren living with the grandmother because their parents have died from HIV. The girl was being brought because of her "big stomach" but we were also hoping they would test her. When I arrived, they were both waiting to see the Dr. The first girl had been tested for HIV and Praise the Lord, she was negative! The second girl had seen the Dr. and he had sent her for a scan and x-ray of the abdomen and chest. I gave money to Thembie for the x-rays (almost $8.00) and then I bought some lunch for the 5 of them (another $8.00) and then I had to leave to get the drawing up to John at Lomngeletjane.

I took the drawing to John and then went to check on the twins. Several people had told me that one of the twins was sick. My little welcome committee, the twins' cousin Musa, ran out to greet me. The twins were doing fine. Tiphelele's sister, Tiphotakhe is now walking. Tiphelele is standing holding on to things. Their mom told me that Tiphelele had been sick the week before and she took her to a rural red-cross clinic. They suspect she has asthma, but they gave her some medication which has helped.

Tiphelele and her family live very near the Chief's Corral. The women of the chiefdom had gathered to finish the thatched roof on a traditional hut they are building for one of the ceremonies next month. They were gathering to leave at the same time I left the twins house. All the ladies waved hello to me as I passed them by and the kids that saw my car came running to the side of the road so they could wave and say "bye-bye" to me. What a gig this is. Every time I go to Lomngeletjane I get treated like someone really special. It always lifts my spirit and makes me sing and laugh.

I drove back to the hospital/clinic to see how things were progressing. The first child and her mom were waiting to get a prescription filled at the pharmacy. The second child was waiting to see the Dr. They called her in shortly after I arrived. As luck would have it, my favorite Dr. was the one seeing her. He said the scan of the stomach was normal, but the scan in her lungs was not good. He said he suspects it might be TB but he is going to treat it as if it is pneumonia and she is to come back in a week for another x-ray. If the x-ray is worse, then we will know it is TB. He poked around on her stomach and asked a few questions. He said the girl is in the beginning stages of malnutrition. He also asked if the girl could be tested for HIV. The grandmother said yes and as the Lord would have it, right about that time one of the nurses from the Baylor clinic at this hospital came in the room. The Dr. talked about how he, Thembie, the nurse and I were all Christians being guided by the Holy Spirit. The nurse took the girl and her grandmother to be counseled and tested. The girl is HIV+ which we suspected. The good news is, we have her into the right clinic that can help her. She will come back on Thursday to have her blood tested to determine her CD4 count. Depending on what her CD4 count shows, she may or may not start ARV's. If hr CD4 count is over 200, she does not need to start ARVs. We're all guessing though that her CD4 count is not that high. It will take two weeks to get the results of the blood test.

While we were waiting for the second girl's prescription to be filled, I went to the hospital side of the building to see how Nonjabulo is doing. As I started walking down the ward I heard women calling to me "stop, she is in here." At first I thought they were nurses, but then realized they were mothers of other babies who had been in the malnutrition room. They motioned me into the room they were in. Without thinking, I walked right in. She had been moved to a TB patient room. The room was very small. I'm guessing it couldn't be more than 8' x 10' at the most. It had 4 small cribs along the wall and there were chairs for 4 mothers to sit by their child. Nonjabulo's mom had stepped out of the room for a minute. As I was standing there it dawned on me that I was in a TB room with the door shut, with 4 babies that have TB and their mothers who probably also have TB, and that perhaps it would be better for my health if I waited outside in the hallway. The good news is, Nonjabulo is now up to 4.85 kgs. Unfortunately she will have to stay in the TB room for a while. No one knows at this point how long she will be there. I wondered why she wasn't put in the TB room right fro the start. It seems like they are closing the gate after the horses have escaped. But I'm sure they want all the malnutrition babies in one room so it is easier to keep an eye on them and the same for TB. Nonjabulo's

After seeing nonjabulo, I drove quickly to a pharmacy that is about 2 or 3 km's away and to get some Erythromycin for Shipo's mom because the hospital pharmacy was out. (Don't as me how a hospital can run out of that basic drug because I can't get my head around that one.) Then I went back to the hospital to pick everyone up and take them home. While in Lomngeletjane we checked on one of the kids we sent to the Dr. two weeks ago. She went for severe sores on her head. They were a bit better but a long way from being healed. It's lucky we stopped by because she should have gone back to the clinic for a recheck on Monday. So it will be back to the hospital on Thursday for this child and for the other one to get her CD4 count.

One of the really fun parts of the day was holding Sipho while his mom ate. He was sleeping so I could hold him without him crying. He did open his eyes and study me when I first took him, but then he fell back asleep as I rocked him and softly sang Jesus Loves Me to him. He is a precious little baby. Everyone is so amazed at how big he is.

It was a busy day. But in spite of the medical issues and having to hang out again at the hospital, it was a God-filled day. We have to figure out a way to get these children better nutrition and to get some of these kids to a healthier state. But with the Lord's help that will happen. The main thing is they know people care about them, they are getting proper medical attention and they are coming to know the Lord by our conversations and when we give Him the glory and praise.

Please continue to keep these children in your prayers. weight was so low I guess that took precedent over the TB. Once again I can only shake my head.

Update on Sipho & Nonjabulo

2009-10-12T10:41:00.002-05:00

I just got back from spending 7 1/2 hours at the hospital/clinic in Manzini. Thembie brought little Sipho and his mother, Khanyasilie, down from Lomngeletjane to be seen by the Dr. The thrush in his mouth is no better and he cries a lot. Actually, I think it is worse, but when we finally got in to see the nurse she said he was much better. Sipho has gained weight, although only .2 kg in two weeks which now moves him down from the 97 percentile for weight to the 50 percentile for weight. When we finally saw the Dr. he was the same Dr. that was on duty when Tiphelele was admitted back in June. He remembered me and even remembered that I was with the Methodist church. I was amazed. He asked me where I keep finding these babies. I told them they were families of kids that went to one of our schools. I asked him how a baby so young could get thrush, which is really why I waited with Thembie and Khanyasilie (the baby's mom), He said the most common reason is that the mother is HIV+, the second reason would be if the mother had taken a lot of antibiotics during pregnancy and the third reason would be if the mom had taken steroids during pregnancy. She hadn't taken any antibiotics or steroids. Khanyasilie had been tested for her HIV status in July when her husband passed away from TB. She was negative, but one must follow up the test in three months which she hadn't done. So he sent her to be tested. While we were waiting Sipho started crying. I tried to quiet him, but that didn't work. So she went to strap him on her back. He was crying and squirming so hard he almost fell off her back a couple of times it was so good I was there to catch him. I think he was too young to be on her back but I couldn't say or do anything. Finally a nursing supervisor came out from her office and told Khanyasilie to take the baby off her back and to hold him in front of her. He quieted very quickly. Of course, then out came the breast again. Some mothers here just leave the breast hanging out so the child can feed on demand or use it as a pacifier. Whatever works I guess. When the nurse called her back in for her results, she wanted me to come in and hear the results. She was negative which is a huge praise. I was so nervous sitting there waiting to hear her status. I can't imagine how nervous she must have been. The Dr. gave her another week's worth of medicine. Somehow we have to find the cause of the thrush.

While we were waiting, Thembie and I went to check on Nonjabulo. She is just the sweetest little girl. She smiled right away at me and let me hold her. Then she discovered the necklace I always wear. When my necklace fell down inside my blouse, she actually followed it to retrieve it again. We all laughed at how cleaver she is. (If someone is said to be cleaver it means they are very smart.) Nonjabulo's weight has gone up to 4.75. She is almost there. She has to be at 4.8, which is off the charts on the low end of weight for her age, before she can go home. We are thinking she will be able to go home tomorrow.

I had brought a book with me to read while we waited. There were hundreds and hundreds of people there. All of the benches were taken and so some people just sat on the ground. Not one person had brought anything to do. No books or newspapers or magazines or coloring books or toys. Nothing. Many looked at me as I sat there and read. Once again the stark contrast between our American culture and theirs was so striking. Most also didn't have anything to eat or drink. Finally about 2:30 I gave some money to Thembie to go buy something for her and Khanyasilie to eat. I didn't want to eat anything especially being around all of the sick babies. There is no personal space. Everyone is crowded into each other. I tried to at least sit where the breeze could hopefully blow a few of the germs away. I also didn't have anything to drink because if I did I might have to go to the toilet, which I REALLY didn't want to do there.

I finally had to leave them and come home because I had an appointment with the guy who is going to do the legwork to get my Temporary Resident Permit renewed before I leave for the States. And of course, he is now over two hours late. At least he called.

Please keep praying for the babies and their mothers and gogo's.

Fridays ups & downs - Life in Swaziland

2009-10-09T15:52:00.004-05:00

The beautiful little birds start singing these days before 5:00 in the morning. It’s not a soft little chirp, chirp either, it’s like there are hundreds of birds outside my window. The plan of the day was to take some nails up to John at Lomngeletjane, stop by and see baby Sipho and visit Nonjabulo in the hospital. None of that should have taken much time so I was going to catch up on some e-mails that are very long overdue. I left my place around 8:30, went by the Post office to mail a letter and found out today is World Post Day and therefore all postage is free. (I’m impressed!) I was mailing a birthday card to my sister-in-law. I’m wondering if she will ever get it. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts. Then I went to the hardware store to get the nails and across the street to the grocery store to get a few things. I was done with these errands in record time and headed up to Lomngeletjane. As I was driving I thought about how quickly I could complete these simple tasks today and how long it took me just to go to the grocery store two years ago.

John and his guys almost have the drop ceiling put in one of the bedrooms of the teacher’s house, which is good. Then I stopped by Sipho’s house. I wanted Thembie to go with me, but I couldn’t reach her on her cell and no one knew where she went. I started walking down towards the little house/shack that Sipho’s family lives in and one of the toddlers saw me coming and got excited. I found the mom, holding Sipho and the two toddlers sitting next to a cooking fire drinking tea. They weren’t 3 ft from the fire and the smoke surrounded Sipho and his mom. Shipo was crying and the mom was shaking him like crazy. It drives me nuts when she does that. I want to scream “haven’t you ever heard of shaken baby syndrome?” I looked in his mouth while he was crying and his little tongue is still full of white sores. I asked the mom if I could hold him for a minute. I held him for a little bit and slowly rocked him while I half sung, have talked to him. He quieted at first but then started squirming. He reminded me of how my youngest son would squirm before we found out he was lactose intolerant. I couldn’t talk much with the mother. She either doesn’t understand or speak English or she was too shy to answer my questions. I think it is the former. So I left after a few minutes. The youngest toddler waved a little when I said bye-bye, but was pretty shy. Then I was about 20 ft away and he yelled out “bye.” It was really cute.

From there I stopped by my place to make myself a cup of tea. When I was finished it was time to go meet Thini at the hospital so we could visit Nonjabulo. We were walking towards the children’s ward and saw Nonjabulo mother walking towards us with Nonjabulo wrapped to her back with a blanket. Nonjabulo looked so cute all tucked in with those big eyes so alert. Nonjabulo is in the malnutrition room of the children’s ward. There were 5 cribs sitting end to end. A child was in each bed. Thini took Nonjabulo off her mother’s back and gave her right to me. Nonjabulo watched me and then started making her little gurgling sounds at me. She took a hold of my finger and started chewing on it. My first thought was that I was glad I washed my hands before coming. And then I realized how bizarre it was to have that thought considered all the dirt, germs, etc. they live with each and every day. It is amazing what a strong grip that little one has. She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday because when she went in for a follow-up appointment her weight had dropped for 4.7 kgs to 4.3 kgs. This morning it was back up to 4.5 kgs. Her target weight before she can go home is 4.8 kgs. I learned today that she is 7 1/2 months old, not 6 months old. And today is her mom's birthday. We enjoyed talking with her and watching her. She has the cutest smile with two dimples. She really talks a lot and is just the sweetest little baby.

The malnutrition room is just an empty room with cribs along one wall. It’s a pretty small room. The mothers or gogos stay with their children because they need to feed and change them. They sleep sitting on a small bench resting their head on the baby’s mattress or on the floor. There is no privacy. Two of the little ones slept the entire time we were there. The other two were awake. One was crying off and on. I’m guessing he was probably around 2, maybe older. If I looked only at his fat little stomach and ignored the fact that his stomach was bloated, not fat, he looked normal. However, his head was a bit too big for his body and his eyes too big for his head. The sight I won’t ever forget though is how thin his little arms were. They were much too thin for any of his other body parts.

When we left, Thini said she had to go someplace to get some disposable nappies (diapers) for a child near where she lives that is very sick. We went to a government clinic that was supposed to have them but they were out and didn’t expect to get anymore in this year. So I took her to a grocery store to buy some which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Three stores later, we got the best that we could find which were x-large baby diapers that had a stretchable waist. We took them to the child and her family before I dropped Thini off at her house. Thini lives in a peri-urban area outside of Manzini. It’s a rough looking neighborhood. The dirt streets are almost impassable in some areas, most of the houses are nothing more than shacks and there is a lot of garbage on the streets. We drove into the yard of the girl’s house and found a great little garden. The inside of the house was very clean and tidy. The little girl is 10 years old. She was in the hospital, but the hospital sent her home. In Thini’s words, they said she was too sick. I’m translating that to be there is nothing more they can do for the child so they sent her home to be with her family the last days of her life. The little girl was sleeping on the couch under a blanket. She never moved a muscle while we were there. Her breathing was very rapid and shallow. They said she is HIV+ on ARV’s, has TB and has skin cancer. Her gogo was also sitting on the couch. I’m guessing that she is HIV+ as well and may not have a lot more time left based on her looks. We visited for a few minutes and then Thini sang one of the hymns to lead us in prayer. Her family was very grateful that we brought the nappies and that we prayed for them. The child didn't even move a muscle.

Walking through the children's ward and then again at the little girls house I couldn't get out of my mind the stark contrast between our lives and conditions in the US and here. I'm sure the worst of our hospitals is better than the government hospitals, and especially the community clinics here. There are some nice private hospitals, but most of the people can't go to them. The conditions that so many people live in, even near the city where the roads are dirt and almost impassable, many houses nothing more than a worn down block structure or shacks made out of tree limbs, rocks and tin roofs weighted down with more rocks or blocks are scenes that are sometimes hard to shake off.

Friday ended. The day was over and I never did get to my to do list. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and as always God's plan was better than mine even though it was hard to deal with and stay positive. (The Joy of the Lord is my strength. I bow down and worship you now how great and wondrous is He.) I do have the wonderful memory of Nonjabulo chewing on my finger, gurgling, trying to roll over and play with the curtain and her darling sweet smile. I thank God for that blessing.

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength

2009-10-06T23:40:00.002-05:00

That was the theme verse from my devotional yesterday (Tues, Oct 6). A song that is written off that verse immediately started going through my head (Holy is the Lord), which is amazing because half the time I can't remember a thing! I should have know right then that God put that verse before me for a reason.

The morning started early with Bethuel and I going up to Lomngeletjane to see the progress and talk with John. It had been a couple of weeks since the three of us could meet and we had a lot of unfinished business. The sun was out again and it was a perfect morning; not too hot and not too cold. We had a good meeting with John settling some cost and labor issues that I had with the work he had been doing. Actually, he had been hiring the work out and not supervising it which he finally admitted although we already knew that. His actions have cost me money and project delays and I have not been happy with him. But we resolved those issues. He is now finishing the work and accepted a little lower payment for his work to compensate for the extra cost I incurred because of his several "mistakes." Bethuel and I were very happy with the quality of the work he has done recently and we came up with a good plan to get this house finished. The head teacher came over to say "hi" and Bethuel told her she needs to go to the electricity board to get in the que for having the electricity connected to the house! That's exciting, and yet overwhelming because now we are coming to the point that it is all the things required to actually finish the house and make it livable that have to be done such as water, kitchen sink, appliances, bathtubs, counters, geyser (hot water heater), etc. Ish! I haven't planned on those things! The Lord will provide.

Bethuel and I were also very impressed at the number of blocks the parents made last week. The parents decided they would make the blocks to finish the second teachers house (the other part of the duplex) as a way of cutting costs. This is a HUGE change in their attitude and we were so pleased that they wanted to help. The new head teacher is truly a Godsend. A new plan is emerging in my head and heart to get the slab poured for the next four classrooms so that while I am in the States the parents could be making the blocks for the walls.

On our way back to St. Paul's, I had to stop and pick up baby Sipho, his mom and Thembie, the Rural Health Motivator for Lomngeletjane. Sipho had thrush already and could not suck very well. He is only a week and a half old. I don't understand how that could happen so quickly. Well, actually I do. There's no clean water, inadequate nutrition for the mom, his living conditions, etc. I was concerned about his health from the beginning, but I didn't think there would be problems so soon. The mom's cough is still terrible so I asked Thembie to please make sure that she got looked at as well as the baby while they were at the hospital/clinic.

As we were driving back I was so amazed at how beautiful the jacaranda trees are. They are in the peak of their bloom and too beautiful for words. The following is a picture of the tree in the hospital parking lot. It was so in-my-face magnificent that I couldn't help but stop to take a picture to save that beauty for all to see. I started singing again in my heart and head..."For the Joy of the Lord is our strength. We bow down and worship him now how great and wonderful is he....."

Then we went to one of our schools to pay school fees for some of the kids. We had tried to expand our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu program to this school but discovered that the children the teacher gave us, though they were very vulnerable, they were not sickly or HIV+. We discovered quickly that she was looking for a way to get some kids school fees paid, which is not the prime focus of the program. But some how there was mis-communication and the parents were expecting us to pay school fees for 19 children. As a committee we decided we had no real choice but to pay the school fees this year, but we would clearly state that we would not pay the school fees again next year. Our intention was to verify that no one, other than the Government, had paid anything towards these children's fees. (The government only pays a certain amount of the school fees and the parents/guardians are supposed to pay the balance which rarely happens. When the balance isn't paid, the kids are sent home from school during the third term.) The head teacher showed us a ledger that didn't make any sense, wasn't complete, and wasn't an accurate picture of the money received from the government. We're talking simple bookkeeping here, nothing that should have been unclear. Soon we were arguing about how she was applying the government money. I must confess I was so frustrated and angry at the blatant mismanagement of money. I finally had to sit down, keep my mouth shut but I figured out myself how much we were going to pay to "top off" the children's school fees. The amount was one third less than what she wanted us to pay. I got further frustrated and angry when the head teacher called in another teacher to do simple math (550 - 325) on a calculator and they couldn't even do that right. The skills of some of these teachers scare me to death. So we decided we would settle this with her later in the week so we could leave. The head teacher wanted a ride to catch a bus - going home early as usual. I told her we were going the other way and she said, "no, only down to the end of the driveway." Or atleast that's what I thought we agreed to. And though I was irritated that she couldn't walk the 500 ft. or so, I said ok. We got to the end of the driveway and I stopped, ready to turn to go to our next school and she says "No, Chris, the other way." I asked her what and she said down to the intersection of the larger (dirt) road which was a couple kilometers away. I quietly but angrily turned the car around and drove her to where she wanted to go. I was quiet but everyone knew I was angry. I'm sure how I was driving gave them a very good clue to my emotions. Then the Lord convicted me of my anger as he reminded me of the parable in Matthew of the two brothers: The one said "no" to what the father asked him to do, and the other said "yes" and didn't do it. Yep, I was busted. I should have said "no" instead of angrily doing what I was doing. If I had said no, I probably would have thought of it and changed my mind to yes without being angry. So in a conscious attempt to triumph over my anger I started saying over and over "The joy of the Lord is my strength." As always, it helped.

On our way to the next school, after crossing the second creek, we saw this cute little baby donkey. He was so cute I couldn't resist taking his picture and once again we laughing and marveling at the wonders of God's creations. "The Joy of the Lord is our strength. We bow down and worship him now, how great and wondrous is he?...."

Nope, it's not over yet. We arrived at Lutfotja. The school fees and bookkeeping weren't an issue, but when we discussed the dates for our children to return to the clinic for their monthly ARV's I could tell there were issues being discussed. One of the girls the teacher had brought in to tell us when her next appointment was left in tears. When we left the school Thoko told me that mother of Sebenile, the girl who left the office in tears, had been taking the money for transport to go to the clinic in Mbabane and not going with her to the clinic and that the child was going to the clinic in Manzini by herself. (Manzini is closer so the transportation costs are significantly cheaper plus we had been giving her money for the mother and the girl.) She also told me that the father of Mxolisi now has a girlfriend living with them and that the father is very sick. He is HIV+ and a few months ago he was not on medication. He probably needs to be on ARV's now, but everything now has to go through the girlfriend. Mxolisi had a terrible cough and had sores on his head. As I sat looking at Mxolisi's sweet face I couldn't help but think that he is 10 years old, but as a result of severe malnutrition and disease, he is the size of a 4 or 5 years old. (I just kept singing to myself for the joy of the Lord is my strength.) And then we discussed Mthokozisi and the girls. The father hasn't been to see them once but we were told he is finishing his house which will have 5 rooms. No rooms for the kids though. It was another day when the needs, the issues, the actions of adults were overwhelming. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Finally I arrived back at St. Paul's. Parked my car in the garage and went into the church office to say hello/goodbye to Zitsile, the church secretary who is one of my "adopted" daughters. She was very quiet and had tears in her eyes. Not good. She is usually so talkative and happy. One of the church stewards had yelled very loudly and harshly at her in front of other people. I sat and talked with her a bit. Shared some of my experiences and how I handled the hurt and pain of others and encouraged her to always turn to the Lord in any situation. I also shared how the simple verse from Nehemiah had helped me cope with the day. She left to go home and I walked to my place. I was glad the Lord put that verse in front of me that morning to help me get through the day, but I was glad the day was almost over. I sat down with a book to get my mind off of things (my weakness is good murder mysteries) and went to bed very early. This morning I woke up early at the first sign of light (5 ish), listened to the birds sing and watched the sky get bluer as the sun rose higher. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Homestead visits

2009-09-29T11:23:00.004-05:00

It is springtime here in Swaziland and much like Texas, the weather is so hot and still one day and then cold and cloudy the next. That is exactly what happened on Sunday and Monday. We thought we would die from the heat on Friday and then woke up Monday morning to clouds, drizzle and wind.

Monday we did homestead visits as we extend Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu to some of the families in the Lomngeletjane area. I was so cold and couldn't help feeling guilty that I was out in the cold weather for brief periods of time, retreating to my warm car between visits while the people we were visiting had no where to escape to and in many cases their house offered little shelter from the wind and cold. We saw the kids below start a fire (without any adult supervision) to get warm. At one point the little girl in the pink jacket was up on top of the pipe while the fire was burning below her. The contrast between how much we supervise our children on just about everything in the States and how children in Swaziland aren't supervised at all never ceases to amaze and shock me. I've learned to close my eyes and shudder a bit and then whisper a little prayer asking for protection for these children; especially the little ones.

One of our stops was to the homestead of baby Sipho. We wanted to see how the baby was doing. The pictures below are of the "house" they live in. There are 6 children and the mom and baby makes 8. The house is about 27' x 15' and is divided into two rooms. I was surprised to learn that it has a cement floor. Unfortunately there are holes in the walls, the door had serious gaps between the boards and both of the windows, one in each room, were broken. The mother was in the smaller room which is obviously a room for sleeping. She was sitting on a reed mat on the floor (her bed) nursing the baby. She didn't have any shoes on her feet, because custom is to leave the shoes outside when entering a house and of course she also didn't have socks or slippers to put on her feet. The room was very dark. I had to stand against the door to keep the wind from blowing it open. The wind was coming right through that door. Thank God that Deb bought a heavy blanket and a hat for the baby.

In the picture below, the mom is the one seated with the multi-colored scarf on her head. The girl I wrote about in my post for last week is the one standing on the left of the mom. A few of the children are not in the picture.

Another one of the families we visited is a gogo taking care of her 4 grandchildren. The head teacher from Lomngeletjane asked us to visit this homestead because one of the children, a girl, has severe sores on her head. The girls' father is deceased and the mother deserted the child when she was about a year old. It is not known where the girl's mother is or if she is still alive. We arranged for the gogo to go with the Rural Health Motivator to the Baylor Clinic at the hospital in Manzini to have the girl tested for HIV and also receive treatment for the sores. The girl's test results were negative (Praise God!) and medicine was prescribed to hopefully clear up the sores quickly. The gogo is HIV+ which is a concern because she is the children's only caregiver. We have to try to help keep that grandmother healthy and alive long enough for these 4 children, ages 4 to 10, to grow up.

We were also asked to look in on a set of twins, pictured below. They are 4 years old. We were told that the boy had trouble walking because of swollen knees. The kids were so cute. They were very bashful and kept hiding behind their mom. So I went to the car and got a couple of apples and bribed them, one at a time, to come sit on my lap so I could take a look at them. The little boy walked just fine, his knees didn't look swollen and they looked normal. He was so cute. Neither child responded when I said hello to them, but when I asked how they were in SiSwati, they both answered very politely. And of course they took the apple when it was offered to them.

We visited another homestead of a little girl that as been at Lomngeletjane for two years now. When I first met her she didn't look well. The teacher at the time told me she was HIV+. We don't know if that is true or not. The gogo said she was given some tables but she didn't know what for and she didn't go back for more. Someone in that family (a sister or daughter to the gogo, I didn't quite understand) passed away a few days ago so we couldn't visit for very long and we can't take the child to the Doctor for awhile because it is against the Swazi culture to go out in public or socialize with people for 30 days after the death of someone. Luckily the child doesn't appear to be in an immediate health crisis.

We came home and made a big pot of chicken soup to warm us up. It was good, but I couldn't help thinking about how cold and dark it gets and how little food most of the people have. I can't help but wonder how these people manage to survive from day to day.

The weekend for babies

2009-09-27T08:54:00.007-05:00

Friday evening Thoko got a call from the Rural Health motivator (RHM) for Lomngeletjane that the woman who was pregnant that we visited on Wednesday needed to go to the hospital because she was in labor. We asked the RHM to give her the transport money to get there. We were very concerned about the other 7 children ranging from 13 to around 2 or 3 years old and were very relieved to hear later that she left them with a neighbor. At 5:00 AM on Saturday (9/26) the mother gave birth to a very large, healthy baby boy. She named him Sipho which means gift. Sipho weighed 4 kg at birth which equates to 8 lbs 13 ounces! This picture was taken when Sipho was about 7 hours old. They kept the mother and baby in the hospital for 24 hours which is really quite unusual. The mother said it is because they gave him a polio and DPT shot. From what I heard it is still very unusual for a mother and baby to stay in the hospital that long after birth. Deb and I bought a few cloth diapers, a baby blanket, a hat and a couple of sleepers for the baby because the mother had nothing and has no money. I gave her the money to pay the hospital bill. This morning before church Deb and I went back to the hospital to pick the mother and Sipho up to take them home. We had also stopped at a grocery store to buy them a bit of food because I seriously doubt there was anything to eat at that homestead. I called the RHM and a woman from the church that lives near her and told them that she was home and asked them to look in on her later in the day.

On Thursday, 9/24, Thoko, Thini, Gladys, Deb and I went out with the Manyano ladies from the small congregation of Bhudla Methodist Church to visit a couple of the gogos (grannies) that can no longer make it to church. The visit would need a whole other blog post of it's own so for now I will just say it was hard to see how they live, but very touching to see how happy and how much hope our visit gave the gogos and the ladies from Bhudla. When we got back to Manzini, we had a meeting scheduled in the evening to discuss some of the pressing issues we uncovered when making our first homestead visits in Lomngeletjane as part of the Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu program. I made a pot of soup for us to share before the meeting. As we were sitting around the table talking, Thini shared that her 6 month old great grand niece had started on ARV's the month before and that the baby isn't doing well. The child's mother is 20. Thini's sister had passed away leaving the child's mother (her daughter) and a few other young children with no one to care for. Thini brought the baby, her mother and the two other small children that I think are related to the baby's mother, to live with her. My heart broke on the spot. Thini is the most loving, caring person. She shares all that she has which is very, very little in the way of material things but very, very great when it comes to love and compassion. I asked if we could see the baby when we took her home after the meeting.

This is Deb holding the baby. Her name is Nonjabulo. She is 6 months old and weighs 4.7 kg (10lbs 7 oz). She is so thin and has a very bad cough. We found out yesterday that she is also on TB medication. Little Nonjabulo has eyes that see everything and little tiny hands that have a good grip. She is very sick but if anyone can nurse the mother and baby back to health, it will be Thini. On Saturday we took Nonjabulo a few things. Because the mother is HIV+ and so is the baby, the mother should not nurse the baby. However, formula is very expensive especially for a pensioner who receives 600 rand (about $80.) every 3 months IF the government gets around to paying it. One small can of formula is around $38 rand. I told Thini that I will buy the baby's formula. I want to make sure the mother doesn't nurse the baby any longer so the baby has a better chance to get better. So know that some of the funds that are so graciously and generously given will go to help feed this child as well as others.

Please pray for Sipho and Nonjabula and their mothers and Auntie. Pray for health, pray for protection and pray that they have the opportunity to grow into healthy Christian men and women. Please continue to pray for strength for my very special group of ladies, Thoko, Thini, Gladys and Thembi as well as others who help us as possible and for me for wisdom, strength and the means to keep on finding these children and helping them one child at a time.

The week of Sept 15 thru 24

2009-09-22T00:14:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, Sept 15th I drove to Johannesburg, SA to say good-bye to Jeri and Gary before they boarded their plane to return to the US. On Wednesday evening my dear friend, Deb, arrived and on Thursday morning we took off for Kruger National Park. We were there for 3 nights before coming on to Swaziland on Sunday. We had an awesome trip to Kruger. We saw what they call the Big 5 on Friday. The Big 5 are the 5 animals that were considered the most dangerous to hunt on foot: Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Lion and Leopard. It is rare to see all Big 5 animals on one day. But we not only saw them on one day, we had great sightings! One of the lion sightings was a lioness eating a recent kill (giraffe). We saw the Leopard come up the brush along the road then then it crossed the road right in front of our vehicle definitely on a mission. And we were charged by a herd of about 30 elephants. They started to cross the road in front of us. We were a good, safe distance away. There was one vehicle ahead of us and none behind us (Thank God). All of a sudden they changed their direction, clearly deciding they didn't like us where we were and started charging us. We started backing our vehicles up as fast as we could. By then cars started piling up behind us so we backed up around them while Deb leaned out her window motioning them to back up and get off the road. When the elephants felt we were all a safe distance away they went back into the bush continuing on to the watering hole they were headed to. As they walked past us (as a distance) we could see that there were several young elephants in the herd including one very tiny elephant that they were trying to hide. That is why they didn't want us anywhere near them. Elephants have a very strong family unit and they are very protective of their young. In a breeding herd such as this the elephants all team together to protect the young. I've been trying since Sept 20 to upload pictures to my blog but there is a problem and I can't upload them. But if you are on facebook, you can check my wall out for a few pictures.

We returned from SA on Sunday afternoon. On Monday I had a meeting to update the sponsor for the Lustandvo Lwa Krestu program. He was visiting from the UK and the woman who is in charge of HIV-AIDs from the mission unit of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa was with him. I found out about 3 hours before he arrived when he was arriving and that we would be meeting with him as soon as he arrived. This lack of communication wasn't their fault, but typical Swazi communication at it's worst. Because of the late notice I was only able to get Thoko to the meeting. The meeting went well and it is always so good to see them. Their visit is more a source of encouragement sprinkled with suggestions rather than stress or a message that we aren't doing well. Our program is small, and we will have to work hard to find other sources of income once this grant is finished, but we can definitely see how some of the children's life has improved, including one child who I am sure would not be alive today if we hadn't sent her to the Doctor to be tested and started on ARVs.

On Tuesday, I drove our visitors to the Mahamba circuit so they could meet with the people to get an update on their program. The Mahamba circuit is about and hour or so away so we had more time to visit. I volunteered to drive them to Mahamba because I wanted to see the circuit Superintendent and see how their project is progressing but it was also a good opportunity for Deb to see that part of the country and what another circuit was doing.

On Wednesday, Thoko, Thini, Gladys, Thembi (the Rural Health Motivator) and I tried to start homestead visits for children who attend Lomngeletjane as we expand Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu to that school. It was very cold, foggy and drizzly. We were only able to meet with one family. Ish. The child whose name was given to us by the head teacher and the Rural Health Motivator is 13 years old. She was raped when she was 12 and received very little care after the incident. She has a younger sister by the same mother and father. Both girls are living with the step mother who has 4 children by their father and is expecting her 5th baby any day now. The father passed away a few months ago. They live in a mud, stick and stone tiny hut that is so small I can't imagine how they fit in their. There is no income, no nothing. Our volunteers will put our heads together and with a lot of prayer make a plan to do what little we can to help this family. Our first priority is to get them medical care. The father passed away from TB which is an opportunistic disease to HIV. By the sound of the mother's cough, I would guess she also has TB. They all need to be tested to know their HIV status, but we can't insist on this. Pray we come up with a way.

Today is still cloudy, which Deb loves but the rest of us are cold! We are heading out in another direction of Swaziland to visit a few gogos with the Manyano.

Please pray for continued strength and guidance as we continue to visit homesteads and help those that we can.

Monday, Monday

2009-09-16T03:42:00.004-05:00

Monday was one of those days in Swaziland. Thoko and I had scheduled a meeting for 11:00 at Lomngeletjane with the head teacher, the RHM (Rural Health Motivator) and the society Manyano CCS (social concerns) person. Our goal was to start discussions and gather information about the children at Lomngeletjane that have health problems or are extremely needy as we prepare to expand Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu to Lomngeletjane. Our plan was to go up there, be back to St. Paul’s by about 1:00 so she and Thini could do some work in my office (really the Manyano storage area and workroom!) and prepare for a Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu committee meeting in the evening. The sponsor for Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu is coming to Swaziland next week to check on the progress of the project and hopefully fund us again.

About 10:15 Thoko called me and told me that one of the children from Lutfotja had come to the Baylor clinic at the RFM (the Manzini hospital) for her monthly medication. We did not leave money for this month’s transport for the child and her aunie with the school so we needed to try and locate them at RFM to give them transport money to go home. We were going to stop by there before going to Lomngeletjane. Just as I was leaving my house, Bethuel called and said he was at Babe Simelane’s office (the Health Inspector) in Matshapa and that the inspector had time now, now (which means right now, not sometime in the near future) and so he was taking him up to Lomngeletjane. The plumber we hired to put in the plumbing on the teacher’s house and lay the pipes to go to the septic tank and French drain that will be built was on-site working. We wanted to ensure we built the septic tank and French drain properly. I told him I would pick up Thoko and we would meet him at Lomngeletjane and then figure out how to get money to the child and her auntie later in the day, thinking it would be about 1:00.

On the way up to Lomngeletjane, Thoko asked if she could share what could be considered gossip about our dear friend Thini. Of course I said yes. She told me that when she had called Thini to see when and where she would be joining us that morning Thini’s grandson answered the phone. Thoko thought that wasn’t right because he should have been in school. The grandson told Thoko that he wasn’t in school because Thini wasn’t able to “top off” (pay) the difference between what the government paid for his school fees as a double orphan and what the actual school fees are and therefore he was sent home from school. He couldn’t go back until his fees were paid. This happens all over Swaziland at the start of the third and final term of the year. I told Thoko to call Thini and find out how much she owed for the child and where we could pay it. Thoko called Thini and asked questions, but knowing that I like to remain anonymous, did not tell Thini why she wanted to know this information. They just talked as two sisters, one listening to the other’s problems. Thini is one of the most loving Christian women I have ever met. It doesn’t matter if she is with a small child, a teenager, a gogo or a grandfather. She literally takes them under her wing and shares her love and compassion with them by her touch and smile. She is amazing. After all that she does for me and the people we visit, I wasn’t about to let her grandchild be kicked out of school because her grandmother who has so little money couldn’t afford to keep him in school. Thoko knew I wouldn’t let that happen either and was hoping Thini would forgive her for disclosing this confidence to me, or as she called it: “gossiping” about her.

Up at Lomngeletjane, Bethuel, Babe Simelane, the plumber and I discussed the work that had been done and what needs to be done. I was very impressed with the work the plumber was doing. He seems to be working quickly and very neatly. It was clear during the discussion with Babe Simelane that the plumber knew what he was doing. That part of the meeting was very encouraging. The very discouraging part was that John, our builder, had not only started digging the hole before the Babe Simelane came up, but as we suspected he had dug a hole about 3 times the size of what it needs to be. That means I paid for work that wasn’t needed (again) and that now I will have to pay to have the hole filled back in as the walls to the septic tank are built. John, the builder, has been making many of these “mistakes” over the last several months which has ended up costing me more money. I am very frustrated and don’t want John to continue work, but it’s not as easy to get rid of someone in Swaziland as it is in the US because of the political and cultural ways of doing things here. If I don’t use John, who is a resident of Lomngeletjane, it may result in hard feelings which may have a bigger impact at the end of the day than the “mistakes” John keeps making.

After our meeting, I walked up to the head teacher’s house and we talked about the Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu project and the needs of the children and families. Listening to the needs of the children and homesteads is always a daunting, overwhelming experience. There are always more people on the list than we ask for and they look to me to make the decision on whether or not a child is included in the program. It is so hard for me to say “no” because even though a child may have overwhelming need, they don’t the criteria for the program. The RHM for the Lomngeletjane is the woman who actually was the driving force to start the original carepoint at Lomngeletjane. She always has a list of wants she is trying to get from whatever source will help her and she always asks for more than one can give. That is a good thing for the community, but very stressful for Thoko and I. True to form, she had a long list that we divided into three separate lists. One of adults and gogo’s of the community that the church needs to try and assist, A second of people in the community that are part of a program already in place to follow up with TB patients. (TB is a big problem in Africa and is considered an opportunistic disease for people who are HIV+. Because people have a hard time getting and staying on the correct medication there are several resistant strains of TB that no longer respond to the normal medications.) And finally the list of children, some of which don’t live in the area or aren’t old enough to attend school yet. The children that don’t live in the area or aren’t old enough to attend school caused us the greatest concern. The children that live out of the area walk for two hours each way to attend Lomngeletjane because the school fees so far are so low. Basically the school fees is the same amount that the government pays for OVC’s so there is no need to “top off” the child’s fees. However, these children are not doing well in school they suspect because it is just to far for these children, most of which are in first grade, to come to school. But they also suspect that the food they get at school is the only food the children are eating. So, what to do? But finding a way to keep them at Lomngeletjane may not be the right answer in the long run. When we discussed the children that are too young to attend pre-school or primary school I didn’t know what to say. How does one say no because they don’t attend school yet? And should make that decision? It’s certainly not me by myself. I made a note for the committee to discuss the situations and come up with a plan. In reality, I know I am just putting off the decision and that I will be responsible for making sure the decision is upheld no matter what it might be.

As usual for Africa (TIA-This is Africa), our day ran very late. We didn’t finish our meeting with the head teacher, RFM and local society CCS until 3:00 pm, and of course we hadn’t had any lunch, although in keeping with the Swazi culture, the head teacher did give us a tasty roll to eat and something to drink. By the time we got to RFM, we knew that the child and her auntie would be gone, but we felt we had to try and locate them just to be sure. We went to the Baylor clinic and Thoko went into one of the rooms to talk to the nurses and I sent a text message to the three people on the executive committee to remind them of the meeting at 5:30. I almost immediately got back responses from all three of them that they wouldn’t be able to make it. (TIA) This left me feeling even more overwhelmed and discouraged than I had been in the morning. Soon Thoko motioned for me to come join her. The nurses knew “our” children by name. They told us the status of the two that had come that day. We also discussed getting some training from them regarding the specifics of the medication – how to take it, what the side effects are, and how long to keep on it even if the person thinks it is making them sicker. They encouraged us and thanked us for the work we are doing. Thoko and I left the RFM realizing that our plan didn’t happen because God knew we needed a bit of encouragement so He brought us to this meeting at this time. If we had come earlier in the day, the nurses would have been busy and would not have been able to talk with us or we would have found the child and her auntie waiting and never tried to go speak with the nurses.

By the time we got back to St. Paul’s it was after 4:30. I went to my place and grabbed the few cans of soda I had, a few apples and the last remaining granola bars one of the team members left to share with Thoko, Thini and Gladys because I knew they would all be hungry. I knew Thoko and I were starving. While we were eating and preparing for our meeting, although I wasn’t quite sure why we were having it other than Gladys would already be on our way and we were too tired to move at the moment, Thoko shared with Thini her secret – that she had gossiped about her to me. I gave her the money for the school fees. Thini was so touched and was in tears. I told her we are family and that as in Swaziland, that’s what families even in the US do. They help each other when they are in need. I told Thini I had been looking at some of my pictures and I was so touched by Thini. I had my computer so I turned it on and started showing her some of my favorite pictures of Thini “in action.” As we all looked at the pictures, lovingly marveling at our dear sister Thini and how she reaches out to young and old (and saws off wooden doors better than an American male can!) we realized that we had a good story to tell the sponsor next week. Thoko and I had been so discouraged because the needs are so great and we are so limited because of our lack of human and financial resources. We didn’t know what to share with the sponsor next week because we felt like we haven’t accomplished much since his last visit a year ago. But as we looked at just those pictures from the last two or three weeks that show Thini in action, we realized that we have some true success stories. There are some children and families that have truly been helped so that their health and/or quality of life has significantly improved. We came up with a plan for our sponsors visit next week and left with a feeling of hope. We thanked God for the opportunities He presents us and for his strength, guidance and especially His blessings that keep us encouraged and determined to continue His work.

Since it was about 7:30 at night and I was the only one with a car, I had to drive all three ladies home. That took me about two hours. I got home exhausted but so glad I am in Swaziland and have such dear sisters here to work with. Yep. This was just another day in Swaziland; full of challenges, opportunities, love and blessings and I am so grateful that I am here to be a part of it.

A new home for the Nhlengethwa Family on 8/29/2009

2009-09-13T14:05:00.007-05:00

Finally, after eight months, Mthokozisi and his sisters have a decent roof over their heads with walls that aren’t collapsing, windows and a door that actually locks. As a quick review, I met Mthokozisi and his sisters last August (2008) when we went to the homestead where the children were living as part of our Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu (For the love of Jesus) project. The children had been brought to our attention by the head teacher for Lutfotja Methodist Primary School. We were told the children are extremely vulnerable because both parents had basically deserted the children. We started making regular visits to the homestead bringing them food and seedlings to make a vegetable garden. In November, 2008, after a pretty severe rain storm, they told us that their thatched roof was leaking and that termites where dropping out of it. Just before I returned to the US in early December, I bought them a large piece of plastic to put over the thatched roof to hopefully stop the rain and insects from dropping on the children. Then in February after I returned from the US we discovered that the mud and stick hut had collapsed during the heavy rains in January. (See my blog post of 2/11/09 for pictures of the collapsed hut.) Although I wanted to just buy the building materials and hire someone to build them a new small house, I knew that was not the right thing to do for many reasons, the biggest one being that I needed to be patient and let the Swazi’s solve this problem their own way. This was not a problem I could solve and if I tried, I knew I would only make matters worse. So I’ve tried to be patient, poking people for progress a few times when I couldn’t stand waiting any longer. The patience has paid off. Thoko, in her infinite wisdom, patiently contacted the father, talked with the chairman of the school committee, the Rural Health Motivator (who is appointed by the Chief), the children, the mother, the father’s parents and the local Methodist Society. The Rural Health Motivator brought the situation to the Chief’s inner council. After many conversations and meetings, permission was given by all involved for the children to go live in their father’s house on the father’s parent’s homestead. The father and his parents are estranged and therefore the father rarely goes to that house.

On August 18, Thoko, Thini, the Lutfotja CCS (Manyano community service person) and I took Mthokozisi to talk with the grandparents to make sure they were okay with the children coming to live on their homestead and to see how much work needed to be done in preparation of the children moving in. We determined that everyone seemed very willing for the children to live on the fraternal grandparent’s house. The house and yard needed to be cleaned and the house has a lot of cracks and it is full of the little tunnels of dirt that the termites had dug but it is much better than where they were currently living.

On Tuesday, August 25, Thoko, Thini, the Lutfotja CCS, Jeri and I went to see if the children were at their grandparents house cleaning up the house and yard so we could move their things over. We really went to see if they needed any help. The children were there working and seemed very happy. We visited for awhile, and then the Grandfather wanted to show us where they are to build their own house. We walked a short distance to an area on the homestead that the grandfather indicated. He said he wanted their house to be built close to his house so that he and his wife could keep an eye on the children. He gave an emotional speech in SiSwati to the children welcoming them to their new home and telling them how happy he was to have them there. When he was finished, he took two handfuls of the tall grass without pulling them out of the ground and tied the tall grass into a knot to mark the spot for their new home. It was very touching. Everyone seems to be so glad that this move is taking place. After this little ceremony we all got to work raking the yard, putting the trash and junk that was burnable into a pile which Thini lit a match to. Yes, all that burning makes me cringe, but what else are they going to do with it? At least it was all gone. It is amazing what burns. We finished our day with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and oranges for all.

Pictures:

1. The spot where Babe Nhlengethwa tied the knot marking the spot for the children’s new house.

2. Working in the yard.

3. Thoko, Jeri and I preparing PBJ sandwiches.

4. Lunch time.

The children and their grandparents are happy and looking forward to the move. You can almost feel the relief and hope. Everyone's step is a little lighter, their smile a little brighter.

On Friday, August 28, Thoko, Thini, Gladys, the Lutfotja CCS, the rural health motivator, Gary, Jeri and I went to the grandparent’s homestead. Thoko and I drove to the father’s homestead to pick up the children and their belongings and take them to the grandparents homestead. Then we all worked together for a few hours replacing the door to the house and hanging new curtains Gladys had made for the house. Since I was paying for the material, I got to pick the color so of course I picked blue. My mother's and my favorite color! She would be so happy. I don't think there have ever been blue curtains in a house in Swaziland before! Gary showed Mthokozisi how to take the door off the hinges and then Gary got help from Thini as he trimmed the door. (In reality, Thini showed Gary up in how well she could work that saw to trim off the sides and bottom of the door so it would fit!)

Pictures:

1. Gladys and Mthokozisi hanging the new curtains.

2. Thini so proud of herself when she finished trimming the new door.

3. Mthokozisi painting the new door.

On Saturday, August 29, we all went back to the homestead with Rev. Nyameka, Thobile and Elter to pray over the homestead. We were met by the members of the Luftotja Manyano. After praying in the home we went and prayed over the land where the children’s new home is to be built. It was a very moving time. This has been a long process and we are a long way from a secure happy ending, but things are going extremely well. The best part of it is that the children know that people care for them. They know they can tell someone at the church or at the school if they need something and if the church or school can’t help they will let Thoko and I know so we can make it happen. One of the discussions that happened on Saturday was the discussion of whether the children should start attending a Methodist church that would be closer to their new homestead. We know there are schools that are closer, but we have all decided that we would rather find a way to pay bus fare to get the children to and from school to keep them in an environment where they are loved and looked after. When the discussion of the church came up the same decision was made. So even though the children now live further away from their school and the church the school and church aren’t about to let them go. So, as we try to figure out how we are going to pay for bus fare for the children to get to and from school (both where the funds will come from and how we will get them to the children each week) we must include bus fare for the kids to go to church each Sunday. That’s a great additional problem to have.

Pictures:

1. Blessing of the homestead.

2. Blessing of the house.

3. I presented the children a gift for their new home. I gave Mthokozisi a Bible and to Nozipho (the oldest girl) a book of Children’s Bible Stories to read to Tiphelele (the youngest girl).

4. Blessing of the ground for the new house.

5. Me sharing some of my favorite books of the bible and specific passages with Mthokozisi and Nozipho.

We pray that the Lord keeps blessing and watching over these children, that they grow strong in their knowledge and faith in the Lord and that they grow up to be strong Christian men and women.

A lovely afternoon

2009-09-09T14:03:00.002-05:00

Thoko and I spent a good afternoon together. First we visited with the CCS in Luve regarding the Nhlengethwa family (Mthokozisi & sisters) and some of the other children that are a part of Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu. Then we met up with the counselor from Luftotja and the two youngest Nhlengethwa girls as they were leaving school and came up with a plan to get transport money to the kids each week. Then Thoko and I talked as I drove her home. It was so good to listen, talk, listen, talk, ask questions, listen, talk, etc. You get the picture. One thing would remind us both of something else we wanted to tell or ask the other person. The afternoon went by too quick. When we arrived at her homestead she took me to her garden so I could see how things are growing and so that she could harvest some vegetables for me. (She always sends me home with more vegetables than I can eat in a month!) Earlier, she told me that the strawberry plant that she bought a few months ago when we were both at a nursery had produced 4 strawberries and I was especially anxious to see it. She had never grown strawberries but wanted to give it a try. She was so excited about the strawberries. I am always so impressed by her garden. As we walked to the area where the cabbages were ready for harvest I couldn't help but marvel at the size. The cabbages were so huge. They would have easily won a blue ribbon at any State fair in the US. I found myself shaking my head and asking why, in a country where such beautiful vegetables can grow, are people starving? My only solace in that question is that she doesn't understand it anymore than I do.

You be the judge...(the following pictures have not been altered in anyway to enhance their beauty.)

Sunday Worship at Lomngeletjane

2009-09-06T12:22:00.003-05:00

I went up to Lomngeletjane to worship this morning. I had a framed picture of each team that worked there this summer that I wanted to present to the congregation. I have been waiting to do so because I wanted Enoch Malelala, the Lomngeletjane Steward and also a local preacher, to be there when I presented it. The Lomngeletjane society (congregation) is one of many, many small societies in Swaziland that don’t have a pastor assigned to it. Local preachers, stewards or the pastors take turns rotating between them. I had to wait quite a while before Enoch was scheduled to go back to Lomngeletjane.

I was surprised when I got there because Benyani, one of the assistant pastors was there as well as another local preacher and a few people from St. Paul’s. Benyani was there to give communion but I didn’t understand why he didn’t preach and save the local preacher from coming. I wondered just a bit if it was because I had asked Enoch when he would be going to Lomngeletjane and I said I wanted to come when he was there. Then perhaps the schedule changed, but they came anyway because they knew I was coming.

As always, I understood very, very little of the service but I felt like I belonged there with my other family. I love to sit in these small societies and watch the interaction between the people, especially between the Makes (mothers, pronounced maggay), the Gogos (grandmothers) and the children. As soon as a child is old enough to walk and sit by themselves, they sit with the rest of the children in the front of the church (in this case one of Lomngelejtanes’s classrooms) all by themselves. It never ceases to amaze me how quietly they sit. But if a smaller one gets sleepy or has to go to the toilet, one of the Makes, Gogos or even an older youth quietly gets up to take care of the child whether it belongs to them or not. As I sat there watching the adorable children I kept thinking of the African saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child and how true it is; especially with the twins, Tiphelele and Tiphotakhe and their little cousin, Musa who just turned 3. If a gogo was holding one child and another one needed something, another gogo just matter-of-factly picked up the child and took care of it. Mid way through the service when a song was being sung, Zitsile quietly got up and led all of the children out of the room. I assumed they were going to Sunday school, but found that instead they were all going to the latrines for a potty break! Then just as quietly, when each child was finished they all came back in together and took their seat.

Everyone was so pleased with the team pictures and very honored to receive them. They said how much they enjoyed getting to know the people and how much they miss them. The also said how blessed they were to have me here as one of their family because if it wasn’t for me, they would have never met their dear new friends. I felt very honored to be in that position. Of course they also told me to relay to the teams that they must all come back to their home in Swaziland!

After the service they had a “family meal.” I know it was because of all the visitors, including me, but as always the food was delicious and it was wonderful to see everyone eating together, though not everyone sat at the tables. The children and most of the gogos and makes sat together in another part of the room. Just like home…someone has to watch over and take care of the children.

Tiphelele looked very good. Her development is slower than her sister, but she looked healthy. She kept looking at me and after the service I actually got a few smiles out of her. I was afraid to try and hold her though because she often cries when she leaves the safety of her make’s or gogos arms. Musa, her little cousin kept watching me during the service and playing shy. I don’t think he knew what to do because he usually sees me at the house. I could see his little brain thinking I wasn’t supposed to be here, I was supposed to be at his house. Finally after lunch I went up to him to “high 5” with him. He had just a little bit of chicken left in his greasy little hands. It was so cute to watch him try to figure out what to do. He wanted to eat the chicken and he knew his hands were dirty and he shouldn’t touch anything but he wanted to high 5. He finally figured it out and gave me a high five and a big smile. We were both happy.

Some pictures from today:

1. Tiphelele in the arms of her Auntie.

2. Musa pretending to read the bible (I think he was really trying to sneak peeks at me.)

3. Tiphelele’s two brothers, Innocent (sleeping in his chair) and Meluleki.

4. Tiphotakhe standing at the bench entertaining herself during the service.

5. Enoch and Zitsile after opening the presents that contained the pictures.

6. Enoch walking through the congregation showing everyone the pictures.

Swaziland Wedding

2009-09-05T09:21:00.002-05:00

This morning I went to a wedding in Mbabane. A young woman from Zambia who has been working for Children's Cup in Swaziland married a young man from Zimbabwe. The woman, Zinty is such a joyful, energetic, god-filled young woman. Both she and her new husband, Lungile have tremendous musical talent and write much of the praise and worship music that is sung on Sunday mornings at Healing Place Church.

This was a "western" wedding, not a traditional one, however, there were bits and pieces of their culture that were added to the wedding making it very special. It was a beautiful wedding. Five pastors participated in the service at one time or another.

The first clue that this was a wedding in Africa was when I arrived at the church a minute or two late, there was almost no one there. The bride finally arrived about 9:45 and the wedding started shortly thereafter. (The wedding was supposed to start at 9:00.) As with most special ceremonies in Swaziland, they have a Master of Ceremony to let the audience know what is going to happen next. Paper, ink and copy machines cost a lot of money, so there is generally a MC instead of paper programs. It also allows for those last minute changes. The MC was Zinty's brother. He introduced the wedding party one at a time and they danced in the door and down the isle. (see first picture below.) Dancing is always included in African ceremonies. When the groom danced down the isle, he would stop and shake people's hands. What surprised me was when Zinty walked down the isle on the arm of her father, they walked very, very solemnly and slowly.

After answering the question of who gives the bridge to be given in marriage, the ceremony started with praise and worship followed by the official vows and exchanging of the rings. This was followed by their individual vows written for each other. It was very sweet. Then they had a blessing, and an introduction as husband and wife followed by washing of each other's' feet. It was one thing to watch Lungile carefully and thoroughly wash Zinty's feet, but then she kneeled down in her beautiful white wedding dress and washed his feet as well. This was done to stress the sacrifice that both people must do for the other during marriage and they must always have love and a servant's heart towards each other.

Several people got up and gave testimonies similar to the toasts we do at wedding receptions. This was followed by the two of them receiving communion. And then the mother of the bride came up so they could cut the cake. She explained the meaning of this ritual and how one was to feed the other out of love and respect. It was very moving. I couldn't help but think how different and more meaningful this little ritual was compared to what it has become at most weddings in the US - a competition to see who could cram the most cake in the other person's mouth.

The ceremony finally ended almost two hours after it started.

St. Paul's Youth Project - Painting the Clinic

2009-08-27T15:18:00.010-05:00

The big project for the week was to paint the non-operational clinic at St. Paul’s in preparation for it to (hopefully) open up again one day. The clinic hasn’t been open for a couple of years. It was filthy and in a state of disrepair. I agreed to paint the clinic with the youth from St. Paul’s as a mission project for the church. (In Swaziland, “youth” has a different meaning than in the US. In Swaziland, a “youth” is anyone who is not married up until about 30.) We were supposed to start painting the clinic last week, but St. Paul’s was supposed to get someone in to patch up the cracks and holes in the walls and floor but of course that didn’t happen. One of the groundskeepers, Timothy, finally started patching up the walls last Friday and finally finished on Monday of this week. On Monday some of the youth came and helped us move everything out of the clinic and sweep the walls and floors in preparation to paint. We couldn’t believe how quickly they moved everything out. Oh to have that energy! Then on Wednesday, more of the youth came back. We put a base coat on all the walls and then followed it with light yellow. We only painted the walls and window sills. The roof and doors looked ok. The youth put the base coat on all of the walls and painted 4 ½ rooms out of six with the light yellow paint. They had fun while they worked; laughing, singing and joking with one another. They had so much fun that it took Jeri, Gary and I two hours yesterday afternoon to clean the paint off the floors and then all day today to scrape the paint off the places where it didn’t belong, finish painting the two rooms and to touch up places where they got yellow on the white ceiling. The finished product looks very good though. The youth were amazing. They were so eager to serve. It was great fun.

An example of the state the walls were in.

Let the painting begin:

What would mission be without PBJ sandwiches for lunch?

The painting team, closing prayer, and then the team with t-shirts we gave out to thank them for their help. They loved the t-shirts. We discovered that most of those who helped us paint were going to a youth convention in South Africa Wednesday evening. That must have been why they left so suddenly. Some of the youth that didn't paint asked they where they got their t-shirts and they told them they should have come to help paint. JAMS stands for Jesus As My Savior. They really liked that.

The cleaning begins! This part wore us out, but it was still worth it to have the youth help us paint the clinic.

The finished product.

Holiday in KwaZulu-Natal

2009-08-19T16:13:00.029-05:00

Here are some pictures of our holiday in South Africa. We all had a great time. It was good to get away (no phones or computer) and relax. For me, it was also great not to have to drive for a week. As always, I am amazed at the diversity and beauty of Africa. The area of the KwaZulu-Natal coast is about 3 to 4 hours from Manzini. Unfortunately, it took us almost two hours to get through the border gate because of the long line of people wanting to cross. It normally takes only about 20 minutes or less, but it was a Monday holiday so people were returning to South Africa after a long weekend. It was also the last week of the second term for Swaziland schools which is when the 7th graders who can afford it go on a week long field trip to Durban. The border post we were going through is the quickest way to Durban from Swaziland.

We started our trip by meeting up with Richard, about 2 hours late, in the town of Hluhluwe (pronounced shashloee) where we visited with a few of the people associated with ZUMAT (Zululand Mission Air Transport). ZUMAT is an organization that flies Doctors and medical supplies into the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. They will also air lift critically sick or injured patients out of the rural areas to a hospital so they can receive adequate care. It was very interesting to talk with them and hear some of their amazing stories.

After ZUMAT, we drove to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park which was only about an hour from the town of Hluhluwe. We spent the first two nights there in rondavels with thatched roofs. The name of the lodge was appropriately named Hilltop and was beautiful. During the day we drove through the park and saw elephants, warthogs, rhinos, zebras, giraffe, a hyena and several varieties of antelope and wonderful birds. The countryside was so different from what we have so far experienced in South Africa or Swaziland.

I think this is the sweetest picture. These two zebras were so cute and cuddly and the Rhinoceros was so big and magnificent.

This is a male Nyala.

I love giraffes!

On Wednesday we drove to St. Lucia which is about an hour or so South of Hluhluwe on the Indian Ocean. We stayed in a park called Cape Vidal which is a little north of

St. Lucia

. It was like going into another world. The beach was beautiful with white fine sand and the beautiful blue ocean with its great waves. Considering it is still winter, the water was pretty warm, though we didn’t do more than get our feet wet. We stayed in a quaint log cabin just a (large) sand dune away from the ocean. If it hadn’t been for the monkeys and small antelope that wandered around the cabin I would have thought I was in California. Both evenings I walked a little bit down the road to see if the little store was open. The first night it was almost dark when I started. As I walked I had a brief thought that it probably wasn’t a good idea to be walking alone without my phone or even a flashlight. It wasn’t far, but when I saw the monkeys I remembered that this IS Africa and I remembered that there were signs to be aware of leopards, hippos and crocodiles. I put those thoughts out of my mind and kept walking. On the day we left, we gave one of the workers a lift back to

St. Lucia

. He asked us if we had seen the Leopard that had been hanging around the store the last two nights!

The road to Camp Vidal. Hippos and crocodiles live in the lake.

The beach at Cape Vidal.

Me ready to go for a walk along the beach. I didn't have all of this with me when I went to the store in the evening.

On Friday we drove to Maphelane which is on the south side of the St. Lucia Estuary. The information about the park said the road could be difficult to navigate. We thought it was because of sand. We were wrong. It was because of all the potholes, the hill and the sharp winding narrow road. We stayed in a log cabin again but it wasn’t quite as quaint even though the floor plan was identical. This is a fisherman’s camp. The water coming out of the tap was usually a shade of yellow to light brown. We usually take bottled water with us just to be safe, but when we stopped in St. Lucia to buy more groceries, we completely forgot about getting more water. We boiled some water and let it cool so we could use it as drinking water. We used some in the morning to make coffee and it was so gross and salty we had to throw it away. Then Richard read the information sheet that came with the confirmation of the reservations and saw that we were advised not to drink the water in the cabins. Luckily the (very) little store they had sold bottled water. The beach at this camp was just as beautiful but not as rocky. It was a great beach for walking in the waves, fishing from shore and swimming.

On the road to Maphelane we drove through a couple of mangrove tree forests. They were amazing and very spooky.

This is me trying to be brave enough to cross the mouth of the iMfolozi river about 2 hours before low tide. I almost made it, but chickened because every once in a while several big waves would come at once and the current got real strong as the ocean and the river collided and fought over which would go out to sea and which would come in to shore! Our friend Elfie walked across it at low tide so if I had waited I could have made it. Oh well. It was fun.

Our cabin:

Gary and Richard trying to light the gas stove in this cabin. It was a real hoot!

Sunrise at Maphelane.

The black streak in the ocean is a crocodile. Jeri and I called it a sea crocodile. We watched it for a long time while trying to figure out what it was. It was not stationary but kept moving down the shore. Gary thinks it was just a rock. But when we told our friend Elfie who lives in St. Lucia about it, she said they do get washed out through the estuary and struggle until they finally wash up on shore and then walk over to the fresh water of the estuary or river. Is it real or was it a figment of our imaginations?

On Sunday we parted ways with Richard. He drove back to Johannesburg and we headed up towards Swaziland but we had made reservations to go on a afternoon drive at a rather small game reserve called Tembe Elephant Park. We thought it wouldn’t take much extra time to go there. As usual, we were wrong. It wasn’t that far off of the highway to Swaziland, but the road we had to travel on was horrible. Some of the potholes had to be a foot deep. We were driving in the little VW citi (rabbit) that Gary and Jeri have rented while they are here. Some of the potholes were wider than the car! We thought we would have a lot of extra time, but because of the roads we barely made it there on time for our drive. Tembe is on the part of land just below Mozambique and to the east of the lower part of Swaziland. This area was once covered by the ocean so the ground is mostly deep white sand. Vusie was our guide. He grew up in the area. He told us that Tembe was created because the elephants kept terrorizing and killing the local Tembe tribe that lived in that area. The government finally decided to fence the elephants in and move the people to an area right outside of the park. Vusie was very informative and had great eyes. We saw one of the biggest elephants I think I have seen so far. And then a bit down the road he spotted a pride of Lions. There were at least 8 and more likely 10 lions in tall grass about 100 yards off of the road eating the day’s kill. (It looked like it was probably a large male Nyala.) We had to use binoculars to see them, but we could see the Lion, and couple of lionesses and about 5 or 6 cubs. We watched them for at least 10 or 15 minutes. The cubs were so cute. They would go pounce on the Lion to wake him up and he would kind of swat at them, and then lay back down. Then they would wrestle with each other. The lionesses (and sometimes the lions) team together to catch the food but the lion is always the first to eat. When he is full, the rest of the pride eats. When they had enough to eat, some would lie on their backs with their feet up in the air, others would just kind of roll around and others, would flat out go to sleep. We couldn’t believe we were sitting there in the middle of the “bush” in a big jeep tour vehicle without any windows, solid doors or a roof watching lions about 100 yards away from us.

After a bit, because the sun was starting to set, we had to start back to camp. We weren’t too far down the road when we saw a herd of about 17 elephants of different sizes walking towards a watering hole by the side of the road. There were at least 3 real small ones. They stopped at the watering hole and played in the mud, drank the water played in it. They didn’t pay any attention to us. Unfortunately we finally had to leave because we were late getting back. We stopped by the camp to get some coffee because we were freezing and Gary needed some caffeine before we headed back to Swaziland. We were a bit worried about the road and how long it had taken us to get to Tembe. The border closes at 10:00 pm and we didn’t get off of the drive until after 6:30. While we were waiting for the coffee, we went to stand by the big fire they had going to try and get warm. One of the staff asked why we weren’t staying and then where we were driving to. When we told them Swaziland they said they were afraid we wouldn’t make it to the border. To make a long story short, they gave us a deal on a room and we stayed the night. It was a fantastic experience. We slept in a tent that was unlike any tent I’ve ever seen. It was a luxury tent complete with a beautiful shower, electricity, an electric blanket, and a very comfortable double bed and a twin bed. They also fed us a great dinner and a wonderful breakfast the next morning. When we left we felt like we were saying goodbye to family. It ended up being a real good thing we stayed. Not only was the road horrendous, but there wasn’t a sign at the road we were supposed to turn on so we ended up driving about 30 minutes out of our way before we realized we were going in the wrong direction. It would have been worse at night. Its little things like that that reminds us that we aren’t in Kansas any more!

I think this may have been the largest "lonely bull" elephant I have ever seen. The male elephants don't hang with herd of female, baby and teenage elephants so he wasn't with the herd at the watering hole which is why they call the male elephants lonely bulls.

The picture isn't real impressive, but believe me, in person the site was awesome.

Outside our tent. It was in the middle of the bush like no one was around. You could sleep, take a shower or sit on the pot will watching the small antelope right outside. The inside was like a luxury hotel.

Looking back on the week I hear my mother's voice saying "Don't you ever get tired of going?" My answer to her was always "no." That would still be my answer with a few qualifiers. One, how can one ever get tired of reveling in God's beautiful creation? And two, yes, I hate to say it I do get tired more than I used to, but I'm not going to let that stop me until I'm too tired to move and then I'll rest, or I'll keep going until there are chores to do and then I'll rest instead of doing mundane chores! I can hear my mom chuckling, shaking her head and saying "That's my Chrissie!"

Update For Week Of July 31 - Aug 9th

2009-08-09T05:05:00.014-05:00

I just realized a week has gone buy since I updated my blog. The week went by quickly. Last Friday night, (7-31) we drove to a small game park in Swaziland called Hlane Royal Game Park. (Hlane is pronounced shlanee and means wilderness.) It’s only an hour away from Manzini. Gary, Jeri and I spent the night there. The camp we stayed in had very nice cottages with screened in porches, hot and cold running water, a gas stove and refrigerator, but no electricity. And the best feature of all is that it was very close to a watering hole where Rhinos, hippos, warthogs and antelope hung out. At night we could hear the Lions growl in the distance. We went on a night drive and Gary was able to see his first Lion and since this trip was his birthday treat, it was even more special. The park doesn’t compare to Kruger National Park, but it was so peaceful and the best part was that it was only an hour away!

On Saturday morning, we took what we thought would be a small drive through the park to go look at the other camp. We took a wrong turn and ended up driving over 20 km of a small bumpy thorn infested road before we finally found the camp. The cottages there have electricity and are newer and nicer, but the atmosphere wasn’t near as Africany (is that a word?) as the camp we stayed in. The worst part is my car immediately started over heating again and there was nothing we could do but keep going and then drive back to the camp we had stayed at. We did find a more direct way with a better road to come back on.

My car has had periods of overheating over the last 4 or 5 months. No one knew why and when we got back to the camp and then started out onto the tar road the temperature started going down. From the game park, we were driving across Swaziland to Nhlangano in the Mahamba circuit to attend a fund raiser they were having. We literally drove across Swaziland which can be done in a little over 2 hours. The car seemed to be doing okay. We were halfway to Mahamba when it started over heating again. But it seemed like we could control it. We checked the water and oil and the levels were fine. By the time we got to Mahamba the family day fundraiser was almost over. But we could see that everyone was having a great time. They had inflatables for the kids to jump in and a big game of volleyball going on. There was playground equipment for the children to play on and the women had cooked up food that could be purchased. This is the first time since being in Swaziland that I’ve seen anything like this done with the Methodist Church. And to think it was being done in the most rural and poorest circuit; amazing. The sky was threatening rain so we stayed just long enough to say hello to the people I knew and give them a donation. Then we drove to the Mahamba gorge which was only about 10 minutes away. We stayed a little longer there so the car could really cool down and so that Gary and Jeri could take in the beauty of the gorge while we ate our PBJ sandwiches. We headed home with just enough light to get to Manzini right about sunset. The car was really overheating the entire way home even though the car had cooled down and everything looked ok. The most puzzling part is that it didn’t seem to make sense when the temperature gage would go up and then come down. One second it would be in the red and the next it would be normal. We got home just before it started raining which is very unusual at this time of the year. (Winter, which is what we are in now, is the dry season.)

On Sunday, during the pouring down rain using Gary and Jeri’s car, we went up to Mbabane to attend the Healing Place Church. It was their final week in a 4-week series on HIV/AIDS stressing the importance of knowing one’s status because as scripture reminds us in John 8:32: “Then you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” On Sunday they had arranged to have testing organizations such as Baylor Clinic , a free clinic for children and their mothers who are HIV+ run and funded by Baylor University in Texas, and PSI (Population Services International) which provides HIV testing and prevention products and education to come and test those who wished to be tested. The choice to be tested or not was an individual thing and the results were confidential. I chose to be tested not because I had a fear that I had contracted HIV, but because I wanted to know about the testing process and know what it felt like to be tested. How can I suggest others be tested if I haven’t gone through that experience myself? I found it very interesting that even though I had no doubt I would be HIV-, I was still a bit nervous especially as the tester started asking me questions such as if I got a positive reading would I be able to tell people and ask for help and who would those people be. That question really made me pause. Yes I know a lot of people who are very familiar with HIV/AIDS and I have many close friends and a good circle of support. I know it isn’t a death sentence if one knows their status and takes care of themselves, but to actually think about whom I would tell and what their reaction might be? Who would be the first, best person to seek spiritual and physical guidance and support from? WOW.

Monday morning I started the process of taking my car in to find the problem. The shops and even mechanics are so specialized and not necessarily specialized along the same lines as they would be in the States so it is hard to figure out where to go for help. But luckily the radiator shop that replaced my radiator about a year and a half ago told me about a mechanic that he refers everything to. He turned out to be a very nice guy. He’s Portuguese. He said it sounded like possibly the cylinder head cover may be warped. I choked at the possible costs of the various scenarios, and left a bit stressed but also very grateful that Gary and Jeri were still here so I wouldn’t be stranded and have to go through this alone. I HATE dealing with car problems. Oh, one little side note. While I was at the radiator shop, after the owner told me where to take my car he noticed a thorn sticking out of my tire. He reached down and pulled it out before I could stop him. Yep, the air came flowing out of the tire. Luckily there was a tire shop next to the radiator shop and they plugged the tire. And luckily it was only one thorn and not as big as any of the three thorns that were pulled out of my rear tire a month or so ago. I’m praying this plug holds because I’m really not in the mood to buy my seventh tire in two years. Not yet.

Monday afternoon Bethuel and I went to Lomngeletjane to talk with John the builder about some issues we both had with how things were being done. It turned out to be a good meeting except I am overwhelmed when I think about all of the additional things that have to be done to build a house: flooring, cabinets, shelving, plumbing, electricity, geysers (hot water heaters), etc., etc., etc. I pray the funding will come so we can finish this.

After our meeting, I did have a small task to take care of which gave us, or at least me, a feeling that I had accomplished something positive on that day. When the Nashville team was cleaning up the worksite around the latrines, I found that there were some rolls of used fencing left over from what was donated by the US Embassy last year. I had asked John to dig it out of the weeds last week because I had a use for it. I was amazed to learn that he actually did that. I wanted to take some to Tiphelele’s mom so she could grow vegetables without the cows, goats and chickens eating everything she plants. I was very impressed to see that she had already gathered many poles. So using alternative means, as is always the case here in Africa, we tied a roll of it to the bumper of Gary & Jeri’s car and dragged it to her house! She was so pleased. We also took a couple of smaller rolls to the storage/office building to be stored safely so that when Mthokozisi and his sisters moves to his grandparents homestead we can take it to him so they can grow a garden. By the time we were done it was close to 4:00 and of course we hadn’t had lunch yet. It’s not like one can run to the corner McDonalds and grab a quick bite. Oh well, TIS (This is Swaziland.)

Tuesday was a special day for me. It was the third anniversary of my mom’s death and the second anniversary of when I arrived in Swaziland. I borrowed Gary and Jeri’s car so that Thoko and I could go to Lutfotja Primary school to discuss the progress of the children that are part of Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu and leave transport money for those children who are either sick or need to go get their monthly (ART) medication. We then went to Salukazi and talked with the head teacher there about what we had found when we did home visits on the children she recommended for the project. We were surprised that at a school that has one of the higher OVC (Orphan and Vulnerable Children) rate that we didn’t find children that were HIV+ or very sickly. The children recommended needed financial support and wanted their school fees paid, but unfortunately, that is not the primary purpose of Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu. We discussed the possibility that since the community is so rural and isolated and appears not to be as educated as other communities that perhaps we needed to rethink our strategy at this school and try to arrange to get an organization such as PSI to come out to the school and do education on health in general and HIV/AIDS specifically and then follow it up with testing, spiritual counseling, etc. While we were meeting with Ellen, the head teacher at Salukazi, we heard this rather irritating and loud noise that was being produced by some children outside. I got up to see what was making the noise and found a high school boy playing with a “toy” head had made. It was made out of a long stick, a small wheel, some copper wire (no one wants to know where he got that from!), string, a tin can and a couple of corn cobs. It was really ingenious. He would push it along the ground and use the corn cobs handles as if they were gear shifts on a motorcycle. As it rolled along the ground it would make noise which was carried up through the wire to the tin can and amplified. It would make a louder or softer sound depending on what he was doing with the handles. I was so amazed. Imagine out here in the middle of no where a kid that is that smart and talented. I pray that somehow that child gets to college because who knows what he could become! Alas, I doubt very much if the child will be able to have that opportunity based on where he lives. But one can always hope and encourage him to keep at it.

That evening we had a Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu committee meeting to discuss our findings and plans. When we have these meetings at night, it means that I need to take Thoko and Thini home because they live so far from Kombi stops and Kombis are very unreliable at that time of night anyway. Because of the heavy rain on Saturday night and Sunday and the fact that we were using Gary and Jeri’s little VW Citi-gulf, I had to go the long way to take Thoko home. The long way means we don’t have to cross the river and the road is better but it is probably at least 45 minutes of driving one way. Once again, I thanked God that Gary and Jeri were still here when my car was out of commission so that all work didn’t have to stop and I wouldn’t be stuck at home.

Wednesday was a light day. Since my car is out of commission I can’t really schedule a lot. I accompanied Gary and Jeri to Mbabane to pick up their new passports and then did a couple of errands I needed to do up in Mbabane.

On Thursday morning, I knew I would be stuck at home which I was actually looking forward to. I got up and made my coffee, checked my e-mail and started getting motivated to get a lot of things done, including this blog. Unfortunately about an hour later I was freezing, realized my stomach was very upset and I started aching all over. Yep, I got some sort of a 24 hour flu. I stayed in bed under multiple covers feeling too bad to sleep and too cold to move other than to take Tylenol and thank God for the makers of it. I felt better on Friday but not great. Matter of fact, it is now Sunday again and I’m still kind of out of it. Not having a car and being in limbo doesn’t help. The good news about my car is that they didn’t need to replace the cylinder head cover. They only had to grind it down and put on a new gasket. They were also replacing the thermostat because though it worked, it was a bit sluggish and then they would check into the mystery of why the fans don’t seem to come on to help cool the engine. So the cost could have been much worse. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get it finished by Friday afternoon. Oh well, I can be patient.

So it wasn’t a very glamorous or productive week but it was still a week of challenges. They were just different than they normally are. Next week we are heading off to meet Richard in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It is only about 3 hours or so from here along the Indian Ocean. We are going to look at a couple of projects and spend some time enjoying another bit of God’s beautiful creation and spending some time in retreat to renew and refresh ourselves. This part of South Africa shouldn’t be as dangerous as the other parts I usually go through and we are taking limited things of value. Please pray that this will be a safe and renewing time for all of us.

Update on the Nhlengetfwa family

2009-07-30T02:40:00.001-05:00

The plan for yesterday (Wednesday) was for Thoko and I to go to Salukazi Methodist Primary School and talk to the head teacher about the children who were put on the list of children that needed to be included in Lutsandvo Lwa Krestu. After home visits we are concerned that although the children were extremely poor and many were single or double orphans, none appeared to be sickly and there wasn’t any mention of tablets or going to the Doctor, etc. (Most people don’t openly say HIV or AIDS, they say one is taking the tablets or has to go to the Doctor monthly and even less say that someone in the family died of complications due to AIDS.) The purpose of this project is to identify and help children with HIV or who are at risk of being HIV+. I called the head teacher on Monday to set the appointment for Wednesday, but surprise, the head teacher wasn’t at Salukazi when we got there. The Deputy Head teacher said the head teacher had been called to the REO (Regional Education Office). We chatted with the Deputy teacher about our findings, concerns and suspicion that the community does not know their HIV status and isn’t as educated on the importance of knowing that status. The Deputy agreed with us but nothing could be decided without the head teacher. So Thoko and I decided to go to La-Mawandla High School to see if we could talk to Mthokozisi. It has been a long time since Thoko and I have seen him and we both had that pressing feeling that mothers get that we needed to see him. In addition, we wanted to talk to him about the plan to move the children to his father’s parents homestead.

To refresh your memory, this is the family of four children who have basically been deserted by their mother and father. The mother left a couple of years ago because of the father’s violent nature. She is afraid to go back. The father lives and works around Swaziland and periodically comes home but does not do anything to support the children. In fact, it has been our suspicion that when he comes home he actually takes things that we have given the children including food. The neighbors also steal from the children in part because they are jealous of our help (especially mine as the white “rich American”.) Last December their father’s hut which the children slept in when the father was not at home collapsed because of the rain. This has been one of the most frustrating situations because I can’t solve the problem. Well I could, but it wouldn’t be the right thing to do and the children would have probably been hurt more than helped. So I have tried to encourage the others to continue to work this issue and have tried to be patient because this process moves so SLOW. Thoko especially wants this issue resolved. She actually has done the most to resolve this situation even though she is a woman and it isn’t really her place. That’s a lot of where I come in. I encourage and advise her and then if necessary I speak up as the arrogant American that wants things done “now now.” (In Africa, now means when I get around to in sometime in the relatively near future. “Now, now” means right now. Well maybe not drop everything and do it now, but almost right now.) So the result of Thoko’s effort is that there have been discussions and meetings with the children’s father and mother. Even more important is the fact that there have also been meetings with the Chief’s inner council, members of the local Methodist society and members of the school committee where the three girls go to school (Lutfotja) about what would be best for the children. Last week a small delegation went to the father’s parents’ homestead to talk with them about the children going to live with them. The children indicated they would like this, the father said he would allow it and the word was the grandparents would like this as well. The meeting was set for last week. Mthokozisi did not show for the meeting which is very unusual for him not to keep an appointment. So they took Nozipho who is in 7th grade. She said she would like for them to move to the grandparents’ house. The grandmother was not home and had been away since the day before they went to visit. The grandfather who is partially blind was there and said he would like for the children to come and that they would be given land for a garden and to build a house of their own. This is VERY encouraging. But Thoko and I were concerned because Mthokozisi wasn’t involved in that meeting. We trust his judgment and know he would be truthful with Thoko.

When we saw Mthokozisi yesterday at school, he looked so good. He is such a nice looking, responsible and well behaved young man. He gave Thoko a hug and then came and gave me one. Thoko asked why he wasn’t available last week for the meeting and he said he had to take his father’s cows to the dip tank and one of the cows had been naughty and run off so he had to go round him up. By law, once a month on a certain day all cows have to be taken to their assigned dip tank which is basically a small pond that contains water mixed with pesticides to prevent parasites on the cows. Most of the time young boys who don’t go to school are sort of hired to do this job. Or one of the boys in the family who doesn’t go to school does this. In the Nhlengetfwa’s situation it means Mthokozisi usually has to miss school to take care of these cows for his father. Mthokozisi told us they would like to go live with their grandparents and though he wouldn’t be so bold to say it, I got the feeling that they would like to go sooner than later. He also told us that his father came home last weekend and bought them 20kgs of mealy meal but other than what was left of the mealy meal they had no food. No beans, soup mix, soap, candles, etc. In other words, the father came home there was no food so he bought a bag of mealy so the kids could cook for him. Plus he ate what was left of whatever food, tea and sugar they had. Thoko and I sent Mthokozisi back to class but told him to look for us on his lunch break. We then went to the little store in the community and bought the children some beans, peanut butter, bread, sugar, candles, soap, matches and I gave them a half a dozen oranges I had brought along. The little community stores are as expensive as our 7-11’s. We then went and gave the local CCS 5 rand so that on Saturday the children could come get one of the bags of maize that have been donated by the church and community and get it ground into mealy meal. We left saying to each other that we knew we had to go out to see the children for a reason.

We also drove to where the grandparent’s homestead is. It has two houses built out of blocks and then a smaller house for cooking. We couldn’t drive right up to the homestead because of the road and I didn’t want the grandparents to see me. The plan, if the father really agrees, is for the children to live in one of the two houses, which actually belongs to the father until the church can build a small house for the children. The children are going to have to walk maybe 2 or 3 kms to get to the highway and then take a bus for about 6-8 kms to the town of Luve and then walk another 2 or 3 kms to actually get to their schools. We are now in the process of determining the cost of the bus and working out a way get the cash to the kids in small amounts rather than by the month. Our rough estimate is that it will probably cost 3rand one way times that by 4 children. We could move the children to schools closer to where their grandparents live, but we want to keep the children in the schools they are in so that we can keep a closer eye on them and because there is now a support system for the children at school and with the Church. They know there are people who love them and care for them.

Our hearts soared and we praised God when Mthokozisi said he went to a retreat one Saturday with the “SU” (Scripture Union – a kind of bible club that meets at high school during lunch time.) He said he enjoyed it very much. He said they are also continuing to attend the local Methodist Church.

I came home exhausted, as usual. It’s not that we “did” much. All I did was drive and then sit and talk. But it is the emotional and mental stress of trying to look objectively at the situation, letting others deal with it in their way and mostly making choices. And they look to me for advice and the answers. Which child or family do we help? Do we spend the money for this situation or for another one? Do we support only one of the children in the family or do we give them all a chance? How will the funding continue so that they aren’t abandoned before they can at least get a high school education? It’s all a balancing act on a very fine line and it’s one that I pray continually for God’s wisdom, strength and for Him to show me the way.

From Utopia to Harsh Reality

2009-07-26T12:14:00.012-05:00

Jeri, Gary and I went on a little road trip last week. On Wednesday we drove to the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa to see some of the natural sites in that area that I have heard so much about. The area we went to was west of Kruger National Park about 4 hours drive from Manzini. What I had heard about this area didn’t prepare me for the awesome beauty we found. Once again, we found ourselves saying over and over “This isn’t anything like I would expect Africa to be like.” The area looked more like California, Utah, Colorado or Idaho than Africa. We marveled at the beauty and kept trying to remind ourselves that we were in Africa, not the US. We stayed at a small old mining town in the mountains (about 4200’). It was a quaint little village with excellent accommodations in renovated houses from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. They all have that English touch and the look from that time period. The food was great and very reasonably priced. We even had a huge claw foot bath tub in our rooms! For me that was such a treat because I haven’t been able to take a relaxing hot bath since coming to Swaziland. I truly thought I was in heaven. The only thing that reminded us that we were in Africa was the people constantly wanting to wash my car or asking us to buy nuts and the row of stalls selling handicrafts every place we stopped. There was so much to see and it was such a wonderful respite that we ended up staying two nights instead of one.

On Friday morning we headed back to Swaziland planning a stop over in Nelsprit to shop for some things we can’t get in Swaziland. We slowly meandered through the hills taking our time enjoying every last second of the beautiful country side. Our first stop in Nelsprit was at Builder’s Warehouse. It is a new store in the newer, modern part of Nelsprit. When we pulled into the parking lot I reminded Jeri and Gary that we were back in the real South Africa and therefore we had to take our cameras, phones, etc. with us when we went inside the store and we had to keep all of our valuables out of sight. Even though we did that we still felt like we were back in the US. The store looked just like a Lowe’s’ or Home Depot. We even remarked that the only clue that we weren’t in the US was the type and name of the heaters they were selling.

From Builder’s Warehouse we drove to the old downtown area to go to a material store I knew about which sells a lot of great African print material for very reasonable prices. As we drove into the downtown area, 2 or 3 guys started running towards my car waving us down. I don’t remember if they got in front of my car or if I stopped to hear what they were saying but they kept pointing to my car saying there was something wrong with my tire. I know I didn’t open the door and waved them off and kept going. But since tire issues have been such a problem for me, I pulled into an empty parking spot about a half a block up the street. I debated shortly because I would have turned right at the next street and found a place to park because the material store was on that corner. The parking/”security” guy tried to tell me I was parked to far from the curb. I told him I was only going to be there a second. I remember pulling my keys out of the ignition when I turned off the car and opened my door. (Thankfully, that is one habit I followed.) The next thing I knew the guys that originally tried to stop me were running towards my car. I told them there wasn’t anything wrong with the tire, and was irritated. Then they started pointing to what they thought was wrong with the car. I started to get back in my car and all of a sudden there were 4 or 5 guys around the car and one had opened the back door and was reaching inside. Jeri, Gary and I didn’t know what was happening because it was all happening so quickly. I was fumbling trying to put my keys back in the ignition to pull up the window thinking for some reason that they were reaching through the back window. Then we realized what they were doing and we were all screaming “”Stop, get out, don’t do that, give it back to me, etc.” They had grabbed Jeri’s purse which was actually under our coats and were running away with it. Gary took off after them and then so did Jeri, I was screaming at the parking/”security” guard to do something and stop them, and he just stood there looking at me shrugging his shoulders. I got out, locked the doors, and started to go after Gary and Jeri but they were walking back to the car because Gary had lost them. But we decided to try and find them where Gary thought he had last seen them. Gary almost got hit by a speeding car as he ran across the street and I was thinking I shouldn’t have left the car because they may steal it. So I returned to the car. Jeri and Gary came back just a few seconds after I got back to the car. They had no idea where the guys went and they realized they shouldn’t be chasing after a bunch of thugs.

So I pulled out of the parking spot where we were and drove into the next block where we saw a couple of police men walking. We told the two policemen that we were robbed and asked where the Police Station was so we could report the crime and get an affidavit of the theft so Jeri and Gary could get back across the border. He told us how to get there, when I asked if we should drive, he said “no, walk” and pointed to a security/parking guy who would watch my car. We then discovered that we were less than a block away from the Police Station! We weren’t too sure about walking to the police station or leaving my car but they kept insisting it was ok. The security/parking guy walked us to the police station and even took us inside and made sure we were in the right spot and that someone was going to take care of us quickly. When we left to go to the Police Station I took my purse and the backpack with my laptop in it with me. I’m sure I looked like a scared tourist walking down the street with the look of panic, fear and anger on my face, my purse on my shoulder and my laptop bag over my purse. And for good measure I was clutching my purse to me. Actually the Police took our statements pretty quick. It only took us about an hour or so. When we finished we walked back to my car distrusting everyone we saw on the streets. We were pretty shook up and in shock. We immediately drove to a store similar to a Target to get a new cell phone for Jeri and Gary. A new law was put into place on July 1^st which required proof of residency in South Africa to buy a cell phone. I was actually keeping things under control pretty well until then. And unfortunately I went ballistic with the poor saleswoman. Luckily Jeri had calmed down by this time and asked to speak to the manager. We explained the situation to him and luckily I had my passport with the temporary resident permit for Swaziland, my Swazi ID as well as my US drivers license. They finally allowed me to buy the phone. We all calmed down, apologized for being so irritable and then went to get a bite to eat before heading back to Swaziland. I realized after that little blow up that I had to just ask God to help me let go of the anger and fear and for Him to deal with the thugs. I couldn’t take out my troubles on the people around me and needed God’s help to get me through this. The rest of the trip back to Swaziland was uneventful – thank God.

As we have relived those few minutes several times, I keep reminding myself that things could have been much worse. We could have been hurt and they could have taken both of our purses, my laptop and even my car. And luckily Gary had most of the cash in his pocket. It gave us just a glimpse into what people who are victims of physical assaults and robberies much worse than ours must feel like. Today we heard about a family in Mbabane that were robbed at knife point outside their home yesterday and I heard about one of our pastors that was driving to Johannesburg last week and was stopped by thugs and robbed of 13,000 rand. I think God was reminding us that we need to be more careful and be on alert at all times. I know I have become much too complacent and have let my guard down. It’s a fine line between being open, accepting and loving versus being on guard and watchful for potential harm. I pray the Lord will give me wisdom in this area. I want to be vigilant, but I also want others to know I’m a Christian by the way I talk, look and behave.

The following are a few pictures of our few days away in God’s spectacular creation.

The following three pictures are from a viewpoint called God's Window. It isn't what we expected, but it was breath taking. The most amazing thing is that at the top of this area was a small rain forest. Walking through this area was the first time since coming to Africa that I felt like I was actually in terrain what I thought Africa was supposed to look like!

This is the Blyde River. After checking into our Hotel at Pilgrims Rest, we took a dirt road to what is known as the Potholes. We crossed this river several times as we drove along the dirt road. This is one of two rivers that flows down into the Potholes.

These are called the potholes. This reminded me more of Utah than anything I expected to see in Africa.

The Pinnacle. The second picture is of the waterfall at the start of the gorge leading to the Pinnacle.

Berlyn Falls. From here the water goes down a beautiful gorge full of trees and big boulders. Unfortunately because of the time of the day and the resulting position of the sun I couldn't get a good picture of it.

Lisbon Falls. There were a couple of sets of falls here that make up Lisbon falls. The first one is the longest drop and the second picture shows the second stream that comes down another path and then eventually dropping all the way down. Both were beautiful.

Mac Mac Falls. These were named after a Scottish mining camp. Everyone's name was Mac something so the camp and the river became known as the Mac camp. Then they tried to divert the river to make mining easier and what happened is that the water was only partially diverted the result being two falls instead of one. Hence Mac Mac Falls!

The following are pictures of the cottage in Pilgrims Rest. Check out the bath tub! I haven't seen one like that in ages.

New Uniforms and New Shoes

2009-07-21T11:48:00.007-05:00

On Friday, we went out to Nkambeni Carepoint/preschool which is in the northern part of Swaziland, 80 km from St. Paul's in an area known as the low veld. Our mission was to take uniforms to the children. Preschool uniforms aren't required, but one of the ladies from St. Paul's donated some material and so Thoko, Thini and Thembi thought it would be a wonderful thing to sew uniforms for the girls so they would look more like a preschool and also because many children may not have much to wear. So they lovingly sewed the 22 uniforms for the girls and I purchased uniforms for the boys. I also purchased two pairs of underwear for each child many of whom have never had a pair. It's my thing. I can't give a new uniform without underwear or a new pair of shoes without socks.

We were surprised when we arrived to find the Member of Parliament for that area present as well as some members of the church and the Young Men's Guild also from the church. I was even more surprised and very touched when I discovered that the children were in the classrooms sitting at their tables and the teachers were instructing them. These two teachers came to a preschool workshop we put on in Sept, 2007. Of all the people who attended, I think these two women have done the most to try and implement what they learned in that workshop and neither one of them can speak very much English. It brought tears to my eyes to realize how much good those few days were for these women and children. It also made me sad that because this carepoint/preschool is so far away, the women don't speak much English and I have so many other projects on my plate that I can't come out and work with them more.

After a few songs from the children we handed out the uniforms which always results in pandemonium and it always amazes me that somehow all of the uniforms always seem to find their way to the right child so that they all fit. We also took several pairs of shoes that were donated thanks to the mistake of the airlines. There was a team of United Methodist Volunteers from the States that came through Johannesburg where Richard Bosart picked them up and then drove them to the Mozambique border where they were met and taken into Mozambique for their mission project. One of the teams 36 suitcases (I couldn't believe it) didn't arrive on time so they told Richard to put it to good use. He gave it to me and it was full of new children's shoes of various types and sizes. YEBO! Many children received new shoes thanks to the team from the States. At the bottom of this post you will find a story of another child from Lomngeletjane that also benefited from this gift.

The girls in their uniforms. Aren't they just adorable?

This little boy received one of the new donated shoes in addition to his uniform. He was very happy and isn't he cute?

The children in their uniforms. They're holding their underpants in their hands!

The children eating their porridge for their lunch. I was very impressed that out here in this very rural area where there is no water nearby, the children were eating with spoons. Usually the children eat with their hands which is the local custom, especially in rural areas. When these children eat, there is hardly a word spoken and there isn't any pushing, shoving or squabbling.

After their lunch of porridge, we handed out oranges to the children and then brought them into the classroom for a dessert of peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches and juice. Thini brought small plastic bags for the children to put what they couldn't finish eating in to take home. Thini always has the right thing. You can sure tell she is a gogo!

Meet Innocent. He's Tiphele's older brother. He's about 4 years old but looks about 2. When we took some more formula (I forgot how much babies drink!) and some food to the family last Thursday he was standing in the door leading into their "kitchen." He was home from pre-school that day because he wasn't feeling well. It was cold, he had a runny nose and sounded congested and didn't have shoes on his feet. When I asked Bongiwe (his mom) why he didn't have on shoes she said they were too small.

So yesterday (Monday) I took him a pair of shoes from the donations left behind by the team headed to Mozambique. At first when I tried to put them on his feet, he cried and moved away so no one, not even his mom could put them on. Then I pulled out a pair of socks to put on him first and he was very intrigued. She managed to get them on his feet and they fit perfectly. Then it was so cute watching him try to put on the other sock by himself and then another small child from the neighborhood helped him put on the second shoe. And then he was quite happy with his new shoes! See the pics below.