God has been doing some REALLY cool things at CLC and the Lighthouse lately. First, we had been working on getting one of the house moms, Nokuthula, ready to go to South Africa two weeks ago. Nokuthula is a very loving, kind, passionate woman of God who is an excellent mother to the kids in her house, and often volunteers her days off to come and help both Jane B. and Jane W. out in the community doing clinics.
It was decided that Nokuthula would go to school to learn nursing and how to use it to spread the gospel much in the same way both the Janes have been doing. After two days of rigorous interviews and testing (they once asked everyone to find the book of Abraham!) she got in! We were so very excited for her, and we know that God will do incredible things through her. Eventually, she will be able to do nursing work not only for the Lighthouse but also for CLC and the community clinics. Since she is a Swazi, she will be able to reach the people in Hawane region in a very special way. Please pray that she will not be afraid or nervous, but trust that God has a plan and will make her able to complete all of the courses set before her. Also please pray for the kids in her house. Since she will be gone for some time at school, a new house mom will be hired to watch over them.
The women’s Bible study is also going tremendously well. We have seen visible changes in the women’s attitudes. They’ve been bringing food to share without being asked, sharing and praying for prayer requests, and participating very well in the lessons. One particular house mother has been doing all the interpreting which has really boosted her confidence level, and last week she was so inspired by the lesson that she spent about 5 minutes preaching herself!
The week before, we challenged all the women to tithe something; whether it be time, produce from their garden, or work. One of the women decided to tithe her time because she had little else. So every day for a week she spent an hour and 20 minutes with God, praying and reading the Bible. Usually, this same woman sells candy, and often is not able to sell anything at all. She told us at the end of the week that after tithing her time to God, ALL of her candy had been bought and she was able to buy more to sell. What else can we say? God is faithful. We really hope that they will see this and continue to trust Him more and more with everything they have to give.
This week, the challenge to the women was to ask God to give them a vision of what He wants them to do. It could be small, like going to comfort a sick person, or huge, like becoming a nurse. This is to get them paying more attention and tuning their ears to the voice of God. Who knows what He will have said to them at the end of the week!
In the middle of this same study, Pastor Augustine came in and told us that some organization notifived him that they were going to feed ONE THOUSAND people in the Hawane area the next day, and that they needed his help to spread the word. Here we were, discussing how laying down your life to God opens the door for Him to pour out blessing and do good work....and God pours out a huge blessing on the Hawane area. Are the attitudes of the few who are growing in God already paving the way for the whole community to be covered in God’s abundance?
Every little thing in our lives that we surrender, every little choice we make for the good, comes against evil so that the Spirit will increase; not only for us, but for those around us. It seems to me this may be the key to winning the Swazis for Christ. And maybe, just maybe, tithing an hour and a half for a week could lead to feeding 1,000.
Written by Stacey Weneck - CLC's extended stay traveler to Swaziland. Stacey will be in Swaziland for another month.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Dead Man Came Out
A few weeks ago, we did a lesson at the CLC women’s Bible study on John 11, where Jesus raised Martha’s brother Lazarus from the dead. We looked at the story from two points:
- Jesus showed Martha that He was all powerful and had control over everything in her life, even death. We know from other stories considering this family that Martha was a bit of a control freak, struggling to serve Jesus and His disciples and even rebuking Mary for not helping her. In that story, Jesus lovingly taught Martha that spending time with her Lord and Savior was more important than physical labor. In this story, Martha had no control. She sent messages to Jesus long before her beloved brother’s death, but He did not come. Perhaps she felt like in the moment of her life where she needed Jesus the most, He wasn’t there. It wasn’t until four days after her brother’s death that her Lord finally showed up. In fact, when He commanded them to open the tomb she even told Jesus not to do it because of the potential stench.
- Second, even though Jesus was God Himself and the most powerful being on Earth, He exposed Himself to the pain and sorrow Martha and others were suffering. He even probably knew that Lazarus would live again, and yet He cried with them. Some translations say that Jesus sobbed with them. Ours is not a God who sits on His throne in heaven oblivious to our pain. He feels it with us, and felt it when He died for us on the cross.
A few interesting responses resulted from sharing these two points with the women in the study. We asked them, "Has there ever been a moment in your life where you felt like you had prayed and prayed for God’s help, and He just didn’t show up - and then suddenly He answered your prayer at the last hour?"
One of the women who comes consistently told us a beautiful story -one so close to her she couldn’t finish it because she began to cry. A few years ago, when she was pregnant with her youngest child and her husband beat her often, even though he knew she was with child. He rebuked her for going to church and was very spiteful. For a long time she prayed that God would change him, or save her from his violent actions. Time went on and on and God did not answer. She even told us that she felt like God was favoring her husband’s prayers over hers, because He gave her husband the power to beat her.
Then suddenly her husband began going to Hawane CLC church with her. He changed, and has even stopped beating her. To this day he attends regularly.
What an incredible testimony. Like Martha, this woman did not know if God would answer her prayer, but He did. He brought this woman’s husband back from the dead. He cried with her every step of the way when she cried, and in the end, the dead man walked out of the grave.
Please pray that this testimony will be one that inspires the other women in the group. Another woman in the group told us that she did not understand why Jesus would want to experience the pain that she feels in her life. We now have 26 women involved with the group. Not every woman is from Hawane CLC Church; some are from other local churches. Some are strong, some are weak, but God has provided all of us with brothers and sisters to be His hands and feet for us.
~ Stacy Weneck
- Jesus showed Martha that He was all powerful and had control over everything in her life, even death. We know from other stories considering this family that Martha was a bit of a control freak, struggling to serve Jesus and His disciples and even rebuking Mary for not helping her. In that story, Jesus lovingly taught Martha that spending time with her Lord and Savior was more important than physical labor. In this story, Martha had no control. She sent messages to Jesus long before her beloved brother’s death, but He did not come. Perhaps she felt like in the moment of her life where she needed Jesus the most, He wasn’t there. It wasn’t until four days after her brother’s death that her Lord finally showed up. In fact, when He commanded them to open the tomb she even told Jesus not to do it because of the potential stench.
- Second, even though Jesus was God Himself and the most powerful being on Earth, He exposed Himself to the pain and sorrow Martha and others were suffering. He even probably knew that Lazarus would live again, and yet He cried with them. Some translations say that Jesus sobbed with them. Ours is not a God who sits on His throne in heaven oblivious to our pain. He feels it with us, and felt it when He died for us on the cross.
A few interesting responses resulted from sharing these two points with the women in the study. We asked them, "Has there ever been a moment in your life where you felt like you had prayed and prayed for God’s help, and He just didn’t show up - and then suddenly He answered your prayer at the last hour?"
One of the women who comes consistently told us a beautiful story -one so close to her she couldn’t finish it because she began to cry. A few years ago, when she was pregnant with her youngest child and her husband beat her often, even though he knew she was with child. He rebuked her for going to church and was very spiteful. For a long time she prayed that God would change him, or save her from his violent actions. Time went on and on and God did not answer. She even told us that she felt like God was favoring her husband’s prayers over hers, because He gave her husband the power to beat her.
Then suddenly her husband began going to Hawane CLC church with her. He changed, and has even stopped beating her. To this day he attends regularly.
What an incredible testimony. Like Martha, this woman did not know if God would answer her prayer, but He did. He brought this woman’s husband back from the dead. He cried with her every step of the way when she cried, and in the end, the dead man walked out of the grave.
Please pray that this testimony will be one that inspires the other women in the group. Another woman in the group told us that she did not understand why Jesus would want to experience the pain that she feels in her life. We now have 26 women involved with the group. Not every woman is from Hawane CLC Church; some are from other local churches. Some are strong, some are weak, but God has provided all of us with brothers and sisters to be His hands and feet for us.
~ Stacy Weneck
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found
“I once was lost but now I’m found” - a phrase that we have all sung probably a thousand times in our lives. A comforting phrase at that; and really one of the greatest truths we could possibly sing. As Christians, we all know and feel deep in our souls, that if it wasn’t for the firm and loving grip of Jesus Christ, we would be lost forever. It’s a loving grip that “snatches” from the fire. It transfers us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son. Every believer on Earth can sing this phrase as a reality.
Yet I and others like Kylee, Julie, Chris, Micah, and everyone else who traveled to serve here in Swaziland have met children who can sing this not only as a spiritual reality, but as a physical one too. Being literally lost and then found must be so vivid, and the grip of Jesus so tangible for them. I have met teens who were on the streets, had no bed, no home, barely any clothes, and their food was beer or cigarettes. They knew nothing but pain, rejection, and sorrow before Jesus intervened. (I’m not saying no one in the US has been physically lost, or has gone through the same type of things these here have gone through, but these are the stories I know).
One such boy came to live with us at the Lighthouse on Hawane Farm this week. His name is Manhla, and as an eleven year old is only about the size of a 5 year old. He has cerebral palsy and his mother abandoned him when he was very young, leaving him to his father and stepmother, who did nothing less than leave him outside with the dogs to fend for his food. This frightened him so badly that he pulled into the fetal position, and did so for such a length of time that his legs atrophied and he lost the use of them. He also lost the ability to speak.
The Luke Commission discovered his situation and took him to the hospital. Now he has come to bless us in Hawane. He has the smile of an angel, and whenever anyone speaks to him he just lights up. When Manhla is in a room, he is the center of attention, because everyone loves him so much already. Jane and Nokuthula care for him daily, putting braces on his legs to help straighten them out, teaching him to eat with a spoon instead of grabbing hungrily at the food. All of the children and youth love him. They stroke his head and speak gently to him; they give him things; they help take care of him.
God has already begun to work miracles. While on the first day he was wildly grabbing for food, he now has been able to eat pretty neatly with a spoon - an immediate improvement that was not really expected. He loves everything that goes on around him, and looks curiously, bobbing back and forth with excitement. This morning he actually managed to crawl to Nokuthula and even tried to stand up. Just a week or so ago, this boy had nothing - literally, nothing. Today, he has many brothers and sisters, mothers and aunts, friends and helpers. He has hugs and kisses and tender touches where before was only hate and fear.
This reminds me so much of the parable Jesus told about the shepherd who lost one sheep and left the other 99 in the flock to go and find it. Manhla was just one child out of thousands in Swaziland with no home and no love, and one child out of millions in the world. I pray that one day Manhla will be able to stand on legs that did not work before and testify that God was not satisfied with leaving him to fend against dogs; that he will be able to speak powerful words of truth with a mouth that was once mute and preach that Jesus Christ is the only one who has the compassion and the power to save us from death, and bring us out of the darkness. I hope you will pray too that this boy will see that God knew about him before he was ever born, and that like Hagar he will be able to proclaim that this is “a God who sees me.” I believe that He will do this; that God will use Manhla to spread the gospel to those who don’t believe God sees or hears them.
But for now, please just pray that he learns he is loved and that he doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Please pray that he learns to speak and walk, that his legs become healthy, and his heart is filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus found him; that he once was lost, but now is found.
Written By Stacey Weneck
Yet I and others like Kylee, Julie, Chris, Micah, and everyone else who traveled to serve here in Swaziland have met children who can sing this not only as a spiritual reality, but as a physical one too. Being literally lost and then found must be so vivid, and the grip of Jesus so tangible for them. I have met teens who were on the streets, had no bed, no home, barely any clothes, and their food was beer or cigarettes. They knew nothing but pain, rejection, and sorrow before Jesus intervened. (I’m not saying no one in the US has been physically lost, or has gone through the same type of things these here have gone through, but these are the stories I know).
One such boy came to live with us at the Lighthouse on Hawane Farm this week. His name is Manhla, and as an eleven year old is only about the size of a 5 year old. He has cerebral palsy and his mother abandoned him when he was very young, leaving him to his father and stepmother, who did nothing less than leave him outside with the dogs to fend for his food. This frightened him so badly that he pulled into the fetal position, and did so for such a length of time that his legs atrophied and he lost the use of them. He also lost the ability to speak.
The Luke Commission discovered his situation and took him to the hospital. Now he has come to bless us in Hawane. He has the smile of an angel, and whenever anyone speaks to him he just lights up. When Manhla is in a room, he is the center of attention, because everyone loves him so much already. Jane and Nokuthula care for him daily, putting braces on his legs to help straighten them out, teaching him to eat with a spoon instead of grabbing hungrily at the food. All of the children and youth love him. They stroke his head and speak gently to him; they give him things; they help take care of him.
God has already begun to work miracles. While on the first day he was wildly grabbing for food, he now has been able to eat pretty neatly with a spoon - an immediate improvement that was not really expected. He loves everything that goes on around him, and looks curiously, bobbing back and forth with excitement. This morning he actually managed to crawl to Nokuthula and even tried to stand up. Just a week or so ago, this boy had nothing - literally, nothing. Today, he has many brothers and sisters, mothers and aunts, friends and helpers. He has hugs and kisses and tender touches where before was only hate and fear.
This reminds me so much of the parable Jesus told about the shepherd who lost one sheep and left the other 99 in the flock to go and find it. Manhla was just one child out of thousands in Swaziland with no home and no love, and one child out of millions in the world. I pray that one day Manhla will be able to stand on legs that did not work before and testify that God was not satisfied with leaving him to fend against dogs; that he will be able to speak powerful words of truth with a mouth that was once mute and preach that Jesus Christ is the only one who has the compassion and the power to save us from death, and bring us out of the darkness. I hope you will pray too that this boy will see that God knew about him before he was ever born, and that like Hagar he will be able to proclaim that this is “a God who sees me.” I believe that He will do this; that God will use Manhla to spread the gospel to those who don’t believe God sees or hears them.
But for now, please just pray that he learns he is loved and that he doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Please pray that he learns to speak and walk, that his legs become healthy, and his heart is filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus found him; that he once was lost, but now is found.
Written By Stacey Weneck
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
From Milk to Solid Food
September 24, 2009
Lately, all of us here at Hawane Farm, Hawane CLC, and Potter’s Wheel Church have sensed that a season is coming for the Holy Spirit to move. God has really been speaking to many of us about moving things to the next level. The mothers, youth, children and men who live and work in Hawane are ready for God to move them from a basic foundation of faith to a whole other dimension of faith. All of them, including me, are on various levels of spiritual growth, but God has communicated to us that it is time for a wave of growth in everyone. It has come up as a main topic in teaching; whether in cell groups, devotions, personal conversations, conferences or prayer. Even before I came, when I prayed to God asking what He wanted to see done in this phase of life at Hawane, He impressed upon me the need for deeper development, deeper knowledge of Scripture, and deeper connection in relationship with Him.
Last week’s cell group for the mothers was a prime example. Jane, the nurse on the farm (though her work far exceeds just medical care) had planned another topic but she felt that the Spirit wanted to give the moms a chance to be prayed over and be baptized in the Spirit. We ended up spending most of the time in deep worship; we prayed and spoke in tongues for those who asked for it, and a couple of moms were actually baptized in the Spirit. There was a strong feeling of moving deeper into God’s will and into His plan.
This past week was unusual because there was a Teen Challenge conference, which was a real blessing to all of us. One of the teachings was called “Discipline For Change” which was really geared toward Teen Challenge youth, but proved to be a valuable guide in working with the children and teens on the farm. We spent a huge chunk of time again at the mothers’ cell talking about specific kids that we felt needed help now, or were seriously struggling; what was the root of the cause, and how could we discipline for change. How can we move these children on? How does God see them? What does He want to do in their lives? What has been done wrong up to this point? How can we do better with the younger ones? Again, what was on all of our hearts was that God wants the seeds that have been planted to gain DEPTH; For them to really start moving into strong, independent relationships with God.
For my part, I have been trying to encourage the girls in the cell group to have daily devotions with God, and not to rely only on the weekly meetings and Sunday gatherings as their relationship. Jesus wants a sincere, independent bond between us and Him. Please pray that these girls (and the boys too!!) learn how INCREDIBLY important daily time alone with God is. Pray that their hearts are sincere and there is a real relationship with Jesus. We cannot judge this ourselves of course. The only thing we can do is follow the prompting of the Spirit in encouraging them toward the truth and praying.
I have been very touched by some of the girls. Their passion for Scripture, worship and knowledge of God is apparent and seems very sincere. May God use them to impact the others! There has also been a plan to hold a “sword drill” because a lot of the time they are struggling to find Scripture references during lessons. Some of them are more familiar of course than others, but it’s a good idea to really get them into it. Pray that the exciting thought of competition turns into a revelation in the heart and soul that knowing Scripture is precious and necessary to us in our walk with God.
On top of all this the Bible study for the women in the community has been going really well with those who have been attending. We normally have around 10 women. However, last week it dropped to about 5 or 6, but that Tuesday was horrible, dark and wet. These women walk for miles and miles so naturally on bad days not as many may come. Also one of them is pregnant and she fell ill; Jane and I went to see her and thankfully, so far, she is ok, as is the baby.
At first I thought the lack of attendance was a negative thing to be overcome through prayer and persistence; perhaps it still is, but I have gained a new perspective on numbers from the last study we had with just a few women. There were four women who have come whether it was dark or sunny, wet or dry, cold or warm. NOTHING has stopped these women from coming to learn about and worship Jesus. Their names are Mavis, Ester, Maina, and Jabu. They came every day to the retreat and have come every single day to this Bible study. Jane, Elizabeth (Pastor Augustine’s wife) and I have really gotten to know them very well; we take their prayer requests (already huge prayers have been answered), know about their families and lives, and we all feel very comfortable together. We have been able to grow RELATIONSHIPS with them. This is something that is difficult to do in larger numbers.
Maybe God is just trying to empower these particular women before the study grows larger. He is already working in them in very specific ways. I thank Him so much for all of them. They work day and night, in very poor conditions. They are tired, the kind of tired a lot of us could never understand. Some of them barely get the food they need to survive and on top of that they are fighting AIDS/HIV. Would we walk 5 miles in the cold, wet, mud and mist, when we have so much else to do and had a very thin meal the day before, were sick, and had to go with a cane, to a Bible study? Or if like one of them we had to carry children along with us? Or like two of them were over the age of fifty? Would we even think about it? God bless and look after these beloved few who will not be held back, or beaten down. Pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; blessed beyond the curse. Many around here often say that Swaziland is a living pulpit for the Word of God. I can see why.
Please then continue to pray for growth, that all of these move on from milk to solid food, by the grace of God. Whether a mother on the farm, a teenager in TCMI, a member of the CLC church, a woman in the community, or those of us who are here working with them. We ask that God bring growth, and more real change; that there will be more anointing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally we THANK God for the incredible things He has already done and is doing now.
Written by Stacey Weneck who is serving in Swaziland until mid-December.
Lately, all of us here at Hawane Farm, Hawane CLC, and Potter’s Wheel Church have sensed that a season is coming for the Holy Spirit to move. God has really been speaking to many of us about moving things to the next level. The mothers, youth, children and men who live and work in Hawane are ready for God to move them from a basic foundation of faith to a whole other dimension of faith. All of them, including me, are on various levels of spiritual growth, but God has communicated to us that it is time for a wave of growth in everyone. It has come up as a main topic in teaching; whether in cell groups, devotions, personal conversations, conferences or prayer. Even before I came, when I prayed to God asking what He wanted to see done in this phase of life at Hawane, He impressed upon me the need for deeper development, deeper knowledge of Scripture, and deeper connection in relationship with Him.
Last week’s cell group for the mothers was a prime example. Jane, the nurse on the farm (though her work far exceeds just medical care) had planned another topic but she felt that the Spirit wanted to give the moms a chance to be prayed over and be baptized in the Spirit. We ended up spending most of the time in deep worship; we prayed and spoke in tongues for those who asked for it, and a couple of moms were actually baptized in the Spirit. There was a strong feeling of moving deeper into God’s will and into His plan.
This past week was unusual because there was a Teen Challenge conference, which was a real blessing to all of us. One of the teachings was called “Discipline For Change” which was really geared toward Teen Challenge youth, but proved to be a valuable guide in working with the children and teens on the farm. We spent a huge chunk of time again at the mothers’ cell talking about specific kids that we felt needed help now, or were seriously struggling; what was the root of the cause, and how could we discipline for change. How can we move these children on? How does God see them? What does He want to do in their lives? What has been done wrong up to this point? How can we do better with the younger ones? Again, what was on all of our hearts was that God wants the seeds that have been planted to gain DEPTH; For them to really start moving into strong, independent relationships with God.
For my part, I have been trying to encourage the girls in the cell group to have daily devotions with God, and not to rely only on the weekly meetings and Sunday gatherings as their relationship. Jesus wants a sincere, independent bond between us and Him. Please pray that these girls (and the boys too!!) learn how INCREDIBLY important daily time alone with God is. Pray that their hearts are sincere and there is a real relationship with Jesus. We cannot judge this ourselves of course. The only thing we can do is follow the prompting of the Spirit in encouraging them toward the truth and praying.
I have been very touched by some of the girls. Their passion for Scripture, worship and knowledge of God is apparent and seems very sincere. May God use them to impact the others! There has also been a plan to hold a “sword drill” because a lot of the time they are struggling to find Scripture references during lessons. Some of them are more familiar of course than others, but it’s a good idea to really get them into it. Pray that the exciting thought of competition turns into a revelation in the heart and soul that knowing Scripture is precious and necessary to us in our walk with God.
On top of all this the Bible study for the women in the community has been going really well with those who have been attending. We normally have around 10 women. However, last week it dropped to about 5 or 6, but that Tuesday was horrible, dark and wet. These women walk for miles and miles so naturally on bad days not as many may come. Also one of them is pregnant and she fell ill; Jane and I went to see her and thankfully, so far, she is ok, as is the baby.
At first I thought the lack of attendance was a negative thing to be overcome through prayer and persistence; perhaps it still is, but I have gained a new perspective on numbers from the last study we had with just a few women. There were four women who have come whether it was dark or sunny, wet or dry, cold or warm. NOTHING has stopped these women from coming to learn about and worship Jesus. Their names are Mavis, Ester, Maina, and Jabu. They came every day to the retreat and have come every single day to this Bible study. Jane, Elizabeth (Pastor Augustine’s wife) and I have really gotten to know them very well; we take their prayer requests (already huge prayers have been answered), know about their families and lives, and we all feel very comfortable together. We have been able to grow RELATIONSHIPS with them. This is something that is difficult to do in larger numbers.
Maybe God is just trying to empower these particular women before the study grows larger. He is already working in them in very specific ways. I thank Him so much for all of them. They work day and night, in very poor conditions. They are tired, the kind of tired a lot of us could never understand. Some of them barely get the food they need to survive and on top of that they are fighting AIDS/HIV. Would we walk 5 miles in the cold, wet, mud and mist, when we have so much else to do and had a very thin meal the day before, were sick, and had to go with a cane, to a Bible study? Or if like one of them we had to carry children along with us? Or like two of them were over the age of fifty? Would we even think about it? God bless and look after these beloved few who will not be held back, or beaten down. Pressed but not crushed, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; blessed beyond the curse. Many around here often say that Swaziland is a living pulpit for the Word of God. I can see why.
Please then continue to pray for growth, that all of these move on from milk to solid food, by the grace of God. Whether a mother on the farm, a teenager in TCMI, a member of the CLC church, a woman in the community, or those of us who are here working with them. We ask that God bring growth, and more real change; that there will be more anointing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally we THANK God for the incredible things He has already done and is doing now.
Written by Stacey Weneck who is serving in Swaziland until mid-December.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Reflections and Updates from Stacey
God is continuing to do incredible things in Swaziland. When the first outreach team arrived, our hopes were extremely high. We had spent months and months in careful prayer and preparation of a program initiated by Kevin Rutledge called Seeds For Swaziland, a week long women’s retreat taught by Cassandra Conger entitled A Christian Woman’s Lifestyle, and a week long set of men’s discipleship classes taught by Gary Miller. We believed that God would change lives, win people for his kingdom, enhance the faith of young Christians, send His Spirit to guide us, spread the gospel through the giving of much needed gardens, and strengthen the relationship between Christian Life Center and Potter’s Wheel Church, the Lighthouse, and Christian Life Community.
He did all of those things and more.
The Seeds For Swaziland effort was a huge success. Beforehand God had provided us with the best seeds we could possibly give to the recipients of four gardens. Pastor Augustine Boateng had chosen carefully which four homesteads would receive gardens, none of which were even a part of Christian Life Community Church. Then the guys on our team tilled the hard earth and cleaned it of rocks, planted, watered, and left three necessary tools with the head of the household. They brought many of the boys from Lighthouse care center to help them, and encouraged the younger boys on the homesteads to help their “go-go” (Grandmother). Grandmothers in Swaziland are often the hardest workers and provide for their grandchildren by feeding and clothing them, and sending them to school. It was important that the children learned how to work hard to support themselves and their grandmothers. Several of the homesteads began to go to church; frowns turned to smiles, cold attitudes warmed throughout the week. They were asked to share the eventual crops; which is something Swazis do not usually do. New relationships were established with each of these homesteads which may result in new believers. We have prayed that these gardens produce not only physical fruit but spiritual fruit, that God would bless each family and bring everyone into His kingdom. We also prayed that the gospel would be spread through the gardens.
God also truly blessed us through the women’s retreat. We had asked God to bring to us women who had repentant hearts, made of fertile soil, that would truly bear fruit; that they would grow, or that new women would turn their hearts to Jesus; that He would show them His love and lift them up. Before we left, we were cautioned that Swazi women, especially the Siswati speakers, would not open up immediately because in their culture women are considered little better than the eldest child and were often abused or put down for having opinions; that it would take at least 3 days for them to really talk to us. This advice came from people who had a long experience with Swazis, and we CLC women went into the first day believing that, but praying that God would at least get them to warm up at some point.
The Lord decided to give us far more. Not every woman opened up, but the very first day even the community women who did not speak English talked and responded. By the third day they were very, very warm to us, hugged us, asked us questions, and testified of the amazing things God has done in their lives to this very day and what they had learned at the retreat. It was overwhelming. They sang beautiful choruses, full of joy; they danced together, and even those who had not known each other coming in became friends and conversed. They prayed altogether in loud voices, crying out to God; the second day several women accepted Jesus for the first time or said they had wandered far from God and wanted to come back. They asked for Bibles, talked about arranging Bible studies, and laughed together.
They also admitted their sins, what they struggled with, what was difficult for them to understand about God, and many admitted things that really brought them pain. If one said they found it difficult to believe that God provides for every need, another testified how God provided every need for her. And so we encouraged them to build each other up and support each other.
Every day we all went in tired and drained physically and spiritually. Every day God met us there and totally blew our minds. What an incredible week. We learned that God can move in more powerful ways than we could have imagined. Our hearts were broken for these blessed women who felt pain, fear, and loss but reached out to God nonetheless.
Thankfully the guys on our team served the women lunch every day. This was a total shock to many of them as women usually do the serving in Swazi society. I remember Kevin told us that he prayed that by the end of the week, the fearful and ashamed frowns he saw in the lunch line would turn to warm smiles of a more confident heart. They did. Eventually they began perhaps to feel that these foreign men believed they were worth something, and smiled and joked with them.
Jane Walker and I have developed a new community women’s Bible study on Tuesday to open opportunities for the Spirit to do what He did during that week. Please pray that God continues to move in these women’s hearts, that just because the retreat is over and the team is gone, they won’t let go of the truth.
The men’s discipleship classes did not go as expected, but we thank God for every single life impacted, even in the smallest way. We know He will do good things with Gary’s efforts. The first day, no men came, but the number grew throughout the week, and some men even came on the following Saturday to ask questions. Pastor Augustine has realized the need to guide men as the spiritual head of the household, and so efforts are under way to develop a men’s Bible study along side the new women’s study. Please pray that a time can be decided on and then men will come and be equipped to change Swaziland for Jesus Christ.
On top of all this, God really blessed our team. I did not hear a single negative report or argument the whole time though we were all drained and very tired. Even those around us commented on how incredibly unified our team was, and that the Spirit was with us. Pastor Augustine confessed the last Sunday that he had never served women and was truly convicted and inspired by the willing ministry of Kevin, Eric, Micah and Gary, who served lunch even though they were fasting one day. Even though most of us hadn’t known each other before coming to Swaziland, we became like family. We cried together, laughed together, ministered together, and supported each other. All of this was clearly through the supernatural work of Jesus Christ and the love that He poured out to us. We praise God for that highly necessary work in our lives. When the team finally left, it was very hard for me; not because I wanted to leave, but because I loved them so much and wanted every single one to stay.
After several weeks now however I am very busy and life is in full swing. I love every face here and the thought of leaving already makes me incredibly sad. I’m really getting to know the mothers and children at Hawane CLC and people at Hawane Farm; So far I’ve been tutoring, playing with the children, helping with the girls cell, starting the new Bible study with Jane, beginning the TCMI computer class, visiting homesteads, and working on assignments from Pastor Kevin and others. Much more is still left to be done. This has been a dream come true for me and I have already learned so much I can barely comprehend it all. I hope I will be able to be as much of a blessing to these precious people as they have been already to me and others. I believe that God has truly blessed this place with leaders and followers who desire to please Him and exhibit the reality of His heart. Please continue to pray that God will shower Swaziland with His love and transform broken human lives.
He did all of those things and more.
The Seeds For Swaziland effort was a huge success. Beforehand God had provided us with the best seeds we could possibly give to the recipients of four gardens. Pastor Augustine Boateng had chosen carefully which four homesteads would receive gardens, none of which were even a part of Christian Life Community Church. Then the guys on our team tilled the hard earth and cleaned it of rocks, planted, watered, and left three necessary tools with the head of the household. They brought many of the boys from Lighthouse care center to help them, and encouraged the younger boys on the homesteads to help their “go-go” (Grandmother). Grandmothers in Swaziland are often the hardest workers and provide for their grandchildren by feeding and clothing them, and sending them to school. It was important that the children learned how to work hard to support themselves and their grandmothers. Several of the homesteads began to go to church; frowns turned to smiles, cold attitudes warmed throughout the week. They were asked to share the eventual crops; which is something Swazis do not usually do. New relationships were established with each of these homesteads which may result in new believers. We have prayed that these gardens produce not only physical fruit but spiritual fruit, that God would bless each family and bring everyone into His kingdom. We also prayed that the gospel would be spread through the gardens.
God also truly blessed us through the women’s retreat. We had asked God to bring to us women who had repentant hearts, made of fertile soil, that would truly bear fruit; that they would grow, or that new women would turn their hearts to Jesus; that He would show them His love and lift them up. Before we left, we were cautioned that Swazi women, especially the Siswati speakers, would not open up immediately because in their culture women are considered little better than the eldest child and were often abused or put down for having opinions; that it would take at least 3 days for them to really talk to us. This advice came from people who had a long experience with Swazis, and we CLC women went into the first day believing that, but praying that God would at least get them to warm up at some point.
The Lord decided to give us far more. Not every woman opened up, but the very first day even the community women who did not speak English talked and responded. By the third day they were very, very warm to us, hugged us, asked us questions, and testified of the amazing things God has done in their lives to this very day and what they had learned at the retreat. It was overwhelming. They sang beautiful choruses, full of joy; they danced together, and even those who had not known each other coming in became friends and conversed. They prayed altogether in loud voices, crying out to God; the second day several women accepted Jesus for the first time or said they had wandered far from God and wanted to come back. They asked for Bibles, talked about arranging Bible studies, and laughed together.
They also admitted their sins, what they struggled with, what was difficult for them to understand about God, and many admitted things that really brought them pain. If one said they found it difficult to believe that God provides for every need, another testified how God provided every need for her. And so we encouraged them to build each other up and support each other.
Every day we all went in tired and drained physically and spiritually. Every day God met us there and totally blew our minds. What an incredible week. We learned that God can move in more powerful ways than we could have imagined. Our hearts were broken for these blessed women who felt pain, fear, and loss but reached out to God nonetheless.
Thankfully the guys on our team served the women lunch every day. This was a total shock to many of them as women usually do the serving in Swazi society. I remember Kevin told us that he prayed that by the end of the week, the fearful and ashamed frowns he saw in the lunch line would turn to warm smiles of a more confident heart. They did. Eventually they began perhaps to feel that these foreign men believed they were worth something, and smiled and joked with them.
Jane Walker and I have developed a new community women’s Bible study on Tuesday to open opportunities for the Spirit to do what He did during that week. Please pray that God continues to move in these women’s hearts, that just because the retreat is over and the team is gone, they won’t let go of the truth.
The men’s discipleship classes did not go as expected, but we thank God for every single life impacted, even in the smallest way. We know He will do good things with Gary’s efforts. The first day, no men came, but the number grew throughout the week, and some men even came on the following Saturday to ask questions. Pastor Augustine has realized the need to guide men as the spiritual head of the household, and so efforts are under way to develop a men’s Bible study along side the new women’s study. Please pray that a time can be decided on and then men will come and be equipped to change Swaziland for Jesus Christ.
On top of all this, God really blessed our team. I did not hear a single negative report or argument the whole time though we were all drained and very tired. Even those around us commented on how incredibly unified our team was, and that the Spirit was with us. Pastor Augustine confessed the last Sunday that he had never served women and was truly convicted and inspired by the willing ministry of Kevin, Eric, Micah and Gary, who served lunch even though they were fasting one day. Even though most of us hadn’t known each other before coming to Swaziland, we became like family. We cried together, laughed together, ministered together, and supported each other. All of this was clearly through the supernatural work of Jesus Christ and the love that He poured out to us. We praise God for that highly necessary work in our lives. When the team finally left, it was very hard for me; not because I wanted to leave, but because I loved them so much and wanted every single one to stay.
After several weeks now however I am very busy and life is in full swing. I love every face here and the thought of leaving already makes me incredibly sad. I’m really getting to know the mothers and children at Hawane CLC and people at Hawane Farm; So far I’ve been tutoring, playing with the children, helping with the girls cell, starting the new Bible study with Jane, beginning the TCMI computer class, visiting homesteads, and working on assignments from Pastor Kevin and others. Much more is still left to be done. This has been a dream come true for me and I have already learned so much I can barely comprehend it all. I hope I will be able to be as much of a blessing to these precious people as they have been already to me and others. I believe that God has truly blessed this place with leaders and followers who desire to please Him and exhibit the reality of His heart. Please continue to pray that God will shower Swaziland with His love and transform broken human lives.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Outreach Team Returns Safe and Sound
On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, our Outreach Team returned home from a 14 day journey to Swaziland.
There were plenty of hugs and handshakes to go around as the team arrived in the baggage claim area.
Family, friends and several CLC staff members were on hand to celebrate the safe return and incredible work accomplished by the team. Despite the long plane ride home, there was excitement in the air as the travelers began sharing some of their experiences.
.JPG)
As we wrote previously, the focus of this team was on outreach. Through the women's retreat, men's discipleship discussion group and the Seeds for Swaziland project, we strove to share the hope of the gospel and the saving love of Jesus. Through their words and deeds our team planted seeds - spiritual as well as actual seeds. It is our hope that those seeds fell on "good ground"; that there are now people in Swaziland who have a better understanding of God's Word and who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will begin to grow and bear much fruit. (see Matthew 13: 1-26) Please join us in continuing to pray for those who were ministered to by this team. Through them, may the nation be changed for Christ!
There were plenty of hugs and handshakes to go around as the team arrived in the baggage claim area.
Family, friends and several CLC staff members were on hand to celebrate the safe return and incredible work accomplished by the team. Despite the long plane ride home, there was excitement in the air as the travelers began sharing some of their experiences.
.JPG)
As we wrote previously, the focus of this team was on outreach. Through the women's retreat, men's discipleship discussion group and the Seeds for Swaziland project, we strove to share the hope of the gospel and the saving love of Jesus. Through their words and deeds our team planted seeds - spiritual as well as actual seeds. It is our hope that those seeds fell on "good ground"; that there are now people in Swaziland who have a better understanding of God's Word and who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will begin to grow and bear much fruit. (see Matthew 13: 1-26) Please join us in continuing to pray for those who were ministered to by this team. Through them, may the nation be changed for Christ!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bush Clinic Day Four
This blog describes the final bush clinic provided by the Medical Team, on August 24th. Even though the team is safely home, they wanted to share this day's adventures with you....
Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.
The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.
The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.
The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.
After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.
Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.
We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.
Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.
Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:
www.lukecommission.org
Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.
The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.
The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.
The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.
After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.
Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.
We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.
Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.
Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:
www.lukecommission.org
Friday, August 28, 2009
A Time to Plant
The Outreach Team that is currently serving in Swaziland, has three main areas of focus:
* A week-long Women's Retreat
* Men's discipleship classes
* Seeds for Swaziland (S4S)
We'd like to tell you a little about the Seeds for Swaziland (S4S) project.
God first "planted" the S4S idea in the heart of Kevin R. after he traveled to Swaizland in May of 2008 to help rennovate the building that would become the home to Pastor Augustine and his family on our first ICBC. Kevin felt God was calling him to plant seeds of love and faith and grow the Kingdom of God in Swaziland through the simple act of providing a source of food for people in need. Kevin wanted to be obedient to God's command in Matthew 28:19 where God tells us, “Go therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Kevin knew he may not have the ability to preach like Paul, but he could certianly figure out what food sources could be grown in Swaziland and what tools were needed to get a garden started and maintained. He trusted God to use him (and others) to show God's love to others.
The purpose of S4S is to provide seed packages and gardening tools to select homesteads in the area surroung the ICBC church. The pastor of the church identifies which homesteads will be included in the program. Once selected, the S4S team:
1. Helps the families prepare their garden plot
2. Provides the tools and seed (including fencing to protect the plot once planted)
3. Assists the family in planting the seeds
4. Teaches the family how to maintain the garden until harvest and for coming
seasons.
The long-term goal of the project is that the gardens not only provide a source of food to the families, but in the long run, will yield enough produce that extras can be sold as a way to earn income for the family.
Because this is a new endeavor, this Outreach Team is conducting an initial 'test run' of the program. The team planned to put in 3 gardens; one on the church site and two at separate homesteads. However, once they arrived, they decided to plant four separate gardens on four separate homesteads, and not plant something at the church at this time.
One of the homesteads that was selected belongs to a Gogo (grandmother). She was attending the Women's retreat and the S4S team said she was a great lady, who had a wonderful "feeling" about her. What a blessing to be able to tend to this woman's soul and garden all in one week!
The four plots were prepared earlier in the week and planting at all four sites should have happened today. Preparing the ground for planting was a bit tricky because the ground was hard due to a lack of rain over the past few months. The team commented, "How great and God-like it would be if we could have some rain before we begin planting on Friday." And ofcourse, everyone was grateful and only a little surprised when it began raining Thursday afternoon and rained for several hours. Praise God!
Please continue to pray for the team. But also, pray for the families who received the gardens. May they seek God and find Him. May they realize that God not only cares about and provides for their physical needs, but more importantly He cares about and provides for their spiritual needs. In Him they will find all that they could ever need or want. As their garden harvests grow and produce food, so may their spiritual lives grow and produce the fruits of the spirit than can only come through a life abiding in Christ.
* A week-long Women's Retreat
* Men's discipleship classes
* Seeds for Swaziland (S4S)
We'd like to tell you a little about the Seeds for Swaziland (S4S) project.
God first "planted" the S4S idea in the heart of Kevin R. after he traveled to Swaizland in May of 2008 to help rennovate the building that would become the home to Pastor Augustine and his family on our first ICBC. Kevin felt God was calling him to plant seeds of love and faith and grow the Kingdom of God in Swaziland through the simple act of providing a source of food for people in need. Kevin wanted to be obedient to God's command in Matthew 28:19 where God tells us, “Go therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Kevin knew he may not have the ability to preach like Paul, but he could certianly figure out what food sources could be grown in Swaziland and what tools were needed to get a garden started and maintained. He trusted God to use him (and others) to show God's love to others.
The purpose of S4S is to provide seed packages and gardening tools to select homesteads in the area surroung the ICBC church. The pastor of the church identifies which homesteads will be included in the program. Once selected, the S4S team:
1. Helps the families prepare their garden plot
2. Provides the tools and seed (including fencing to protect the plot once planted)
3. Assists the family in planting the seeds
4. Teaches the family how to maintain the garden until harvest and for coming
seasons.
The long-term goal of the project is that the gardens not only provide a source of food to the families, but in the long run, will yield enough produce that extras can be sold as a way to earn income for the family.
Because this is a new endeavor, this Outreach Team is conducting an initial 'test run' of the program. The team planned to put in 3 gardens; one on the church site and two at separate homesteads. However, once they arrived, they decided to plant four separate gardens on four separate homesteads, and not plant something at the church at this time.
One of the homesteads that was selected belongs to a Gogo (grandmother). She was attending the Women's retreat and the S4S team said she was a great lady, who had a wonderful "feeling" about her. What a blessing to be able to tend to this woman's soul and garden all in one week!
The four plots were prepared earlier in the week and planting at all four sites should have happened today. Preparing the ground for planting was a bit tricky because the ground was hard due to a lack of rain over the past few months. The team commented, "How great and God-like it would be if we could have some rain before we begin planting on Friday." And ofcourse, everyone was grateful and only a little surprised when it began raining Thursday afternoon and rained for several hours. Praise God!
Please continue to pray for the team. But also, pray for the families who received the gardens. May they seek God and find Him. May they realize that God not only cares about and provides for their physical needs, but more importantly He cares about and provides for their spiritual needs. In Him they will find all that they could ever need or want. As their garden harvests grow and produce food, so may their spiritual lives grow and produce the fruits of the spirit than can only come through a life abiding in Christ.
Medical Team Returns Home
There were plenty of smiles and hugs to go around as CLC's medical team returned home. After spending 10 days with The Luke Commission - 4 of which were dedicated to day-long medical bush clinics- the team returned home to the cheers of many family and friends. Though a little tired from the 28 hours of travel, everyone appeared to be in good spirits. There are plenty of stories to tell; some happy, some harrowing and some heartbreaking.
Though CLC has supported The Luke Commission financially through our missionary outreach, this was our first actual partnership with the organization - and hopefully not our last! If you speak with any team member, they will tell you what an amazing, God-led ministry it is. It changes lives - spiritually and physically- day after day. We look forward to sending future teams to join them in their mission. Will you please pray for TLC? One specific prayer request came through as the team was returning home:
This week we have had a midnight tow for the broken axle on the big trailer (now repaired & ready to go!), our big vehicle is terminal & beyond repair (one that pulls the trailer), and another vehicle was involved in an accident today. Thankfully, no one was injured today & thanks to awesome ministry partners (and God) - we have a vehicle that will tow the big trailer to clinic tomorrow!
In just a few weeks, CLC will launch a three-week, Next Step class on Wednesday nights entitled "The Untold Stories of Swaziland". Various travelers will share their experiences of serving in Swaziland, and members of the Medical Team will be a part of that testimony. We invite you to come hear the amazing and miraculous things that God is doing in Swaziland and how He is using our teams to serve others.
Welcome Home Medical Team!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Spirit is Moving Through the Women's Retreat
Today we received to separate updates from CLC members who are traveling with the Outreach Team. Both ladies are involved with the Women's Outreat Team. They have wonderful news to share!
FROM CASSANDRA:
What an experience!!! We are finished with the 4th day of the Women's Retreat - believe it or not! The ladies have been responsive. We were repeatedly told - at home and here - that they would not; could not, but they have been very responsive. All your prayers were worth it! On Tuesday, I asked those to come forward who had never asked Jesus Christ into their hearts. Ten ladies came forward!!! One of the ladies that I prayed with said she had said the prayer before, but she had "gone way, way far away from God, and I want to come back to Him!" The next day she asked for a couple more booklets because two women could not come because they had to work, and she was going back and telling them what she had learned that day.
We went to a homestead where a wife and husband and six children lived. The father has been walking on crutches for the last 20+ years. It was absolutely amazing to see him walk up the mountain to his house on crutches! He said he never saw God's blessings before his ailment, but since then God has been so good to him!!! I said to his wife, "We have two more days of retreat." She said, "No, I want five more days!"
By the way - it is still Winter here! When we got here, it was in the 30's! We were sooooo cold. We have had no heat in the room we are staying!!! It is colder in the mountains.
Don't stop praying Intercessors - we have one more day to go. Thank you, again, soooooo much for your prayers. I could honestly 'feel' them!!!
FROM STACEY:
The women's retreat has been far more incredible than any of us had ever imagined. All along the way people were telling us, even the pastors, that the women, especially the ones that only spoke Saswati, would be very reluctant to open up and share. That it would take several days of the retreat to get them to respond. However the Lord decided to totally move in all of them...it was as if someone had taken a bottle of water and just poured it out all over the place.
They were talking the very first day, even about things that were personal and difficult to talk about. Every single day I go in there thinking, "ok God, I am so emotionally tired...I hope that today is good too." And He ends up doing something even greater than the day before
The women worship so beautifully and with such power of the Spirit.
They are responding with excitement and joy to everything Cassandra is teaching them, sometimes they just randomly burst into song. One woman gave her testimony and became so moved during it that she began to cry and could not continue. The other women all started to praise Jesus with loud and joyful voices to comfort her so she could finish. On the second day, atleast 10 women either came to accept Jesus as Savior or said they had turned away from God and now wanted to come back.
We have been praying constantly that these women would hear with their hearts, that they would be truly repentant, that there would be no veil over their hearts, that God would bring to us rich soil that would produce real fruit. As far as we can tell these women who are crying out to God are coming to Him with full sincerity of soul. We can all feel the Holy Spirit moving through them. We have reiterated and reiterated that we must accept Jesus not only with our words and minds but also with our heart and it must bring about genuine repentence and a change of behavior. That we should put off our old selves and walk with Jesus as our only God. Today we talked about forgiveness because many of the women had admitted to us that one thing they are having trouble with is forgiving people who have hurt them. Some of them were crying very hard as we all prayed that God would help us to forgive.
God has been awsome. Once, after worship the women all started praying very loud in Saswati and it became louder and louder until I felt almost that I was witnessing pentacost, so tangible was the presence of the Spirit moving in them, and I was so overwhelmed I had to sit down.
Please continue praying and praising God for the incredible faithfullness He has shown in answering our prayer, even more than we had expected or asked He would do. "
FROM CASSANDRA:
What an experience!!! We are finished with the 4th day of the Women's Retreat - believe it or not! The ladies have been responsive. We were repeatedly told - at home and here - that they would not; could not, but they have been very responsive. All your prayers were worth it! On Tuesday, I asked those to come forward who had never asked Jesus Christ into their hearts. Ten ladies came forward!!! One of the ladies that I prayed with said she had said the prayer before, but she had "gone way, way far away from God, and I want to come back to Him!" The next day she asked for a couple more booklets because two women could not come because they had to work, and she was going back and telling them what she had learned that day.
We went to a homestead where a wife and husband and six children lived. The father has been walking on crutches for the last 20+ years. It was absolutely amazing to see him walk up the mountain to his house on crutches! He said he never saw God's blessings before his ailment, but since then God has been so good to him!!! I said to his wife, "We have two more days of retreat." She said, "No, I want five more days!"
By the way - it is still Winter here! When we got here, it was in the 30's! We were sooooo cold. We have had no heat in the room we are staying!!! It is colder in the mountains.
Don't stop praying Intercessors - we have one more day to go. Thank you, again, soooooo much for your prayers. I could honestly 'feel' them!!!
FROM STACEY:
The women's retreat has been far more incredible than any of us had ever imagined. All along the way people were telling us, even the pastors, that the women, especially the ones that only spoke Saswati, would be very reluctant to open up and share. That it would take several days of the retreat to get them to respond. However the Lord decided to totally move in all of them...it was as if someone had taken a bottle of water and just poured it out all over the place.
They were talking the very first day, even about things that were personal and difficult to talk about. Every single day I go in there thinking, "ok God, I am so emotionally tired...I hope that today is good too." And He ends up doing something even greater than the day before
The women worship so beautifully and with such power of the Spirit.
They are responding with excitement and joy to everything Cassandra is teaching them, sometimes they just randomly burst into song. One woman gave her testimony and became so moved during it that she began to cry and could not continue. The other women all started to praise Jesus with loud and joyful voices to comfort her so she could finish. On the second day, atleast 10 women either came to accept Jesus as Savior or said they had turned away from God and now wanted to come back.
We have been praying constantly that these women would hear with their hearts, that they would be truly repentant, that there would be no veil over their hearts, that God would bring to us rich soil that would produce real fruit. As far as we can tell these women who are crying out to God are coming to Him with full sincerity of soul. We can all feel the Holy Spirit moving through them. We have reiterated and reiterated that we must accept Jesus not only with our words and minds but also with our heart and it must bring about genuine repentence and a change of behavior. That we should put off our old selves and walk with Jesus as our only God. Today we talked about forgiveness because many of the women had admitted to us that one thing they are having trouble with is forgiving people who have hurt them. Some of them were crying very hard as we all prayed that God would help us to forgive.
God has been awsome. Once, after worship the women all started praying very loud in Saswati and it became louder and louder until I felt almost that I was witnessing pentacost, so tangible was the presence of the Spirit moving in them, and I was so overwhelmed I had to sit down.
Please continue praying and praising God for the incredible faithfullness He has shown in answering our prayer, even more than we had expected or asked He would do. "
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Luke Commission Bush Clinic Day Three and Indy 500 in Swaziland!
We left the compound after our melodious prayer and singing led by the Swazi team members. After 1 ½ hours we arrived at Mbowane School, in southeastern Swaziland. As we drove up we could see a few hundred people there waiting for us. The team quickly set up while Harry welcomed, prayed, and instructed the crowd about the happenings of the day. The people clapped as they were told about Jesus. While we were in prayer a former patient’s mother presented Echo with a chicken and 3 straw basket homes for chickens. The mother wanted to thank them for their kindness and care for her son, Lucky, following his burn injury.
The clinic started with our interpreter telling everyone to line up behind the tall white man who was “number one” in line. Imagine how astonished Niles, our dentist, was when nearly 300 Swazis rushed to line up behind him. The look on his face was priceless! The rest of the clinic went smoothly.
In the middle of the day Echo invited us to tour Lucky’s homestead. Thus began our version of the Indy 500. The “roads” to the homestead were incredibly bumpy- and by this we mean that they would have been challenging for a 4 wheel drive. We were NOT in a 4 wheel drive vehicle; we were 10 people in a van made for 8. Words cannot describe the terrain. The drop-offs on the narrow road were steep and challenging and Echo laughed at our fear.
We arrived at Lucky’s homestead, where we toured separate structures which included: his one-room home, kitchen, mother’s home, sister’s home, maize storage building, and guest home, which is where Lucky was burned and disfigured 3 years ago. There was a cattle kraal (corral). As females, we were told to avoid going near there because only the woman that marries the men of the homestead were allowed to enter. On their wedding night, it is customary that the mother-in-law wake up the new daughter-in-law half way through the night and she is to get up and go to the kraal and cry until sunrise.
Our trip back to the clinic was even more harrowing, as we met a tractor coming down the hill. Echo had to create a new way up. Echo laughed and had fun, zigzagging the car up the road at our expense. Then once on flat road, we figured out the answer to “why did the chicken cross the road?” It was to get out of Echo’s way!! Then we stopped for a herd of cattle as they crossed the road. Once the cattle crossed, we were able to continue. A truck tried to pass us and thus began our (Indy)Swazi 500 race. Of course, Echo came out the winner. We returned to the clinic and began work again.
We presented a 10 year old child with cerebral palsy a crank type wheel chair and a 60 year old stroke victim a crank wheel chair.
The families were delighted. We continued with the clinic once again until everyone was seen. Our count for the day was 403 patients total, with 60 HIV tests, 135 eye glasses distributed, 29 dental patients treated with 36 extractions done and physical therapy for 4 patients.
Thus ended our third clinic. By the way, there was a big mistake in our last blog. The world record for “how many people you can fit into the back of a truck to travel home” is held by the Swazis that piled into the truck…not the CLC medical team.
The clinic started with our interpreter telling everyone to line up behind the tall white man who was “number one” in line. Imagine how astonished Niles, our dentist, was when nearly 300 Swazis rushed to line up behind him. The look on his face was priceless! The rest of the clinic went smoothly.
In the middle of the day Echo invited us to tour Lucky’s homestead. Thus began our version of the Indy 500. The “roads” to the homestead were incredibly bumpy- and by this we mean that they would have been challenging for a 4 wheel drive. We were NOT in a 4 wheel drive vehicle; we were 10 people in a van made for 8. Words cannot describe the terrain. The drop-offs on the narrow road were steep and challenging and Echo laughed at our fear.
We arrived at Lucky’s homestead, where we toured separate structures which included: his one-room home, kitchen, mother’s home, sister’s home, maize storage building, and guest home, which is where Lucky was burned and disfigured 3 years ago. There was a cattle kraal (corral). As females, we were told to avoid going near there because only the woman that marries the men of the homestead were allowed to enter. On their wedding night, it is customary that the mother-in-law wake up the new daughter-in-law half way through the night and she is to get up and go to the kraal and cry until sunrise.
Our trip back to the clinic was even more harrowing, as we met a tractor coming down the hill. Echo had to create a new way up. Echo laughed and had fun, zigzagging the car up the road at our expense. Then once on flat road, we figured out the answer to “why did the chicken cross the road?” It was to get out of Echo’s way!! Then we stopped for a herd of cattle as they crossed the road. Once the cattle crossed, we were able to continue. A truck tried to pass us and thus began our (Indy)Swazi 500 race. Of course, Echo came out the winner. We returned to the clinic and began work again.
We presented a 10 year old child with cerebral palsy a crank type wheel chair and a 60 year old stroke victim a crank wheel chair.
The families were delighted. We continued with the clinic once again until everyone was seen. Our count for the day was 403 patients total, with 60 HIV tests, 135 eye glasses distributed, 29 dental patients treated with 36 extractions done and physical therapy for 4 patients.
Thus ended our third clinic. By the way, there was a big mistake in our last blog. The world record for “how many people you can fit into the back of a truck to travel home” is held by the Swazis that piled into the truck…not the CLC medical team.
Outreach Team Settling In
The Outreach Team arrived safely and on time in Manzini, Swaziland on Friday evening. They were greeted at the airport by Pastor Augustine (the pastor at Hawane CLC) and his wife Elizabeth, who were very happy to see them. Their squeals of joy could be heard in the background! Augustine and Elizabeth live on the CLC property, in a house that one of teams helped renovate last summer. (Kevin R. worked on that project).
P. Augustine and Elizabeth transported the team back to the property and got them settled into their living quarters.
This morning the team got up and toured the Hawane CLC property and unpacked all the supply bags they transported. Kevin and Helen Ward them had them over for lunch at their home. According to Helen, " They seem to be a good mixture of people, and we are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in this next 10 days!".
After lunch, the team headed for a tour of Hawane Farm/Lighthouse Care Center, which is just down the road from the church property. Hawane Farm has become the prototype for the ICBC model; but is a much larger version with several children's homes, a medical clinic, life-skills training school, a home for teen girls and much more. After touring the facility, the team will have the chance to visit with the children house moms who live at Hawane Farm.
Tomorrow, the team will worship "Swazi-style" at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. The medical team, who were part of a medical clinic at the church earlier in the week, will also attend the service at Hawane CLC. That means we will have 16 CLC'ers from Dayton worshiping with close to 200 CLC'ers in Swaziland.
Like Helen, we are looking foward to what God is going to do over the next 10 days through and to this team. Already He continues to do more than we have imagined...... as of this morning there are now 150 women signed up for the Ladies Retreat next week! That's three times more than we origianlly anticipated. That is cause for joyous celebration and makes us wonder just how many men will show up for the discipleship classes?????
Please continue to keep the Outreach Team in your prayers and pray specifically for these team member requests:
* God's perfect will be done
* The team members will remain flexible and patient
* God will help them make connections with the people they will serve
* They will be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and act obediently
* Peace and comfort for the emotional toll this kind of work can take
* Protection, guidance and comfort for the family members here in Dayton who
have to manage without their loved one at home
May God bless the work of the team and all those who intercede on their behalf in the coming week.
P. Augustine and Elizabeth transported the team back to the property and got them settled into their living quarters.
This morning the team got up and toured the Hawane CLC property and unpacked all the supply bags they transported. Kevin and Helen Ward them had them over for lunch at their home. According to Helen, " They seem to be a good mixture of people, and we are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in this next 10 days!".
After lunch, the team headed for a tour of Hawane Farm/Lighthouse Care Center, which is just down the road from the church property. Hawane Farm has become the prototype for the ICBC model; but is a much larger version with several children's homes, a medical clinic, life-skills training school, a home for teen girls and much more. After touring the facility, the team will have the chance to visit with the children house moms who live at Hawane Farm.
Tomorrow, the team will worship "Swazi-style" at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. The medical team, who were part of a medical clinic at the church earlier in the week, will also attend the service at Hawane CLC. That means we will have 16 CLC'ers from Dayton worshiping with close to 200 CLC'ers in Swaziland.
Like Helen, we are looking foward to what God is going to do over the next 10 days through and to this team. Already He continues to do more than we have imagined...... as of this morning there are now 150 women signed up for the Ladies Retreat next week! That's three times more than we origianlly anticipated. That is cause for joyous celebration and makes us wonder just how many men will show up for the discipleship classes?????
Please continue to keep the Outreach Team in your prayers and pray specifically for these team member requests:
* God's perfect will be done
* The team members will remain flexible and patient
* God will help them make connections with the people they will serve
* They will be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and act obediently
* Peace and comfort for the emotional toll this kind of work can take
* Protection, guidance and comfort for the family members here in Dayton who
have to manage without their loved one at home
May God bless the work of the team and all those who intercede on their behalf in the coming week.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Miracles and Send Offs
They still happen, you know. You should watch for them. You should expect to see them or experience them. Sometimes they are big. Sometimes they are small. Sometimes they come as an answer to prayer. Sometimes they are just an unexpected blessing. They are always extraordinary.
We're talking about miracles.... and we know a thing or two about them because they have been happening as we have prepared to send the Outreach Team to Swaziland. Here are two examples from within the last 48 hours:
1. As a part of the Seeds for Swaziland project, we needed to take specific varieties of seeds with us. Earlier in the summer Kevin R. had spoken with a local home and garden center about purchasing seeds from them for the project. The plan was that as time got closer for the team to leave, he would stop in and pick up the seeds. Well, time passed a little too quickly and suddenly we realized we didn't have the seeds we needed. When Kevin called the local company he was told that unfortunately, since planting season was over, all of their seeds had been shipped back to the distributor. Kevin got the same response from the next several businesses he called. With panic setting in, Kevin prayed. He asked God for some divine intervention and for the patience to deal with the situation. Then he picked up the phone again. A "funny thing" happened when he talked with the folks at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. They too had returned all their seeds to their supplier a few weeks ago; but some how one of the boxes of seeds had just been returned to them. They had no idea what they were going to do with them.... until Kevin called. They sorted through the box, found the varieties and quantities of seeds we needed, and then they donated them to the project! They were pleased to support the mission trip. Praise God!
2. When we first began planning for the Women's Retreat portion of the Outreach trip, Cassandra requested that we form an intercessory prayer group to pray specifically for the Women's retreat; its leaders, the curriculum and the women who would attend. For the past several weeks prayer warriors have lifted up those requests. One of their prayers was that the Holy Spirit would begin stirring the hearts of the Swazi women who needed to hear the message. At the outset we were told to expect between 35 and 50 women at the retreat. Imagine our surprise to get a message last week that 60 women had preregisterd for the event and that a few more might show up the day of the event. Imagine our even greater surprise to find out this morning (just 6 hours before the team was to leave) that the registration total had climbed to 111 women! We can't wait to see and experience what God has in store for the women of the retreat.
And so, the Outreach Team began its journey today humbled and joyous, anticipating more miracles in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them.
The team left the gate on time, but had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes before taking off. They then had to circle Dulles Airport for a while because of weather. When they finally touched down, they had just enough time to walk to the international terminal, check in with the gate attendant and then board the plane. They are now winging their way over the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully they are enjoying some much needed rest!
To the family, friends and CLC staff members who came to the airport to see them off, thank you for coming. Your love and support mean so much. May you experience God's presence and peace until they are safesly back in our midst.
We're talking about miracles.... and we know a thing or two about them because they have been happening as we have prepared to send the Outreach Team to Swaziland. Here are two examples from within the last 48 hours:
1. As a part of the Seeds for Swaziland project, we needed to take specific varieties of seeds with us. Earlier in the summer Kevin R. had spoken with a local home and garden center about purchasing seeds from them for the project. The plan was that as time got closer for the team to leave, he would stop in and pick up the seeds. Well, time passed a little too quickly and suddenly we realized we didn't have the seeds we needed. When Kevin called the local company he was told that unfortunately, since planting season was over, all of their seeds had been shipped back to the distributor. Kevin got the same response from the next several businesses he called. With panic setting in, Kevin prayed. He asked God for some divine intervention and for the patience to deal with the situation. Then he picked up the phone again. A "funny thing" happened when he talked with the folks at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. They too had returned all their seeds to their supplier a few weeks ago; but some how one of the boxes of seeds had just been returned to them. They had no idea what they were going to do with them.... until Kevin called. They sorted through the box, found the varieties and quantities of seeds we needed, and then they donated them to the project! They were pleased to support the mission trip. Praise God!
2. When we first began planning for the Women's Retreat portion of the Outreach trip, Cassandra requested that we form an intercessory prayer group to pray specifically for the Women's retreat; its leaders, the curriculum and the women who would attend. For the past several weeks prayer warriors have lifted up those requests. One of their prayers was that the Holy Spirit would begin stirring the hearts of the Swazi women who needed to hear the message. At the outset we were told to expect between 35 and 50 women at the retreat. Imagine our surprise to get a message last week that 60 women had preregisterd for the event and that a few more might show up the day of the event. Imagine our even greater surprise to find out this morning (just 6 hours before the team was to leave) that the registration total had climbed to 111 women! We can't wait to see and experience what God has in store for the women of the retreat.
And so, the Outreach Team began its journey today humbled and joyous, anticipating more miracles in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them.
The team left the gate on time, but had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes before taking off. They then had to circle Dulles Airport for a while because of weather. When they finally touched down, they had just enough time to walk to the international terminal, check in with the gate attendant and then board the plane. They are now winging their way over the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully they are enjoying some much needed rest!
To the family, friends and CLC staff members who came to the airport to see them off, thank you for coming. Your love and support mean so much. May you experience God's presence and peace until they are safesly back in our midst.
Luke Commission Bush Clinic Day Two - Visit to Hawane CLC - Visit to Local Hospital
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
We began our day by gathering at Echo and Harry’s house where all eight of us, plus the six VanderWals, and ten Swazi Luke Commission translators sang and prayed before we began our journey to the Hawane Christian Life Community Church.
Almost four hundred people were there waiting for us for medical care. We were excited to be at CLC Hawane and see what all the prior CLC teams had built and refurbished. First we stopped at Hawane Farm (a Teen Challenge Swaziland project - learn more at www.swazitc.com/Vent/Haw/hawpage.html)
We met people from the Potter’s Wheel Church who were here from London, England who took us on a tour of Hawane Farms. We were impressed by the physical outlay of the farm and were able to meet some of the children. We were there for about an hour when Helen Ward came to pick us up for the newly set up clinic at Hawane CLC Church.
The people were already in lines when we arrived back at the church, so we began putting together more bush friendly wheelchairs. There were a few young men and women from Hawane Teen Challenge that helped fill out registration cards, and translated for us, which was very helpful. As each station was readied we began our individual tasks to minister to the people. The main medical clinic was set up in the sanctuary with the prayer department next to them. It was a beautiful sunny day and Kathy and Phyllis were set up outside to triage the patients. For several hours one of our tour guides, who was a nurse, assisted in the triage department.
Today we saw 396 patients, with over 90 of them having received HIV testing, 175 fitted with glasses, 30 dental patients with 75 tooth extractions, and 3 patients fitted with wheelchairs. We tried to fit one man with a crank type wheelchair, but due to his severe leg and body stiffness (which he has had for twenty years) he was unable to utilize what we tried to give him.
At one point during the clinic, a horse ran through the church compound and out into the road. It got hit in the rump by a truck; bounced into a ditch with all four legs straight up in the air; then got up and tried to run back into the church compound. Luckily, someone quickly closed the gate and the horse ran down the road. The truck’s windshield was shattered and the front of the truck smashed in. This goes to show that not even a wild horse could drive us away from our clinic!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Echo took us on a tour of Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. We started in the lab then toured the surgical ward, emergency room, pharmacy, medical records, and made a stop in the male medical ward. In the male ward we saw a man who had suffered for thirty nine years with a draining wound due to a bone infection caused by an accident. He pulled a hankie from his pocket and in it was a fragment of petrified bone that had been surgically removed. He proudly showed all of us and praised Jesus.
We then continued on to the pediatric ward where we passed out clothes, paper and crayons, and tracts to the families and children. The mothers and children clapped and giggled with delight.
We ended the tour with the male and then female medical wards. At the very end of each ward were patients in the end stages of HIV. They received very basic care as they struggled to breathe. Their family and friends were at the bedside caring for them. We sang and prayed for them with our lead translator praying in SiSwati. It was very sad and many of us were moved to tears. They are just like us.
We left the hospital and went back to Echo and Harry’s house for yet another delicious homemade meal. All the meals have been different and we have appreciated them very much. After our meal we left for the Manzini Market where we bargained and haggled for the best prices on souvenirs and new treasures. Back to the house for fellowship, more delicious food, and to watch a South African film called “Faith like Potatoes”. We highly recommend it.
It's been a long day and we are now getting ready to head off to our house. Please stay tuned for Bush Clinic Day Three.
We began our day by gathering at Echo and Harry’s house where all eight of us, plus the six VanderWals, and ten Swazi Luke Commission translators sang and prayed before we began our journey to the Hawane Christian Life Community Church.
Almost four hundred people were there waiting for us for medical care. We were excited to be at CLC Hawane and see what all the prior CLC teams had built and refurbished. First we stopped at Hawane Farm (a Teen Challenge Swaziland project - learn more at www.swazitc.com/Vent/Haw/hawpage.html)
We met people from the Potter’s Wheel Church who were here from London, England who took us on a tour of Hawane Farms. We were impressed by the physical outlay of the farm and were able to meet some of the children. We were there for about an hour when Helen Ward came to pick us up for the newly set up clinic at Hawane CLC Church.
The people were already in lines when we arrived back at the church, so we began putting together more bush friendly wheelchairs. There were a few young men and women from Hawane Teen Challenge that helped fill out registration cards, and translated for us, which was very helpful. As each station was readied we began our individual tasks to minister to the people. The main medical clinic was set up in the sanctuary with the prayer department next to them. It was a beautiful sunny day and Kathy and Phyllis were set up outside to triage the patients. For several hours one of our tour guides, who was a nurse, assisted in the triage department.
Today we saw 396 patients, with over 90 of them having received HIV testing, 175 fitted with glasses, 30 dental patients with 75 tooth extractions, and 3 patients fitted with wheelchairs. We tried to fit one man with a crank type wheelchair, but due to his severe leg and body stiffness (which he has had for twenty years) he was unable to utilize what we tried to give him.
At one point during the clinic, a horse ran through the church compound and out into the road. It got hit in the rump by a truck; bounced into a ditch with all four legs straight up in the air; then got up and tried to run back into the church compound. Luckily, someone quickly closed the gate and the horse ran down the road. The truck’s windshield was shattered and the front of the truck smashed in. This goes to show that not even a wild horse could drive us away from our clinic!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Echo took us on a tour of Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. We started in the lab then toured the surgical ward, emergency room, pharmacy, medical records, and made a stop in the male medical ward. In the male ward we saw a man who had suffered for thirty nine years with a draining wound due to a bone infection caused by an accident. He pulled a hankie from his pocket and in it was a fragment of petrified bone that had been surgically removed. He proudly showed all of us and praised Jesus.
We then continued on to the pediatric ward where we passed out clothes, paper and crayons, and tracts to the families and children. The mothers and children clapped and giggled with delight.
We ended the tour with the male and then female medical wards. At the very end of each ward were patients in the end stages of HIV. They received very basic care as they struggled to breathe. Their family and friends were at the bedside caring for them. We sang and prayed for them with our lead translator praying in SiSwati. It was very sad and many of us were moved to tears. They are just like us.
We left the hospital and went back to Echo and Harry’s house for yet another delicious homemade meal. All the meals have been different and we have appreciated them very much. After our meal we left for the Manzini Market where we bargained and haggled for the best prices on souvenirs and new treasures. Back to the house for fellowship, more delicious food, and to watch a South African film called “Faith like Potatoes”. We highly recommend it.
It's been a long day and we are now getting ready to head off to our house. Please stay tuned for Bush Clinic Day Three.
Medical Team Visits Hawane CLC
On Wenesday, August 19, our Medical Team members and the Luke Commission held a medical clinic at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. This information came to us from Kevin R., one of our Outreach Team members who leaves today for a 14 day mission trip.
Kevin traveled to Swaziland in 2008 as a member of the team that built the pastor's home at Hawane CLC. Through that experience, he built a relationship with Pastor Augustine and the two of them communicate on a regular basis.
On Wednesday Kevin called Pastor Augustine to touch base one last time before the Outreach Team left and the conversation went something like this:
K: Good morning Pastor. It is Kevin. How are you?
PA: Oh Kevin. It is good to hear from you. We are very busy here.
K: It sounds like it. What is all that noise in the background? Are you having a party?
PA: Not a party. The Luke Commission and members of your church are here at Hawane today. They have set up a medical clinic for the people of our community. We have just begun and already there are over 400 people here and there more and more people coming down from the hills! It is a good day.
We look forward to hearing from the medical team about their experience at Hawane CLC. How awesome it is to have people from our church, being the church, through the church to the people of the church and the greater church community. That's what church is all about!
Kevin traveled to Swaziland in 2008 as a member of the team that built the pastor's home at Hawane CLC. Through that experience, he built a relationship with Pastor Augustine and the two of them communicate on a regular basis.
On Wednesday Kevin called Pastor Augustine to touch base one last time before the Outreach Team left and the conversation went something like this:
K: Good morning Pastor. It is Kevin. How are you?
PA: Oh Kevin. It is good to hear from you. We are very busy here.
K: It sounds like it. What is all that noise in the background? Are you having a party?
PA: Not a party. The Luke Commission and members of your church are here at Hawane today. They have set up a medical clinic for the people of our community. We have just begun and already there are over 400 people here and there more and more people coming down from the hills! It is a good day.
We look forward to hearing from the medical team about their experience at Hawane CLC. How awesome it is to have people from our church, being the church, through the church to the people of the church and the greater church community. That's what church is all about!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
An Incredible Day at the Sidvokodvo Clinic
What an incredible day! Words cannot describe what we saw and experienced on our first medical clinic.
We left at 8:00 in the morning on Monday and got back close to 2:00 a.m. the next morning. A crowd of nearly five hundred people, young and old, were already there waiting around the open dusty area for our arrival. The women and young girls were carrying babies on their backs and baskets on their heads; one family brought a foam mattress for one very disabled child.
The Luke Commission team members quickly set up different stations which included:
~ registration including their medical complaints and problems
~ nursing for blood pressure and blood work for diabetes and HIV testing
~ prayer
~ doctor exam
~ dental exam if needed
~ eyeglasses
~ pharmacy.
~ waiting area:The Passion of Christ was run twice during the day so people could watch the movie any time they had time.
While the stations were being set up, the CLC Dayton team members started assembling bush friendly wheelchairs. After they were assembled and assigned to the patients they were presented to the recipients to the great delight of everyone including the crowd. Young children were able to hand crank their “wheelchair” and move themselves around without assistance. Adults who could barely walk with crutches were provided with these wheelchairs so they, too, could move independently in their environment. Those who were unable to use the hand crank were assigned a pull cart to the delight of their families. It was very exciting to see the joy on their faces. To learn more about the wheelchair ministry, cut and paste this web address to your browser:
http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ViewInBrowser.aspx?pubids=57m%2ffULUUNqyTuzlcB36zg%3d%3d&digest=fVAvn0GI%2bTUoOzxH7dcryg
At the medical clinic we evaluated an eight year old boy named Banele who was very sick. He was HIV positive and had pneumonia and was too sick to be able to care for at the bush clinic. Echo promised Banele's mother that we would take her son for treatment to the Manzini hospital at the end of the day.
The people were really patient as they waited in the long lines for triage from the nurses. They were quiet and courteous and didn’t complain about how long they had to wait. They knew from past visits that The Luke Commission would not leave until everyone had been seen.
A total of 535 people were seen at the Sidvokodvo North school site.
~ About 25 people saw the dentist with a total of more than 50 extractions.
~ 175 were fitted with eyeglasses
~ Everyone went to the pharmacy for medications and vitamins.
As it got later in the evening people were waiting and asking for Bibles. At 11:45 p.m. the team started to pass out Bibles in both English and Siswati depending on the preference of the patient. This was a very joyous time for the team and concluded with Harry offering a call to know Christ as their personal savior. About 70 people came forward and accepted Christ as their Savior! The translator ended the day with a prayer in Siswati, and the Swazi’s concluded with a beautiful harmonious song.
Then we challenged the world record for how many people could fit in to the back of a truck to travel home! We, Banele and his mother bounced on the dirt road for several miles until we finally got back onto the main highway. We were tired but full of joy from the day as we headed back to our Swazi apartment home. Echo then continued to the hospital with Banele.
We quickly ate some junk food and headed to bed. End of bush clinic day one!
We left at 8:00 in the morning on Monday and got back close to 2:00 a.m. the next morning. A crowd of nearly five hundred people, young and old, were already there waiting around the open dusty area for our arrival. The women and young girls were carrying babies on their backs and baskets on their heads; one family brought a foam mattress for one very disabled child.
The Luke Commission team members quickly set up different stations which included:
~ registration including their medical complaints and problems
~ nursing for blood pressure and blood work for diabetes and HIV testing
~ prayer
~ doctor exam
~ dental exam if needed
~ eyeglasses
~ pharmacy.
~ waiting area:The Passion of Christ was run twice during the day so people could watch the movie any time they had time.
While the stations were being set up, the CLC Dayton team members started assembling bush friendly wheelchairs. After they were assembled and assigned to the patients they were presented to the recipients to the great delight of everyone including the crowd. Young children were able to hand crank their “wheelchair” and move themselves around without assistance. Adults who could barely walk with crutches were provided with these wheelchairs so they, too, could move independently in their environment. Those who were unable to use the hand crank were assigned a pull cart to the delight of their families. It was very exciting to see the joy on their faces. To learn more about the wheelchair ministry, cut and paste this web address to your browser:
http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ViewInBrowser.aspx?pubids=57m%2ffULUUNqyTuzlcB36zg%3d%3d&digest=fVAvn0GI%2bTUoOzxH7dcryg
At the medical clinic we evaluated an eight year old boy named Banele who was very sick. He was HIV positive and had pneumonia and was too sick to be able to care for at the bush clinic. Echo promised Banele's mother that we would take her son for treatment to the Manzini hospital at the end of the day.
The people were really patient as they waited in the long lines for triage from the nurses. They were quiet and courteous and didn’t complain about how long they had to wait. They knew from past visits that The Luke Commission would not leave until everyone had been seen.
A total of 535 people were seen at the Sidvokodvo North school site.
~ About 25 people saw the dentist with a total of more than 50 extractions.
~ 175 were fitted with eyeglasses
~ Everyone went to the pharmacy for medications and vitamins.
As it got later in the evening people were waiting and asking for Bibles. At 11:45 p.m. the team started to pass out Bibles in both English and Siswati depending on the preference of the patient. This was a very joyous time for the team and concluded with Harry offering a call to know Christ as their personal savior. About 70 people came forward and accepted Christ as their Savior! The translator ended the day with a prayer in Siswati, and the Swazi’s concluded with a beautiful harmonious song.
Then we challenged the world record for how many people could fit in to the back of a truck to travel home! We, Banele and his mother bounced on the dirt road for several miles until we finally got back onto the main highway. We were tired but full of joy from the day as we headed back to our Swazi apartment home. Echo then continued to the hospital with Banele.
We quickly ate some junk food and headed to bed. End of bush clinic day one!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Medical Team Worships at Potter's Wheel Church
CLC's medical team spent Saturday learning about the Swazi culture, and how The Luke Commission operates its medical bush clinic. On Saturday evening, Kevin Ward and his wife Helen had a chance to visit with the team. According to Helen, the team was "a bit tired, but fired up to go; excited to start ministry."
This morning the team headed into Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, to worship at Potter's Wheel Church. Kevin Ward is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. It is a dynamic and growing church whose mission is to:
- Encourage through promoting fellowship with God and man, through worship, prayer, His Word, in counsel and community for lifting up Christ and encouraging unity in this house and to other ministries of faith.
- Edify by providing progress through the hearing of the Word, maturity, stability and integrity in individual lives resulting in growth for the whole body of Christ.
- Equip by preparing, training, perfecting and cultivating lives to be fully qualified for His service.
- Engage by releasing individuals to serve, yielding ourselves completely to the power of the Holy Spirit to perform in us His purpose for our lives as we step out to fulfill the Great Commission.
You can learn more about Potter's Wheel Church at:
http://swazitc.org/Vent/PWC/pwcmispwc.html
Ephesians 4:3-6 tells us:
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
How awesome it is to know that, eventhough our Medical Team is halfway around the world from us, they are united with our Swaziland brothers and sisters in Christ and are worshipping the same Lord we prepare to worship now!
This morning the team headed into Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, to worship at Potter's Wheel Church. Kevin Ward is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. It is a dynamic and growing church whose mission is to:
- Encourage through promoting fellowship with God and man, through worship, prayer, His Word, in counsel and community for lifting up Christ and encouraging unity in this house and to other ministries of faith.
- Edify by providing progress through the hearing of the Word, maturity, stability and integrity in individual lives resulting in growth for the whole body of Christ.
- Equip by preparing, training, perfecting and cultivating lives to be fully qualified for His service.
- Engage by releasing individuals to serve, yielding ourselves completely to the power of the Holy Spirit to perform in us His purpose for our lives as we step out to fulfill the Great Commission.
You can learn more about Potter's Wheel Church at:
http://swazitc.org/Vent/PWC/pwcmispwc.html
Ephesians 4:3-6 tells us:
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
How awesome it is to know that, eventhough our Medical Team is halfway around the world from us, they are united with our Swaziland brothers and sisters in Christ and are worshipping the same Lord we prepare to worship now!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Safe and Sound in Swaziland
Once again, God has proven Himself faithful and has answered our prayers. Our medical team arrived as expected in Swaziland today (8:30 p.m. Swaziland time; 2:30 p.m. local time). And as an added blessing, all of their luggage arrived with them!
They were greeted at the airport by the VanderWals. After going through customs they drove about 30 minutes to the house in which they will be staying for the next 10 days. According to Echo they "had a good time of fellowship". As this blog is posted, the team has settled in for some much needed rest.
We look forward with anticipation to all that will happen in the days ahead. The weather forecast looks great; sunshine every day with daytime highs in the mid to upper 70's and night time lows in the mid 40's (okay, so that may be a little chilly!). At this time of year sunrise occurrs about 6:27 a.m. and the sun sets about 5:30.
There are several clinics scheduled in the days ahead and they are expecting very large crowds while the team is there. We covet your continued prayers for the team's safety and effectiveness. May they not only minister to the physicial needs of those with whom they come in contact, but more importantly may God use the team to change hearts for Christ.
They were greeted at the airport by the VanderWals. After going through customs they drove about 30 minutes to the house in which they will be staying for the next 10 days. According to Echo they "had a good time of fellowship". As this blog is posted, the team has settled in for some much needed rest.
We look forward with anticipation to all that will happen in the days ahead. The weather forecast looks great; sunshine every day with daytime highs in the mid to upper 70's and night time lows in the mid 40's (okay, so that may be a little chilly!). At this time of year sunrise occurrs about 6:27 a.m. and the sun sets about 5:30.
There are several clinics scheduled in the days ahead and they are expecting very large crowds while the team is there. We covet your continued prayers for the team's safety and effectiveness. May they not only minister to the physicial needs of those with whom they come in contact, but more importantly may God use the team to change hearts for Christ.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Medical Team Takes Flight
Well, the Dayton International Airport has felt like a home away from home the last few weeks. On July 30th we welcomed Julie Mitchell home from a 3 month stay in Swaziland. On August 7th we welcomed Chris Kavcsak home from a 6 week stay in Swaziland. And today - August 13th - we said good bye to the eight members of our Medical Team who are leaving for a 14 day trip to Swaziland.
The members of our team include:
Phyllis Brown, RN
Angela Long-Prentice, M.D.
Kathy Lovely-Marshall, RN
Faye McNerney, PT
Jim McNerney, D.O.
Sarah Miller
Niles Syska, DDS
Jenna Weaver
Once in Swaziland, the Medical Team will be serving with The Luke Commission. TLC is a Christian medical mission serving remote regions in southern Africa. They take their mobile medical clinic to rural villages, schools, churches, chief's kraals, and orphan care points and offer free medical care, free medications, free HIV testing and counseling, free vision care, free eyeglasses, free Bibles and the Hope of the Gospel. Their current efforts are concentrated in the bush of Swaziland, which made them a logical partner for CLC. This is our first partnership with the Luke Commission and, with God's blessing, we look foward to sending additional teams in the future. You can learn more about The Luke Commission at http://www.lukecommission.org.
CLC's Medical Team was commissioned during the weekend services on August 7th &
8th ....
.....and they were covered in prayer again at the airport.
We ask that you continue to remember this team in prayer until their return on August 26th. Please pray as well for the communities that will be serviced when the team is there. Very large crowds are expected at all the locations.
Thanks to all the family members who supported their loved ones in going on this trip. May God keep you safe, provide for your needs and keep you united in spirit until your family member returns.
The Swaziland Travel Team
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Some Sweet things
Okay there has been some sweet stuff happen recently, and I have to share some of it....so here it is in random order:
1. While eating lunch at a restaurant on a mountain at Cape Point (bottom tip of Africa) a couple of days ago, we saw baboons steal food from people's plates (while they were eating) and people working there chasing them away. Every 2 or 3 minutes a baboon would return and try and steal more food. Then while sitting in the restaurant overlooking the ocean we saw a whale.
2. Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to teach a few math classes at a high school in Swaziland that a couple of orphans from the farm attend. The students were very polite, but not quick to answer questions in class. There are 30-50 students in a classroom, but it was a absolute blast!!
3. I got to walk with penguins on Saturday. Basically I was about 2 feet away at times. Then later that day we saw some ostriches a few feet from the car...no fence...no nothing.
4. I went to my first ever National Rugby game on Friday. It is almost as big in South Africa as football in the US. It is a pretty intense game. We were 8 rows up from the field, so we heard every hit.
5. Today in Cape Town I had the opportunity to attend the morning and evening church services at Hillsong Cape Town...all my hillsong fans know what a big deal this is to me.
6. Last Tuesday evening we had a party with kids, youth, adults, etc. There were like 500 baked cookies (thanks to Julie) and hot chocolate for about 80 people. We watched the movie "Elf." Good times.
Thats it for now. I can't believe that I will be home in less than two weeks. Peace.
1. While eating lunch at a restaurant on a mountain at Cape Point (bottom tip of Africa) a couple of days ago, we saw baboons steal food from people's plates (while they were eating) and people working there chasing them away. Every 2 or 3 minutes a baboon would return and try and steal more food. Then while sitting in the restaurant overlooking the ocean we saw a whale.
2. Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to teach a few math classes at a high school in Swaziland that a couple of orphans from the farm attend. The students were very polite, but not quick to answer questions in class. There are 30-50 students in a classroom, but it was a absolute blast!!
3. I got to walk with penguins on Saturday. Basically I was about 2 feet away at times. Then later that day we saw some ostriches a few feet from the car...no fence...no nothing.
4. I went to my first ever National Rugby game on Friday. It is almost as big in South Africa as football in the US. It is a pretty intense game. We were 8 rows up from the field, so we heard every hit.
5. Today in Cape Town I had the opportunity to attend the morning and evening church services at Hillsong Cape Town...all my hillsong fans know what a big deal this is to me.
6. Last Tuesday evening we had a party with kids, youth, adults, etc. There were like 500 baked cookies (thanks to Julie) and hot chocolate for about 80 people. We watched the movie "Elf." Good times.
Thats it for now. I can't believe that I will be home in less than two weeks. Peace.
Monday, July 20, 2009
It's About Time
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hello everyone I know that its about time I write more on my blog...so here goes...
Kruger National Park
This past weekend Julie, Allie, Alexis, and I traveled to South Africa to see what might be the largest game reserve park on the entire continent of Africa. It is almost the size of the state of New Jersey. Before I tell you what animals we saw close up, let me tell you some more details for our trip. We left early morning on Saturday and entered the park around 9am. The idea is that you can drive your own car around the park, but you can be fined if you leave your vehicle except at designated areas. The reason for this is so that you don't get eaten by wild animals of course. Saturday night we stayed in a couple of bungalows (Big circular room with 3 beds and a bathroom inside). These were actually quite nice. So, the plan was to enter the park Saturday morning, stay the night within the park that night, and then return to Swaziland Sunday night. We drove all of it except for a 3 hour morning safari on Sunday. We saw everything we wanted to see except for cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs) and wild dogs. We were almost attacked a couple of times which kept our adrenaline going. The first is when a herd of elephants crossed the street and we were about 10 feet away from this. The largest elephant went last and stood in the middle of the street and growled at us. Then a loner elephant crossed the street and these two got into a fight. Apparently this guy wasn't allowed to join the herd. So, lets just say I was going through escape plans in my mind while all this was going on. Another time these two big birds (3 ft tall with 1 ft long beak) were walking in the road just a few feet away from our car and we kept taunting the one with a plastic bag while our windows were down. Suddenly the bird darted towards my side of the car and I quickly rolled up the window, but let's just say one jab from this bird and my eye would be gone. Then there was the time when we were in the road with 30-40 babboons. Some were rather large. So again one of us was taunting with the plastic bag and the babboon was suddenly standing right next to Julie's window (it was down). I tried to drive forward, but due to my nervousness the car stalled, so before the babboon reached inside the car she was able to roll up her window. She was undoubtedly a little freaked out as were the rest of us. There was also a time when I thought we were going to be charged by a wildebeast, and when I almost hit a huge hippo who came out of nowhere to stand two feet from the side of the road. We also saw giraffes, zebras, water buffaloes, all types of deer, impalas, cross the road right in front of our car. We also saw many other animals including rhinos (mother and child), crocodiles, etc. multiple times. Seeing this all up close was unbelievable!! I took so many pictures and videos which I can't wait to show when I get back.
Typical Week in Swaziland
Each day here is different, but there are some things that certain days consist of that I will mention so that you will have an idea of what my life is like here.
1. Sharing testimonies/speaking in TCMI (ministry students) chapel, youth boys (orphans) cell group, and other various places.
2. Going out and doing community visits (talking with people, praying with people, finding out what some of their needs are, giving them food or gifts or medicine, etc.). Most of these homes do not have electricity, running water, or much food. They may have a chicken and a couple of dogs running around, but that is about it.
3. Doing some math tutoring in the evenings with a few high school students that live on the farm. I enjoy the opportunity that this gives me to get to know some of them.
4. Traveling to the office in town and getting to use the internet, email, and accomplish some long term office projects that I have been assigned.
5. Meeting short term missions teams from all over the world that come and do work on the farm. I have even helped them do some painting and cementing.
6. Kicking a soccer ball around every now and then with some of the kids. Also there is a sand volleyball court here so I have played a little of that.
7. Helping organize a community soccer tournament which was a little over two weeks ago (read more about it below).
8. Helping plan youth/young adult events for Potter's Wheel Church.
9. Setting up sound/powerpoint for the CLC church.
Soccer Tournament/Community Day and Rambling
A little over two weeks ago we had a community day and people were drawn to this because we were going to have a soccer tournament, free lunch, children's games, and door prizes. Hundreds of people came to this and two days before I found out that I had to run the soccer tournament. There were 3 small fields, 3 different age groups (5-10, 11-17, 18+), and around fifty teams, so this was a little overwhelming for me. The good news is that a lot of things had already been organized, but there was still some work to be done. Lets just say that due to a lot of different factors things were a little crazy at times, but in the end it was a blast. I was able to see some crazy skilled soccer players. Just before lunch all of the games were paused for an hour and a team from Northern Ireland did some ministry. They sang, preached, and prayed for people who wanted to accept Christ. There were a lot of cool things that happened. One thing that reminded me of how spoiled I really am was the door prizes that people were excited to win. At the end they called off the names of the winners and they won things such as a bag of apples, a bag of oranges, a box of spinach, etc. Could you imagine what you and I would do if we put our names in for a drawing and that is what we won? Then the very next day after church they held a health education seminar and lunch again was included, and after it was over there was a lady walking around and asking for empty peanut butter jars that had already been used. I found out that these are very useful for storing things...and for someone that can't afford to buy storage jars...they are very useful. A couple of days later I found out that one of the orphan homes that live on the same property where I am staying doesn't even have an inside bathroom...and also they have rats...but they don't complain. The scratching noises that I heard outside my door a couple of nights ago don't really seem like a big deal. On that note I am finished rambling. Thanks for reading (if you did).
Hello everyone I know that its about time I write more on my blog...so here goes...
Kruger National Park
This past weekend Julie, Allie, Alexis, and I traveled to South Africa to see what might be the largest game reserve park on the entire continent of Africa. It is almost the size of the state of New Jersey. Before I tell you what animals we saw close up, let me tell you some more details for our trip. We left early morning on Saturday and entered the park around 9am. The idea is that you can drive your own car around the park, but you can be fined if you leave your vehicle except at designated areas. The reason for this is so that you don't get eaten by wild animals of course. Saturday night we stayed in a couple of bungalows (Big circular room with 3 beds and a bathroom inside). These were actually quite nice. So, the plan was to enter the park Saturday morning, stay the night within the park that night, and then return to Swaziland Sunday night. We drove all of it except for a 3 hour morning safari on Sunday. We saw everything we wanted to see except for cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs) and wild dogs. We were almost attacked a couple of times which kept our adrenaline going. The first is when a herd of elephants crossed the street and we were about 10 feet away from this. The largest elephant went last and stood in the middle of the street and growled at us. Then a loner elephant crossed the street and these two got into a fight. Apparently this guy wasn't allowed to join the herd. So, lets just say I was going through escape plans in my mind while all this was going on. Another time these two big birds (3 ft tall with 1 ft long beak) were walking in the road just a few feet away from our car and we kept taunting the one with a plastic bag while our windows were down. Suddenly the bird darted towards my side of the car and I quickly rolled up the window, but let's just say one jab from this bird and my eye would be gone. Then there was the time when we were in the road with 30-40 babboons. Some were rather large. So again one of us was taunting with the plastic bag and the babboon was suddenly standing right next to Julie's window (it was down). I tried to drive forward, but due to my nervousness the car stalled, so before the babboon reached inside the car she was able to roll up her window. She was undoubtedly a little freaked out as were the rest of us. There was also a time when I thought we were going to be charged by a wildebeast, and when I almost hit a huge hippo who came out of nowhere to stand two feet from the side of the road. We also saw giraffes, zebras, water buffaloes, all types of deer, impalas, cross the road right in front of our car. We also saw many other animals including rhinos (mother and child), crocodiles, etc. multiple times. Seeing this all up close was unbelievable!! I took so many pictures and videos which I can't wait to show when I get back.
Typical Week in Swaziland
Each day here is different, but there are some things that certain days consist of that I will mention so that you will have an idea of what my life is like here.
1. Sharing testimonies/speaking in TCMI (ministry students) chapel, youth boys (orphans) cell group, and other various places.
2. Going out and doing community visits (talking with people, praying with people, finding out what some of their needs are, giving them food or gifts or medicine, etc.). Most of these homes do not have electricity, running water, or much food. They may have a chicken and a couple of dogs running around, but that is about it.
3. Doing some math tutoring in the evenings with a few high school students that live on the farm. I enjoy the opportunity that this gives me to get to know some of them.
4. Traveling to the office in town and getting to use the internet, email, and accomplish some long term office projects that I have been assigned.
5. Meeting short term missions teams from all over the world that come and do work on the farm. I have even helped them do some painting and cementing.
6. Kicking a soccer ball around every now and then with some of the kids. Also there is a sand volleyball court here so I have played a little of that.
7. Helping organize a community soccer tournament which was a little over two weeks ago (read more about it below).
8. Helping plan youth/young adult events for Potter's Wheel Church.
9. Setting up sound/powerpoint for the CLC church.
Soccer Tournament/Community Day and Rambling
A little over two weeks ago we had a community day and people were drawn to this because we were going to have a soccer tournament, free lunch, children's games, and door prizes. Hundreds of people came to this and two days before I found out that I had to run the soccer tournament. There were 3 small fields, 3 different age groups (5-10, 11-17, 18+), and around fifty teams, so this was a little overwhelming for me. The good news is that a lot of things had already been organized, but there was still some work to be done. Lets just say that due to a lot of different factors things were a little crazy at times, but in the end it was a blast. I was able to see some crazy skilled soccer players. Just before lunch all of the games were paused for an hour and a team from Northern Ireland did some ministry. They sang, preached, and prayed for people who wanted to accept Christ. There were a lot of cool things that happened. One thing that reminded me of how spoiled I really am was the door prizes that people were excited to win. At the end they called off the names of the winners and they won things such as a bag of apples, a bag of oranges, a box of spinach, etc. Could you imagine what you and I would do if we put our names in for a drawing and that is what we won? Then the very next day after church they held a health education seminar and lunch again was included, and after it was over there was a lady walking around and asking for empty peanut butter jars that had already been used. I found out that these are very useful for storing things...and for someone that can't afford to buy storage jars...they are very useful. A couple of days later I found out that one of the orphan homes that live on the same property where I am staying doesn't even have an inside bathroom...and also they have rats...but they don't complain. The scratching noises that I heard outside my door a couple of nights ago don't really seem like a big deal. On that note I am finished rambling. Thanks for reading (if you did).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)