Hello from Swaziland! On Saturday my team left our home at Alabanza in S. Africa and headed to the Kingdom of Swaziland. It is about a six hour drive, but it is so beautiful. Swaziland has one of the highest concentrations of people affected by aids in the world. About sixty percent of the people living here have aids. Although Swaziland is incredibly beautiful with all of its mountains, the people here are living in poverty and the nation is dying. Statistics show that by the year 2050 the Swazi people will be no more, because the aids virus is taking over so quickly. Many of the men here believe that if they rape a virgin, they will be cured of aids. As a result, the majority of the children have aids.
While we are here in Swaziland we are staying at a nice home that has been stripped of all furniture and loaded with bunk beds. We are definitely learning the definition of community living. Our routine here has been similar to that of S. Africa. Every morning after devotions we have sessions for about two hours. This week we have been learning about our identity in Christ and the gifts that He has given to us. The staff broke us up into four groups, and each day we have been able to experience a different ministry sight.
On Monday, my group was able to go to a care point and minister to children. Care points are places where children can go to receive meals during the day. In Swaziland, families must pay for their children to go to school, so if they cannot afford it, their children are free all day. At the care points, we were able to play with the children and help them get their food. There is also a lady who has started a ministry at the care point by having local women make purses to sell. I purchases one of the purses already, and it has so much more meaning to me now that I have seen the women hand make them. Many of the girls on my team were able to help them cut out fabric and such. I spent about an hour that day allowing about six children fill my head with small braids. Needless to say, it was a great day.
On Tuesday, we traveled to another care point. It served the same purpose as the previous care point, but at this one we were able to watch the children have a time of discipleship. AIM has hired a team of local Christians to hold Bible lessons and discipleship times for the children at the care point. The children sang a few songs for us and recited scriptures, so we sang a song in return.
Wednesday was a new experience for me. We went to a squatter camp that is attached to a dump. The majorities of the people living there are without work and live in tiny little boxes. A man has started a church at the camp, so we broke up into groups of three and went door to door inviting people to a church BBQ that was held yesterday. As we traveled door to door we were able to share our faith with people via a translator. I have never actually done door to door ministry so I was forced a little out of my comfort zone, but it was a good experience.
Yesterday, we went to the local hospital in the city we are staying at. Most of the people there have aids or TB. I spent most of my time sitting on the floor next to a lady who has TB. She didn’t speak English, so I just held her hand and sang to her. I also spent a few minutes in the children’s ward, where I prayed for a tiny baby afflicted with the HIV virus. His mother said that he hadn’t eaten in seven days and they didn’t expect him to live through the night. My heart was broken when he tried to cry, because nothing would come out of his mouth. It is such an eye opening experience seeing the results of sin and how the enemy is killing this country with aids. We also had the BBQ at the church last night. Many people came and sang and danced to gospel music. Again, I got my hair braided, but I also got to hold the head of a slaughter cow. I am definitely doing things I never thought I would!
Today is our free day, PRAISE THE LORD! Tonight we are having a talent show, and just are relaxing. I am excited for tomorrow because we are going to a game park to see animals and hike, and also going to a cultural market. I cannot wait for church on Sunday. Last week was interesting at church. The service was over three hours long, but so great. I cannot wait to see what a different church is like here in Swaziland.
Thank you all so much for your continual prayers. I am learning so much here and learning what it means to fully surrender your life to Christ. We have no control what it going to happen, so as Christians all we can do is be still and know that He is God.
