Home Sweet Home

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." -Genesis 28:15

Well after 6 weeks in Swaziland and South Africa, I'm home...kinda. The actual act of leaving Africa is harder than any other aspect of the trip. You would think after 10 years of doing this, it would be easier. It's not. God has blessed me with a passion for the Swazi people that is nearly impossible to put into words. Our languages are different, the food we eat is different, we have different cultures, different governments, different ways of life, different skin colors, and live on different sides of the world, but these people are my family. Swaziland is like home to me. I've stopped trying to make logical sense of it. I know it's a God-thing and that's good enough for me. Some of my best friends live in Swaziland when in reality, Christ is about the only thing we have in common.

Each time I'm in Swaziland, God confirms in my heart that it's only a matter of time before I'm there for an extended amount of time. There is absolutely no way I can be a physician and not practice in a country that holds so much of my heart. In fact, Swaziland is the reason why I'm in medical school. Without a doubt, God has used this country to change the lives of people in my family. As a result of his trips to Swaziland, my dad is now a pastor in Hyde County. After 3 trips to Swaziland and seeing the need people around the world have for the Gospel, my sister's heart was opened to Muslim ministry.  Personally, I cannot wait to see the impact this summer has had on my 13-year-old brother. He loved every minute of being in Swaziland and has talked about it non-stop. My parents allowed him to start up a Facebook so he can stay in contact with a few of the youth he met while he was there. Seeing my mom interact with the people was also a tremendous blessing. After years and years (15 to be exact) of hearing about the Swazi people and different places that we've visited, she was able to see things for herself. What a blessing to share this experience with family. Watching my mom use her gift as a teacher in another country is something I will always treasure.

Mom and Xolani teaching Sunday School

Dad and Umfundisi Msibi (translator) preaching at a revival

My brother, Archer, and two of his new friends - Kuseni and Thokozani

2 Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the Word; be prepared in and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction." One thing God has taught me over the years is that He is at work everywhere. He has a passion for ALL people and desires for EVERYONE to know Him. I am confident that 6+ years of school in the United States is exactly where I am supposed to be. I believe with my whole heart that He has work here for me to do as well. As I strive each day to serve Him at Brody School of Medicine, I hold the people of Swaziland, Africa close to my heart. I am anxiously awaiting the day when I am able to return to this country that I love so deeply and be reunited with friends that have come to mean so much to me over the years.

Being away from a place that I love so much is hard. It's even harder when friends are struggling and you're 8,500 miles away. The day I arrived home (a week ago today), I found out that one of my friends' dad died. Sandile and I have been friends for years, and he has had a such a hard year. His sister died this past spring and now his father. His father, Albert Kunene, did know Christ which is why the family is able to find some comfort during this time. He had been visiting a man in the community who was dying of tuberculosis and acquired it himself. When I was in Swaziland, Sandile's father was doing better but quickly took a turn for the worst. His death was completely unexpected. Please be praying for Sandile and his family as they experience another loss.

Swaziland currently has an HIV rate around 35%, and it may even be higher in the rural areas. The average life expectancy is 31 years old for a male and 32 years for a female. The newest statistics predict that there will be no Swazis left by the year 2050. I spit all these statistics out in just a few sentences, but if you actually stop and think about what HIV is doing to this nation; well technically, what sex outside of marriage is doing to this nation- it's devastating. It's literally killing them. Please join me in prayer for the Swazi people. Pray for them to understand the threat and the consequences of HIV in their lives. Pray for male leadership in the churches and in the homes. Pray for the youth to stand strong in their convictions as they battle what the culture and world is telling them. Lastly, please join me in prayer for the missionaries serving in Swaziland (Wayne and Barbara Myers; Steve, Monica, Lacie and Nathan Allen; Todd and Deborah Hoskins). Pray for encouragement and strength as they share the Gospel with this lost and dying kingdom.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." -Revelation 21:4


Until the whole world hears...
Hunter

Last days in Africa...

How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!" -Romans 10:14-15

I am posting this blog from the USA, but I wrote it on Wednesday, June 27 while in South Africa. Hopefully, it will help describe our last few days in Africa.

Saturday (June 23), the team spent the morning shopping at a local craft market in a place called Ezulwini (which actually means Heaven). After shopping, we drove an hour and a half to Lesibovu. We split into 3 groups and did homestead visits in the community. We would share with people about the weekly Bible Study and talk to them about the Gospel. In the afternoon, I led the adult Bible Study and different team members led the youth and children. The entire Allen family joined us on this day of ministry so it was fun to see Lacie and Nathan included in the children's ministry. 

Thokozani helping to translate for Lacie and she prays.

Nkhululeko

On the way home, we had a flat tire on Mr. J's small rental car. It was right after we left the Bible Study, so it was probably caused by thorns in the area. Definitely an Africa experience. We were able to change the tire quickly and head to town. Just as we approached Manzini, Mr. J realized he had another flat. The spare tires on the rental van and Steve's truck did not fit so we were stranded without a spare. Thankfully, the flat occurred right as we got off the dirt road and were on the edge of Manzini. It wasn't the safest place, but it was much more easily accessible for anyone who would come and help us. Most of the team left and went to dinner while Steve, Mr J, Eric, and our two male translators stayed behind and waited for Avis, our rental company, to send someone with new tires. About 3 hours later, we had two new tires, a new spare, and the team was back together. We were able to spend a lot of time visiting while at the restaurant which was great since Deborah Hoskins came to meet the team and my family. When the others arrived, we enjoyed hearing their stories and visiting with our translators (Thokozani and Nkhululeko) some more.

On Sunday, we split into two groups and went to Hawane and Nsangwini for church. My family, Blaine, and Eric went to Hawane. Two of my precious Swazi friends came to church with us so they could meet my family! It was so good to see Jane and Ntombi. I hadn't seen Jane this entire trip, and it had been weeks since I had seen Ntombi. I loved introducing them to my family and spending the morning in worship with them. When we arrived at Hawane, I led the youth Sunday School, Mom taught the children, and Dad preached. We were able to see the new church structure at Hawane as the metal frame is already up. The church is very excited about having their own building, and the need was evident as we crammed into the small room they are currently meeting in and had more people sitting outside of the main room trying to listen to the sermon.

Sunday was an incredible mixture of cultures. Of course, the majority of the group gathered were Swazis (2 being my friends from another Baptist Church), but there were also the 4 summer missionary girls, the 6 of us plus Monica and Lacie, and then we had several other visitors. When we waiting to start Sunday School, a young man came in and directly went to me and greeted me. I recognized him, but could not place him. I saw him greet Make Ngidi, one of the women from Hawane, and quickly realized she did not know who he was. With Jane's assistance, I also realized he was not a Swazi and was having trouble communicating with Make Ngidi. I had been racking my brain but quickly realized that I had met this man about 3 weeks ago while working with the Luke Commission. He was from Kenya and was living in the Hawane community with 7 others for one year doing mission work and outreach. I had learned he was Baptist and invited him to the Hawane Church. Of all Sundays, this was the one he came to visit the church. I was sooooo glad I was there and was very excited to see him at the church! There was also a man from Zimbabwe from another Baptist Church in Swaziland who had come to check on the progress on the church building. What a meeting of the nations in such a small place!! 

Kuseni, Archer, Thokozani and Blaine

Sunday afternoon, Monica drove Jane and me to Manzini to meet up with Simanga. He was there for just a short time to take his youngest brother to school. Jane had to catch a bus to return home so we walked into town while Monica went shopping with Lacie. We found Simanga, visited some, and then Simanga and I walked to the Hoskins' flat. We had tea and visited some before he had to go. Todd walked him to the bus rank, and I stayed and visited with Deborah. It was good to see them again. Monica and Lacie picked me up, and we met the rest of the team for dinner. Sandile Kunene came by the Mountain Inn Sunday night to say good-bye to my family and me. It was good to see him again. We also visited with Mpumemelo Dube, my friend from Nhlangano who works at the Mountain Inn. I enjoyed seeing him every day, and he introduced me to some of the staff at the hotel. 

Monday morning, my friend Zinty and her husband, Lungile, came by the Mountain Inn to meet my family. I had not seen Zinty my entire time in Swaziland so I was pumped she was able to come by. It was only a short visit but a great reunion!! I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but there was a college student (Amanda) who traveled to Swaziland with my dad's team but did not work with us. She met up with a lady, Corine, and worked with preschools in the area close to Wayne and Barbara Myers, while the team worked with the IMB missionaries. Corine dropped Amanda off at the Mountain Inn, and we all headed to the Ngwenya Glass Factory for some last minute shopping for those on the team with a few Rand left to spend. :) The Allens joined up with us, and we all headed to South Africa. 

Monday through Wednesday, we stayed in Nelspruit at a place called the Bundu Lodge. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we went to Kruger National Park. It was incredible!! Our first day there, we saw the Big 5!! The Big 5 consists of lion, leopard, cape buffalo, rhino and elephant. Over the two days, we were able to see more of these animals as well as impala, kudu, other types of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, many species of birds, what we think was a black mamba, mongooses (mongeese? lol), giraffe, crocodiles, monkeys, baboons, and lots of others! I have included a few picture for you to see. For those of you not familiar with Kruger, it is a national park that is 3x the size of Swaziland. There is a fence around the outside of the park, but everything on the inside is wild and operates that way. There is little interference from the staff, except for protection for some of the animals like the rhino. While at Kruger, you drive your own car around the park and try to find the animals. It's awesome because you see them in natural habitat, and you never know what you will see. We found a lioness on the road, a baboon sitting on a guard rail, and tons of animals right outside our car window. Spending the last day or two at Kruger or some game park is something we have always tried to do with teams. Over the years, we have discovered the importance of this down time, debrief, and time with team members before being thrown back into the everyday, American life. 

Sunset in Kruger...picture can't do it justice

Tomorrow (Thursday, June 28), we will pack up and head to Johannesburg to fly home. Our flight is around 7:00pm South Africa time. However, in the morning, we will stop at one of my favorite places in Africa - Mugg and Bean! Incredible coffee. Awesome breakfast. Amazing. (Can you tell I'm excited about coffee??!!) Anyways, after we eat breakfast together, we will say bye to part of our team as well as Steve and Lacie. The 5 of them will head back to Swaziland and the family of 3 who joined us will fly home next week. The rest of the team will head to the airport with Monica and Nathan, who are coming to help carry our luggage. The plan is to post a few more blogs once I get home. The truth is, I am not ready to leave. I don't think I have realized that I'm leaving tomorrow. Be praying for us as we travel home and adjust back to our "normal" lives. It's always such an adjustment. I'll post more from the other side of the ocean. Hope you enjoy the animal pictures. :)

When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be...

Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6

June 22: Hello!! I can’t believe it’s been over a week since I last updated my blog. So much has happened since then. I can already tell you this will be a lengthy post. Lots to say! :)

Last Friday, Mr. Wayne and I went to Mafucula for both an adult and youth Bible Study. Mr. Wayne was going to teach the adults, but we found out as we were leaving town that there was a funeral going on and no adults would be able to make it. When we arrived at Mafucula, we began searching for the youth and discovered that they had been given the wrong date, so there was no Bible Study. It was a major bummer, but we were able to get back to town and run errands (like get water and buy electricity…you know, the usual). 

Saturday was an early morning and long day. We left Tshaneni at 6:30am and headed to Manzini. We quickly went shopping for the team and then drove another hour or so to Nhlangano. We had to unload the trailer we had been carrying at the IMB mission house and dropped of my luggage at Phumula Guest House. We eventually headed on to Piet Retief in South Africa to meet the team. I had to cross the border on Friday so I wouldn’t be in the country for more than 30 days consecutively (according to my passport). When we crossed the border and got to Piet Retief, we found Simanga, one of my best friends in the whole world. He was staying with his mom in South Africa so we picked him up and went to lunch while waiting for the team. We had an excellent visit with him and the team arrived shortly after. The team consists of: Jimmy, Donna, and Archer Johnson (my parents and brother), Blaine Prescott (my first cousin), Eric Creech (a PE teacher and youth minister from Wilson), another family from First Baptist-Washington, and Matthew Warren (a youth who used to live in Swaziland). It was very exciting to see my family, and they were glad to be there. I was finally able to introduce my mom and brother to Simanga and enjoyed visiting with the team. They were exhausted, but we had to continue our drive back to Nhlangano. The team stayed at the Guest House, but Mr. Wayne dropped Simanga and me off at the mission house in town. Simanga and I ran into one of our good friends- Mavayi- while we were in town. We did some grocery shopping for Simanga’s grandparents and then got on a kombi and went to Thunzini. It was so good to see his family and to spend a few hours catching up.  The team had dinner and then we split into two teams  for revivals– 1 group went to a church called Matsenjeni or “New Hope” and the other went to Thunzini Baptist Church. I was at Thunzini and had an excellent night of worship. Saturday night was a late night, just catching up with my family and the team.

Friends for 10 years!!! Mavayi, me and Simanga 

(We're triplets for those of you missing the obvious resemblance.)

Sunday, we split into 3 groups and went to 3 different churches. I went to a church called Mgamudze with Mr. Wayne, Eric, and Blaine. Eric preached; I led youth and adult Sunday School; and Blaine led the children’s Sunday School class. Sunday afternoon, we invited our 3 translators over for a braai (South African cookout). Sunday night we split into 2 groups and led revivals at Matsenjeni and Thunzini.

Make Sibandze and Blaine with the children's Sunday School class

Kids from Mgamudze Baptist Church with their new soccer ball thanks to Jabula

Monday, we split into 2 groups and went to Maloma and Matsenjeni. In these two rural areas (1.5-2 hrs from town), we visited homesteads were there were very sick people. The church members joined us so they could take us to the homesteads. At each homestead, we shared the Gospel and then gave the person who was sick a bucket filled with supplies. These buckets are called BGR buckets, or Baptist Global Response. They are intended for AIDS patients but are also used for the elderly, bed ridden, and crippled. The buckets contain sheets, towels, plastic cover for mattress, lotion, Vaseline, chapstick, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, laytex gloves, a towl and washcloths, vitamins, fingernail clippers and several other things. The three people we visited were so happy. They were asking how much the buckets cost or would just yell in excitement. The last lady we visited had a lot of questions about the Gospel and the Bible so we were able to share a lot with her.

The group who went to Maloma got suck in the sand, so we headed back to Thunzini ahead of them. Mom and Mrs. J led a teacher’s training class at the Thunzini Baptist Church. Others went to a local soccer field and did sports ministry with kids after school. Monday night, we returned to our two locations and led revivals. After the revival at Thunzini, we were able to spend time visiting with some of the youth. I have included several pictures from our time together.

Gogo Mkhonta (Simanga's grandmother) and me

Some of the ladies with Mom and Mrs. J after the first day of teachers' training

After the revivals on Monday night

The L family with Mpumelelo, Cebe and Umfundisi Nkosingiphile Dlamini

Umfundisi Dlamini and Archer

Teaching the guys how to arm wrestle while waiting for the rest of the team :)

Dad and Manqoba

Tuesday was a lot like Monday. We began by doing homestead visits in Velebantfu. I went with my parents, brother and Blaine for these visits. This was an extremely memorable day. Our first bucket delivery was at the chief’s homestead. His first wife was missing a leg and had to be carried/drug whenever she left her bed. We sat in an extremely nice room and had furniture to sit on. The lady we were speaking to was a Christian and was so excited to receive the bucket. During the Gospel presentation the chief of the area came into the room and heard the Message. He left before we finished the bucket presentation but it was a huge deal for him to be there.  The homestead was extremely nice, and I think two of his four wives live there. The second homestead we visited was in order to see an older man. When we walked into the small hut, not everyone could go inside. At first, it was just Dad, me, the translators, and several women from the Velebantfu Baptist Church. The man would not respond to us at all. He laid on his mattress with his eyes closed and head turned away. His wife sat on the edge of the mattress with a small child in her arms. Dad clearly shared the Gospel with them, and she decided to accept Christ! We were so excited! The man was still acting as if he was asleep, so we continued on, and I started with a brief introduction for the BGR bucket. When the man heard me attempting to speak siSwati, he turned his head and began listening. One of our translators began addressing him, shared with him once again, and he made a decision to accept Christ! Dad shared a few Bible stories with him, and then I presented the bucket. By the time we left, he was propped up on his elbow, smiling and talking! It was amazing. I have included a few pictures from that homestead. Please be praying for our new brother and sister in Christ! He is an alcoholic, and as new Christians, they will definitely have some challenges ahead.

New believers! :)

Tuesday night was our last night of revivals. I was at Thunzini all four nights after several schedule changes the last two nights. Mom and Archer were able to see and be a part of a church that means so much to Dad and me. By the end of the night, there was not a dry eye in the place.

Saying goodbye to friends...

Wednesday morning, 7 of us headed to Franson School and led the morning assembly for 2-300 high schoolers. Dad preached, and Blaine shared her testimony.  I had never been to Franson and was really excited to finally have the opportunity. We picked up several of our translators and friends on the way home and had a big breakfast at the Guest House. I was able to spend time with two of my friends- Mavayi and Mpumelelo. We also had the chance to spend a little more time with the translators and tell them good-bye. After breakfast, we quickly packed and headed to Mbabane. It was about 1.5 hr drive from Nhlangano to Mbabane. When we got here, we unloaded our luggage at the Mountain Inn and headed to “The Village” (local orphanage) to lead Bible Study with Gogo Shandu. We had so much fun with the kids and finished by playing soccer with them. After Bible Study, we had dinner at the Allens followed by a team meeting/debrief.

Thursday morning, we headed to a place called Ngowane. We divided into four groups and did homestead visits in the morning. I visited two different homesteads with Eric, Blaine, and Make Ngidi. Our first visit was with a Zionist pastor who actually attends the Bible Study each week. We met inside the Zionist church which was quite an interesting dynamic. After sharing with him, we went to several other homesteads but no one seemed to be home due to a community meeting. Finally, we found a homestead with a husband and wife. The wife said she was a Christian and only stayed for a short while to hear us. The husband was an alcoholic and absolutely refused to have anything to do with what we were saying. He listened, but would respond with things like: “I will never go to church. I’ll die here. I will never believe in Jesus unless he walks right onto my homestead and shakes my hand.” We spent almost an hour with him, and he openly shared things like how he beat his children and wanted them to be Christians but not him. It was an extremely difficult visit. Please be praying for this man’s heart to be softened to God’s Word and His love. He is in desperate need of our Father but is turning to things like alcohol instead. Also pray for his children. 4 of the 12 were potentially at the children’s Bible Study later that afternoon. Pray they hear the Truth and their father listens to them. After a picnic lunch, we led three Bible Studies- children, youth and adults. I think we had around 200+ kids, 15 youth, and 40 adults. It was a great ending to the day.

Kids after the Ngowane Bible Study

Last night, we had dinner at the Allens along with the 4 summer missionary girls- Joy, Jenna, Mary and Miriam. They seem to be doing very well and love living with Make Ngidi. Continue to pray for them as they speak at schools and teach the message of  abstinence through the program True Love Waits.

Today, we began our morning with a quick trip to the Swaziland Glass Factory. Here, the Swazi make their own glass and there are other shops also. Afterwards, our team split into 2 groups. The first group went to the new work area, Nsangwini. They delivered buckets and did Bible Studies for youth, children and adults. My group went to Hawane where we delivered the BGR buckets to a homestead with two very sick men. They were part of a church called ZCC. This church has a lot of the same basic beliefs as we do, but they add things like praying to a special tea and believing water has power. We shared with two men there with one showing obvious signs of AIDS.  There were probably 9 children under the age of 4 at the homestead, and I’m guessing more were at school. It was an extremely sad and poor situation. These men had a ZCC church right on their homestead. I looked in and saw the pole in the middle of the hut where the church members run around, hyperventilate, and pray to the spirits to come and possess them. It’s quite an eerie thing to be perfectly honest. I ask you to join me in prayer for the family of this homestead. Pray that they will see that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and He is all they need.

After the homestead visits, Mom and Mrs. J led the adult Bible Study at Hawane. After the study, we had about an hour of downtime and then met the other group at the Allens for dinner. My friend, Sandile, joined us. I was excited for him to meet Mom and Archer.

Tomorrow, we will do a little more shopping and then head to do homestead visits and Bible Studies at Lesibovu. I’m looking forward to teaching the adults in the afternoon.

Please continue to pray for us as our days of ministry come to an end. Including tomorrow, we only have two more days of ministry in Swaziland. Personally, I am choosing not to acknowledge that so I’m sure it’ll hit me pretty soon. On Monday, we will leave for South Africa and spend two days there at Kruger National Park. We will be arriving in the USA a week from today. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone…I’m going to miss my other home and am definitely not ready to leave the people and the place that mean so much to me.

Until the whole world hears,

Hunter

***Exciting news to end with: Over the last week, there have been about 14 professions of faith between Bible Studies, church, revivals, and homestead visits!!! :)

Siyakha indlu (We are building up the temple)

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed; for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." -Habakkuk 1:5

June 15: My time in Tshaneni is winding down, but it has been a great week filled with some new experiences. My good friends Mpilo and Mpumelelo, along with Babe (Mr.) Vilane, taught me how to do things like mix cement, lay concrete blocks, and build the foundation of a church structure. We had a lot of fun but true heart confession- I am sore!!! I have included a few pictures of what the Vuvulane Baptist Church structure looks like now. These guys truly amazed me throughout the week. They handmade half of the tools we used, worked the whole time without pay, and had fun doing it. Seeing these men come from across the country to help build their sister church was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ.

Mpilo climbing out of the 6.5 foot toilet pit that was dug by the guys

Before leaving on Tuesday

After finishing work on Wednesday

We spent all day on Tuesday and Wednesday working on the church. Wednesday night, we had a prayer meeting, and I had the opportunity to lead the devotion time. Yesterday, we took the guys from the Shiselweni region to the bus rank in Manzini so they could head home. We will be joining them tomorrow for revivals with the team. Mr. Wayne, Mrs. Barbara and I ran errands which included a trip to the embassy. That was the first time I had been! We also looked at a new bakkie for the Myers, picked up some paperwork, and then went shopping in Mbabane. While we were in Mbabane, we ran into the four summer missionary girls with Thokozani. They had just been to a school and made an appointment to do the True Love Waits presentation tomorrow. I think they have already presented several times and seem to be doing very well. This week, the teachers in Swaziland were on strike, so it has allowed them to have more time in the classrooms than normal. We also saw the evidence of the strike driving through Manzini because of the increased presence of police and security.

Wednesday night prayer service with my new little buddy, Fezo :)

(who was carrying my bag for me) 

Our next stop was a nice restaurant to meet up with the Allens and Hoskins. The Myers had not met Steve's brother and nephew so they were able to do that. I was glad to have the opportunity to visit with Monica and the kids some before the team arrives. Steve will take his brother, Michael, and nephew, Jared, to the airport today and collect my dad's team tonight. Tomorrow, Mr. Wayne and I will head to the Shiselweni region and meet the team at the border somewhere to do a trade off with Steve. We will begin revival services tomorrow night at Thunzini and New Hope.

At this point, I am definitely realizing my time is more than halfway finished. I am really looking forward to being in the Shiselweni region as some of my first and oldest friends in Swaziland live there. Dad is also excited about being in this area since it was where he spent his time during his first 4 or 5 trips. This will be my dad's 10th trip to Swaziland over the last 15 years. We are both thrilled for my mom and brother to see the place and meet the people that have become part of our lives, hearts, and everyday conversation. Definitely an answered prayer and a blessing to have this opportunity.

Each time I am here, God teaches me so much about Himself, and He opens my eyes to new things. Over the past three weeks, I have constantly been reminded of why I am in medical school. I have been encouraged by my friends and the hearts of the people in Swaziland. I have seen growth within the youth and the churches and have been blessed to have the opportunity to join His work here. It's incredible to see new Bible Studies and new churches beginning and to be reminded of what hunger for the Word looks like. In the midst of poverty and the HIV crisis, these people have a desperate and urgent need for Christ. My heart aches for this kingdom as I physically see the consequences of their lifestyle choices. I ask you to join me in prayer for the Swazi youth. Pray for conviction as so many of them are sexually active even though they know Scripture and know the threat of HIV. Pray for husbands and wives to stay faithful to each other, and pray that sexual abuse is no longer seen as normal. This nation literally needs a miracle. This morning I am thankful that our God is bigger than the problems that we face. Pray that the Swazis turn to Him and not their ancestors and witchdoctors for answers and for the hope that they so desperately need.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...

Hunter

PS- As a side note, I've also learned what a precious blessing it is to have access to water. A week with no running water and hauling water to use for construction has taught me a lot.