June 8: This week has been full of activities and adventures. Sunday was an incredible day of worship at Hawane Baptist Church. The summer missionaries were there also, and I have included a picture so you can see them. This church is so full of life and joy; love literally pours out of them. It's incredible to see. Sunday afternoon, I moved from Mbabane to Manzini. I will be staying with the Todd and Deborah Hoskins through Saturday of this week.
Fikelephi and Khumbuzile Jele
Make Shabangu
Jenna, Joy, Thokozani (translator), Miriam, and Mary
Monday began rather early. I arrived at The Luke Commission headquarters at 5:00am and spent the day doing a clinic with them. The Luke Commission is run by a husband and wife- Harry and Echo VanderWal. Each week, they go into the rural communities and set up a mobile clinic. They have about 10-15 Swazis who work with them as well as 2 American nurses. The VanderWals typically see 400-500 patients on these days, working until 10 or 11:00 at night. They provide basic health care, HIV testing and counseling, TB testing (including X-Rays), general medications, as well as perform male circumcisions. I was able to assist in the surgery department as well as sit with Dr. VanderWal as he saw almost 250 patients in the afternoon/evening. I learned a lot and am so glad that I went. It was a smaller clinic than usual, and we were home from Big Bend by midnight. If anyone is interested in the VanderWals' work, their website is www.lukecommission.org. You can see pictures of their family (4 boys and new baby girl) as well as all of the different medical services they are providing for the Swazis.
Tuesday was our day off this week. Todd, Deborah and I went to the grocery store and then after lunch we went to Ezulwini to go on a hike. Well, let me preface this with the fact that I have only been on one hike my entire life, thanks to my dear friend Katy who took me while I was visiting her in Colorado. Deborah knew this about me but decided that nevertheless, we should embark on a 3 hour hiking adventure. So we did. We climbed to the top of Sheba's Rock. This mountain is higher than Execution Rock for those of you who are familiar with Swaziland. Plus, we had to hike quickly because we had to be back down the mountain by dark due to the trail we were using. We made it in 2 and a half hours. Success. I have included a few pictures of our hike as well as Todd and Deborah. Tuesday night we made fajitas and cupcakes and then watched Cool Runnings. Excellent day off. :)
Deborah and Todd Hoskins
Pictures from our hike
Overlooking Ezulwini
Deborah and me at the top of Sheba's Rock
On Wednesday morning, the Bible Study Deborah and I were planning on attending was cancelled so we went to the market instead. In the afternoon, we drove to Mbabane. Deborah dropped me off at the small orphanage where Gogo Shandu does her weekly Bible Study. Deborah headed to Hawane to deliver cupcakes for Mary's birthday (one of the summer missionaries). I stayed and led Bible Study with Gogo. We enjoyed teaching the parables in Luke 15 and teaching the kids how to Limbo. I was also able to deliver two soccer balls for Jabula and have included a picture for you guys. The kids were so excited for their new "futbols." I am going to attempt to attach a video clip of them saying thank you. Gogo and I walked the 30 minutes back to the Allens and Monica picked us up at the end of their dirt road. (The bottom picture is from our walk home.) It was so good to see her! Monica, Lacie and Nathan all arrived in Swaziland on Tuesday. Steve's older brother, Michael, and nephew, Jared, are also here. I was able to meet and see everyone before Deborah returned from Hawane.
Giving soccer balls to the children :)
Part of Mbabane
Thursday, I went to the Lumbombo region with Darran and Teresa Rehmeyer. They are doing some incredible work in an area very close to Wayne and Barbara Myers. The Rehmeyers provide transport for HIV positive parents and children to a hospital where they receive their medications. The people in this area have a hard time with transport to the clinic so this is such a blessing for them. They also do homestead visits, along with two Swazis who live in the community. Going homestead to homestead, they check on the patients as well as see if there are people needing medical assistance. I loved seeing what they are doing and hope to work some more with them next week.
Today we have run some errands around town and plan on attending Sport Day at one of the local schools. Tonight, we will deliver more soccer balls to a local boys' school. Tomorrow, I may move to Tshaneni to stay with the Myers until the team arrives. We aren't sure of this weekend's schedule so I will keep you updated. The Myers' are having lots of problems with their bakkie (truck), so hoping that is fixed quickly!
Thank you so much for your prayers. They are felt and greatly appreciated!!
Hunter
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