June 11: Almost every day, several elementary and junior high girls come over to Todd and Deborah's to visit after school. Deborah spends time with them, gives them a snack and they play games. The girls love her. On Friday, we took 4 of these girls to a local bakery for a birthday celebration. We went grocery shopping in the afternoon, and then I went with the Hoskins to a local boys' school to deliver several soccer balls. They were thrilled!
On Saturday, there was a Sunday School Committee meeting for all of the children's leaders with the Baptist churches in Swaziland. Deborah, the Myers, and I spent the morning there, and then I headed to Tshaneni with Wayne and Barbara Myers. We ran errands, dropped people off at their homesteads, and visited with a few families. Right now, Vuvulane Baptist Church is building their own structure. For the past two years, the church has been meeting in a homestead and saving for a building. To help build their sister church, Thunzini Baptist has sent their own mission team to this part of the country. The Thunzini pastor, Nkosingiphile Dlamini, and two youth guys, Mpumelelo and Mpilo Sihlongonyane, are staying with the Vuvulane pastor's family and volunteering their time. The Myers are providing dinner for the group each night. I'm looking forward to spending time with these friends throughout the week.
People who came for the Sunday School meeting
(including Wayne and Barbara Myers and Deborah Hoskins)
Sunday morning, I taught Sunday School at Vuvulane Baptist Church and Umfundisi Nkosingiphile preached. After the service, I spent some time with several of the guys and children from the church. In the afternoon, Mrs. Barbara had a braai (cookout) those involved in building the church. We had a lot of fun and an excellent meal.
Fezo Mavuso
Mpumelelo Sihlongonyane
Kids after church
Douglas and Simphiwe Mavuso's 3 children
Back of the bakkie after church
Today, I joined up with Mary, one of the Swazis who works for Darran and Teresa Rehmeyer. We did homestead visits, and I was able to interview some women for my research. We had the opportunity to deliver food to several families in need and visited with some HIV+ patients who aren't doing very well. One lady we visited is a gogo (older lady) who is dying of cervical cancer. She has no family to help care for her and no money to buy food. Even if she had money, she has no way to get it and no way to cook. She's too weak to walk and in too much pain to do anything but sit on the floor and cry. It was absolutely heartbreaking. We gave her some adult diapers and are trying to get corn meal to her this week. Mary and I prayed with her, but there was really nothing else we could do. This lady is definitely still on my mind- Gogo Nhlabatsi. In the afternoon, I helped the guys work on the church. They came over for dinner tonight, and we continued to have a great time of fellowship.
A lady with the food we delivered
The future Vuvulane Baptist Church
Mpilo mixing concrete
As a side note, the Myers and I woke up this morning to no running water. We had accidentally overheard a rumor of this happening at some point yesterday and prepared as best as possible. I think we will be out of water until Friday or Saturday. Definitely makes life interesting. To me, it's quite interesting that we don't have water, but we have wireless internet. Welcome to Africa. :)
Sorry this update is shorter. Looking forward to my family and the team joining me at the end of the week!! Be praying for them as they prepare to fly out on Thursday. (Follow the team's blog- www.swazilandmission2012.wordpress.com) Also, please be praying for the Gogo who is dying of cervical cancer. I know this is just one story of many here in Swaziland, but it's hard to feel so helpless. Thanks for joining me in ministry to the Swazi people.
Until the whole world hears,
Hunter
Great pics! Praying praying!
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