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