Never a dull moment...

Let me begin by saying thank you to my wonderful roommate, Katy, who is uploading this blog post for me. The internet here has blocked access to my blog for some reason. Personally, I think it’s just because technology loves me (please note the intense amount of sarcasm in that statement).  Anyways, thanks Katy!

Sunday morning, I went to church at Hawane Baptist with one of our sweet translators Maria Shandu (gogo), a former AIM missionary (Erica) and her husband (Mxolisi). It was a very typical Swazi worship service: we began around 11, at 12:30 the pastor was called up to preach, and we left sometime around 2:30.  I loved every minute of it. I had the chance to see some old friends and was able to spend some time catching up as well as read a report from someone’s recent abdominal ultrasound. Welcome to my life.

Sunday was also kind of hard at the same time. Since I was last there, one of my friends died of AIDS leaving behind her two young children. Her mother is taking care of them but is having health problems of her own. I found out one of the older women in the church who has always been so precious to me died a few months ago. I loved this woman deeply despite the fact that our conversations only lasted about 15 seconds without a translator due to her limited English and passion for speaking siSwati and possibly Zulu fluently to me. She knew I didn’t understand but got quite a kick out of it. Gogo Dludlu had a wonderful sense of humor and an incredible dedication to the Lord. I’m going to miss her. A lot. Unfortunately, I was also reminded of how real sin is and how life changing its consequences can be. The Swazi youth are not much different than the youth in America. Giving in to culture and temptation is just easier. Plain and simple. No matter where you are. Need a reminder of how broken our world is? Turn on the news. Listen to your friend, neighbor, family member or coworker. Slow down for a second. You’ll see. Want to know what I’m thankful for? We have been offered so much more.

But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  -Romans 5:8

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   -Romans 6:22-23

But in keeping His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  -2 Peter 3:13

As I sat in church with a heavy heart, in need of a reminder of this hope that I know, one of the youth went to the front to share what the Lord was teaching her. Before she finished, she also wanted to share a verse that she read several weeks ago. The verse was Genesis 28:15, and Lomanono said the Lord brought me to her mind even though she had no idea I was coming to church that Sunday. Quick background, this same verse was shared with me by one of my closest Swazi friends about 8 years ago. I literally call it my “Africa verse.” And there it was again. Ok, Lord. Thank you for being a God of encouragement and comfort. I hear you.

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

After church, I spent some time at Daran and Teresa Rehmeyer’s house. They are American missionaries here in Swaziland. Teresa is a nurse and will be helping out with our medical mission team. She is also being my substitute mom while I am gone and doing things like taking me to the grocery store. I am already thankful for her. I also wanted to say a quick thank you to my church family. Because of what people gave financially as well as purchased specifically, we were able to bless this family. Thank you so much for making that happen.

The last two days, I have been working at the Baylor clinic. In the picture below, you can see just how long of a commute I have as well as get an idea of what the clinic and my house look like.  I am standing in front of the gate of my house taking the picture with a lovely thunderstorm rolling in. Yesterday, we saw about 150-175 HIV+ children and family members. It was extremely busy refilling medications and doing lots of routine follow-ups. Today, we saw about 60-75 but there were a lot of complicated complaints, and I saw things I have only previously read about in a textbook. For my medical friends as well as those who like to use google, I will tell you about my first 3 patients briefly so you can get an idea of what today looked like.  I’ll try to make it semi-understandable.

   Patient #1 – 28 yr old female with cryptococcal meningitis sent from clinic last Thursday to be admitted to the hospital for 2 weeks of IV medication. Instead, she was sent home from the hospital the next day.

   Patient #2 – 18 mth old boy with developmental delay as well as rickets due to malnutrition

   Patient #3 – 24 yr old female in respiratory distress and severely anemic due to suspected TB, which was later confirmed. At first, she refused to start treatment and refused to go to the hospital. Later, she did try to go and they wouldn’t admit her.

Let’s just say I learned a lot today. I also have a growing prayer list.

Now, to end on a completely different note as my house literally shakes due to the incredibly intense thunder outside. I often say that there is never a dull moment in my life. The people who know me best know that this is in fact a very true statement. I also learned a long time ago that learning to laugh at yourself is an essential quality. So….let me tell you about my evening. It is no secret that I am not exactly what you would call a chef. In fact, Katy and I recently counted, and I was pumped that I knew how to make more than 5 things. I mean, it might only be 6 things but at least 2 involve more than a microwave! With that background, here is my story. Plus, I am going to give you the opportunity to practice self-control. (It is part of the fruit of the Spirit you know.) Don’t scroll down to look at the photo until you read the story…

When I got home from the clinic around 4:30, I decided that I needed to figure out some type of snack to eat in the afternoons. I mean, carrot sticks are great but without hummus…they are kind of boring. Not sure how rabbits do it. And remember, never a dull moment so boring snacks aren’t acceptable. Therefore, I decided to boil some eggs. That’s easy enough and would be a great snack in the afternoon. You might be saying, “Hunter. For one, eggs are also boring. And secondly, please tell me you didn’t mess up boiled eggs.” Ok. It wasn’t me. Promise! What had happened was…Within about 30 seconds, every last one of them split open and then began erupting. It was…quite interesting. Then they started floating, and I was trying to figure out if every dang egg was rotten. Anyways, I just left them in and let them boil. Whatever. Let’s just say, when I took them out, some of them were still shaking and boiling on the inside. Yes. They had enough water inside of them to do that. Soooo I’m not exactly sure what happened. My actual dinner did turn out ok though. Scrambled eggs and toast. Decided not to get too crazy after that other egg situation. However, my prayer at dinner did sound something like this: “Dear Lord, thank you for providing this food. Now, please, Father, protect me from it. I really don’t have time for food poisoning.” So far so good. What did I learn? 1) African eggs are a little sensitive; 2) I should apparently google how to boil eggs in the near future; and most importantly 3) Jesus answers prayers. Enjoy the picture.

The Great Eggsplosion of 2015

Thanks for praying with and for me. Let’s hope my roommate that’s coming next week can cook. J In the meantime, pray for protection of my health (not just from my cooking but in the clinic as well).  Also, please pray for opportunities to share Jesus. These people need spiritual healing. Until the Swazis seek Him, I see no end to this epidemic that is wiping out this nation.  

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.    -2 Peter 3:9

Until the whole world hears,

Hunter