Pictures

At Hawane





At Makhya Game Reserve

Netball Huddle at Youth Camp

Durban, Youth Camp, Safari, and More

September 10, 2007

Durban, Prayer Retreat, Youth Camp, and Makhya Game Reserve, Revivals, Hawane, and Other Prayer Requests

We planned to leave at 8am, but because of the recent generator theft we went to the police station at 8, so it was almost 10am by the time we left Mbabane. But no worries because we were off to Durban for a couple days of holiday and then a refreshing prayer retreat. We saw many animals on the trip. We passed some cows on the side of the road. It’s a good thing I slowed down because a cow stepped right out in front of me and I had to slam on breaks to not hit it. Also, I saw 6 monkeys at various times along the way, many ostriches, the usual farm animals, and even a giraffe by the highway soon after crossing the border into South Africa. In Durban we went to a couple different malls and enjoyed wireless internet. Also, one day Julia and I went to the beach and it was neat to see the Indian Ocean. Also, the last night we were there the Allen’s and Julia took me out for my birthday dinner.

The prayer retreat in Shelly Beach was amazing! It seemed to be a great time of spiritual refreshment for many of the other missionaries. Because I haven’t been on the field very long, I don’t think I was in need of being refreshed. However, it was a great way to start my term. A team from the US came to run the retreat. I realized that even after a month, I had already missed worshipping in English singing songs that I have a history with.

The night after we returned from South Africa a team from Washington, NC arrived. This team of 5 was a real joy to be around. They helped us run National Youth Camp. Camp was held at a school in Manzini. There were approximately 200 youth there. The first couple days were crazy for those of us working behind the scenes, but after that we were able to relax a little and enjoy camp with the youth. The first night Julia and I planned on sleeping at the school with the girl campers, but by the time we finished working it was 11pm and the rooms were either too crowded or already sleeping. We were kind of annoyed at that point and it wasn’t safe to drive all the way home that late, so we just slept in the truck. It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable night sleep I have ever had.

The next day was my birthday. I turned the big 2-2. I told Julia “I’m a make (magay, Swazi word for mother or middle aged woman) now. I’m not a sisi (see-see, Swazi word for sister or young female) anymore.” I’m not going to lie. I’ve had better birthdays. But this time wasn’t about me. This time was about helping the youth grow closer to Jesus and honoring God through that. In fact, that night a girl went to the front to announce that she had accepted Christ and become a believer. Some fun times at youth camp involve learning how to play net ball (like basketball except you can’t dribble or move with the ball and there is no backboard), cheering on my Swazi friends Liswe and Samonga as they played soccer, hanging out with Jane and Nthombi, and watching some of the youth perform a skit that I wrote.

Camp went from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon. The next day the team treated us to a safari at Makhya game reserve. It was sooooooo much fun! I saw all kinds of animals. I have wanted to go on an African safari for as long as I remember.

Starting that Monday night we attended revival services at Pinneal Baptist and Peace Baptist churches. Different men from the team preached at the services. It is neat to see the people dancing and singing and praising God. It is different then the churches I’ve attended in the US, that’s for sure. Throughout the week more and more people attended. The first night Peace had maybe 30 people. There was over 100 by the end of the week. Also at Peace, 33 people (11 from Peace and 22 from Ensinza, a near by church) came forward at the end to say that they had become believers. It is impossible for us to know whose decisions were sincere, but pray that they were. Pray for strength for these new believers. Pray that they will get involved with a bible based church and not get involved in African Zionism (the largest religion here and aims to mix Christianity and African Traditional Religion).

On Friday the team helped at Hawane church. Steve does a Bible study there on Friday afternoons which is open to all adults, but only women go. I am starting a children’s bible study there at the same time. There is no other event for the children there except for Sunday church services. It is a great time and location too. The church is right beside a primary school (grades 1 – 8) and school gets out early on Fridays. So, all these children will be walking by right as bible study is starting. I am super excited about this. Please pray for God’s guidance with this new bible study.

Other prayer requests include the children at the government hospital, especially Siphiwe who is a girl in the abandoned wing and Menzi who is a young by there that I have grown closest too. Menzi is always smiling and laughing. Pray for the future youth rallies for the HhoHho and Manzini regions, and are still in the planning stages. Also, many of the churches do not have pastors and others look like they are on the verge of losing pastors. It is hard to find men that are even qualified morally to pastor a church. Also, pastors must be at least bi-vocational because very little money is collected in the offerings on Sundays.

I know that I put a lot of info into one update. I will try to send them out more frequently. Don’t forget that my updates are posted on my blog too as well as various pictures. Thank you all for your support.