So much happens each week that it is difficult to decide which stories to tell. But here are two experiences that should give you some idea of my life in Swaziland. (South African updates will come next week.)

The Hospital

            During one of my ministry days in Swaziland, my team went to the hospital in Manzini to visit the patients. To give you a picture of this place, imagine many separate buildings connected by strange open-air corridors and courtyards. Cats run around these buildings and while things are kept as clean as possible, it is not a clinical setting as we would imagine one to be. Each building houses different wards. Inside the wards are rows of beds separated by about 2 feet. Typically a chair is located next to each bed for a family member of friend who will provide primary care for the patient. The hospital is understaffed and is lacking funding meaning patients need to bring their own bedding and typically need someone to stay with them around the clock in order to receive adequate care.

            So after praying in the parking lot, I head off for the women's ward. I walk straight to the back knowing that the most severe patients are typically kept against the back wall. Here I met Sibonsile and Thuli. Sibonsile was very sick and her sister Thuli was caring for her. Thuli spoke very good English and I just stayed with them for a while listening and talking when needed. Thuli then asked me for a word, so I opened my Bible and read her a passage. I then asked if I could pray for them and proceeded to pray on behalf of my sisters. I said goodbye, and then Thuli asked if I had anything to give her that she could read. At first I thought, no I don't have anything, but then I looked down and saw in my hands my Bible, so I gave it to her, knowing that the gospel was the greatest thing I could leave with her.

            I then headed a few rows ahead and prayed for one woman and then noticed another young woman tied to a bed next to her. This woman was skin and bones. She appeared unconscious and was all alone. She was covered by a thick blanket but was naked underneath. Her legs had been deformed and her face seemed distorted. It appeared that she was dieing of AIDS and that the disease was taking over her mind as well as her body. I felt an instant connection with her and just held her hand and prayed for her. I talked to her and sang over her. She woke up a little ways through it but I couldn't understand much of what she said, so I just stayed with her and sat with her. This was just one of many in Swaziland dieing alone from AIDS and other diseases. Before I left to meet up with the team, I went back to see Thuli and saw her earnestly reading the Bible, and it lifted my heart. The next day another team went there and they said Thuli was asking for me and telling her family about Carrie who had given her a Bible. Isn't this what it is about. To share the gospel of Christ and to love. This was my day in the Manzini Hospital.

The Mbabane 5

            This day was so amazing and crazy that we named ourselves. On our last off day in Swaziland a group of us decided to take public transport from Manzini (where we lived) to the capital city of Mbabane to see a children's home where Aubs might be staying over the Christmas break. Matt, Aubs, Michelle G., Elisa, and I all got dropped off in Manzini and headed towards the KFC which was located next to the bus stop. We then proceeded to ask various locals about how to get on the bus. One older Swazi man greeted us saying, "Hello, white Swazis." We stopped and talked with him for a moment and asked if he was going to Mbabane, he replied, "Yes, in 3 minutes". A little confused we said goodbye and went on our way. We noticed that the destination of the bus was printed on the back of the bus and so we followed a bus that said Manzini Mbabane. A bus attendant, seeing 5 Americans who stood out like a sore thumb, quickly asked where we were going and when we told him, he began herding us onto his bus. We had questions to ask, but before we could ask them, we were on the bus. When we got on, we realized that there were so many people on board, that already about 10 people were standing, and by the time we got on our way we were 5 of about 25 people standing on the way to Mbabane. This bus ride would last about 40 minutes and was full of great cultural experiences. Towards the end of the ride, the bus attendant began to sell tickets which were 9 rand a piece (7 rand equals a dollar). This meant that this bus attendant had to get around all of us standing up while moving down the highway. It was a great time! Once we arrived in Mbabane, Aubs made a call to her contact Mike Pratt, who told us to meet him at the KFC. I point this out in order to clarify that it seems each bus stop is located next to a KFC. We meet Mr. Pratt and all pile into his car and head off to his children's home. This is when I realize that I have been to this place on my previous trip to Swaziland and start getting even more excited. We get to Sandra Lee's (the children's home) and start just loving on the children, or being loved by the children, I'm not sure which. These are beautiful children who for the most part were abandoned at the Mbabane hospital. They are now given a house to live in along with 5 or 6 other children and are looked after by a house mom. These children are not up for adoption, but instead will always be able to call these houses home. They are given a middle class lifestyle and the hope is that this upbringing will result in healthy families of their own. It is an amazing place. After staying for a few hours, Mr. Pratt drives us back to the bus stop. We find our friend the bus attendant who then loads us back onto the bus promising us a discount (8 rand) and a seat! So the ride back was calmer, and it was beautiful to see the lovely mountains and villages. But it was beginning to storm.

            We arrive back at the KFC and let our leader know we are looking for dinner and will then meet her afterwards. The storm is starting to include not only rain and wind but also lightening. We walk to a favorite pizza place to discover that their power is out. They let us know that they cannot serve us pizza  but can offer us Chinese food (I couldn't make this up if I wanted to). Thinking this wasn't the best idea we head off towards another restaurant. On the way, we are walking through "trash tornados" coined by Elisa, and the wind is picking up. Before we make it to the next restaurant, we are picked up by Allie, our leader. She informs us that the power is out throughout the city. She was with two of my friends from my first trip, Ncobile and Cynthia, and I was excited to ride with them for a while. We ended up finding dinner elsewhere, but as we drive through the city we see roofs that had just blown off the businesses. This storm was crazy. The lightening was a powerful example of the magesty of God. Once we returned to the house at 10:30, all of us living in the tents moved our stuff inside to avoid sleeping in the storm. This is just a glimpse at the adventure of the Mbabane 5!

 For those of you who know of my previous trip to Swaziland or have been to Swaziland before: I also saw Boy Boy, Tamae, Lelo, Ncobile, Cynthia, and Pastor Walter. Due to a local situation I didn't get to talk to Lelo, Tamae, or Pastor Walter. But God is good! I will soon try and post pictures from Swaziland because now there are many building where Pastor Walter's house is. The care point is now located near his house and not at the community center! Also, the steel building has been closed in! It is amazing!