I am typing from the Maguga Lodge before we head out for our Wednesday Activities. It's been a busy few days while I haven't been able to Blog (this computer is a dial up one-- it's been a while since I've used dial up-- hope it works).
I am to be with the group in 15 minutes-- so this will be brief:
Sunday: We worshipped in the Sharpe Memorial Church in the morning with around 1,000 of our Swazi brothers and sisters. It was a good morning. Following services, we ate dinner with Dr. Samuel Hind-- a pioneer missionary and medical doctor who came to Swaziland in 1925 as a baby-- he is 84 years old and is still seeing patients. We also met his daughter-- Dr. Elizabeth Hind and grand daughter. Dr. Elizabeth runs the orphanage that we visited on Monday. In the evening we met with more Swazi leaders.
Monday: We broke into two groups-- half went on a tour of the hospital and half went with the AIDS Task Force for home visits (and then we switched). I learned a lot about the medical care in Swaziland. They have many dedicated and qualified workers—with very difficult conditions to work in. For instance, there is not an MRI machine in the country. There are only a couple of CT scans (the hospital is hoping to get one later this year). The hospital average 25 births a day! They see so many patients it’s unbelievable for the small staff.
The in home AIDS visits were humbling. To pray with someone dying of AIDS is something I will ever forget-- we visited (all total) probably around 20 homes. We also took a bag of groceries-- the people were so very thankful. Some received medicines. Pray for Swaziland and the AIDs epidemic-- 42% of the population has HIV/AIDs.
We then went to the New Hope Center-- the orphanage. What a joy to see these children happy and singing. It is a wonderful place of love and acceptance. They currently house about 40 children-- but they are making plans for many many more. We planted gardens in the plots that Central Church provided-- my group planted onions, beats, spinach.
Tuesday: Our work began on the medical clinic-- much construction was done. The medical workers saw a few patients, and the VBS crew got ready for the afternoon VBS-- we were anticipating 50 children on the first day-- 500 showed up! Had to go to plan "B" but all was good.
Our accommodations have been nice-- we will be here for a few more days working, seeing sick folks and holding the VBS.
Oh yes, today-- the Prime Minister of Swaziland is suppose to join us! WOW!
I'll try to write more later. Sorry for the spelling errors-- I am five minutes late!
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I don't know if Pastor get's to see our comments - but if he does - Thank you Pastor Rob for keeping the blog updated. We have been praying for you all every day (and night).
I'm crying, Rob. What a blessing to hear how God is working among you. We are diligently praying for Him to be glorified in all He leads you to do. I love the 500 kids!!! We've experienced that before, but I think we are all surprised to have that many the first day!!! I hope they are good sharers!! Thank you for dialing up!! It's so hard to be here and not know the details! Please give the whole gang my love, but especially Dan!!
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