SURPRISE! We're going to SWAZILAND!!!!
5:15 am rolls around. A knock at the door causes for a startling wake up call. As I stumble out of bed, I hear a voice. Is that Emma? What could she be doing here so early? I stretch for the handle and swing open the door. With shouts of joy and excitement, a camera in my face, the words spoken seemed like more of a dream then my current reality. "Hurry up! You have 15 minutes to pack. We are going to Swaziland!" 15 minutes later we packed the car and hit the road.
We spent a few days in this beautiful country, but experienced a wide range of opportunities. As soon as we arrives that morning, we unpacked the vehicle and left right for our first stop, the clinic. While there, we had the chance to sit alongside missionary nurse, Jane, and some of her staff to see exactly what they did. Most of the patience we visited that morning were either being treated for worms, tb, or HIV. Jane was saying that nearly 90% pf the population within this particular community was infected with HIV and 42% of the whole country! Those numbers are astronomical especially for such a small country like Swaziland. The beautiful thing about this clinic was the fact that every single patient that set foot in the door was prayed for, every one.
After spending some time at the clinic, we headed for a house visit with the nurses, to visit a family in the community. The old GoGo, or grandmother, had just recently passed away, so we went to send our condolences to the grieving family. As we approached the hut, we each took off our shoes and set them by the door. Small mats for sitting lined the floors. We huddled inside and took our seats. We entered the hut, praising God, and left in the very same fashion. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to meet this woman, but I hear she was a very special lady.
That evening, our team gathered at Timothy's house for some tea, as he gave us a great lesson on the history of the country.
Through out the rest of the weekend, we spent time visiting schools, doing some work projects, talking with youth groups, praying for people in the government hospital, and soaking up the beauty wrapped into of this lovely country. We even went to catch a movie at the only theater in the WHOLE COUNTRY!!! Needless to say, we had a blast in Swaziland! Looking forward to vising again sometime soon!
We spent a few days in this beautiful country, but experienced a wide range of opportunities. As soon as we arrives that morning, we unpacked the vehicle and left right for our first stop, the clinic. While there, we had the chance to sit alongside missionary nurse, Jane, and some of her staff to see exactly what they did. Most of the patience we visited that morning were either being treated for worms, tb, or HIV. Jane was saying that nearly 90% pf the population within this particular community was infected with HIV and 42% of the whole country! Those numbers are astronomical especially for such a small country like Swaziland. The beautiful thing about this clinic was the fact that every single patient that set foot in the door was prayed for, every one.
After spending some time at the clinic, we headed for a house visit with the nurses, to visit a family in the community. The old GoGo, or grandmother, had just recently passed away, so we went to send our condolences to the grieving family. As we approached the hut, we each took off our shoes and set them by the door. Small mats for sitting lined the floors. We huddled inside and took our seats. We entered the hut, praising God, and left in the very same fashion. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to meet this woman, but I hear she was a very special lady.
That evening, our team gathered at Timothy's house for some tea, as he gave us a great lesson on the history of the country.
Through out the rest of the weekend, we spent time visiting schools, doing some work projects, talking with youth groups, praying for people in the government hospital, and soaking up the beauty wrapped into of this lovely country. We even went to catch a movie at the only theater in the WHOLE COUNTRY!!! Needless to say, we had a blast in Swaziland! Looking forward to vising again sometime soon!
