Land of Lincoln

We are now traveling to Ohio to see our family there. Taking a couple of days to just relax and see the sites in Springfield, Illinois. Saw the Lincoln Museum today and it was the most interesting one I have see in a long while. This is a good one to see with lots of action in it. Tomorrow we will see on about gas stations, since my Dad owned one and I worked at it. That will be a lot of fun. After that we will be heading to Ohio to see our siblings. Sunday evening we will finally arrive at Cindy & Kenny's. Can't wait to see the girls.

GOD IS SO GOOD

God has been so good to us. Getting us safely home from Swaziland after Will's problem with his heart. Will is doing very well. He saw the Doctor on Monday for a followup check-up. All is well and he can travel to Ohio to see the family. Karis has had a lump removed from her breast that was not cancer. We Praise the Lord for all He has done and continues to do.

We have had several opportunities to share about the work in Swaziland since we returned home. It is exciting to share and reflect on all that has happened and continues to happen in this great country. We will be sharing our story to some Churches in Ohio when we are there. Pray for us as we continue to share about the dear country of Swaziland.

If you would like to continue to follow the work in Swaziland go to:LaVignes in Swaziland.blogspot.com Brent and Michaele LaVigne are now the on-site coordinators for the BFC/SNU Swaziland Partnership. They are a neat young couple that God has called to serve and to love the dear people there.

We do miss so many friends that God brought into our lives and pray that someday we can return and say a proper good-bye to them. If not we do know that many we will meet in Heaven when the time comes.

Our plans are to write a update occassionally to let you know how and what we are doing. Meanwhile we will continue to serve God wherever He takes us.

The Latest Up Date

Today we are still adjusting to being back home in Oklahoma. It is way too cold for us. We could have gotten along fine without the snow this past week-end. Missing winter was not going to be a problem for us.

Will has been to the Cardiologist and his family Dr. and both assure us that he received the needed care while in Johannesburg, South Africa. Tomorrow he will have a couple of tests run just to make sure all is working well with his heart. The main problem was an electrical problem with his heart that was corrected with a shock to put him back in normal sinus rhythm. Medication should take care of this problem.

We thank each of you for your prayers for us as we went through this time and for a safe trip back home. God is so good and has been with us through it all.

Pray for us as we adjust to life back in Bethany. We are having some down times as mentally we were not prepared to return this soon. There are so many dear friends that we did not get to say our good-byes. Many of them we know we will see in Heaven and the rest we are praying that God will continue to work on their hearts.

May God continue to Bless you as you live for Christ.

Back Home in Bethany, OK

Praise God we arrived back in Oklahoma yesterday. Tired, yes, but oh so happy to see some of our family and friends waiting for us at the airport. Will tolerated the trip well as BFC had made sure that he had the best of care taken and we both were able to rest on the plane. We are now back on our: wkstemen@cox.net e-mail and would love to hear from you. Tomorrow we see the Cardiologist and will go from there. God is good and will continue to heal, strengthen, guide us and give peace in the days ahead. Thanks for all your prayers an support. We may be back in the US but part of us will always be in Swaziland with people that we love and will continue to help from this side of the world. Everyone can pray, give and do things here to help this great country.

Sunday Up Date

In just a few hours we will be heading to the airport to board a flight on Delta for the USA. The last 9 days have been very different than we thought our last days in Africa would be. God only knows that part of our lives. We just need daily and even hourly place our lives in His hands and follow Him all the way.

Will has been resting a lot and walking several times a day to build up his strength. BFC & Sheri Gilliland is making sure we have an easy flight back home. All along this journey God has provided and taken care of us. Thank you for all your prayers and support. We have so much to share with you. We love you and look forward to seeing you real soon.

Heading Home

Today has been good as we have rested and tried to walk some but it has rained off and on all day. Will gets tired but regains strength after resting. We are booked on a flight to leave Johannasbug, South Africa on Sunday evening. That should get us into Oklahoma City Monday afternoon. The team that arrived the day this all started with Will also arrive in Oklahoma on Monday. We are looking forward to hearing about all the music video taping, meetings and plans that were made. Our thoughts have been with the team and their many projects.

We look forward to catching up with all that has happened in your lives these last few months. To our family, we will be home soon and you better have the coffee and tea ready.

Relaxing at a B & B

Will was discharged from the hospital this morning. He has been resting and walking around this beautiful place Praising God for His healing touch. We are looking forward to being back in Oklahoma soon.

Footprints in the Sand

This was taken while we were on Holiday in Cape Town. Will ask me why I took this picture and I didn't know but I didn't want to delete it. Another 'God Thing' that we have seen again & again.

Last night while talking to the Lord and thanking Him again for all He has done for us especially in the last few days, I was reminded about this picture. Jesus has walked in front of us to work out details that only He could do, He has walked beside us to comfort and guide us and He has CARRIED us when we were to weak to walk. The song 'What a Mighty God we serve' just keeps running through my mind. He is Mighty and Worthy to be Praised.

Up Date

We had a good day. Will was up walking a lot in the halls. He is weak but is feeling more like himself every day. Dr. said if his blood work was OK in the morning he would release him as long as he just rests a lot at the B&B across from the hospital. He said things look OK for him to fly on Sunday. We want to thank all for your prayers. There have been so many God things in all of this. We have much to share. God is faithful to walk with us or carry us as we need his strength.

THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS

What a whirl wind few days, but God is Faithful and has been with us every moment and every mile. In the last blog I wrote that Will had a spell that caused the Dr. to want him to return to the USA --- ASAP. Well God still has us in Africa. Saturday Will had 2 episodes of his heart racing and being very dizzy. On Friday we had been told that he had a TIA. Saturday morning he was admitted to RFM with what the Dr. was now saying his heart was in Atrial Fib. RFM had no heart monitor working and they could not do another EKG because the machine was locked up and they couldn't find the person with the key. Do you know understand why we need to work with RFM and their clinics. After much phone calling by the Dr. and Barbi Moor who had arrived the evening before from BFC, we transported him to Johannasburg, South Africa. It was about a 5 1/2 hr trip by ambulance of which he tolerated fairly well.

He was admitted directly into CCU and was given medicine to try to convert his heart rate back to normal sinus rythem. When that didn't work they did an electrical shock to convert his heart. Praise the Lord that worked.

Today he was moved into a regular room and has been up walking some. He is still having some dizziness but is gaining his strength after being in bed since Friday afternoon.

We hope to be able to move him to a motel tomorrow or Thursday where he will rest until we are given the ok to travel home. At this point it looks like we may get to leave on Sunday.

Again we both want to thank you all for your prayers. We have received calls, e-mails and messages from all over the world. What a mighty God we serve. Looking forward to seeing our family and friends back in OK real soon. You in Ohio will have to wait until we can travel again.

God Bless you all and keep praying.

Leaving Swaziland

It is Saturday, 4 A.M. and I can not sleep. My mind is racing with things to do. God has proviged an early flight for us to return to Bethany, OK.

Will has not been feeling the best for a few weeks but nothing we could pinpoint. Yesterday he had something happen that the Doctors here feel he need to have more testing that can not be done at RFM. They told us he needed to see a Doctor in South Africa or in the USA. We chose to come back home since our leaving date was fast approaching anyway.

God opened the doors for us to get a flight that leaves Manzini at 2 P.M. on Sunday. Hence there is much to do. My Swazi Sister, Valarie's, daughter is coming in to help me pack in a few hours. My Sister is helping to pick up the slack of transporting the team to various places.

Our GO TEAM arrived last evening and came directly here to pray with us and help us make some needed decisions.

God is providing and guiding us each step of the way. Praise God for all those He has provided to help us in so many ways. Please Pray for the following:
1. The GO TEAM members as they continue to do what God wants them to do in this precious country. Barbi, Harlan, Hal, Fred & Kathy.
2. For a healing touch for Will.
3. The packing that needs to be done.
4. Our early, sad good-byes to many of our dear friends
5. Safe travel

Look forward to seeing many of you, our family and friends soon.
Love you all.

Observation - Education

Education is very expensive for the average Swazi family. We know a family with boys ages 16,15, & 11 and a girl 13. From our observation they are considered on the high end of middle class here. They do not have enough money to send them all to school. Guess who is left out. The 13 year old girl. Also from our contact with the family she is a very bright, intelligent child.

The average cost per child is between $500 to $1000 per year depending on the school and grade. Also all children must have uniforms. The average income per family is $3000 to $5000 per year.

This country will not progress as it should until there is free education at least through grade 7 which would put Swaziland on equal footing with South Africa. There are way too many children not in school.

The facilities for education for the most part are very poor. There is often not enough desks, chairs, or books.

Athletics might often be over emphasized in the U S, but other than soccer we see very little here in Swaziland.

We who have been involved in sports realize that it is good for our health and often gives young people something to do. The adolescents have hormones raging and they lack this outlet. We believe this adds to the promiscuity and of course the HIV/AIDS problem.

It would neat if the SNU Soccer team could come over and play against some of the Swazi club teams.

Observation - Agriculture

Our first GO TEAM last July-August was designed to minister in 4 areas. There was a Medical team, an Education team, a Compassionate Ministries team, and a Construction team. HIV/AIDS has been declared as the number 1 problem in Swaziland. There is much starvation happening with more predicted in the near future.

Could we on some group partner with the Swaziland Department of Agriculture to look into a possile solution? Could they try soy beans, which takes less moisture than corn (maize).

The above picture is how many out in the Bush still plow their fields. Some have tractors but there are still many that can not afford them. Some communities have a community tractor.

Observations on Irrigation

With a better retaining system, Swaziland could utilize the climate. The Winters are mild enough that food could be grown all year long with irrigation. Crops that thrive in cooler weather could be grown during the Swazi Winter. Warm weather crops can be grown during their Summer. This Summer almost no area of the Country was without adequate rain fall. This has been the best year of rain fall for quite a long time. With the right rotation of crops most good farming areas can grow 2 crops per year. This is already happening in smaller garden plots. It would be good is agriculture training were added to the University curriculum.

Hey, by the way today was the first day we have not used the fans since early November. It was a beautiful Fall like day for us. We love this weather.

Have a team from BFC coming in Friday so things are getting quite busy.

Water

Picture of Maguga Dam

We are planning to give you some observations from our view point about Swaziland. You have read in our blog a lot about the shortage of water but we have found that there is no shortage. There is just a need to have a better, consistent controlling and containing what they have.There are only 3 Dam Systems that we have observed. We have visualized many other areas where a system of dams could be helpful. More wells (Bore holes as they call them) will help, but the long term solution would be something more like the Tennessee Valley Authority or the Lake of the Ozarks systems. With the right systems this country could support 2 times as many people.

Visa Update

Thanks for your prayers. We now have the permission to stay here until we come home in April. Government in Swaziland moves at their own pace and we just need to adjust. Anyway we are not illegal in this our 2nd home. Thank you all for all your prayers and support. We are praying for you.

Testamonies

What a morning! Jim Copple, Bernie Murphy, Chris Ringwalt and Jerry Lambert are here from the US doing assessments dealing with our Swaziland Partnership. We sat with a Support group for HIV/AIDS. Jim ask questions and 3 of the people volunteered to tell their story. A 52 year old man with a family was diagnosed in 2003. He went for testing because he was very ill and was having trouble seeing. At the time he did not suspect that he was positive. He then had to go to South Africa because Swaziland did not have ARV's for treatment at that time.

A lady with the name of 'Happy' and that she showed all over her face became a care giver for the HIV/AIDS Task Force in 2004. She was tested as she was encouraging others to do and was positive in 2005. Her husband didn't want to test or have anything to do with it so he skipped out on her and the children.

Another shared that she (a Mother of 12 children with 8 living and 7 grandchildren) tested positive in 2004 after becoming quite ill. Some of her children will not be tested due to not wanting to know the truth. Listening to her share made us feel that she is very concerned about each of her family.

Some of the challenges each one shared was the lack of food that is a must in order to take the ARV's. Also the stigma among the community they live in and among their family members. They shared the challenge of getting to the Hospital where they receive their ARV's.

All seemed open to share about their situation and tell others about the need to be tested. They shared about the positives of the Support Group where they can openly share what they are going through and feeling. They help one another if there is lack of money to get the proper treatments.

One of the projects that is being started here is a garden plot where these people can raise some food for themselves and also can see the extra to the community for profit. The gardens are started by loving people from the US who donate money to fence in the gardens, and buy seeds for then to begin.

Mary Magagula and Evelyn Shongwe the Task Force Directors gave them clothes that had been sent here from the US and some food. They were given a Relay to Life shirt 2003 from Ohio and all put them on immediately.

Fall Day

What a beautiful day. Fall is in the air. During the last 4 months we have had a lot of rain. It would be cool for a day (70's) while it was raining, but the next day it would be back up in the 90's or higher. Over the week-end we had a lot of rain, which is not good for the dirt road back to our flat. Today it was partly cloudy and partly sunny (take your pick). The humidity is down and the temperature stayed in the 70's. This is probably the beginning of the dry season. In Swaziland the rainy season is during their summer and the dry season is during their winter. We discovered in that in the Southern part of South Africa (about 800 miles South of here) their rainy season is during their winter. It was quite dry when we visited early in February. We were certainly in a lot of rain as we came back closer to Swaziland. This is the first time we have experienced such consistent weather patterns. Where we have lived in the USA you could have moisture or dry weather almost any time during the year.

Visa Permit

We spent time in Mbabane yesterday trying to get our permit renewed. It expires tomorrow although we have 30 days renewed because we left Swaziland when we went to Cape Town. There have been 3 trips there this time for renewal and they keep telling us to come back again next week. Even though we are returning to the US in April we still need this paper work done. The first 6 months permit was faily easy, so it is hard for us to understand why all the trips to Mbabane is necessary this time. That is Government practices I guess. Anyway please pray that when we return to the Immigration Office next Wednesday that all is in order.

Today Will is spending the day in Mbabane working at the new Offices that the Partnership is setting up. There is a lot of outside clean up and inside touch up to be done. He has 2 Swazi men with him and they are hard workers so the job should be done by the end of the day.

I had another Physiotherapy treatment today and can tell my back is improving. Exercise is not a favorite of mine but I have exercises to do and will do them faithfully as I am tired of having a back ache. Guess God knows what it will take to get me to do them. Anyway I am trying.

We love you all and are praying for you.

Homes

What does your home look like? We have seen so many different types of homes from beautiful big 2 and 3 story homes to those made of sticks and stones. Yes, they actually have homes here built with sticks or stones with mud in between the sticks or the stones. Many of the places are just sheets of rusty old tin roofing that they use. Many people in the Bush use whatever they can find. Then you may see a nice cement block home just across the road. Many homes have thatched roofs. There are some nice places that have thatch that has been styled in fancy styles. We thought we had seen some rough looking homes before but they could be mansions for many that live here.

God cares for us no matter where we live. Have you thanked Him for the nice place you have. A roof over your head, carpet or nice flooring at your feet, electricity at the flip of the switch and water with just a turn of the faucet. Take time to Thank Him right now.

Last Day of Trip

Day 10 Final Day. We were ready to get back to our flat in Manzini. Drove through rain most of the day. There had been a lot of rain and there was even evidence of flooding along the way. We saw a lot more farm land and it looked a lot like the Mid West with a little more hills. As we approached Swaziland and the higher elevation it became quite foggy. We were very glad that we could follow the lights of a big truck for the last 50 km. Arrived home about 9 pm tired of being in the car but thanking God for the safe travels and for the beautiful we had seen.

Now that you have traveled with us for a few days, we hope you got just a glimps of what we experienced. It was a whirlwind once in a life time trip.

Cape Town # 8

Day 9 Feb. 11. This was a long day of 750 km which is almost 500 miles. The first part was desert. There gradually became more and more grazing of sheep and cattle. Later we came into the farming area of rolling hills. They grow sun flowers, corn(maze), soy beans, and hay. It looked a lot like the rolling farm areas in the Mid West.

We ended up in Bethlehem and crossed over the Jordan River. Yes, that is the name of the small river. We found a beautiful B & B in Bethlehem. Oh, by the way there was room in the Inn. This was a very clean town of about 50,000. It was higher elevation so was quite cool that evening and raining.

Cape Town # 7

Day 8 We started the day off by driving through a tunnel that was about 3 miles long. Not a comfortable time for Karis. Most of the day was traveling through the desert part of South Africa which was very different and interesting. We saw wind mills and a few sheep but hardly any buildings. The cactus were just starting to bloom. We had been told that this would be a very hot and dry area, but it was an overcast rainy day so we did not experience the heat until we returned back to Manzini.

We stayed in Beaufort West in a second rate motel by US standards. The city was a very poor city of about 50,000 people.

Cape Town # 6

Day 7 Feb. 9 By 9:30 am we were all packed and ready to check out of our hotel. Bob and Shirley had packed and unpacked and repacked to try to get their luggage within the weight limit for the airlines. We just put things in our luggage and forgot about it. That frustration will come later for us. It was about 50 km to the Cape of Good Hope. OH!!! What a view. We could see the currents changing as the Indian and Atlantic Oceans came together. We now understand whey there were so many ship wrecks in this area. This is also a very rocky area. The fog came in and left just as fast a couple of times while we were at the Cape.

After driving back to Cape Town we dropped our dear friends Bob & Shirley off at the airport. How sad to say good-bye to them even though we hope to see them again in the Fall. We drove to Paarl which is one of the oldest cities in South Africa. It reminded us of an old town in Virginia. There was a beautiful Dutch Reformed Church that was built in 1805 and is still a very active church. The 120,000 people looked to be mostly Africans.

There were also many vineyards along this drive. You would think you were in central California.

Cape Town # 5

Day 6, Feb 8 We attended the Immanuel Church of the Nazarene. It is in the poorer section of Cape Town. The Church is made up of many cultures and colors. What a beautiful service with a full Church. 150 in a room about the size of the Fireside room at BFC. There were probably 40 children sitting on the floor.

We went to a nice restaurant with the Associated Pastor and his wife. He is 73 years old and planted this Church in 1982. After retirement last year, he and his wife returned to do volunteer Ministry with the present Pastor. The present Pastor has been there 8 years. He is bi-vocational.

God has been in the services we have attended and we enjoy worshipping with all the different types of services here in Africa.

Cape Town # 4

Day 5 Feb. 7 On to Cape Town. We took the scenic route. Mainly along the Indian Ocean. Some of this drive could have been along the Pacific Coast near San Diego. Beautiful Mountains and some very rocky drops 1000 feet to the water. We arrived at the Westin Hotel around 4 pm. We were on the 15th floor so had a great view of the city, mountains and the ocean. All were very tired but Praising God for the safe traveling and for all the wonderful scenery that He has created for us to enjoy.

Cape Town # 3

Port Elizabeth to Cape Town is straight West. The first part of the trip was along the coast with some very beautiful ocean scenery. The second part was slightly in land through the bread basket of South Africa. The picture of the elevator could be in Western Oklahoma but in fact it was in Bredasdorp, South Africa. The wheat was harvested in December and there were a lot of straw bales, hay bales and a lot of cattle. Our stop that night was in Arniston about 100 km from Cape Town. We were just a block from the ocean in a quaint B & B. This area is nearly the farthest South place in Africa. A small fishing town with lots of fishing boats.

Cape Town #2

Day 3 Feb 5 --- We drove through East London and beyond Port Elizabeth. The towns were older and we noticed more Africans influence in the architecture. The terrain could have put us in the middle of Kentucky. There were more trees and a scattering of many different kinds of farming. We stopped at Jeffery'e Bay right on the water front. It was a beautiful B & B abd a beautiful site of the ocean.

Cape Town Trip # 1

Over the next few days we are hoping to give you a review of the sites and beauty of South Africa. Yes we are here doing Volunteer Mission Work but sometimes you just need a vacation.

Day 1 Feb. 3rd we drove out the very South East corner of Swaziland on a very hot day and on to Durban. There was a lot of sugar cane growing with much irrigation. South Africa has captured its water resources with many dams both large and small. At times we pictured ourselves going through the sugar cane fields of Louisiana.

Day 2 Feb. 4th we traveled from Durban to East London. Part of the time we were along the beautiful Indian Ocean and other times the road took us inland to an elevation of almost 1 mile. It was much cooler. Even though this was Wednesday the main streets of villages were very crouded with pedesterians. There was much construction just like the highways in the USA. We saw sheep for the first time in South Africa grazing in the very mountianous country side.

We know this will not tell you all the beauty we enjoyed but we hope you can get a glimpes.

Trees

There are so many different kinds of trees here. We do not see the Maple, Elm, Ash, Oak and etc. We have seen many pine but they are also different. This one is seen often in South Africa but I do not know the name. Sorry. Many are flowering with brillant colors such as purple, red, yellow and white.

We have had a day of trying to get unpacked, laundry done, and catching up on rest after the days of travel. Next week it will be back to whatever God leads us to do.

Back in Manzini

This was taken from our room in Cape Town. The boat like object (that is being built) in the back ground is where some of the World Cup Soccer will be played in 2010.

Arrived home about 9 pm today and are very tired. We traveled over 3000 miles in 6 days of traveling. We were gone 10 days and saw some amazing beauty. Will share more about our trip later.

Relaxing Day

Today we worshiped with a Nazarene Church near downtown Cape Town. It was about 80 people of different Nationalities and an wonderful presence of the Lord. The message was directed to the young people encouraging them to give their all to the Lord and to serve Him. This is a message for us all. Following the service we ask for directions to a nice restaurant and the Retired Pastor which is the Assistant had us follow him to a great steak house and then invited us back to their home for coffee. We had a great time sharing how God continues to use us in our lives. He had started this Church in 1982 and then came back to the church after retirement to do volunteer work.

God is so good and has given us opportunities to worship Him with many different people throughout the world. In our ministry throughout the US, to Montreal, Quebec, to Africa. We wonder where will God will lead us next.

Cape Town

We have arrived in Cape Town, South Africa this afternoon. It was a long trip but oh so beautiful and adventuresome. The first day out we stopped for lunch and when we came back to the car, we had a flat tire. God sent an angel to change it for us as we quickly found out we had no jack. Don't all cars come with a jack? Well this one had none. The rest of the trip was just a beautiful drive through many different changes of land from Mountains, to Valleys, to flat farm land and then the rocky terrain. But when we reached the Indian Ocean it was beauty beyond words. We have walked the beach and wadded in the Ocean. Sometimes I wonder when we will wake up and realize it was all a dream.

Our lodging has been as varried as the land we have seen. A cracker box Bed & Breakfast to a Condo over looking the ocean. Tonight we are staying in the Downtown Westin in Cape Town commplements of our friends Bob & Shirley. Will be here till Monday morning so will have time to update you on more this week-end.

Karis' back began to act up again on the 3rd day out. We will appreciate your prayers for the travel home.

Have a great time worshiping the Lord tomorrow. We love you all and are praying for you.

Barbwire Fence Clothes Line

This is a frequent site as the people make use of whatever is available. The fence is there so why buy clothes lines.

We are doing fine and plan to leave tomorrow AM for a 2 week trip into South Africa. We will be heading down the coast of South Africa driving a good share of the time along the Indian Ocean. We plan to take our time and stop to see whatever catches our eye. Cape Town is our goal for Saturday - Monday. Bob & Shirley Aldrich will be flying out on Monday for the USA and then we will head for Johannsburg for a few days. That part of the trip will take us through the desert that will be hot and not as pretty. Will be meeting with some of the Africian Regional Staff. Some of whom we know from just brief meetings.

We will be back with you when we get back to Manzini or when we have access to the Internet. Whichever comes first. Have a great week. We love you all and are praying for you.

What's Ahead

Karis is doing much better. After 3 --- 1 hour physical therapy sessions, I are not having the muscle spasms and the bruises are fading.

Our plans were to leave today for a Holiday to South Africa to Cape Town. We now plan to leave next Tuesday Lord Willing. Bob & Shirley Aldrich are flying out of Cape Town for the USA on Feb. 9th so we are taking them there and plan to site see along the way. We will be traveling down the coast viewing the Indian Ocean and all the other sites. After they board the plane we will then head North to Johannasburg and stop to visit the Regional African Nazarene offices there before heading back to Manzini.

Not sure if we will be able to send blogs along the way, so if you do not hear from us, just keep checking we will be back with you after the trip.

The rain has been coming a lot lately and there are places in this small country that are not accessable by car. To be shut off from the rest of the country is a way of life for many of the Swazi's. But the rain is soooooooooo welcomed and needed. The maize is growing well this year and there should be more food for the people in the Winter months.

We will write again before we leave on Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers.

Mishap

It is fun getting older...but today I can sit at the computer and not be in pain. On January 17 we received a phone call from our son...(Aaron you probably need to know the facts, BUT do not stop calling us.) I, Karis was already asleep and when I awoke to go to the phone in the Living room, I missed the chair and landed on the floor on my left hip. I had the phone receiver in my hand so continued to talk and pray (that the conversation didn't last to long) Will had to help me up but I knew nothing was broken just a bruised hip and my pride. As my family will say I can be stubborn. Will wanted to take me to see the Doctor but I said NO. After a day of taking care of my hip and my pride we continued on about our work and made some trips in the car to Sitsatsaweni, Mbabane, & Piggs Peak. The last trip which was Monday was not good. I could not get comfortable in the car so I was very tense and over working the muscles that had already been damaged. Later that evening I began to have muscle spasms in my left side near the waist line. These began to make it hard to move and almost unable to walk when the cramp was in progress. Lying down there was no pain whatsoever. By Tuesday morning I knew Will was right, (as he usually is) I needed to see a Doctor. What a Blessing to live next door to the Chief of Medical Staff at RFM. He came to check me out and then made arrangements to have x-Rays and see a surgeon who also lives in the flat behind us. God has us well covered here as far as the Medical Staff. No broken bones just bruises and muscle spasms.

I have had 2 -- 1 hour Physical Therapy sessions and am feeling a whole lot better already. God is the great Physican but I also Praise Him for giving us the Medical Doctors to help with the healing process.

Oh to know I am getting older and have to watch so I don't fall. Fun, fun, fun. But anyway as I think of this day I really know how old I am getting. Happy "40" Birthday Cindy. There was an ice storm the day you were born. Today we are having a beautiful gentle rain. I'll take the rain over ice anyday. Love you. Have a great day.

Friends

Elvis, Bennina, Baby Albert & Manuel

Refer back to the blog on Christmas day. These are the Swazi, Mozambique families we spent the day with. What a wonderful day it was.

Elvis is our 'do everything' around the flats man. He washes our vehicle, mows the yard (with a weed eater), takes the trash out to the road, sweeps the sidewalks, helps carry in our groceries if he is around at the time, and on and on and on. Anything you ask of him he does willingly.

What makes him special --- is that he is HIV/AIDS positive and is faithfully taking his medication treatments. He has had some rough times since we have known him but still he keeps a positive attitude and smile on his face.

Three years ago he lost his wife to this dreadful disease and then a short time later lost a little girl of the same. He has an eight year old daughter that his Mother is raising.

During the Christmas Holidays he was to go home to see his daughter but since Val Young of the Regional Office (the one in charge of the flats) was gone he stayed to help keep things running smoothly.

Even fighting this awful disease, he shows how a person can continue to live, work and be an encouragement to others. Please remember our friend Elvis in your prayers.

Africian Celebration

It was very interesting to be in Swaziland and watch the inauguration. All Africa was celebrating. It is a great encouragement to them. The election of an African American has made them proud of America. When they realize the percentage of African Americans in the United States they are even more amazed.

The peaceful exchange of leadership is almost impossible for them comprehend. Let us all pray that this example of freedom and equality will spread through out the world. We see a strong class distinction here among those of the same race. It is mostly based on educational or financial standing.

Many here considered as the lower class have little hope of advancing. They do not have free education even in primary school, so many of the poor receive very little education.

Let us pray that the United States will continue this positive influence around the world.

Incomplete Buildings

A Clinic that was started by one of our Swazi Nazarene Churches (not RFM) several years ago. This is a larger clinic than most of the ones that are a part of RFM.

This is what we see over and over and over again. Every where we go there is a building standing partially completed. Many times they build the walls and run out of money so it may stand that way for years. There is no planning ahead and counting the cost before the building starts. The attitude seems to be 'We want or need this building so let's start' then when the money runs out they hope someone comes along to finish it. Pray that we can instill a desire to know the cost and have the money before beginning the project. So much is wasted on build materials.

These unfinished buildings are seen in Manzini, along the highways, in the country and out in the bush. Anywhere and everywhere.

Should We Try It?

Cindy, How about this road. Would you cross it or not? Well, needless to say we went across and we are safe. It was a beautiful site. Yesterday we were out visiting two Clinics. 300 km with 100 km on narrow dirt roads that have many pot holes, rocks, and areas where the rain has made its path to a lower spot. Those areas can be straight across or down the middle or side or both sides of the roads. We have to be watching closely for which side is best to drive on. Then of course we must watch out for the animals and people. But through all the rough roads, the scenery was beautiful. We continue to be amazed at the beauty we have seen. We left home around 8:30 am and returned about 5 pm. A long day but delightful visit with the Nurses at the Clinics. Also Matron Anna is always a delight to be with.

Under, In, Above Clouds

What a day. We went to Hlatikhulu. Now try to say that. Will preached to about 200Swazi people through an interpreter, which was the Pastor, who was nursing a broken ankle. The Sunday School hour began at 10 am and then followed by the Worship Service which was not over until after 1:30 pm. Following that there was a meal served so most stayed in the Church as it was raining. Here they fill the plates and bring them to you. Kenny you would not like it as all the food was piled on top of the rice. Salads, veggies, meats and whatever is being served. But it really is good food.

We were taken into the Parsonage where we were served as the rest but on fancy plates and soft chairs not benches and plastic plates. It continued to rain most of the day but that did not dampen any ones Spirit.

This was Family Day and the Preaching Point Church was invited to the service. They sang, shared and gave Testimonies. There were 2 other groups that sang specials, a VBS program, some testimonies from students that had just returned from studying in South Africa. All this happened before the Message.

Following lunch we drove to the Preaching Point about 7 km away. Praise God for 4 wheel drive. This Church actually meets under a tree unless it is raining and then they meet in the Pastors home which was quite small.

Now about the clouds. It was a rainy day as I said and we drove about 75 km to get there. During our drive we were below the clouds, in them and a couple of times even above them as we went to higher elevation. It was beautiful. We continue to be amazed at the beauty in Swaziland.

Showers of Blessings

This is some of the beautiful land scape that we have seen along our travels to the Clinics.

God is sooooooooooooooo good, All the time God is good.

We have had 4 or 5 days of 100 + degree temperature but today God has sent us Showers of Blessings in the form of rain and a drop in the temperature. It has rained most of the day with off and on thunderstorms. We were without electricity for a couples of hours but that is often the case, so we just light candles and enjoy the rain. People do not complain about the rain here. It is truly a Blessings. Thanks for your prayers. Have a great weekend.

Dedicated Nurses

Yesterday we visited some more of the 17 Nazarene Clinics that we have here in Swaziland. It seems as if we have been here long enough to have seen them all but we still have 5 that we have not visited. When we go out to them we have to have Matron Anna the Community Health Nurse from RFM or someone else to go with us. We can not find these places on our own. The second time is a little easier but remember when you get out into the bush there are No paved roads, No road sign and so you just have to find your own landmarks. They use trees a lot here. Well sometimes the trees all look alike to us.

One of the Clinics or should we say Nurses that we visited really stood out to us. She is working by herself, but awaiting the arrival of another Nurse. The Clinic is 45 km from Manzini and 20 km is a dirt road. We saw no other vehicle on the dirt road. She has no transportation. But she has dedicated her life to helping those in the Bush to receive the needed Medical Treatment. There is a Church on the Mission grounds but the Pastor ans family live in Manzini. She is basically out there alone doing the work God has called her. Now that is Dedication with a capital D. She was very excited to show us the clinic and her Church.

Pray for all those that could be working in town but have given their lives to help the less fortunate.

Lives Affected

One of the reasons we write this blog is to encourage each one who follows our journey and all who might just happen to stumble onto it. Our hope is that it inspires you to make a difference for God in the lives of others.

Once in a while we receive a comment from someone from our distant past. This blog is inspired by a recent comment. We have always loved to sing. My (Will) love for singing was greatly encouraged by an enthusiastic Choir Director in College. She challenged us to learn and enjoy a variety of music types. (Thanks Christine) Most sports have passed us by, 'but we can still sing'.

This reminds us and we trust reminds you that we never know whose life we might affect. Most of the time we don't realize our influence. That is good, because God gets the Glory.

Who might you thank today for their past encouragement to you? Keep the comments coming in to us, we love hearing from you.

Blessings in 2009

This is how we spent part of our time the last few hours of 2008. Could you be outside at 9 PM grilling in short sleaves? Living Waters Nazarene Church had a time of fellowship and games then at 10 PM we went into the Church for a time of testimonies, singing and then brought in the New Year while in Prayer. It was beautiful.

Reflecting back on 2008: We did not know this time last year that we would be serving God in Swaziland. We do not know what 2009 holds for us but we do know Who Holds Our Future. Praise God! He has been so good to us and taken us places we had only dreamed of. God has also taken us out of our comfort zone many times but He has always been with us each step of the way.

We pray and ask God for a Blessed, Healthy, Fulfilling 2009 year for you. None of us know when our lives may be done on this earth but the key is to be ready to live FOREVER with Christ in Heaven. We pray that everyone who reads this has made the commitment to live for Christ Eternally. If not NOW IS THE TIME.

We love you all!