Swaziland is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been. It is also one of the saddest. Sorry I can’t post pictures. Internet here is sketchy at best. Don’t worry. I’ll post a picture blog at the end of the month.
Because most people don’t know a lot about Swaziland, I am going to spend the majority of this blog talking about what I have learned so far. Swaziland functions as a monarchy. It is located in the north east part of South Africa, and is surrounded by South Africa on three sides. A small part of its eastern border hits Mozambique. Its population is estimated at less than one million. The town where we are doing ministry, Buhleni, is not recognized by Google maps (on Facebook, anyways).
According to research done by AIM, Swaziland will no longer exist by 2050 due to the AIDS epidemic. There are a number of reasons that this is the case. One, polygamy is widely practiced here. So if one of the wives or the husband is HIV positive, they all are and the kids probably are too. In addition to this, sexual abuse of children is a cultural norm here. So HIV is also spread in that way. Basically, if a man sees someone that he wants to have sex with, he does and it’s very culturally acceptable. It doesn’t matter if he’s married, or how old she is. Another problem is that there are very few jobs. Also, the healthcare system is really messed up. There is just so much death here and so few resources, most doctors and nurses are in no hurry to see to patients. Another huge problem is witchcraft. Many witch doctors prescribe things like eating the organs of albinos and having sex with a virgin as cures for AIDS.
There are many wonderful things about this country. I have met many wonderful people working toward bringing light and life to this place, both foreign missionaries and native Swazis. And it’s literally one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s also one of the most difficult places.
Our primary ministry is praying for people at the local hospital. Three people we have been praying for have died already. But we have also seen some improve. Please keep our team in your prayers as we continue to share Jesus with the people of this nation. The Lord is working here. Pray that he continues to use us. It’s been really hard- especially because we are an all girls team and a lot of the men here are really disrespectful in how they talk to us. But they need Jesus too. Please pray for wisdom and discernment in how we interact with them.
The Lord’s really been putting this scripture on my heart for this nation, and for us in month 10 of the World Race.
Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
