I am about seven minutes from jumping in a car and
heading off to Swaziland. I was supposed
to have left on a bus a couple of hours ago, but one of the participants (on another
team) fell and split open her hand. And
now after a few calls to mom, a slew of memorable stitches and a new antibiotic
we’re ready to head off again!
I am co-leading a trip of 15 high school students
between the ages of 14 and 18 to work with HIV orphans in Swaziland (a country
located in Southern Africa). To be
honest, my heart starts trembling a bit as I begin to think about the realities
we’re running into. Swaziland has the
highest HIV/AIDS count in the world and will soon be extinct if something doesn’t
change. They say by the year 2050 there
will be no one left if HIV continues to ravage at the same rate as it is now.
I’m feeling pretty honored to be able to love a people
group that is so desperate for hope. And,
to do this alongside a group of young adults who are themselves ready to start
changing this world for the better.
But I’d be lying to say that there isn’t a cost
alongside this trip…and I’m not talking about hot showers or vegetarian food or
even the freedom to run (although I will be leaving these things behind). Instead, I’ll be leaving my best friend
behind on this journey. And so, if you
have a moment, please give Billy a call, send him an e-mail or just stop
over!
Thanks and LOVE you all. -Katie
got back home, his skeptical father, Mike, wrote this: “We had dinner yesterday at Olive Garden and sitting across
from us he was able to hear every word. We have not been able to do that in a
very long time. I was very skeptical when I first heard the news as most people
would be. Since he has been back, his hearing aids have been in his
pocket.
