In Swaziland, we worked with the AIM Anchor Center and its Carepoints in the city of Nsoko. During my stay in Swaziland, I've learned a few things about why life is, as it is in this country. The economic and living situations have been negatively affected by three things.
1. the lavish lifestyle of the King who owns many homes his many wives and children
2. the devastating affect of AIDS
3. droughts in 1992 and 2001 lead to massive, never fully recoverred farm land and cattle loss
4. an extremely high unemployment
4. an extremely high unemployment
For the first few days of each week, we visited individuals/families on their homesteads to talk about God and to keep them encouraged. The conditions many lived were well below what we consider “poverty level”…no electricity, no water source, and many didn't own a Bible…but the Swazis were content with what they had. Even the hurt and pain…we have heard many horrific stories… didn’t reduce their love for God. I didn’t feel qualified to offer any encouragement because I had never experienced that type of hardship. Every home visit experience left me feeling more appreciative of the things I have and realize that much of it I don’t need.
Other ministry tasks were lots of physical labor, bi-weekly vegetables harvests (carrots, beets, onions, cabbage, and spinach and weekly Christmas parties (prepared gift bags, a skit, food, and completed clean up). See the slideshow above for details.
Nsoko is an extremely rural city so there were few distractions. I was able to focus on my spiritual and physical health this month. As I look back, I am able to appreciate several things.
- The Swazi people…I have met lots of stand up, solid Christian people. The Bible says we should take care of the widows and orphans. There are lots of kids and elderly people here. Here, the widows take care of the orphans because a generation has been lost to AIDS. The GoGos (grandmothers) volunteer at the AIM Carepoints to cook for, teach, and discipline children in their smaller communities. Seriously, these women are well beyond “retirement” age but they were strong…out working us at all times.
- The ministry partners…Americans Erica, the Peterson family…and Swazis Mxolisi, Climplio, Nombali, Saneli, Nelly, Thandie, Veli, and good friend Mapilo were all great people to work with and learn about the culture.
To learn more about what Adventures In Missions in doing in Swaziland visit http://adventures.org/swaziland/.
