Africa has been my favorite continent as a whole thus far. I knew that we would be welcomed with open arms by the people everywhere we would go, but it continues to amaze me with every new country.
This month in Swaziland, my team is located about 40 minutes outside the economic capital of Manzini in a town called Timbutini. Our ministry looks like whatever we want it to look like, which would sound like a relaxed month but it has been a bit overwhelming. The country of Swaziland has been taken over by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. While approximately 17,000 of the children in this country are exposed to HIV infection at birth annually, more than 200,000 people are living with HIV out of the country’s population of 1.1 million. This means that about 26.5% of the adult population have this disease (from 2012). This has caused people to speculate the end of this country as a whole in the year 2050.
There is so much basic need here: food, water, clothing, shelter, etc. However, the people are so content with what little they do have.
We have started our own ministries here including children’s ministry, church ministry, and going to the clinics and hospitals to visit with the victims of HIV/AIDS. The people, as I mentioned before, are so welcoming. Unlike previous countries where it may take a week or two for the people to warm up to us, and us to them, the Swazi’s offer a hand, yell out, “White people, we love you!” while the children run up to us just searching for any extending love.
Me, Kelly, and Angela with Margaret at the Hope House
We don’t have the means to purchase them all food or underwear, but our love comes without a price or an end. God continues to teach me of His love for me and for His people through the very people whom He created and whom He sent us to reach.
With the smiling faces and cheerful hearts, it’s hard for me to believe that this country will be gone in 38 years. God’s impression is all over this country and it’s people, but Satan has a different agenda. We know full well who has already won that battle, but we are here to remind these people of the victory they walk in. Please pray for us and the rest of the teams while we are in Swaziland that our work won’t be in vain, but that the people we reach will come to know and understand who and whose they are.
Me and Kelly loving on some kids at the church
