News from Swaziland

I'm going to update you on what's been happening while on our outreach! Starting with Monday, April 8, 2013.

Today we are headed to Swaziland to spend some time with Petros and Elizabeth and their 18 children. Petros and Elizabeth run and orphanage of sorts and work under the YWAM name. They live on the side of a mountain in three different homes. IN one home, there is a living area where they meet every night to have supper, devotions, and prayer. Every night! There's a small kitchen and four other rooms. Petor and Elizabeth are in one with two of the smaller children, who usually sleep in the room Brett and I are in. The bathroom of the house is currently being used a bedroom for two of the boys and the other bedroom is where the girls are sleeping. The guys are staying in the next house that has two rooms and a "shower room." There is no running water so it's really a private place to take a bucket bath. The last house is where the girls sleep and it's laid out the same. It's incredibly peaceful and oh how you can see the stars at night! BTW, I had to go with Raines (Highness) to the grocery store to buy supplies for the team. What and adventure! Raines, Petros, Mzwandile and myself walked about 3k to the bottom of the hill to catch a taxi into Mbane. Talk about being the cream in the oreo! We then walked about 1 1/2 blocks to the Spar where we bought three shopping carts full. Now here's where the adventure really began. In order to get back we had to hire a car. The car was on empty and the check engine light was on...Big Bang Theory anyone! It was also low to the ground and  I couldn't imagine us getting to the house because of the road. We finally had to get out and walk about 200 yards to the house. This way he could get the car to the house. We didn't have lunch and supper was rice and spaghetti. After supper, we had a team meeting. I must be honest, it was hard for me to focus because of the clear sky and being able to see the stars so clearly!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Was awakened this morning by a rooster at around 4:30 am and then a giggling child around 6:00 am. The children were getting ready for school. One of the girls has to leave the house around 6:15 in order to catch a taxi to school. The rest leave between 7-7:30. When they all leave it's so quiet...at least until Raines gets up! LOL Learning to live with an outhouse and take a bucket bath! Today most everyone has gone into town, except Brett, Lafo, and myself. Lafo is a bit under the weather and we praying for her to feel much better. We've taken the day and enjoyed the quiet. Throughout the day, I've read the book of Matthew, took a nap, read some more, ate lunch, and written n my journal. Oh yes! I helped Elizabeth wash dishes outside. It's been so quiet I think we are overwhelmed with quiet, but in a really good way! Tonight we go to prayer meeting at church....can't wait! Church was beautiful! There were only about 25 there and 15 or so were from Petros' house. We prayed for the teenagers, cell groups, leaders of government, leaders of community and leaders of the church. We each have been given a list of things to pray over for the family but you'll have to wait to hear about that because I am running out of time!