Well our time in Swaziland was great. I love it there so much. We have just arrived back in South Africa but are leaving tomorrow for a 20 hour drive to Jeffreys Bay.  I was sad to leave Swazi but am so excited that I get to spend January through May there. Our experiences were quite different and very stretching. We lived in the rural area on a homestead, which I was not excited about at first. There was no running water and no electricity! Thats hard if you've never had the privilege of experiencing it before. All the girls, I think there were 14 of us, stayed in a rondoval, a round hut with a thatched roof. We went to bed by at least 8pm every night and therefore were all up by at least 6am. That was awesome. We really had nothing to do. I grew to love the simplicity of it all. It was awesome getting so much done before breakfast. I know one morning I handwashed my clothes and hung them to dry, then went for a quick run on the beautiful mountain, then had a nice bucket bath and even washed my hair which did not happen often, then had my quiet time, and then breakfast. It is so beautiful there. The mountains are gorgeous; I loved running there because it was so beautiful.  Oh, I have not mentioned the toilet conditions yet. Well, covered hole in the ground is all that I will say.

  Ministry was incredible while I was there. I did something different almost everyday. A few days I wen to the hospital which was really hard because the conditions there are so bad, and the people are so sick. I usually spent my time in the children's ward. I cant accurately describe in words how bad the conditions are there. Other days I went to these care points at different places where little children come to get food. AIM has really improved the conditions of some the care points but they are really still lacking in so much. The children that come would otherwise not eat. They are all really young, but some walk up to 2 hours to get to a care point. Swazi women lead them and cook for the children in these huge pots over an open fire. They also teach them some things like English. I love serving the little ones food because they all go and wash their hands first then get in a line and get their plate. Then they get their food and sit down on the ground and eat their pop or porridge with their little hands. Then they go and wash their plates and put them up. Ah, I love them just sitting and eating with their tiny fingers. I have a good friend in Swaziland that I want you all to pray for. Her name is Thulie (Tooly). I know that one of my biggest reasons for going to Swaziland is to bless her. I already love her so much. In another blog I'll write the details of her hard life and our relationship. She's my Swazi mom though and calls me her daughter.

  Thank you for your constant support. I'll be home so soon!