FROM ELISA MY TEAMATE IN SWAZILAND
This week I spent much of my ministry at the hospital. I was really excited the first day I went because Cindy and her baby girl, Nomeeswa, were there and I had actually met them in October the first time we came to Swazi. I spent a couple days just sitting and talking with Cindy and the 11-month old Nomeeswa. It was so cool to form a friendship with her and really get to know their life. I left the hospital Wednesday telling Cindy I would be back and I couldn’t wait to see Nomeeswa well again. On Thursday, I decided to change up my ministry for the day and go to a carepoint instead. But, I had promised Cindy I would be back to see her and Nomeeswa, so I went back Friday. However, when I got there, Cindy wasn’t there. I assumed she must have gone home with Nomeeswa and began asking around when she had left. Another mom that was there then informed me that the 11-month old baby girl had actually died that morning and Cindy had left right before I got there for home. This was, and still is, really hard for me to deal with for a couple reasons. I felt as though I should have been at the hospital on Thursday so I could have spent the last day with Cindy and Nomeeswa. I was also really upset just with the knowledge of how different life is for them and for me. It was hard knowing that if Nomeeswa had been in a hospital in the States, she would probably still be alive. The thought that where you live, may just determine whether you live, is really frustrating for me and hard to grasp. This whole situation though, has really made me so much more compassionate towards all the women at the hospital who are fighting for their childrens’ lives. The mom never leaves the child no matter how long the child is sick. She just sits on the wooden bench or the concrete floor keeping watch. This whole experience was just extremely eye opening for me and puts things in a new light. Please pray for Cindy and her family as they go through this time, and pray for all the children and their mothers who are struggling in that hospital.
FROM MY TEAMATE LINDSEY
The treeline is a place here in Swaziland that completely breaks my heart. Yesterday I met a girl named Samantha who is 6 and goes to the treeline daily. It is a line of trees behind a big dump where women go to to prostitute themselves in exchange for food. Its so heartbreaking to hear that girls like Samantha go to the treeline at such a young age. Can you imagine a five year old doing this? Please keep these girls in your prayers
FROM MY TEAM MATE KRISTIN ( I WENT TO THE CHURCH THAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT AND IT WAS A BLAST)
There is nothing like an African church. I have never experienced such pure and joyful worship. The Swazi people come together under a concrete building with no air conditioning, no comfy pews, and no PowerPoint. One of my favorite parts of the service is the offering. We are divided up into two groups “Mercedes” and “BMW.” The secretary will yell out “hallelujah Mercedes” and “hallelujah BM” to which the congregation replies “hallelujah!!” Then music begins playing as each group goes up with their money. The secretary begins to dance as does the congregation, the money is counted whilst the dancing continues. Afterwards the “winner” is announced (either Mercedes or BMW) and everyone cheers. Tithing has never been so fun! Everyone is incredibly friendly. They immediately want to be your best friend and wonder where you are staying. I am moved by their unadulterated church. They simply come as they are, there are no frills. They don’t need a drum set or fancy slides. Jesus meets them there in that place.
