Home!!!

I came on two buses and a plane.  Can you imagine that?

So happy to be back in my own home.  I did not have a ride from the church where the bus dropped us off back to my house.  I took it on faith that someone would be able to take me home and just before I gave up and called a cab I noticed that Eric M. had come to welcome the team back and he drove me home.  

I've had my (very HOT) shower, and now am catching up on email, Facebook, and this blog.  Much more to come but I think it is time to eat the lunch my lovely wife left in the fridge for me and then take a much needed nap.

Bags packed, goodbyes said, now the journey home begins.

Beautiful night sky as we left Madudula; the Milky Way clearly in sight. Tomorrow we travel, home on Friday. Siya hamba.

Today I worked the "men's department" at the clothing distribution. It went well most if the day but grew kind of rowdy as the day wore on.

Off to Madudula for one last day. We will have a service, a clinic, and distribution of clothes.

My roomie just ironed his pants on my bed; now it is all warmed up for me to sleep. 1 more day!

Very interesting trip to the Swazi cultural village today. Also, I got a nap. Back to work tomorrow.

One week down, less than a week do go

First time at a computer this week so I wanted to take the time to write a more complete entry.  But others are waiting so it can't be too long.

It has been a fantastic week in Swaziland.  The weather has been beautiful, the landscape is majestic, and the people are so welcoming and friendly.  Our team has experienced great joy.

Each day so far we have traveled to one town or another to hold free clinics, distribute clothing, shoes, etc. and to hold special programs for the kids.  We also hold a worship service with the local church in each town.  I have been doing puppet shows during the services and they have been very well received. 

My roommate is a man from South Africa named Abednego.  He is our team's semi-official translator and has been working with me translating the puppet shows.  He is a fine man and a super interpreter, he not only translates the words but he also conveys the expressions and emotions.  I am so glad to be working with him.

I am learning more and more siSwati.  I purchased a dictionary that has helped me considerably. 

For those that know Jerry C., I suggested a siSwati name for him and Pastor Nelson confirmed this.  His name is Mahleka, which means "laughter."  Of course you who know him realize how appropriate that name is for Jerry.

Tomorrow is our day off and I will be traveling with a few others to the Swazi Cultural Village.  I am looking forward to this day, will blog about it tomorrow if I can.

Well, as I said, others are waiting to use this very slow, dial-up connection, so that will be it for today.

Ordination service in Matsapha today. Performed a puppet show. Good worship and fellowship.