Season of Thanksgiving

It is hard to believe that the month of November is coming to an end. Shortly we will be headed back to the US for Christmas.  As we prepare to leave we have been reminiscing on how quickly the time has gone and what all we have experienced. This past week we too celebrated Thanksgiving.  Not once, but twice.  We are so thankful for the wonderful people we have been privileged to spend time with here.  We are also extremely grateful for the friend and family that made it possible for us to go on this journey. Thank you friends and family in Swaziland and America for being who you are, you are loved!

Bulembu Church Finished!

 Bulembu Church Finished!

 Almost complete- with great crew and friends- Pastor in camoflauge shorts

Pastor's house- in the background- was in great need of a makeover!

A little over a month ago, we decided to take on the project of completing the Bulembu Church. This is a wonderful church with a great leader, Pastor Dlamini. He has been praying "tough" prayers for the church to be finished, as he could see no possible way that it would be completed within the church's own means.

The past two Sundays, the church has already doubled in size and the people are so excited! It was truly a blessing to witness the church people and community being encouraged. I was humbled to accept so much gratitude on behalf of the people who have given so generously to make projects such as these possible. Thanks again for your generosity- people are being touched not only in Bulembu Church, but throughout Swaziland through the Swaziland Partnership.

During the process of working alongside the Swazis to complete the church, we have made some life-long friends! We have had the opportunity to work with many of the guys who worked on the last project- the Embekelweni Church. Our relationships are growing and it has been a blessing to encourage them as they encourage us.





Engage Magazine Article

Amy was asked to write an article for Engage Magazine...

Swaziland: A Faithful Task Force

By Africa Region on Oct 7, 2010

When you spend a day making home visits with the HIV/AIDS Task Force, you never know what you are going to encounter. This organization provides home health care for individuals who are homebound due to their medical condition.
Around eight years ago, Cariot Shongwe had a vision for the people of the church. Because the hospitals were full and sick people could not travel to them, he dreamed that individuals could take care of the sick in their own communities. Two very special women -- Evelyn Shongwe (Cariot’s wife) and Mary Magagula (a retired nurse) -- responded.
At first, Mary and Evelyn went into the towns on their own. Many times they would sit in their car and cry because of what they had seen. They had had no idea there were such enormous needs surrounding them. Today the task force employs about 100 care supporters who check in on patients three times a week.

On this particular morning we started the journey with four in the car; soon 10 people were piled in the truck. I was in the back with three care supporters and Evelyn Shongwe, as well as clothing and food to feed a dozen families.
As the day came to a close, the shuffle of people, food and clothing in the car calmed down. Arriving at our last house, and not being able to drive the truck up the hill to the home, we parked at the bottom of the hill. As we hiked up the steep hill, the sunset cast an orange glow on the hill and sky. We passed a few one-room homes. Nothing representing growth was around, except a few weeds and a dog too weak to stand.

Soon we heard a baby’s cry. The cry was coming from our final destination. Out of the home came a mother so weak she had to sit. She was holding her sweet, helpless, crying baby girl. The closer we got, the easier it was to see the malnutrition of the baby and the mother (we will call her Nomsa). We would soon realize that simply touching the baby made her cry. Applying pressure to the skin moved fluid around the ripples of skin hanging from her body. As she cried you could hear wheezing and liquid in her lungs. She was hungry. Yet her mother was unable to feed her the way God intended, because she had no food for herself or her five other children.
As the mother spoke she rested her head in her hands, feeling hopeless. At the same time she tried to comfort the baby. Nomsa explained that the baby’s father had left her with their six children. He left her for another woman. He is HIV positive. As Nomsa attempted to breastfeed and comfort her baby, she said that the baby was a product of rape. She had been refusing sex from her husband because her status was negative and she did not want to chance bringing a sick child into the world.
Now he is gone, leaving Nomsa hungry and HIV positive. As Mary and Evelyn learned this information you could sense their compassion and empathy. In this case, as in many other cases, they advocate for their clients. Anxious to call, they obtained the father's phone number.

Before we prepared to leave, Mary called on my husband to pray over the situation. We showered our prayers of hope over God’s children, but I couldn’t help wondering if I was the only one at a loss of what to pray. Feeling stuck, I took in the surroundings. When I looked around, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. I was surrounded by His faithfulness in the shape of these task force workers. God uses His children to be the hands and feet of Christ to others. What an honor to be alongside the task force as they extend Christ's love and compassion. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the beauty of the situation. Great is Thy faithfulness. Even in dark times.

After we said our goodbyes we walked back to the car in silence. Not one person in our group had seen a child in such a condition, including Mary and Evelyn. Getting in the car, I pushed aside the heads of lettuce that were given to us as gifts and smiled. In the midst of the task force attempting to meet needs of others, others were giving from their gardens to help meet our needs.

Day after day, Mary and Evelyn, along with the care supporters of the HIV/AIDS Task Force, travel across Swaziland -- mainly by foot -- to love those who are homebound. The care supporters are typically neighbors with their patients. Truly the task force is living out the commandment of loving their neighbor as themselves.

Lessons of Gratitude

The origional church at Bulembu. The Pastor's home and new church are in the background.

Us with the Pastor Kunene from the first church we finished in Embekulwini.

Children from Gigi's during their Bible school.

I've been wanting to write a blog, but I haven't been sure what to write about. For the past month we have been busy working on the Bulembu church, and that has been written about. As I've been thinking of what to write I've been running through different things in my head that I have learned while in Swaziland. A main theme that keeps popping in my head is my marriage and how thankful I am for my husband.

I'm grateful for him for many reasons. A reason that trumps all is our communication.  In no way is it perfect, but it is so great to have a companion that I know I can talk to. Somedays it is the last thing I feel like doing, but in the end I'm forever grateful for the warmth and gentelness extended to me from him.

I know that there are many marriages who give up on talking or never begin talking.  Especially here in Swaziland, many women feel that they cannot approach their husbands. I'm grateful that I can approach Andy and that our communication is a priority! Simply stated, but a big lesson learned.

Busy in Bulembu

Pastor Dlamini

         On the border of South Africa and Swaziland there is town called Bulembu.  For many years the mining town of Bulembu had a population of 10,000.  In 2001 the mine was shut down and the towns population dropped to 100.  In recent years a group of seven social developers and entrepreneurs (five from Swaziland)  have started rebuilding the city. The towns population is now 2,000 with 700 of those being orphans. The town has the capacity to take care of 2,000 orphans. Slowly the town is growing, hoping to be self-sustaining by 2020.

         Bulembu is located in the mountains and the drive to the town is like no other.  We debated on whether or not to work in Bulembu due to the drive being so difficult.  After much discussion we were given the go ahead to finish Bulembu church of the Nazarene (picture above).   The congregation has 36 members and has been working on the church for two years.

         We are so excited to be a part of the transformation of this town!  The town is hugged by trees and full of breath taking views. But, the people are the most wonderful part of the project. The pastor can not look at Andy without smiling. We look forward to showing you the finished project!

Centennial Celebration

The month of August was a time to celebrate all the work that has taken place over the past 100 years. Dinners, all night prayer services, parades, and much more happened throughout Swaziland. Leaders of Swaziland are very supportive of the work of the Nazarene church and spent their time celebrating with the church in August. 

On Saturday August 14, 2010, a daylong celebration at the Manzini stadium took place for all who wanted to attend. The day was full of energy, entertainment of all sorts and especially full of praise. There were choirs from all districts, from many schools, a women’s choir (including a princess) and men’s choir (including the prime minister). Dramas and poems were performed. Some of the speakers included members of the royal family, the prime minister, Schmelzenbach family members, director of the Africa region Dr. Filimao Chambo, and General Superintendent Dr. David Graves.     

The Prime Minister, Dr. Sibusiso Barnabus Dlamini, is a member of the Nazarene church. He was born in the Nazarene clinic located in Endzingeni.  He was raised attending Nazarene schools and still attends the Nazarene church today. During a dinner for many of the leaders and the Saturday celebration the prime minister spoke of the role the Nazarene church has had in his life.  He also spoke a great deal of the Swaziland Partnership. He feels proud and honored that the Nazarene church in America has dedicated their time and resources towards the people of Swaziland.     

The moments spent in celebration were full of vast emotions.  Feeling humbled as the Swaziland Partnership has been honored to be a part of this celebration yet challenged as the future church takes shape. May God continue to go before and prepare each person and project the Swaziland Partnership touches.

Reuniting with Old Friends

Cheri Komel, Me, December

My family with Cheri Komel

            After being away from Swaziland for 20 years, I wasn’t sure who I would know or remember from my childhood. I lived in Manzini, on the Mission Station, for four years from 1986-1990. My father, Mike Curry, was a Nazarene missionary and worked at the Teacher’s Training College. Being back in Swaziland has been great and I have come across many people who remember my father and our family.

            Cheri Komel is one of the people who was very close to my family during our time in Swaziland. Cheri and my family were on the same flight as we first arrived to Africa in ’86. She has been a Nazarene missionary ever since! I am so encouraged, humbled, and blessed to know this wonderful lady. She is currently dedicating her life to start pastoral training centers for those who feel a call to ministry, but aren’t able to attend the Theological Seminary full-time. It has been such a blessing to re-unite with Cheri! It is has been great sharing and catching-up with her after 20 years. She remembers my family well and it was neat to hear her memories of my father and mother. Cheri’s hard work and obedience amaze me as she follows God’s call on her life. Please pray for Cheri and other missionaries that are acting as the hands and feet of Jesus in Africa.

            December Sifundza is also someone I have reunited with after so many years. The timing of our meeting-again was so perfect. As I was planning for the completion of the Mbekelweni Church, I was in need of skilled workers. During this time, we had a plumbing leak in the flats where we stay. The man who came to fix the leak was named December, which seemed a very familiar name to me. As I met December and begin discussing the leak outside our flat, just up the hill from my old house, I asked him if he knew a Mike Curry-the man who used to live in that house. His face lit up and he was at a loss for words. As soon as he realized who I was, I remembered him from my childhood. He told me that he would not be driving today if it weren’t for Mike Curry. My father taught December how to drive when he was a high school student. December also lived with us for many weeks and he was like family to us.

            December ended up helping us tremendously with the Mbekelweni Church. Reuniting with him at this time was so perfect, as I needed someone knowledgeable and trustworthy. I not only got to work with him, but we have become very good friends. I have been to his homestead to meet his wife and children. December is a great Christian man who is a leader in his church (Nazarene Church in Manzini). Even though he attends a different church, he views his work at the Mbekelweni Church as a way of contributing to “his church”.

            It has been such a blessing to reunite with old friends such as December and Cheri. To see the fruit of my father’s ministry in these lives has been a joy! December has expressed how much of an impact my father had on his spiritual life. I believe that Cheri, December and many others are encouraged as we are reunited. Not only are family friends encouraged, I believe many Swazi leaders are encouraged to see BFC and the U.S. Nazarene Church back in the country to come alongside them in ministry. I am so encouraged as I see these great people serving the Lord in Swaziland.

Fun with Mer Ber

Amy and Meredith at the beach in Mozambique. 

First time to put their feet in the Indian Ocean!

        Meredith Diffee came to Swaziland on the first GO team from BFC two years ago.  She knew that she wanted to come back and stay longer than a week.  She did come back, but now as a RN.  Meredith came with the GO team and stayed for three weeks after.  She worked with the Luke Commission and lived with us.  We had so much fun! We learned from her as she was experiencing Swaziland for the second time. Meredith you will be missed!

Moments of Impact

            In past blogs we have written about The Luke Commission, a medical team holding clinics in rural areas. I (Amy) have been meeting with the counselors on staff once a week to have a ‘debriefing’ session of their weeks work. Even though we have spent time at clinics, the last clinic we went to was different. For the first time I sat alongside the counselors as they interacted with each patient.

            Each patient that is tested for HIV meets with a counselor.  During this time their status is revealed. I’ve tested many for HIV during a clinic, but never told them their status. Needless to say my time spent with these patients was full moments of impact not only for each patient, but also for me. From lunchtime until we loaded up at midnight, I sat arm to arm with individuals who approach the human experience with boldness. Never in a million years did I think I would be telling people their HIV status.  My heart experienced a new kind of compassion.

            Not only did I learn from the individuals who were positive, but also from the individuals who tested negative.  The power in the ownership of their status, whether positive or negative was inspiring. My prayer is that each individual will grasp and live out the information discussed in regards to further transmission.

Andy's girlfriend from the clinic...

He was her advocate for a new wheelchair!

High School Compassion

             For the first time the compassion team from the GO Team held school assemblies in High Schools. The assemblies were held at Manzini (700 students) and Sidvodkvo (250 students) High School.  Both the Swazi and American students participated in singing, dance, and drama for one another. The youth pastor from BFC, Chris Polluck, also led a message regarding scars.  Every person has scars from their life experiences, some scars are visible and some are not. At the end of the message each student was given a chance to anonymously write down scars/prayer request they have.  The students placed their answers in a big box and cards were later handed out to the team members so they could be prayed for.  The dynamics of the cards varied and the majority of the ‘scars’ match ‘scars’ we have in America.  Here are a few were received to pray for:

-I need help I want to succeed in life, I want to be he greatest person in the world eg: a poet, singer, songwriter, and the happiest man in the world.

-I’m 17 years old and I shunned my friends after I was saved. My problem is that they are plotting to do anything to harm me, what must I do?

-Please pray for me to pass.

-When I fail at school and I really disappoint my parents.

-I am a child of God but I’m short tempered. I use to pray for myself. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.

-I don’t pass well at school no matter how I study (please help).

-My family is financially struggling.

-I was once physically abused by my uncle while I was in grade 4.

I have broken my parents rules, I got involved in love affair so I want God to help me come out of these and follow my parents rules again. And help me to allow God to take place in me.

-The way my family behaves at home and the way I’m being treated by classmates.

-Help my father to do right because he has hurt us much.

Shoes for GiGi's

Karen Miller putting on the first pair of shoes.

         GiGi’s place (one of 19 care points through Children’s Cup) is a soup kitchen located minutes from where we live.  The soup kitchen wears many hats in the neighborhood where it is located.  Each day they feed around 250 children.  All of the children are OVC’s (orphaned or vulnerable children). The meal they provide comes from an organization called, “feed my hungry children.”  Each packet of rice has a full day’s worth of vitamins.  This is great news because this one meal is typically the only meal these children will eat each day.  GiGi’s is has a teacher who teaches preschool to many of the OVC’s and a few Grandmother’s who volunteer their time to cook for the children.  GiGi’s offers a safe place for the children to be before they head home for the evening.

         The children who attended Bethany First Church’s VBS raised money for the children at GiGi’s.  The kids raised $2500!  This was enough for each child at GiGi’s to receive a new pair of school shoes and a pair of socks.  While the GO team was here the compassion team played a role in purchasing and passing out the shoes.  The joy on the children’s faces were priceless!  Thank you BFC kiddos for making a difference!

GO Team Come and Gone

Open air service on Sunday before the roof went up.

The team singing for the church...big group!

The construction team the last day...almost done!

       It is hard to believe that the GO (global outreach) Team from Bethany First Church has come and gone. The planning for this team started over a year and a half ago, literally hundreds of hours to make the week a success for 64 individuals.  The week went very smoothly and we are all proud of everything that was accomplished. We plan to write about each team and we will start with the construction.

         Andy’s main project was heading up the construction of Embelkwini Church of the Nazarene. This church has been under construction for the past ten years. In Swaziland building is done differently: they build as they receive money. For example, if the congregation raises enough for twenty

cinder blocks, they purchase the blocks and add to what they have

already started.

The timing could not be more perfect for Bethany First Church to come

and partner with the church. Due to the next step in the construction

being the roof, which is an expensive step. Imagine the years it would

take to raise the funds for the roof. God continues to show His

faithfulness as He directed the hearts and steps of the partnership in

taking BFC to Embelkiwini.

         We started out the week by having a church service in the unfinished church.  The team was welcomed with love and they decorated the church just for us. For the remainder of the week Andy spent eight hours a day with multiple team members and church members in completing the church.  When the team left there was a little left to be finished. As I write this Andy is at the church finishing the project.  What an exciting time for the people of Swaziland and the United States.

Prep for GO Team

           For the last few weeks we have been busy, and I mean busy, getting ready for a GO Team from Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.  The team of 64 arrives on Friday July 23^rd.  Around 30 of the team members are youth, either high school or college age.  Many of the adult team members waited to come on a GO team until the youth came, so naturally the team kept growing.  This is the largest team that has come from Bethany First Church.  We are so excited for their arrival. We are extra excited because we have five family members coming (Cyndi, Jeremy, Laurie, Tate and Katelyn Lamb).

            Last week we picked up Barbi Moore and Pat Burton in Johannesburg.  They are the staff members at Bethany First Church working strictly on the Swaziland Partnership. In the last week we have driven all around Swaziland having meetings with different leaders and seeing many locations where the team will be working.  We stopped counting meetings after having 13 in two days.  Every meeting has significance in the success of the team visit.

            The team will be splitting into four groups: compassion, education, construction, and medical.  Andy is leading the construction team on completing a church that has been under construction for ten years. Amy will be a part of the compassion team and the educational team.  The compassion team will be going into the high schools to lead assemblies and a VBS.  The education team will be split into counselors and pastors, each group doing multiple trainings throughout the week. Lastly, the medical team will be spread out throughout the country in clinics and hospitals working alongside Swazi medical professionals.

            The week will be full, and we are excited! We pray that God will move in every team member and in each Swazi we come in contact with. 

Manzini Soup Kitchen

          Friday night we decided to join the youth from a local church (Living Waters) to go and feed the homeless. We showed up and did not know a single soul. We followed the group to a parking lot across from the Manzini Market (pictured in an earlier blog).  The parking lot was lined with women. Andy asked why there were only women.  Come to find out they women are all from out of town.  They come into Manzini to make a living for their families by selling different items at the market. Typically the man in the relationship stays and watches over the homestead.  So, these women are only homeless when they are working the market.  It was a sight to see: each covered with blanket, plastic bags, and their ‘items’ they sell tucked around them.

            The touching experience came from watching the youth.  Swazi’s taking care of Swazi’s.  They showed so much joy as they sang and served soup. Taking ownership in their community was and is a powerful thing. 

Male Circumcision in Swaziland

Harry Vanderwal from The Luke Commission with Sipho (a translator) at one of their clinics.

           

This last week I (Amy) had the privledge of attending a training for counselors on Male Circumcision.  My first training Swazi style, including tea at 10:30, lunch at 1:00, tea again at four, and instead of mints to suck on during the training they give you cough drops. I went with the staff of The Luke Commission.  The Luke Commission is a ministry/organization started by Harry and Echo Vanderwal (he is a Doctor and she is a PA). Together with their Swazi staff and four boys they have day long clinics in rural areas.  What they do is truly amazing.  They see every person that comes to the clinic, no matter how late they come and all for free. Soon The Luke Commission will be having male circumcision procedures done at their clinics.

            Recent studies have shown that when a man is circumcised he reduces his risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS by 60%. This was found when researchers tried to figure why the percentage of AIDS is so high in eastern and southern Africa. As many of you know Swaziland is home to 70% of people infected with HIV/AIDS throughout the world.

            At one point Swaziland was performing circumcision, but the king banished the practice due to the recovery length taking to long.  Which in return affected his army.  This is the first year that newborns are now being circumcised.  Circumcision is starting to be offered to men for free by certain clinics.

            This is where the training of counselors comes into play.  Coaching a man into circumcision is not always an easy thing. Each patient goes through a group session and individual session with a counselor. In the training I attended we spend two days discussing fears, myths, and benefits patients might have. Training also included a full break down on the anatomy and we watched a circumcision being done (on video). Needless to say, I learned a lot! The cultural differences amazed me. As a counselor trained in America they felt the need to call on me to answer many of the questions. It was a time I will never forget.

Life is Swaziland...

A few photos of where we live...

The view from our flat

Our living area

Our kitchen

Our flat with our car parked in front.  We live on the top right. Notice the children below that start playing as early as 6:30 a.m. and stop playing around 8 p.m.  The complex is full of children. We play soccer with them, and they always win!

The Market in town.

The car having the oil changed and brakes worked on...they work in the ground!

Just a few things we are learning:

You buy milk warm and refrigerate after opening.

The avocados are the size of a small child’s head.

The day starts early, we had a knock on our door at 6:30…he was from the census.

We pay for parking at the grocery store.

People love sour milk!

The electricity will randomly go out, so we have candles and matches handy in every room.

We prepay for electricity and cell phone minutes.

Cabbage is the size of a baseball.

Figuring out conversions - cooking at 190 as opposed to 375 and driving at 120 feels a little funny.

Women bring blankets to church.

Women and men sit on opposite sides during church.

Swaziland Photos!

We just posted some Swaziland Photos. Check them out at:

www.flickr.com/photos/andrewtcurry

HIV/AIDS Task Force

In a home with the HIV/AIDS Task Force

In Kruger...there are hippo's and croc's behind us! We saw two lions too!!

Helping with Operation Christmas Child...

Some children at a local soup kitchen for orphaned and vulnerable children (Gi Gi's).

While in Swaziland we will be working closely with the HIV/AIDS Task Force. The task force is an organization that provides home health care for their individuals who are homebound due to their medical condition.

            Around eight years ago Cariot Shongwe had a vision for the people of his church. Due to the hospitals being full and people not being able to travel to the hospitals, he dreamed that individuals could take care of the sick in their communities. Two very special women Evelyn Shongwe (Cariot’s wife) and Mary Magaula (a retired nurse) responded.

            At first Mary and Evelyn would go out into the towns just the two of them. Many times they would sit in their car and cry because of what they had seen. They had no idea of the enormous needs surrounding them. Today the task force employs around 100 care supporters (They are paid R200 a month which is equivilant to $30). The care supports have patients that they check in with three times a week.

            This past week we went to give food and clothing to clients that were in the poorest conditions from our visit two weeks ago. We were able to provide food to five families and six boxes full of clothing to be distributed. The patients are so grateful and we are humbled as we pray over each client.

Now that we have a little more time to write, we want to share a little more detail what we have been doing.  Our first two weeks were spent with the two teams: Southern Nazarene University and Eastern Nazarene University.  Each were here to accomplish different tasks, but the same purpose of being the hands and feet of Christ to Swaziland. Each team had students who can change the world with their amazing gifts!

The ENC team were all students in a course (History of Medical Missions) led by Bill McCoy. They spent many hours organizing documents at the hospital.  They came across document rich with history. One paper they found had to do with Andy's sister Aly, from when they lived here, regarding her falling through a window and the amount each child owed that was involved! The SNU team was involved in painting a church and the nursing college. They also had many opportunities to share the love of God with children... and play a lot soccer! Both teams led youth services, helped run a youth sports day, sing in front of eager Swazi listeners, and many other things. Both teams truly grasped the meaning of their trip, and will be forever changed.

The last week we spent up north with a team of 30 from Lenexa Central Church.  The team was divided in many areas: construction, education, and women's ministy.  The construction team worked on laying brick for a nurse's house. The education team brought seven students from Mid America Nazarene University. Each student had the opportunity to teach at Endzingeni Primary School for a week.  Lastly, the women on the team met daily with the ladies from the town.  Each day there were crafts and relationships blossomed.  The time spent between the ladies encompassed a rich time where we all learned from one another. 

It is amazing the bonds you can create in three weeks.  Each team member touched our lives in different ways.  Especially  the current on-site coordinators Brent and Michaele Lavigne (the other couple in our picture). We have been following them around for three weeks, in awe of how good they are at what they have been doing! We are soaking up all the wisdom they are sharing with us. We have one week left with them.  It has been fun to be with them and we are sad to see them go. Please pray for them as they start a new chapter back in the states. Thanks Brent and Michaele...you mean so much to us!

FINALLY A TIME TO POST!!

There is a new phrase we have learned in our three weeks in Africa... "we were delayed."  Many things have caused us to be delayed in writing our first blog; from having no time, not being at our home and having poor connection.  We are grateful to have stumbled upon an internet cafe!
It is hard to believe that we left three weeks ago today.  The second we landed in Swaziland we dropped our bags off at our new flat and headed south to start painting a church. From that moment we have been working with three different teams.  A team from Southern Nazarene University, Eastern Nazarene University, and team from Lenexa Kansas.  We have visited ten schools, painted a church and college, spent days at clinics, helped build a nurses home, dug trenches for water wells, and started numerous new friendships...needless to say we have been busy! We are loving it! We head back to Manzini tomorrow (our new home).  There we will plan to write more and post pictures!

Honored and Humbled

    As Amy and I were commissioned at BFC this past Sunday, I couldn't help but think back to when I first arrived at Bethany First Church in 1999. I was sixteen years old, my mom had just died from Cancer and I was at a very low point in my life. The last thing I wanted to do was deal with my mother's death. I did not want to feel the pain so I found myself doing all sorts of things trying to escape. I was getting into trouble, hurting myself and my loved ones. I got to a point where I didn't really care about anything. I made decisions that were stupid and the fear of consequences wasn't enough to prevent them. There were many times when I would actually try and behave better, trying to be good. I was successful at these attempts for a short time, but found that I really couldn't do it by myself. I was too weak.
    
    All of this to say, I was a mess. Until one day, when Jesus came to me in a very real, supernatural way. I know he doesn't always work like this but that day, with me, he did. I felt that he was giving me another chance. I felt that if I continued to live in sin, something horrible would happen to me, perhaps death. I was very scared until I made a commitment to surrender completely to Him that night. Immediately after doing this, I was filled with His Spirit and was "on fire" for Him. I was so excited about what He had done and couldn't stop telling everyone! That was just the beginning of all that God has done in my life. Although I accepted Jesus when I was six years old (at Living Waters Churh of the Naz. in Swaziland), this was the first time I had surrendered to Him. I believe He has been there for me my entire life, I could here Him speak, I just wasn't obedient.
   
     I am truly humbled to be a part of the Swaziland Partnership. I know that I would not be given the privilege of serving if it weren't for Jesus and all the things he has done in my life. I hope that God will use my testimony as I share it in Swaziland. I am honored to represent the people at BFC and Lantana Community Fellowship. There is nothing Amy and I would rather be doing than serving this coming year! Thanks to everyone who has supported us and please continue to pray for us and the people of Swaziland.

Shine on Us

In our wedding we had Scott Daniels, Tim Mosshart and Paul Baker sing "Shine on Us."  One of my favorite songs, three of my favorite voices, and a prayer for our marriage.  This past Sunday we were commissioned at Bethany First Church as we are about to head out on our journey.  During second service they called us down to pray with us during a song.  The song was "Shine on Us."  I was glowing inside, something so simple, a song I chose for as a prayer for our marriage was now being sung as we embark on a new journey. God keeps bringing us comfort in ways we could never imagine. As you read these lyrics or listen to it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoYdQa6Cprc) we ask that you make this a prayer for us as we leave in 20 days!



Lord

Let your light, Light of your face
Shine on Us
Lord
Let your light, Light of your face
Shine on Us
That we, may be saved
That we, may have life
To find our way
In the darkest night
Let your light, Shine on us

Lord
Let your grace, Grace from your hand
Fall on us
Lord
Let your grace, Grace from your hand
Fall on us
That we, may be saved
That we, may have life
To find our way
In the darkest night
Let your grace, Fall on us

Lord
Let your love, Love with no end
Come over us
Lord
Let your love, Love with no end
Come over us
That we, may be saved
That we, may have life
To find our way
In the darkest night
Let your love, Come over us
Let your light, Shine on us

Legacy of Love

           This past week I (Amy) was able to share in a special time with my family in California.  A week and a half ago my sweet Grandma Jilbert (my mom's mom) went to the hospital. Through waves of emotions and events, her children decided to send her home with hospice. I purchased a flight and was out there within 24 hours.  Little did I know how precious this time would be.  I sat by her side: reading scripture, singing, and caring for her in many ways.
           On Saturday evening March 27th, her life long friends (Jim and Dolly Goss) came by to visit. He prayed and we all sang "It will be worth it all."  At the end of the song Grandma opened her eyes, and within minutes took her last breath. We were all by her side crying and cheering her on as she went to be with the Lord. Her memorial service was inspiring!  Many stories of how she loved people so naturally, and how through her effortless love they came to know Christ. Jim Goss spoke of how he became a Christian while attending my Great Grandpa's church where my Grandparents discipiled he and his wife.  He then became the youth pastor of that church.  While he was the youth pastor Fred Evans was in his youth group, and now we are working along side Fred Evans in Swaziland!  Wow!
         As silly as it sounds I'm so grateful this happened now, and not while we are in Swaziland.  Through this hard time God is still meeting the desires of my heart.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to see my family before leaving and I was able to see them.  In the midst of seeing my family I was reminded of the Christian heritage I have been a part of and how I am caring on the legacy as we travel to Africa.  My Grandmother was a lover of mission work and was so proud that I am going.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

One of the first things people ask when we tell them we are going to Swaziland is "how did you find this opportunity?" We have always had a desire to volunteer for a year, but the timing never worked out for us. Now, we see God's plan and timing for us as he opens doors left and right as we head to Swaziland. The perfect timing (God's timing) is right now. We have spent time in awe and are having fun looking at the last four years and seeing how God has shaped us for our time in Swaziland.

For the last five years Andy has been working as a superintendent for a residental builder. He gained so many skills during his time as a superindent. Unfortanetly, Andy was let go in October due to the poor economy. We are so grateful for his experience with that company. Andy is now working as an inspector for home insurance companies. Both of these jobs have taught him things that will be key in his role as on-site coordinator. Andy's big focus while in Swaziland will be organizing and planning the construction of a new church.

After we were married Amy became a manager at Williams-Sonoma. She worked as a manager for 2 years, but remained part time until a few months ago. While there Amy learned numerous things regarding health and cooking. Amy decided to go back to school in January of '08 to obtain her masters in counseling. Her dream was to work in a children's hospital; working with kids and families. While Amy was a full time student she was "bitten" by the play therapy bug. Amy currently is working on her internship as a play therapist/counselor in a hospital setting working with parents and children. She is learning things by the minute that will apply to her time in Swaziland. We have been told that Amy will be instrumental in starting Child Development Centers (CDC) while we are in Swaziland. There was recent funding given to the CDC's in Africa to train the workers in play therapy. How awesome is God's timing that we will be there next year when this, amongst many of things, will be the focus!

On Sunday we had the priviledge to share our journey thus far with our current church; Lantana Community Fellowship. It was a special time for us. It made our journey feel real and very close! The people at Lantana have been our family. We were moved by the response of our church family. So many kind words and gestures were given to us! Thank you Lantana family for your love, prayers, and support. During this bittersweet time we feel the "bitter" the most about leaving this community we have grown to love.