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.