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!