What a blessing to finally be in Swaziland. It is Africa after all, and nothing happens fast, especially the internet in Swaziland. Please bear with us.

We arrived and immediately hit the ground running. I moved around with Jumbo to get familiar with the layout of Manzini and locations of many of the care points. We are beginning to drill for water at two care ponts tomorrow. I will take pictures and/or video. So much needs to happen that it seems overwhelming. The need is just all around us and we can see why Jumbo and Kriek are overwhelmed. Jodi and I feel priveleged to come alongside them and to make a difference together.

We are doing well, but need you to continue to pray for us. Jodi and I are are trying to find our rhythm in our AIM work and also in our "Jodi and Marius" time. We want our lives to matter, make a difference without compromising our relationship.

We have not found a place to rent yet. Our name is on a waiting list.  The wait can take several months. Please pray for that.

I am blessed to be here with my wife and also blessed that all of you are playing a major role through us in Swaziland. Thank you!

Highlights and lowlights. No, I'm not talking about hair, I think the easiest way to give you my first impression in a condensed form is to give you a few of my best moments so far, and  a few of the rougher ones. Let's start with the good stuff:

*I got to pray alongside my good friend Kriek for about 45 amazing women who are cooking food for the orphans every day, rain or shine, as volunteers. These are amazing ladies, and I was honored to be in their presence, and to lift up their needs to God. They possess nothing that this world calls treasure, yet they give everything they are every day - which is treasure in God's economy.

 

* I got to touch the hands of several hundred children this last week, as we painted their little hands to present to the sponsoring churches who are helping to clothe, feed, and send them to school. It was a way to start out "hands on" with the kids, and begin learning their names.

 

*Now for the lowlights - the need is truly great, so I need the strength and discernment to live not according to the need, but according to what God has for me to do here.  As Marius also said, I need to find my own rhythm, and take this one day at a time b/c I'm finding myself easily exhausted already, and this is a marathon - not a sprint.

 

*I am pretty tough on myself b/c I want to be able to communicate with these amazing gogos, the precious orphans, and the discipleship team. I can tell you this - I will be learning to speak their language - as quickly as my little head can process it. One thing at a time though - I need to learn to drive on the "other" side of the road, get to the 19 care points, pronounce the names of the carepoints, and begin profiling these kids, so that they can have sponsorships through Children's Hope Chest. Lots of opportunities here....

 

We love you, miss you, and treasure your being a part of this with us. We are hearing about the rough economy in the States and the lack of gas in Ga. Please know our prayers are with you too.