August GO Team

This past week has been a flurry of activity getting ready for the upcoming BFC/ Canadian Central District GO Team. Barbi and her assistant Pat have been here and we have all been working hard together! It’s been easier preparing for this team in that Brent and I now know where to find things, how to go shopping and drive, etc. Another thing that has been so good is that we’ve been able to host them and a few others for dinners this week. It has been wonderful to share our new home with new friends!

The GO Team that arrives on Saturday will be doing divided up into several different teams who will be concentrating in different areas of the country and of service.

Medical Team – A group of twelve people (doctors, nurses, dentist, dental hygienist and two students) will be working several days in the hospital. They will also have two days of free medical care at two Nazarene clinics, and seeing critical patients of the HIV/ AIDS Task Force.

Construction Team – Thirteen people (including Brent) will be working to help complete the renovations of the Bhalekane Nazarene clinic. Their main task will be to enclose a portion of the veranda to create a new card room, and laying brick in the new septic tank.

Compassion Team – This group is the largest at35 people (including Michaele). This team will be visiting the homes of patients of the HIV/ AIDS task force to deliver gifts of food and supplies, leading a VBS for the children of the Bhalekane community and spending time at the New Hope Centre childrens’ home and at Gigi’s Kitchen.

Ministerial Team – There are five ministers (including Michaele and one counselor) who are mostly with the compassion team. However, one day will be spent encouraging, praying with, and leading seminars with the pastors of the Eastern District.

Videographers – Two men from BFC will be travelling throughout the country this week in order to capture the spirit and impact of the Swaziland Partnership. This footage will be used in several pieces for BFC and others.

Artist Team – Three members from BFC are working on an art exhibit to increase awareness and support of the AIDs crisis and Swaziland. The title of their project is “Lizinga Lemandla Ami: The Measure of My Strength.” They will be interviewing women affected by and infected with HIV to capture their stories of strength, endurance and courage. The interview and photograph of participants will then be used in creating a sculpture exhibit that expresses the stories of these remarkable women and children.

Educational Team – One counselor from BFC and an ordained prison chaplain from Canada will be working together to provide training and encouragement to many caregivers. Their audiences will include the care supporters of the HIV/ AIDS task force, the caregivers of the New Hope Centre, and Nazarene pastors of the Eastern district.

As you can see, August 8 - 15 will be a busy week for these 60 people! We are excited to have them here and are even more excited to see what God will do through and in them during their stay.

Please join us in prayer for all the many activities that will be happening in the next days!
· Safety, protection and health as we have people travelling all throughout the country
· That we would all be open to the Spirit’s guidance even if it means moving away from the schedule
· That lives would be changed – Swazi, American, and Canadian lives – for the Kingdom