Weekend Update

It has been a few weeks since our last posting and WOW has it been a whirlwind. The Coca-Cola water project under Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is on its way and we have been traveling the country talking to community leaders, chiefs, clinic nurses, school headmasters and others about the work. We have also been able to take part in trench digging for water lines in the communities.

Last Friday our car was broken into, but God was with us! The passenger window was smashed and only my (Brent's) briefcase was stolen. Only a very little bit of money was stolen and there were no personal records or documents in the briefcase. In fact the thief didn't get much at all! We praise God that no one was hurt during the burglary which took place in the middle of the day. However, we have been working for the last week to even find a replacement for the broken passenger side window. “Import car” is taking on a new meaning here in Swaziland. It’s much harder to find parts here.

We are working with hospital administration to complete the Bhalekane project and look to the future on ways that teams can continue to contribute to the work here.

We are also preparing for the arrival of the container full of medical equipment sent by BFC, which should arrive sometime in October.

Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to lift these needs before the Lord:

• Please pray for Swazi Leaders we work with the Districts, Region, Hospital, Government
• Please pray for our friend Sizwe that God will continue to protect him as he works as a kombi driver and protects his spirit as God has called him to serve in some exciting ways in Swaziland.
• Pray that we would quickly find the right replacement for our car window.
• Please pray for continued good communication and quick action on the Coca-Cola water project that is now under way.
• Please continue to praise the Lord with us for the safety and providence that God has provided as we move around the country.

August BFC and Canadian Central GO TEAM!!!

To give a full report on the events of this past week would exhaust these ten fingers with typing and your eyes with reading. Each team had full, busy days of ministry and saw incredible things accomplished for the kingdom in their lives and those they were serving. In order to just give a taste of the week, here are a few highlights pulled from the number of great things we were able to be a part of.

35 HIV+ and/or disabled people were given a bucket full of food and personal hygiene items. Each person from the team who visited homes and gave these gifts were challenged by what they saw – extremities of poverty and illness and death right alongside the powerful joy and provision of the Lord.

The construction team worked alongside Swazi volunteers and hospital staff to do an amazing renovation of the Bhalekane clinic! They put in a retaining wall to level of the back entrance of the clinic, put up walls, chipped old plaster, threw on new plaster, and much more. It was really an amazing thing to see the physical and relational building that had been done in one week!
The team of artists/ photographers photographed and interviewed many men and women, capturing stories of courage and hope in the face of extreme challenges. It was incredible to hear snippets of what they were experiencing and has made us all excited to see the outcome of this in art form!

Every day the team of doctors and nurses were busy seeing patients or giving a seminar, but one day sticks out among them all. A free clinic day was held up in the northeastern corner of the country at Shewula Nazarene clinic. Amazingly, the doctors with the help of many Swazi nurses saw over 1,300 patients that day!! I (Michaele) was there for the last few hours and was blown away by what I saw.

Unfortunately there were several injuries that affected our team. All five of the senior management staff of New Hope Centre(childrens home which our team knows and visited during their stay) were in a car accident one night. Thanks be to God the injuries were not as serious as they could have been, but we were quite scared for our friends. Two days later one of our team members fell while walking on a rocky hill and broke her ankle. In both of these circumstances we were able to see the hand of God at work bringing peace, healing, and working wonders in the midst of calamity. We rejoice that all are alive and well, and on the mend!

The team ended with a trip to Kruger, which was enjoyable but in many ways a 48-hour comedy of errors. In the end everyone got to see the park and some animals, slept a little, and most importantly got to the airport on time. Everyone was wonderfully easy and flexible to work with all throughout the adventure and we could not be more thankful for their encouraging words and uplifting attitudes!!

On a personal note, Brent and I felt like we gained another church family through this trip. Although we have been serving with and for Bethany First Church now for several months, we hadn’t had time to build relationships with the wider church and pastors. Yet in the last week we have been embraced, loved, and encouraged by Pastor David and Christi Busic and the whole BFC team. We are honored to be serving alongside these wonderful people and new friends.

You prayers for the week did more than we may ever know, but we definitely felt the power and the presence of God with us. Thank you for holding us up!

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