What do we do?

This is a question we have been asked often. "So, as on-site coordinators... what do you actually do day to day?" We thought this week would be a good snap shot of what we do, so here is a small summary of these week's activities.

• Brent spent a good amount of time on several financial reports regarding some previous and upcoming projects.


• Although neither of us are architects, we worked to draw a floor plan of a clinic (future project site) with measurements and dimensions to send back to Bethany First Church. You should have seen us doing the whole thing with the "insert shapes" feature in Microsoft Word!!


• We met with Matron Anna, who oversees the community clinics to get feedback from two previous events/ projects and hear her priorities for moving forward


• Brent visited the Shewula and Ndwvabageni clinics with Michael Mabuza, who is the maintenance supervisor for the hospital and clinics. He met the nurses and staff and assessed what work was needed there.


• This week we received word that a grant had been awared from the Coca-Cola foundation to fund water projects in the Nazarne clinics in Swaziland through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc.! Therefore we facilitated communication between several people in the US and here in order to move forward quickly with that project.


• We were honored to host four volunteers from the New Hope Centre for dinner and Bible study. It was a wonderful time and we hope to do it once a week!


• We were also able to host Dr. Raymond Bitchong (the chief medical officer at the hospital and our next-door neighbor) and his family for dinner. His wife Beatrice plays the guitar and sings, so we had a great time singing together after dinner.


• We spent one day scouting out accommodations for the next team coming in August. The construction team will be working in Bhalekane, which is in the north-central part of the country. Our friend Sizwe, who has been a driver for all of the teams, joined us. We had a great time and were successful in finding several suitable places.

As you can tell, no two days are alike, but all were good. We are thanking God for allowing us to be here, and to be working with so many amazing and passionate people. We are especially excited about this Coca-Cola grant, and will keep you updated on what is happening there.

This coming week, please pray for us along these lines:

1. Sunday morning services with pastor Nomvula Dlamini at Mphondla Church of the Nazarene. We will be speaking in the NYI and regular worship services.


2. Wisdom! For decisions, for understanding, and communicating in a different culture


3. Important meetings this week regarding upcoming projects


4. Continued health and safety -- no sicknesses yet! Praise God!
   

   Thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging notes through the blog, facebook, and email. We even received another piece of mail this week! God is good and you are too!