Sonny- Bonanny!

(In english..hey yall!)

Okay. Post number 12,185,343,354. =) Sorry about the empty or non-existent blogs...i am trying, promise.

So right now I am in Manzini, Swaziland, but let me back up and tell you some of my adventures. =)

Training camp in Georgia..it feels like it was about 7 and a half years ago, but in fact was only less than a month ago. It was absolutely amazing. Hot, but amazing. The week was packed full of worship, team-building exercises, and class-type sessions. It was all in an effort to build us in every aspect to prepare us for the field. It was definitely an emotionally trying week, but it formed and bonded our team SO quickly. Ah...my team.

My wonderful team is HUGE! =)  They are all amazing people who i am so very blessed to know. We range from ages 18-24, and their are around forty of us. Crazy, huh? And only five guys...they love us, but i am sure they are in need of some serious man-time. =) They love taking care of their sisters here though, and we try our best to let them.

So travel was crazy...and by crazy i mean LOOONG! We flew from Atlanta to Germany and then spent a kajillion hours in the Frankfurt airport. We pretty much went back and forth between McDonalds and Haagendas. It was terrible. =) FINALLY, after about 48 hours of no sleep, we got on the plane to head to Johannesburg. Me and my dear sister Joie knocked out on this flight, apparently very adorably piled on top of each other. =) Once in Jo-burg, we made the hour long trip to Alabanza, where we stay during our time in SOuth Africa.

Alabanza is basically a large piece of land with several cabin-type buildings on it. It is all owned by a lady named Dini who rents it out to missionaries who need a place to stay. There is a barn where we eat and where all of our sessions are held, and our team stays in a cabin a little bit of a walk away. My favorite part of Alabanza? There is a coffee shop that some girls opened to raise money for their ministry. They have these peanut butter cookies....so much for losing weight in Africa. =)

Our basic schedule is classes until noon and then ministry until 6. At alabanza we went to the same place every day for a week. I went to a township called Mamelobi, one of the poorest of poor, and worked at this place where children spent their days. 

Storytime. On our first day there, a few of us split off to play with the younger children. There were literally probably 20 three year olds in this tiny tiny little building. Can you say CHAOS?! =) But the head lady took us to another building next door, just as small, which was the kitchen, to tell us what to do. In this room was a little girl, five years old, crying and screaming hysterically. The lady translated and told us that she was having nightmares, and that someone was coming to beat her. She wouldnt come anywhere near us, but she came over to me a minute later...and i didnt leave her side until we left three hours later. She wouldnt eat or drink, saying that the sangoma (witch doctor) had poisoned it in some way. (Parents here sell their childrens souls to the sangoma and to Satan, which we were afraid was what had happened. Children who have been given to their ancestors have yarn tied around their stomachs.) I held her, prayed for her, and sang to her the entire time. It was the worst and scariest thing i had ever seen. Spiritual Warfare is SO alive here...satan isnt subtle at all, he just attacks. Even beautiful children. She would calm down for a minute, then start flailing and crying saying, "it hit me it hit me" when we asked what was wrong.  I got some of our team together before we left to pray for her, and the next day when we came back she was playing with some of the other kids. Praise God. =)

So on saturday we left for Swaziland. I absolutely love it here and am sure that this where God wants me come january. It is absolutely beautiful, with mountains all around. Here we have been going different places daily so as to see the options if this is where we end up. My first day i went to a care point, which is a place that has been set up for children to come and eat, usually the only meal they get a day. We just played with the kids for hours. This one little boy, Kalaytu, completely stole my heart. =) The second day we walked to a local township where we spent some time with the children and then walked door to door and talked with some people. The third day was so difficult...

I spent my third day at a hospital in Manzini visiting people. I spent a few minutes in the childrens ward but then went to the womans ward and was immediately drawn towards the back. When i turned to the bed to my right i was horrified at what i saw. This woman, skin and bones only, with a terrifying look in her eye. I wanted to run away, but i knew i was supposed to talk with her. She was completely alone, and dying of Aids. I stood with her and talkd to her, and then fanned her sweating face. I literally held this dying woman and cried. I honestly thought that she was going to take her last breath while holding my hand. I was so scared for her. I got her to eat a little bit out of my hand, and found her some water. I fanned her continuously, and sometimes would help her sit up, and these very small actions brought a faint smile to her face as she grasped my hand and rubbed my arm. She couldnt have been any older than 30, but she looked 70. What God revealed to me during this is that while I ache and hurt for this beautiful dying woman, he hurts 100 times more for every person in this world. Our God loves us enough to completely mourn and grieve for us. I watched her struggle with every breath, and i can only pray now that she is with God. Oh Lord, it was the most difficult thing i have ever done...watch someone so close to death.

I unfortunately must go now, before this computer cuts off..

and yes, i spent yesterday and last night in the hospital as a patient, but praise God i am much better now. Thank you for your prayers and continue to pray..i will try and give details on is as soon as i can. I am fine now, just weak.

Love yall so much! =)