WE MET THE CHIEF

Sawubona (Hello)

We are becoming more and more South African everyday!

Well since the last time we have updated, we have done a lot of site seeing and ministry. We went to these awesome scenic views (waterfalls, giant pot holes, canyons, mountains, sunsets, and sunrises). We took some amazing pictures. It is awesome to see Gods beauty through His creation.We also had a chance to go to Kruger National Park (Wild Game Reserve). We woke up at the crack of dawn to go to the park before the sunrise. We took our large van and just drove on different roads as elephants, giraffes, impalas, monkeys, and warthogs walked passed our vehicle throughout the day. From a distance we were able to see rhinos, lions, cape buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, eagles, and lots of wild birds. It was awesome to see the wild animals so close up. We took amazing pictures.

We drove the next day across the border of South Africa to Swaziland, Africa. Currently we are staying in the mountains at Mochani Hope House. It is a home for orphan boys. We have about a 5 minute hick back to our rooms and it is fun at night when our flashlights flicker off and on our hike home. The Milky Way is amazing out here, the stars are so bright…we wish that we could wrap them all up and bring them back with us.

We went to the Swazi cultural village and saw an authentic African dance. We also learned about the way in which they lived and saw some huts that they currently live in. Here in Swaziland, if a man wishes to marry someone he must pay for the daughter in cows. Currently we are looking to buy 2 cows for the family that we are staying with. It has literally been a bumpy ride through the treacherous rocky roads of Swaziland, as we search for cows high and low and near and far, to give to the chief. We are going to purchase the cows so the family can pay for the land they were given by the chief to build the church on. So far no one wants to sell us cows because they are a vital asset to their own living. We are praying we find cows to buy today.

Speaking of adventures, earlier in the week we had an opportunity to visit a prison occupied with 150 young male youth. We were all crammed in one room with 2 prison guards on the outside of the room. It was a little frightening, but the young men were responsive to what we had to say. It was amazing to see their openness to the word of God. We had the opportunity to do a children’s program here at the church and actively participate in the feeding program for children where Kristin practiced her Siswati with the GOGOS. It was fun trying to play games with about 87 kids. It’s amazing how much one hug and a smile goes so far with the children here.

We had the privilege to go to a public high school and do dramas and Jasmine had the chance to share her testimony with 500 high schoolers. Kristin spoke at the teen challenge yesterday. Teen Challenge consists of a group of males between the ages of 16-25 yrs. struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. It was a very productive day of ministry. Throughout the week we have had the opportunity to visit neighboring homes in the community. We prayed with them and gave them blankets and food as a blessing to their family. It was amazing to see how welcoming everyone was and how blessed they all felt from us visiting them. Today we went to New Life International School. It is a Christian school currently serving 80 children K-6 and moving towards becoming a K-12 school. The school also provides dorm rooms for roughly 50% of the children at the school. The children at the school have been so blessed by God. It was amazing to hear some of the children’s life stories.

We had an opportunity to visit the glass factory and watch them make amazing hand blown sculptors of African animals and designs. That same day we went to a true African market. We practiced our Zulu and bargaining skills with the locals. It was very successful, unlike the cows.

We have been in Bulembu for several days now to assist iPublish Postn some hard labor in a local school and paint a mural showing biblical truths to the community. Yesterday I spent all day in cow poop!! We had to clean out the high school that has been stables for the past 6-7 years! I am smelly and very sore from shoveling and moving furniture!

In a couple days we will be traveling back to Johannesburg to debrief, last minute shopping, and spend our last time as a team/family. Until next time….which may be in 8 days when we arrive back in the states. Praying everyone is well! See you all soon!

Love,

Jasmine and Kristin (a dual effort!!!)

****WE MET THE CHIEF: 4 of us got to go and meet one of the chief's of Swaziland...he is the King of Swaziland's cousin! It was such an amazing experience....we had the opportunity to use ministry money to help Pastor Chomba(the place we have been staying at) pay for the rest of his land!...Meeting the chief is like meeting the govenor......there are only 13 chiefs in Swaziland....we had to take our shoes off and Janell and I were quiet while the men talked and when we shook his hand we "bowed" and put our face toward the ground! It was so great!***