Oh so sorry!!!

I want to apologize for the long time between “Blogging” things here in Swaziland have been very busy for Don and I. And time has gone bye so fast…It started several months ago when we lost a dear beloved friend “Gugu” who worked in the accounting office with Children’s Cup. I became a full time volunteer working in the office to keep things running. Since that time Don has become a “full” time volunteer working in another positon as Operations Coordinator due to one of the Cup employees resigning. So our time has been rather busy trying to split between the office jobs and our day to day missionary ministry activities with our CarePoints.
About a month ago Don and I were scheduled to host a team from Mission of Mercy with about 36 people. It was a blast and a nice break from the 8 to 5 office settings we had currently been doing. The team members were a great group of people and there were several who came on this trip that had originally been with us the very first time we came to Swaziland in 2007 on our mission trip. It was great to see them again after so long and to reminisce about how we became full time missionaries on the field. They were such a blessing to us both. Several of our previous friends came bearing gifts….:) They brought Items that we cannot get here , such as a good deodorant, great Coffee and various other items. It was sad to see them leave but we know that there will some who come back again.
We were blessed to have our church send a team of 13 over to be able to see exactly what their support had been doing since we left February of 2009. Even though we send little excerpts of our life here, I believe that now they totally understand why God has us here for this time in our lives. In other words “ They Get it” 
We were also blessed about 2 weeks after Piney Grove left that our daughter , son-in law, and grandson visited. It was so nice that they also saw what we are doing here along with some “tourist vacation” days added . I thank the Lord for them being able to come see face to face why God called us to Swaziland and that we are safe and well.
Today started the first of 6 more days of Christmas Celebrations. I have to say that missionaries Danny and MaryAnn Quirion have done a wonderful job putting this celebration together. This is my first year working with the celebrations (last year I was in N.C) Everyone said the first day would be chaotic because we would be trying to set the pattern for the rest of the other CarePoint celebrations, but it was a very very organized day. The Children were wonderful and grateful. There are 7 stations and each station teaches our theme for Christmas ..which is Comfort and Joy. Don is the coordinator for our team..*we are team #2* I am helping with Crafts..the children are making fleece scarves where they add colored beads to the tassels on the end, theme….when it is cold or wet use this as a warm wrap and remember that Jesus is always our comfort and joy, warmth and is with us all the time.
We set up tents for the “birthday party for Jesus where cup cakes are given and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus….then There is a drama, the birth of baby Jesus in the stable complete with real Hay…a room where the Jesus video is being shown * THANK YOU from all of us* there was a water slip n slide and a jumping castle..We had fried chicken and pop with a soup with donated green beans …it was really good and the weather was nice/ slightly overcast but none the less HOT. We had approximately 160 children today…it was a wonderful day.
As Don and I have stated many, many times, we are so blessed to have so many prayer warriors and supporters behind us and our prayers are also for you, for without you we could not perform the daily duties that God has asked us to do in HIS name. We love you all and appreciate all of you…We thank the Lord for each and everyone.
I have started this blog 3 different times/ different days/ different weeks, so I apologize if it seems rambling or “jumpy”. There is so much I really want to write about and will I promise..and it won’t be as long next time.
Blessings and sending Love your way!!!
Don and Diane