The passing of a freind, traditional Swazi funeral

We have been mourning the loss of a very dear friend this past week. Gugu Dlamini, 41 with 3 girls ages 14, 12 and 7. She passed to be with God due to complications from pneumonia, her lungs gave out, you see here in Swaziland ventilators are rare and that is what she needed. Gugu was the first Swazi friend we had, her smiling face would meet and never fail to greet us with a loud “ Don and D” (that is what she called us even if there was only one of us present). Here in Swaziland it is important that you greet everyone before you start any kind of business, this was rather hard for us because in the U.S. you may say hello and then go into a business conversation but here it is different. You spend time greeting and small talk for a little while before you conduct business. Gugu taught us to stop and take time to build a relationship from the heart. Gugu will be greatly missed.
We attended our first traditional Swazi wake (it is called a memorial). The memorial took place in a small church around 2PM in the afternoon. The coffin is placed horizontally in front of the pulpit (closed) and a woman stands on each side and at the foot. This service is typically 2-3 hours long so there are other women who come and switch out every so often. I was told this is to honor the person who has died. The flowers here are also different, they are what we call a “spray” but these are only about a foot long and are placed on the floor surrounding the coffin unlike our very large floral arrangements on stands. There is a lot of singing and a lot of speakers. Each speaker telling how and what that person meant in their life. The immediate family also speaks. ( All of this was performed in SiSwati language, with the exception of Gugu’s daughters). After the service the body is loaded into the funeral truck and taken several hours to the “homestead” ( these are the rural areas that each family has together) Then starts the all night vidual. Large makeshift tents are erected and the body is placed in one of the houses on the property. Family and friends come and help prepare a meal which will be served to the guest once the burial is finished. This continues all night with singing and some more speaking. We were asked if we would like to view the body, so we went into a small room, empty of furniture but full of women sitting all over the floor so much we had to step over several to get to the coffin at the far end of the room. There I was very surprised at the viewing. The entire body is shrouded by a white cloth stretched over the entire opening of the coffin with only the face appearing through a hole, no hair just face, there is no silhouette of the body, the entire opening is covered by a clear plastic shield so the body cannot be touched. This is very different from what I have been use to in the U.S. Just before sunrise (tradition because in the old days before roads people had to travel a long way to reach the burial site, so they would come early and all during the night ) the body is taken to the grave site (which has been dug by hand) located on the property, as everyone followed on foot down the mountain side. This grave is not a typical one for burial in Swaziland, the hole had been lined with cinder blocks to make what we would call a vault. Once the pastor completed his service the coffin is lowered into the grave, a blanket is put on the top and there are small logs cut the width of the grave that is placed over the coffin along with mats made from tall brown grass. Then the men are asked to take a shovel and each take turns’ shoveling the dirt into the grave while one stands and packs the dirt down. All this is taking place while the family sits and watches. There is more singing and more speaking from various people in the community. Once the grave is filled we all start the walk back up the mountain back to the homestead. By this time the sun has risen and it is around 8AM. Each one who attended the burial is given a plate of food to eat or to take on their travel back to their individual homes. It is hard for us to understand why the family watches all this being done seems like torture to us is their way of life now and has always been for the Swazi people.

I am happy to say that I am confident that Gugu is now resting in the arms of Jesus and I will see her smiling face again in Heaven.

Hopefully this gives you an insight into some of the culture here in Swaziland.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers… God Bless you all..
Love Don & Diane

A little bit of everything

Lot of things going on...Last week we had servolution and each day we went into various places and showed God's love for everyone. One day windshields (windscreens as they are called here) were washed for customers at three local petrol stations, one afternoon paid parking slips at the local grocery store was given to the patrons, and on one day (pictures included) we had a fun day at a local day care, puppet shows, face painting, coloring and drawing, and even a jumping castle. It was wonderful to see the faces of these children.
I was busy most of that week under the house of our neighbor Sandra with an electric sewing machine making decorative curtains to hang up in the HPC church sanctuary for the young adults and for our Easter services. >.the young adults of HPC were the ones serving other young adults from the area who were invited. Don and I helped with the serving of the food, we had cooked at Ben & Susan's house earlier that day, it consisted of Boer worst, chicken, peas, rice carrots..it was really nice. Don was the "grill master"/ We were up till after midnight helping wash/ dry and put away dishes that were used to feed around 100 young adults. Needless to say it was a very long day but very rewarding.
Really excited about several things that will be happening and we will be preparing for in the next several months.
1. A new sewing class will start when the children return to school,break for 3 weeks starts at the end of next week.
2. Don will be traveling with Ben and others to Zimbabwe to help with a medical mission there.
3. Some members (including our Home pastor and his wife) along with 10 others from our church will be coming over for a mission trip in September...and we will be the leaders while they are here..as they will actually see what their support has been for.
4. Hopefully our daughter, grandson and son-in-law will be coming for a visit in October.
In between all of the above there will be several groups coming over for mission trips and we will be leaders of some of them and new missionaries that will be joining us later this year. With some of the changes here with the government and schools please pray for all the children.
Please join us in prayer for all these task that God has given to us to be a part of.

Want to say thank you for all your support and prayers. God has Blessed all of it.

Will write again soon...Love you all !!! Don & Diane

The Miracle and the Parcetamol

Some may say that God is not working miracles in the twenty-first century. But I am writing to say this is just not true. God IS indeed still working miracles, matter of fact every morning we look in the mirror is a miracle of God. But this is not the miracle I want to tell, it is about the miracle and the paracetamol syrup. We have been having trouble here in Swaziland getting some of the medications we need to treat the children. There are many reasons why it is difficult ( Swazi Pharm not ordering meds.,delivery from South Africa, meds. just not available). One of the meds we use often is Paracetamol syrup (liquid Tylenol)for pain/fever. This is one of the hardest meds. to keep in stock due to the fact we treat hundreds of children every month. I had been to Swazi Pharm the pharmaceutical wholesaler here in Swaziland to place our med. order and as often as not, they had no paracetamol in stock and no idea how long it would be before any would come in. We were completely out of this medicine and needed it for the children. So after a prayer and a trip to Green cross pharmacy (one of a few here in Swaziland) they had seven 100 ML. bottles in stock so I made the purchase and at a 50% discount, this in its self is a small miracle they just don't give discounts. Long story short to help make this much needed medicine last and go further we were going to fill 50 Ml. bottles and dispense to the children. Now remember the paracetamol comes in 100 ML. bottles, so to make the medicine go further, we were to take each 100 ML. bottle fill 2 - 50ML Bottles..so we began to pour, one bottle, two bottles, three bottles and by the time we had finished pouring we had filled three times as many bottles as we mathmatically should have. You see God knew we needed this medicine and HE saw to it that we got it. This is something only God can do. This is just one of the many miracles we see God doing here in Swaziland everyday. I am always amazed at what God is doing in and through a faithful few. It is an honor and blessing to be here and be a part of what God is doing. Thank you all for your prayers and support, you all share a part of what God is doing by helping us be here to be a usable vessel for God and to Him we give all the glory and Honor. God Bless you all.
Don and Diane

The Thief and The Blessing

Some may wonder and ask what does the title of this blog mean and how can these two things exist together, well I must say it is only through God. God blessed Diane and I to be able to return to the states for the Christmas holidays and what a blessing it was. Time with family and friends was awesome, being able to connect with some of our supports, make new friends and partners in the ministry God has called us to. We were very very busy and as always time went extremely to fast but the bottom line is we were so very blessed by it all. The leaving again was very difficult but knowing you where doing what God has called you to do made it a little easier. The return flights to Africa/Swaziland were good.. made it safely (God is Good). Sandra picked me up from the airport all is good.
I must step back just a bit to get you to where the thief and the blessing fits. Sandra one of our missionary neighbors (we share the same fenced yard) emailed and told me that it appeared someone had broken in our home due to some activity that was observed and a broken window at our house. Upon further investigation they (Sandra & Janet another missionary neighbor)in fact did discover it was a Brake-in. Nothing appeared missing the house was in order even the broken glass had been cleaned up.
The broken glass was repaired and all was well.

Upon arriving home was when I discovered my MP3 player and home speakers missing from an upstairs bedroom and our bedroom window had been broken but no entry to to room (bedroom door locked) but as reported everything seemed in order. It took a couple of days and putting more of the "puzzle pieces" together and that is when we determined that our car had also been taken but returned at noon the next day, yes this is really weired. This is where the blessing comes into play, you have your home broken into and the thief cleans up the broken glass, and the only thing that was stolen was an MP3 player that was loaded with over 800 christian music artist songs, your car taken then returned (I did have a a small amount of rand/money taken)that was inside the car, but it was returned -wow. God is good He protected our home and property, you may ask how your house was burglarized, car taken (even though it was returned)how was God protecting? My answer is with a question, why was nothing else taken, the car brought back, the mess cleaned up- God blinded there eyes to the other things in the house somehow convicted them to do no more harm and return our car. God put a hedge of protection around "our things". I have not had any anger about this, matter of fact I have an unexplainable peace about it and that is not a me thing... that is a God thing. Just to think the only thing that was actually stolen was full of Christan music (what a witness). Do I want the person or persons responsible to be caught? Yes, the police are doing an investigation but again I have such a peace about this and feel so blessed and am reminded that God does in fact take very very good care of his own children and to Him we give all the honor and glory. WE are truly so very blessed.
By the way the same thing happened just a day or so ago now at our neighbors (Sandra/Janet) no car taken but i-pod missing. Again, God blessed and blinded the eyes of the thief. Thank you Lord.

Will close with a Thank you to all our family/friends and supporters for you prayers, thoughts and concerns. And for helping us be here to minister to the wonderful children and people of Swaziland.
WE love you all God Bless
Don & Diane

The Death of a Swazi child

This is a long blog but necessary to tell the story so please read on.This is a very sad but very common event here in Swaziland. We got word that Muzi had died he was approximately 10 years old, he died of complications from mild cerebral palsy and epilepsy (seizure disorder). But we are comforted to know that Muzi is resting now without the pains of hunger and the agony of living in a twisted little body. What I really want to share is the differences in the events after some one dies here in Africa compared to the states.I had the blessing to help minister to this family these past few days in many ways one in which was to help them pay for and make the funeral arrangements. This is where the big differences come into play. Muzi died at home so the family-the dad in this case had to take little Muzi's body to the mortuary, probably in the back of a bakki (small pick up truck). The next step is for the family to go and make the arrangements. First we arrive at the mortuary a beautiful building in Manzini that compares to one of the kings palaces and so it should, business is good they have an average of eleven(11) bodies per day. The staff are very well dressed and business like well I should say very business like very little to no compassion to or for the family. We were directed place to place, first the show room where they have the different type coffins most of which are made from press board wood with a plastic liner. the family picked the little one in the corner the price was E900 (approx. 110 us dollars)then we were directed to go down the steps to get the invoice and then back up to the cashier which by the way is sitting behind a glass that has a privacy blind covering it, you slide the invoice and money under the glass and after a few moments of silence out pops your change and receipt. The next step was to go back downstairs and wait in a cold non decorated room to be called back to the prep room but since the mortuary was about to close, nearly the end of the business day we were ask to come back tomorrow. Day two we arrived a little past 10am and once again directed the the cold non decorated room to waite for an hour and a half to be called to the prep room. All of this to have the family prepare the body for burial, yes the family does this, undresses the body if applicable, washes the body and dresses the body as this is being done by the family another 5 bodies are present in the room some already in coffins others awaiting family to arrive so they to can do the same as this family. Mortuary staff are coming in and out of the room taking care of other duties, moving bodies around, shuffling empty and occupied coffins, hey business must go on there are many more waiting.After all this and if you have paid the extra fees now it is time for the coffin and body to be taken back to the homestead. This is done after the family and any friends have had prayer and sang a song or two. All this while a mortuary worker stands by eagerly awaiting to move to the next step, this is understandable many more bodies to move get them in get them out never a shortage of bodies. The little coffin is wheeled out side to an awaiting bakki yes a small pickup truck were it is placed in the bed of the truck along with any family members that want to ride and all do there is no other means of transport and it is tradition to ride with the coffin. After arriving at the homestead the little coffin is taken in the house by the one mortuary worker and a family member, the little coffin is placed in the corner on the floor of what we would call a living room this however is an all purpose room, sitting, sleeping and if rainy weather cooking but now it will serve as the holding place before the burial. The family will now conduct a night vigil. Extended family and members of the village/community will come, they will sing, pray and eat the meal little Muzi's family has prepared yes the family of the one who has died prepares the meal and by the way are judged as to how well they have provided for the guests buy what they serve. Just after sunrise the family and few friends will take the coffin by foot to the grave site that is approximately 1 1/2 km away. The shallow hole was dug by hand by a family member, at this point a pastor, family member will say a few words ,more singing and praying now it is time to cover the coffin with the earth in which the coffin and body inside will soon return. The body was not embalmed and the press wood will not last many months. As you can see there is a big difference in the process that families have to go through after the death of a loved one. But before any of us become critical or judgemental we need to remember the western world (USA) is half a world away and the cultures are different, yea life here is more "in your face" but the people endure and somehow find happiness even in the day to day struggles. At times I think they are the lucky ones, life pure and simple. This westerner really got a cultural shock this day but once again God has reminded me why I am here, to help give them hope and hopes name IS JESUS, to God be the glory how blessed we are. Thanks to all of you that help us stay here and minister to the people of Swaziland, bless you all.
Donald/Diane

Small Things

Diane and I had the pleasure of hosting a team of 36 from the USA a couple of weeks ago. Mission of Mercy (a child sponsorship organization) in which Children’s cup is in partnership with was the state side host. I must say this was one of the best teams we have had here in Swaziland. We knew this was going to be a great team to work with when one of the members was creative with a zip lock bag on the four hour bus ride from Johannesburg, (not many chances for public restrooms). Everyone was very eager to minister in whatever way needed. They ministered in so many ways they sang, danced, moved tons of dirt and rock by hand, painted walls of care points, painted faces, created and painted murals, built a soccer field, laughed and yes there were many tears and they just loved on the many children. The one common word I heard during the week was “Small things” this was in reverence of what they were doing during the week – small things. But the cool thing was and is, we all serve a BIG GOD! And He takes even the smallest of things done in His name and makes them really big. Children’s cup’s theme bible verse is Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple. I tell you the truth he will certainly not lose his reward”. Many seeds of faith were planted during the week, many seeds were watered and we know of at least ten souls harvested to the glory of God and to Him we give the honor and thanks. Thank you “MoM team 36”.
We also are staying busy ministering in whatever way God allows. We have been given responsibility of another care point – LudzeLudze, although this has been a feeding site for many months now the building is brand new. This is one of the care points the MoM team worked on. It is located in a small poor village/community, the children have lots of need and we have seen how most all of them are so receptive of the love and hope we try to show and give them (Hopes name is Jesus), they like to play games and all the other stuff kids like to do. At present this care point does not have a formal built area for cooking the daily meal so the volunteer community cooks prepare the meals in the open near the only tree that is close to the care point. We ask that you help us pray for this care point the children and this community.
Another prayer request is for Longcebo an 8 year old little girl we saw during one of the medical clinics that we hold at the care points. Longcebo has a very large heart murmur and needs open heart surgery to correct. Jessie (our missionary nurse) and I have been working with the Swazi and South African government to get all the paperwork necessary so we can take her to South Africa for the life saving surgery. We hope this can take place in the next few weeks. We know God’s hand will be on Longcebo.
Hope you all enjoy the pictures.
As always a BIG Thank you and God bless you all for the prayers and support.
Donald & Diane

Some Pictures

Sewing Classes and other things

In the picture above: Nontobeko Shabango, Nokwethu Lokotfwalco, Sphcsihle Bhembe, Thembi Mncina, and the teacher Dudu Mbetse. These are the young ladies that we are teaching sewing to. They have begun to make projects now, one of which are placemats for them to sell to some of our incoming teams. These girls are really energetic and wanting to learn new things. Pray that we will be able to teach them to sew and then they will have a way to make money once they are too old to come to the CarePoints. We currently have one electric sewing machine and a couple of hand crank ones. For some of you who don’t know what that is…..you have to crank the handle for each stitch you make..it is really tiring and hard to guide the material with only one hand. Some of the profits made from the sales of items they make will go back into replenishing the material and thread to be able to make more projects. Pray for this ministry to the teens.
Yesterday we had a serve day at our CarePoint. It was the last day of school for the children for 3 weeks, but the CarePoints will stay open each day to do the daily feeding. The two teachers and two cooks traded places for the day and we were there to help with the cooking. Pray for our cooks and teachers. The teachers are paid a little but the cooks do this daily as volunteers. It really takes a lot of work to prepare the food. There are 2 large black kettles set into a concrete structure and you build a fire under them and they cook for several hours. The menu yesterday was sugar beans ( almost like pinto beans) and mealie (which looks like cream potatoes but has the consistency of grits). Donald built the fires under the pots and I served the mealie and pintos to each child. We ate with the children and I have to say the Pinto’s were absolutely delicious..although I am not big on the mealie. We had a good day playing with the children. Donald had one child that stayed on his back like riding a horse for quite a long time. I am posting some of the pictures of the children from yesterday. Please keep them in your prayers also..they are so precious. For several months the lower part of the property at our CarePoint has been under construction from the city. They finally finished and filled in the holes so now we were able to plant a garden, everyone chipped in..we planted onions, spinach, beets and lettuce. This will be good to add to the beans and mealie once they are ready.
I have posted a picture of Donald in his official Birthday hat that Children’s cup makes you wear when you are in the office all day ( the guy with him is K.B. who works with the cooks discipleship)..sorry to say the children did not sing to him this year but everyone got a real kick out of the hat..

This month we have started 40 days of prayer. Please remember to pray for these children, their health, their spiritual wellbeing and the ministry that Children’s Cup provides to them each and every day.
Please check out this link.. http://fortydays.childrenscup.org/
God Bless each of you…Love in Christ, Don & Diane

Just a little peek at our week

This month we have started 40 days of prayer. Please remember to pray for these children, their health, their spiritual wellbeing and the ministry that Children’s Cup provides to them each and every day.
Please check out this link.. http://fortydays.childrenscup.org/
Last week we gave a party to the teenagers that danced at the conference that was held in May, I know, it has been a couple of months but they enjoyed it anyway. They are beginning to be asked to dance at various churches in Swaziland. They are very good. We had cake, cheesy poofs and juice. All in all I think they enjoyed it. We also gave them a gift of the green (for the girls) and black and white (for the boys) hoodies. I think they really liked them.
We visited a CarePoint being newly built. We have a Mission of Mercy team coming in a week and a half for which Donald and I will be the missionary host. They will be painting a mural on the inside / outside of this building. Hopefully it will be ready for the children to use… the food is being prepared under the trees at the entrance and the children eat under the trees.
4th picture: Healing Place Church held the first ever HIV/ AIDS testing for anyone in our congregation that would like to know what their status is without going to a “clinic” in the area.. The ones in the picture are Pastor Ben and wife Susan. All in all there were 87 people tested and only 10 were positive. This is great, now they know their status they can start medication which will help with the effects. I will let Donald blog about this..he knows more about it than I do.
All in all…I know God is working here..as the first pictues states ***
Jesus is here..and anything can happen!!!
Thank you all for helping us to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.
We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God Bless each one of you..
Donald & Diane

Swazi Children/ same but different

Looking at the pictures I posted above you would think these are normal everyday children. But as the title states, they are….. but just different. Even though, they are making crazy faces, laughing and singing there are some of these children who are experiencing issues that should only be for adults. These children seem to be able to laugh and play though everything they may be going through in their home life. Most of these children have experienced death at a very early age, they have lost one or both of their parents to the disease that has run rampant thought-out Swaziland. Some of these children only get their meals and comfort by coming to the CarePoint. They are taught about God and his love. It is so cute that they stand at your car see their reflection make faces and watch themselves.
God is Good!!!
That is how they continue to play and be children. Here is a view of what it is like when you walk into a CarePoint .
The children run to meet you and take your hand, rub your arms, touch your hair, look up and smile, giggle and pull you along with them. They will stay around you like you are “candy”, when you sit down they will come and sit on your lap. They will try to talk to you in SiSwati and English. Wanting to be played with, and loved on. This is just a small part of what God has called us to minister here in Swaziland . Thank you all for helping us to continue his work.
This month we have started 40 days of prayer. Please remember to pray for these children, their health, their spiritual wellbeing and the ministry that Children’s Cup provides to them each and every day.
Please check out this link.. http://fortydays.childrenscup.org/
God Bless each of you…Love in Christ, Don & Diane