First Blog from Swaziland
How in the world can I put the last week on “paper” for you all to read and understand? It is impossible, of course. If we had daily access to the internet and the ability to download some pictures, it would help!! J But I am going to try to describe what we have been doing, learning, experiencing in a few short (ok, maybe long) paragraphs. I know if I was you I would want to know some details, facts and descriptions of our everyday life, so that is what I’m going to attempt in this blog. I am writing this at home and hope to be able to get to the “internet café” and download it into our blog later.
The actual trip from the ATL airport to JoBurg airport could not have gone more smoothly. When Allison and I were looking at some pictures of us with: 29 suitcases, 9 backpacks, 5 children and various other bags and purses, we could not believe that we did that!! We had luggage carts piled so high that I could barely see over them. And Allison couldn’t see over them!
As we were checking our luggage, it was my job to put each of our family’s 11 checked bags on the scale. I prayed before each one, “God, please let it not be over 50 #’s!!” The fee for a bag over 50# was $175. The first 8 bags, honestly, were 50#’s on the dot. I couldn’t believe it!! Then we had one that was only 42#! Man, I wanted to snatch it back from her and put a few more things in it. Finally, I put one up, praying, praying, and sure enough…..52#. I looked at the girl behind the counter and she looked at me…then I unzipped the suitcase and pulled out a ziploc bag that was right on top, full of liquids that we couldn’t put in our carryon. Guess what? Exactly 50#!! So, stuffing that 2# Ziploc in the last bag I had left, I really started praying that this last bag would be under 50#. I put it up on the scale and it finally stopped at….51#. Oh no! I looked at the lady and she said, “just lightly lift it with your finger”. When it measured exactly 50#, she clicked the button, winked at me and put the bag on the conveyor belt. Thank you God!!
The girls did so great on the flight…sleeping, watching movies, eating the “yummy” airplane food and switching places about 1000 times! We all agreed that it was the best flight to Africa that any of us had ever been experienced.
Each of our bags arrived safely and the girls counted as the grownups loaded them onto carts to push to the bus. Katie had to push one of the carts of luggage…although it was very heavy and she could not see over the top of it, she did an excellent job and we were so proud of her! Kriek was waiting for us in the lobby of the airport and after packing up the bus we headed to the hotel. The dad’s and girls got settled and the mom’s and Kriek ran to McDonalds for some food! After some food, fellowship with Kriek and Mark and Jan Schifano and showers, we all crashed and slept hard for a few hours. Leaving bright and early at 6 am was hard, but so exciting as we drove out of Joburg and into the African countryside. After breakfast at Wimpy’s (where we learned that you must order “chips”, not “fries”), we headed for the border!! Sweet Emma was feeling sick, we think from being a little dehydrated and some motion sickness, but she recovered quickly once we got off the bus and got some water and a little medicine for nausea into her.
The border crossing was tougher than any we have ever experienced. Apparently, it was the day before a holiday and many people were trying to leave at one time. It was very crowded and there were some people who were not happy about the service at the South African check point. But we didn’t have to wait long, thanks to Kriek and Elliott, and soon we were across and to the Swazi check point. Things were much more orderly and calm there, much to Katie’s relief! J
We began to see the mountains of Swaziland and soon we were winding through Mbabane and Ezulwini. Within an hour or so of crossing the border, we were in Manzini at the AIM office.
Our temporary housing is in the same building as the AIM offices. The building is owned by Trans World Radio and is very, very nice. Each family has a furnished, 3 bedroom apartment. The kitchens are stocked with everything we need to cook our meals and they even have washing machines. There is one dryer in the hall to be shared by the 3 families who are living here but there are plenty of clothes lines and clothes pins too! There is also a large, rooftop deck…such a great, safe place for the girls to play. We are on the third floor and have such a beautiful view of the mountains from our windows and the small balcony off our dining room.
Our routine has been to have meals and fun time in the evenings at our “house”, and to have school at the Clyburn’s “house”. The girls have been playing with Lego’s and Polly Pockets, with the occasional game of Scrabble or Monopoly thrown in!
One of the best things about our apartments is the family that is living in the third apartment. The husband, Bobo, is from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. He is the South Eastern director for TransWorld Radio in Africa and travels a lot. His wife Dorcas is from Kenya and has been such a great help, showing us how to find the market, work the alarm systems, and explaining things about living in Manzini. But the very best thing about them living here is their little girls!! Miesha is 6 years old and McKenna is 2. They are so beautiful and were so, so happy to have friends to play with. All 7 little girls run and play among all three apartments, squealing and laughing and sharing their toys. We will miss them so much when we have leave this place.
We have to move out by October 15. Major Prayer Request #1: “Permanent” housing for both families by 10/15. There are three rental agencies in the area and we are working on becoming “known” at each of them so that the agents there will be looking for two houses for us, close together. The neighborhood that we were hoping to find houses in has recently raised their rent considerably. The way things look right now, we cannot afford to live there. But God is big, and if He wants us in that neighborhood, he can work it out, we know.
Steve and Mark spend a lot of time each day looking at vehicles and shopping for the best prices. They are also still trying to find cell phones and figure out the differences in phones that have internet access vs. “regular” cell phones. Major Prayer Request #2: Two affordable vehicles that are big enough to fit everyone, and tough enough to make it out to the carepoints repeatedly.
So, this is a very long blog and not anywhere near all that I wanted to say. Maybe we will have easier internet access soon and I can continue to give you information every day. For now I hope this has given you an idea of what is happening in our lives and where we are. We are happy, healthy and feel very blessed to be here, serving with the other AIM staff and being available to be used by God. Thank you for sending us on your behalf and for praying for us without ceasing! We love you.
