daily life in Swazi

Most of the emails I get are asking what an average day is like here in Swaziland Africa…

It is different that the States of course, but people are the same everywhere…people are working to survive…

Most mornings I am awakening by the gate bell being rung over and over….it is usually a man or a woman looking for work. We have gotten used to dogs barking all night.
  Gary is still up at 6:30am reading the word and praying with our children.
  Then we drive them or walk with them all of 5 minutes to their school.
  It is a home-school program where they can take advantage of a teacher, instruction, and play sports.
  They are flexible to go to school or work from home or the car when they go to minister with us…so it is perfect!
 The King of Swaziland has 5 children that attend school there, so there are guards on watch all the time.
  They are safer there than in the States I feel.
  Caleb is going to a birthday party for one of the “Prince’s” this week.
  What in the world do you buy a Prince for his 11^th birthday…that is different!

Today, after walking Noah into pre-school, many thoughts racing through my head, I climbed up into the van to leave.
  Only the steering wheel was not there.
  Embarrassed, and hoping no-one was looking, I got back out and walked over to the RIGHT side and slipped behind the steering wheel.
  I laughed out loud at myself; after all I have been driving on the left-side for 20 years now.

.
  The city where we live is small, and during the day perfectly safe.
  I am not afraid here, I feel at home.
  I wear my diamond wedding ring, and carry a purse where I keep 7 dollars in US currency next to my Swazi money.
  I miss America but, I absolutely love the Swazi people, they are a truly beautiful and I would be happy to live among them the rest of my life.
  They are soft-spoken and sweet; most of the men here are not lust-full like other places I have visited.
  I grocery shop at a real grocery store, although ALL the brands are new to me.
  I miss Sara Lee honey-turkey breast, but I love the freshness and creaminess of the milk and yogurt.
  I love the markets, and the bartering, although I am not very good at it, Gary is the genius at bartering.
  We have one borrowed van, so transportation is constant frustration.
  We have a lovely home, but only beds, no furniture yet.
  Even though I have 2 or 3 of everything in storage in Colorado.

I miss Super- Target; I miss my family and friends.
  What I miss the most is plugging in my I-pod and going for a run in the sun, it has been a main source of sanity since I was 13, but it is not a smart option here.
  I was so desperate one day I ran around the parameter of my yard.
  Crazy, white, American woman, running in a big circle, but I did not care.
 

The mountains look so much like Colorado; sometimes I forget where I am. Only it is much greener here.
  I would describe it as, Aspen meets the Caribbean…breath-taking.
  Gary preaches on the week-end, usually at a rural church…those are my favorite, I absolutely love those Sundays.
  During the week we meet with locals, business men, community leaders and other brother’s and sisters that love Swaziland.
  The care-points are the best, I adore these little ones.
  I always leave feeling like it was not enough.
  During the night when I check on my own children and make sure they are covered and safe, I always pray for the babies that have no one checking on them, I will never get used to that.

Gary
is focused on the Leadership school.
  I am still focused mainly on my six children and my man, although I am getting dreams and visions I cannot yet express.
  Sometimes I get so excited about what the Lord is showing me; I cannot sleep and end-up writing until two in the morning.
  I feel good here, I feel rested and peaceful and full of hope and anticipation.
  This works for our family because we were called to this place.
  I do not think moving to a foreign country is for everyone, but is defiantly agrees with us.