12 Days of Swazi Christmas- Day 3

On the third day of Christmas my the Good Lord bring to Swazi: Three Amazing Children's Ministries, Two Defeated Diseases and One Godly King.

Those of you who know Dez and I, know that we are very pragmatic. We see need no need to reinvent the wheel or step on top/over what someone else is doing. We are collaborators and networkers. There are many wonderful ministries serving children in Swaziland. Here are three of our favorite that we have worked with in the past and hope to serve in a greater way in the future.

Children's Cup: Click the link to see more

Sandra Lee Centre: Click the link to see more

Teen Challenge Swaziland: Click the link to see more

Please pray for these ministries and their staff.

12 Days of Swazi Christmas- Day 2

On the second day of Christmas may the Good Lord bring to Swazi: Two Defeated Diseases and One Godly King

Swaziland not only has the world's highest HIV prevalence rate, it also has the highest tuberculosis (TB) rate.

HIV and TB (from WHO website)

HIV and TB form a lethal combination, each speeding the other's progress. HIV weakens the immune system. Someone who is HIV-positive and infected with TB bacilli is many times more likely to become sick with TB than someone infected with TB bacilli who is HIV-negative. TB is a leading cause of death among people who are HIV-positive. In Africa, HIV is the single most important factor contributing to the increase in the incidence of TB since 1990.

For More Click Here:

HIV and TB in Swaziland

12 Days of Swazi Christmas- Day 1

On the first day of Christmas may the good Lord bring to Swazi - One Godly King.

1. Pray the king have an "authentic" encounter with the King of Kings
2. Pray that any unrighteous voices would be removed from the Kings ears. That he would surround by righteous council.
3. Pray for wisdom! None of us could imagine the weight of leading a dying nation. Not to mention navigating the cultural complexities of the Swazi people.

Click here for more:

About the King

Capes and Stretchy Pants

This may come as a surprise to some of you, but you must know the truth . I AM NOT a super hero! I know, with the impressive physic and dashing good looks (laughter intended), you would automatically assume as much. As shocking as this must be, I assure you I do not own a cape or stretchy pants. In fact, there is pretty much nothing about me that is super or heroic. I'm just a normal guy who has good days and tough days. I hope that doesn't disappoint you too much.

Missionaries have always been my heroes. I could tell you about one in particular who made such an impression on me when I was a kid, but he says it makes him feel old when I tell that story so I'll refrain. Nonetheless, the process of becoming a missionary has really humanized and demystified the role for me. When I was appointed they gave me a super big Bible but no cape or stretchy pants. I'm not sure what I expected, but not much has changed.

My bad days come with a different set of worries but they still come. I struggle with things like- What are we going to do for a house when we come home if we sell ours? What about cars, if we sell ours? If we get rid of all our stuff, what do we do then? Will everyone who makes a pledge meet the commitment? What can I do if a couple of my large pledges don't come in or several of our smaller pledges? Every pledge every month is the difference for us. Will people forget about us, like out of sight out of mind? Will people quit on us?

So I know how many of you will respond to these questions. I certainly know how unreasonable they are. God has provided for us in unbelievable ways and people have been so generous. It is just that my emotions are not bullet proof. I'm not even interested in owning a cape, but I will own up to fears. I have to admit considering my emerging love of good food I also wouldn't mind having pair of stretchy pants.

RF

traveling here, traveling there

Well, it's been a while since I have posted anything. It's been quite a month. We have been able to see both sides of our family, we have had services in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Texas, Texas, Texas, Arkansas....LOTS of driving has taken place. All 6 of us go on the weekends, but since Hudson is in school, the kids and I generally stay home on Wednesday nights. There was one weekend when the babies and I had to stay home due to sickness. Since then, well, there's been more sickness. I think it's safe to say that I may indeed have children prone to ear infections. Praying they outgrow them quickly. Sleepless nights are making me cranky. I mean, sleepless nights are making them cranky. It's possible that we are all cranky. Ok, well, that isn't fair. Randy isn't really all that cranky.

Back to itineration. Honest to goodness, I cannot begin to say how good God is. Words seem so unable to express the magnitude of how great He is, and how beautiful His people are. Everywhere that we go we are amazed at how generous the family of God is. In church after church, we watch as the people we meet become genuinely excited about changing the statistics in the nation of Swaziland. The way that they commit both in prayer and in financial support to cover us as we go has been both inspiring and humbling. We are grateful for the opportunity that God has blessed us with, and we are thankful for the beautiful people that he has surrounded us with as a covering.

Traveling has presented its challenges. First, there's the packing. There are 6 of us...and one mini van. Then there's the driving. Ella does not love to be in her car seat. We thought turning her around....I know, I know, now days they tell us not to turn babies around in a forward facing car seat until they are like 7 years old, but those people have never driven a mile in my mini van! Ella faces forward.....so she can see us....and more importantly, so she can eat! We have found that food helps us to get a few more miles out of her. Then there's the potty training. We are pretty certain that Griffin has such good control of his bladder that he chooses only to use the restroom when he sees places he wants to visit and when he is ready to get out of the car. Hudson and Olivia are great travelers. They should earn an award or something. I am a pretty good traveler, too. But Randy, he likes to keep the car too cold... Going to different churches every Sunday seems to be getting easier and easier. Even though Griffin informs us every time we are on our way to church that he is NOT going to class....he does eventually end up there...one way or another. Ella loves nurseries...as long as there's gold fish to snack on and toys to play with. Olivia has fully embraced her role as the missionary kid and would be more than happy to speak at any children's church, children's convention, children's conference, or children's retreat that any of you may need a speaker for. She is not shy, she has a great speaking voice, and she heard Randy talk about Swaziland once in a service, so she has all the information she needs. Hudson continues to play his guitar and sing the song he and a friend wrote at missionary training. I continue to cry almost every time he sings it. And Randy continues to cry every time he talks about Swaziland. All in all, I think we are doing alright.

Thanks for your prayers and support. We pray blessings over you daily.

Always the Good Time....

Well, the last couple of weeks have been good. It's been nice having Randy home from Africa. But the trip definitely made us even more eager to get there and do what we know God has laid on our heart to do.

The itineration trail continues. Last Sunday we were in Buffalo, TX, with Pastor McAdams. We decided since it was less than 3 hours for us to drive down to Buffalo, that we would just drive in on Sunday morning. Dezra's new rule is, unless it's over 3 hours...we are not staying in a hotel! The sleepless nights that hotels provide are just not worth it. Well, unless we have to be at the church at like 6 am or something....then it would be worth it. But otherwise, I'm letting Griffin and Ella sleep in their own beds whenever possible! While I'm discussing itineration rules, Griffin is no longer allowed to drink a 24 oz. lemonade while traveling. This brings me to this last weekend's trip. It was suppose to be 4 hours and 10 minutes according to Mapquest. It took us 6 hours and 15 minutes. Griffin had to stop and use the restroom 6 times. Thanks to the afore mentioned 24 oz. lemonade. Sometime I'll have to post the official "Itineration Rules"...for now I will move on.

So this last weekend we were in Skiatook, OK with Pastor's Vince and Jenny Boone. We enjoyed this weekend a lot because we have been friends with the Boones since college. It was a lot of fun to catch up and laugh over old times. The weekend went too quickly...but we crammed a lot into it! We went to dinner Saturday night and talked and laughed as long as Ella was willing to sit in her highchair. Then we decided to take our party next door to Chick-fil-A, so the kids could play and we could eat ice cream. This is where things took an embarrassing turn. As I looked into the play area I could see a complete stranger taking care of Ella. I went in to see what was going on...being the good mother that I am and all. Sure, some might say my 11 month old didn't have any business being in there, but after riding in the car for over 6 hours, she was not going to sit in a highchair any longer. Not at the restaurant, not at Chick-fil-A, not anywhere. She wanted in the play area, and she wanted to climb up the slide. Even if 10 year olds were flying down the slide and plowing into her....that's where she wanted to be. Besides, she had 3 older siblings in there that could take care of her, right? So why is this non-related, 10 year old girl taking care of Ella? This question was quickly answered by none other than.... Olivia. Apparently, she had told the girl she would pay her if she would babysit. NICE! The girl looked at me a little confused by Olivia's proposition, but insisted she really liked babies, so it was alright. So awkward. I could feel the disapproval of the girl's family. But what was I to do? Ella wanted to be in the play area......and I didn't. Do not judge me. I could see them, we were sitting right by the window, and well, Olivia had made a deal. Anyway.....Sunday was great. The Boones have a wonderful church and it was a pleasure to be there. We are so happy for them and the place where God has put them. As an added bonus, that afternoon Jenny took our pictures! She is a wonderful photographer! Ella did not want to take pictures either, by the way.... The trip home was much less eventful. We kept Griffin's drinking to a minimum, and we traveled during prime Ella napping hours. As always, God is good, and we are blessed. Please keep the prayers coming. We are ready to be in Swaziland!!!

Busy Busy Busy

Well, this weekend Randy got home from Swaziland. We picked him up at the airport on Saturday morning. It is sooooo good to have him back home! Plus, he brought me the South African chocolates that I requested! He can keep his wooden bowls, candles, and glass animals....I need chocolate!!! And fortunately, he indulges me on this one. :) We stopped and had breakfast at Mimi's on our way home from the airport. I'm not sure what we are going to do without Mimi's in Swaziland. :( I've got to figure out the secret to their pancakes!!! After breakfast, we went to Hudson's guitar recital. The recital went well, I was extremely nervous. I realize I shouldn't make Hudson's guitar recital about me, but he asked me to sing his song with him, and so suddenly, his recital made me even more nervous than ususal. I didn't want to mess him up! He did fantastic, and I didn't faint...that's all that matters. Recitals are always tricky. We never know what the little ones are going to blurt out while the room is quietly listening to mostly beginner talent. There are times we wish Griffin didn't speak quite so well. And there are also times when we wish Olivia spoke in a softer, less audible tone. It could have been worse....like the last recital. I'll move on....

We were so honored this past Sunday to be with Pastor Charlie Tuttle in McKinney, TX. We had such a beautiful time there at Family Worship Center. Pastor Charlie, his wife Sherri, and their precious children are such a wonderful example of strength, courage, and faith. Pastor Charlie has been a dear friend to Randy throughout our time as pastors of Life Fellowship. I know that Randy values his friendship immensley. It was so good to be in service with them and their wonderful people. And their new facility....GORGEOUS! I'm so happy for them that they are getting to enjoy the fruit of all their hard work. It is stunning!

Our day didn't end there! :) After lunch with the Tuttles, we were off to Cleburne, TX. to be at Bethel Assembly of God, for their Mission's Banquet. Pastor Mizell was so very generous in having us come and share our heart for Swaziland. We enjoyed our time there getting to know the people of his congregation. We could see how important missions is to the people there as they one by one would come up to us and share their own hearts for this world. It really was great to see how a church can get so excited about reaching those who do not know Christ.

This week has been a busy one. Randy's playing catch up from being in Africa for 2 weeks, and as usual, I'm the family chauffer. I've joked before that I need a nanny, but I think an extra driver to get my kids to and fro would suffice.

We continue to be blessed each and every day on this journey. God has provided in so many ways that it is sometimes difficult to keep up with it all! We certaily stand in awe of His ability to provide. God is so good! Please keep us in your prayers and know that we are well on our way to Swaziland! We can't wait to get there! :)