Celebrity in Swaziland?

Greetings from Mbabane, our home until we head back to the states. We have basically seen the whole country in the last 4 days. Lots of traveling. Lots of people. Lots of games. Lots of fun! On Thursday we traveled to the Shiselweni region (in the southern part of the country). We managed to stop by the Manzini market and pick up some souvenirs.

After that we picked up the three summer missionary girls and several Swazi friends and went to Maloma for a youth Bible study. The whole group played "rugby" which is ultimate frisbee with a soccer ball. Yes, we did try to play defense against the over 6ft tall athletic Swazi youth:) The sunset was beautiful and we had a blast. Friday was full of more traveling to see the three missionary guys, greet several families and teach by flashlight another youth Bible study in Thunzini. We were sad to say bye to several of our friends since we will now be in Mbabane for the remainder of the trip.

Now comes the good part...
Hunter and I tagged along with the guys as they set up an appointment at a school for a presentation. While they were talking with the headmaster, Hunter and I were recruited by a teacher to greet his class. He originally wanted us to teach his class...we kindly turned the offer down and said we would come say hi. He wanted them to hear our english accent to see if they would understand it:) We walked into a class of probably 50 students wide-eyed as if they hadn't seen white people before (many of them probably haven't). We told them we were from America and they went CRAZY! They screamed and shouted and clapped. The students had never met Americans. We asked if they had questions for us and found out all they wanted was to shake our hands...like we were important... so we shook everyone's hand and gave a few a hug. They asked about President Obama and the buildings in America. This happened in two different classrooms. That was a new experience to say the least.

Today we traveled from Nhlangano to Manzini where we spent the morning with Deborah Hoskins, one of the IMB missionaries. Then we were collected(as the Swazi's say) by Steve Allen, one quarter of our host family for the rest of our time here. We scrunched into the Bakkie with several friends and translators and drove to Lesibovu (if you are wondering, it is across the river with no bridge...). Hunter taught the adult/youth Bible study, while Katy taught the children. Since the last time Hunter was there the Bible study has grown into a church and the church is working to build it's own structure. Two of the youth leaders from other areas (Thokozani and Ntombi) have taken initiative to come out each week to lead the children/youth. God has done an amazing work among the people and we enjoyed being a part of it for a day.

Thank you for keeping up with us and remembering us in your prayers.

In Him,
Katy and Hunter