Katy's Kodak:)

Enjoy some of my favorite pictures so far!

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

Where else can you pet a zebra, have monkeys in your backyard, and teach by candlelight in your socks all on the same day?

Greetings from Tshaneni, Swaziland! Katy and I have been all over the country this week and will continue to travel even more. On Monday alone, we were in all four regions of Swaziland. Monday morning, we left Mbabane and headed to Nhlangano to take the six True Love Waits summer missionaries to their homesteads. We ate at KFC for lunch (yes, Swaziland has a KFC), and I introduced Katy to ice cream here- which tastes like birthday cake for the record. After lunch, Mr. Wayne Myers and Deborah Hoskins took the summer missionaries out to the rural area where they will be staying, and Monica Allen took Katy and me to Simanga’s homestead. As some of you know, Simanga and I have been friends for years and his grandparents have been so special to First Baptist Washington, so it was really good to see them. We spent the afternoon visiting with Simanga and his family and several of the youth from Thunzini Baptist Church came over as well. Make Mkhonta (Simanga’s grandmother) fixed us a traditional Swazi meal before Mr. Wayne came to pick us up.

Yesterday, we went to a high school to set up plans to speak at the morning assembly on Wednesday (this morning). In the afternoon, Mr. Wayne had his weekly TEE class at Mafucula (not to be confused with Macethuka), so he dropped Katy and me off near a school and we spent some time with the local children. We played games with them and taught them a Bible Story. There was not a translator for us, so that added an extra challenge. :) We were also able to have some good conversations with several of the youth from that area. We attracted a lot of attention. Still not too sure why…

This morning, we spoke at Lomahasha High School, which is close to the Mozambique border. There were around 400 students at the morning assembly. I gave my testimony, and Katy shared a brief lesson. We spent a few hours this afternoon driving through Mananga Game Park. We were able to see several giraffe, zebra, warthogs, impala, monkeys, and even saw a jackal. Also, the Mananga Country Club has a zebra (named Mr. Hobbs) that we were able to pet. Tonight, we had a Wednesday night service at Vuvulane Baptist Church. I briefly shared a lesson by candlelight in the homestead where the church meets each week.

We are headed back down to Nhlangano tomorrow and will do several Bible Studies in the surrounding areas over the next two days. On Saturday, we will travel back to Mbabane where we will be for the remainder of our trip. Thanks again for remembering us in your prayers.

Love, Hunter

THIS JUST IN!

HUNTER GOT INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL!!!! It is such a confirmation and celebration of God's faithfulness to provide a way. And there is no better place than where she wants to practice medicine to find out:) Swaziland. Praise.

Rice with a capital R

Since we last talked...we've traveled back and forth between Mbabane(the capital) and Manzini(the commercial capital) so many times! We participated in the National Youth Leaders retreat this weekend. We had so much fun speaking each night and spending time with 40 of the youth leaders from all over the country. Two of Hunter's friends, Simanga and Sandile, came to surprise us on Friday night:) We taught the kids how to play limbo. They LOVED it! It was unreal how good they were at it.We enjoyed worship, speakers, lots of siSwati, games, discussion and what feels like a 10kg bag of rice each!

Today we went to church in Mphembekati(you can pronounce this. just keep trying) which was a five mile walk each way. We hit several large hills on the way so Hunter and I felt the burn! I experienced my first public transport ride. It was...well...interesting. There were probably between 50 and 60 people on the 22 passenger bus. So, it was a little crowded.

We've eaten meat(of various kinds), rice, cabbage salad, rice, butternut, rice, water and rice. Needless to say we are enjoying ourselves so much and are headed for a week of travel. We will be in Thunzini tomorrow visiting Simanga and his family, Tshaneni with the Myers' for 2 days, Sishelweni(that was a shot in the dark for spelling) for 2 days then back here to stay for the rest of the trip! We are looking forward to more Bible studies and visiting homesteads.

Thank you so much for keeping up with us and praying!
In Him,
Katy

Dirt Roads Are Bumpy

It'sTuesday night, and we are finishing our first stint with the Myers and headed to Mbabane (the capital city) to stay with the Allen’s in the morning. We arrived in Tshaneni (cha-nay-knee) on Saturday night and attended Vuvulane Baptist Church on Sunday morning. For those who are Swazi veterans, this is the church where Simphiwe and Douglas serve. This was Katy’s first church service in Swaziland, and she definitely enjoyed it. It was full of amazing singing, adorable Swazi kids and was held at a wonderful homestead.

Most of Monday was a planning day while Mr. Wayne got his bakkie fixed before heading to Mananga College. This is prep high school for privileged Swazi students. We spoke at a Christian club meeting with about 40 boarding students. We introduced them to silly bands, which were received well :), and shared about how to live a life worthy of the calling we’ve received (from Ephesians 4).

This morning Hunter spoke in Mafucula for a Theological Education by Extension class for pastors and church leaders in the area. She shared about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, and then afterward we enjoyed discussion and refreshments. Tonight we went to a new area called Macethuka. (Enjoy pronouncing these on your own and don’t forget the “c” is a click!) Katy taught the adults about David while Mrs. Barbara and Hunter shared a lesson with 40 kids.

The last two nights have been on both ends of the spectrum as we spent last night at a prestigious high school and tonight in a forgotten sugar cane camp. We are looking forward to returning to some of these places next week, for now please be praying for the National Youth Leaders Retreat this weekend. We are so excited to be a part of it in Manzini. Also please pray for our travel tomorrow and as we pick up the summer missionaries. We hope you are enjoying the warm almost June sun…it’s chilly here. :)

In Him,

Hunter and Katy

*Spelling courtesy of Wayne Myers. :)*

Sawubona!

weird beef. no movies. nacho cheese in the rubber eggs and a congealed spice cake.

Well...we're here! After 17 hours on a plane we are officially in South Africa and ready to drive to Swaziland in the morning! The flight was long and our feet are swollen but who really needs shoes that fit? We were glad to have one another on the plane and enjoy numerous naps and lots of laughs.

In the morning we are driving to Mbabane, Swaziland where we will begin our stay with the Allen family and prepare for the Youth Leaders Retreat. We will also have the opportunity to be a part of the orientation for six summer missionaries who will be teaching True Love Waits in the rural communities. Hunter will school us in basic vocabulary (SiSwati) and I will be a part of the training as we both learn about the Swazi culture. We are so incredibly excited to be here and look forward updating you again soon! As for now...stay away from all cheese products on flights.

In Him,
Katy