MISSING THE STARS

I've been asked what we would do if we took our kids to Swaziland and they didn't like it. I jokingly said that I'd take them to get their heads examined.

But seriously, one of the main reasons we took our kids to Africa was because we wanted to introduce them to our new home and, hopefully, give them such a wonderful two weeks worth of experiences that they'd fall in love with it, too.

A conversation I had with my six year old tonight is just one of the many things they've said and done that communicate just how much they did like their future home.

The subject of a hotel we ate supper at while in Pigg's Peak came up after tonight's evening meal. Miss M said to me:

"Mommy, I know why the Orion Hotel is called that. Its because it is named after a constellation. Orion, the Hunter. I read about it in NANCY FANCY, STARGAZER. I want to go back to Swaziland so I can see the stars again."

Yes, the stars do shine brighter in Swaziland. And I love that my little girl is missing doing some African star gazing.

PRAYING FOR WISDOM AND DIRECTION

Now that we're back from our big African adventure, we've got a lot to do in preparation for moving there in two years.

Today we ask that you pray for us to have wisdom and direction as we seek God's will for the next step in our journey towards serving in Swaziland. We are considering making a move that would make us a part of a pretty intense ministry here in our area. This idea is something I would never have even considered or wanted four years ago. It is amazing how God changes our hearts and our minds.

Part of being involved with this ministry would entail the selling of our house as this move would not just be a move in priorities and use of our time, but also a physical move.

Your prayers for us as we seek the Lord's perfect and amazing will are greatly appreciated. As soon as we know for sure God's plan about this next step, I'll let y'all know.

Wow. Serving God, at least in my life, definitely is full of crazy twists and turns but blow-my-mind blessings.

HORRIFYING NEWS FROM SWAZILAND

Two weeks ago, we were in Big Bend, Swaziland, exploring our future home, hanging out with preschoolers, getting to know the teachers, and deepening our relationship with Director Di Hampson at the Moriah Centre. Our kids fell in love with their new home and the children that our family will be ministering to.

Today we receive this horrifying email from Di Hampson:

Please pray for the Chauke family.

While swimming in the Usuthu River, [preschooler] Ayanda was taken by a croc. We are not sure of the details yet, but the police divers have been in the river most of the day searching for her body.

[Her mother] Nonhlanhla is one of our teachers. Ayanda was in the Lions class, prreparing to go to Grade 1 next year.

Pleae pray for this family and all those who love Ayanda. I can't even imagine what they are going through right now.

WHAT'S UP?

We've now been back home for a week. Over that time, I've done mountains of laundry, cleaned up after lots of sick kids, tried to get a lot of rest, and edited scores and scores of trip photos.

With time, I promise to share more about the trip, but for now, I'll just share with you a few of my favorite shots from our two weeks in Africa.

Yes, and as fabulous as it looks in these images, it was even more fabulous in real life! Several times through out the trip, we kept saying "can you believe this is our life?" Yes, we are truly, truly blessed.

THREE WEEKS AGO TODAY...

...we were worshipping alongside Swazi brothers and sisters in Christ at a joint Zion church service under a big blue and white tent.



What a blessing and honor it was to be there. I'll be sharing more later about this day in other blog posts, but for now, enjoy the joyful praise.

And as much as I enjoyed watching Eli Manning's team win tonight's Super Bowl, I'd take a Swazi church service over a championship football game any day of the week. Hands down --- or in the case of how they worship at most churches there --- hands up!

A MYRIAD OF REASONS WHY

Over the last few years, I've become more and more convinced that taking or sending your kids on mission trips is one of the best things you can do for them. I've shared in the past about my teenager's mission trips. And two years ago, my husband took two of our kids to Mexico to build a house while they were still pre-teens. But this trip to Swaziland was the first time we'd taken our younger kids with us on a mission trip.

Let me tell you, I'm absolutely 100% sure that taking them was one of the very best decisions we have ever made.

During the trip and in the days since we got back, I've seen over and over again benefits to taking them to Swaziland. I want to start sharing those with you in the hopes that you, too, will decide that you need to take or send your kids on a mission trip. And if you don't have kids of your own or your kids are all grown, maybe it will convince you to support someone else's kids on their own adventures in missions.

Today, as I was lying on the couch resting up because I'm either still getting over jet lag or I'm fighting off the stomach virus that is rampaging thru our family, my 8year old said to me, "I hate HIV/AIDS".

Wow. This is a middle class kid; living in a comfortable home in a safe, rural neighborhood; surrounded by family members, who other than the occasional tummy bug or sinus infection, are exceptionally healthy; saying this.

And why?

Because on our trip to Swaziland, he met and played with children who have HIV/AIDS. Unless a cure is found, these beautiful kids will one day most probably die as a result of their HIV/AIDS positive status.

These kids are no longer just an ancedote that his mother talks about. They are no longer just faces on a computer screen. They are his playmates and companions. He has chased them and been chased by them. He has climbed the monkey bars and splashed in the pool with them. He has laughed and hollered with them. He has even bossed them around. He has tried explaining the idea of a Dr. Who "space time continuim" to them. He has just been a kid with them. Because despite their infection, they are just kids, too.

So why is it good that my eight year old son went on a mission trip to Swaziland?

Because he is learning to hate the things we should hate, those things that hurt and kill the Lord's precious little ones, while at the same time, loving those who are suffering. And hopefully, this hatred of what hurts the innocent ones will one day result in action on his part. Hopefully, he won't grow up just hating what hurts him personally but will grow up wanting to fight against those things that kill, steal, and destroy. Because that's the heart of our Father.

SUZ'S SUPER BOWL VEGETARIAN NACHOS

It is that time of year again --- the time of year when even folks who aren't football fans can be found watching the sport and enjoying an excuse to eat lots of great food at the same time. Yep, its time for the Super Bowl. So for at least today, I'll take a break from "all things Swazi" and do a little Americana.

Last year, I featured some healthy recipe options for munching pleasure during the Super Bowl. I won't do a whole series this year since we just got back from Africa, but I did want to share this winner with you from my Five-in-a-Row pal, Suz:

1 16oz. can vegetarian re-fried beans (if you make your own, even better)
1 16 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jar salsa of your choice
black olives, green onions, jalapenos or chiles, if desired
1 - 2 bags blue corn tortilla chips, depending on size of bag
2 - 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
sour cream, additional salsa, olives, onions, etc. for garnish

Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add in any of the optional veggies, if desired, to your liking. Spray a 9 X 13 or larger baking pan. Put in a layer of chips by the handful (this isn't supposed to look neat and tidy, just taste good.) Spoon veggie/salsa mixture over chips. Top with another layer of chips. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is bubbly, but not brown. (Unless you like it that way, then leave it in until it suits you.) Cut into squares and serve on a plate with a fork and desired garnishes. Serves ??? depending on a.) how many squares you cut, b.) how many other dishes you have to serve, c.) how many discover these things before the rest of the crowd, and d.) how much the outcome of the game is affecting appetites....

You can serve this on salad greens for a type of taco salad, if you want to make it a full meal. We sometimes do. I use the good for you blue tortilla chips, btw, and 2% cheese, and typically skip the canned veggies in favor of homemade beans and salsa. But then I pile on the sour cream to alleviate any guilt my tummy may lay on me later.

Suz
http://www.homeschoolingonthecheap.com/cheapchickblog/

To find more healthy options that also offer winning taste, check out these blog posts from last year:

http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/search/label/Super%20Bowl

WE'RE BACK FROM OUR ADVENTURE!

Just a quick note to let you know that we are back from our Swaziland adventure. We had a great time, God provided and protected, we didn't lose a single piece of our luggage (even though we took 32 pieces), and we didn't lose any of our kids, either!

We were able to visit some amazing ministry sites, spend time with many wonderful people, and really get a better feel for what life will be like for our family when we move to Africa in two years.

Thanks again to all of you who have supported us in various ways during this time. I promise to post more details soon! For now, we're still recovering from jet lag, tummy issues, and trying to fix major computer issues.

FLEXIBILITY IN THE RAIN

Being on the mission field requires a LOT of flexibility

Yep, that means our plans changed.

Due to torrents of rain, the roads were unsafe to travel to the Bheveni Carepoint today. We were able to meet with some of the AIM Staff (including the D-Team ladies) and give them gifts at the office in Manzini. They say THANK YOU!!

We will have to wait and go another day when it is not pouring litres upon litres of water out onto the roads.

Since our day became free, we drove out a bit (on PAVED WET roads) to Swazi Candle and its surrounding shops. Came back to Manzini and went to the newest mall built, The Riverstone Mall, and looked around a bit and exchanged money. Then we stopped by the Spar Grocery and bought some wholesome snacks (panini buns, apples, mini Bonbel cheeses, and salami).

Jim and Anna have espcaped to a nearby, quiet, coffee shop for some introvert re-charge time while the rest of us are at the Donaldsons checking facebook, playing the guitar, taking a nap, adding more photos to our fb album, chatting about the culture,learning to play Mexican Trainwreck, and blogging the second post for today since I have the time and internet access.

Jim and Anna will bring back pizzas from The Rustic Tavern for supper. This is Anna's favorite pizza in the whole wide world. I bought a couple of yummy-smelling, fresh pineapples to slice up as a go-along. In case you are wondering, the food is pretty darn amazing in Swaziland. Okay, you all know me enough to know that most everything is pretty darn amazing to me in Swaziland.

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If you are on facebook, look for our trip albums. I've already got two up!

QUICK NEWS FROM SWAZILAND

We are here in the beautiful mountain kingdom that stole my heart over 20 years ago. We are about to go out for a day of ministering at the Bheveni Carepoint but wanted to give a quick rundown of the news:

*Day of quick sight seeing in Paris offered beautiful views, lots of walking, and no lost children!
*Sunday was spent worshipping at a Zionist Church. We and the Donaldsons were the first white people to ever attend this particular church. It was a true blessing. We were so loved and welcomed. The kids had a great time playing with the Swazi children.
*Yesterday was retrieving a delayed suitcase from the S'land airport and a braai (cookout) with the Donaldsons and many of their Swazi friends. That was a blast!


Today's prayer requests:

*Safety as we drive. It is terribly foggy and super rainy.
*That we'll be able to see a lot of children at the carepoint despite the weather and the fact that today is the last day of school holidays.
*That we'll have wisdom and guidance on how best to use our time at the carepoint today and being sensitive to the most urgent/important needs.
*Emotional energy and times of "vegging" for our family's introverts.
*Clarity from the Lord as we process what we're experiencing and continue to seek His will for our family.
*That we will be a blessing to all we encounter today --- missionaries, kids, Bheveni grannies and mothers, D-Team, etc.

Today and tomorrow will be at the carepoint. On Wednesday night, we will be going over to the McAdams' house. They are missionaries with Adventures in Missions. Thursday morning we will do some things around Manzini before "moving" down to "camp in" at the Moriah Centre in Big Bend.

Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers.
Elysa

TODAY WE LEAVE FOR AFRICA

The day we've long dreamed of and planned for is here.

We are understandably very excited but also have our apprehensions here and there. I know God is leading us, it is just a pretty big deal to go to Africa for two weeks. Wow.

Anyway, our whole family would really appreciate your prayers during this trip but here are some that especially apply for these first few days:

*That we won't forget important things such as passports, money, and kids.
*That we won't lose important things such as passports, money, and kids.
*Traveling mercies as we drive to the airport and then fly first to Paris and then to Africa and then drive on to Manzini, Swaziland.
*Protection in Paris. Alertness as well as peace. I admit it, the idea of taking my small children to a big city that doesn't have English as its first language is a bit freaky to me. But God is bigger!
*Ease of travel for the younger kids. It is the first time for the 4 of them to every fly.
*Pray for my ears. Due to a lot of scarring on my ear drums, I have, in the past, often experienced a lot of discomfort and even extreme pain. When I flew to Thailand, they did great. I pray the same for this trip.
*Rest during our flights.
*All our luggage will arrive safely and we'll be able to fit it in the rental van in Johannesburg.
*Ease going thru customs and the border crossing into Swaziland.
*That we'll be a blessing to all we encounter. A family our size traveling together will have plenty of questions asked and will have many opportunities to share what we're doing and WHO we're doing it for. I want us to be a light for God even before we land in Africa.
*Unity and love reigning in our family.
*That we'll hear from God and sense His calling and guidance every step.
*Protection for our house, animals, and those who are staying behind and taking care of our farm and other responsibilities while we are gone.

Thanks so much and hopefully, the next time you hear from me, I'll already have wonderful things to report.

ON THE EVE OF THE SWAZI TRIP...

...I am feeling so so many mixed emotions. Mostly good, as this smile attests, but also other feelings.

I've worked hard today, along with the kids and Jim, on getting packed up and ready to go and through out the day, there have been a fair share of ups and downs, good things and not so good.

I'm excited, obviously. Everyone around me and those who are friends with me on facebook know I've been counting down the weeks and days til we depart for quite a while now. I'll probably be skipping down the concourse at the airport in Johannesburg. Either that, or doing my own rendition of a traditional African dance.

I am feeling so incredibly blessed and honored. This is truly a dream come true to go with my husband and all our beautiful children to Swaziland. God has given me such an incredible trip and has used so many precious people to make this trip possible.

I am also feeling a bit anxious. Will we forget important items? Why can't I find the missing extra memory card for the camera? How will the kids handle flying? Will we lose anyone in Paris? YIKES! That just reminds me, I've still got to make little i.d. cards for them to have with them with our cell phone number in case they do get separated from us!

Okay, so now I'm actually feeling more than a bit anxious.

I'm also feeling sad for my 8 year old. He just won't accept the fact that he can't take his stuffed Big Dog on the airplane. There is a reason he is called BIG Dog. He's got several other stuffed animals, but he's fixating on this one. Pray for him to not let his put a mar on the start of his trip and he'll wake up at peace with our decision and ready to pick another animal friend. It hurts my mommy heart that I can't just make him be okay with the situation and move on. I hate seeing him so deeply upset.


And then I'm back to the anxious part. We received so many great donations from people. But when it came time to pack it all up, we just couldn't fit it all. As it is, we are taking 14 checked pieces of luggage and 18 carry-on pieces of luggage. I know we could have technically had 18 checked bags, but we have got to be able to transport the luggage from the Johannesburg Airport to Swaziland. The van that we are renting is bigger than a mini-van but smaller than the 15 passenger van that we drive and which will transport all our stuff to the airport tomorrow. So I'm feeling not great about the situation. We did pack everything that was requested or sent for specific people. We are leaving behind duplicates and items that weren't requested but would have been nice to take. All of these items will still be used for ministry eventually, but it still just makes me sad to not be able to take it all. Yet, I'm fearful of what will happen when we land in Johannesburg. In the past, our teams have always been met by a van and trailer sent over by missionaries in Swaziland. The trailer ensured plenty of room for luggage. But because we are going over as a family and need to have our own transportation to use the whole time we're there in Africa, we won't have a trailer for copious amounts of luggage. I know that this kind of fear is not from God. I have prayed that I used wisdom and packed the right amount. So pray that God will work it out and pray that I won't allow the worry to rob me of the joy of this journey. My sweet husband said that even if he had to rent another van, he'd make it happen. I am blessed. If my husband would go to such great lengths, I know my God would and will.

If the Red Sea, Jericho's Walls, and a giant named Goliath were no big deal for Him, then I know with my head that a bunch of luggage filled with socks for orphans, clothes for hardworking grannies, school supplies for kids who are living in extreme poverty, and little toys and goodies to bring joy to little ones and the big ones who serve them, is absolutely something God can provide for. Now pray that I'll let that sink deep into my spirit.

If I'm going to effectively serve Him on the mission field for the rest of my life, then I have GOT to learn to trust Him with childlike faith.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. He is using them mightily. I guarantee that and I look forward to sharing the stories of how He works once we get back or even, perhaps, some from Africa.

Til then, as the Swazis say, sala kahle (stay well)!

IF WE SURVIVE PACKING FOR OUR TRIP...

...we can survive anything!

WOW! I've packed our big family for a lot of trips in the past, after all, none of our relatives live nearby so any family get-together almost always requires some packing and preparing. Heck, one time we even took six of the kids all the way out west as far as Nevada via lots of stops along the way.

But none of that compares to preparing for a two week stay in Africa plus the added travel days on both ends. I'm thinking that a whole lot of opportunities for repentance and forgiveness and growth is going to be happening...and that's before we even pull out of the driveway on Thursday!

So y'all keep on praying for us. I've got almost all the people packed so tomorrow I hit full-force the beautiful piles of donations that are going to bless so many in Swaziland. Pray that we use good organization skills, that we show patience and grace to each other, that good attitudes and work ethics prevail, and that we remember who we are doing all of this for and that our God is worth it. Obeying Him, serving Him, taking His message of love and hope to His precious ones in Swaziland is absolutely worth it all.

And introducing my kids to Swaziland and watching them discover the life that God has planned for us there is going to just be amazing icing on the proverbial cake.

For now, I'll share another day from last year's trip when I had the blessing of introducing Jim to Swaziland and my Swazi friends:

Friday, October 3, 2010

Today was spent meeting up with old friends in Mbabane.

The first friend was Josiah Matsebula. Josiah was one of the youth in the SWAT group I helped lead in the 1980's at Mbabane Int'l Baptist Church. Josiah is married to Goodness. They have two boys. She is a teacher's assistant at a primary school near Checkers and he is a Baptist pastor who also does carpentry and rabbit raising. We met him at the main Mbabane post office and then road with us to the Mbabane Clinic.

The Mbabane Clinic is a very modern, clean hospital and there we visited James Dlamini. James was the gardener for Patsy and Roy Davidson way back when while Josiah worked for Anda Littleford. James is now an accountant at the TIMES OF SWAZILAND but is presently on medical leave. He has extremely high blood pressure and has diabetes. He has been hospitalized and went blind a month and a half ago due to the health issues. James looked very much the same, just a bit older with whiskers. His mother was with him at the hospital. He was very surprised to have me visit and we spent some time catching up on news. We also sang "It Is Well With My Soul" with him and prayed over him. James is very concerned about what whill happen to him if he dies.

After we left teh Clinic, we stopped by the school where Josiah's wife works. We were unable to see her because she was in a meeting. But Josiah showed us some carpentry work he had done and then we left.

The next stop was The Mall. There we met briefly James' wife. She is a cashier at Pick-n-Pay.

We then went into the AFRICAN FANTASY shop. This is where they sell the darling African and Swazi themed cartoon items such as "Two Wild African Cats". I bought a "Children of Africa" poster and a Swaziland homestead t-shirt among other things. Jim bought a hat to keep the hot, African sun off of his head.

I have a lot more to type about this day but to be honest, my fingers and arms are really hurting and I need to stop. Tomorrow is going to be here all too soon and with it a lot of effort --- mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Pray!

JUST TWO DAYS LEFT!!!

Crazy amazing but we've just got two full days and a few hours left to prepare and pack for our Swaziland trip.

It has been so fun to see how God is bringing in the needed provision. All of the items but two things on the "wishlist" have been provided. And to be honest, one of those things has been searched for high and low to no avail. Who knew Jiffy, white, frosting mix could be so elusive?

So as of now, the only things left on the list are:

*The a fore mentioned frosting mix (that apparently Amazon.com carries but they seem to be the only ones)

*A laptop computer battery for a house parent at a children's home.

Speaking of that children's home, here's an account from last year's trip journal which tells about our visit to that same ministry.

Thursday, 9/30/10

We spent three hours at Hwane Farm and Teen Challenge touring it, meeting staff, and talking with Timothy Makhanya.

He was very, very helpful, gracious, and informative. He confirmed the great need for more ministry and help in [the area of Swaziland that we believe God is calling us to live and serve]. Wow!

We then went to the coffee shop at Ngwenya Glass for lunch. It was very, very good food. The chocolate cake was especially great.

We then toured the glass-blowing factory, wandered thru the shops, and visited with many of the clerks and craftspeople. We especially had a good chat with the owner of a wooden toy shop (The Rocking Horse Company) who also owns the Chocolate Studio.

We left and drove just a it thru Mbabane before heading back to Manzini.

The Brittens, missionaries who have been in Swaziland and South Africa since 1967, joined us for a taco/burrito supper.

They shared with us how God led them to Africa and told us about the work of the Zion Bible College and gave their insight on many issues related to life in Swaziland and ministry.

After everyone went to bed, I spent some time online, especially messaging back and forth with David, Betsie, and Anna. It is nice to know that they want us back home.

Hopefully, the next time we are in Africa, it will be with them.

And how cool that this is coming true. God is taking them back with us this time. What an amazing, amazing blessing.

A couple of prayer requests before I sign off for the night.

Please pray for my full healing. I'm still feeling weak and headachey from the stomach virus that hit yesterday. Pray that no one else will get it!

Pray for us as we organize and pack all the donated items as well as our personal items. Getting nine people plus a wonderful amount of ministry supplies ready is a big task but I know God will give us what we need to get it done! Pray that we'll have wisdom to know the best way to do it and that all the things that need to get down between now and Thursday morning will happen with grace and perfect timing.

And most of all, pray that God is opening our ears to hear and our hearts to receive all that He wants to tell us and show us. I want even our pre-trip days to glorify Him and be used for His glory and our good.

Til tomorrow, as the Swazis would say, sala kahle (stay well)!
Elysa Thandeka

PLEASE BE PRAYING...

...as we prepare to leave for Africa in just over three days and a tummy bug is going thru our family. The hunky hubby and the teenaged sons had it about a week ago. Then when no got it for several days, I thought the rest were going to remained unscathed. Well, I was wrong and came down with it today.

Please pray for us. We all need protection and healing in these days leading up to Swaziland.

Thanks and hope to post more about our trip and preparations tomorrow.

In the meantime, here is a tourism video that tells a good deal about the culture and shows just how beautiful Swaziland can be. Of course, it doesn't even mention the majority of people that are struggling to survive, the high HIV/AIDS rate, and the large number of orphans. I do enjoy the lovely side of Swaziland but I go because He calls. He calls to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the orphans and widows in their distress. I go because He has honored our family with participating in His loving, saving plans for this nation.