Women at a Wedding
These ladies were guests at the tribal wedding of Thokozani and Ngoblie in July of 2008. Their joyous smiles say it all.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Safari
Thursday July 22, 2010
Today was Safari. We took a planned break today to see one of Swaziland’s big game parks, Mkhaya. It was awesome to see the animals up close in their native, yet protected habitat. We were fortunate to be able to see elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, wart hogs too numerous to mention and many other animals native to the area. We had lunch in the park and the main course was wildebeest, and it don’t taste like chicken. I didn’t particularly care for it, but added one more thing to my list of firsts.
Today was Safari. We took a planned break today to see one of Swaziland’s big game parks, Mkhaya. It was awesome to see the animals up close in their native, yet protected habitat. We were fortunate to be able to see elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, wart hogs too numerous to mention and many other animals native to the area. We had lunch in the park and the main course was wildebeest, and it don’t taste like chicken. I didn’t particularly care for it, but added one more thing to my list of firsts.
Shewula
Wednesday July 21, 2010
It never rains in Swaziland during July, but today it poured. We drove to Shewula, which is high in the mountains on the Mozambique border. Kukhany Okusha operates a Neighborhood Care Point there caring for the orphaned and vulnerable children of the area. In contrast to Gigi’s Place which serves urban orphans, Shewula is very remote and distant. It is here where two years ago I wrote of the little girl wearing only one flip flop, for that is all that she possessed.
As we arrived, the rains began and the grassless play yard turned to a gullied mud lot. We went into the shelter with the children and teachers and the children sang to the background of the rain droning on the tin roof. We unloaded the mounds of flip flops, clothing and medical and school supplies. Remembering that two years ago we found no food in the store room at Shewula, we had stopped at the market on our way and had brought lots of fruit, rice, maize and bread as well as other staples. Even though the situation there did not appear quite as dire as it had two years ago, again the pantry was bare. The pastor explained that they had lost sponsorship of World Vision, a major food supplier for them, and really did not know how they were going to be able to sustain services.
Whereas the children of Gigi’s were engaging from the moment we arrived, these children were very timid and it was apparent very few visitors every made it to this remote area. They eventually warmed up to our presence and soon we were all involved playing, singing, making balloon hats and everyone who was shoeless got a new pair of flip flops. Again, many of the children wanted little more than to be held.
I hope I never get desensitized to a scene such as this. These children have absolutely nothing and in some cases nobody. It seems so redundant to set at the keyboard at the end of each day and type the same sad message, but on some level I feel compelled to record each story. For whom I do not know, perhaps for myself, or perhaps to honor those who have allowed me to share in their stories. I look at the pictures of the children, their faces, their eyes. Eyes that do not look away, but hold to you as if glancing away might somehow loose the connection, however brief and it may be.
Prayer:
Hollow eyes
Blank stares
Brown faces
Snotty noses
Rattling chests
Swollen bellies
God have mercy
Amen
It never rains in Swaziland during July, but today it poured. We drove to Shewula, which is high in the mountains on the Mozambique border. Kukhany Okusha operates a Neighborhood Care Point there caring for the orphaned and vulnerable children of the area. In contrast to Gigi’s Place which serves urban orphans, Shewula is very remote and distant. It is here where two years ago I wrote of the little girl wearing only one flip flop, for that is all that she possessed.
As we arrived, the rains began and the grassless play yard turned to a gullied mud lot. We went into the shelter with the children and teachers and the children sang to the background of the rain droning on the tin roof. We unloaded the mounds of flip flops, clothing and medical and school supplies. Remembering that two years ago we found no food in the store room at Shewula, we had stopped at the market on our way and had brought lots of fruit, rice, maize and bread as well as other staples. Even though the situation there did not appear quite as dire as it had two years ago, again the pantry was bare. The pastor explained that they had lost sponsorship of World Vision, a major food supplier for them, and really did not know how they were going to be able to sustain services.
Whereas the children of Gigi’s were engaging from the moment we arrived, these children were very timid and it was apparent very few visitors every made it to this remote area. They eventually warmed up to our presence and soon we were all involved playing, singing, making balloon hats and everyone who was shoeless got a new pair of flip flops. Again, many of the children wanted little more than to be held.
I hope I never get desensitized to a scene such as this. These children have absolutely nothing and in some cases nobody. It seems so redundant to set at the keyboard at the end of each day and type the same sad message, but on some level I feel compelled to record each story. For whom I do not know, perhaps for myself, or perhaps to honor those who have allowed me to share in their stories. I look at the pictures of the children, their faces, their eyes. Eyes that do not look away, but hold to you as if glancing away might somehow loose the connection, however brief and it may be.
Prayer:
Hollow eyes
Blank stares
Brown faces
Snotty noses
Rattling chests
Swollen bellies
God have mercy
Amen
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Braii at Gideon's
Tuesday
Tonight we were treated to a braii at the home of Babe Gideon. A braii is what we would call a cook out or barbeque. Babe Gideon is the Evangelist at Kukhany Ohusha, which as best I can figure is the officer in charge of the business workings of the church.
We arrived at Gideon’s home at about 6:30, which is well after dark. Bear in mind it is mid-winter here. Gideon’s home is high on a mountain side on the outskirts of Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. We were welcomed by the entire extended Dlamini family. Make Lindelwe, Gideon’s wife assured us the cooking was completed, save for the meat and the men were given the task of preparing a fire outside on which the meat would be roasted. There were several men much younger than I, and in the Swazi tradition, they did the work and Gideon and I visited. Soon we were warming ourselves by a roaring fire. The African winter nights are very cool, so the fire served as the outdoor gathering spot. A fire had been laid in the fireplace in the great room of the Dlamini home as well, so guests tended to migrate back and forth, mingling and socializing. The night sky was breath taking and those who knew astronomy commented on the constellations and how they appeared different in the southern hemisphere. As for me, I only knew that there must be a million stars and I couldn’t tell Mars from Uranus. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)
The bo bhuti (the younger boys) began preparing beef, chicken and sausages over the open fire and the Makes began laying out the feast indoors. As the preparations were underway, the Bishop arrived. The Bishop is the highest ranking official in at Kukhany Okusha and though he is in failing health and now completely blind, he still has a commanding presence. On my first visit to Swaziland, four short years ago, I came to know Babe Bishop as a powerful and eloquent speaker and a leader of the church in every sense of the word. It is both sad and shocking to see how his health has failed in such a short time. He has, after nearly 30 years, decided to step down as Bishop, and this Saturday Babe Mkhonta, the pastor of Kukhany Okusha will be consecrated as the new Bishop.
I have often said that Babe Mkhonta is perhaps one of the finest men I have ever known. He cares deeply for the church and has a kindness and caring that is both genuine and heartfelt. I know the transition to a new Bishop will have its challenges, but I can’t help but believe that the church will thrive under the leadership of once so dedicated to his people and their trials, of which there are many here.
After the meat was done, we were treated to a feast. All of the dished were authentic African recipes and it was truly delicious. As is often the case, no utensils were provided and we ate with our hands. My favorite of the dishes was chokolocka, a spicy stew of cabbage, beans, peppers, and other ingredients I can’t remember just now. However, Babe Gideon’s daughter has promised to write the recipe for me and bring it to the consecration on Sunday.
After dinner we all gathered in the living room around the fireplace and sang together. Make Happy, the Bishop’s wife commanded everyone to get on their feet and dance. Soon we were all singing and dancing and clapping and thoughts of orphanages and homeless children seemed far far away, at least for tonight.
Tonight we were treated to a braii at the home of Babe Gideon. A braii is what we would call a cook out or barbeque. Babe Gideon is the Evangelist at Kukhany Ohusha, which as best I can figure is the officer in charge of the business workings of the church.
We arrived at Gideon’s home at about 6:30, which is well after dark. Bear in mind it is mid-winter here. Gideon’s home is high on a mountain side on the outskirts of Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. We were welcomed by the entire extended Dlamini family. Make Lindelwe, Gideon’s wife assured us the cooking was completed, save for the meat and the men were given the task of preparing a fire outside on which the meat would be roasted. There were several men much younger than I, and in the Swazi tradition, they did the work and Gideon and I visited. Soon we were warming ourselves by a roaring fire. The African winter nights are very cool, so the fire served as the outdoor gathering spot. A fire had been laid in the fireplace in the great room of the Dlamini home as well, so guests tended to migrate back and forth, mingling and socializing. The night sky was breath taking and those who knew astronomy commented on the constellations and how they appeared different in the southern hemisphere. As for me, I only knew that there must be a million stars and I couldn’t tell Mars from Uranus. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)
The bo bhuti (the younger boys) began preparing beef, chicken and sausages over the open fire and the Makes began laying out the feast indoors. As the preparations were underway, the Bishop arrived. The Bishop is the highest ranking official in at Kukhany Okusha and though he is in failing health and now completely blind, he still has a commanding presence. On my first visit to Swaziland, four short years ago, I came to know Babe Bishop as a powerful and eloquent speaker and a leader of the church in every sense of the word. It is both sad and shocking to see how his health has failed in such a short time. He has, after nearly 30 years, decided to step down as Bishop, and this Saturday Babe Mkhonta, the pastor of Kukhany Okusha will be consecrated as the new Bishop.
I have often said that Babe Mkhonta is perhaps one of the finest men I have ever known. He cares deeply for the church and has a kindness and caring that is both genuine and heartfelt. I know the transition to a new Bishop will have its challenges, but I can’t help but believe that the church will thrive under the leadership of once so dedicated to his people and their trials, of which there are many here.
After the meat was done, we were treated to a feast. All of the dished were authentic African recipes and it was truly delicious. As is often the case, no utensils were provided and we ate with our hands. My favorite of the dishes was chokolocka, a spicy stew of cabbage, beans, peppers, and other ingredients I can’t remember just now. However, Babe Gideon’s daughter has promised to write the recipe for me and bring it to the consecration on Sunday.
After dinner we all gathered in the living room around the fireplace and sang together. Make Happy, the Bishop’s wife commanded everyone to get on their feet and dance. Soon we were all singing and dancing and clapping and thoughts of orphanages and homeless children seemed far far away, at least for tonight.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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