·
Yesterday IT RAINED ALL DAY!!! First rain we have seen since we moved
here and it is not the rainy season, but we did get 1 ¼ hectare of vegetable
seedlings planted yesterday and the rain fell from the sky … all day. Thank you Jesus.
·
One of our new twins took a bad turn yesterday
and we ended up rushing him to the hospital on Friday afternoon. He is three months old and weighs only five
pounds. By the time we arrived at
the hospital he was unresponsive.
He was admitted with severe dehydration and malnutrition and an acute
intestinal infection. We are
keeping a watchful eye on his twin brother as he struggles to grow and
thrive. We are so thankful for the
ladies at El Roi who are fighting and praying to keep these little ones
alive. Praying for complete
healing and life for our littlest one.
·
We can’t express how thankful we are to have
friends from the International Egg Commission and the American Egg Board with
us this week to see how they can partner with us to help address the issues of
hunger and malnutrition with the orphans and vulnerable children of this
Kingdom. I am especially thankful
for Joanne Ivy and Pam Pierce who went to the hospital with us today with
Ishmael and helped provide for the care that he will receive. Again, praying
for the miracle of life.
·
On a lighter note, yesterday was the first day
that our chickens were allowed out of their cage to walk around the yard. Yesterday was also the first time that
our puppies ever saw chickens. Let’s just say it wasn’t successful for either
species. The chicken lost most of
their tail feathers and the Jack Russell (named “Jack”) felt completely ripped
off when Ian dove for the chickens and grabbed them by the legs to save their
lives. Let’s just say the entire
sight may have been the highlight of my seven years in Swaziland, albeit a
little embarrassing with the Chairman of the International Egg Commission and
the Chairman of the American Egg Board standing on our patio watching.
·
Friday night we tried out our BBQ (or “grill” as
it is called in the “South” or “Braai” as it is called in Swaziland) and our
patio furniture with our dear friends and awesome long term volunteers Jere
& Janet Scott, Frank & Jane Taaunau and Mark & Lisa Hackett. So thankful for each and every one of
them.
·
Only FIVE more days until we get to see Spencer
and Chloe in Georgia!! I miss my
kids so much. I also looking
forward to (but not on the same level as my children of course) a good hair cut
with Missy, Hep A shot with Dr. Paul, Target shopping, dinner with Beth &
Elaine, and a pedicure if I can possibly swing it. Ian also has a dentist and optometrist appointment (this is
all in the ONE day we are in Georgia before driving to FSU in Florida). Thankful that we can do it “all” before driving to Canada to
see my mom, Kim and her kids and Ian’s family.
Okay, that’s it for today. I am heading out
to meet the Chief, the Indvuna and the Forerunner (there are three Chiefdoms
that Project Canaan borders on so this is a Chief we have not met yet) then off
to meet with a family of children living with their Grandmother and struggling
to survive and of course taking hard boiled eggs with our “egg friends” who are
here to serve those in need. We
are thankful.
I hope you all had a good week and that you
find these updates hopeful, not hopeless.
Live from Swaziland, I am determined.
Janine
