Swaziland---The-Final-Frontier

monday ~ 4 April 2011

The Morning Message

Since my first journey to Swaziland in 2001 I've been recording 20 min. devotionals for: "THE MORNING MESSAGE" heard throughout the whole country of Swaziland on National Swazi Radio at 8:00 am. It was one of many doors opened for me by my dear friend, Pastor Cliff Vincent. He was the one that invited me to be

involved with his ministry here in

the Kingdom of Swaziland. We've

been friends for more years than

I can remember. As you can see

he is a bit taller than me.

The Morning Message is pro-

duced by my good friend, Lucky

Dlamini. Today I recorded 6 - 20

minute messages.

You know where to look for more detailed information about this and other sensitive subjects during this journey!

monday ~ 28 March 2011

The studios located at the Christian Media Centre have been the home of many media companies. They come and go so quickly the building should have revolving doors. The good news is: PEI has had the opportunity to be a part of radio and television for years as these folks come and go. E Magazine is a DVD that is distributed to a variety of folks monthly who play it for their patrons. Buses, shopping malls, waiting rooms etc. Each month is features some entertainment, interviews etc.

Last year Pastor Brett was interviewed and shared his music. Today, I recorded a brief presentation of the gospel, a song and an invitation to know Jesus as their Savior. I ex-plained how to become a Christian and even prayed a sample prayer for salvation. What a great opportunity to be able to reach people I may never meet. I know GOD is going to use that program on E Magazine to reach many for Christ. One more door that GOD has opened for ministry in Swaziland.

SWAZILAND

"The Final Frontier"

SWAZILAND KENYA 1 KENYA 2 KENYA 3 KENYA 4 KENYA 5 KENYA 6 KENYA 7 SWAZILAND

SWAZILAND KENYA 1 KENYA 2 KENYA 3 KENYA 4 KENYA 5 KENYA 6 KENYA 7 SWAZILAND

Evangelizing Always ~ Reaching, Teaching, Helping

SWAZILAND KENYA 1 KENYA 2 KENYA 3 KENYA 4 KENYA 5 KENYA 6 KENYA 7 SWAZILAND

SWAZILAND KENYA 1 KENYA 2 KENYA 3 KENYA 4 KENYA 5 KENYA 6 KENYA 7 SWAZILAND

what's happening today

Evangelizing Always ~ Reaching, Teaching, Helping

PERSONAL BLOG

SWAZILAND - "The Final Frontier" 22 March - 11 April

22 March ~ 11 April ~ 2011

Welcome to:

tuesday ~ 22 March 2011 Manzini ~ Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland is so beautiful. The contrast between the blue skies, billows of fluffy white clouds and green grass takes my breath away. Now with summer ending and fall coming the green grass is fading to shades of brown.

My journey from South Africa was great. My driver (Simon) is really good! We made the trip in record time thanks to a very quiet time at the border. There was no line.!

Just after we crossed the border I sent text messages to everyone in my Swazi phone list letting them know I was back. Within a few minutes text messages were coming in saying "Welcome Home!" It was nice. One pastor sent me a text asking me to speak at the Full-Gospel Buninessmen's Fellowship tonight. Even though I was tired, unshaven, and ready to rest I said yes!.

Hitting the ground running in Swaziland

With less than a month in the Kingdom there's no time to waste!

Tonight I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the Full Gospel Buninessmen's Fellowship at Tums George Conference Centre in Manzini. What a pleasure it was to have the opportunity to meet and encourage these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I spoke for about 30 minutes on: "Evangelism as a Lifestyle." Sharing our faith in everyday life. I explained that we must slow down and take every opportunity to acknowledge people with a smile or a hello. This is the beginning of a chance to share the love of Christ with someone.

My home away from Home!

Every time I travel I GOD has a special place for me. I am very grateful for the wonderful place I have to stay in Swaziland. It's clean, safe, and perfect for me. Most of all - it's where GOD has chosen for me to live.

Though it is quite small it is "cozy" and I like that. I have all I need and more. A place to cook, a private bath, a place to do my work and a comforable bed to sleep in. Even a new air conditioner! I am so blessed!

Thank you GOD!

~ Gallery ~

~ Gallery ~

wednesday ~ 23 March 2011

My first full day in the KINGDOM!

It's good to be "HOME" again. My first "full" day here is always a little crazy. Lots of contacts to make, errands to run, picking up the car, phone calls to make . . . My day began by walking downtown to see "the guys" (the "brothers" I encourage who are street vendors). While I visited with one, another spend time fixing my shoes that were falling apart. In a few minutes they were in good shape and I was on my way to the airport to pick up my car from AVIS. They have decided to sponsor the car for this part of the journey! I am thankful for that

They have sponsored the car

to honor my dear friend who.

AVIS Cares!

My HYUNDAI i20 sponsored in memory of Bongie Tsabedze, long time employee of AVIS.

faithfully served AVIS in Swaziland for many years. We all miss Bongie. She was a great blessing to all of us.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Fika today as he came with me to do many of the errands that happen on my first day. We had a nice time together. I stopped in for a visit with his family when I dropped him off. Your prayers are making things happen! Thank you for you faithfulness. Keep praying. As you can see, Fika has changed since age 13

thursday ~ 24 March 2011

Another Hallelujah!

There is no lack of opportunities for ministry. It gets a bit crazy at times. Especially toward the end of the journey. People keep telling me to rest but, I didn't come all the way to Africa to rest. I came here to encourage the body of Christ and to share the "Good News"! Today I did just that! It was great to share an evening with with these dear brothers and sisters in a small town about one hour from Manzini. I could tell they were happy

about the challenge! Another HALLELUJAH!

Ever feel like this monkey? You keep trying

to break out of the old routine but, try as you

might you just hit your head against the wall

and bounce right back into the same ole'

same ole'. TIme to take a break and pray for

"breakthrough". GOD's plan is to move you

out of the bubble and into the world!

friday ~ 25 March 2011

"The" Lucky Dlamini

In the USA "Smith" or "Jones" tops the list of popular names in what once was the telephone directory. In Lancaster County maybe "Martin" or "Weaver". But, in Swaziland, hands down ~ "Dlamini" heads the list. I can't imagine how many "Lucky Dlamini's" there might be but there is now question that this is "The" famous Lucky Dlamini from the popular radio program of so many years - "Be The Best You Can Be." Though re-cently the microphone was turned over to two young people as the hosts of the show ~ Lucky Dlamini is still the man behind the controls and produces the show! I've been a guest on BTBYCB many times over the years.

Lucky is a multi-talented man after God's own heart. He has produced more programs for radio and CD's for Christian artists than I can possibly count. He was with me in the USA several years ago and he is a great friend and brother in Christ. I was with him today.

Tomorrow I will tell you about an up-and-coming new

Lucky is producing a new CD for. PEI has made a donation to help encourage this powerful sister-in-Christ. I have obtained four of the songs that will be on the CD and I am also doing the photography and design for her CD. You will see the results in a few days so, check back!

saturday ~ 26 March 2011

I get by with a little help from

A few days ago I told you what my friends at AVIS are doing to help PEI by honoring my friend Bongie. It is a blessing to have my friends at Swazi Design join in by sponsoring a mem-orial on the car to acknowledge what AVIS has done and honor my sister who has been such a great blessing to PEI for several years.

There are days when it looks like things are planned out so perfectly, and I can't believe just how well everything fits. Then the text messages and phone call begin to come with cancellations and

My Friends

"Going with the flow" is sometimes the way to go.

requests to change the meeting time or place. With the jouney almost over often a cancellation or change (with a tight sched-le) means an opportunity to lost. Then come the spontaneous calls from folks hoping to have me come and speak, sing or a moment to give them some counsel or pray for them. It's all in the hands of GOD. I am willing.

Today was a one of those days where nothing went the way I had it planned but everything went according to GOD's plan so much was accomplished. I got to have a great time with Fika, I saw my "son" Joshua, visited with Amon, got the memorial for the car. And in the parking garage Fika noticed this poor lonely kitten struggling along all alone in the gutter. We left him there.

What about the girl I told you I would introduce you to who I'm

designing the CD cover for? That was one of those calls I mentioned, requesting a change of time and place. Her grammy was ill and needed her to come so we are re-scheduled for Monday! Pray for me that I would remain as flexible as possible and take time to rest! You wouldn't believe my foot if you saw it. Your prayers are working! SO, keep praying!

sunday ~ 27 March 2011 Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so!

Last year at this time Pastor Brett Rush was with me here in Swaziland for an 8 day "whirlwind concert tour" of the Kingdom! It was an amazing but, exhausting time for both of us. One of the stops on the tour was a youth rally we did in the un- finished sanctuary of the Redeemed Christian Church of God - National Church in Manzini. The place looked more like the ruins of Rome since it was still far from being finished. It created an interesting backdrop for the concert. We wanted to be the very first ones to worship in the new sanctuary! It was a historical event for the youth who attended. The indoor outdoor problems presented two problems. If the sun was going to shine - we would all bake in the mid-day sun. If it rained we were all going to get wet. It did rain just before the concert began and then GOD sent a cloud to provide a nice covering for us. When the sun would shine through it did in such a way that Brett and I were in a shadow. It was awesome.

Today I preached at the church in Matsapha. It

was not in our plans for me to preach but, it was

in God's plans and it was good. Below is a nice

photo from last year's youth rally. As you can see

we were having a great day inside/outside!

Redeemed Christian Church of GOD - Matshpha

monday ~ 28 March 2011

Gallery

Meet my new friend Nokuthula. She is from the area you often read about in my journal - NKABA. The photos in the background I took a few years ago at the prop- erty where we hoped to have a PEI Ministry Centre one day! The dream is still alive but, it's hard for me to imagine it happening. It makes a beautiful background for her new CD. She doesn't have a name for it yet. I've suggested calling it. "His Love is Enough". We'll see what happens.

It's Fika's birthday so I took him out for lunch and we ran a little over on time so I was a bit late arriving to take the photos. Even though we were somewhat rushed, as you can see they came out pretty well. I did a little photo magic to get them the way I wanted them.

A TROUBLED KINGDOM?

MAGAZINE

The photo to the right is from the newspaper here last year at this time. His Majesty was meeting with a a group of people from the gulf region who were here to make investments in Swaziland. His Majesty's friendship with Muammar Gaddafi is a controversial subject. Currently Libya is not the only place with a little trouble. The Kingdom of Swaziland is also heating up. It's not a surprise however. I told you a lot about that last year and what could be expected if certain things continued. It is happening right before our very eyes.

Swazis are up in arms about a variety of things and they are demanding huge changes in Swaziland. Although the details would seem reasonable and right - they have the potential to trigger riots, violence and even a civil war in this tiny Kingdom that has long be a peaceful nation. A Christian national. So many changes are on the way. Pray for Swaziland!

Pastor Chris a Guest on:

tuesday ~ 29 March 2011

WELCOME to MANZINI

This photo was taken at the inter-section near Bo's house. As you are entering Manzini, know as "the hub" there is a beautiful new billboard to annouce the coming of a new "Tech-nical University". It is an exciting new school where students will be able to a great education.

As I drive throughout Swaziland on my mission I see many of these bill-boards and I would love to share a bit more with you about it but, lets do that through email. I think you'll find it interesting.

I had a great time meeting with a few pastors today and encouraging them. There are many things to pray about in Swaziland these days and the pastors are happy to get together to do that. Keep praying!

wednesday ~ 30 March 2011

A Mall in AFRICA?

When people think of Africa, the typical picture in their mind does not include a Mall, KFC or fancy new cars. In reality, no matter where you go in the world, most cities are very similar to the USA with most of the same things you find in cities in the USA. Be it Nicaragua, Kenya, Mozambique, or yes, even Swaziland. But do people actually have the money to be able to ship in those malls. You have rich and poor in every country what seems to be missing is the ratio we know in the USA. Actually I don't know if this mall will do well because things cost so much there and the people of this city are not really going to be able to support it. I visited it the mall and the building is beatuiful but the shops are not as nice as you would expect in such a nice mall. Only about 1/3 of the stores are open. Many are still being put together. PIC-n-PAY is the largest chain store here. Like GIANT or Weis in the USA.

Happy

Birthday

Pastor Brett!

Last year on this day

Pastor Brett & I were on

the plane to the USA

What a way to

celebrate his birthday!

I love you Pastor!

Before dropping by the Mall to have MTN look at my cell phone and some problems I am having, I spent time with the guys on the street downtown. I had an interesting talk with one guy who I have known since I came to Swaziland in 2001. He's been having a hard time in many ways. We talked about the power of prayer and having a relationship with GOD and how that can change things. After that he began to smile and I said a short prayer with him. It's amazing what a little TRUTH can do for a person who has put his trust in GOD and has a relationship with HIM. Throughout the day I had the opportunity to encourage about a dozen others I found along the way! Though I haven't been mentioning it - my foot is doing well. Thanks for praying as always.

thursday ~ 31 March 2011

THANKS M.O.M

To my friends Don and Dick and their friends it's not just about feeding the children. They are concerned about every aspect of their lives. One of the major concerns is that these children also get an education. That is not so simple as you might think. Education costs money and there are many children who need help with school fees. There is also a need for a fence around the school but, there is also no money for that. Job one - is giving these kids two very good meals each week. You'll find Dick and some friends at Masundvwini on Mondays and Don on Thursdays! They are committed to being there for the children and they will stop at nothing to make sure those children are fed on those days. They would like to do more and we all pray that others will get involved.

PEI is doing what it can to help sponsor the program. The bright new bowls you see in these pictures were a special gift to M.O.M. in January. Now all the children have the same size bowl and it makes things really nice for them. Thanks for your generosity & sacrifice that helps!

Masundvwini Orphan Meals

friday ~ 1 April 2011

Another visit to: Manzini Nazarene High School

One of the highlights of my mission to Swaziland are the times I have the honor of spending time with the students and faculty of Manzini Nazarene High School. I've been blessed also by my friendship with the principal who loves the LORD and serves HIM in his position at the school. I don't

make a practice of just dropping in on such busy people, but when I showed up without an appointment to greet him, he warmly welcomed me and spent nearly an hour with me. His commitment and dedication to MNHS (where he also went to school) is a blessing to students and staff alike.

Even though I have used to photos to show you the number of students present at the morning chapel service where I spoke today, there are about 70 people not shown who were present. This is the school Fika and Bo attended before they came to Lancaster Mennonite High School.

Pastor Chris kills GIANT Cockroach!

They say: "the hotter it gets . . . the bigger they grow" and it's hotter than blue blazes here !

Friends and neighbors I've seen cockroaches of all sizes in the USA, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya but, SWAZILAND wins the prize when it comes to cockroaches. When I came home tonight and this thing ran in as I opened my door, I thought at first it was a rat, because there was so little light. I quickly

turned the lights on and grabbed my can of odorless DOOM Crawling Insect Killer. I sprayed it under my bed and that thing came quickly crawling up the wall like Spiderman. I was screaming like a school girl! I thought: "where's Fika when I need a cockroach killer. I used nearly the whole can of DOOM on this thing. I wasn't sure who would die first from the fumes - the cockroach or me! Well as you can see from the picture - I won but, this is so gross. And imagine . . . this is one of those flying cockroaches! If could become friends with one of these and train it, I could take my car back to AVIS and just fly around Swaziland to do my work!

saturday ~ 2 April 2011

The beauty of Swaziland ~ "The calm before the storm!"

I love this picture so much, I will go backwards telling you about my day. After an amazing day of ministry, I went to get some antibiotic drops for my eyes at the pharmacy before going to upload the webpage and get my e-mail. This was the most amaz-ing sight! I am so blessed whenever I experience the beauty of this world that GOD created. This one took my breath away! This was 15 minutes before a violent thunderstorm came through. Our GOD is an AWESOME GOD!

It's been a long time since I've been to the beautiful village of Bunyah. This was my third journey of the many years I've been come to Swaziland. This is the home of "The" Lucky Dlamini (from Christian Media Centre).

As you approach Bunyah you meet up with the (now closed) SAPPY Paper Company. This is a sight that takes me back to my years in Maine. For a period of time I lived near a paper mill similar to this one. I am sad that the plant closed but, it was nice to go to this beauiful place and not have that horrible smell in the air that a papermill creates.

I was in Bunyah at the Alliance Church to do a pro-gram for the youth who meet on Saturdays in

the afternoon. There is also a ladies prayer

meeting Saturday afternoons. A group of very

interested youth attended the service and we

had a great time. Of course, Brett Rush's

"Wash Me Away" was the favorite and we did

the song twice because they enjoyed it and

doing the motions to the song (I created the

motions last year).

This was supposed to be one of the stops

on our tour last year. Sorry Bunyah.

Return to Bunyah

SAPPY Papermill employed many Swazis. Sadly the mill closed about two years ago and now sits quietly in the town. I pray that one day it will open again and employ many

sunday ~ 3 April 2011

The joy of being with "family"

I am thankful for the moments I have been able to spend worshipping with my "family" at Lozitha. Since my first visit there - nearly 8 years ago they have welcomed me not only as a part of the family of GOD but as one of their own. It's a humbling experience to have the people you serve welcome you into their family. I was blessed to be able to share a few testimonies with them about how GOD has been at work during my time in Africa. We shared some laughter and tears as I told them about the miracles I've experienced on this journey. All of it possible because of your willingness to sacrifice. During the service today - even before the message a young man came to receive Christ as his Savior. The church prayed for him and then formed a line to come and wel-come him into the family of GOD! It was a very powerful moment in the service.

After the service, I spent nearly an hour and a half talking with the grandson of one of the princes. He lead the worship at church today and he has a strong commitment to praying for His Majesty. So we have that in common and talked for quite a while about the challenges King Mswati III faces.

Just outside the royal residence of His Majesty King Mswati III at Lozitha is a small courthouse where the AOG

(Assembly of God) meets for worship. They are praying for land to be given to them so they can build a church for their growing congregation made up mostly of relatives of His Majesty. It seems like that would be an easy task but, it may take years. I look for-ward to one day worshipping there.

tuesday ~ 5 April 2011

Even a mountain goat might not . . .

Today one of my friends wanted me to join him on a journey to his home area in the rural area to meet some very needy people he is trying to help. These are his neighbors. He has compassion for them and helps them with food, clothing etc. He's your normal everyday Swazi with a job that provides for him and his family. He has built a beautiful home with the most spectacular view you can imagine but it also overlooks those neighbors and the need that he refuses to ignor.

When he invited me to go I didn't know all the details. He offered to leave my car in town and go in a friend's car. I am glad he did. We took that car places, even a mountain goal might not attempt to go! The picture to the left doesn't do the road justice. The steepness of the incline and the depth of the trenches in the road from the rain are amazing. It was very soft since it had just rained. He wanted to get as close as possible because his friend is in a wheelchair. WOW! But, he did it. And I kept my eyes closed for most of it. There was about a 200 drop on the right side so if the car slipped (and it did) too far we would roll down there.

What was amazing is that this place is a stones throw from Fundukuwela High School, where I will be preaching tomorrow and have for nearly 6 years. The second amazing thing is that Pastor George who I often talk about is the uncle of my friend. He didn't know that I know Pastor George or that I have been to this area so many times and preached at that school. One of the boys I met today is a student at Fundukuwela and has been there for my past three visits at the school

Gallery

wednesday ~ 6 April 2011

One of my favorite schools keeps on growing!

I have looked forward to this day since the beginning of my trip in January. I love the students and faculty of Fundukuwela High School. After many visits to this school, its like coming home. With the exception of one journey, Pastor George has been with me every time. We stopped by the school where Ionda is in 7th grade. I've been helping to sponsor his schooling for about three years now. He is a good student and it has been a good investment.

Usually when I go to Fundukuwela I am there for the morning devoitonal and I only have about 15 minutes with them. Today they invited me to come in the afternoon when there is a special time for assemblies. I had an hour and could have had more time with them. An hour was perfect and it was a great time. I shared with them about GOD being our source of everything. We also talked about the importance of knowing JESUS has your Savior. I wrapped up by reminding them that their neighbors around them have many needs and that they should do what they can to help and not look to the government or someone else to do it. Even if they can only do a little, it becomes a lot when it is done in the name of JESUS. I concluded with the story of what my friend is doing for his neighbors less than 1/2 a mile away. (Where I was yesterday.

Gallery

Fundukuwela High School

What happened this week? Check it out below.

debrief days

Those of you who follow these journeys know that I go through a period of debrief at the end of each leg of the journey to prepare for departure/re-entry into the next culture. The length of the debrief is based on a variety of factors. (Time in country, interaction with those I am ministering to etc.) This defrief is three days. (Thurs - Sat). My final full-day in Swaziland is Sunday and I will spend that doing lite ministry and saying my farwells. This is the first time PEI is not host-ing a fellowship/farewell (due to a lacks of funds). It's a bit more work for me to try and see people individually rather than having them all in one place to say farewell.

What happens during these three days? I spend time in prayer and study and ministry to people I wouldn't normally have the freedom to spend time with. IE: sitting with the beggar on the street or the taxi drivers who are waiting for customers. Talking to the shopkeeper or person who is just standing around with nothing to do. It's my time to "stop and smell the roses" and reflect on all that GOD has done and is doing. A chance for me to take notice of things I would otherwise miss.

Example: Today I was downtown saying hello to people on the street. A group of blind people assembled themselves outside a clothing store and began singing songs about GOD. I was able to listen the whole hour that they sang and observe people passing by dropping money in their container. Half way through the program I went and bought cold drinks for the 9 singers. While listening I gave a donation to some young boys who were selling things to support themselves. I was so surprised when the smallest boy then put a donation in the container.. From the small donation GOD just bless-

Another "Son"?

Debriefing begins as journey ends

them with, they shared with someone else in need. When the people who had gathered to listen to the singing saw that little boy do that,, it sparked a reaction to his kindness and many began to give, and more and more and more! When we respond with the little bit we have, instead of saying: "my little bit won't matter", GOD can take that and multiply it. That is what has happened with this journey. Those who could simply give something, gave and many have been blessed. Now as I prepare for the journey to Nicaragua over Easter weekend for 10 days I pray that the $1500 needed for those journey will be met by one person after another simply offering whatever they have rather than thinking it's not enough. Pray for me during the debrief as I will spend some time with Fika and some of my other "sons" in Swaziland saying farewell to them.

Speaking of "sons". Yes, there's another one. He's been around for a while but, just recently he began telling me what a "father" I have been to him. His name is Sikumbuza Mato. He is the restaurant manager at the Royal Swazi Resort & Spa in Ezulwini. He's the one I was telling you about on Tuesday who is reaching out to his neighbors in the rural area with food, clothing and whatever he can.