So, you're probably wondering in the world is going on so far in Swaziland. Welp, I've got the answer. Let me start with the basics. Our team is living in a house in Manzini, about 45 minutes from Mbabane, which is the capital of Swaziland. We live a 15 minutes walk from the city itself, and I must say, the countryside is the most beautiful I've seen--even more beautiful than that of South Africa. Maybe I should say its beautiful in a different way--lush and mountainous, as opposed to the rather flat coastal landscape of Jeffreys Bay. It's actually quite the opposite, preferable to the eye, but much more uncomfortable in terms of the humidity and heat. In the first week, there were days that reached to 107 degrees!!

            The first week consisted of much inactivity, as we were adjusting to the time difference. We also began checking out the different ministry opportunities. We visited a total of 10 care points all in one day--with the help of our dear Swazi driver Elliot. It was quite the adventure, and I very much enjoyed the countryside and seeing rural Swaziland. Care points are small "containers" where pre-school is taught by local Swazi "makes" (pronounced mah-gay and meaning mothers) and gogos (meaning grandmothers). In the afternoon, the children are all fed, and in total, AIM is sponsoring care points in the area and feed a total of over 1600 children! I was blown away by how involved and integrated AIM employees are in the Swazi society. The Lord is doing amazing things in and through the program, and I have been very impressed by the growth and improvements that have been made and are in the process of happening now.

            If you have the chance... look up the Nsoko project: It's an amazing vision and brings so much hope to the Swazi orphans and lends a promising future to many of the Swazi adults who are involved. (Nsoko is a TINY town that boarders mountains along Mozambique that has been horrendously affected by the AIDS epidemic.) The project has a vision of building a village that will care for the 56 most vulnerable orphans of Nsoko. They are in the process of building a clinic, (the nearest hospitals are, needless to say, too far out of reach) a church, a community building, and are soon starting the housing for the orphans. It is being funded by various churches and AIM supporters, and will hopefully provide local Swazis with jobs, and will empower them to be disciples of Christ, in turn changing the sickening outlook of a future that seems ensnared by a deadly disease. Those that are in charge have a huge heart for the people of Nsoko and are ready and willing to change the harrowing statistics that hold the Swazis of this small town captive. It's very sad, but SO hopeful.

            Now you know what is going on in Swaziland through AIM (and I'm positive that I've missed much of what else they are doing). Now for what I am doing in ministry. Alyssa, Jessica and I are working as teachers for a program called CHERISH. The program is actually similar to Beat The Drum, but it is specifically for women. It stresses the sacredness of purity and instructs the girls how to practically protect themselves in the future, and receive healing for past emotional ties and sexual sin. The program is, simply, brilliant, and I am SO excited to start. The coolest part of CHERISH lies in its discipleship aspect, in that we are not only instructing them, but also empowering them to take the information they are learning and become teachers themselves. I can't wait to see how the Lord works through all of it!! We are working with three Swazi girls named Gugu, Swazie, and Phumlile. I really feel like the Lord specifically placed us there for them (and them for us!!). We will be working in pairs in the classrooms teaching, and each one of the girls is almost the same age as each of us. We are quickly forming friendships with them... and I already feel so loved by these girls. I cannot wait for the coming months going into local schools and teaching girls truths that actually apply to teenage life and specifically to living in the Swazi society. I feel like the Lord has really blessed me with this ministry and the friendship of our three girls.

            So, in short, the Lord is moving and revealing new things to me daily. If you would like to pray for me and the team that would be great!! Praying for the state of Swazi as a whole is a request from much of the AIM staff. Pray for protection in the rural areas (and all areas, for that matter). Prayer would also be great for the unity of our team (we are starting a study of Romans). Specifically pray that we would be able to practically apply what we are learning here in Swazi and when we reach the good ol' USA (and Canada!). Pray against sickness, as cholera is spreading through many of the southern countries in Africa. Pray against AIDS, and pray for hope and courage for Swazis. Thanks =]

All my Love,

Alene!!