To see the sun rise or set against the mountains, I had only to walk outside the little circle house where we stayed. We were on a hill among many, able to overlook a Swazi village in the valleys below, where herds of cows wandered along the many dirt roads (actually, more often the paved highway!), young people waited at the bus stop, older women walked along the road balancing full 50 gallon jugs on their heads - no hands - and not a single drop spilled. Roosters crowed and the smell of cooking fires burned outside tiny little houses while young children played outside.

This is Swaziland.

Guava trees, orange trees, lemon trees, papaya trees - all right on the campus where we stayed. Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College is educating the students that will become pastors and minister in their country. We worshipped with them, in English and SiSwati; we ate with them; we discussed ministry with them. These students go to EWBC on scholarship, and most of them are already pastoring or ministering somewhere. Their hearts to serve the Lord in this little country are evident. And they are so needed.

See, statistics say that 52% of the people are infected with HIV or AIDS. Statistics are wrong.

90% of the Swazi population is infected. And if nothing is done to stem the violent spread of the AIDS virus, the Swazi people will be extinct in less than 50 years.

The Swazi culture is so steeped in withcraft, some of the men falsely believe that they can cure themselves by having sex with a virgin. Rape is prevalent, and girls as young as 6 years old are being affected.

Basically, lots of people are dying.

This is Swaziland.

The LORD is raising up His people in that country, and they are going to battle for Him. In the following days I will tell you individually of all the men and women standing up for the children, and the adults, in their particular areas of ministry, and helping to educate and feed them.

The Swaziland I saw was one where the LORD's power is more prevalent than the death Satan is trying to spread. It is a small country with incredible people He has set aside and called to do His work, and they are being obedient.

Obedience. It was a theme for my team during our 2.5 weeks learning from and being blessed by the amazing people we met in Swaziland. Consider the word: OBEDIENCE.

"Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

Lauren

P.S. Thank you to all who prayed for my team! Please pray for us as we have come back different and bonded to each other and the Lord in new ways... Not all of us came back at 100% health, though the Lord did bless us with good health in country. Levi and Tom were sick on the flight home, Rachel was getting over a nasty cold, and I seem to have developed the flu overnight... Thank you for your prayers!