All my emails want to know what it's like here in Swaziland? All I can say is most is the same but with a different twist on it.
It is prettier than Loganville. There are so many gorgeous flowers and birds. I have a bush that has grown up in front of my bedroom window that has orange ball like blossoms that hang down. Every morning these birds that look large hummingbirds, their wings don't beat as fast but they have the long beaks and irredescent blue chests come and sing and hang where they can suck the necter from the blooms. There are also beautiful yellow birds that join them.
It's not so hard driving on the left side of the road. Like everything else you learn to rethink. I have to rethink most things.
The left turn is the easy turn
7 Rand (or in Swaziland it's the Emalangeni) = $1 which makes this R110 how much?
If it's 27 km from here, how long will that take?
If it's 1 kg how much mince (ground beef) is that?
Gammon = Ham
Robot = Stoplight
If it's 35* C, how hot is it? And when it drops to 17*C it's how cool?
Their coins make more sense though, the smaller the coin, the smaller the amount.
I'm glad I love math.
The weather has been strange for this summer, so I'm told. But it has gotten a little nippy when it rains, at least for not having heat or AC. It's hard to wear sandals out in that weather and then at other times it will be quite warm. That's what fans are for. I'm told to just wait for Dec. & Jan. It is their rainy season and it has rained here often. I wish I could ship some to Loganville, especially the loud thunderstorms. FYI I was told that Swaziland has the most lightening strikes per capita of any place in the world. That wasn't on my missionary brochure.
The staff have been awesome!! I don't feel isolated at all. I feel I have people to call for anything from getting lost to how to work the circuit breaker to what store can I find a little desk.
What I miss:
High speed internet
WalMart - you have to go to one store for groceries, one for electrical, one for kitchen anything, one for spiral notebooks, and some things you just have to wait until you go to South Africa.
TV (I can pay for cable but it's expensive and it's a season or so behind) I can watch DVD's.
I can live without those. But of course I really miss getting to see and talk to everyone on the phone. You don't even use the phone much here because you pay by the minute for cell & landline phones, but only if you call. I can receive any and all calls free. I'm in the process of getting a home phone so anyone can call me all they want. I won't have an answering machine so if I don't answer, I'm not home. I would suggest not calling me from a cell phone because that will cost you about $1.50/min. or more but from a home phone using a calling card that calls Swaziland it is only like $.20/min.
If you have specific questions I would love you to email them to me sandra@theoasischurch.org or make comments to the blog. Have a blessed weekend!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Fonteyn
First let me say my computer is working!!!! PTL
I want to share especially with those that went on the mission trip in September, that I got to go out to Fonteyn CarePoint for a devotional with the cooks. I know it is supposed to be summer here but instead of summer rain (it is now the rainy season) they have been getting a cold drizzle rain. It has helped the other missionaries feel like Christmas time. I can’t wait until the next team from the Oasis comes since they have my long sleeve shirts! So much for it being summer. Ever
yone tells me to just wait. It will be hot and sweaty again soon.
Anyway, I got to go with our other missionary Jackie who leads devotions regularly with the cooks at all the CarePoints and with Rodger who also works for Children’s Cup. He translates and does a lot of cultural interaction. He is really great.
Here are the cooks. Now in Swaziland you show respect by calling the women Make (equivalent to Ms. or Mrs. And pronounced mah-gay) This is Make Motsa & her s
on, Make Phiri (the cook that cares for Jabu) and Make Shongwe.
The teachers were also there. Mary (she will be visiting the US in Dec.), Soza and Kiki. There would be a picture but I have spent ALL day trying to upload these and it is not working. It was post it without or not post. I'm choosing to post. (I got it to upload!!! 12/5/07!!!!!)
Since it was cold and wet and after the feeding for the day, there were only a few children hanging around. They do remember the team and are waving hi to everyone in Atlanta.
I want to share especially with those that went on the mission trip in September, that I got to go out to Fonteyn CarePoint for a devotional with the cooks. I know it is supposed to be summer here but instead of summer rain (it is now the rainy season) they have been getting a cold drizzle rain. It has helped the other missionaries feel like Christmas time. I can’t wait until the next team from the Oasis comes since they have my long sleeve shirts! So much for it being summer. Ever
yone tells me to just wait. It will be hot and sweaty again soon.Anyway, I got to go with our other missionary Jackie who leads devotions regularly with the cooks at all the CarePoints and with Rodger who also works for Children’s Cup. He translates and does a lot of cultural interaction. He is really great.
Here are the cooks. Now in Swaziland you show respect by calling the women Make (equivalent to Ms. or Mrs. And pronounced mah-gay) This is Make Motsa & her s
on, Make Phiri (the cook that cares for Jabu) and Make Shongwe.The teachers were also there. Mary (she will be visiting the US in Dec.), Soza and Kiki. There would be a picture but I have spent ALL day trying to upload these and it is not working. It was post it without or not post. I'm choosing to post. (I got it to upload!!! 12/5/07!!!!!)
Since it was cold and wet and after the feeding for the day, there were only a few children hanging around. They do remember the team and are waving hi to everyone in Atlanta.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Pray for me!
Coming here has been great! The staff and people I have met have been great! My housing is great! The food yesterday was more than great in quanity and quality!
Today though I'm having trouble and need your prayers. The jet lag is wearing off. My computer acted up just before I left and I was advised to reformat it. I have spent the week working on backing everything up and trying to get it to reformat. It would not just "Control" F11 & do it. Then, when I read the manuel it said to hit F8 but it would only "System Restore" so we restored it back to the original date of receiving it but that did not solve the glitch problems it was having. (Thank you for letting me vent this technical stuff even if most of you, like me don't understand it) Today I found someone who took time point out I should have and had the disc that would reformat it. We started it and now it's stuck and won't finish. It's been reformatting all afternoon and it gets down to 29 minutes left and then restarts and goes up to 39 minutes to finish but it never finishes. There has been other frustrating things happening today and I just want to cry.
The truth is that it's probably the point I need to be at for God to work with me. I need to stop trying to "have it all together". So while I go have a good cry and then write you later about all the funny stuff that has also happened, please pray for God to heal my computer and reformat it. He found my drivers license. He knows I cannot function here without my computer and that Dell won't be able to make house calls in Swaziland.
Christy told me to expect God to work on me in big ways! I just didn't expect it to be this soon. Thank you for your prayers and beyond my computers pray that I'm a handle being molded in His image so He can better use me with a willing and humble heart.
P.S. I've had my first thunderstorm last night and you have NEVER heard thunder so loud!! Patrick told me this morning that Swaziland has the most lightning strikes per capita in the world! That wasn't in the brochure!!! It wasn't scary just hard to sleep because it was sooooo loud!
Thank you also for those who leave me comments and email me. I read them all although with glitches it sometimes takes a few days. Just think, tomorrow I will have been here a whole week!!!
Today though I'm having trouble and need your prayers. The jet lag is wearing off. My computer acted up just before I left and I was advised to reformat it. I have spent the week working on backing everything up and trying to get it to reformat. It would not just "Control" F11 & do it. Then, when I read the manuel it said to hit F8 but it would only "System Restore" so we restored it back to the original date of receiving it but that did not solve the glitch problems it was having. (Thank you for letting me vent this technical stuff even if most of you, like me don't understand it) Today I found someone who took time point out I should have and had the disc that would reformat it. We started it and now it's stuck and won't finish. It's been reformatting all afternoon and it gets down to 29 minutes left and then restarts and goes up to 39 minutes to finish but it never finishes. There has been other frustrating things happening today and I just want to cry.
The truth is that it's probably the point I need to be at for God to work with me. I need to stop trying to "have it all together". So while I go have a good cry and then write you later about all the funny stuff that has also happened, please pray for God to heal my computer and reformat it. He found my drivers license. He knows I cannot function here without my computer and that Dell won't be able to make house calls in Swaziland.
Christy told me to expect God to work on me in big ways! I just didn't expect it to be this soon. Thank you for your prayers and beyond my computers pray that I'm a handle being molded in His image so He can better use me with a willing and humble heart.
P.S. I've had my first thunderstorm last night and you have NEVER heard thunder so loud!! Patrick told me this morning that Swaziland has the most lightning strikes per capita in the world! That wasn't in the brochure!!! It wasn't scary just hard to sleep because it was sooooo loud!
Thank you also for those who leave me comments and email me. I read them all although with glitches it sometimes takes a few days. Just think, tomorrow I will have been here a whole week!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Today is not a holiday in Swaziland. Bummer! But Children's Cup is taking the afternoon off and the staff is going to Daran & Susan Rehmeyer's for Thanksgiving dinner. We have some turkey's, not as big as in the US that are being deep fried. I can't wait. I always wanted a fried turkey when I was in the states. We are all bringing the extras and should have mashed potatoes and a "butternut salad" should be interesting. I've already had a Kingpie which is a popular pastery enclosed sandwich with different fillings. It's as close as I can come to going to QT and getting a hot dog or taquita.
In keeping with the holiday these are things I'm thankful for:
Safe arrival here.
Knowing and having a support system here. (Teresa, Daran, Christy, Patrick, Zinty, Gugu and more)
The internet (I actually got to IM on line with my sons this AM, they were still up @ 2:30 am!!)
Your prayers and financial support that enables me to be here and stay safe.
That I have running water and food in my fridge and a comfortable bed to sleep on.
Having friends in the states keeping in touch with me.
For a more simplified life to enable me to focus on my relationship with my Lord and not get distracted as easily.
For what the future holds!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving!!!! "May the Lord bless you and keep you!!" Numbers 6:24
In keeping with the holiday these are things I'm thankful for:
Safe arrival here.
Knowing and having a support system here. (Teresa, Daran, Christy, Patrick, Zinty, Gugu and more)
The internet (I actually got to IM on line with my sons this AM, they were still up @ 2:30 am!!)
Your prayers and financial support that enables me to be here and stay safe.
That I have running water and food in my fridge and a comfortable bed to sleep on.
Having friends in the states keeping in touch with me.
For a more simplified life to enable me to focus on my relationship with my Lord and not get distracted as easily.
For what the future holds!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving!!!! "May the Lord bless you and keep you!!" Numbers 6:24
Monday, November 19, 2007
I've Arrived!!!
I made it!! This is the 2nd time I am trying to post this though. The Internet definitely is more difficult to navigate in Swaziland.
My Itinerary:
Leave ATL @ 4 pm Thurs. 11/15
Arrive in South Africa @ 5 pm Fri. 11/16
Catch the plane to Swaziland @ 7:30 pm and arrive in Swaziland to be picked up by Daran @ 8:30 pm.
Bonnie was to help me drop off my luggage in Atl. (You'll have to ask her about that adventure as I tried to burn a goodbye DVD on the way to the airport and then they wouldn't let me check in without a return flight from Swaziland being purchased!!)
Daran was to help me at the other end and I wasn't to have to deal with any of my HEAVY luggage in between.
Actuality:
Checked in with Bonnie
Delayed in ATL airport until 8:30 pm 11/15.
Arrived in So. Africa after 9 pm. 11/16, therefore,
Missed flight to Swaziland and no other flights out that night.
(God provided though) When delayed in Atl. I checked with the Delta desk when the first delay happened (there were 3 postponements before we took off) and there was a possibility I would miss my plane. They copied their notes which was what enabled me to be covered by Delta for a hotel room Fri. night in Johannesburg, South Africa with my 2 HEAVY suitcases and carryons that were overstuffed and probably weighed 40 lbs each. (For those on the mission trip, it was the same hotel we stayed in but not as fancy a shower! LOL!)
Sat. the Delta notes what enabled me to be ticketed finally, although I had to go back and forth across the terminal several times to different windows during the process.
I finally arrived in Swaziland @ noon on Sat. Yeah!
But wait!
Teresa, Daran's wife picked me up and we went to her house for a bite to eat. Daran had only gotten an email from Ben that I might miss my flight and so had been at the airport several times Fri. night to check on my arrival. I had not gotten to the hotel to be able to call him until midnight so I called him Sat. AM (that was a new experience). Plan was then to take my luggage to my house and go grocery shopping.
What actually happened is her car would not start, the battery was dead or rather the connection turned out to be bad. Teresa's car is an automatic and she does not drive a shift. The only other vehicle a the house was a stick shift with 4 concrete toilets in the back that weighed more than my luggage (if you can believe that) and we could not budge them and definitely did not want to drop one of them. We therefore, loaded all my stuff in the back seat and realized I had lost my drivers license at the airport. (I was so hot from all my layers -- what I couldn't pack I wore--I tossed off my jacket when I went to load my luggage into the car and it must have fallen out!) Anyway we called the airport and couldn't find it. I went ahead and drove a stick shift in a car that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car and you drive on the left side of the road. I'd been in Swaziland less than 4 hours. Nothing like jumping in with both feet! It really wasn't so hard with someone telling me where to turn. My only problem was the windshield wipers are where are turn signals are in the US so I kept wiping my windshield rather than signaling my turns!!
All is good though and Praise God! After Daran went and checked at the airport Sat. afternoon with no luck! God answered prayer and my drivers license was found and I have it back!!!!!! I'll right more about that later.
Got to go!! I'll share more the next time I can get on the computer. The Internet is definitely an adjustment!! Love you all!!
My Itinerary:
Leave ATL @ 4 pm Thurs. 11/15
Arrive in South Africa @ 5 pm Fri. 11/16
Catch the plane to Swaziland @ 7:30 pm and arrive in Swaziland to be picked up by Daran @ 8:30 pm.
Bonnie was to help me drop off my luggage in Atl. (You'll have to ask her about that adventure as I tried to burn a goodbye DVD on the way to the airport and then they wouldn't let me check in without a return flight from Swaziland being purchased!!)
Daran was to help me at the other end and I wasn't to have to deal with any of my HEAVY luggage in between.
Actuality:
Checked in with Bonnie
Delayed in ATL airport until 8:30 pm 11/15.
Arrived in So. Africa after 9 pm. 11/16, therefore,
Missed flight to Swaziland and no other flights out that night.
(God provided though) When delayed in Atl. I checked with the Delta desk when the first delay happened (there were 3 postponements before we took off) and there was a possibility I would miss my plane. They copied their notes which was what enabled me to be covered by Delta for a hotel room Fri. night in Johannesburg, South Africa with my 2 HEAVY suitcases and carryons that were overstuffed and probably weighed 40 lbs each. (For those on the mission trip, it was the same hotel we stayed in but not as fancy a shower! LOL!)
Sat. the Delta notes what enabled me to be ticketed finally, although I had to go back and forth across the terminal several times to different windows during the process.
I finally arrived in Swaziland @ noon on Sat. Yeah!
But wait!
Teresa, Daran's wife picked me up and we went to her house for a bite to eat. Daran had only gotten an email from Ben that I might miss my flight and so had been at the airport several times Fri. night to check on my arrival. I had not gotten to the hotel to be able to call him until midnight so I called him Sat. AM (that was a new experience). Plan was then to take my luggage to my house and go grocery shopping.
What actually happened is her car would not start, the battery was dead or rather the connection turned out to be bad. Teresa's car is an automatic and she does not drive a shift. The only other vehicle a the house was a stick shift with 4 concrete toilets in the back that weighed more than my luggage (if you can believe that) and we could not budge them and definitely did not want to drop one of them. We therefore, loaded all my stuff in the back seat and realized I had lost my drivers license at the airport. (I was so hot from all my layers -- what I couldn't pack I wore--I tossed off my jacket when I went to load my luggage into the car and it must have fallen out!) Anyway we called the airport and couldn't find it. I went ahead and drove a stick shift in a car that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car and you drive on the left side of the road. I'd been in Swaziland less than 4 hours. Nothing like jumping in with both feet! It really wasn't so hard with someone telling me where to turn. My only problem was the windshield wipers are where are turn signals are in the US so I kept wiping my windshield rather than signaling my turns!!
All is good though and Praise God! After Daran went and checked at the airport Sat. afternoon with no luck! God answered prayer and my drivers license was found and I have it back!!!!!! I'll right more about that later.
Got to go!! I'll share more the next time I can get on the computer. The Internet is definitely an adjustment!! Love you all!!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Goodbyes are so hard!!
I leave the states @ 4 pm today!!!
This week has been so hard and I'm not talking about packing my life into the 2 suitcases. It has been harder than I thought to say goodbye!
There just is not enough time to give everyone the time and hugs they deserve. Just know I love you all and appreciate your support!!! My son, Michael even shaved his head and says he won't cut it until I return May of 2009 for his college graduation. Enjoy the short look because it will only get longer from here.
This week has been so hard and I'm not talking about packing my life into the 2 suitcases. It has been harder than I thought to say goodbye!
There just is not enough time to give everyone the time and hugs they deserve. Just know I love you all and appreciate your support!!! My son, Michael even shaved his head and says he won't cut it until I return May of 2009 for his college graduation. Enjoy the short look because it will only get longer from here.
May the Lord bless you and keep you until I return!!Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Thank You!!
The countdown has begun!!! I leave for Swaziland on November 15th, only 8 days away!! I keep consolidating down my world to fit into 2 suitcases weighing 50 lbs each and 1 carry on and 1 personal item (which will probably weigh 50 lbs each!!!)
The "Oasis @ Swaziland" is the name The Oasis Church has christened the pledges from families and individuals to fund 2 (not just 1) CarePoint in Mbabane, Swaziland and then also underwrite my missionary work by contributing to make sure my individual support meets a minimum amount each month. WHAT A BLESSING!!! I have my ticket and can't wait to be used by God in ways I would never have imagined.
We had our Swaziland day @ The Oasis at church Oct. 28th and "Oasis @ Swaziland" has been launched!! Dave Ohlerking and Ben Rodgers were the special guests. They were powerful in expressing the need in Swaziland and throughtout Africa and sharing the difference Children's Cup has made and will make. Jabu, who is from the Fonteyn Carepoint where I will be working directly, was highlighted. Her smile even through all her suffering is a true inspiration!!! Her name means "to be happy".
The "Oasis @ Swaziland" is the name The Oasis Church has christened the pledges from families and individuals to fund 2 (not just 1) CarePoint in Mbabane, Swaziland and then also underwrite my missionary work by contributing to make sure my individual support meets a minimum amount each month. WHAT A BLESSING!!! I have my ticket and can't wait to be used by God in ways I would never have imagined.
Thank all of you who have pledged to support me and to The Oasis Church for making sure I have what I need to stay over there!!! I will keep you posted as to the powerful influence your contribution makes by allowing me to serve over there. If you were thinking and praying about supporting me but haven't done so yet, please mail your pledge to
The Oasis Church
"Oasis @ Swaziland Missionary - Sandra Chesterman"
"Oasis @ Swaziland Missionary - Sandra Chesterman"
3275 Tig Knight Road
Loganville, GA 30052
(This address is used instead of Children's Cup address so The Oasis Church can more easily track my contributions and subsidize any extra funding needed.)
Thank you!! THANK YOU!!! Thank you!!!
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