SIYAJABULA KUTSI JESU UNATSI!

Merry Christmas in Swaziland is Siyajabula kutsi Jesu unatsi (see-yah-jah-boo-lah goo-tsee Jay-soo oonah-tsee). "We are happy that Jesus is with us!" It is wonderful getting to celebrate it with my son Michael who arrived last Friday. This is our 3rd Swaziland Christmas party. We had the biggest one in Swaziland on Dec. 6th (4,000) and a smaller one in the more remote area on Dec. 7th (900). The smallest one is the Mbabane party where there are 2 CarePoints of which both are sponsored through the Oasis church. It is shocking to say our smallest one was for 500 children!It is summertime in Swaziland so often it is hard for us Americans to get in the Christmas spirit when you are getting sunburned. At our party it was cold and rainy and was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Not really but it's the closest we could get.

It was a great day with jumping castles, soccer, face painting and dancing. Please note that the local orphanage where Pepe stays was also invited and Pepe is doing great and is in the dancing photo below. We had hot dogs and ice cream. Each CarePoint performed for each other and signed a thank you banner for the Oasis Church!It was so much fun to see the children having such a great time praising Jesus and doing things they rarely have had the opportunity to do (last year's Christmas party). We all want to wish you a Merry Christmas and say Siyabonga! (see-yah-bow-ngah) "We thank you"!

Congratulations Graduates!!!!!

We had the honor of graduating children from their second year at our Oasis @ Swaziland classes. Children's Cup CarePoints offer 2 years of free education to orphan and vulnerable children. The school year in Africa is from the end of January to the beginning of December. Christmas falls in the "summer break". These graduates are now ready to go into Grade 3 at the public school next year. Public schools cost around $75-$100/year and sometimes these children cannot afford that. We try to help as we have funds available.
There were 16 graduates from Mangwaneni, Mbabane and 10 from Fonteyn.
Children's Cup provided caps and gowns for the occassion and it was a special time at each CarePoint. I was honored to be the "guest speaker" at the Mangwaneni CarePoint. I dressed in my Swazi outfit, complete with head scarf for the special day. I spoke to the children and told them how proud we were of their hard work. I encouraged them in that this was only the beginning of what God has planned for each of their lives and for them to continue to grow.
Several of the children at Mangwaneni were older, including Lungile (pictured with me below) who is 12. Without Oasis @ Swaziland and Children's Cup, she would probably have never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. She has done so well we are sure that at the beginning of the school year next year she will get to advance even further than grade 3.

Biggest Christmas Party in Swaziland!

We have had graduations at the CarePoints and field trips to Game Parks for the graduates. Now we are having the biggest Christmas party in Swaziland today for over 4,000 orphaned and vulnerable children!! This is only our 12 Manzini CarePoints!! Tomorrow are the 3 Maphiveni area CarePoints (during the week will be 2 smaller ones in Mozambique) and Monday, Dec. 15th will be the one for our 2 Mbabane CarePoints!
Keep us in your prayers for cool (it's summer here) but not rainy (it's the rainy season and it rained last night) day with a cool breeze (the icing on the cake)! Pray that no child will leave without knowing that the party is to celebrate God's Son's birthday! Happy Birthday Jesus! Pray that all children and the hundreds of volunteers have a safe, fun time!!!!
I'll blog pictures of all of these past events soon. :)

Only 8 followers?

Okay, I know there have to be more than 8 of you following my blog! And 2 of the 8 are from the office here! All my non computer literate friends (and family) take the time to fugure out how to sign up so you can become someone who is "tuned in" to my blog and leave comments in the future. I'm sure someday I will say something you would love to respond to!

Another self serving note is that my son, Michael is coming to visit me here at Christmas. Yeah!! All those who might want to send a Christmas card or note or something off my wish list with him, can get it to the Oasis Church office by Friday the 5th of December. Please put the items in a ziplock bag so it's easy to through in his suitcase. Michael will pick it up from the church and be your personal postman to deliver it to me in Swaziland at no cost - what a deal.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I will be having turkey here, they just aren't as big. Sweet potatoes are usually butternut instead. It is pretty much the same just a little different! But I am blessed to be here and thankful for God's goodness!! Thank you for keeping in touch with me!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continue to each generation." Psalm 100:4-5

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Can you believe I have been here for a year already?? Wow!! I can't. God is so good!! I feel so at home here and so blessed by everyone who helps sponsors me.Your sacrifice is making a difference! Thank you for letting me a part of this tremendous ministry. We have over 250 children and the 2 Oasis @ Swaziland CarePoints. Because of Oasis Church and other supporters these children now have consistant food daily with vegetables. They are getting medical check ups and we have been able to get several children and adults tested and treated for TB and HIV. Both of these factors have contributed to healthier kids! Thank you!! The children also are being exposed to God's Word besides just His love and they are hiding His Word in their hearts! Thank you again for making it possible for me to be here. Here is a photo recap of my year! You will have to match up the caption with the picture. 1) Driving a "kombi" (koom-bee) my 3rd week here! 2)Climbing Execution Rock last December! 3) Getting my own "bakkie" (Bah-kee) or truck (actually it belongs to Oasis @ Swaziland) 4)Picnic joining the cooks and teachers from Fonteyn and Mangwaneni 5) Staying with Pepe in the hospital. 6) Chicken days at the CarePoint. 7) Collecting wood with the cooks. 8) Distributing clothing at the CarePoint. 9)Opening the new classroom. 10) And hosting the Oasis team!! What a year!! Thank you!! I'm looking forward to what the next year will hold!

Natalie Memories!

Natalie arrived last February for a 9 month internship and left to return to Lousianna yesterday. Normally I do not cry but I will have to admit that I have shed some tears as I let go of a dear one who has become like a daughter to me.

Last February she came to live with me in a whirlwind. In the first 24 hours of moving into my house she moved the bed out of the room I set up for her to the other room and took a living room overstuffed chair upstairs and relocated it into her room. That first week she rearranged my kitchen cabinets and would become agitated if anything was left out on the kitchen counter or if dishes were left unwashed in the sink. She saw me as intrusive overly nosey old lady. Needless to say we had to learn to give and take and understand how each of us communicated. (We did!)

The road was rocky (with boulders at times!) but I have grown to appreciate Natalie's joy and excitement for God and for what each day holds! (I'm also washing dishes more promptly.) Natalie learned to accept motherly love and concern and even has aked for my advice at times. I can't wait to hear what wonderful surprises God is yet to reveal to her in the future. I'm sure it will be exciting.

Love you Natalie! I'll miss you!! Hamba Kahle! "hahm-bah gah-(slur)thle" (means Go Well!)

10 Things I Love About Swaziland

I don't know if I mentioned that we have 6 teams in a 7 week period and it has been crazy here. The last two teams are here now. Before these teams arrived though, I took a couple of days off to rest in the Lord and renew my spirit. Above is one of the beautiful sites in Swaziland this time of year, the jacaranda trees. This weekend I surprised Natalie (my roomie departing for the states next week) with a Saturday that was special for her. We went walking (2 hours worth) and I took her horseback riding. (Yes, by back end is sore.) But it made me think of all the wonderful things in Swaziland. So many people say you have given up so much (free refills, fountain drinks, TV, WalMart, family), but look at what I've gained!!

MY TOP 10 LIST SWAZILAND (TODAY)
#10 Jacaranda trees in bloom! (it's spring here) Aren't they beautiful?

#9 Horseback riding in Africa! Natalie, Christy and me in the rear.

#8 The view from my house!

#7 Waking up to birds and sunshine out my window.

#6 Lightning displays (picture is of sunset though)

#5 My "sanctuary" chair

#4 The Children's Cup missionaries! What a team!

#3 My women's bible study group! What a support group!

#2 God's hand in everyday miricales! :)

And of course on top of the list ---

#1 I love the kids!!!!

Family

Here is a recent picture of my family! In fact this was taken just last weekend when my sons and “daughter-in-law to be” went to visit my parents in St. Louis. You see pictures of me often enough but here are who I left behind to come to Africa.
The far left is my baby, Michael. He just turned 22. His long golden locks are the result of not cutting his hair since I left home last November. He shaved his hair to show his support and vowed not to cut again until he saw me. (See picture to the right.) The good news is he is coming to visit me in Swaziland in December and has asked to have it shaved again when he sees me.
To the right of Michael are my parents, Howard and Irma Sparks. Dad just was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has started chemo treatments and seems to be handling it wonderfully. Keep him in your prayers. Everyone says I look like my mom but I think she is a lot more photogenic.
On the far left is my eldest son, Kris. He will be 24 in February. He is working on his master’s in education and has a passion for teaching history. Kris’s fiancé, Christina, is the one taking the picture so here is a separate picture of her. She has the sweetest spirit and caring personality. Keep them in your prayers as she also is undergoing chemo treatments.
I am so pleased that both my boys (and Christina) took the initiative to travel from Georgia to Missouri to visit their grandparents without their mom prompting them. They do grow up to be responsible adults!
Sometimes it is hard to be so far away, but sometimes it is easier to let go and let God handle things when I not in close proximity. I am such one to want to “fix” things and “solve” problems and often that is not my place.
Over a month ago I was reading a devotion in “The Word For You Today” and I have copied it and been letting it sink in ever since. So as I share “my family” with you may I share some of “Let Go And Let God”.
To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring, it just means I can’t do it for someone else. . . . To let go is to admit my powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands. . . . To let go is not to care for, but to care about; not to fix, but to be supportive; not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes. To let go is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality. . . . To let go is to fear less and love more. To let go --- is to let God!
My prayer is that by learning to let go more that my family and friends will stop being distracted by my actions and see God’s hand in everything.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8