September in Swaziland

September is the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Swaziland. Today we had our first hard rain, and I always love it when the rains start to come. I never get tired of smelling the fresh rain on the dusty, dry ground. It’s one of those things that takes me back to growing up. The jacaranda trees are also starting to bloom and even drop their pedals, and that’s another piece of life here that reminds me of growing up. As much as I miss my home in America, there are so many things here that feel like home.

Speaking of home, I wanted you all to see what our house looks like now that we’ve been living here for awhile.

The ramp coming up to our house (Good exercise on a daily basis)

The veranda leading to our door

Looking inside the living room

 Kitchen

View from the kitchen window

Bathroom – We have all the buckets because there is not hot water, so we boil water and use the buckets… .Though I’m not complaining – I’m just thankful for running water!

Bedroom

It has been a great blessing for us to be able to stay here. This place has been a safe place, and it is starting to feel like a home.

A big part of what I’ve been doing is settling into our home. Making curtains, buying home-making stuff, establishing a supply of things to use in the kitchen, etc. I also participate in the things going on at the Bible College. On Wednesdays and Fridays there is a morning chapel service. I attend a discipleship group on Wednesday evenings. Usually on Wednesday afternoons when the most of the male students play sports, I get together with the ladies on campus for a cooking lesson. One of the students named Faith has been teaching us different recipes that she learned growing up. I spend lots of time doing laundry, sweeping the floor, cooking, baking, and studying Siswati. I still have a lot to learn in Siswati, but I’m definitely gaining in my knowledge of it. In the evenings during the week I usually go for a walk with Dorcas Croft – one of the missionaries on campus.

Sometimes when I bake I will take some of what I cook to a friend’s house and visit with them. Yesterday I took some scones on a trip with Rev. Thabsile Thwala (The director of the Fortress & Children’s home), out to a rural area where some of the kids at the children’s home came from. I also spent some time helping Rev. Thwala in her office since she does not have a secretary.

In the evenings sometimes Mapile and I play volleyball together. I have also been able to help edit some of his assignments for school. Also sometimes I go over to the girls dorm and hang out with the Bible School students there.

As far as my work/nursing license paperwork goes, there has not been much progress. The nursing council in Swaziland only meets twice a year, so I am still waiting for them to meet. They said that they will meet sometime before December, but they are not for sure when. I am enjoying being a house wife and staying at home, but at the same time I’m anxious to find work.

God continues to be so good to us. It is such a joy to be married to Mapile and to be living in Africa.

Thanks for your continued prayers.