"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.- Romans 5:3-4

Hello to all from Swaziland. I have wanted to write a blog since I got here, but honestly I haven't known what to write. I have only been here for 2 weeks in yet it feels like so much longer. It was great being reunited with the team and seeing all that God has been doing in their lives. When I arrived we were able to put together a ministry schedule for the team to give them some consistency for each day. Everyone is really excited to be here and I can see God giving them a heart for the Kingdom of Swaziland as they jump into their individual ministries.

Personally, I have had a lot of challenges since arriving here. Within the first couple of days, I somehow got a poison/fungus type rash on my hand. Some people think it is from picking some mangos in our yard and others just don't know what it is, but either way it has been a challenge. I am highly allergic to poison ivy or anything related to that so needless to say I have been extremely nervous about having this on my hand. I went to the pharmacy and got some mysterious pills and ointment for it. I thought it was getting better but it looks like it may be spreading to my arm. It is painful and making it hard to move my fingers. The heat here probably isn't helping. It has been getting up way past 100 degrees and feels like you are living in a sauna 24 hours a day. Every day that it is overcast is a complete blessing. I'm doing my best to put mind of matter and not let it bother me but the fear of the rash getting worse is very real. Also, my tooth is still hurting after getting a root canal before I came on this trip. I'm praying for healing because the dentists here aren't exactly where one wants to go if they don't have to.

More than the physical, God has really been using circumstances here to stretch me in ways I have never known. He is stretching me to the point where there is pain. I can recognize some as attacks from the enemy, but others I can see clearly as God testing me and breaking me. That is really all I know at this point. I don't know why He is allowing some things to happen or why He is allowing me to be so uncomfortable, but I believe that in time I will see the reasons behind it. I relate it to growing pains. The more you grow the more it hurts but there is a reason for it and it is very necessary to live a full life. A dear friend told me a few months ago that as he was praying for me God told Him that He was going to stretch me like never before. Well, that has become a reality and I'm doing my best to hold strong.

On another note, it has been such a blessing to see friends again that I made this past summer. I have been able to spend some time with Musa and Xolani (our translators from this past July) and they have kept me smiling. I feel like they are my brothers and it is hard to stay discouraged when I see them. We also had the opportunity to return to the Abandoned Children's Shelter (which is one of my favorite places in Swaziland). We spent a day there last Friday loving on the kids and one of the house mothers remembered me. It was great to see her smile and get to laugh and talk with her again. My heart longs to continue to build relationships here. On Wednesdays I plan to go with some of the girls to the youth center where they have a program to teach crafts to Swazi women. They make jewelry and buttons out of clay as well as weaving purses. They get paid for their work, while getting to learn a skill to use in the future. There is a woman named Christina there that I have started to get to know. She is 28 and has 2 children the oldest of which is 13 years old. She lives with her 3 sisters and 1 brother. She has such a sweet smile and joy for life. It has been encouraging to just sit and talk with her and learn about her life.

Swaziland is a hard place to live out every day life. You see hurt and brokenness everywhere you go, but I can see hope in the people here. It is my prayer that the people here will not just know of who God is, but will start to have an active relationship with Him. My team's heart is to see this upcoming generation take a stand and stop the cycle of AIDS that is killing this country.

I really appreciate everyone's prayers. I truly believe your prayers are getting me through this time. I would appreciate your prayers for healing for my rash and tooth and that God would keep me healthy so I can best serve Him. Please also pray that God will allow relationships to be built with the people here and that He would be glorified in those relationships. Please keep the encouragement coming...you all are a blessing to me!

For His Glory,

Caroline :)

Ps. 56:3