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Rachel's Swaziland Diary I am so grateful that God has given us this mission! I just can't believe that I am going to Africa to serve God. Of all the places in the world He has sent us to one of the most beautiful. I can't wait utill we leave. It will be hard to say goodbye to everybody, but I really am looking forward to going. It has been great living in Ilfracombe and all the people I have met. Living in Ilfracombe has been really nice for us, since coming back from Canada, spending a year in Tadley, we have settled well and thought things through! Now we are ready, ready to serve God in one of the poorest countries ever! I am so excited, so excited to change the lives of those kids who really need it. I know it will change our lives too. Going to a country that won't have leather sofas, big houses or a TV, it may take time for us to adjust but I'm sure we'll manage! With Gods help we can do anything! I bet when we come back we will just realize how many things we take for granted over here. That's one thing I am looking forward to in Africa, sounds funny but to just appreciate what we have here in Ilfracombe. God has really taken care of my family, all the houses we have lived in, in the past have been really nice and even now, going to Africa, the people out there are going to renovate a house for us to live in! It is amazing how God works, I can't believe how much he cares for us and how much he loves our little lives that he considers everything. My bags are nearly packed I just need to sort out a few bits and bobs, otherwise I'm pretty much ready! In a few days now, we'll be whizzing off to Swaziland!! Well we are actually in Africa now!!! Building up to this time has felt like forever! But now we are here and it's great!! Cape Town was amazing!! I can't get over the views, culture and the great people there! We were staying in a surfer's paradise for a bit over a week. That was an amazing place to stay, we were right on the beach! Its incredible how God has guided, provided and kept us safe so far in this mission! 'Cos the other day when we were in Cape Town, Kommetjie, Sian, Dad and I went down to the beach to body board and we found a place where there wasn't any surfers so we wouldn't get in their way! So we had two body boards and Dad and I went out first and we were paddling out to get to the good waves and we suddenly realized we were way out! Like 200 metres out! We started to try paddling back in, but every time a wave came we missed it and it seemed to just drag us out further. Then out of no where this surfer came and told me that we were in a current so he said paddle sideways because its easier so I went with him and he said just keep paddling and dad followed behind as we kinda got drifted apart. He guided us to safety. And waved to Sian on the beach, just to indicate, 'yup they're okay and safe now'. Then he paddled off and just seemed to disappear. I think God is sending angels guarding us wherever we go. I was so frightened out there and totally wiped out just trying to paddle back to shore. God really gave me comfort and strength when the surfer came. When Dad and I were paddling forward Dad looked back but couldn't see me but then he looked to the side and saw me paddling sideways with the angel surfer! Dad thought he lost me when he couldn't see me, but then he saw me safe in God's hand. Well that was one crazy experience! And I'm sure there will be many more to come, as we haven't even entered Swaziland yet!! Africa has a lot to offer and you can really see when you need God, because He's there straight away to rescue you. Well I am totally loving the adventure so far, and we have already met such great people and made so many friendships. I'm just waiting now, just waiting what God has in store for us next! Well, we are in Bulembu, Swaziland, AFRICA! It is so nice to be here! The place we are staying in for now is nice, its really big, but we are hopefully moving into our new home next week! That's right next to ABC house, so it will be nice to be so close to all the kids there. The weather here is great, but kinda weird, cos it starts off really sunny and hot, but then later on in the day, like 3:00 clouds start to come and thunder and lightning appear! We climbed the highest mountain in Swaziland last Sunday, on dad's birthday, its right in Bulembu. It was really cool, it only took us 1hour and 15 minutes to climb up, but like 4 hours to climb down!! We totally got lost coming down, we went down the wrong path so ended up going though the bush up to our waists, down the side of a mountain!! Man it was long but much more exciting than it would have been going down the right way! We came back all sunburnt, and our legs - woooo! you should have seen our legs!! They looked black, they were soo dirty, and mine had like a million cuts on them! Sian and I have now got involved in the community care centre which is looking after the community kids ages 2-6, we teach them and feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner, also snacks. That has been really good because it's different from the orphan houses which actually have carers, these kids live in the 'smartie boxes' small box like houses with no electricity or running water in a lot of them. There are three classes in all, 2-3, 3-4 and 4-6 yr olds. I have been helping in the youngest group; Sian has been going into both classes. One of the boys came to me he looked about 3 and he was lifting his foot up, his lace on his trainer was tied in a knot around his ankle and couldn't get it off, but that wasn't what I was shocked about, because his actual trainers were like sandals they has so many holes in them, his feet were sticking right out the end! Love Rachel.xx Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't written my blog recently, time for me
fly's by! I think coming back here was good because I think the whole family needed to be together for Gran's funeral. Although I was so ready just to stay in Bulembu, to miss the funeral and to stay for Christmas. But now we are here I think it's good! I have caught up with friends and told them all about our great adventure so far. And even though we have only gone for about 2 and half months, there is already so much to say! I actually can't wait to go back! I miss the kids at the Community Care Centre so much! They have already taken my heart! I much prefer the weather over there too!! It was really weird when we came into Heathrow! I didn't realise it was going to be so cold!! Going back to Ilfracombe and going back to our house, I easily slipped back into that old lifestyle; of just sitting back in the leather chairs and watching TV and eating whatever! But I'm sure when we get back to Swaziland we will get right back into the business and fun!! I accept that Grandma has gone; first it was weird coming back to her house and her not being here, it was like something was missing, but I know that she is with Jesus and she is having the time of her life! I mean who wouldn't want to be up there! Anyway I am very happy! I thank God so much that he has called us to Swaziland and set out our lives like this so far. And I know he has much, much more exciting things planned for us! I'm sure there will be some hard obstacles, but with Jesus holding you, you can do the impossible!! Bye for now... Hey guys I know this may seem long, but seriously you have to read it! Its crazy! Okay, so Mum and I travel down to Nelspruit in South Africa, we had to pick up some teachers who went home for Christmas and were returning and mum had to do some printing stuff for the school. We borrowed a friend's car as dad had taken our Combie to Matsapha to check what was wrong with it, we were like phew we get to travel down in a nice, reliable 4x4 perjero as the dirt road to Barberton is real bad!! We saw a man and women hitch hiking on the road and I thought 'man they have a long way to walk if we don't pick them up', mum was a bit hesitant but I was like come on!! So we stopped and dropped them off in Barberton. Then we made our way to Nelspruit. We got there and it was busy busy busy! And we had never really been there before so was like okay where's this minuteman printing place, for mum to do this printing stuff for the school. We were going crazy (well mum more) cos we just couldn't find this place anywhere! We asked a few people too, and they didn't even know! And it was like the hottest day ever! So mum said why don't you go to the shops while I try and find it, so I went into Mr Price, which is like a really good cheap clothes store here! I must have been in there for 30-40minties, then I went outside to meet mum and she came down saying quick get in the car we need to find a garage, we have a flat tyre! I was like what! So we were driving around on this flat tyre not knowing where a petrol station would be, but then yes, we found one. The guys were really nice to us when we drove in and they got straight to work. It was so hot so I went around the other side of the car to get my bag and get some money out to buy mum and I a drink. I left my bag on the driver's seat with the windows rolled all the way down. Yep it got stolen. But the annoying thing was, the guys that saw my bag get stolen came to me afterwards and said your bag has been stolen!! I was nearly on the verge of crying, but stayed strong, as mum already had a little cry about the flat tyre. So this newspaper man and petrol attendant had seen it all and told the men who were changing our tyre then they told us, and cos the guys saw the guy drive away with my bag, they managed to catch the licence plate. Mum and I both were like , wow can things get any worse! So after the petrol station we went to the police station, we managed to find that place okay. So we got there and explained what had happened. Then we got really mad cos I had just realised that our £250 digital camera was in the bag. We were in the police station for a while and asked if we could leave then come back because we really needed to try and find the teachers by now! The policeman said they identified what kind of car and colour it was and would get on the case straight away. It was a blue gulf or something. So we left the station and were driving around this crazy city not only trying to find the teachers but still trying to find this printing place. The teachers said they were at a Spar shopping centre and we went to like 7 different Spars! Couldn't find them anywhere! So we were driving along in all this traffic, and then I just looked out the window and saw a blue bonnet of a car and the driver. The driver looked straight at me with the most evil horrible face I've ever seen!!! That's when I just burst into to tears! And mum was like it's okay it will be alright, come on Rach you've been so strong, I said yeah I know but I just saw this guy and I was like it was the guy! The guy that stole my bag, but I knew it though and when he looked at me and scrunched his face up and stuck his tongue out and narrowed his eye brows, it was like that guy knew I went to the station to try and get my stuff back and to get the guy who stole it. That day I don't think I ever prayed so much just in one day I know that both me and mum were praying constantly just for protection and just to settle us and keep reminding us that we are with God and shouldn't feel afraid or alone. So we went back to the police station and they said they have 3 suspects already, and they asked if I saw the guy but I said no, so I couldn't go in and identify them, but I did tell them I just saw this really weird thing and I think I know what the guys looked like but they were still like no. So two police officers drove us back to the petrol station, to try and find the petrol attendant who saw the guy that stole my bag. We found and first he said yeah yeah I saw the guy, but then when we said are you willing to come down to the station and identify the guy he was like umm, well actually I probably won't be able to identify him. And the police officer said it was because of fear, the guy didn't want to get involved and get himself hurt over it. So that was that and the manager of the petrol station who changed our tyre gave a statement and we drove back to the police station gave our details and left, I was seriously happy to leave and was sick and tired of being around police officers! lol We drove for a little while just asking the lord to help us find the ladies. We eventually found them and seriously I've never been so happy to see them!! Cos we were on and off the phone with them but then actually finding and seeing them was the best! They had been waiting for seven hours!! As we couldn't make back to the bulembu border cos it was too late we had to drive around to one of the other borders. We stopped off and wimpy cos we missed lunch and wow that was sooo nice to eat a burger not only because I had missed lunch and was fed up but because I hadn't had a burger for a while!! We were glad to get out of the chaotic town and just wanted to return to our great little home in great bulembu! So we were driving along to get to this border catching up with the teachers, and then a police man pulled us over off the road! And seriously me and mum had seen so much police officers that day I was gunna scream! So he said we were speeding on a 80k road and we were going 113k, he showed us on the video speed camera thing then got this chart out proving we had to pay R1000!!! That's £90. Mum was like you don't know what day I've had!! But then the police officer said so how much do you want to give me, mum was like R500, so he was like okay. And off we went. But I don't think it was official cos he didn't write us a slip, we didn't get a receipt. We decided things come in threes! we weren't expecting anything else that day. We got through the border and finally got home. I was so happy to see Bulembu. We got home around 9 oclock., That day was crazy but it just made me realise that well firstly don't leave your bag in a seat of a car with the window down! ha ha, but most of all I just thank god we weren't hurt and that he has brought us to such an amazing and beautiful place. And even though to us it got really bad in Nelspriut God still was with us and got us home!! O yeah and we did in the end find that printing place too! Lol. But yeah I really thank God that he has brought us to such an amazing place, that one day seemed like everything was going wrong, and I was just recognising all the bad things, but when really God has done so much for my family and I just haven't realised how many good things he's done for us!! But other than that its been soo cool here as usual, discovering new things every day! The kids at the centre are great!! And the sun is shining!! See you guys! Rachel x Hi guys Africa is still treating us well, it's great out here, Sian and I are really enjoying it down at the centre, and the kids are incredible! Just the other day I was praying, and thanking God that he has kept us safe, because we're in Africa and there are so many things that could harm us and so many things that could happen, but God hasn't let them happen. Then I realized that we forget where we are. I mean we're in Africa! Its one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived. And I was like, wow, thank you so much Lord, look where I am, and that's thanks to you. It's just amazing to look out the window and see blue skies, loads of tall, beautiful, green trees and amazing, huge mountains. And then at night the stars are always out, because there are no lights, and it's like you can see out to space! Seriously it seems like that! Yesterday Sian and I went with Corey to Matsapha, it's about 2 hours away from Bulembu, to pick up his brother Jeremy. It was kind of nice to have a day off the centre to do that, because the centre can be exhausting at times, and it was cool to have a mini, mini road trip with Sian and Corey, and see a little bit of Africa we hadn't seen before. Ha, like the mini airport that we picked Jeremy up from. Its Swaziland's only airport and its tiny! You know when you walk into Heathrow; it's like okay then crazy, busy! But then we walk into this Swazi airport and it feels like were walking into a local shop or something! There's about 2 little snack stall things then a car rental check in thing and the main reception. There's only one airstrip and 1 plane that comes in and out every 3 hours or something, it holds about 20 people and they call the airport 'international' only because the plane goes to Jo'burg, South Africa, and back. But that's the only place it goes to! So that was cool to see. Sian and I are sort of learning to drive. We drive the kombi now and again, but Corey lets us drive his automatic a bit more. And I guess that isn't the same as driving a manual. But at least we are getting used to the roads and stuff. I know that living here has really taught us a lot and really made me grow up, but I'm still my normal self, just that I am more reliable and responsible. I can't wait to see everyone in August. Thank you for all your support, and your prayers. Bye, love Rachel. 2007 was an amazing year. I got engaged, I went to Canada to “meet the parents” and just being a part of the community centre for a year has been just great. The kids have really changed me and I believe I have changed them too. We have made so many friends out here, it will be sad to leave them. I know it will be hard leaving mum and dad and leaving Corey, but I know God stands by me, and even though this year will be tough (first time leaving the parents!) I think it will be really great, fun and challenging. After working full time in Reading then leaving to go to America for a month in late July/August ( hopefully ) I will be returning to Swaziland, God willing, for a short time, that’s if I don’t do some schooling. Then in august 09 I will be married to Corey. And if he is still working in Bulembu, we will live here together. Then eventually move to Canada. Bulembu has been a huge part of my life, not only that I have found my husband here, but I have learnt so much. God has taught me so much. And then children will stay in my heart forever. So I kind of / semi / half have some of my life planned out, but it’s totally open for God to intervene at any point! Bye Thanks for all your support and prayers. Rachel
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