Unjani?
Mosquito count:3
Monkey count: too many
Snakes: 2 proper huge ones
Yesterday was my 6th day here, today obviously being the 7th... (that's a whole week just in case you were wondering)
Today is mother's day! So Happy Mother's day Make! Ngiyakutsandza
Yesterday we went to the cultural village in Mantenga. It is a village compromising of 16 huts, and its aim, as well as being a homestead for the Swazis who actually live there is to keep interest in the Swazi cultural heritage, including language, customs and practices, rituals, dance, music, folklore, arts and crafts. It was certainly different! and eyeopening! There are men there who show you around, and it was quite apparent that even though their culture has been influenced by the west, their opinions of women remain the same. The man has complete control over his wife in Swaziland, she is perceived as a child. The only person who is on par with the head of the house (the husband), is the grandmother who similarly expects respect and authority. Men in Swaziland are allowed to take as many wives as they wish as long as they can look after them. The same goes with children. Each wife must have her own house with a separate are for brewing, cooking and sleeping.
I have loads of video recordings and pictures of the traditional dancing and singing, I just need the netbook to actually recognise the usb port on my camera before I can load them!! At the moment it isn't....
Today was up at 7 to leave for church at 8. Church finished before the service even starts at home!
It was so good! And you get cakes after! The plan for the rest of the day is to have lunch, and take the kids for a walk I think.
On thursday I am going into the community with a few other people, to set up a health station. They run from10am-12pm and another one in the afternoon.The idea is to provide a clinic for people who are so remote they cannot get to a doctors or hospital.
Not sure when I'll next be in the office to use the Internet, so I'll keep you posted next time I'm on.
Sala Kahle!! :-)
P.S Dave, the other people are nice :-) but I'm not sure when I'll be going bunny hunting because they are trying to increase the population first!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteForget the bunnies - snakes & monkeys - missed hunting opportunity!!
ReplyDeleteYou're obviously picking up the language - so long as it's not "yes I do, I will be your 7th wife" lol
The clinic work sounds good, although I am smiling at the thoughts of the needles lol - have you got any "I've been brave at the doctors" stickers?
What was the service like?
Can't think what the problem is on the camera. If you have the software disk you may have to reinstall it. Alternatively see if you can do it from a computer in the church.
Having quite a good response with the football shirts. Is it just big names or can lowly Southend also be include? I've also been asked about shorts etc.
Love you loads - Mum XXXXXX
Great to hear about you're first week! Hope you're not making those children run for a hour non-stop like you did at the gym!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you.
God Bless. Love, Chris & Sue xx
Hi Katherine
ReplyDeleteReally good to hear from you-looks and sounds like they are keeping you busy out there.
What are the church services like? Do they sing in swazi or is some in English? Do you have problem understanding the preach?
Praying that you will really impact the lives of some of the children out there and that the Spirit will lead and prompt you wisely in all your contact with folks as you seek to share the love of Jesus and to offer practical advise and help.
God bless ya
Ian
Pleased to hear about the camera. Sounds like another banana moment!! lol
ReplyDeleteWill we see some piccies at last, especially the ballroom dancing?
We'll work on the picture of Stephen - unless any other bloggers have got one??
Hi Katherine - it has been really good and interesting reading your blog and all that you have been up to. It sounds really different and you sound like you are keeping really busy helping out and extending your mission experience. Well done! So really, really proud of you and praying that you keep well and really enjoy your time out there. Life is a little duller here in the office but mega busy. We are having a quiz night tonight for the life groups. We've now just had the third wedding of the year and about to prepare for the next one on Saturday week. I took Chris and Sue and their fellow travellers off to Heathrow on Monday to catch their flight to Jordan. The service on Sunday evening was great and the young people did a great job singing and doing a drama. We have some prayer requests too - Brenda Evans is very poorly and John Kingham has been taken into hospital with serious illness. We continue to pray for you lots and look forward to hearing your news.
ReplyDeleteLoads of love Alice and Dave