Sawbona! It has been a long time since I've posted a blog. I've been crazy busy but the Lord has been doing amazing things! I am learning how to deligate to others from Children's Cup so that I can continue on with clinic and do things like update my blog ;)

Here is a story of one of the precious children that we are caring for medically. Mike Pier, a missionary with Children's Cup, with Lori, another missionary in Swaziland, were able to take Lomasontfo to South Africa for medical care. I had previously blogged about her before but here is the update.

Here is their adventure with Lomasontfo.....

UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES

What an amazing week it has been here in Pretoria. God has taken me on another unexpected journey, revealing Himself in so many ways day in and day out. Have been here since last Wednesday with a precious little 9 year old girl from Swaziland named Lomasontfo. What began as a simple trip to South Africa has really turned into another great “God” adventure. Lomasontfo has a rapidly growing aneurysmic bone cyst on her left mandible that has grown to the point of needing immediate attention if she was to survive. (look at all the fancy words I’m learning too)

Our medical team at Childrens Cup has been working for months to get the Swazi government to pay for her treatment in South Africa as the Swazi doctors are simply not equipped to deal with her condition. Long story short, the progress was coming to a halt so our medical team and Cup staff went to work to find a way to get Lomasontfo some help. As always, after much hard work God came through in the form of help from Mission of Mercy who granted a substantial sum of money in order that her life could be saved.

So here I go to Pretoria, South Africa with 3 people I don’t know and only one that speaks English as a native language. Along with Lomasontfo was her older sister, who initially was not too happy about the whole thing(had to bring a family member as we were transporting a minor across international borders as well as for medical consent) and Lori Schweighardt, a missionary who works with the church and CarePoint near Lomasontfos home. Lori is just an incredible lady who has worked with Lomasontfo for quite some time and really has a gift for children. She’s also pretty good at reading a map, keeping my directionally challenged self from getting hopelessly lost!!

In the midst of all the medical procedures and occasional frustrations that go along with such things (especially in Africa!!) God has been our constant comfort and companion, always paving the way in front of us and showing up just at the right time. There are way too many examples to try to capture them all here, but from providing a 3D CT scan at no charge, to finding a safe place to stay He has just blessed us beyond belief.

My heart was heavy for this incredible little girl as we started this journey, not knowing for sure whether she could be helped, or even the grim reality that she may not survive the surgery. Even though she is so severely afflicted she still has that childlike joy and innocence. You can see the smile in the pictures. She got her very first Barbie doll (well sorta, it was a knock off Barbie, coconut scented doll with a big sticker that said “smell me”) as well as her first trip to Macdonalds on this trip. I was pretty excited about Macdonalds too!

She doesn’t talk much but she loves to sing and dance, both of which she is very good at. It’s been so cool to watch her and her sister too as they really open up to the love that God has for them both. I can only hope that in some small way to be an example to them of the unending love of Jesus. These are ministry opportunities that are just priceless, I don’t want to miss a single one.

My prayers have gone from those of healing to those of simple love and thankfulness to God for the life of this beautiful child that He has so graciously allowed me to be a part of. God is in the healing business. He can and will heal her completely as He sees fit. As we continue to embrace His love, we are embracing His presence in our lives and if nothing else that’s the “Romans 8:38” kind of love I want them both to experience.
And after all….If God be for us, who can be against us? Thanks for your love and prayers.

Meet one of the King's Daughters...by Sarah Bethune

Here is a post from my associate and partner in crime Sarah. Sarah has a public health background and is doing a ton of organizing related to the clinic. She helps me with clinic by running our pharmacy and assisting in anything that needs to get done!

I love the title that she gave. So get ready to...

Meet One of the King’s Daughters…

This is Sindi, one of the King’s precious baby girls. Both her earthly parents have passed and she lives with her 6 year old brother, 9 year old sister, and teenage brother.

Just over a week ago, Sindi was sleeping next to the fire when her jacket caught fire. Not only did she receive 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her shoulder and right arm, her leg was also badly burned when pieces of her jacket melted and dropped onto her leg. Her siblings were able to get her to RFM (a hospital – with a definite 3rd world feel) where they were able to clean her wound. What breaks my heart is that she was sent home with an injury that would grant you a certain hospital admission in a 1st world nation. It was that next Monday that we received a call from her CarePoint teachers that she needed care.

It was such a blessing to have the River Valley Church team to love on her and sit with her until we got there. One of the girls from RVC held her the whole trip to the clinic and while she was waiting for Jessie to see her. Precious Sindi had wet herself in the meantime, so we were able to bathe her – you all, God is so faithful. After I had finished, I realized I had nothing to put her in…and started praying that God would provide something for Sindi. I found a shirt in one of our closets that I was able to cut an arm hole in to avoid it from sticking and even a fleece vest – an incredible blessing to help her regulate her body temp, which would be very difficult with her injury.

We had her drinking lots of water and eating lots of protein. Then….I just held her as she cried in my chest as Jessie dressed her wounds (for those that care: we used B.A.P., which is an antiseptic cream– wrapped in cling wrap, Ace bandages, and some tape to secure the bandages). After finishing, I totally pulled a Brittney Spears and had her sit on my lap while I drove her back to her CarePoint, then had to drop her off with her siblings and gave them instructions for her care.

I went to go check on her the next day and bring her some new clothes, thankfully, the bandages on her arm looked great and I only had to fix the one on her leg. She cried when we came close, so I was DREADING having to come in two more days to change the dressings on her arm….but – this little girl has a lot of people praying for her, and God totally showed up!

That day, I had little Sindi sit in my car when I was taking off her bandages…it was an incredibly tedious process, taking over an hour to remove the bandages – at times, cutting them thread by thread. I had prayed so hard that we wouldn’t hurt her, that she wouldn’t feel the pain, and about half way through, Jacci had to hold her head up because she was FALLING ASLEEP! Yes!!! Holy Ghost anesthesia!! An hour and a half later…she had new bandages, new clothes, lots of water and protein, and rubber glove balloons for the whole family.

I have been able to see her again since then, and she is doing wonderfully. She is more active and is finally smiling again. Pray for her, she still has a lot of healing to do. Pray for her brothers and sister, for their protection; pray for her CarePoint teachers, Treasure and Make Peggy.

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for your support that makes it possible to serve here. God is so good.

I find rest in God

I find rest in God;

only He gives me hope.

He is my rock and my salvation.

He is my defender;

I will not be defeated.

My honor and salvation come from God.

He is my mighty rock and my protection.

People, trust God all the time.

Tell Him all your problems,

because God is our protection.

PSALMS 62:5-8

Pictures of clinic

Sarah has been a wonderful addition to helping with clinic. She has a public health background, has organized my pharmacy beautifully, does tons of administrative things so that the clinic can still continue to run, and she keeps me in line ;)

Love ya Sarah!

2 cuties with medicine in hand. I see a lot of kids with eye infections that they have had since they were born. I've been able to give eye drops to help with the chronic eye infections.

Here is a glimpse into the kombi (van) of people taken to clinic. On a clinic day I will see kids from 2 to 3 different carepoints. A teacher from that carepoint will come to interpret for me and to be able to tell me more about the child.

Benson and Glory weighing a child before she is to see me. This was my biggest clinic by myself so far. Benson is helping me in the clinic and drives the kombi.

Perfection

Perfection does not refer to the full consummation of one's powers, it simply means perfect fitness for doing the will of God; a perfect adjustment to God until all the powers are perfectly fitted to do His will.

Oswald Chambers

"So Send I You"

The word of the year is "OVERWHELMED"

This is my "I'm here at the hospital trying to discharge my kid...don't know quite where to go...I think someone told me to sit here, I think? Ahh, someone will tell me if I'm in the wrong spot...I hope..."

I'm not sure how to do any of this...but I'm here. Lord, I rest on You cause there is nothing and no one else to rest on. Plus You have walked this road, You know what I need to do and where to go.


So I CHOOSE to trust and rest and listen intently to Your Holy Spirit, Your voice, that continues to direct me to where You would have me go and what You would have me say and what You would have me do.

I CHOOSE TO REST ON YOUR TRUTH!

God did NOT GIVE us a spirit that MAKES US AFRAID but a SPIRIT OF POWER and LOVE and SELF CONTROL.

2 Timothy 1:7

The LORD says, "I will make you WISE and SHOW you WHERE TO GO. I will GUIDE YOU and WATCH OVER YOU."

Psalms 32:8

All you who put your HOPE [confident expectation] in the LORD BE STRONG and BRAVE.

Psalms 31:24

And since we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST over GOD'S HOUSE, LET US COME NEAR TO GOD with a SINCERE HEART and a SURE FAITH,

because WE HAVE BEEN MADE FREE from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been WASHED WITH PURE WATER.

Let us HOLD FIRMLY to the HOPE that we have confessed, because WE CAN TRUST GOD to do what HE PROMISED.

Hebrews 10:21-23

Medical Training

Teresa and I taught a 2 day medical course based on the book "Where there is no Doctor" for the new teachers with Children's Cup. We taught them basic human anatomy, how to identify simple illnesses like scabies, and how to help us identify which children may need HIV testing.


Teresa and I had a wonderful time tag teaching and getting to know all the new teachers. It was such a great experience to learn more about Swazi culture and I was able to get a glimpse into their experiences with HIV in the community.


All the teachers where quick learners and I appreciated getting to know them all. I loved sitting with them and listening to their stories. A part of me feel as if I got just as much knowledge from them as they got from the course.

THINGS I LEARNED DURING THE MEDICAL CLASS:

1. The Swazi Heimlich Maneuver for a boy who is choking is to hit him in his privates until he coughs up whatever he is choking on.


2. Dirt is it's own food group...people eat it all the time.


3. If someone is bleeding and you don't have any gloves then you should use grocery bags to protect your hands instead.

Here is the class of new teachers Teresa and I taught the medical course too.

We had class in the waiting room of the clinic.

I have officially taken over the clinic. I have appreciated Teresa's help and input...I will be able to call her for help and wisdom. She may regret letting me know I can call her cause I'll be calling her a ton with questions! ;)

Thanks you Teresa for your help and for continually being there as someone I can call and talk with about anything. I know you have been there and appreciate your support and encouraging words. God bless you! Love ya Teresa!

Gogo Sanmaria

A couple of weeks ago Gogo Sanmaria came to church with her neighbors Solomon and Precious. Solomon and Precious had just moved from South Africa and had befriended this gogo (grandma). She had been fighting an ear infection for a couple of weeks so Zinty and KB went with me after church to her homestead. I had already given Solomon a weeks worth of antibiotics earlier that week to help with her ear infection.

I brought my medical bag with a blood pressure cuff, otoscope, and Tylenol to assess Gogo Sanmaria. Zinty, KB, and I drove down some steep dirt roads and came upon her homestead. She was sitting on the ground as we came up to her with her grandson clean dishes on a metal sheet that was modified to work as a sink sending the water down the hill.

I did my nursing thing discovering that her ear infection was still present. I gave her some Tylenol for the ear pain and her constant arthritis. I instructed her through Zinty to continue to take the full dose of antibiotics that Precious was helping her take daily and to take the Tylenol once in the morning and once in the afternoon for pain.

There wasn't much I could do medically to help her BUT I could love her and show her she care and mattered. The fact is that I can't do much on my own BUT the Lord comes through and shows His love in a mighty way when we obey what He has called us to do.

Gogo Sanmaria now complains of no more pain and I'm hoping her ear infection has gone away. Gogo Sanmaria is a light in this community feeding kids who go without food when she can.

This is one of many stories of the experiences I'm having in Swaziland. As I continue to get on my feet and settle in what I'm doing I'll be sharing more of my experience with the Swazi people and the Lord.

Thanks for all your love and support and prayers!

I could not be here without you!

Love ya all!

Clinic Days

Every Tuesday and Thursday Sarah and I hold clinic.
This Wednesday and Thursday we are holding a medical class for the new teachers at our care points. Dr. Beyda has written us ciriculum based on the book "Where there is no doctor".

I hope to soon tell you my experience in admitting a child to the hospital with pnemonia and nephrotic syndrome. It took 9 or so hours with many interesting experiences! I kept track of the day as a timeline so you will know what a day would intell when I need a kid admitted to the hospital.

Love you all!

Sarah and I at the care point!

Hlabelela!

One aspect of the Swazi culture I greatly enjoy is how much they enjoy to sing and dance.

It seems to be a way they can freely express themselves and to have a fun time!

One of the songs I've been learning in Siswati is called Bonga. It becoming one of my favorite songs so far so I thought I'd share it with you!

The words are a little tricky to say but I'm getting it.

These are the words to the song Bonga:

Bonga (Praise) x4

Njenge nyoni enhle (Like a beautiful bird)

Hlabelela (Sing praises)

Ukuhlabelela (Singing praises)

Kuyamthokozisa (Brings joy)

Odabuki leyo (to the grieving)

Hlebelela (sing praises)

I love how this song reminds us that even as we grieve and are sad we can still experience the joy of the Lord when we praise Him. What an amazing God we serve!

Here are a couple of pictures from our time at the clinic. The clinic building is at a care point. They were passing out Christmas Boxes from Operation Christmas Child on afternoon after I finished with clinic. It was so much fun to see them get the boxes and open them up!

For a couple of years along with my youth kids we have filled these boxes in Denver. How exciting to see my kids receive this blessing!

We have not been given a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and selfcontrol.

Mozambique

Sorry about the noblogging!

Heading out to Mozambique for the week so I'll be catching you all up on life in Swaziland when I get back!

Love you all!

The rainy days of Swaziland

HELLO EVERYONE!


I arrived safely in Swaziland on Thursday!


Went straight to the clinic from the airport to get ready to hold a mobile clinic on Friday. Clinic went well and I've been having a grand time getting to know everyone with Children's Cup in Swaziland!


Some Swazi highlights:


1. Within 5 minutes of being in the country I saw a man peeing on the side of the road...literally...just right out in the open.


2. I saw 3 elephants during my first sunset in Africa...amazing I know!

3. In my first mobile clinic I heard a 6 year old who has a very irregular heart beat and ran a couple strings of V fib (aka ghost holding hands...not a very good thing) while I was listening to his heart.


4. I finally started feeling normal...more myself...when I was able to participate in vocal worship practice after church on Sunday.



5. I've now learned how to kiss my teeth...a form of expression or input in a conversation...no idea when to use it though.

Love and miss you all!
I'll be writing an update soon and a prayer email update as I continue to get settled.

Love ya!

Just hangin out in Heathrow

Hello family and friends!

I'm sitting in the Heathrow Airport in London, England, waiting to board my flight to Jburg, South Africa. For lunch I bought some fish and chips with a cup of tea...which I thought was the proper thing to do when waiting in the London airport.

Took a short one eye open nap on the bench while laying on my back pack...so refreshing. Did what I could to get refreshed and smelling pretty so that those around me aren't repulsed.

Here is a quick photo journal of my amazing 7 hour layover in Heathrow:

Oh my goodness! 20 pounds for shower?! That's $40USD!!!
I'll use the wonderfully free sink facilities in the toilet thank you very much.

What gate are we supposed to go to? It's said "Please wait" for 30 minutes and we leave in 1 hour!

Ready for another kick you in the pants hysterical 9 hour night flight?!

You betcha!


Here's our plain and we're ready to board!

Day 1 of Forty Days of Prayer with Children's Cup!

Come join us as we specifically take time for the next 40 days to pray for the work Children's Cup is doing! Join us on the web at http://www.childrenscup.org/v2/fortydays/ . It's also not to late to order the booklet if you haven't gotten one yet in the mail.

Come join us as we go before the Lord to seek His heart and pray for those we are reaching!

Psalm 10:17-18
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Day 1:

Jesus, we ask that you do something OUTRAGEOUS…AIDS is such a huge problem, especially in Africa. We are asking for you to heal people from this disease that, for man, is incurable. It is too big for us to handle, but nothing - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - is too difficult for you.
Do this your way, for YOUR GLORY.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN

Kinda my life summed up!

I'm in the process of reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's a nonfiction book on the Trinity...very thought provoking book.

Before each chapter he has quotes. When I found this quote it verbalized how I feel into words I'd never have been able to produce...until now:

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping for the known to the unknown.

-Author Unknown

Pretty much sums up my life!

God is calling me out to move (aka make a CHANGE) to Swaziland to GROW more into the likeness of Him. I've always felt as if moving me to Africa is God's way of fully getting my attention. He is moving me so much out of my comfort zone (there is huge RISK in this) and out of the "KNOWN" that I can do nothing but fully with my whole being depend and trust in Him.

Nursing school was one of those times that I was fully aware that I was unable and incapable of doing life on my own. Nursing school was beyond me...and I was fully aware of my short comings. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL! He provided me with the strength and wisdom and knowledge to endure the school load. He gave me amazing friends that came around me and supported me and uplifted me. Without God's provision I would have been unable to make it through nursing school!

Now comes Swaziland...I am fully aware that I am unable and incapable of doing this life...African life on my own. Being a missionary to Swaziland is beyond me...and I am fully aware of my short comings.

(2nd verse same as the 1st).

BUT HE IS FAITHFUL and WORTHY OF MY TRUST!

He desires for me to continue to GROW in my relationship with Him...which involves some RISKS. Ya know? The risk of stepping from the KNOWN to the UNKNOWN?

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit..."

2 Cor 3:5-6

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:18

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved.."

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Praise be the One who is a God to be Known intimately!

Be strong and courageous...

Be strong and very courageous.

Be careful to obey all the law

my servant Moses gave you;

do not turn from it to the right or to the left,

that you may be successful wherever you go.

Do not let this Book of the Law

depart from your mouth;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do

everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the LORD your God will be with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:7-9

Mission Medicine Intensive with Equip Inc.

I just got back from the 2 week medical intensive in Victoria, Canada. It was created as a program that medical and non-medical people can take to acquire some medical knowledge to use when medical help is far away while living as missionaries in rural communities.

As Barry liked to remind us, "If you didn't come into this course a nurse, you're not coming out of here a nurse." But when the time comes and their is no one around to diagnose or treat an illness or accident you will be able to do what you can.

We learned how to make splints for broken bones, how to treat dehydration, how to place foleys, how to put in a feeding tube through the nose (NG tubes), how to suture a wound closed, give shots, and many many more skills!

This was such a wonderful course to be taking. I learned a ton and have increased my medical knowledge when in a jam. I would recommend this class to anyone who is moving overseas for any length of time or who plans on going on short term medical trips.

The medical information and classes where great, but I believe I was more blessed by the people who I took the course with. To be living with and surrounded by people that are mission minded, following where God was calling them overseas, was such a wonderful experience. I will forever remember and pray for them. And hopefully I'll be able to visit a couple overseas...

Here is our class of people with Ann, the nurse, who helped teach the course. I believe it was about half Canadians half Americans.

Crystal and Dena working hard on their case studies.

Nurses had to finish 50 case studies and non-medical people had to finish 40. The case studies where scenarios of people who are sick from around the world. We had to figure out what was wrong then decide how to treat them...not as easy as if sounds...sometimes they might have club feet! (That one's for you Tilley...thanks for all your help! ;) Many had worms, vitamin deficiencies, Malaria, and the strangest diseases you've probably never heard of!

Barry and Tilley are the directors of Equip International. Barry did devotions every morning and Tilley, a Nurse Practitioner Midwife, cook amazing meals for us and taught us how to help deliver babies.

Thank you for all that helped to make this trip possible!

Love you all!

Splints, NG's, and stiches...oh my!

Andrea was such a trooper. They attempted 4 times before they were able to get the tube down!

My hearts cry

Lord, guard me from the power of wicked people; protect me from cruel people who plan to trip me up. The proud hid a trap for me. They spread out a net beside the road; they set traps for me.

I said to the LORD, "You are my God." LORD, listen to my prayer for help. LORD God, my mighty savior, you protect me in battle. LORD, do not give the wicked what they want. Don't let their plans suceed, or they will become proud...

I know the LORD will get justice for the poor and will defend the needy in court. Good people will praise his name; honest people will ive in his presence.

PSALMS 140:4-8, 12-13

My Swazi grass hut...

I thought that you would be interested to see where I'll be living in Swaziland and who my roommate will be!

I will be living in Mbabane the capital of Swaziland. I will have three other roommate. Sandra and Natalie have been living in Swaziland for the last year. Sandra helps at the care points and with some clinic things. Natalie has been working in the Children's Cup office, helping with the youth group, and is involved in Swaziland Healing Place Church.

Sarah will be moving to Swaziland a week before I do. It will be nice to have someone else who will be new at this whole Swaziland missionary thing! We also have people who come stay with us on shorter 4-6 week trips.

Can't wait to finally meet you my future roomies and do ministry with you!

Praying for you guys!

Sandra and Natalie are living their currently.

Here is my running water, electricity pulsing, flushing toilets house!

Sarah is moving to Swaziland a week before I am.

Lomansotfu preperation for the trip to South Africa!

This is an update about Lomansotfu porgress by Teresa:

Good News!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!! At long last, after 3 or 4 weeks, we finally have all of the documents necessary to send Lomansontfu to for her surgery to have the tumor removed. I saw the letter from the senior medical officer today, and it states that she will go to South Africa on Monday the 30 of June. Abraham came up from Maphiveni today and took the sister and the child to get the travel documents. He said that it was just God, because when he got here, he realized that one of the certificates he was bringing was not correct. So he prayed and asked the Lord to make a way where there is no way, and He did!! He said that they took them into an office and corrected the document and they were able to get the travel documents without even waiting in the line! We were rejoicing and praising God right there in the corridor of the children’s ward at the government hospital! Prayer works!

When I visited her earlier in the week, I felt led to just pray and agree with the child, and the sister that this paperwork would be gotten quickly and that the doors would be open to get her to I could hear the other care givers in the room agreeing with me in prayer, and God did hear us, and answer! The tumor is getting bigger every day and causing her more and more pain. One of the care givers in the room told me today that it causes her much pain and she cries at night.

Now we must get her older sister to Mbabane to travel with her on Monday.Please help us pray that this goes smoothly, they travel safely, and that the surgery goes well.
God is a good God!!

August 12 baby!

I'VE BOUGHT MY ONE WAY TICKET TO SWAZILAND

FOR AUGUST 12!
CRAZY?!

I'll be flying out of Denver, CO at 8pm on August 12 to England. Kick it in the Hethrow airport for a 6 hour layover (ya know, to give my arms a break...hahaha). Fly from England to Johannesburg, South Africa, arriving early in the morning (and try to find the most comfy cozy corner to catch some zzz's). Then in the early afternoon hitch a ride from Jburg, SA, to Manzini, Swaziland!

I'll be arriving in Swaziland around 3 pm on August 14.

Now get out your calculators...how long will I be traveling?

Drum roll please......Brrrrrrruuuuuuuummmmmm bump.

34 hour of kick you in the pants exciting international travel! YEAH!!!!

(Actually I really do enjoy international travel...we'll see what I'll say after 34 hour it ;)

My financial support is at 80%!

Praise the Lord!

I've got 91% of my moving/car costs covered!

($1500 still needed)

I've got 76% of my monthly covered!

($475 of month still needed)

Thanks you for everyone who has been donating one time and monthly financial gifts. This would not be possible if it wasn't for you and your wonderful giving hearts! Thank you for becoming a part of the ministry God has called me to in Africa for you have now become a part of a ministry that touch the hearts of needy children in Swaziland with the love of Christ! Thank you all who have been in supporting me through prayer! I greatly appreciate and feel your support!

I'm excited to see how God brings the rest of the money in...He continues to reveal His character to me in these times when I have to fully depend on Him (I'm learning it's in all time and all things I am to depend soley on Him ;). Times when He's apparently made it quite obvious I could not do it without Him and His Provision. So I learn to actively rest and watch as He provides all that I need not only financially but physically and emotionally and socially. What an amazing God we serve!

If you would like to financially contribute with a one time gift or monthly gift (any and all money helps!) then you can either contact me by email/phone and donate by mailing in the money or by donating on line on the Children's Cup online donation website!

I've also put in my 2 weeks notice at work so my last day at Longmont United Hospital on the cancer floor will be July 11...right before I'll leave for my Third World Nursing Course in Canada!

Quiting work was exciting and scary and kinda sad.

Exciting because it means I'm another step closer to moving to Swaziland! Something that I've wanted to do for a long while. I've had about 5 false starts...5 different times when I thought I'd be leaving work at the hospital and move to Swaziland.

Quiting work is scary cause it means I no longer am "providing" for myself with a secure job with awesome benefits and coworkers. The security of having all the medical equipment and extra nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, clowns (love those visiting clowns ;), and doctors for extra insight and support.

I'm sad to no longer be a part of the 5 west staff. I love everyone who's there and will miss their encouragement, laughter, and commodore when we all need to crab about such and such a patient. "Can you believe that he..." "He is driving me up the wall!" "If she does...one more time I'm going to..." Love you guys and will dearly miss you!

Thank you all again for your love and support! Can't wait to see where God will take us in the journey called life.

Love ya all!

Me, Renee and Hannah at the Denver Aquarium...here fishy fishy fishy...

Lomansontfu - Teresa's blog insight

Here is a blog from Teresa the nurse I'll be working with. She writes on some of the kids we care for so I thought you would be interested in seeing one of the kids I'll be caring for. You can check out her blog stories by clicking on this link: Rehmeyers in Swaziland

By Teresa Rehmeyer:

"This is a little girl named Lomansontfu (name means Sunday), which probably means she was born on a Sunday. She is from our Maphiveni CarePoint. She is about 10 years old, and she is an orphan. She lives with her older brother and sisters. She is not treated very nicely by them, because she is just an extra mouth to feed. She has a large tumor growing on the side of her face. The doctors think that it is a myeloblastoma. She needs a major surgery to remove the tumor and probably plastic surgery because the tumor is eating into her jaw bone. This surgery can’t be done here is Swaziland. She has been in the Mbabane Government Hospital for 3 weeks waiting for the Senior Medical Officer to approve her case and provide the money through a government fund to send her to South Africa to have the surgery done. We are also waiting for her family to get her certificate of birth from the chief so they can get travel documents for her trip to South Africa.

Each time I see her, the tumor is bigger and bigger. Sometimes, she drools because she can’t keep her mouth closed. She is having a lot of pain, especially at night, and her gums are beginning to bleed. In spite of all of this, she manages to still have a beautiful smile that lights up her whole face! I pray that we can get the help that is needed for this little girl. Please pray that the funding, the paperwork and the approval will all come quickly so that she can get the medical care that she needs and deserves!"