Mozambique - Swaziland

Traveling can sometimes be a real challenge. Dee and I just returned from a trip to Africa to attend the dedication of a couple of Mercy Centers. On the way there, a flight cancellation resulted in a day's delay in travel. Two days after we got there, I got my suitcase. The night before we returned, Dee got her suitcase! It's amazing how little you really need.

I am always moved by seeing the work of Mission of Mercy. In Swaziland, where the rate of AIDS is the highest in the world, virtually every family has been impacted. The Mercy Centers provide these kids with a sense of community and stability. The workers are deeply dedicated to the children.

This was my second trip to Swaziland, but just my first to Mozambique. Most of southern Africa was influenced by the British, but Mozambique was a Portuguese colony. So crossing the border into Mozambique made you keenly aware of the differences in language and culture. But you know what? Kids are still kids. They love to laugh and play - and they are grateful for the meal they receive every day they attend at the Mercy Center there.

The last time I was in Swaziland was August, 2008. Our entire family was there, along with others, on a Mission Trip. We helped break ground on two new centers. It was great to go back and see both of the centers completed, and to see the great number of kids that are already being impacted.

Our last day in Swaziland, we got to spend time with Sophie, our sponsor child. We took her to a candle factory, where she got a few instructions on candlemaking. Sophie has really been on our hearts since we started sponsoring her. Both of her parents have died of AIDS and her life has been very difficult. She has become a very special young lady to us.

One final note. Our trip took place during the week of the US Presidential election. The night after the election (which would have been the morning after in the US) we had dinner in Mozambique. Someone showed us a newspaper. The full front page was a picture of Barrack Obama with the huge headline (translated) "Obama, President for the World." The next day, back in Swaziland, at a dedication of a Mercy Center in a remote area, there were several tribal elders in attendance. They all thanked us, as Americans, for electing Obama. We definitely live in amazing times! It will be interesting to see what is in store for us in the next few years.