Touching ground in Swaziland, embracing dear friends...
Swaziland Safe Water Project -- sponsored by substantial grants from the Episcopal Church United Thank Offering Gift and Trust Fund and Episcopal Waters of Hope with generous donations from the Iowa Safe Water International Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, parishes and individuals...
Our travels to Swaziland went smoothly... long flight, but no delays. All the luggage arrived & we were greeted as we came through customs by an affable young man named Justice, who ferried us to the Emerald House. We were warmly embraced by Alfred Sipho Dlamini, the Diocese of Swaziland grants officer, who is coordinating all things Swazi for the SwaziWater Project. He's thought of all the details, but also sees the big picture of what this can mean in terms of a community building process.
The only difficulty has been finding components (especially pvc pipe) for the chlorinators in Mbabane. Greg has been creative in figuring out a way that parts can be jerryrigged & spent most of this morning building a sturdy workbench. Go Greg!
Tomorrow night, we are expecting four trainees to arrive for a welcoming supper & on Monday morning, Greg & Dan will launch into training four PLUS A. Sipho AND Inhle, the HIV/AIDS coordinator.
More later. Am trying to figure out this whole system & adding photos... but wanted you all to know how thankful we are for your prayers of encouragement and support... that we've arrived safely & all is well. We've been beautifully welcomed by Bishop Meshack and his wife Lucy, and are very impressed and grateful about the serious consideration the SwaziWater Project is being given by all we meet.
Blessings of peace from Swaziland, Melody
Our travels to Swaziland went smoothly... long flight, but no delays. All the luggage arrived & we were greeted as we came through customs by an affable young man named Justice, who ferried us to the Emerald House. We were warmly embraced by Alfred Sipho Dlamini, the Diocese of Swaziland grants officer, who is coordinating all things Swazi for the SwaziWater Project. He's thought of all the details, but also sees the big picture of what this can mean in terms of a community building process.
The only difficulty has been finding components (especially pvc pipe) for the chlorinators in Mbabane. Greg has been creative in figuring out a way that parts can be jerryrigged & spent most of this morning building a sturdy workbench. Go Greg!
Tomorrow night, we are expecting four trainees to arrive for a welcoming supper & on Monday morning, Greg & Dan will launch into training four PLUS A. Sipho AND Inhle, the HIV/AIDS coordinator.
More later. Am trying to figure out this whole system & adding photos... but wanted you all to know how thankful we are for your prayers of encouragement and support... that we've arrived safely & all is well. We've been beautifully welcomed by Bishop Meshack and his wife Lucy, and are very impressed and grateful about the serious consideration the SwaziWater Project is being given by all we meet.
Blessings of peace from Swaziland, Melody
posted by Mission Team ~ Iowa at
5:52 AM
6 Comments:
It's good to hear all is well. It does sound like a wonderful welcome. If you have a sturdy work bench, the adventure has surely begun! Rats on the lack of proper PVC. Have you looked for PVC in Manzini? It has a more industrial feel than the shop district in Mbabane-- Might be worth a try.
I know these updates are hard to squeeze in, but we appreciate them so much. You are in our prayers, as you know. Blessings to all, Paula
By
Paula, at 8:24 PM
Melody, Thanks for the posts and I know you are using every minute to attend to the work you need to do. Just wanted to let you know that the Mission Workshop is a go!! We are scheduled for Feb. 12, 13, 2010. Both Ted and Judith are on board!!!
You are in our prayers,
Ellen
By
Ellen, at 5:45 AM
Greetings to you all.
It is wonderful to hear all the news from Swaziland and how industrious you are and being inventive and creative. Keep up the good work. Give by greeting to the Bishop and Lucy,
Blessings and Love
Margaret
By
margaret hansen, at 6:55 AM
Melody, CEC friends are keeping you all in prayer. I know your mission trip will be successful and the Swazi people will be graced by your efforts. Blessings to you all!
Linda
By
Linda A, at 2:20 PM
Melody, CEC friends are keeping you all in prayer. I know your mission trip will be successful and the Swazi people will be graced by your efforts. Blessings to you all!
Linda
By
Linda A, at 2:20 PM
To Melody, Dan and Greg:
It sounds like your work is well underway - as is problem solving for pvc pipe and building a workbench! We continue to be hungry for information from you because we are so connected with your mission in Swaziland! Looking forward to photos - planning for the next AGM in CR is underway!
By
Leslee, at 5:19 AM
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