In Swaziland

(written Saturday evening; posted Sunday evening)

We arrived at the Thokoza Centre around 3:30 Friday afternoon and got most of the dental team supplies sorted and ready for the next two weeks before our Welcome Dinner. We were joined by Bishop Meshack and Lucy Mabuza, Archdeacon Bheki Magongo, Rev. Orma Mavimbela, Rev. Charles Kunene, Rev. Andrew and Rosemarie Symonds, Thando Mnisi (driver and soon-to-be electrical engineer), and the HIV/AIDS office staff: Philile Ndlela-Hlatswayo, Thulie Ncongwane, and Lungile Shongwe.

Saturday morning we left Dr. Terry Shively and Fr. Andrew in Mbabane to negotiate with the official from the Health Ministry. The rest of us traveled to Hlane Royal Game Park to get energized for the next two weeks of work. Only one lion (male) posed for us this time and no leopards or zebra, but we saw quite a few elephants, white rhinos, hippos, impala and other antelope, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest, and many interesting birds.

Thanks for all of your prayers for this mission.

Blessings from springtime!
Dave