Update

Saturday I went to ABC (Abandoned Babies for Christ) Ministries. Robyn and Gerry Richter operate a home for orphans and unwanted children. All it takes is for one person (thats you) to say God use me. The difference this couple has made is amazing. They currently have 23 children in their care. I would like to go before I leave. There is so much work to be done. Swaziland currently has something like 150 000 orphans and vunerable children. Imagine if they were all raised for the Lord, now that would be one powerful spiritual army. But if things continue as they are now, it is estimated that the Swazi people will be extinct by 2050.
I have finally gotten some pictures uploaded (only two..the internet here is slow) and you can see them at www.flickr.com/photos/heidimaria. These ones are from Kruger, the game reserve I went to on Monday. We were supposed to be there yesterday as well, but all the lodges were full as some of the schools are on holiday. It was amazing to see impala, lions, water buffalo, hippos, rhino, giraffes and elephants. I had to keep telling myself that it wasn't a dream.
Yesterday I learned how to wash clothes by hand, the Swazi way... it was hard work.

Exchange Rate...et al

So the first trip to the grocery store, SuperSpar, to buy staples, well American staples that is, milk, bread, peanut butter and jelly... African staples are maize (used to make porridge..kinna like southern grits or cream of wheat) and rice.

soft margarine 500g tub 8.95
raspberry yogurt 15.45
store brand peach yogurt 13.85
three berry jam 325g 13.95
peanut butter 800g 18.55
bakers white bread 3.75
rice crunchies (krispies) 13.95
wheat flakes 10.75
orange juice 1L 6.89
grapefruit juice 1L 6.89
rooibos* tea 80 count 12.95
2% milk 6L 28.99
subtotal 154.92
rounded down by 0.02**
total due 154.90

The exchange rate is around 6-6.5 Emalangeni (Swazi)/Rand (South Africa) to 1 US dollar, or 5-5.2 Canandian. So the grocery bill on June 4 was really between 25.00 and 30.00.

*Rooibos tea...well its not really tea, but like tea, very good, and necessary for entertaining company.
** Swaziland does not have one cent pieces, although South Africa does.

Thank you for your prayers. God has been good. Our flat is finished being painted, tomorrow the stove and fridge with be moved in, and we might be able to sleep there. Please prayer that we would be able to get some second hand living room furniture when we go shopping on Tuesday.

contact info

My address here is:

PO Box 88 Manzini
Kingdom of Swaziland

or you could send email to me at:
ephillippe@realnet.co.sz

I got here safe and sound

Well I have been in Swaziland for a little over a week. Getting over jet leg was interesting; it’s almost like perpetually being in an elevator. I think because I slept so little on my flights that I was able to adjust fairly easily.
I love this country. Africa is certainly a very beautiful place, and warm too.
There is a team here from the States and some from South Africa that is doing workshops at the local high schools. Its called Academy of Leadership, where they choose 35 students and teach them how to lead, facts about AIDS and how Jesus is the answer. I went on Monday and Tuesday, but was sick the next two days. On Friday I went back and 7 youths were saved!
This week Melissa and I are concentrating on finishing our flat. It was tiled a week ago and we still need to paint. Right now we are living in the guesthouse, a rondavel (round house). Please pray for us as the ceiling is giving us problems. It bubbles hen we paint it and the old paint falls off. I think we will have to strip the entire ceiling before a new coat of paint. Also pray that we would be able to find a dresser and some living room furniture.
I miss everyone but at the same time have made new friendships and I feel like I have a new home. Heidi

in London

I am half way there. And since my bagaged was checked straight through from Boston Johannesburg I did not have to pay any extra baggage fees. Thanks for your prayers. Spent the day in Windsor and Eton. Will tell you more later. Pics are at www.flickr.com/photos/heidimaria