Jabu Bags

I gave a HIV/AIDS lesson two weeks ago at a missionary church for the congregation. My friend back in the States preached for his first time the same day and we were both referring to similar scripture. We didn't know it until we talked later, but it was cool how that worked out. It was fun and good for me to get in front of a group. Now other churches have shown interest on having me speak in their churches too. Currently we (me and Pastor Buthelezi) are trying to put a worshop together for all the pastors to learn ways to help support HIV+ people within their churches at the of September. This might be easier than going to each one. I'm focusing on the churches a lot lately because over 90% of Swazis claim Christianity as their religion and so what a great outlet to use when trying to talk about HIV protection in a large capacity. It's fun, but a lot of work. Sometimes they seem to know more about life and HIV than I do. Its always really humbling and they always have lots of questions, but I pray God is intervening in those lessons. All the volunteers agree that this whole 2 year experience really teaches you how much you know, but mostly how much you don't. :)

I've been staying busy with the Bible college in my area. Their enrollment is down and so we are trying to make the school more competitive since it is in the rural area. We are trying to get internet at the school and with that I agreed to help them develop a website. Little do they know, the computer class I took at the university was the worst grade I've ever recieved! haha Sad, but so true. Ask Professor Yarbrough. I beleive the website assignment I recieved in that class was to talk about "our families". We boasted on our sites how Tina's grandma was in the 1964 summer Olympics while my grandpa "papi" raced in the Alaskan Iditorads, but our celebrity status ancestors we fabricated did not help my grade any. Who knew I'd dust off those computer skills now (or lack there of) and put them to work again. But mostly, who would have thought I would be the most qualified to make a website?

Lately, I've been able to help with Doctors Without Borders a little. They come to the clinic in my village twice a week to test and counsel HIV+ patients. The doors are lined with people waiting for their CD4 count and needing ARVs. Sometimes I come and help count pills, talk to the Zimbawean pharmacists, and talk to my friends that work there. Its cool because you hear a lot of stories and meet different people. They want to team up with Peace Corps volunteers in the south to see how we can work together. I'm currently trying to get all the volunteers together to meet with Doctors Without Borders in town. Maybe they will get involved with our children's support group we have? We love this support group and a lot of volunteers are invested in it. Last time I showed the kids how to make paper airplanes. We showed them talents to prepare them for a talent show we will do next month. We try teach them life skills and hope to promote self confidence. They loved it. I also shared my dance moves as a talent with the group. I was challenged by a 9 year old girl and she beat me. Not my proudest moment.

There was a music festival called Bushfire this past weekend. A lot of tourists fill the place from South Africa, Mozambique, and even Portugal, but its too expensive sadly for most local Swazis. One 10 year old kid and his friends asked me if I would pretend to be their mom to get in. It was funny. I hung out with them at the front gate for a while before meeting with my friends and they taught me Swazi slang. I helped sell Jabu Bags inside this weekend which is an income generating project for some of the mothers in Swaziland. The vendor across the way was a 40 yr. old Indian woman wearing a Bruce Lee T Shirt. She sold jewerly and festive handmade decorations. The T Shirt was truly a diamond in the rough. I was distracted the whole day. She left early though and finally when I had the guts to ask to trade shirts, she was gone. The good news about that day is we sold over E5,000 in Jabu Bags. All of the profit goes bag to the women. If you are interested, there is a website made for them. I can also take orders back with me if you want! They are really cool.

I miss you guys at home. Hope your summers are filled with baseball games, hotdogs, and good tanlines. Write me if you have time! Love you!