Eswatini, Africa Missions

 We were able to purchase a stock of food for each pastor and household; enough for 5 families from each of the churches with Spirit & Truth Church.  We also visited Pastor Bheki's school, where we were given the opportunity to support some of the students financially in their exams.  We found the food delivered to the home of the elderly and destitute fed a community of family all around them.  This first picture is the traveling nurse who checks on the elderly and supports the youth who are generally the caretakers of their grandmas (gogo).   Here Dave came up with the idea of sharing our favorite verse on a board that can be included in the building with Pastor Timba, who leads the new church we helped build. Pastor Bheki was able to purchase more land for a future site of a church.  This will allow the people close by to worship.  Even spaced out with just 2-3 kilometers is hard for people to come together, when they are walking. 

 Amazing activities by COTR team, Spirit & Truth Church team and surrounding satellite churches.  More than 300 children, ages 2-18 attended the 2-day camp.  The team leaders for COTR were Kaley, Tristin, Bella and Hannah.  Charlie gave lots of talks to the children, and the rest of the team played support roles.  The food was great - cooked by the local women over fires. The camp ended with soccer and other games, and finally a prayer to send the children back to their homes and eagerly return on Sunday for church together. 

 COTR and Spirit and Truth Bible Church co-hosted the first Leadership Conference in Eswatini.  With 92 participants from 23 different churches and 20 pastors attending, it was a huge success.  The participants were eager to learn, talk and engage in the topics: Topics: Imagine Today’s Education Taught Like Jesus Education with Roxy Mourant Faith in the Corporate Workspace Business with Matthew Prall Integrity within the World of Finances Finance with Dave Berthon Shared Leadership in Ministry Leadership with Dr. Charlie Salmon Panel - hosted by Pastor Bheki The pastors and leaders continued the dialog over a dinner.  Please pray God will continue to encourage them and prompt their hearts as they speak truth over their communities. 93 participants in prayer, worship and presentations. ' The pastor leaders.

 We were fortunate to participate in the initial building of a satellite church with Pastor Bheki of Eswatini.  Together, with about 40 of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we watched the 4 cornerstones of the building be put in place with care.  Then, we all jumped in to mix concrete, move homemade blocks and fill in the gaps to build 4 walls.  Lots of work, conversations and joy around serving our Lord together!