Dec 27, 28, & 29

Day 2: I want to feed you my breastmilk!

Today was one of our usual mega-long action packed days in Swaziland.  We woke early to listen to Sizo sing to us at his church.  I warned Sizo that I was only coming to see him sing and I did not want to address the congregation yet immediately after walking in the pastor says “Our visitors have arrived, Annie could you please come forward with Sizo and say a few words?”  I gave Sizo the stink eye but followed him up to the front.  Sizo told the congregation that I was his best friend (immediately making me regret my stink eye) and that he had a song he wanted to sing to us.  Afterward I said the four siSwati words I knew to the congregation, they laughed (at my accent, not my jokes), and I sat down.  Sizo sang “When we all get to heaven” and when he got in the car and watched the video we recorded afterward, he remarked “Wow, I am great!”.  I told him that he was humble also. 

We then met up with Nelly (eLangeni pre-school teacher) about our New Year’s Eve party for the orphaned pre-schoolers.  We anxiously purchased treats and fireworks today prior to our meeting.  Nelly was also excited – as usual – and came running toward me like a linebacker.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to be tackled or picked up and tossed into the air but either way, I took my stance.  It ended up being the biggest bear hug I’ve ever received.  She is SUCH a beautiful person inside and out.  I love her and I love that she is a huge hearted role model for our youngest orphans.  She was excited to meet the new girls and immediately turned to ask how old Stephanie (our shortest (4 foot 11 (and ¾ inches – she made me put that last part)).  When I told her that Stephanie was in college, she reached down her shirt and exclaimed “NO! She is so little I wish to pull out my breast and feed her.” Everyone was laughing, except for Stephanie.  I was nervous that she was offended but when I asked, she said “No, it’s just that I’ve never been offered breastmilk before”.  Which made us all laugh even harder. 

Then we went to our littlest orphans who receive GHFP educational scholarships – Mazwi and Philo Maziya.  As we walked in, we were greeted by a pleasant surprise – Samkelo (older brother and caregiver) was home!! We played every card game the kids knew and had a blast.  At one point I told little 10 year old Mazwi that it was my birthday next month and had him guess my age.  He sat and thought about it for a LONG time before he replied 63 years old.  63!!!! I think I would have rather been offered breastmilk.

Things are going well here and the girls are enjoying themselves.  There has been a bit of an issue with the internet so our first day’s blog is below.  Thanks for reading and caring about our sweet amazing orphans.  I feel so incredibly blessed to be here with them…there’s no place I’d rather be (although I wish someone else was here with me…)

Day 1: UPGRADE!

It takes a LONG time to get to Swaziland.  We arrived at the airport at 3:40a on Friday morning.  After some last minute cramming of donations into our suitcases, our loved ones left and we were alone and ready for the adventure.  We waited in the security line for…ever when I realized that my urge to pee was becoming a serious problem.  I knew if I left the security line now, there would be a slim chance that I would make it to the gate in time, unless I used my wild card – also known as United Airline Premier Status.  I ran to the bathroom then flashed my card at the security and rushed to the gate, still beating the girls by 15 minutes.  Then, as we were sitting patiently I hear someone butcher my name over the intercom.  Did I leave my passport in the bathroom?  Did I drop my boarding pass?  Do I have a secret admirer??? No, even better.  I have been UPGRADED!  The other girls seemed less excited about my promotion than I was, but I waved to them as they passed me to trudge back to economy class seating.    Too bad I was so exhausted that I slept from take-off to landing thereby missing out on the champagne and foot massages that I assume goes on in First Class. 

After a few more take-offs and landings (and an entire day later), we made it to Johannesburg.  I made a secret wish for another upgrade, but this time for our rental car.  Although a Ferrari was not in the cards, we did get an upgrade to a brand new fully loaded Honda CR-V with only 9,000 miles!  I wanted to warn Hertz that we would be off-roading in Swaziland while stuffing the car with slaughtered animals, raw vegetables filled with bugs, and lots of sweaty kiddos but I figured it would be in my best interest to keep all of that a surprise.  We’re now here at our guesthouse and are going to bed.  We’re waking up early tomorrow to listen to Sizo (our orphan/songbird) sing to us at his church and then we’re meeting with our Malindza community facilitator Maseko to learn about the updates at our Give Hope, Fight Poverty elementary school for orphans.  Can’t wait!! Goodnight from Swaziland!  (Miss you already, my two Ty’s!)