something missing

Well, as many of you know from our latest newsletter, we completed our first term of service in Swaziland, and returned home to Issaquah, WA in March this year. The transition home has proved to be more challenging than we had anticipated. I would try to explain why, but that's just it, most would have no context to compare our experiences with. We've come back with all these exciting experiences, challenges and vision for the future, but as we share, people struggle to relate, as they have little or no point of reference. We've thoroughly enjoyed all the pleasures of being stateside, but as the days and weeks turn into months, we are beginning to grow anxious for our return to Swaziland. Of course, for the kids, Swaziland is as much home as anything. Shortly after our return home, we purchased a bunk bed for Kaden. After assembling it, he asked when we would take it back apart so we could put it in the suitcase to take back to Africa. As eager as we are to return, we are very much looking forward to spending the holidays with our family this year. We're enjoying the beautiful fall colors, and the crisp brisk air in our lungs. On on those cold or rainy days, we love to take in the Starbucks experience that we don't get on the other side of the pond. So many things to enjoy while we're home, but still the fulfillment we experience while working/living in Swaziland seems to be missing.

jail time update

Today was the big day for my gardener, Ishmael. 9:00am this morning, we were to be at the Magistrates Court for Ishmael's hearing regarding his accident. As usual, our arrival at 9:00am was followed by an extended time of waiting. About 11:30am, we were finally called to the court room, where we waited some more. Finally, Ishmael's case was announced, and he was questioned. When the accusations were read to Ishmael, we found that the negligence charge had been dropped, and he was only being accused of speeding and failing to control the vehicle. Ishmael, though he still claims that he was not speeding pleaded guilty to the charges, in order to avoid what could have become a very long and ugly process. The judge informed him that he must change the tires on the vehicle often, and fined him 500 rand ($75). Ishmael requested that the previous payment of 500 rand for bail be considered and applied toward his fine. The judge agreed and closed the hearing.

I was so relieved to have the whole thing behind us! I'm confident that Ishmael's feelings were similar and more than likely even stronger than mine. As I considered how everything had occurred, I realized how grateful I was that the fine was exactly the amount of the previously paid bail. Had the fine been larger, it is likely that we would have stood in line at Revenue for hours to pay the balance. Had the fine been smaller than the bail amount, I would have been anxious to get some money back and spent hours filling out paperwork to get a refund. I really believe that God had his hand on this whole ordeal and brought us the best scenario.

We still have to come up with the $3,500 for repairs to the McKninght's vehicle, but we are trusting God to provide for that need! Thanks so much to so many of you for your faithful prayer and your continual support to us and our family! It really does make a difference.

jail time...for what???

If you were not aware, our Speed-the-Light Mitsubishi Pajero broke down last August. The repairs were finally finished in early December, just four months after we got it in for repairs. Six weeks after getting it back, we were on our way to Nelspruit for doctor visits, when loud knocking began to come from the engine. Long story short, we sat in a hot car in the middle of Nowhereville, Africa awaiting a tow truck.

The first one they sent was a pickup truck pulling a trailer… not large enough for our Pajero. Thank God we had friends who came to the rescue. Hours later, the second tow truck finally came. We missed one of our doctor appointments and had to arrange a rental vehicle to return to Swaziland. Now a month later, we are still waiting for the second round of repairs to be completed, and they are telling us it will be at least another month.

While our car is being repaired… AGAIN… we have been driving Charles and Judy McKnight’s little Toyota Rav4. Charles and Judy, retired ministers from the states, have been teaching here at Swaziland College of Theology. They are taking a semester off from teaching to be home with family, so we’ve been able to use their vehicle.

Dropping Kylea and Kaden off at school Monday, I realized that the little Rav4 was low on fuel and the front right tire was low on air. Knowing Tasha was planning a trip to Mbabane later that morning, I was trying to figure out how to juggle my morning schedule to take care of the tire and gas issue before she would need to go. I made a decision that proved to be the beginning of a terrible domino effect. I asked our gardener, a young man from our church, to take the Rav4 to the gas station.

Our gardener, Ishmael, passed his licensing test in October last year, so he has not had much driving experience yet. I still thought nothing of sending him to take care of our auto needs that morning, as the gas station is only about a mile away. Without hesitation, which is quite unusual, I handed the keys over and made my request. About 15 minutes later, Tasha burst into the bathroom where I was showering. With urgency in her voice,

she declared there had been an accident. I quickly dried and clothed myself and ran out to find the youth pastor of our church waiting. As I approached the church van, Pastor Raymond informed me that Ishmael was on the floor of the van. Opening the door, I found him lying there weeping. All he could muster was a broken, “I’m sorry Pastor Doug, I’m so sorry.” I tried to encourage him by telling him that I was just glad to see that he was not hurt and that everything was going to be OK.

We rushed to the scene of the accident to find the McKnight’s little Rav4 in the ditch. Ishmael informed me that on his way back from the gas station, one of the tires had blown out and he had lost control of the vehicle. Praise God there had been no collision with any other vehicle, however, a large rock and ditch had taken their toll on the little Rav4. It was not a pretty sight, as you can see from the picture.

The police arrived and they immediately began questioning Ishmael. First, they questioned him regarding his speed at the time of the accident. He informed them that he’d been traveling 60 kph (about 40 mph), which is the posted speed limit on that road. The police didn’t believe it and began to hurl intimidating statements at him.

They accused him of driving recklessly and that he must have lost control from driving too fast. Ishmael informed them that the tire had punctured which caused him to loose control. Again, they didn’t believe it and argued that the tire had only blown upon impact with the rock or ditch. It was quickly becoming apparent that the police were going to believe whatever they wanted about the incident.

What happened next was just the beginning of my discouragement and dismay with the existing system here in this country. They took Ishmael into custody, placing him in the back of a caged pickup truck, and demanded that I follow them to the police station to make a statement. Upon arriving at the station, I was called into an office where I was informed that “my boy,” was going to have to go to court the next day and that they would be keeping him in custody overnight. Under my breath, I began to pray for God’s favor. They took statements and told us we could go as long as we promised to be back at 8:00am for court the next morning.

Tuesday morning, 8:00am sharp, Ishmael and I arrived back at the police station. We sat for about 30 minutes inside the station waiting for assistance before they asked us to wait outside. There we sat on the curb for another 2 ½ hours before they finally called us into court. Once in court, there were a number of cases before ours, and when it finally came time for ours, I had begun to realize that bail was being set far above the affordable reach of the average Swazi. Ishmael was finally called forward and the charges were read. He was being charged with speeding, reckless driving and failing to control the vehicle, to which he plead not guilty. They scheduled a hearing for February 27^th (two weeks later), and set bail at 500 Rand which is nearly one months wages for Ishmael. It took a few minutes for it all to sink in, but I finally came to grips with the fact that Ishmael was going to spend two weeks in prison, and I couldn’t figure out what for. As I left the court, I quickly made my way to the nearest bank to make a withdrawal to cover the bail. When I returned to the police station, I learned that Ishmael had already been booked into custody and they were getting ready to transport him to the prison about 30 minutes away. On my way to pay bail, I was called into an office again to discuss what was happening. The police officer was angry that Ishmael had denied the charges and informed me that he was now going to make sure that “my boy” was going to pay the maximum penalty for the charges against him…2000 Rand or 2 years in prison. I again prayed for favor and as humbly as I knew how, I began trying to convince the officer that I didn’t believe that “my boy” was guilty of the charges. After about 30 minutes of talking in circles, I decided that I was wasting my time, so I asked where I needed to go to pay bail. He asked me if I had the money, to which I replied, “Yes.” At this, the officer got an angry look on his face and began questioning me as to why I was punishing “my boy.” I was shocked at his accusation and responded by declaring that I wasn’t the one sending him to prison for something he didn’t do. He didn’t like that very much. I quickly back paddled, asking why he would think that I was punishing him. He informed me that if I had paid the bail immediately after coming from court, Ishmael would not be on his way to prison. Extremely flustered, I apologized for my ignorance and explained that no one had informed me of the process. My ignorance ended up costing me. I spent the next three hours running all over Mbabane acquiring the proper paperwork, signatures and receipting before I could finally go to collect Ishmael from the prison.

As we drove back home from the prison, I apologized to Ishmael over and over for everything that was happening. I told him that I felt it would be good to discuss everything with one of our national pastors to see if he had any wisdom for us. While we were talking with that pastor, a former student of mine from the college of theology here walked up. It just so happens, that this student is not only a pastor, but is also a police officer. Can you say, “Divine appointment!” We explained the situation to him as well, and his response was extremely encouraging and insightful. He reassured us that this was not going to be a big thing, and that we should not panic. It had been a very long day, and this God ordained meeting was better than a cool drink of water on a very hot day!

As we left that meeting, I began trying to encourage Ishmael that God was going to take the bad and use it for good. Ishmael agreed and began sharing with me that indeed, God had already been teaching him something through the whole ordeal. He shared with me that after crawling out of the car at the time of the accident, he thought to himself, “I would rather have died in the accident then have to face Pastor Doug to give him the bad news.” He proceeded to explain

that when he looked over to see me standing by his side in court, he wondered why I would be there with him after what he’d done. He shared with me that when he found that I was going to pay his bail, the Lord spoke to him saying, “This is what forgiveness is all about.” Ishmael confessed to me that since the time of his salvation, he had been struggling to understand or believe that God could really forgive him, and that throughout the day, God had been showing him what true forgiveness was all about. As I contemplated Ishmael’s words, my heart was overwhelmed. I was in total awe of how God could take these unfortunate turn of events and let the glory of His forgiveness shine through it all.

We still aren’t sure how God is going to take care of the remaining challenges, such as the trial on February 27^th, the penalties Ishmael may face, and the 25,000 Rand ($3,500) in damages to the McKnight’s little Rav4 that insurance will not cover. But what we do know is that God is so very faithful!

God let your glory shine in me…even, no…especially on my most difficult and in my most difficult challenges!

Ps. 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

SwaziKids

Our ministry to the children of Swaziland continues to be so very rewarding! We came to Swaziland knowing in our hearts that we wanted to develop ministry to these precious little ones. God has blessed our efforts and over the past 2 years, we have had the opportunity to bring the good news of Jesus to thousands of children through bible clubs and kids crusades!

It has really been quite amazing how God has helped us to devolop the SwaziKids ministry. It all began with the realization that so many of our national churches had little or no ministry to the children of their communities. After helping to strengthen the children's program at our home church, the International Church, we began speaking to some of the pastors of our national churches to see if we might assist them as well. Our willingness to help was well received, and we began receiving invitations from a number of pastors. We developed a plan to train children's workers in the church and then to assist them in holding a kids club or crusade. We have now been a part of training over 100 teachers and held crusades in over a dozen different churches. We have adopted and distributed curriculum from Jackson's Ridge as well as written some of our own, and are excited to have developed training curriculum and had it translated into the siSwati language for those who do not speak English.

Though this ministry of assisting our churches in developing ministry to children was not exactly what we had in mind to do when we came to Swaziland, we can see now that God had great intentions, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of his plans!