Dennis & Thulile Brock - - Living lives we never dreamed possible -

Timbali Christmas Celebration

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Timbali Christmas Celebration!!!

This past Saturday (November 14^th 2009) Timbali Crafts threw a Christmas party for the ladies who both volunteer at our care points, and sew the purses that Timbali then sells to generate income for them (www.timbalicrafts.org). The party was held @ Bhekilanga Care Point, and Zwakele was there bright and early helping to coordinate all the action.

It was a great celebration, as well as a privilege for both of us to be able to bless these special ladies who give so much of their lives to help the needy children of their community

Along with a great meal, the ladies were given special Christmas gifts with items needed for their home. A very special part of the day was a celebration for one of the precious volunteers named Ruby. This past week Ruby had her 80^th birthday! We celebrated this wonderful ladies birthday, complete with birthday cake, signing, and presents! It was such a fun time. Ruby volunteers at the Ntabamhloshana Care Point. She has never married or had any children of her own, but she currently takes care of 5 nieces and nephews who have been orphaned. She is a special lady with a very funny personality. She always tells me that I am her first born child!

Finally a BLOG POST!!! "Breakthrough!!!"

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday May 15^th 2009 we @ AIM Swaziland experienced a breakthrough in our ministry. The 15^thwas the day of our first medical clinic in our new partnership with The Luke Commission (TLC). In case you do not know of the Luke Commission, let me first begin by telling you that they are awesome! They are the real deal here in Swazi! TLC are a mobile medical mission based here in Swaziland, which focuses their efforts in the rural areas. They offer free medical care, free medications, free HIV testing and counseling, free vision care, free eyeglasses, free Bibles and the Hope of the Gospel. In fact everything they do, all the care they provide, is infused with getting out the message Jesus. We are so excited to begin our partnership with them, as they have pledged to regularly run clinics at our care point locations. Please feel free to check out the Luke Commission @ their website. Their web address is:

www.lukecommission.org

The location for our first partner clinic was @ the Timbutini Church/Care Point. I was so excited that we were finally able to provide this type of service for the community. Usually, we have to take our children into the city to be seen @ a hospital. It is always a long, difficult, and frustrating process. Most of the poorest people in Swaziland live in the rural areas. They usually do not have the funds to be treated by a doctor, let alone the money to even travel to the city to get to the doctors. What usually happens is that people suffer, and even die from simple treatable ailments. What a blessing it was to have very good doctors and knowledgeable medical staff come into our community to see the people right where they live! For me this was a total dream come true! It felt like "Finally we are rolling here!" It was another step, an improvement in what we (with God's grace and power) are able to provide in terms of care and support to all our orphaned children as well as the larger community. Thank you Lord!

The community clinic started at around 10 am and finished with the last patients at around 9:30 that night. It was a long day for sure, but so worth it! Many people were seen by the doctors - in fact no one is ever turned away by the Luke Commission, as they will stay until the last person is treated. Everyone who saw the doctor was dealt with care and shown the love and compassion of Christ. It was so great to see the TLC staff take time to explain to the people what their medical problem is. Almost always here a doctor will simply give you pills and not explain anything to you about your medical condition. And it is looked down upon for a patient to ask the doctor questions. Crazy right?

For now I am also functioning as the liaison between AIM and TLC helping to coordinate our future clinic days. It's this marriage of the compassion, love, and the hope of Jesus, along with the tangible help of great medical treatment that gets me very excited! This was truly a dream come true, and it's just the beginning! Our goal continues to be partnering w/ the Lord to bring his work of restoration in our communities. Our partnership with TLC is just one more tool in which He is making that happen.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I am happy to be kicking off my blog again! Hopefully I will be a lot better updating it now...Blessings to you!

"Things like this always happen to me!!!"

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Usually my blog posts are serious/intense so today I wanted to lighten up the mood with a funny story that happened a couple month's ago...

South Africa is in the middle of a huge energy crisis. In the past few months it has not been uncommon to have the power turned off for four, six, or eight hours at a time. It's not just happening in rural areas, but in major cities such as Johannesburg, with a population of 3.2 million people. South Africa calls these power outages "load shedding," and when it happens everything is forced to shut down: gas stations, hospitals, government offices, stores, restaurants- the list goes on an on. This has been a very hard thing for the many South Africans who were used to having an uninterrupted power supply. A couple month's ago I faced this challenge first hand in an amusing experience.
A colleague and I were on our way to the Johannesburg Airport to pick up a visiting team. We made a stop at a mall in the city of Witbank to get some lunch. And then something hit me - you know that feeling that you need to get to a bathroom ASAP! The "red alert, emergency, battle-stations" feeling, that if you don't make it to a bathroom you will be in some serious trouble! Yeah that was me. So I ran to a nearby gas station and asked an attendant if I could use their bathroom "Sorry but you cannot!" was their harsh reply. "Why??!!??" "Because the power is out and it is not safe for you to use the bathroom!" I pleade,d and told him I really would be okay to use it, but the attendant wouldn't budge. He pointed me in the direction of another public restroom. It was 300+ yards away, but I was in serious trouble, and I am sure I ran faster than any Olympic athlete to get there.

When I arrived I found that the entrance was designed to keep people from seeing inside, using two doors and incorporating a 180 degree turn. The result was that I walked into complete and utter darkness. "Oh no! What do I do?" There were no windows and no chance of light eminating from the double-door entrance. I couldn't see a thing, and I had no sense of direction. Then I noticed that someone was right next to me in the darkenss - a little bit freaky, I might add!!! He then switched on his cell phone and was using the little bit of light to find the exit. I begged him to borrow me his cell phone so that I could find a toilet (I had left my cell in the car, and going back to get it was not an option). He wouldn't let me have his phone and would only say "Sorry but I have to go." "Please, please, please sir!" I continued to beg but he exited the bathroom and left me once again in the black abyss. I called out: "Is anyone in here? Can anyone help me find the toilet? Please!" But there was no response. I had to do something. I reached out my hands into the darkness and tried to feel my way to a bathroom stall. AND THEN my left hand touched something...at first it felt like a bunch of small wet pebbles, that were both warm and cold. But to my utter horror I realized that my left hand was submerged in a urinal. Those weren't pebbles from a stream, but those little air freshener things... "Aaggghhhh!" I screamed and almost vomited. But I had to push on. I reached out into the darkness again and after a few minutes eventually found a toilet stall.
The remaining details are too horrific to even write on this blog...but as I sat alone in the darkness of that stall, I thanked God that I had finally found a toilet but also laughed hysterically and said "Things like this always happen to me!" When I got back to the car my friend asked. "Did you find a bathroom?" I felt dirty and said "I don't want to talk about it. Just get us the heck out of Witbank." I then held my left hand out of the window as we drove the next hour and a half until we reached another gas station where the electricity was on. Yes, THIS IS missions, and these kinds of things seem to always happen to me. But at least I get a funny story to tell!

The power of Choice

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Choice is so powerful, and can make all the difference in life. For example, some individuals have chosen to act when confronted with evil and injustice and changed the course of history, while others simply chose to do nothing. Sometimes just one decision produces consequences that last an entire life, either positively or negatively. The potential of our choices is truly awesome, and this past week I have really seen this .

Two different circumstances were brought to light within our community that truly have broken my heart. I cannot get into details, but in both instances a brother or sister in the faith was found to have done very inappropriate things with large amounts of money. They were not connected with AIM or Timbutini church, but in both instances they were a brother/sister in Christ, and known throughout our community. Their actions, the choice's they made, have torpedoed their lives and ministries. It has also brought a bunch of anger and criticism toward the larger Christian community.

I was shocked when I found out, as I knew the people from both instances. I could not expect it at all. Now please don't think I am trying to sit up on some high holy horse. I understand that there have been a lot of wrong choices that I have made throughout my life (and many I wouldn't want disclosed publicly!), and but for the awesome grace of God only I could have made a tremendous amount more.

But the power, and the effects of our choices is what has shocked me. I am sure that in these instances the people didn't start out with huge levels of compromise. It probably happened little by little, and continued, until finally their wrong choices were brought out publicly - the result being broken relationships and destruction to their lives and their loved ones.

The choices we make also have the great potential to hurt those around us. We just received a heart-breaker today. A girl that Zwakele and I are close with, someone we have spent a bunch of personal time with, was diagnosed with HIV. This news has devastated us. She is only about 12 years old, and has experienced so much pain already in her life, being orphaned and living in dire poverty. What is particularly painful is that she didn't make a choice that led to her infection. We are not totally sure how she was infected, but I suspect that it is a result from sexual abuse. It's terrible! Zwakele and I so love this girl, and through no fault of her own she has been handed this disease. Through someone elses wrong choice her life is terribly affected.

But Zwakele and I know the choices we are called to make: To continue to display the love of God through word and action. When confronted with evil and injustice; we choose to act. When seeing those in suffering; we will comfort with His love. Please pray with Zwakele and myself that we would be faithful to our calling. Thank you so much for your continued love and support!

Being Family

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing..." - PS 68:5&6

There are about 850 + orphaned and vulnerable children that come to our care points. We are feeding them daily, and teaching them about the love of God. This past week Zwakele and I spent some extended time with Nokwanda, an 11 year old girl from one of our care points. Nokwanda had raised sores covering her head that were causing her a lot of pain. Because of the financial support from churches in the USA funding our work we have the ability to get our children much needed medical care. Without that support from our partner churches we simply wouldn't have the means to see that every one of those 850+ children could get medical attention.

Being enabled to take children for medical treatment is by far one of my favorite things about our ministry. To me it is so "the real deal." It's part of doing the works of Jesus, along with declaring His Word.

In Swaziland (and so many places around the world) there many people suffering because they simply don't have the money to travel to a doctor, let alone pay to get consultation. In some instances the cost is merely a few dollars to get much needed medication, but the people just don't have it. This is needless suffering; and it's also what Bono calls "stupid poverty." Can you even imagine that a dollar or two could be the difference between life and death? In these cases we need to act to help alleviate this suffering.

Nokwanda is a child that has no means to see a doctor. So Zwakele and I took her to see one. I didn't know much about Nokwanda's story before we picked her up from her care point. Zwakele told me that Nokwanda's father had died, and that the mother had married another man. Because of the new marriage of her mother, Nokwanda and her siblings had been dumped on their elderly grandmother to be cared for.

Typically in Swazi culture, a spouse will not care for children from their partner's previous marriage(s). It is very sad, and both men and women are guilty of this absence of responsibility. So Nokwanda has now lost her father and basically her mother as well.

We took Nokwanda to get the medicine she needed and then we made a special detour. We went to KFC! There are 4 Kentucky Fried Chicken's in Swaziland and they are always slamming with business. KFC is a preferred delicacy here and we wanted Nokwanda to have a special treat. We got some chicken, and of course a soft serve ice cream for desert, and just enjoyed the afternoon together. We talked a bunch, and we embarrassed Nokwanda a little as we told her that we loved her and that she could always talk to us. As we sat in the KFC with each other, I just had an overwhelming sense that we were doing exactly what God had made us for. As Nokwanda has basically lost both of her parents, God has called Zwakele and I to step up and love Nokwanda and be her family. God does set the lonely in families! For all of us who know Jesus, we are a family, and we belong to one another. I am just so thankful that I get to minister that truth and Jesus' love to the children around me.

AND if it wasn't for your support, we simply couldn't do it! Thank you so much for your giving, which allows us to walk in our calling. May God bless you abundantly!

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - GAL 6:10

A Tale of Two Weddings

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On Saturday the 16^th of February 2008 I married my sweetheart Zwakele Mamba. And then on Sunday the 17^th I married her again! Yes, we had two full-on weddings, two days in a row. Two days of "I do's", two days of my beautiful bride in her wedding dress, and two days of wedding fun and craziness!

Why two weddings on consecutive days? Well, we kind of had to do it that way. We chose to have our first wedding @ Emafini Conference Center. It is a beautiful place up in the mountains outside of the capital, Mbabane. Zwakele and I love Emafini, and we know the owners, so they gave us an incredible deal. The downside of Emafini was that it was a small venue, so only a limited number of people would be invited .

That didn't sit well with our rural community of Timbutini. You see, in traditional Swazi culture one never has a wedding that uses private invitations. Everyone and anyone from the community are invited, and the bride and groom are expected to cater for them. Many people upon hearing that we were issuing wedding invitations, and that it was an hour and a half's drive away, expressed their displeasure to us. So, in a way of compromise, we decided to have another full-on 2^ndfor the community taking place the next day. We held the 2^nd wedding at Zwakele's church - Timbutini Wesleyan Church, where Walter Malaza is the pastor.

It was fun weekend but also absolutely crazy to have two weddings two days in a row. I don't think I would ever suggest it actually. In the end, some people were still not happy with our compromise. But most importantly we are happy, and we had our wedding(s) the way we wanted to them. Amen and Hallelujah to that!

Zwakele and I have been married for almost 2 months now. It's still hard for me to believe. We spent so much time and energy preparing for the big day (or days :) ). And after all the preparation, the weekend came and went by so fast. After it all when we were actually able to sit and rest for a moment, we held each other and said "Why did we stress so much about this. It came and it went, and was over." We spent so much time before in preparation. In the end the result was sweet for sure, but we realized that we didn't really need to walk in all that stress and aggravation that we did. What's important is that God has called us together. And we are happy to be together. Thank You Lord Jesus!

Zwakele and I really just want to thank so many of you who helped us to take this next step in our lives. This would not have happened without the help of Ben & Janeen Messner, Julie Anderson, Matthys & Kirek Gereber, and YOU - Our friends and family that regularly support us!!! Thank you all so much!

Have You ever Had a Birthday Party for 800+ Kids???

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

AIM partners with an organization called Children's Hope Chest (CHC) in our ministry to over 800 orphaned and vulnerable children in Swaziland. CHC links churches in the USA to financially sponsor the ministry at Pastor Walter's 8 Neighborhood Care Points. 1 Church sponsors the food, medical care, and discipleship teaching at 1 Orphan Care Point. Without the 8 church's and CHC's help we could not do some the amazing things we get to do! Feel free to check CHC out at their website: www.hopechest.org

CHC wants each child's birthday celebrated. It is a huge task, but I think it is such a great thing. We want each orphaned child to know that their birthday is important because they are important. We want the orphans to know that they are loved by us but even more so by their Father in heaven.

CHC's official sponsorship didn't begin until half way through 2007. Even though we missed half of the year with the official program, we still wanted to celebrate each orphan's birthday for 2007. So, in November we started the task of throwing a birthday party at all 8 care points. 8 huge birthday extravaganzas for 800 + children.

Their party first starts with us running a jumping castle. Many have never seen or been on a jumping castle so it is a real treat for them. It is so amazing to see the children's excitement; they are so pumped! They are laughing so much, and have lots of fun. I realize that for a moment many of their troubles are put aside. They get to be kids, and experience some joy, which is so often absent due to the circumstances and losses in their lives. I wish that moment of the party could just go on forever for them.

After some serious time bouncin' in the castle we call all the kids together. I share the word of God with them - we read some of Psalm 139 which says that God made them in their mother's womb, and that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. I tell them that we are here today to celebrate them, that they are so precious to us, and to their Babe Wethu (Abba Father). Each child is then individually given a couple gifts along with some sweets. We then bring out some birthday cakes, light some candles, and sing "happy birthday." Each child then gets to chow down on some birthday cake. We then turn the jumping castle back on for more fun.

We have thrown 7 parties so far, with the 8^th and final one probably happening sometime this week. It has been a huge undertaking. A lot of prep work went into this one. About 15 of us made hundreds and hundreds of gift bags and bags of candy for each child. It is also a lot of work to run the party; to keep some sense of order during the festivities. At the end of the day our team is wiped out. But it is so worth it! We want these kids to know that they are valued. The day God brought them into the world is special, and we are thankful to God for them. But more so we want them to know that even though many have been abandoned or they have lost their parents to AIDS God has not left them. He loves them so much and has a plan for their lives. He wants these children to know him and his love so deeply, and share that love with the world.

Next year the birthday parties will be a little different. At the end of each month at each of the 8 care points we will have a smaller party for each child who has had a birthday during that month. I am so thankful that next year we will be there again to celebrate their birthday. Their discipleship will continue, and so will our communication to them that they are so important to us and to the Lord Jesus. It's truly an honor to be a part of this. Thank you so much, my support team, for your love and support to me in allowing me to live out this calling on my life!

Some Great News!!!

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends and Family,

This past Sunday (18th Nov 07) Zwakele and I were officially engaged at Timbutini Wesleyan Church (Pastor Walter's Church)! Woo-Hoo!!! In Swaziland a couple gets engaged in front the girls church during or after the Sunday morning worship service. We tried keep it the engagement a secret, in order to surprise the congregation. This is how it went down:

Half way through the service,a visiting AIM team was called up front to sing a special song. My friend Matt and I jumped in with the choir. When the song was over Matt and I stayed up front to give testimonies. Pastor Walter first asked for a new translator to come forward, and he picked Zwakele. Matt gave his testimony on the Lord's perfect timing in our lives, with much laughter coming from those who knew what was about to happen. Then I began, and I read 1st Timothy 1:12-14. In that moment I was just in awe of God's abundant grace that has been poured over my life these past 10 years. I was once so very far from God. But Jesus brought me to Him and He has given me real life. And now, in His mercy, He has allowed me find a wonderful woman like Zwakele. I really do not deserve her. I was starting to break down a little as I testified, then Walter came up and asked me a few questions about Zwakele. He wanted the church to hear why I picked Zwakele; what was it about her. He then asked Zwakele the same about me. I then put the ring on her finger, and and she then put a nice new watch on my left wrist. A couple pastor friends of mine then came forward and they and the congregation all prayed at once for us and our future marriage. After the service, the family I live with and I threw a small celebration at our homestead. So many people came (even many that were not invited:) ) but God took care of everything; and there was just enough food so that everyone was satisfied. It was a beautiful day for sure!

Getting married here can be a complicated process... there are Swazi cultural traditions, Swazi Church traditions, her family's desires, and then our desires of what we want our wedding to be. The whole thing has beeninteresting to say the least.

Our marriage process is as follows:

1. I go to her family and ask them if i can marry her daughter - I pay 1 cow ($300.00 USA) to "open their mouth" to get them to discuss this issue. ("check" did that)

2. Her family calls me to come and tell me the final bride price (called: lobola)- There is a whole grading system on what a girls bride price should be. It is based on birth order, family status, age of the single girl, and purity (eg, if she already has a child the bride price is much lower). Zwakele is the last born, which is esteemed and considered more valuable. Her bride price could be 17 cows, but the family has decided that her bride price is13 cows, because i have helped her and the family.("Check" done)

3. We get "officially engaged" during the Sunday morning service at her home church. I put the ring on her finger and she gives me a nice watch. We are then considered engaged within the community of believer's. ("Check, and done. Hallelujah!")

4. There is a weekend ceremony/party of paying the bride price. I arrive at her family homestead on a designated Friday afternoon with 2 live cows at least, and any other cows that I will pay or their monetary equivalent. I do not have to pay for all 13 at once. It is acceptable to pay about half, and then i will pay the remaining balance off bit by bit, over a few years time. The family then slaughters 2 cows and we have a weekend long beef eating party that the entire community is allowed to attend. This is happening the weekend of December 8th! Please pray that I acquire the actual cows for a good price!

5. The actual wedding takes place...We are hoping that this will happen on Saturday February 9th, 2008! Just waiting to hear back from the owner of the venue.

SO, my friendsI just wanted to fill you in as soon as possible about this wonderful weekend. Please keep Zwakele and myself in your prayers as we approach our wedding and this new chapter in our lives together. We are so very happy to have this next step achieved and we are rejoicing in the Lord for His wonderful Grace and Love in our lives. Without Him none of this would be possible! Again, I just want to thank you for your love and support to (i was about to type "me" but i guess that's changing)-I want to thank you for your love and support you shower on US as we serve the Lord here in Swaziland. May God bless you in abundance!

Living a life I have never dreamed possible...

Love, Dennis

"How do I do this Lord?"

Wed, 1 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"How do I do this Lord?"

The tragedy of some people's stories has left my heart raw at times. Sometimes I am so broken that I don't know what to do. There is one particular situation (out of so many) that has been on my heart constantly. The following is me trying to process this, and I wanted to share it with you all:

A few of us were visiting some "child headed homes." Because of the devastation of HIV/AIDS there are now many homesteads in Swaziland where both parents have passed away, leaving only the children to care of themselves.

We visited one home in the community of Timbutini; in fact the home is only maybe a hundred yards away from Pastor Walter's church. Even though I have been in the community for over 2 years I have never seen this home which is adjacent to the churches property. The homestead is obscured by the "bush," being various trees and other vegetation. The irony struck me pretty harshly. A homestead that is so close to the church walls, and yet many of us didn't even know of the desparate need that was so close. We were totally unprepared for what we were about to uncover.

There are five children that live at this homestead. The oldest, a thirteen year old girl, is the care-taker of her 4 siblings. All 5 children live in a one room building. When we arrived in the neighborhood we parked our vehicle at the church, and the 5 children were there. Straight from school they come to the church first, to eat at the Care Point. I was so relieved to see all 5 of them in school uniforms. At least their school fees have been paid for this year. The government of Swaziland is supposed to pay for all OVC's (Orphaned and vulnerable children) school fees. Each year though there is somehow not enough money to go around and many orphans are chased from their schools. Not enough money for orphans, but plenty to provide expensive cars for government officials, and plenty enough to fill the bellies of the honorable Members of Parliament.

We greeted the children and then went with them to visit their homestead. I had actually thought that they had lost both mother and father, but we found out that their father is still living. Through the course of our visit, we then found out that the father is sexually abusing the 13 year old daughter, and has been for a while. To make matters even worse, we know that the man is dying of AIDS. He is dying, and his abuse is sentencing his own daughter to death as well. Then, in the midst of our visit, the man arrives back at his house. What do we do?

How do you act towards a man who is sexually abusing his own daughter? How do you treat this man who is killing his own child, and furthermore a man who doesn't mind that he is doing it? Honestly, in my heart I want to kill this man, to punish him for what he has done. I at least want to beat him severely. I think "He must be punished!"

And yet I know the depravity of my own soul; I know what evil has lived in my own heart. Except for the Grace of God I could have been that man. I could have been even worse. And so my heart breaks and cries for even this man who is so far gone. Can the blood of Jesus even come to him? Am I even willing to pray for his forgiveness and salvation? Honestly, I don't know. I am so raw, such a mix of emotions, that when I see him that I have to step away for a few minutes. I am afraid that I will kill him. I walk about 20 yards away and start to pray. I feel the inner turmoil within myself, anger and grief, and the only words that can come, born of frustration are:

"How do I do this Lord?" I am so broken. My heart is grieved for the children and I am so angry at the father. "What do you want me to do?"

more coming soon...

My "D-Team!"

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

My Dear friends and Family,

PS 10:17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

PS 10:18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

In working at the care points in recent weeks I have been praying this
verse and claiming it for so many of the children and their
stories. More on some specific stories later...

This week we are starting the formalized discipleship program at Pastor Walter's Care Points. For the past few weeks I have been working with a team of 3 Swazi youth, training them and preparing for our ministry. In the first phase of this long-term program we will be visiting each of the care points and doing consistent discipleship teaching once a week for a couple hours. The time is meant to be fun and interactive, with games, songs, and crafts. Kind of like a VBS program but ongoing and better! We are also choosing to go deeper with the children than ever before. We believe that God wants to know these orphans personally, and use them powerfully. Through prayer we really felt that we were supposed to have a new curriculum written. We also felt that the new curriculum needed to emphasize the importance of prayer, and developing the children to learn to pray to their Father in heaven. We also felt led to build into the children a missional worldview. We want these kids to have God's heart and vision for their community, their country, Africa, and the World. We started at the basics of who God is, His character, and who we are in relation to Him. Our theme for the first 3 months is entitled: "God isI am." The curriculum is also holistic in that we are teaching various health issues, as well as basic education stuff like counting, spelling, math, at the various age levels. Special thanks needs to go to two colleagues of mine, Katy and Ben, who put in a lot of work in writing most of the curriculum.

My Discipleship Team, or "D-Team" as I call them, is great! They are all "20 something's" (a club I only recently just left, how sad!) whom love the Lord and children. I have one guy named Musa, and 2 ladies named Zodwa, & Ncobile. We have been having a great time getting to know each other, worshipping together, and praying for one another. I am in charge of the discipleship program at the care points, and my job is to pastor my team and help empower them to do the discipleship teaching. The logistics and all the prep work for lessons have been enormous, but it has also been a sweet time. Just the other day, during a time of prayer together, I realized how cool this whole thing is. It made me think of the days when I was back at Nyack, part of a new ministry team called Campus Chaplain's. Everything was new, exciting, and one had a sense that "God is doing something, and about to do even so much more!" It is hard to describe, but during prayer the other day I had one of those moments where you realize "This is why I am here on the Earth!" And you realize what a huge amount of grace it is to be His!

Please pray for my team as we start this new focused program. Please pray for the love of Christ and His unity to flow through our team, and please ask God to pour out wisdom and power on me as I lead my team. Thank you.

A few prayer requests for Swaziland

Recent Drought - for the past 6 or 7 years some areas in Swaziland have experienced a severe drought resulting in a low or zero harvest. Other area's in Swazi had experienced a lot of rain and flourished. Unfortunately this year almost all of Southern Africa experienced a drought condition and the results have been very bad. Maize, or corn as we know it in the USA, is the staple crop here in Swazi and much of Southern Africa. Most of the maize has died this year, including the huge irrigated commercial farms as well as the small plots people have at their homesteads to feed their family. The price of a metric ton of maize has shot up dramatically from last year's price, resulting in higher prices on the shelves of grocery stores and small rural shops. It is a really bad situation for people that are already impoverished. There is also a big water shortage throughout the country. Please pray for the response of the churches with the Southern region of Africa. Pray that the brother's and sisters in Africa would have God's heart and show generous compassion to those around them.

The Political Climate - Swaziland has in recent years been extremely peaceful. At the same time in the past year there have been an increasing number of people who are not happy with the way the country is being run. There are no political parties in Swaziland, they are simply not allowed. "Democracy!" has been the cry of a few rallies that have been organized in recent months. The government and the police have come down hard on these rallies, using force or mass arrests to stop them. This past Thursday (12^th April) a political group organized a blockade at various Swazi/South African borders to get their message out. The BBC was there and covered the protest on their world service radio broadcasts. The Swazi police were also there, as they detained many people and officially arrested 6. The 6 are being charged with sedition, a crime that is punishable by death. I guess the police used some slight excessive force with a few people. A photograph was published in the Swazi newspaper with a police officer grabbing a protester's throat. The photograph has caused a lot of outrage among people, and the newspapers have been commentating about it daily. Please keep this nation's political climate in your prayers. There is a small but growing undercurrent of anger towards the traditional system and growing number of people that want change. If that change is to come, (it seems a long way off) I am praying that it is done in a peaceful way. There is too much bloodshed in this world already.

Thank you so much for your love towards me. Thanks to a few of you who have recently sent me an encouraging email. I really appreciate it! It means so much to me to know that I am in your prayers. Blessings to you my support team!

Living a life I never dreamed possible...

A Lesson of "Importance..."

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

On March 9^th & 10^th we held another orphan camp. We had 400 + orphaned and vulnerable children, plus the staff volunteers from Pastor Walter's care points. My colleague Katy and I planned, did the set up, and led the event. It was a lot of work, and we would not have pulled it off without a visiting team of 19 Americans. We seriously wouldn't have pulled it off without the help of about 15 Swazi Gogo's (grandmothers) who volunteer daily at the care points. They came to lend a hand to cook and dish out the food for the almost 500 people involved. That in itself is a huge task, especially when they have to do it all over an open fire. The following is a journal entry I wrote the day after the camp:

My body is in need of rest and recuperation but today I feel that my soul needs that so much more. So many children, so many tragic stories

Apart from all the logistical nightmares of Orphan Camp, deep down I wish that orphan camp would never really end. Because of all the work that goes into it beforehand, the actual hours when the children are present seem to "fly by."(Most of the time that is- there are always exceptions) The interaction with the kids - the playing of games, the holding of hands, the hugs, the kisses, the jokes, the laughter, the bible lessons, even when the kids are misbehaving and we have a chance to "set them on the right course," - that's the part I wish would never really end. Probably because one realizes it is not enough. With all that you've given out, to the point of being emotionally drained, it is still not enough. There is so much more to be done, these kids need incredibly more than what they're getting from a 48 hour camp that happens a few times a year. I wish that I could keep them, yes all 400+ of them! I wish that I could keep them safe from what they are returning to, I wish that I could have 400+ more volunteers to come and love them and train them up in the way that they should go.

"Watch out he's a clinger.'"

I heard those words when I picked up a young boy in the final hour of the orphan camp. My mind was so busy. I am thinking about transport, and slightly perturbed - "Where's our rented van, the driver should have been here by now?!" I am thinking about cleaning, I am thinking about packing supplies, and yes I am also even thinking about taking a nap as soon as were done. Then a young boy maybe 4 or 5 years old taps on my legs for my attention. I look down and see him thrust his arms up at me - the universal sign for "pick me up!" Now in the past 47 hours I have picked up and held 100's of kids, I am very tired, and I am helping coordinate this event in a most critical phase of "wrapping up." I have already probably brushed past lots of kids and their requests because I am too busy. Honestly, I am tempted to brush past this one; realizing there's a lot of things my attention could go to at this moment. However this time, something inside me decides he's more important right now. I pick him up and hear that he's a "clinger," and that he's made his rounds with everyone on the visiting team. As I pick him up, his arms instantly lock around my neck and his little head is thrust deep against my chest. He is a "clinger," and he doesn't want to me to let him go. After 47 hours of being loved on, this young boy, this orphan, is still looking to be held by somebody. He is starved for love. I start to think about what he must have gone through in his short 4 years of life, and what he faces on a daily basis. There is something so desperate in each one of us that says "I want to belong, I want to be loved." And while packing up the vans is terribly important, even more so is the child in my arms. My heart was touched and I was rocked by the presence of God.

I want to be a "clinger." I want to be that to my God; my Father in heaven. Not only do I want it, I need it desperately. I don't want my heart to wander from him. I want to know Him more and more. Each one of us, in a spiritual sense, enters this life as an orphan. And in turn we all crave and need that safety and relationship of being in our Abba's arms. And because of His heart, because of His grace, he has always picked this orphan (me) up when I have asked Him to. He has always been willing to flood me with His love and grace. What a blessing! And then I get the privilege to model God's own heart to these orphaned children in Swaziland. What a tremendous gift that is! Thank you Babe Wethu (Abba Father)! Thank you that you don't leave us as orphans, but that you come to us and wash us in your grace and love.

Welcome Home

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends and Family,

Some of the first words I heard when I landed were "Welcome home." And coming back to Africa has certainly seemed like I was returning to a second home. It has been absolutely great to return, and it's hard for me to believe that I have been back in Swaziland for almost 3 weeks now. Since I have hit the ground things have been moving non-stop. Of course I am expected to visit everyone I know and bring greetings from America, so I have daily been visiting homesteads, and re-establishing my relationships. I am also trying to get used to the heat of Swaziland again; today we had hit 95 degrees at about 9am. I am also having many gastro-intestinal adventures re-adjusting to the food and drinking water here. J

When I landed in Johannesburg, South Africa I kissed the ground and grabbed the beautiful red dirt in my hand and said "I have missed this place." And when I crossed the border to Swaziland I did the same again.

Clearing up misunderstandings... When my plane touched down at Tambo International Airport it was exactly six months to the day that I had left Swaziland. Even though I had stayed in contact with many people via email or phone calls I still have had to explain many times why I was away for so long. It seems there were many rumours flowing through the Swazi gossip pipeline. Many people were under the impression that I would never return.

Adjustments, Adjustments As I mentioned before regarding the weather and food I am still readjusting to life in Africa. I feel like I was very spoiled during my 6 months in the USA. I am now living at a new location. I am staying with a Swazi family at their homestead. While I was away they had started building a house just for me to live in. It is such a beautiful place, (check out the picture!) and the family is absolutely wonderful. They always say "How can you live here away from your family and parents? We will be your parents in Africa!" An even though I miss you all tremendously, I do feel very welcomed and well taken care of here. That is a huge blessing! The house is not fully completed, and that's where the challenge of adjustment lies. I am currently back to the days of no electric, and no water. I have done it before, but after spending six months at home my flesh struggles a bit. I have also already faced the predictable "car in Africa breakdown." My car was not running well at all, but thankfully just today I was able to get it fixed. The "bush mechanic" said all that he wanted for payment was 10 Emalangeni. Fixing the timing of my engine, and all he wanted was a little less than $2.00 American. That's very rare, even for here! I paid him a bit more, bought him a 2 litre of Coke, and praised God for His provision!

Please pray for me as I readjust to Swaziland. Please especially keep my health in prayer. Please also pray for my SiSwati language acquisition. Being away for so long I had lost a lot of it. I am praying for the Lord to empower me as I learn SiSwati, I really wish to be fluent someday. The family I stay with has 3 sons that are all in high school age. It has been a great opportunity for discipleship, as well as daily they have become SiSwati tutors for me.

Thank you for your love and support. I really appreciate it so much! Please be on the lookout for updates to this blog page. As the Swazi internet allows I will be updating my blog with these updates and many pictures. God bless you all!

Living a life I never dreamed possible

Dennis A. Brock

A new chapter along the Journey(I'm ready!!)

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

My dear Friends and family,

A new chapter along the Journey(I'm ready!!)

I have spent the last week in lower MarylandMy brother's wife
recently had their second child, (my first niece) named Stella. It's
been great meeting this new little life, and also reconnecting with my
1 and a half year old nephew. The last time I saw him he was two
weeks old. How time flies! I thought I would be escaping the cold
Buffalo winter being so south of the Mason-Dixon but we have had
temperatures down in the single digits even here. But a new chapter
is beginning, and soon I'll be trading snow for the 100 degree African sun!

It is hard to believe, but after months of waiting I am starting my
journey back to Swaziland on the evening of Monday February 12th.

I was basically cleared to return back to Swaziland almost
two weeks ago, but still awaited some test results and one final
doctor's visit last week. I bought the first airline ticket that I
possibly could after first spending a few days with my brother's
family. After waiting so long, it has been a whirlwind of activity
trying to prepare for the start of this next season in my life.

What I am returning to in Swaziland

These past 5 months have been an interesting experience for sure.
In some ways I feel as though I have gotten my butt kicked
physically, spiritually, and emotionally. But while it has been both
frustrating and difficult, I feel as though there was huge purpose put
in this time by the hand of God. I think I really needed to go
through this period. It has been a sort of wake up call spiritually.
God has been using this time to refine my life, cutting away dead
areas and bringing my heart and walk closer to Him.
I am returning to Swaziland knowing that I really need to walk out
this next season with my eyes and heart in clearer focus on the Lord.
Not to let up, not to take things for granted, staying in the eternal
perspective, and always having that sharpened sword ready for battle.

I also know that I need to be a part of rebuilding healthy spiritual
community with the AIM staff and Swazi believer's I minister alongside.
Please keep me in prayer as I try to walk out all the lessons the
Lord has given me these past five months. Please pray that God's Spirit
would fill me and be evident in my ministry to the Swazi people.

The Lord gave me a picture of a fire, a fire that represented our
corporate spirituality. I can choose to either be a catalyst to increase that fire or something
that puts it out. What do I want to be a bucket of gasoline or abucket of water?

Thank you for your prayers!!! (Ngiyabonga Kakhulu!!!)

Your prayers, especially for my health, have been answered! I can say
fully that it is direct Grace from heaven that I am able to return to
Swaziland. My back was in so much pain, and then I asked you to pray
with me for healing. Today, my back is having way less pain, hardly
any at all, and i am not taking any medication. Praise the Lord!
This past season in my life has also been a wake up call for me
physically. Our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit, are fragile and
delicate. I really need to be a better steward of my temple. Please
pray with me as I choose the hard road of living a much healthier
lifestyle.

I really would have liked to make a few more trips to visit many of
you (Nyack, KC, Northern Cali to name a few). But regular trips to
doctor's offices, and paying for those trips prevented me. Next time
I'm on this side of the Atlantic I'll be visiting those places for
sure!

Thank you so much for your continued love and support to me. Please
continue to stand with me as I start this new chapter and return to
Swaziland! Woo Hoo! I cannot wait! Thank you Jesus, may your name
be forever praised! God bless you all!

Christmas Reflections

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So I have been thinking a lot about Christmas this past week. I have come to realize that my Christmas's have gotten progressively challenging in the past couple of years:

Christmas 2004 was a two week holiday at the beach in South Africa with Ben, Janeen, and some SA friends. Warm Indian Ocean waters, 90 degrees, and the best sea food I have ever eaten! Pure Paradise?

Christmas 2005 was at Pastor Walter's mother in-laws house. That day we had a rural Swazi family feast! It was loud, and hilariously entertaining, and the meat flowed like the swallows of Capistrano. Unfortunately, some of that beautiful beef must have been a tad underdone as it continued to flow all Christmas night long back out of my mouth. Eissh! Started off really good, but crashed and burned on the landing.

So now we came unto Christmas 2006 - "Back(pain) in Buffalo," a suggested title? 3 bulging discs as well as being separated from the love of my life by the Atlantic, and not a snowflake it sight. Come on, if I am going to be all the way back in Buffalo shouldn't Christmas be white? What a tragedy! This years holidays didn't pan out the way I planned. Nevertheless, you won't find me crying "Bah humbug!" It's not my ideal situation by ANY means but I am actually thankful this Christmas.

Before you take me as a self assumed saint, know that I haven't been what you would describe as a "happy camper." I have struggled A LOT with my current position and have done a lot of complaining, especially about that whole "being separated from my girlfriend by the Atlantic" thing.

This Christmas I am so thankful for Greatly reduced pain, Cheap phone cards to Swaziland :), a great KAC church family, and the fact of Immanuel - that God would send His only Son to this Earth, and that Jesus would suffer and die so that I could be free of my sin forever. I am also so thankful that He loves me so much even when I haven't been a "happy camper." He has shown himself to be Immanuel even when I least deserve it. He is with me! I can only continue because of that truth. Without Him and his presence I am nothing. I am so glad His grace, which came at such a terrible cost, is free to me if I simply choose to humble myself and receive it. Thank you Jesus! May your Name be forever praised!

Thank you so much for your continued love and support to me. Please continue to stand with me in the coming year. May God bless you and your families in abundance. May the truth and reality of Immanuel greatly encourage all our hearts this holiday season!

Today is World AIDS Day

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Today December 1st, 2006 is World AIDS Day

Over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS today in the world. 25 million of those people are located in Africa.

5,500 people die every day in Africa from HIV/AIDS

900 of those had lived in the country of South Africa.

many of those enter into eternity not knowing the love of Jesus Christ.

Swaziland is still the country with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection at an estimated 47% of its total population.

More than 15 million children around the world have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. Each one of these children has a name. Each one needs hope.

HIV/AIDS is destroying whole communities, whole families, and whole generations of people. If the disease continues on its current progression, by 2050 there will be no more Swaziland. Everyone will have died.

The Church, the worldwide Body of Jesus Christ, must respond to this pandemic. We must pray, fast, give, send, go and help those that are suffering. As Jesus' ambassadors in this world we should be the first responders to this crisis. Sadly, we have been slow to act.

As the HIV/AIDS comes into the world's focus today, I encourage you all to become more involved in response to this disaster. Please choose to become more aware of what is happening around the world. I ask that you would pray a dangerous prayer today. Ask our Father in heaven to break your heart for the people suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. Then ask Him "Father how should I live in response to this?" Then be obedient to do what He tells you to. If you do this the world will change.

Learning To Trust

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

My Dear Friends & Family,

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!! Since I have been back in the USA I have had quite a busy time. I have been to Georgia twice, and visited Colorado and Ohio. The rest of my time has been spent at home outside of Buffalo, NY. I have been trying hard to reconnect in person or over the phone with many of you. I am also still trying to put together a trip to visit the Nyack area.

My last two weeks have been quite eventful. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving I went to the ER because I was having an allergic reaction. Over the past month I have also had a pain in my lower back that would come and go. Since Thanksgiving week that pain increased and has stayed. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving I again was in the hospitals' ER from that pain and from feeling feint. I had many tests, and had x-rays taken on my lower back. Both the tests and X-rays came back with no answers. They couldn't tell what was wrong with me.

On the same day that I first went to the hospital, Pastor Walter Malaza was hit by a car while he was in South Africa. Pastor Walter is one of my closest Swazi friends, as well as our main partner in ministry. He is the man with the vision and oversees the 8 Neighborhood Care Points that minister to hundreds of orphaned children daily. Walter has a broken leg, as well as a separated shoulder and damage to one of his arms. He is stuck in the hospital for 6 to 8 weeks. I have seen many road accidents in SA and Swaziland, and in my mind it is a miracle that Walter is alive. With me having taken ill, and that Walter was hit by a car around the same time - I don't see these events as a coincidence. We know from Scripture that the enemy prowls around like a lion looking to devour us.

Currently I am still having a constant nagging pain in my lower back. I also feel pretty weak. Yesterday a big blessing happened as I was able to get an MRI. I am now awaiting the results for that, which will take a few days. So my Brother's and Sister's I am in need of your prayers.

Please stand with me in the Lord in the following ways:

In Thankfulness - I am incredibly thankful to be alive. I am also so thankful that God's hand was with Pastor Walter. I am so glad to have Jesus; to be one of His kids. Life is hard enough, let alone when you are feeling sick. I am so thankful for the presence of the Lord in this time. In the long wait at the ER, through the constant nagging pain, in the MRI tube, or in my frustration - I cannot even imagine going through all this without His love. I am also very thankful for His love through the Body of Christ. Whether it's prayer, a hug, an email, or a timely word from the Lord - God has sought me out and blessed me through Brother's and Sister's around me.

In Asking for Healing - please ask the Lord with me for healing for Pastor Walter as well as for myself. I am asking that the Lord would heal me so that I can be back in Swaziland as soon as possible! I would really like to be there before the first of the New Year! Actually, I really want to be there before Christmas, as I have a special gift for a Special girl. :)

In Trust for His financial provision - All of these doctor's visits and ER trips have happened without health insurance. I have been trying to get health insurance for months. Because I am a missionary and don't get paid a lot (on earth) I only qualify for Medicaid. So, I am waiting to be approved for that and have all these expenses covered. But red tape and all, it could take up to about 90 days to be processed for Medicaid. I am just trusting all of this to God. God has always provided! He has provided through many of you to support me and come alongside me in ministry. I am so thankful for that my support is at a level where I can return to minister as soon as I am feeling better.

That my heart would be "with the Lord" in this time - I don't know how else to say it. This is a difficult place to be in. I so want to be back in Swaziland right now; and I don't really understand what is going on. Please pray with me that my heart would be yielded in trust to the Lord Jesus. Everything within me wants to be serving Jesus in Swaziland - I miss my relationships there and miss all of "my kids" there. Honestly, I am really heartbroken to not be there right now. I've been crying a lot. Please pray that I would learn what Jesus wants to teach me through all of this. God's timing is not mine, and His ways are higher than mine, I know that. But it's still hard for me, and I need His grace to trust Him in all this.

It may be storming now, but I am "in the boat" with Jesus

His Love, His Reality, really makes all the difference!

Thank you so much for your love and support

I am truly living a life I never dreamed possible

Dennis

African Emergency

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The following is a portion from a note posted online by Bono concerning HIV/AIDS in Africa and of the launch of product (Red). A portion of all product red purchases will go to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"Sometimes when I'm walking down the street a passer by will say "love your work on Africa, Bono, great cause." Sometimes, they wish they hadn't. As I'm Irish, I love to talk to strangers. I love to talk about Africa. It can be hard to get away... Each time it makes me think we need to do much more to get the message across that this is not a "cause," this pandemic that we and so many others are working on. 5,500 Africans dying a day of AIDS, a preventable, treatable disease is not a cause. 5,500 Africans dying each day is an emergency." - - Bono

To me (Dennis), this puts it all in perspective. 5,500 people dying a day from HIV/AIDS in Africa. This is a dire emergency! If you are part of the church, the Body of Christ, this is our opportunity to shine. It is time for the Church worldwide, I would say specifically the West though, to step up our involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As ambassadors of Christ it is our perrogative, and responsibility I believe, to hold out to this dying world the hope of Jesus Christ. We must be involved in the compassionate works of Jesus - tangible, physical, relief efforts. While at the same time we must always be proclaiming the only erternal hope...the free gift of salvation, eternal life through Jesus Christ. To me proclaiming the good news and showing Jesus' compassion in a physical way are linked. They always go together. We get into problems when we focus on one and forget the other.

As Christ's ambassadors, the representation of Jesus on this earth, we will be judged for how we respond or choose not to respond to this catastrophy. I encourage everyone to get involved in some way. Respond in Jesus' love - hold out the Only Hope for eternity and physically love your neighbor.

If you would like to read the entire article just cut and paste the followingb link into your browser: http://www.joinred.com/notes.asp

Buffalo = Disaster??

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday the 12^th of October Buffalo was hit by a snow storm. As the flakes fell so did the tree branches, knocking down many power lines. By the dawn of Friday morning many roads were impassable and 350,000+ people were left without power. It was a bad storm to say the least.

It was actually not that bad of a deal for me, having spent the last two years away, and living for a couple of month's without electricity myself. It was just like being in the Swazi winter, except for the snow of course. I was intrigued by so many of the media and a number of talk radio calls that referred to this storm as a disaster, and used terminology like "horrific," "war zone," and "devastion." I kept telling people that this is not a disaster, as they do not have their cable to watch the bills game on Sunday. They're not too good anyways this year. (However, we might have a disaster on our hands if we cannot watch the undefeated Buffalo Sabres for a long period of time).

Through most of my powerless day's adventure, I spent a bunch of time quietly laughing at spoiled American's complaints, and trying hard myself to make others laugh and have a good time. It was cool how it forced some people to come together. On the first morning after the snow fell, my friend Casey and myself donned hard hats, a clip board, and my digital camera and walked around "looking official." Meaning: taking pictures, shoveling snow for old ladies driveways, moving branches out of the street, telling people "everythings gonna be all right," kissing babies and asking them to remember me come election time. It was so fun. Peoplewere driving by giving us the thumbs upand honking their approval.

This past Sunday morning, I went to the only open store in my town, (a McDonald's)to get some coffee for my parents. While I was waiting in line I had a guy start talking to me about how bad everything is, andasking what is anybody doing to help us. Then he told meour situation was like being in Beruit, Lebanon. I was trying very hard not to laugh in his face and had to walk away from him.

Please don't take me for an insensitive jerk. I am not indifferent to American people and their pain. As of today, the 19th of October, it is estimated that 12 people lost their life due to this storm. That is terrible. The loss of any human life in any context is a terrible thing.

The reason I am writing this article is because I get upset when Americans lose their cable TV, an inconvenience at most, and call that suffering. Most American's know little, if any, of suffering.

As of today the snow has long melted away and some people still do not have power (7 days now), cable TV, and internet. Many people though are back to work, school, and the luxurious life of heat and premium cable or satellite sports bliss. Buffalo's situation is in no way on the level of Katrina, Beirut Lebanon, or half of what's happening around the world on a daily basis.

Disaster or not I hope this past week made a lot of people realize how blessed they truly are. America, you are highly blessedand spoiled. And when you go without power for 6 days out of a year and still have plenty to eat and drink I hope that you realize that there are many in the world without the comfort of electricity for 365 days a year, and barley have anything to put in their bellies any of those days let alone in a time crisis. So next time we lose power and shout "devastation!" from the rooftops and "Where the heck is FEMA, and what are they doing for us?" I hope we have enough grace to realize we don't have it that bad. In so many places in the world "devastation" is a true daily reality, and FEMA (with all it's inadequacies) is only a pipe dream, whose services would be greatly appreciated.

I guess it is true that during a crisis people come together and it can really bring out the best in people. But in this past week, in some instances, I have seen the worst. Complaining, selfishness, looting, to name a few. Millions of dollars have already been pledged to get Buffalo back up on its feet, and yet it's so hard to get someone to give $10.00 to fund relief work in the country with the world's highest HIV/AIDS rate. That's so sad. May God have mercy on our red, white, and blue selfish souls.

Please feel free to comment and challenge anything said n this blog. I really welco your input. Thank you.

Today I turned 30!!!

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I can hardly believe it! Today September 23^rd 2006 - I turned 30 years old. It seems so entirely strange to me. 3 decades of me. Wow. 30 seems so out there, so far away, so imposing, so old. I have never thought of myself actually being 30, and today I still can't. I mean 30 years seems like such a long time. And I feel like I've hardly even lived.

30 to me is a big deal, it's like a milestone or something. By the average life expectancy in America I am almost halfway to eternity. And that's if I was in great health - which by the way I am not. Because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, if I were a Swazi citizen I would only have about 5 years to go. I am also about to reach another milestone in my life. In February I will have known Jesus for 10 years.

Milestones ought to make one think. It sure has made me think. Like what kind of life have I lived, and what kind of life will I live in the future.

So how have I chosen to live at 30? Well, today I am in the state of Georgia (which is a foreign place to this northerner) I have been at AIM headquarters this past week helping with the training of some mission teams that are about to head out. I am staying with my good friends Ben & Janeen Messner, and this morning we had a great breakfast together with some other friends that are in town. We then all watched the last episode of the second season of LOSTwe were trying to gear up for the start of season 3 taking place this WednesdayI can hardly wait!!! I am addicted to the show, even though it constantly frustrates me. A few of us then shared some music for each other from our eclectic I-tunes and Napster collections-Janeen has such great taste and I can always count on her for something cool. I played some African love songs for them, and I really missed my girlfriend Zwakele and started to cry.

It was a great morning. The kind of morning one wants to have on their birthday; a great time with friends. Community, and healthy community at that, is the kind of life that I want to experience. It will be a priority for my next 30 years and beyond.

I called Zwakele in SwazilandI told her that I loved her about 80 times I think. Life is too short not to. Everyone left for AIM headquarters and I stayed to take some time. I went the introspective route. I worked out in the apartment complex's weight room, did some laundry, and then took a dip in the pool. It was such a refreshing time of quiet with the Lord. Throughout the afternoon I kept coming back to: "I can't believe I am 30!"