Welcome Home

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