It’s now been two weeks since our medical mission team left Swaziland Africa, a Kingdom smaller than the state of New Jersey, embedded in the northeast quadrant of southern Africa. Upon returning home from any mission trip, I am always forced to succumb to the routine of my ‘normal’ life, leaving behind the sights and sounds of people less fortunate than us. Incredibly, after two weeks, my mind is still racing with thoughts of the amazing people I met, the miracles that were accomplished and the lives that were affected.
This trip was especially important to me as I was privileged to have my husband traveling with me. It was his first experience with a mission team and having him along was certainly a blessing for me. Not only did he work hard in the pharmacy all week but he also acted as my official ‘schlepper’ carrying camera equipment all week and he even stepped in as a body guard on occasion. I think he rather enjoyed that role, especially when it came to defending me against would be suitors who wanted to purchase me for a measly 10 cows. He drives a hard bargain with a counter offer of 1,000 cows or two women (Lori and I both) for 1,500. No takers there.
As I reflect on our trip, I am continually astounded by the compassion of the Children’s Cup missionaries. A team of 7 Americans, they minister daily to the basic human needs of abandoned, orphaned and vulnerable children. Never before have I witnessed such commitment to a cause that is so worthwhile. These missionaries don’t give lip service to their plan of action; they give their hearts, their sweat and their tears!
During our first prayer gathering on Monday morning, one of the missionaries asked us a thought-provoking question: “Why do we do what we do?” He then went on to say, “If lives don’t change because of what we’re doing, life is pointless.” This really made me think. Not just about our mission trip and why we were there in Swaziland but about life in general. How many of us can say that we are changing lives by doing what we do? Are we living a personal life that exemplifies God’s love? Have we followed God’s calling in our professional lives? Do we find time to donate our energy to a worthy cause in His name? Are we changing lives? The good news is, as long as we have life to live, we can make changes and change lives!
When asked about my trip to Africa, I’m still speechless. It’s hard to sum up our trip in a few words. I guess in one sentence I can say that my heart was touched and I’m anxious to return! The children of Africa need our help and Children’s Cup needs our support. It’s easy to become focused and overwhelmed by the amount of need. I choose to stay focused on the nearly 1,800 people we saw in Clinics and in knowing that we met some of their needs. I focus on the thousands of children that the Cup Missionaries feed each day through the Care Points. And finally, I focus on the ongoing ministry that Ben, Suzie, Daran, Teresa, Charles, Kristen, Patrick and all those on their Swazi Team are accomplishing one child at a time. Thanks to them, these children are no longer forgotten. And also thanks to them, this trip won’t soon be forgotten!
Child Life Specialist, Lori works with a young girl at a Care Point.
After the food is prepared by community volunteers at each care point, it's dished up for the kids who await their turn. Hundreds of children are fed each day via this system and for most, it is their only meal of the day.
Preparing 'lunch' normally involves beans, potatoes, cabbage and other legumes. When available, meat is also added to the stew. Chickens arrive live and are cleaned and cooked up in their entirety, from head to foot... literally.
Gigi's Place is the Care Point where PePe frequented. Susan is one of the many local volunteers who helps with the cooking to feed the children each day at this care point. Like so many of the children we saw, Susan also suffers from AIDS yet she continues to work tirelessly providing comfort for orphaned and vulnerable children in Swaziland.
These children are eagerly awaiting dinner time. 
Lori gives comfort to a young boy undergoing foot surgery with only local anesthesia. Sugery was performed on our makeshift operating table - a rickety metal table set up on the grass outside the Carepoint.
