One month from today, we will take a 15-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa and then travel into Swaziland the following day.  We have had the opportunity to meet with several friends and family; however, there are still so many that we will not be able to sit down with face to face. So, we thought we might provide you with answers to frequently asked questions. Is it weird being back in the states? It does ...

Wow! We are so excited to be home. In some ways, things are the same and in so many other ways, things are so different! Chick-fil-a tastes the same and the Lord knows we have had many conversations over the past 18 months about American food! (Especially with two teenagers in the house) It is different to be here and not live here anymore. Not sure how to put those feelings into words. Since, we have arrived,...

Last Thursday marked our 600th day in Swaziland. Our son, Landon, has been counting down the days until we come home on furlough and also has been tracking how many days we have been here. 600 days, wow! 600 days of being in a totally different culture. 600 days of knowing we are exactly where God has called our family (some days were easier than others). 600 days of partnering with AIM staff to make and mul...

America and Swaziland seem like two completely different worlds. Sometimes, I feel like I am stuck in between the two. It is hard to determine which one of them is “home” because I live here in Swaziland. However, I am more familiar with America, and most of my friends are there. Making friends has been one of my biggest struggles since we have been here, but God has definitely helped me. At youth group I have met so...

We have been busy in Swaziland!!! September 30th was the end of the fiscal year for Adventures in Missions. Since Michelle works in the finance department, she reviews LOTS of receipts. It is amazing to look back and see how God used her time at Westwood preparing her for Swaziland and receipts! Here is her favorite receipt of the year:   Isn’t this great? This amount is equivalent to approximately $300. Thi...

Thirty-six years ago, August 28th, 1979, my life was changed! As my family of four was traveling through the Carolinas, my father was killed instantly in a car accident. I was four years old. Shortly after dad’s death, we moved from Maryland to Alabama. My life took an unexpected turn. Every year when this date rolls around, I ponder how different my life might have been. What if I were raised in Maryland inste...

It was a cool, rainy July morning as we bumped along the dirt road on our way to the homestead. We had heard of a child near one of our care points that has some special needs, so we decided to go and visit him. When we arrived at Basanda’s homestead, we found him lying in the corner on the cold concrete floor with nothing but a blanket. We were told that he is four years old, and has shown the same symptoms since bi...

Africa has really changed my life. Moving here has helped me to realize many things such as: -I am very fortunate to have been born in the US, -I am blessed to have a family that provides for me in many ways, -I should be more grateful for things, -God really does have a plan for my life. Having to move to the other side of the world has been really tough. There are a lot of foods not available here, s...

One year ago today, we moved to Swaziland, Africa. In some ways, time has gone by so fast. However, sometimes it feels like we have had a previous life and now live on another planet! There have been more changes this year than any other time in our lives. Jobs...school…ministry…culture…new home…new life! Swaziland is a beautiful country and we have enjoyed exploring its splendor. Throughout the year, w...

“Kunjani” is asked at the beginning of most conversations in Swaziland. It means, “How are you?”. Every response we have heard this past year is “Ngiyaphila” (ng-ee-yah-pee-lah) which means “I am fine”. As in the American culture, people’s response is usually “fine”. We all know this is not always true, but regardless of the circumstances, that is what is verbally communicated. Even the child standing in the dirt ...