Swaziland, land that we love...

Click to view pics of the game reserve...
Click to view photos of the conference...
Click to view photos of Swaziland...

Humbled, thrilled, energized, amazed, moved, I don't have enough words to express the blessing and privilege it was to participate in the conference on Biblical counseling. With about 45 pastors and wives attending the Word of God was shared and God supplied the power. I have to say that I believe the biggest impact was not on those who listened but on me. As I was sharing, talking, walking, knowing and eating with these humbled servants of the Lord, I came to have a deep love and affection for them. These Swazi believers have a sweetness of spirit in them that impacts your heart, the beauty of their souls match the amazing quite wondrous, peaceful beauty of the countryside. All this puts you at ease and makes you forget about the harried life back is the USA. I was honored by being called “baba” a term of respect and affection. And as if that was not enough there was the singing. What beautiful voices, someone leads out, the congregation answers, the room fills with alto, baritone and bass harmonies which reverberate deep into your heart and produces a peace that is hard to describe, it's Ubunto, our interrelationship to each other and our God.

And just to make our cup of blessing overflow, There were the reactions an comments of the pastors to the teaching. On the last morning I was running late. Bud, Teresa and Kellie were patiently waiting in the car ready to go. I was still shaving, holding up the group much to my pena (embarrassment) but God has a purpose even in the small things... After we were underway and just before turning for the climb up to the conference center, and just at the perfect time, we noticed that Nhlanhla, one of the pastors, was being dropped off at the bottom of the hill. We were pleased to give him a lift up, and as soon as he sat in the car he gave the most amazing testimony about the conference. “This is just what we need, this is what we need to know, it's a shame that we can't continue longer or come back next week and hear more, so we have to cherish every moment...” Wow... what do you say to that except that God is truly great and gracious to have allow us to participate in this.

Kellie's comments... ( actually “Mrs. Craig” at the conference): What a delight to break out into a session with the women at the conference. As we talked about how the biblical role of women transcends all cultures, it was very interesting to hear from them: “If my husband uses all of my earnings to support the children of his other family, how do I handle this?” Elizabeth, a godly woman with 4 children, and the mother of our translator, has adopted little Simon, a 6 year old boy who has lost both of mother and father. These situations are a result of the high death rate in Africa which results in multiple families being cared for by others outside of blood relatives...another example of Ubuntu. It can also be an example of polygamy which is still practiced in the indigenous cultures. We ended our time together by passing out a calligraphy “gift” that I made of Psalms 143 “Let me hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning...”. It is a joy for me to know that God's word, written in love, will be hanging in many homes after the conference...