Missions Monday- Swaziland and the HIV and Aids Epidemic

This is a fairly new blog and you guys know I've been tweaking things and trying to figure out a regular posting schedule and theme. Well, in light of our family's recent connection with the Freeman Family, I have decided to make Monday's theme "Missions Monday". Obviously, I'll be posting missions related stuff. It might be information about certain countries, or missionaries. It could be projects we are working on as a family. It could be ways you can help out or do to help the missions cause. Whatever the post, it will be missions related. :)


As my first Missions Monday post, I thought I would share a little I have learned about Swaziland. Now, I am in no way an expert. This particular nation and family weigh heavy on our hearts as a family so I am doing a bit of research about it.

Did you know?

(information collected from http://www.avert.org/aids-swaziland.htm unless linked to another website)

• In February 2010, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe visited Swaziland where he presented a report estimating that three in every 100 people in Swaziland will be infected with HIV every year leading to an expected 18,000 new infections each year by 2012.

• Approximately 190,000 people in Swaziland are HIV positive, including 15,000 children under age 15 .Swaziland has the world’s most severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, posing a serious challenge to the country’s economic development.

• As elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the huge number of people dying from AIDS in Swaziland exacerbates existing poverty, which in turn leaves individuals vulnerable to the adverse affects of HIV. When those of productive age die from AIDS or are too sick to work, there is less income and therefore less food for families. Lack of adequate food and nutrition leaves individuals less able to cope with HIV if they are infected, as effective treatment depends on a good diet.

•  Around 39 percent of the population are under 14, and those over 65 only account for 3.7 percent.

• HIV/AIDS is also responsible for 47 percent of under-5 mortality in Swaziland.

• There are only 2 physicians available for every 10,000 people, and one nurse for every 356 people in Swaziland.

• The government estimates that only 16 percent of people aged 15-49 years old have been tested for the virus and know their results

• The extremely high rate of tuberculosis (TB) co-infection with HIV is also a major concern and the main cause of mortality in the country

Thoughtful Tuesday-Becoming a Missions Minded Family

I think that in our efforts to bring people to God, we sorta dumb Him down. We make Him a pleasant, jolly type of god and make people think that following Him is all rainbows and puppies and sunshine. Not totally true. Of course God is loving, kind, gentle, etc. Of course He has our best interests at heart. However, to truly live the way God wants us to live. To be totally sold out for Him. To be of the same heart as Him. To have the same mindset as Him is so not a rainbows, puppies, and sunshine life.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the life I have in Christ. I am blessed beyond measure. My family is blessed. My life is wonderful. But, it's not always like that. We have lost 'friends' because of our faith. We have been verbally attacked because of our faith. We have been tested and tried. Sure some of our tests and trials could be considered 'self-imposed' because they come as a direct result of our choice to follow Christ and life our lives for him. However, I would never give that relationship with Christ up just to make things easier. For us it is not an option.

With all that being said, the sacrifices that we have made as a family are nothing compared to sacrifices that Christians all over the world are making.  Some are leaving families behind to travel to dangerous countries to serve GOD in the way HE has called them to serve. I have a missions heart. A desire to go where GOD wants me to go and to do what GOD wants me to do. Right now, GOD has called me to pursue my nursing degree. Not sure what HE has planned for me after that, but for now I'm pressin' on and pressin' in and doing what HE has instructed me to do at this time. Hopefully, eventually HIS call will be more missions oriented, but even if that doesn't happen, it's ok. I know that HIS plans for me are wonderful.

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Our family has talked about supporting a missionary family for a while. Well, Dave and I have talked about it. We want our boys to be more aware of what is going on to further GOD'S Kingdom. To understand the sacrifices involved. To develop a heart for missions. It has been hard to pick a missionary family. We wanted one with boys the same ages as our boys, or as close as possible. Sounds easy, but it's not. We wanted one that really spoke to us. A missionary family whose mission field resonated with our hearts. It's been a long hard search, but we finally found the family for us.

Every Sunday is Missions Sunday at our church. We have different missionaries come and speak about their mission fields. It is always amazing. However, this Sunday was different. Our church had the privilege of hosting Randy and Dezra Freeman and their lovely children, Hudson (who is roughly the same age as our Medium Boy), Olivia, Griffin (who has the same name as our Small Boy. It's not terribly common), and Ella. Randy and Dezra have been called to  the nation of Swaziland. Swaziland has the distinction of having the highest HIV/Aids rate per capita in the world. It is projected that it will be the first modern nation to become extinct. As I watched the short video presentation Randy showed before he spoke, GOD began speaking to me. He was telling me that this was 'our family'. The family we had been searching for. The family I had been praying for.  So, I nudged my husband and told him, "This is our missionary family." He agreed.

I am so excited to be able to support this missionary family. They have a website set up with photos and information about their family and their mission, a blog, and a schedule of their speaking events and such. I have been doing a bit of research on Swaziland, but there is a ton more research to do. We are setting up a change jar for pledges in our house so we can put in our pocket change and get that sent to their account. I personally can't wait until they actually get to Swaziland so we can find out what their physical needs are going to be and what we can do to help meet those. 

The Freeman Family

I am looking forward to what GOD has in store for us as our family moves forward in developing a more missions focused mindset. I am looking forward to hearing how GOD moves in Swaziland and through the Freeman family. I am looking forward to seeing how this changes the boys and their outlook on life. I am looking forward to seeing how our perception of things change, how our priorities change, and how our lives change.