Africa Pictures

Thanks to a friend of mine...Kristina...I have some new Africa pics that I didn't even know had been taken! I just had to share them with you guys!

Getting to know a Care Point Kid...I feel really bad that I don't even remember his name now. This was the day we gave our Samaritian's Purse Christmas Boxes to all of the regular kids. Christmas in May! It was incredible. I, a girl for the States, gave away a box that was made in the UK for a child in Swaziland! WOW...the body of Christ in action.

Building a sand pit for the kids at one of the care points. These two girls in the back ground were my special friends. The one in the pink stole my heart and never gave it back to me! Her name sounds like Toe-boo-gee-lay.

Me and Tobu walking to her house in the mountians! She is soooo cute!!

Hannah, Kristina and I

River of Love

Taken from a train on the way to Manchupiccu, Peru

Ephesians 3:18

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

I can't help but think of God's majesty when I see His work in the world He created.

Llama Infatuation

Those of you who know me personally know that I am a member of "Llamas Anonymous." It is a support group for those of us in the Baton Rouge area who are addicted to the card game Dutch Blitz...which we have affectionately renamed...you guessed it..."llama."

Some of the group got together on fourth of July to celebrate the country's independence by playing llama into the wee hours of the morning. It was great fun. Shouting "LLAMA" as you throw your last card down to win the game is sooooo invigorating!

When I went to Peru last year I had the pleasure of meeting a real llama. I met a bunch of them actually and we had lunch together...OK it was more like I fed them, cause I just can't bring myself to eat raw alfalfa. Here is the proof...me with a 100% real, living, breathing llama.

Don't be jealous. LOL.

Lla...lla...lla...llama anyone?

Adventures in Honduras

During the 3 days I spent in Honduras there was a...

Hurricane scare: It turned out to be a tropical storm, but for a few hours we were wondering if the plan we were creating for the next year would have to include rebuilding everything from the ground up. It was a scary thought.



Plane crash: TACA airlines (AKA ...Take A Chance Airlines) had a plane crash in Tegucigalpa. That airport is considered the most dangerous in the world because of the mountains that surround the very short runway. TACA is one of the few airlines that fly from Honduras to USA. I was actually on 5 different TACA planes in between La Ceiba and New Orleans.



Although these made for interesting phone conversations... "Hello...it's Heather. I only have a few minutes to talk...Yes, I know about the Hurricane...it's only a Tropical Storm...just a little bit of rain. Yes, I heard about the plane crash...Yes, I am flying on TACA but not out of Teguc. No, we should be home as scheduled..." They were conversations I would have rather not had at all.

I guess I am going to have to get used to it though. That's where the faith comes in. I believe in the promise God has given me through the Bible that says he has plans for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe in the power of prayer and that my God reigns in this world. I trust in Him for my safety. So please join me in prayer; I will never turn it down!

For the Long Haul

So I have been posting like crazy but it is an effort to keep all of my memories straight. Someone will say something that reminds me of a day in Africa and then that day in Africa will remind me of a conversation I had in Honduras...and it keeps going and going and going.


So in an effort to keep my mind from turning into one big Dairy Queen Blizzard I want to share some things I have learned about international air travel.


What to put in your carry on:

1. an extra pair of underwear - don't argue, you WILL need them
2. change of clothes - if you can fit them it's a good idea in case you and your luggage don't end up in the same place at the same time
   
3. mp3 player/comfortable head phones
   
4. deodorant - you don't want to be the stinky person
   
5. toothpaste & tooth brush - this goes along with #4
6. neck pillow - this is controversial but I am soo glad I spent $1.97 on a blow up one
7. light weight jacket - hot, cold, hot, cold you will constantly be regulating temperatures
8. airborne - lots of icky plane germs recirculating in the cabin
9. hand sanitizer - to clean up before meals
10. Giant Book of Variety Puzzles - get one at the Dollar Tree they are amazing
11. journal/bible - there is plenty of time to read and journal on a long flight
12. gum and lots of it - this goes with #4 but also helps with the pressure in your ears
13. Advil PM - it helps to regulate your sleep and keeps you from getting all stiff
14. Med-Peds - travel socks help keep your feet from swelling & help prevent DVT you can get them at Wal-Mart for like $4 (get the over the calf kind)
15. baby wipes - great for washing your face and giving you that "oh so clean feeling"

OK so that may be a lot of things to carry but it is totally worth it. I am sure I have forgotten things so please feel free to leave a comment and add to the list.

Other Tidbits

• if you don't cover your bags in prayer and have people praying that all 26 pieces of your luggage make it to where you end up you will probably lose something
• stay calm
  
• even if you are running full speed through the airport trying to catch a plane that has already been scheduled to leave
• even if you have no idea what is going on
• know your rights so the airlines can't pull the wool over your eyes
• be patient
  
• be courteous
• treat everyone with respect

These things may seem like no-brainers but when you have been traveling for 22 hours straight and you miss your connection and no one wants to take responsibility for getting you home and you are hungry and tired and you are a little stinky and your breath isn't the freshest ... you have to make a choice to be sweet. You have to make a choice to help others. You have to make a choice to share your last cliff bar or tear a page out of your puzzle book and give up your only pencil.

It is when we are pulled past our comfort zone that we are given the opportunity to rise up and demonstrate the substance of our character. It is easy to give when it doesn't really cost you anything. The victory comes when you choose to sacrifice your desires so someone else can be happier (maybe even happier than you).

4x4

Sometimes it is a good idea to learn how to drive a 4x4 truck before you are in dire need of traction. We were driving up the side of a mountain...actually Natalie was driving and we were all praying to God that we would make it up to the top. Here is a little footage...

A pic of Brandon holding on for dear life...
Nat driving on the other side of the car

Swazi Sunrise

This picture was taken on the game drive. We had coffee, tea and muffins and watched the sunrise. There is so much sky in Africa, it goes on forever!
Breathtaking, isn't it?


We also had the opportunity to see an entire pride of lions. Take a look...

Honduras Pics

So the latter half of my journey around the globe was spent in Rio Viejo, Honduras getting to know the Williams family. I may have the opportunity to spend a year serving in their ministry. Here are some pictures of their beautiful property.


The Hospital dedicated to Jack and Shirley Dyer


The dormitory


The view from the 2nd story of the dorm
On the veranda of the dorm

The site of the Williams Family House

Sweets!!!!

On the way back from the Outreach at the soccer fields...the one I almost started a riot at - that's another story - we stopped to give some candy to a bunch of kids. I know, I know...I had to leave the Dietitian in me at the hotel for most of this trip. We were giving candy out left and right.


Any way, we stopped to give out candy, or Sweets as the Swazi kids call them, and I got some great pics of the kids. Just look at them! So beautiful! So excited! Take a look at the little guy in the middle...

...I'll give you a close up.He is thinking about how goooood that candy is going to taste! Just read his shirt...He is totally out of control!
When was the last time you got this excited over a piece of candy? It tells you a little bit about their lives, doesn't it?

What's the Difference?

From the top of Execution Rock in Swaziland. I love this picture. It does something to my heart. Not only does it remind me of that beautiful day, the breathtaking views from the top of the mountain, the heart pounding hike (I am soo out of shape) but it reminds me of the lesson God taught me that day.

The pictures below were taken on the way up the mountain. The views were so gorgeous on the way up that I had to stop and capture them. I wanted to document every part of the journey...you can ask Brandon... I stopped like every 5 minutes to take a picture.


Despite the beauty along the way, I knew the view from the top would be breathtaking. Even though the path to the top was difficult it was totally worth it.


I wondered how many times in life I thought it was good enough to stop halfway. How many times have I been satisfied with the views along the way?
God spoke to me and encouraged me to make it to the top. It was difficult. I was winded. My back hurt. I was tired. But I kept going, making sure to take in the beauty of God's creation around me.

When I made it to the top, I finally understood what God was trying to say.
God taught me never to settle for the good by sacrificing the great. If we push ourselves a little farther.



If we trust God a little more. If we press past the pain and discomfort we will be rewarded with the best God has to offer.

This is the difference between the Good and the Great!

Uploading in Progress

So I have a bazillion pictures from Swazi and Honduras and I am painstakingly uploading them right now. just hold on...I even have some great videos...it will be worth the wait I assure you.

Home Again

OK so obviously the whole blogging in Honduras thing didn't quite work out as planned. I am back in the states now and I am about 5 minutes from some great undisturbed sleep.

I have just had the most incredible time! I was honored to travel with two incredible women (Claudia Berry and Paulette Wunstel) to an unbelievable beautiful place to meet a family that is giving it all to God. The Williams family is serving it up in Honduras and I am so excited with the possibility of going and serving their needs.

This has just been the coolest month! I can't wait to tell you more about it when I am all rested up and can type without having to backspace after almost every letter. I love you guys so much!

Oh and by the way...all of the luggage made it there and back again...miracle!! Thank you for your prayers!!

En Route

We made it to San Salvador, El Salvador...I am having coffee with Mrs. Claudia and Mrs. Paulette in the airport. We got some traditional sweets from a little cookie shop and they are very good. I am glad to be in a country that appreciates good coffee! Espresso con leche, por favor!!

Next stop San Pedro Sula and then La Ceiba. Please pray for favor and traveling mercies. We almost missed our connection in Miami so we aren't sure if our luggage made the plane or not.

So I may be wearing this set of clothes for a while...I just had to bring the laptop so there wasn't room for any clothes on the carry on...ahaha

Flight Information

May 27th
New Orleans (1:05pm) to Miami - American Airlines

Miami to El Salvador - Taca Airlines

El Salvador to San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Taca Airlines

San Padro Sula, Honduras to La Ceiba, Honduras (9:25pm) - Taca Airlines

Drive from La Ceiba to Rio Viejo


May 31st
La Ceiba (7:35am) to Roatan, Honduras - Taca Airlines

Roatan to Houston, Tx - Taca Airlines

Houston to Dallas - American Airlines

Dallas to New Orleans (9:05pm) - American Airlines

Drive from New Orleans to Baton Rouge


I guess we will see how much I really like traveling!

Bon Voyage

So I am embarking on the next part of this whirl wind tour! I am leaving for Honduras in the morning. I have been thinking a lot about God and his faithfulness. I am still trying to digest all that God showed me in Africa. I was sitting on my couch this morning and God spoke to me he said...I am the same yesterday today and tomorrow. He is the same...in Africa, the US and Honduras.

I am so honored to be in the position that I am in. Tomorrow I am leaving to go meet the people I will be spending a year with. I will be traveling with two incredible women of God. I am so excited!!

Please pray for confirmation from God on what his will for my life is. I am expecting that all of my doubts will be erased. I know there will be questions and details that must be worked out but I expect God to show up. I expect to feel at home.

I am bringing my laptop down there so I hope to be able to get on the internet...we shall see. I will post as soon as I can!

Home sweet home

So we finally made it back to baton rouge with 2 hours to spare before graduation! Just enough time to jump in the shower and wash off the three days of travel and head back over to the church for the service.

Graduation was awesome! My mom, sister Sarah, Jared and my Grammy and G-Daddy came in town for the service!! What a blessing! I love Tiffany and Michelle and their supportive husbands. They are amazing people and I cannot imagine the sacrifices that they make for us interns. The service was 5 star all the way...from the recap video to the special Elevate song with Gered Lambert demonstrating his interpretive dance skills. If anyone got that song and dance on tape I would really like to get that on the blog...so send it to me asap! Everyone should be blessed with that performance.

Well it is now 8:38 Central Standard time and 4am (I think) in Swaziland...so I am pooped! Good night from Baton Rouge! Thank you for praying us home!

TIA

We experienced a bit of TIA (This is Africa) when we tried to make our plane connection from Swaziland to South Africa. We were delayed and missed the long flight back to the states. Don't worry...God knows what he is doing and I think it was wonderful to get an extra day of rest. We are together with the Moze team and it is so cool to hear the stories of what God has done in the past 10 days.

I think I will be posting on Africa for about a month! We will be making the connecting flight tonight which will put us in New Orleans on 5/25 at 11:30am, just a few hours before graduation. Graduation is going as planned so if you are going to be there please come I would love to see you there when I get the honor of walking across the stage!!

It has been such an honor to serve here in Africa. God is amazing and I have grown so much closer to him...learning to depend on him even more. Learning to trust him even when I don't understand his ways...learning to love him and his people.

I have made some incredible friend isn the past 10 days and learned the importance of friendships and relationships even if they are 8000 milke away. The Body of Christ covers the world and now I know that my family does too. I LOVE IT!!!

It is sad to leave here but God is going to keep working here. He has plans for every child I kissed. He has plans for every mouth to be fed and every back to be clothed and every thirsty soul to be quenched. His hand is moving. His arms are holding. His vioice is comforting. He is all things everywhere.

Well I have 3 minutes of African Internt Cafe time left so I will close this message with the promise of more to come. There are so many stories so many pictures so many things I want to share with you all.

Pray for us on the rest of the way home and as we go out again...wherever and whenever that may be...

The Care Points

Oh man, you have never seen such beautiful children. Last night was really cold here in Swazi and I just kept thinking of those little kids in thier shorts and tshirts trying to stay warm. It is enought to tear your heart out. We are going back to the Fonteyn care point this morning to do some crafts with the kids we made a sand pit for yesterday...aka sand box. I hope I get to see To-bu-gi-le (that's how it sounds) again. She stole my heart yesterday and I am going to try and get it back from her before we leave. So sweet.

We taught them the sign language version of Jesus Loves Me...the one from Sunday School. They loved it. I hope they remember it today.

On the American side...they don't drink much coffee here in Swazi so Neil and I have been on the hunt for a good cup on non instant since we got here. The Rogers have hooked us up when we go over to their house but man I have missed that morning cup. Today we had victory over the instant coffee. The manager of the hotel brought 2 french press coffee pots from her house so we had Starbucks in the hotel and it was amazing!!! Way to go Neil!!

They guys are building a foundation for another classroom at the Care Point. They mixed the concrete by hand and are doing the whole cinderblock morter thing. They had to dig out the side of a mountian to level the ground before they could start the chain wall. It is pretty amazing.

Africa has definately captured my heart but more than that...I really know that I am a missionary whatever that means. I could drive on the bumpy roads and eat butternut for the rest of my life..I even like the tea. I don't think it's the specific location that really matters. I just want to be obedient to God.

Please continue to pray. There was an accident last night and the Cup receptionist was burned pretty badly for a can of propane that blew up in her home. The devil is not happy that Ben and Susan have opened up a new church and is throwing a lot of things their way. Please pray for them and the chuch/Cup team. We need your support. Please fight for us. Yeaterday was a heavy one for us. Please pray for God's peace and encouragement and discernment for Pastor Ben. This is a new role for him and his family.

I love you guys!!!! Now I am off to love on some kids...it is really the best thing.

African Blog

Hey please check out the blogs of the other interns on my blog list. You will get a better idea of what is going on here in Africa because we are all blogging about different parts of the trip. It is amazing to see what God is doing here though us and in our own lives.

Barton Pickens, Brandon Bourgeios, Hannah Dyke, Kaycee Smith and Kristina Blount are all here with me is swaziland. Mary Beth Guedry went to Moze with another group and Kellp Pitts went to India. Check out their pages if you get a few minutes.

I hope to be able to put a few pictures up if I can find a cord for my camera to go to the computer.

Greetings From Swaziland

WE made is safely into Africa! We are here doing God's work and it is absolutely amazing. Today we went out to the soccer fields and handed out free cokes and told people about the church service tomorrow morning!!!

I saw one of the daughters of the Swazi church members give her balloon away to another kid at the soccer field...a natural at outreach. She saw the girl and knew that she would like to have the balloon she just got about an hour earlier. So beautiful.

We also went to the mall today and handed out balloons ans suckers to the kids and told their parents about the church service. It was a great statemnet because children arent valued in Swazi society but God loves them. He says that we should come to him like children. I am learning what that means by watching these kids.

I love you all and I will try to email and blog soon. The internet is few and far between here. Continue to pray that God will bless our efforts here and that his Holy Spirit will go before us on Sunday and every day of our lives for that matter!

In Christ,
Heather Stewart