A kingdom. 1.2 million people. 40% of the population living with HIV/AIDS. Bordering Mozambique and South Africa. Producer of fruit that is to die for. Ruled by a 43 year old king with 12 wives. Covered with beautiful rolling hills. Most practiced religion is Zionism. Currently experiencing an uprising as a result of salary cuts. Poverty running rampant. SiSwati is the spoken language. Most generous people I have ever met. A country about to have their world rocked as God is raising up native people to use sport as a medium for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.
This is Swaziland!
The Sportslink team and I just returned from an ISLT (International Sport Leadership Training) in Mbabane, Swaziland. And I have to say it was one of my favorite experiences thus far in Africa. Our trainees consisted of all native Swazis and one man from Rwanda. They were so hungry to learn. The Rwandan man, a Hutu, and his family got kicked out of his home country in August and moved to Swaziland. He did not know one world of English or SiSwazi when he arrived; however, seven months later he was sitting in our training, participating and understanding. How cool is God?!
Our last day of the ISLT was a strategic planning session where we mapped out Swaziland, various churches, people, and organizations that are going to be hubs for igniting sports ministry. It was awesome to see how God is already opening doors in the country to make His glory known through sport. Here are a few pictures...
Crossing the border
Team Building - Fun fact: While doing this team building exercise a man off the street came up to me asking what kind of new magic we were doing. I kindly told him this had nothing to do with magic :)
Meet Zikala and Bongumusa
My Rwandan friend - Batungwanayo Janvier
Jonas (Sportslink) and the beautiful Swazi sunrise
Highest peak in Swaziland
Demonstrating Ubabalo Coaching
Meet Walter!
Protests in Swazi
Armed police and the army were everywhere. Our car was searched every few miles.
