Swaziland, Africa TEAM RVC video

Check out the recent video I finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyBtgleHGz0

Brief Overview

Here is a brief video of what our team did these past two weeks. Of the 19 care points River Valley Church facilitated 13 of the Christmas programs. We had jumping castles, water slides, relays, a soccer station, face painting,  bible verse memory game, puppet shows, coloring, ice cream, even a cuddle station when the littler ones got tired! It was a blast to work as a team and see God move through us. 

Children's Cup Christmas Parties '09 from Paul Chasusa on Vimeo.

Third update

We have been working hard. I heard that Minnesota got 12 inches of snow. That is hard to believe because yeaterday I was sweaty and completely burnt. Today our team split up into four groups so we could get to all of 19 care points at the end of the week.

It was an especially hard day for Levi and I because we realy connected with a little boy that melted our hearts. He was five and was an awesome dancer who was facinated by levis facial hair. When we had to leave He went limp. I cried the whole way come thinking that I would probably never see him again and what he had to go home to.

Today in the middle of our activities there was a huge thunderstorm that was us out. The children here are terrified of lightning because many people have died from it because everyone walks as a form of transportation.

Overall seeing hundreds of dying and sick kids over and over again has broken our team down. It has made us lean on Gods strength more than ever. There have been times where I am sitting holding two or three babies in the midst of a sea heated kids and I find myself getting angry at how unfair they have it. I get angry at how the darkness of this world is winning in Africa but I know god is in control at the same time. This trip has grown my faith.

STUDENTS: thank you for your info on club feet. I have given out some of your beauiful bracelets and the kids are absoletly thankful and honored to receive them. It is as if they are a golden treasure. If you could research or look up info on why the children have huge bellies. I know part of it is because starvation but I have heard it is because worms are taking over their intestines. Tons of these little ones show symptoms of HIV especially thier skin. It is sad because when they go to the face painting station the paint won't work. I miss you carol and class. I love you!

Second update

These past two days have been life changing!

It has been completely out of our uncomfort zoneand crazy but that's what has made this mission so special. Sunday we attended healing point church and afterwards we went on our safari. We saw lions, elephants, and lots of wild animals. We stayed over night in little athentic thatched huts. It was a little scary because we were meters away from the wild life and we even heard a lion roaring in the middle of the night! We hardly slept because we found a friendly huge spider in our bed, yuck!

Today we did the second christmas program at anoither care point. It was super hot day and there was lots of cute cute kids. We are completely exhausted and are getting ready for dinner.

The next four days we will be at the orphanage's working all day. It has been very emotional and our team has been crying a lot. Being in complete distress is where i have felt god the most. Which seems weird but true.

First update

So here we are in Swaziland Africa! We are all safe and sound. The last two days we have been in various Airports, planes, buses, customs check points, and hotels just to be settled into our current destination. Most of our group is struggling to adapt to the eight hour time difference. Right now it is eight in the evening. Last night we arrived in south africa after a 11 hour plane ride to a hotel for about five hours of sleep to get back on the bus for another six hours to S land.

God is already working in our trip. Our bus broke down in a random field area but it ended up in front of a small hut with small children. We were able give them books and fun stuff.

We had a great time meeting all the staff from childrens cup and healing point church. We were greeted with a fun african dance and song. Sat thru Thurs we will be putting on a huge Christmas party and program each day! I will be running the soccer station and Levi is on the relay one. levi's mom is on the dance team which is fun too!

I cannot upload pictures because I am typing on my I phone.

STUDENTS: check into club feet for me. I met an orphaned 18 month old named Jobe who has this and it is heart breaking to see. I miss you and carol guys lots!

First update