On Sunday morning our team boarded a turboprop plane that seats 29 people.  We flew into the Matsapha Airport in Manzini, an airport slightly smaller than Wiley Post.  Because we were all dressed in coats and ties for the worship service, one man in the airport asked me if we were here for a “convention.”  I assured him we were not.

We were warmly greeted at the airport by three women from the Sharpe Memorial Church of the Nazarene.  We piled into two vans and were taken to a worship service already in progress.   We met Rev. Cariot Shongwe, the District Superintendent of the Central Swazi District, and chairman of the Swazi National Board.  He is a charismatic leader held in great esteem among the people.  He greeted me like an old friend with a firm hug.  He then ushered us into the sanctuary in single file like we were an honored diplomatic delegation.

The church is a large red brick building, with a dirt parking lot.  I estimated that the sanctuary seats somewhere around 700 people.  It has a large seating area on the floor in front of the platform, with a balcony and two trancepts on the sides.  The seats are long wooden benches just hard enough to prohibit sleeping in church.   They sat us on the front row of a side trancept right next to the platform.

The sanctuary was nearly full of people, singing with great gusto in beautiful natural harmony.  Even though I didn’t understand the language (Swati), I was familiar with the songs (“Look and Live”).  Out of the 500+ in attendance, probably 75% of them were 25 or younger.  Many were schoolchildren age in uniforms of black pants, white shirts, and ties for the boys, and colorful African dresses for the girls.  We stood out for several reasons, including the fact the only other white person I saw in the congregation was Dr. Samuel Hynd (more on our meeting with him later).

During the singing Pastor Michael Themba came down from the platform and welcomed us.  He asked me if I was ready to preach.  I told him I wanted to hear him preach.  He said he would like me to preach if I was ready.  I said I would preach next time I was here.  He smiled and nodded his approval.  Rev. Shongwe translated the sermon in English for us.  The sermon text was from Jeremiah and the topic was on “the danger of backsliding.”

Following the service we checked into our lodging called the Global Village.  Later today we are planning on visiting a rural clinic, school, and church.  Then we will have meetings at the District Office, and spend the afternoon at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital.

God is already speaking to our team members in powerful ways.  Please continue to pray for us.