This past Saturday we were able to go to the homestead to visit the grandfather and his family. It was awesome, because a lot of our teammates came with us. We were able to spend some time with the kids. We played a few games and gave them cookies. Marissa, one of our leaders, bought some maize mill and sugar for them. It was so cool, because we usually can't bring a lot of stuff when we take public transportation.

We all sat down on mats in their home, and Marcus shared the word with them. And Ben shared a testimony. Then we had all of the children pray over the grandfather for healing. He told us that he has been walking around more, and when we went outside he got out of his wheelchair and walked! I'm so glad we were able to go one last time and say goodbye.

Hey Everyone!

I created a new blog acount today with xanga, because I don't know when my aim blog will be deleted. And I might now blog on this account many more times before I come home. I plan to add all of my pictures and videos when i get home. I have hundreds of photos from my time here in Swaziland that my aim blog won't hold. Because Africa's internet is slow and it cost a lot of money to use the internet I'm not able to do as much as I would like. I know I will be able to do a lot more when I get home. So please check out my new blog in a few weeks. Even better subscribe to it. Hopefully I can continue to blog about what the Lord is doing in my life. I love you guys!

ash

http://www.xanga.com/ashleyastin

Life

Well on this side of the world everything is going good. I think everyone on my team is trying to get mentally prepared to come home. We have only 8 days of ministry left. May 7^th is our last day in ministry. Please pray for me and my team as we prepare to come home. Pray for our adjustment and our hearts. From May 9^th to the 13^th we are going to Kruger National Park in South Africa for debrief.

Recently I've been fighting a cold. Someone sick drank out of my nalgene carelessly, so for about a week now I've been fighting a cold. Praise the Lord I'm winning with the Lord on my side.

I'm looking forward to come home and see everyone again. I'm excited to be poured into again. I can't wait to share with you what the Lord has done. So please ask me and I will be more than happy to share with you. I want to share with you more than my trip was "good" and what I ate. Because my trip has been really good and the food I have eaten has been the same as in America. Maybe not as delightful at first because coke tastes a little different and so does KFC, but I adjusted.

I will go ahead and cover the food base:

Someone gave us a chicken last week so we killed it in our front yard and cooked it. Some of my friends ate the eyeballs, feet, and intestines. Nothing was wasted. I've experienced eating this green slimy substance, and it was an experience. The normal food for Swazis to eat is "pop and beans".  "Pop" is corn maize- it is white- it looks like mashed potatoes, but it tastes pretty bland. When you add beans to pop it is actually pretty good. My favorite thing to eat is "ice block" which I plan to make when I get home. It's a Popsicle in a sandwich bag. They cost five American cents and they sale them mostly in the rural area. It's really refreshing when you are sweaty and tired. Lindsey and I treat ourselves a lot to Nandos - its my favorite place to eat. I always get a cheese and chicken sandwich. My favorite drink here is Fanta grape. Its funny because I never drink it when I'm home. And this is sad news… all of Manzini is out of Fanta grape. We also like to treat ourselves to ice cream cones. As far as eating with my team goes… we always eat dinner together. We all trade out cooking every week. Mostly we eat things that can be made in bulk. The food that is prepared is mostly American. We eat pasta, hamburgers, chicken, tomato soup, rice, fruit salad, lots of salads.

All of us on this trip have spent so many months here in another country for the Lord. A full school year- honestly we have nothing else to talk about. This has been our life. God has done so many good things. He has rocked our lives! He has rocked other's lives through us! My heart is to know what he has done in your lives as well. The Lord doesn't just do things in Africa. The mission field is in America too. He effects everyone, because he is everywhere. He loves us all extremely! What has he been doing in yours? Prepare yourself because I'm going to ask you.

So please please please ask me about my time here… ask me more than just "how was your trip?" and then pat me on the back. I really do want to share with you more than just "good". The Lord is so awesome and he deserves the glory more than just a "good".

The Thursday night sleep over with the little girls from our care-point was so good. We took the children on public with all their little backpacks. So we stuffed in the seats with two girls on each of our laps. They were so excited! Many of our babies have never been to town before. So when we arrived in the Manzini bus rank one little girl gasped in amazement at the hundreds of Kombies. I strapped Sethu on my back like a swazi woman, and all of the Swazi people we passed looked at us really funny. We took them to KFC for ice-cream. They told Zanele that they didn't know ice-cream was cold. The ice-cream fell out of Sethu and Nomvuyo's cones onto the floor, but all in all it was a success.

The girls all ran towards the house as we opened the gate even little Sethu. We prepared a room downstairs for them. They each had a goody pile with treats, pictures, and a stuffed puppy waiting for them. Each little girl was so thrilled. The girls spent the afternoon playing with their new toys and eating their treats. After dinner they all took bubbles baths. They freaked out when I turned on the sprayer. I think their favorite thing about coming over was using the toilet. They all would run into the bathroom at the same time and take turns using the toilet.

Each one of them slept through the night. They were all so behaved and precious. Even Sethu slept all night. We went into town one last time before going back to the care-point and bought them all new school shoes. They were so proud. When we got to the care-point they were showing off their new things to the gogos and telling them all about their stay at our house. It was so much fun having them over. It really makes us sad though, because we are leaving them so soon and spending more time with them away from the care-point makes is so much harder. And next Thursday we are having the boys over….

Tomorrow 6 of our little girls from the care-point are coming to spend the night with us. I'm so excited! We plan on pampering them. On our way home we will treat them to KFC ice cream. When we get to the house we will have candy, pictures, and other fun things laid out for them. They are going to have so much fun! We want to let them play in a bubble bath and watch a Disney movie. Hopefully we will get to wash their clothes in our washing machine.  I can't wait to see them and love on them again tomorrow!

Pure and Faultless Religion

Jesus is alive: He is the word

As I read the word the Lord is continually showing me that he has called his dearly beloved to extraordinary lives- fully alive. Lately I've been reading about the Israelites journey to the Promised Land and a little in Matthew. The bible is crazy! Have you ever really opened your eyes to see how crazy the bible is? If so you will understand that the Lord of all creation has not called us to comfortable lives. The other day I read this book by Tom Davis "Fields of the Fatherless" and in it he says "the harvest is ready, but we are too busy painting the barn."

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

There is so much action in the scriptures. Why is there so much complacency in the body? Love is an action word. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength, and love others as yourself. When you love others you love God as well. Jesus says to give to anyone who asks (Matthew 5:47). He doesn't put stipulations and exceptions on it either. He doesn't say give to those who you think need something or look hungry, but give to anyone who asks. I'm telling you the scriptures are crazy. If someone asks for your coat offer your shirt as well. Being here on the mission field gives more perspective on scripture. It's not rare for someone to ask you for something as you walk down the street. You see young boys guiding cattle like the shepherds that came to meet baby Jesus. The young boys are age twelve or younger just like the shepherds in the New Testament. These are just some examples.

Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness and all of these will be added unto you. Loving God and others is Kingdom. Jesus doesn't say well if you could possibly make time, and oh if you have enough extra money could you please help the fatherless, widow, and alien. Loving the fatherless, widow, and alien aren't just things some "Christians" do… it's a given in God's book- after all we are his hands and feet. For whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (1John2:6).

Faith & Confidence:

Jesus didn't plead with the father for healing others. He was demonstrating the authority and faith we should operate in- commanding the mountain to be cast into the sea. Its action!

Get up and walk… Luke 5:24

Stretch out your hand… Luke 6:10

Be clean… Luke 5:13

My child get up… Luke 8:54

Rise and go… Luke 17:19

Receive your sight… Luke 18:42

Lazarus, come out… John 11:43

In Matthew 10 Jesus sends out the twelve with these instructions:

Heal the sick

Raise the dead

Cleanse those with leprosy

Drive out demons

Freely give

Take no bag or extra clothes

You will be sheep among wolves

WHEN they arrest you…

Men will hate you because of me

When a teacher of law told Jesus that he would follow him anywhere; Jesus replied and told him well are you sure about that, because I don't even have a place to lay my head. Can you handle that? (Matthew8:19-20) Or what about this one- Matthew 10:37-39- Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And if you find your life you will surely lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake will surely find it.

What a glorious standard we are called to- WHEN they arrest you… he didn't say well guys if you happen to get arrested…he said when you are arrested you I will put my words in your mouth and you will speak before kings and officials. The word is alive, crazy, and radical… take the time today to read what the God of all creation is crying out.

 Lord open my eyes to see what you are trying to show me in your word. Show us what it means to really live this life you have called us to. May we truly walk as you did. Father forgive us for watering down your word to fit our comfortable lifestyles. May we truly be your hands and feet. I thank you that you are a God of discipline and love. Be glorified. In Jesus Name!

(Just for your entertainment or maybe just mine)

These are just some funny things I can't do when I get home…

There will be no picking up every child that crosses my path- Because we all know that mothers in the States freak out when any stranger comes within five feet of their small child.

I can't speak Siswiti to every black child I see- For one the kids won't know what the crap I'm saying and two I will look like the biggest idiot ever.

I will have to start saying hey can I have more ketchup again instead of "tomato sauce".

There will be no screaming "YEBO!" when something goes my way.

I will have to order French fries again instead of "chips".

Praise the Lord I won't have to buy "airtime" anymore for my cellphone.

I definitely won't tell children I am going to beat them. - its not as bad as it sounds… because we say it in Siswiti.

I will not expect to be greeted by someone I don't know.- its culture here to say hello to everyone here in Swaziland, but in American we avoid saying hey to people we do know.

There will be hardly any excitement about eating at KFC, because we all know that we only eat there once a year when we don't have anything to cook at home for family dinner.

Phrases like:

"Is it?"

"Eiesh…"

"Sorry sisi"

"Where do you stay?"

"Can I please have a Fanta grape and a chicken burger?"

"Shame"

"Did you go to the filling station?"

"What is your sir name?"

"How many years are you?"

WILL NOT BE UNDERSTOOD

 No:

Hanging laundry and wet towels on my bed.

Hand washing my clothes

Playing cards for fun everyday until mid-night

Going to bed at 8:30

Watching my roommates get dreads and a weave

Busting out in Siswiti worship songs

Getting excited when my parents call

Taking pictures of small cute children

Responding with "I'm fine"

Walking more than 30 ft- there is hardly any walking to get to your destination in the US

Using my towel for 3 weeks without washing it

Paying for internet

Internet will not be a chore

Going weeks without shaving my legs as I wear skirts everyday

Farmer's tan

Instant juice

My God has answered my prayer about supporting the children. We want to support the children until they finish high school, and this is a good starting point. So we need your help. Would your prayerfully consider partnering with us in supporting these children in being educated? Unfortunately school is not free like it is in the states, so many children aren't able to attend or finish school. But it is so important, because here in Swaziland there aren't enough jobs for the uneducated. We long to see our children grow up and be prosperous and this is the best way we can help see it come to pass. I have created a slideshow of the children you could help get an education. We are working it out with the staff over care-points here in Swaziland to pay the school fees with the money we send to them, and hopefully be kept updated on their progress. I plan to come back each summer to visit, so I would also be able to keep you updated on the child you choose to sponsor educationally.

Pre-school price list per child

School fees for the two remaining semesters:     E1000 = $129.87

Uniforms ( that should last them 2-3 years):       E119.44 = $15.51

School trip:                                                       E100.00 = $12.50

Graduation ceremony in November:                  E100.00 = $12.50

Toal:                                                                E1319.44=$164.90

School starts again next January and school fees will have to be paid again, the extras will have already been purchased from this year. As the children move up to elementary school and high school the school fees will increase. Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity to give.

The Lord is always faithful, so I have no doubts that the will provide for these precious children. We unfortunately do not have all the price information, but I will find out and post it next week.

**If you are interested in supporting our children please contact me or my mother :

Aastin2@hotmail.com

Paula Astin 770-748-2875