Like a Chicken With Its Head Cut Off

August 9: Only it's head wasn't cut off. Today we witnessed a pet dog chase down a chicken for its owner to cook for dinner. We were at the construction site again cutting down a tree near the house, when all of a sudden the pet dog - who was only ribs and bones - comes barreling around the yard chasing a chicken at full speed.  The chicken was SCREAMING its head off with a blood curdling scream.  The owner was then chasing the dog and we thought the dog was going to get it!  But when the dog finally pinned the chicken down in a corner with its mouth full of feathers, the owner grabbed the chicken, not the dog!!  What we found out later was that once a month they kill a chicken.  The owner gives the dog a very quiet command and it goes crazy around the yard chasing a chicken. I couldn't stand the sound of the chicken screaming for it's life. It still makes me shudder to think about it. But after the owner killed the chicken it was interesting to see it be plucked and then boiled for dinner. And yes, the dog gets a portion of it for dinner too. (Mr. or Mrs. Owen - if you're reading this, do you have the video of this?)

Kitten, dog, toddler, all waiting for dinner by their kitchen

Plucking the chicken

Boiling chicken with onions

 Was that the highlight of my day? No. I am still flabbergasted on a daily basis of the faith that these people have. How you can just FEEL the presence of God when you are around them. And when they sing...all in perfect unison and harmony, it sounds like the voices of angels. These people have taught me so much about raw faith. Matthew 9 tells three stories about how the faith of people made them well. How much do we REALLY have faith? Do we really believe that God can and will accomplish what we ask of him? Will we love him if we don't get what we think we want or need?

Some beautiful gogo's singing praises to our King

We finished all the work that was needed at the construction site by lunch, so were able to spend the remainder of Thursday at Bhobokazi.  It was wonderful listening to the children sing again.  Even the silly songs.

Thursday evening, back at Julie's house, we were given the opportunity to buy Timbali Crafts.  Timbali Crafts is an income generating project for women in Swaziland. The women who create Timbali Crafts are all volunteer cooks at feeding centres for orphans and vulnerable children in their rural communities, including Lindiwe - the widow we helped build a house for. They make and sell beautiful purses, bags, placemats, etc and can, therefore, earn an income to help feed their own families.  We went a little crazy buying gifts.  You can learn more about Timbali Crafts, or even buy products!!, here: http://timbalicrafts.org/

David going a little crazy.

 

 At Thursday debrief, you could tell the mood of the room was getting a little low as we all knew we only had one day left with the beautiful Swazi people.  God was surely breaking our heart for what breaks his.