Driving up the coast of the Indian Ocean

Driving up the coast of South Africa

Be praying for us today as we will be driving from Durban, South Africa (on the Indian Ocean) up the coast to Swaziland.

For those of you who don’t know here is a little history on Swaziland:

This small country in Africa has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, giving it the name, “Nation of Orphans”. Generations of people in this country have been decimated by AIDS leaving many children orphaned and alone, without anyone to call mom or dad. 12% of the total population are considered to be orphans. The average person in Swaziland only lives to be about 28 years old.

Because there are virtually no orphanages or children’s homes in Swaziland, these children are literally left to fend for themselves without any means of survival. Widely held myths and misunderstandings about AIDS have left many girls vulnerable to sexual abuse and infection of HIV. Young children throughout Swazi are often found to be the head of the household, caring for all their younger siblings and other children who have no one. Orphans are left susceptible to malnutrition, disease, and abuse. Children roam the streets unclothed and hungry looking for answers and for someone to care for them. Due to this harsh reality HopeChest has created a place for orphans to find refuge, a place to be loved and fed - a CarePoint.

I’m sure that it will be an interesting day and a great way to see a beautiful country.

Oh and by the way for as many times as I’ve been overseas and have travelled in countries where they drive on the left side of the road, I have never done it. Well that all comes to an end today. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thanks

-greg