I don't know, calling Swaziland Paradise might be a little bit of a stretch.

What to say? This past week has been one of the most eventful ones in the past 9 months. I can't believe that my FYM trip is winding down and I'll be home in a matter of weeks. But the Lord has given me a peace that this is only the beginning. Looking back at how He's wrecked my life and changed my plans makes my brain hurt.

Change of plans: I am no longer going to the Philippines. I still am going to be a servant leader, but instead of the Philippines, I'll be in the highlands of Peru. I'll be with a group of 15-18 year olds with two other leaders. That's about all I know about it at the current moment. I'm really excited to go to Peru, I know it's going to be a blast.

Youth Retreat: From April 25th to April 28th, JB, Michael and I spent the weekend on a youth retreat. It was a blast! It was weird being a leader on a retreat and planning everything and making sure things were lined up. It was also a little weird being on a Swazi retreat, things run a little differently. Everything was on African time which basically means nothing ever happened on time. In my American mindset the first day brought a little stress, but that soon wore off when I saw that only the white people thought anything was wrong with not being on schedule.  I was also the only girl leader and it was such a blessing to get to build and deepen relationships with the girls.

Goodbyes: Goodbyes are sad, they just are. I've already said goodbye to my school, but on Friday I said goodbye to the drop in center I've been at. Michelle has been working there the whole time and I've been going with her whenever I can. The kids there are so precious. I've decided to sponsor two of the girls, Tandeka and Thabsile. They are 8 and9 and have never been to school. Their dad is in a hospital in Manzini with AIDS, they haven't seen him in years. They are staying with their Gogo. The Gogo makes the equivalent of 13 dollars a month, but around 11 of it goes to rent every month. These girls break my heart and it has been a blessing to be able to spend time with them this past week. I took them to buy shoes and socks. We also got some groceries and winter coats so they don't freeze. Here's a praise, between the team and finding people from home all the kids are sponsored for school next year. That's about 13 kids, maybe more, I'm not sure. But praise the LORD!!!!!!

Leaving: Friday we drive out of Swaziland. Argh. I'm going to miss this place. I step on American soil on May 22^nd and am excited for that day, but until then, sadness. We said goodbye to our church this morning and it was such a blessing as they prayed over us and sent us out. After this I am headed home for my last Bible study. Thank you all for your support and partnering with me on this trip. God's been rocking my world and seeing His hand move has changed me. Thank you!

Chelsea Geyer

P.S. I'll post retreat pictures soon along with pictures of Thabsile and Tandeka.

Hello! I hope everything is well back in the States or wherever you find yourself. God is rocking Swaziland. This was my last week with my students. On the last day I went around to each class and talked to them about why I am in Swaziland and prayed over them. I told them that yes, I am here to teach, but mainly to show them about Jesus' love.  The sweetest thing ever is that when I was talking, Mildred, the teacher I work with, came in and gave me a Swazi traditional cloth. All the students pitched in and they were really excited when I put it on and looked Swazi. It has the Swazi flag on it, I'll post pictures soon.  

We also showed Chronicles of Narnia to the kids. Once to just the fourth graders then to anyone who wanted to see it. They crammed over a hundred kids into a classroom (the size of an American classroom, maybe a little smaller) I have pictures to post soon, but it was awesome. The bell rang so all the kids couldn't finish it, but a few came back. They understood a lot of it and understood the meaning. We talked about the film and did a gospel presentation at the end. It was really cool to see them understand the part when Azlan dies but then also to watch them jump when the wolves pop out.  

I can't believe my time is so close to being done, we have 2 ˝ weeks left in ministry, our last day is Monday the 5^th. One of my teammates, Tessa, left this weekend and it kind of reminded me that at one point I am going home. I didn't think I would miss this place as much as I now realize I am now going to. Ya, it's pretty with the mountains, but it's the people. They are so open and warm. They welcome you and offer the best they have. The problems in Swaziland are deep. On the surface, it wouldn't seem that bad. Then you start to see glimpses of people's heart and realize that they need healing that only the Father can provide. My heart breaks for these people. Amongst all of the darkness though, I see one of the little kids that brings so much joy and I know that God has given these people a hope and future. They've been told that Swaziland won't exist by 2050 if the AIDS doesn't go down. But when has God ever acknowledged statistics? I know I've said this before. But God is reminding me again and again that He doesn't know the word hopeless.

Prayer Request: We are going on a youth retreat this week. From Friday to Monday, Michael, JB and I will be on Mikele's Mount with about 40 youth, Pastor Raymond and couple other volunteers. I'm so excited to spend this time with the kids and just watch them grow. Please pray that God will rock their world and speak to them.

As for me, my mind is full. Well, part of that is because I've been sick this past week and my nose has been stuffed up like crazy. The other part is God is just good. I'm sad this trip is coming to an end, but I know God has something for me in the Philippines and then later at home. I'm so excited for what He has, a little nervous, but excited. Also, today is Sunday, which means Bible Study is up soon and I love Bible Study because I see Jesus in the girls. Tamara, Zitsile, Luicia, Louisa, Cheila, and Bongiwe, they are some of the funniest girls and I feel so blessed to see God move in them. Please lift them up in your prayers!

Thank you all again! Praise the Lord for what He is doing, has done and will do!

P.S. We had a small house fire this week as a little bit of excitement. Imagine taking a nap and being woken to "There was a fire in the house we're all outside, come on." By the time I woke up the fire was out and after jumping out of bed almost having a heart attack, I realized it wasn't that bad. The house was smoky for a while and the room it was in was black, but it's all good now and no one was hurt (PTL!) I didn't wake up to the screaming or anything and there was no smoke alarm, here you are the smoke alarm. I love living in Africa!

That was a creative title- I know.

One month left. Whoa. I remember freaking out when I had one month until the trip. Now I have one month until my flight out of Africa, less than a month in Swaziland- the freak out has started. School ends this week, but most of my students live close to me so I'll still see them. But still, I'm sad. Home is quickly approaching and with it a new rush of emotions. I miss home, I'm excited to see my family and friends, but I know that as soon as we say hello and get in the car at the airport every bone inside of me will want to be back here.

                Other anxieties are coming up. What am I going to do after the Philippines? What about school, what should I major in, what classes?  Am I ever going to come back? What about home, am I going to work, what ministry can I be involved in? My head is swirling. There are all these things I want to do. Praise the Lord though that I have a God that comes and calms me down.

                School: Sorry this is so jumbled. School is over this week- sad. After this Carrie and I will be running a tutoring program for three weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays and then the other days I'll split between a drop in center for needy kids and an orphanage. I'm going to miss my kids like crazy. We've been leading the choir lately and they are frustrating the snot out of me, but I still love them.

                I'm sorry this blog is all over the place. There isn't a whole lot that's new. I feel like there should be, but there's not. Things really are going well. God is moving in the school and on the team and I love it. I love seeing Him in the eyes of the people. Prayer requests: For the students. That they'll know why I'm here and who sent me, that they'll forget me and see Jesus.

New pictures up!

peace!

This is a story about one of my 15 year old 7th grade students. I gave them a mini writing contest to be sent to America and my high school newspaper. This is what Bonginkosi handed me:

              HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a dangerous disease that can affect everyone. This disease is a fatal disease but can be controlled.

                AIDS affects black people and white people. It affects poor or rich people, fat or thin people. It affects you whether you are a Christian, Swazi, Zulu, Xhosas, Hindus, Rastafarians, Muslim, Mozambican, Sothos or Tswana.

                AIDS affects me as well my auntie, who was working in Matsapha Spinex Factory. She was a likeable woman and honest. She use to help poor children in the community by paying their school fees, buying food and clothes for them. Everyone in the community use to respect her.

                She was the person who was looking after my grandfather and my grandmother the most. My father looked after my grandfather and grandmother but not as much as my auntie. My uncle did look after them but not all the time, like my auntie use to. She was the most important person to my grandparents.

                She use to have more than one boyfriend and she did not use to use a condom when she was having sex with her boyfriends. On nights she use to leave home with her boyfriends to big hotels which are too expensive. On weekends she use to visit one of her boyfriends.

                One day she became sick and just got sicker and sicker. She did not know what was making her to be sick. She visited the clinic many times but she became sicker and sicker. Than my grandparents sent her to a traditional doctor. He gave her some medicine and said she must find a boy who will cut her with a razor blade and put the medicine in her. They chose me as the boy. I did it but I did not like it. She became better for a week but then her sickness returned and I became sick as well. Her and I visited the health center for check- up. We found that we were both HIV positive. They counseled us and they gave us some tablets and I take them even today.

                When I heard that I was positive, I was afraid. I was thinking that I was going to die, I cried and cried. But they told me that I would not die. After that my auntie became sick and got sicker again and she died. But me I am healthy and I am alive and life goes on.

                So AIDS kills. It kills our parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, sisters and brothers. But life still goes on.

*Bonginkosi - (Bong-ko-zee) The "in" is almost silent.

 *Zulu, Xhosa(click-osa), Tswane (tis-wa-na), Sothos (Sue-toos)- different tribes in South Africa.

*Matsapha Spinex Factory- Matsapha (Mot-sa-pa)  is a town and the Spinex Factory is where she worked.

*traditional doctor- also known as a sangoma. They tell people to cut themselves in order to pour the medicine into them.

*AIDS can only be prolonged, not controlled. They give out free ARVs, but their immune system failing is inevitable.

There's a picture of Bonginkosi in my picture files.

Ps. 18 (well excerpts, it's a long one)

"I love you, O Lord my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

 The cords of the grave ^[b] coiled around me;
       the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the LORD;
       I cried to my God for help.
       From his temple he heard my voice;
       my cry came before him, into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked,
       and the foundations of the mountains shook;
       they trembled because he was angry.

Smoke rose from his nostrils;
       consuming fire came from his mouth,
       burning coals blazed out of it.

He parted the heavens and came down;
       dark clouds were under his feet.

 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
       he soared on the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
       the dark rain clouds of the sky.

Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
       with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

 The LORD thundered from heaven;
       the voice of the Most High resounded …

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
       he drew me out of deep waters.

 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
       from my foes, who were too strong for me.

 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
       but the LORD was my support.

 19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
       he rescued me because he delighted in me …

 25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
       to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

 26 to the pure you show yourself pure,
       but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

 27 You save the humble
       but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

 28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
       my God turns my darkness into light.

 29 With your help I can advance against a troop ^[d] ;
       with my God I can scale a wall.

 30 As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.

 31 For who is God besides the LORD ?
       And who is the Rock except our God?

 32 It is God who arms me with strength
       and makes my way perfect.

 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
       he enables me to stand on the heights.

 34 He trains my hands for battle;
       my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

 35 You give me your shield of victory,
       and your right hand sustains me;
       you stoop down to make me great …

 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
       Exalted be God my Savior!

 47 He is the God who avenges me,
       who subdues nations under me,

 48 who saves me from my enemies.
       You exalted me above my foes;
       from  violent men you rescued me.

Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
       I will sing praises to your name.

He gives his king great victories;
       he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
       to David and his descendants forever.''

God thunders from on high for us. He parts the heavens and lifts us out of all the muck of life and redeems us. This Psalm has been rocking my face off for a while, I just marvel at how the Lord hears, cares and thunders for His people. Lately, He's reminded me at how He does this for the Swazi children. He hears their cries and parts the heavens. He is their refuge; He hears their cries when no one else does. Amongst all of the darkness here, God shines a bright light and it's beautiful! I want to sit in that light! My God is great! He gives us the ability to scale walls, fight armies and do the unthinkable.  Praise the Lord!

So the plan for this summer is to be a leader on a trip to the Philippines. The Ambassador  Program is another ministry AIM offers, that sends out teams of 15-18 year olds all over the world. This upcoming summer two other leaders and I will be leading a team to the Philippines. I'll be in charge of the cooking and cleaning, and will also be ministering with the team, but my main role will be to support the students and pour into them so that they can pour into the people.  The plan is to leave around June 21^st for a training camp in Georgia and then fly out as a team for the Philippines until July 26th.

I'm really excited and nervous, but every time nerves come up, God reminds me that He's going to enable me and that He's got me. I'm excited to play a different role on a team. I've been a participant on a lot of teams and knowing how much the leaders impacted my life makes me excited to be able to impact others. The nervous part is doing the behind the scenes thing and cooking. I'm a pro at crepes, soup and Easy mac. The three of which I don't think will sustain a team for four weeks. But then God reminds me that if He can save a nation, He can help me cook ( I don't know which one is more of a miracle.) Beyond all that, I can't wait to meet the team and pour into them. I know that this is what God has for me over the summer.

I would love to have your support on this trip. God shows me over and over the importance of having a prayer backing. Please pray for the other leaders and me, that we completely rely on Him and for the team, that the Lord will give us a heart for the people of the Philippines. Pray that the Lord will lead us and direct us to those whose hearts are ready to hear His word.  Also, please pray about possibly supporting me financially. As a leader the trip costs $2000 plus airfare to Georgia and travel insurance which comes out to about $2500. I know that this is what the Lord has for me and that He will provide. Thank you for the support you have already given me enabling me to be here in Swaziland. I am seeing God move and I am so excited to see Him alive in the Philippines.

Ok so that's all. I know I say "thank you again," at the end of almost every blog, but I mean it. I really appreciate the support I get from home, it's so encouraging to get an e-mail or a comment from people. It brightens my day! Peace!

How to support me:

Mail to:

Adventures In Missions, Inc.

P.O. Box 534470

Atlanta , GA 30353-4470

Write any checks out to AIM, earmarked Chelsea Geyer

Or on my blog click "Support me"

Thank you!

 Hello again! Every time I sit down to blog I have the same debate about what to blog about and then something comes to mind. So here we go.

Library/ school: The library is up and kicking, nothing new since my last blog. The kids are really becoming interested and can't believe that they can take home books for free. On Friday, Grade 6 invaded the library and I checked out over 20 books. Going 0-20 is really exciting. Alright so I have a massive and I mean massive praise. Last Wednesday a lot of the kids were kicked out of school because they weren't able to pay their school fees. Carrie, the other girl working at the school with me, took a huge step of faith and said that she would raise the money for all of them, which is over $4,000. She told me and I didn't exactly know what to say. But she sent some e-mails and her mom spread the word and already (since Thursday) they've raised all of it and we are trying to build a school fees fund. It's absolutely amazing to me. First of all, Carrie taking that step is huge and I just praise the Lord that she did it because I think if God had told me to do that, I don't know what I would do. Also, I mean the Lord provides. If these kids aren't in school, they are on the street. The other thing is 1^st term exams start this week and if they hadn't been able to come back they would've missed exams and had to start the whole year over. To be in school is a huge privilege for them and it's hard to see kids that can't go because their parents don't have the money and the choice is education or food. Praise the Lord that He is providing. We were praying for the kids and God really laid on my heart that we are here this year for a reason. He just reminded me that nothing is random, but that He has a plan for these kids and He blessed us enough to make us a part of it. Praise the Lord!

International Church and youth group: This last Sunday, Michael, J.B. and I went to Big Bend with the youth ministry team to minister to a church there. Big Bend is about two hours away from our house and in the middle of nowhere Swaziland. It was a really small church, but you could tell that the people that were there truly had a heart for the Kingdom. Plus it was awesome to spend that time with the youth group kids. I'm going to miss them like crazy. We have a retreat coming up with the youth. We're going on April 25^th-28^th, please be in prayer that God will move on the trip. I'm really excited and it's going to be a lot of fun.

                This trip is flying by, I mean I really feel like it grew wings and is headed out of here. The school term ends on April 18^th, which means that's when my teaching is over. I'll still see most of the kids because they all live right next to me and know where I live, but it's still sad. Thank you again for all of your prayers!

Prayer requests:

-Praise the Lord for what He's doing at Ezulwini Catholic Primary School. He truly has a grasp on the lives of every kid.

-Please pray for our team that we'll continue to pursue Christ with everything and that we'll finish strong.

 God is Good!

"Swaziland!" That's been my phrase this week. The library is going really well, we're finding books and I just feel blessed. God keeps on bringing up opportunities and connections that are completely random, but huge! For one, one of the families at my church sells children books and happens to have a bunch of used books they are selling for less. Also, Kate Howry, the leader for the other team, her Babe (Bah-bay) or Swazi dad works for Macmillan, a big publishing company and might be getting us the hook up. The kids are checking out books like crazy and I just really see God's hand in all of this, praise the Lord!

Back to the top: Why have I been exclaiming Swaziland? It's been my phrase of frustration. I spent Monday with six precious children and I see a couple hundred every day. Then I hear about how they are being treated and I get infuriated. You hear about corruption, abuse or people stealing money from organizations and it's just argh!! It's also in the government. It's hard to see a king with 13 some odd wives and 70+ kids who's loaded and spending ridiculous amounts of money, but then kids are going hungry and spend all day doing nothing because they can't afford food or school. God has given me a big heart for these kids and I just wish that they could see how precious they are. Then, why can't so many adults see that these children are gifts. Every time I want to stage a protest God calms my heart. He reminds me that He is bigger than all the injustice, not just in Swaziland, but all over. He hasn't forgotten about these kids, and some say the people that are hurting them will answer to God, it's not my job. I praise the Lord I have Him to rely on.

I love it here. I love my kids and my heart is burning for them. It's hard to think how short my time is. God is really showing me a lot about living for Him. My biggest fear right now is going home and living like I used to you. I want to be just as on fire for His people in Colorado as I am here. I want Him to show me the precious children that are going to change my life in Colorado like the ones here.

Prayer Requests:

-There is some racial cleansing going on where we lived in South Africa. South Africans are killing all the immigrants. Please pray that God will put his hand of safety over it and that He will calm their anger.

-For my students, that their school fees will come in so they can keep coming to school. Many of them were sent home this week, but they are coming back.

-For the team, just that we finish strong!

-Praise the Lord! He's been working through the school and youth group like a mighty wind and it's awesome!

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. I really appreciate it!

Our leader Cassie has been working in Swaziland for about 2 years now. She used to live in the rural area and while she was living there she met these six amazing kids. Donzela, Nonthandazo, Tulile, Bonginkosi, Bongile, and Mcebo. They are so precious! On Monday she brought all of them to our house, and then Melissa and I tagged along with all of them to Milwane. Milwane is a game reserve that mainly has deer creatures, warhogs, zebra and ostriches. There are also crocodiles and hippos, but those are rare. When we saw an animal, the kids freaked. I mean pushing and crawling over each other to get to the window. Then they would yell "Zebra, buya!" which means "Zebra, come!" You would think that Swazi kids would not be as excited, but they were. For me it was more fun to watch them freaking out about the animals then seeing the animals.

                While we were at the game park we got them some ice cream (should've seen their faces) and then some chips to feed the turtles. There is this window where you can look over  the river and there was a croc just sitting out on the bank with his mouth open and they got a kick out of it. I was really hoping he would eat something, but we were out of luck.

                After the game park we took them out to KFC. Now you may ask why KFC, well first you'll probably ask if there is actually a KFC in Africa, but my friend, let me tell you. KFC is like the social cool spot. It's ridiculous. We were stared at ridiculously because I mean 3 white girls with 6 black kids makes a statement.  It was such a blessing to me to be able to help bless them. They live in a rural area so for them to be able to go somewhere past their school is big. It was just beautiful to be able to spend a day with them, they are so precious and you can definitely see Jesus in all of them.

                I just wanted to share this quick story with you. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. My camera died so all of the pictures are on Cassie's camera. Please lift up these little ones, that God will continue to put people like Cassie in their life to build them up. Pray that they are always drawn closer and closer to Him. Thanks!

That's Praise the Lord in Siwati!

Hello! Life in Swaziland is life in Swaziland as usual. It's getting colder, which means we've stopped sweating and might start wearing long pants! The team is good, life is good and Swaziland is just as beautiful as ever.

 This past weekend we went into South Africa for a prayer retreat and just to be rejuvenated and refreshed. It was great, God showed up and it really helped us refocus and just reconnect. Plus!!!!! And this is a BIG plus, we were able to visit past ministry sites, which means that I was able to go to Eskom and see Alan and my other friends there. (Eskom is the squatter camp I worked in for the majority of last semester.) When I saw Alan, he ran up to me and gave me a big hug and we were able to hang out the rest of the day. I was also able to see his mother, Nelly and although I didn't get to talk to her a whole lot, it was just encouraging to see her. I also saw Chazile and Sedzani, two other kids I was close to and then some of the cresh (preschool) kids. It was awesome. When we were leaving Chazile organized all the kids to set up a blockade on the street in front of our car. It was hilarious and made me cry. I just praise God that He let me see them.

Library:  We went in this past Saturday and set up the library! We cleaned out a room that used to be a tuck shop and built some shelves. Our shelf building was very T.I.A. (This is Africa) and very "Well, it's close enough to level…" They hold and I'm very proud of our carpenter skills. : ) I'm still on the search for books, as they do not come as easily as in the States.  If you're interested in sponsoring some books, shoot me an e-mail! The other nice thing about Swaziland is the exchange rate and the lower cost of things. I'm really excited about this and a lot of kids are as well, which makes me even more excited. Please pray that the Lord just puts a drive in the teachers and the students, also that He sends me some organizational skills for this. There are pictures up if you click on "See my beautiful pics."

 God: God has been showing me a lot about fully stepping into the calling He has given me. I know He has us in Swaziland for a reason. He has just put that on my heart and seeking that out with everything I have, seeking Him with everything I have. Not just in Swaziland, but even when I'm home or wherever I find myself. Everything happens for a reason. God calls us to things and places we never imagined. The funny thing is I never felt called to Swaziland. The first time I came here, I had a feeling I would come back, but not now, not to Ezulwini for sure. I felt called to Kenya and still do, God had other plans. It's just crazy and I don't want to leave here thinking, "what if." There are two other things He's been shoving onto my heart. That it's not just me that's called to something more here, it's my team. As a Body we're called to step in and pursue Him. The other thing is that it's nothing I do, which is a relief and a pain. It means that it's not up to my incompetent self, but also that I have to completely trust that God knows what He's doing and that I can't do it on my own. This seems like such basic stuff, but I'm learning that it's one thing to have the Sunday school answer, and a whole other thing to live it out and step into your calling. "Be still and know that I am God," right?

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support! There are more pictures up, i will post some pics of the library soon. The internet is on Africa time-slow. Peace!