MANNA SWAZILAND

Going Up

2012-02-28T09:09:00.003-08:00

God's timing is perfect. The problem is remembering that when time schedules aren't met according to "our" plans. We had hoped to have the first dwelling completed before the new year, but due to the complications of the initial property and relocating to our current property the building got started later and then we found ourselves facing weeks of rain that slowed the process even further. Thankfully with the labor of a small crew of Swazis, team members: Sean and Nicole, Arlyn and Maria, visitors: Drew, Tate and Wesley we have a good bit of clearing done, fencing, and are at the roofing stage.

Our goals for the future remain in tact regarding building, fish ponds and agricultural projects, but as always our priority is the people. Building deeper relationships with those who have been put before us and growing in faith of a God who sent His son to be our Savior.

Your prayers, donations and encouragement are a blessing to the work and to us. Thank you!

Welcome Koopmans

2012-02-03T14:38:00.001-08:00

Arlyn and Maria arrived in Swaziland yesterday. We are so happy that they're there. Brian was stalled with proceeding with construction due to a week of rain and is ready to de done with the "busy work" and ready to focus on the relationships with the people.

Keep the Koopmans in your prayers as they recoup from the long travels to get to Swaziland and as they adjust to a new place, language and life. Welcome aboard, Guys!

Visitors Update

2012-01-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

"The trip was awesome! Loved every minute of it. The work was hard, the company was great, and I truly believe that Brian is going to do a great ministry. Africa is an interesting place; I had never been to the continent and it was awesome to be able to experience it with people that are familiar with the environment. I look forward to going again!" ~Drew Cleveland~

Drew, Tate, Wesley

Fencing the Property

Taking a Break

Campsite

Happy New Year

2012-01-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Praying that you all had a wonderful celebration at Christmas and, as we begin a New Year, that Christ be our focus for all we do and say.

The year ended in Swaziland with work on the house getting up 9 rows of block high.

A connection has been made with workers, neighbors, kids passing the property on their way to school, and fellow believers; and friendships are being formed. We thank God for the opportunities placed before us and that we are being welcomed by the neighborhood.

Brian was back in the USA for all the family gatherings over the holidays and is now gearing up to head back into Swaziland for the long haul. Tammie will be joining him there for a season after her trip to Gautemala to accompany Keely Williams, a new team member for the MannaDR work, at language school.

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for this new work as we are aware that Satan is always roaming, looking to destroy.

Two in a Million

2011-12-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

What a blessing it was to have Sean and Nicole working with me. It would be hard to find two people who would work as hard as they did and they did work hard! Just so grateful for their friendship and their willingness to give of themselves to serve in Swaziland. It was fun sharing camp and I was blessed by the fellowship. I definitely missed the two of them and pray that they will return soon.

Walls Going Up

2011-12-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Progress continues on the property nearer town. The foundation on the first building is completed and the cement floor has been poured. Once the floor is "set" they'll begin laying the block walls. Hopefully the majority of it will be done and at a good place to pause when Brian heads back to FL for Christmas.

Thank you for your contributions to this work. Thank you for the volunteering of labor and time. Thank you for your prayers.

Thank You

2011-11-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks go out to Drew, Tate, and Wesley for your time, labor and cost to come and help us in Swaziland.

Even though things had ground down to a halt on the larger property there was a lot of fencing to be done on the smaller property closer to town and preparing the ground for the buildings. What a blessing to have an extra 3 pairs of hands.

Looking forward to hearing how their trip went and hopefully have some more photos to post.

Changes

2011-11-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

Just prior to Drew, Tate, and Wesley's arrival there was some discussion between two chiefs about the property line. A meeting was held and the final say has been given over to the king of Swaziland, who is too tied up in current matters and won't be able to attend to the matter until January. So, Brian has come across a small 2 acre lot closer to town, already cleared, access to electricity, and water. Perfect for the living quarters and gathering place. The other property will be used for the agricultural projects and fish farming.

"Changes" can often throw a wrench in our plans, but God is aware and knows the bigger plan. We place our trust in Him and hope our words and actions show that faith.

Pictures!

2011-11-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sean and Nicole have some photos posted on their link of the property.

Check it out!

More Help on the Way

2011-10-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

All is going well with the settling in of Sean and Nicole. They are giving a big hand in helping Brian prepare for the arrival of Drew, Tate, and Wesley on the 5th of November, who are coming in for a couple of weeks prepared to give blood, sweat, and tears (hoping that just the sweat is all that will be necesary).

Looking forward to hearing of their "Out of Africa" experience: Camping in the "bush" of Africa, sharing stories as they're cooking over a fire, relaxing under the wide starry sky after a long, hot day of clearing land, listening to the night life as they drift to sleep....

Boehrigs Visit

2011-10-14T16:01:00.001-07:00

Please be praying for Sean and Nicole Boehrig as they are traveling to Swaziland this weekend. They are scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday evening where Brian will pick them up and then make their way to Swaziland the following day.

Keep them in your prayers that they can see what it is that God would have them do in Swaziland. What His timing is for them. That they stay in good spirit, health, and energized during their 3 month visit.

Their visit will be a huge blessing to Brian in these beginning stages of the work.

Update

2011-10-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Another call from Brian has the latest update of the progress being done:

a septic tank is being dug.
rocks gathered for the foundation of the first building to include shower and toilet.
a drill rig lined up to come out next Tuesday to begin drilling for water.
caravan set up for temporary residence for the Boehrigs visit.
discovering means of getting electricity to the property.
continuing to clear the property for fencing.

Clearing is by hand and is slow and labor intensive, but Brian says all is going well and he's enjoying the work and having the opportunity to get to know some of the locals.

Progress

2011-10-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

Heard from Brian and progress has been made on the "road" leading into the property and is now preparing to clear an area for where a small home can be built and a well can be drilled.

All your prayers and support are a huge blessing to the work and we thank you for your participation.

Your donations will help towards:

- Acquiring land (roughly 10 acres).

- Drilling a water well.

- Building a fence, 4 small homes, 1 communal kitchen, and a communal gathering spot that matches the existing community.

- Starting an aquaculture (farming of fish) and agriculture (farming of plants) project.

- Buying a truck for transportation

Arrived

2011-09-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Heard from Brian once he arrived in Swaziland and a lot of time has been spent visiting with chiefs of the area. In order to obtain land this is a neccesary part of the culture there. Some of the chiefs were wanting a school, a hospital, or some form of "help" in exchange for permitting a foreigner to move into their area and use their land. Finally one of the chiefs gave up a section of his area and it sounds like it's a little out of town and thick bush that will take time to clear. Brian is hoping to get a couple of Swazis to help him start clearing a road on to the property this week.

Brian also was able to get a pickup truck that will serve the needs of getting around and doing the manual labor that will need to be done for clearing and construction. When I spoke to him it had been several days since he bought it and getting all the paper work to get it on the road. Sounds like things move slow there!

Prayer list:
Arrive safely. Check
Find a place to stay. Check
Obtain land. Check
Obtain a truck. Check

Thank you, Father!!!
Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue praying that God give all His people wisdom, strength, courage, and a heart for the lost.

Headed Back to Swaziland

2011-09-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Please be praying for Brian as he prepares to head back into Swaziland this coming Tuesday.

Our hopes are that he can:

get the registration of MannaSwaziland completed
find a place to stay while following leads on accuring property for the work
buy a vehicle
once property is purchased begin work on: putting in a well, septic and some of the buildings

Lots to be done but Sean and Nicole will be going in for their survey trip and will be able to help. Also, Brian'll be there until Dec 13th, so praying that the majority of that can be achieved!

MGM in Kenya

2011-09-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Two of our three directors, Brad Gautney and Brian, and friend, Rustin Hamilton, recently were in Kenya to assess how they could help with those suffering from the drought. An area fallen through the cracks of the government and NGO relief were the people of Turkana. These three chose to go there and with the help, support, and prayers of so many were able to distribute 40,000lbs of food immediately. Through Global Health Innovations and some other NGOs, we will be able to continue getting supplies to the people who need them.

Brian speaks of the joy that spread across the faces of those waiting and hoping for someone to reach out to them. This video by Rustin says it all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-NVQPFfLR0&feature=share

God be praised!

Arlyn and Maria Koopmans

2011-08-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

Arlyn and Maria have a heart for missions. They met in Haiti while doing mission trips and both stayed longer than they planned. Several years later and an engagement ring on Maria's finger found them back in Arlyn's home country of Canada joined by Maria's family from Ireland for their wedding ceremony this past July.

Arlyn has a gift of building anything and fixing anything. Maria has a touch for caring for little ones.

We are thrilled to have them on the team. Their goal is to arrive this fall or early January. Please be praying for them as they find the support they need to join the work that God has put before us.

Sean and Nichole Boehrig

2011-08-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Please be praying for Sean and Nichole Boehrig as they step out in faith to see what and how the Lord is leading them in their service for Him. They'll be joining us in the fall to take a look at the work and to travel to a few other countries in Southern Africa looking at the possibilities of how they fit into the team.

Sean and Nichole are both very passionate about their lives being used in a very meaningful way and are both very talented. I believe they will be a blessing to what God is doing in Africa.