Village Bible Church || Aurora | Indian Creek | Sugar Grove | IL

Hello from Swaziland! It has now been almost 2 weeks since we left the U.S. and we are doing well. We have been so blessed and feel incredibly welcomed by the Vanderwal family and the Swazi people. We have been to 3 mobile clinics so far and spent a morning at the hospital. We have also worked on various projects for the Luke Commission on the days in between clinics. So far, Sundays have been spent at church, going out to eat, and resting. Today we were blessed to listen to Harry and Echo participate with the worship team at church - Harry singing and Echo playing the keyboard!

Each of us has been challenged and stretched in new ways. The 4 students have each participated in HIV testing, blood sugar, blood pressure and blood draws at the mobile clinics. They have also each worked in the eyeglass department using the auto-refractor and computer system to determine which glasses would work best for each patient.

Within the first few days of our trip the Luke Commission received a shipment of many personal tranportation devices...much like wheelchairs but have a hand crank to move the wheels. They require some assembly and our team quickly learned how to assemble them. So far we have been able to give 3 of these out to very needy people at the clinics! The look on their faces and the joy and gratefulness with which they received these gifts was priceless!

Our first day at the hospital was a good learning experience. I had 2 students in Labor Ward and Tiffany took the other 2 to Pediatrics. In the span of approximately 2 hours there were 6 babies born in Labor Ward and the students were able to learn newborn assessment and newborn care. They also observed the deliveries and assisted the midwives. In Pediatrics, they gave IV medications, and did dressing changes and vital signs.

God has blessed us with some good times of sharing and encouraging one another. Please continue to pray that God would draw our team closer together and closer to Him as we learn and grow through our many experiences here in Swaziland. Thanks so much for your prayers for all of us!

Many blessings in Christ,

Bridget Buenz