Hello from Eswatini. It’s been too long since I’ve given an update, so here we go. I arrived back in Africa on Nov 4 and back onto Project Canaan property—and home—on Nov 5. The last six weeks have gone by with lightning speed, and Christmas is only a week away.
Four months back in North America were jam-packed. I drove over 28,000 km and visited my kids, grandkids, siblings, parents, cousins, as well as oodles of friends. I met my two newest grandsons, Charlie Alan McDuff MacPherson and Ezekiel Caleb MacPherson, and they are just as beautiful and precious as the other ten grandkids. On the one-year anniversary of Ross’ death, my dad’s sister, my Aunt Della Watson, passed away at the age of 90. As a child, I was always curious about this lady that I only saw every four years on her trips back to Canada. She served her entire career in Africa as a missionary, between the countries of Niger and Nigeria.
After my aunt’s service, I headed to Florida, where I hosted family and friends and made some incredible memories. Everything from airboat rides through the Everglades, giant waterslides in my backyard, and deep-sea fishing, ending with a good old-fashioned fish and chips fry, were just some of the adventures. Not to mention lots of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, several dolphin encounters, and a few water parks too.
Shortly after I arrived back at Project Canaan, I had the privilege of hosting a team from British Columbia. Jesse Brown and Naomi Burt, owners of BC Septic Pro, arrived on the grounds ready to jump right into things. Their expertise in all things water-related received a warm welcome from Denis and Lindoe, the two men they would be primarily working with. The entire water system on the grounds was inspected and reviewed as Jesse and Naomi searched for ways to maximize water quality, responsible usage, and wastewater retention for the purpose of reuse. Their work will continue now that they are back home, as they research the best way forward for Project Canaan as it continues to expand and place higher demands on water each year. They will also help educate and instruct our men here in installing and maintaining these new and improved systems.
On a personal note, hosting Jesse and Naomi was a delight and a joy for me. Not only were they great company and easy to have, they were a “bucket of fun” to host, with laughs all around. We did some sightseeing on the weekend, including souvenir shopping, and I was also able to provide some entertainment for them with the arrival of a few unwanted guests in the form of snakes—three in two days, to be exact! They even had the opportunity to taste a traditional Swazi supper.
Thank you, Jesse and Naomi, for generously giving of your time, talent, vast knowledge, and love. I appreciate you both. 🩷🩷
At the Lusito Training Centre, there is some exciting news. Our first group of students has taken their exams for Level 3 certification—and ALL of them passed!!! What a great achievement for them and their teacher, Sandile Dlamini. Sandile’s dedication to this program and his love for the kids are quite evident anytime you are around him. The students are currently out on their second term of industry training, each working in different shop environments spread throughout the country. They will return a little later in the new year to continue with classroom learning and hands-on floor experience.
The school here has also finished another year, and summer holidays for the kids have begun. Activities are going on every day, and keeping over 400 kids busy is no small undertaking. Along with all their sports and day trips off campus, they also take time for some studies. Through the week, I am working with the kinders over the summer break, helping to strengthen their reading and math skills. With 39 students, this will keep me hopping, as they are a bundle of energy and enthusiasm.
As well, I’ve been helping with Christmas baking, making dozens upon dozens of a variety of Christmas cookies for the kids to enjoy over the Christmas season.
As you walk through this Christmas season, I pray that this verse from Isaiah 9:6 is as real to you as it is for me:
Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Love,
Laurie
