In previous blogs we have mentioned building fires in the fireplace to warm up. Just because we did not build fires on most days does not mean we were warm enough. Most evenings and mornings we do turn on an electric heater in the bedroom to take off the chill.

This morning at 7:30 the monthly staff meeting was held at the TWR Eswatini office. There were 18 (12 nationals and 6 expats) in attendance and we surely sensed the Spirit of unity among this group. Sifiso, one of the transmitter techs, gave a devotional on Acts 1:8 emphasizing the Power we have been given by the Holy Spirit and the responsibility we have to use that Power. Afterward, I reminded Sifiso of 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

The highlight of this staff meeting was recognizing Selema Simelane, senior transmitter technician, for 15 years of service. It is evident that Selema sees his work with TWR not just as a job, but as a ministry unto the Lord and to proclaim His Gospel.

After the main meeting, a TWR group photo was taken, then a group photo of the transmitter staff, followed by cake and tea for the occasion.

We had a ‘second ‘highlight of our own during these refreshments. I received a WhatsApp message from our son Philip and Michelle: “Baby boy born at 1148pm 7/28/22 7 lbs 2 oz 19 in. Name yet to be determined.” Since they live in Idaho, this means our 18th grandchild was born during this 7/29/2022 Eswatini staff meeting (note the difference in date). This child is their 6th (3 sons and 3 daughters). We now have 8 grandsons and 10 granddaughters and one great-grandson. [When our son Samuel was born here in Swaziland in 1980 early morning of October 1, our parents received our phone calls in Colorado causing them to believe his birthday was the evening of September 30]

After staff meeting, Steven and Lorraine took us to Panata Ranch to visit with William and Connie Mundell. The Mundells have owned and run Panata Ranch since before TWR purchased the neighboring Mpangela Ranch to build our transmitting site. TWR’s original access road ran through some of their property, so we had more frequent contact in the earlier days. We hadn’t seen them for over 30 years and wanted to reminisce and share with them. Connie let us know before our visit that William has Alzheimer’s and that their daughter Sherly is jnow running the ranch operations.

Connie was full of information about the history of her and William’s family and was more than happy to share it with us. We learned that they had property in Swailand before Panata Ranch and had built a church for the community there. They sold that property to buy Panata. On a recent visit back o their old place, they were thrilled to see the church still being used and met one of the current parishioners. We got the impression that this was an Anglican church.

It was obvious that William was not following much of our conversation and did not say much. Connie found she had some distant South African connections with Lorraine’s family. Connie also has a lot of history and genealogy stored in her old computer and on CDs. She would like to publish some of this history, but said it would be too expensive. We let her know that on-line publishing is a less expensive alternative and that Lorraine has some experience and leads in making that possible. Steve advised Connie to download the her CDs to a newer digital format, because CD readers are becoming obsolete in newer computers. Steve offered to help with this process and make sure all this valuable information is backed up. It could all lost if her computer fails. This has opened a door of opportunity for Steve and Lorraine to further minister to them. Pray for the Mundells, especially Connie, as the months ahead will likely not be easy for her. Pray for Steve and Lorraine, as they try to minister and help her and William.