#1: Thanks to many, we were graced with $5,435 in contributions. We are very thankful.
#2: With those contributions we were able to get there and back, give textbooks to students and the library, and prepare the hygiene kits. Those who received the kits and those students who received the books were unanimously grateful. On the first day of class when we were discussing the syllabus and the required readings, they were surprised that the primary textbook was for them to read and even to write in.
#3: Ten students attended the class from six African countries: Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland.
#4: Forty-six hygiene kits and sets of underwear were given out.
#5: The students were prepared, well read, skilled at writing and expressing their thoughts and opinions, and participated well in classroom discussions and role-plays. Each student was required to report upon her or his country of origin and the status of medical care and behavioral healthcare, all of whom said each was non-existent. Each was required to articulate an uninformed opinion as to how he or she could integrate the two in that country. This was before the class even started. Then, at the end of two week class, each again spoke as to how the integration of medical and behavioral health could be integrated. The papers were amazing to say the least. Not only had they more than adequately captured the principles and practices of medical family therapy, but their vision for returning to their homelands and working was inspiring.
#6: The ten students come from different countries and different living situations. Some are from "way down in the village" and others are from larger and more modern towns. Each student expressed a clear vision for taking an integrated approach back home and were even developing strategies to do so.
#7: These students love God and are called into the service of the King of Kings and long to serve God back home. They have one more semester of academics and internship and then they will go home. Their commitment to their countries, families, and church was inspiring.
#8: Worshipping with them in chapel every day was inspiring. Eating with them in the dining hall and sharing their traditional foods was enriching and enlightening.
#9: Hearing them express their gratitude for us coming and teaching was inspiring. Their words of "I never knew that before," "I never have heard of these things," or "I believe I can do this back home" were deeply encouraging and meaningful. Several of them talked about the seeds we had planted and how in the generations ahead, those seeds will develop and grow. Already, at least one student is encouraging ACC to have this specific course taught every other year.
#10: It was a humbling experience to work in the English language with these students while knowing that their languages were unique and beyond our comprehension, that their cultural contexts were things that we could not understand, and that they understood well from whence they had come and to what they were returning. Charla and I worked hard to hear them well and to understand them, and to a one they seemed grateful that we cared enough to work that hard.
#11: Even as we speak, there are conversations taking place as to how to create an internship site within which at least one student can continue to learn the art and science of providing integrated health care in a medical clinic. One particular physician, Dr. Bob Whitaker, whose clinic is in Manzini, interviewed with us in class and has expressed an interest in this as has the lead faculty member at ACC in the counseling department. He is Lynn Rhodes. I was encouraged by our conversations.
Since this report could go on quite longer, let me summarize by saying that those three weeks in Swaziland and on the ACC campus with its students, faculty, and staff provided experiences beyond our imagination. When asked what it was like, the only thing I could say was, "It was amazing. It was life-changing. Thank you for asking."
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