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The NFL channel aired a video this week about a few of their players who visited our care points earlier this year. It’s pretty cool. There’s a great close up of Ellie at the very end of it.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d818cef1b/Saving-Swaziland

 
I’m also going to cut a paste the last blog written by my director, Scott Borg. He quotes some pretty grim statistics about Swaziland. A great reminder of what we’re in the middle of here, and why we need so many to be lifting this tiny nation up in prayer!!
 
Here’s Scott’s Blog:
 
In February Marcia and I led a trip of 12 men to Swaziland.  Among these men were 3 NFL players.  Last night NFL Network aired this video.
 
That trip was a lot of fun since I have never met an NFL player before.  Each one of the guys were great to hang out with.  But that is not what this blog is about.
 
In the  midst of the excitement of AIM being mentioned on NFL Network, there is the nagging reality continuing in Swaziland.  During two trips this spring Marcia and I noticed there were a lot more people dying.  The article below – using statistics from 2007 – confirms what we personally experienced.
 
“Jesus we need you now more than ever in Swaziland.  Come in power, come in healing, come and dwell among your people.  Have mercy on them and give them faith to increasingly turn toward you!”
Study shows mounting AIDS toll in Swaziland

From Associated Press

June 23, 2010 12:35 PM EDT
 

MBABANE, Swaziland (AP) – Swaziland’s death rate more than doubled in a decade, proof of the toll of AIDS, statisticians in this southern African kingdom said Wednesday.

Nombulelo Dlamini of the Central Statistical Office discussed a new study comparing censuses in 1997 and 2007 in an interview on Wednesday. The study shows that in 1997, the death rate was 7.6 people in 1,000. By 2007, it was 18.03 per 1,000 people. Life expectancy over the period decreased from 60 to 43 years.

“HIV and AIDS has killed many of our people,” Dlamini said.

She added that without the rollout of AIDS therapy drugs, “deaths in the nation would be reaching alarming proportions.”

Infant and under-five mortality death rates also increased during the 10-year period. About 107 in 1,000 babies die in their first year, according to the 2007 census. In 1997 it was 78. Among children under 5, the death rate was about 167 in 1,000 in 2007, compared to 106 in 1997.

The U.N. says the prevalence in Swaziland of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is nearly 40 percent, the highest in the world. Swaziland neighbors South Africa, which has an estimated 5.7 million people infected with HIV, more than any other country.

4 responses to “NFL in Swaziland”

  2. I have to say, Ellie’s face at the end of this thing made me cry!! Love you both:)

  4. Pretty scary statistics! Must remember to pray for Swaziland daily. We love the video and the picture of Ellie is beautiful. It makes us even more anxious to see her and her mother!