For my Minister’s Musings this month, I have a story to share about the importance of the Church of the Nazarene’s role in missions for the past 100 years in one of our world areas of Swaziland. It’s incredible to see Nazarenes continuing to live out their life mission in the world by meeting the current needs of people & making a dramatic impact in their own communities. Take a look...

The Church of the Nazarene has been in Swaziland since the turn of the century and has, over the years, established a network of services including schools, health care institutions, and colleges to serve the people. This year the Church of the Nazarene celebrates 100 years of existence in Swaziland.

In light of the church's history in Swaziland, it is only fitting that on March 26 the King of Swaziland, Mswati III, recognized the role the Church of the Nazarene has played through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) in alleviating poverty among the underprivileged and those living with HIV/AIDS in Swaziland. His acknowledgment was

made at the Luve Garden during the official launch of the 'Water for a Generation' project.

The project is an initiative of Coca Cola Foundation who donated funds to NCM Africa to implement the installation of state of the art wells around the country. To date, NCM has

installed seven solar powered water wells in selected Swaziland communities. The Luve Garden, one of the sites for the water well project, was started by a group of care-givers and women living with HIV/AIDS under the supervision of the Nazarene Task Force led by Mary Magagula.

Mswati III, in his speech to officially open the Luve Garden project, expressed joy and appreciation to the caregivers and the Church of the Nazarene and NCM for the way the garden is being managed and maintained. He also thanked the Coca Cola Foundation for funding the water well.

The king and his entourage later visited the Ndwabangeni Region where he officially opened Mhlangatane Nazarene Primary School, the beneficiary of one of the new water

wells. Cosmos Mutowa, NCM regional coordinator for Africa, attended this launch together with NCM representative Jim Copple and his wife, Colleen, who contributed immensely in setting up the Luve Garden.

Other important visitors to the launch were government officials, including the prime minister of Swaziland, Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, the director of Coca Cola Foundation,

diplomats, church leaders, and community leaders.

"We are thankful for the ways God continues to use the Church of the Nazarene and NCM in Swaziland today," said Mutowa.