VAL YOUNG is a missionary who came from South Africa to Swaziland 25 years ago. She loves The Luke Commission team, saying: "I've never seen a mission group do what you are doing and do it so completely and effectively." Val helps us with the Swazi government, hospital administrators, the Swazi mindset, and the Swazi culture in general. She watches our backs (and our fronts) and cooks our favorite African meals.

SIPHO is the Swazi supervisor in charge of packing and unloading the trailers at each clinic. He also translates for Harry and Echo in the medical lines. He has great compassion for his people. The Swazis sense this about Sipho, so he's the perfect one to work with the doctors.

The widowed mother of four children, PHUMZILE loves being part of The Luke Commission and is eager to learn any job she's asked to accomplish. She's part of the new HIV testing and counseling team; she works with medical personnel; she registers patients; she prays with Swazis; and she even cooks all meals for the Swazi team on days we spend at "base camp" repackaging medicines and medical supplies and fixing vehicles.

With a smile on his face from morning to night, THEMBA helps explain how to use the free medications. His nickname is Themba Pharmacy, a name he's proud to have.

This young man, also named SIPHO, takes great pride in fitting eyeglasses on thankful Swazis. He is gentle and patient, for he knows many of these people have wrestled with poor eyesight for years.

NORAH speaks no English but she relates to the Americans on The Luke Commission like no other. She washes our clothes and dishes, cleans up after us when we leave "base camp" in a fury and a hurry. She holds down the home fort, so the rest of The Luke Commission can put their energies into ministering in the bush.

SAM is a young Swazi with many talents. He translates in the medical lines; he assists Echo with minor surgeries; he accompanies Echo on delicate shopping trips in Manzini; he labels and packs Bibles. His English is fluid and easy to understand.

This young man EMMANUEL memorizes and quotes Bible passages with the ease and agility which comes from loving the Book and its Author. He translates prayers offered for each patient before he or she sees a doctor.

DUZI was one of our first translators and has matured as The Luke Commission has grown. He registers patients with gentleness and perception. He helps in the pharmacy whenever the lines get too long. He controls crowds eager to receive their new SiSwati Bibles. He laughs and smiles while meeting demands which might perplex others.

GOODWILL is so excited about his own new eyeglasses. "They're so much better than my own eyes," he laughed. He definitely has a good mouth, however, easily translating back and forth from English to SiSwati as Harry and Echo address the clinic crowds.

Out in the bush, the VanderWal boys are watched and helped by THEMBA. He's lovingly called Themba Baby, but he's more than a babysitter. He protects and plays with the 6-year old triplets and their 3-year-old brother.

LINDA, a man's name in Swaziland, works diligently in the eyeglass portion of the bush clinics. He treats his fellow Swazis with respect, often realizing what a patient needs before the patient does.

VICTOR is our Swazi mechanic who wants to learn all he can from his American team members. Keeping three cars and two trailers on the Swaziland roads requires a good deal of work and making-do. Victor is up to this task and takes great pride in his successes. His English is excellent, too.

The young Swazi woman BABHE takes blood pressure and checks sugar levels of hundreds of patients at each clinic. She fills in where needed, and that latest need has been The Luke Commission's new HIV testing and counseling service.

SANDRA translates The Passion of the Christ into SiSwati as the film is being shown to hundreds of young Swazis. Sometimes it was hot, always it was crowded, but Sandra spoke with heartfelt enthusiasm day after day about how Jesus died for each of us.

Though quiet in speech and demeanor, WILLIAM does his job with dedication and perseverance. He stands for hours, often in the hot sun, as Swazis read the eye chart before having their eyes read by the autorefractor.