Hey Everyone!
Sorry for no updates since Botswana.
I still don't have my own laptop back. While it is getting fixed for free (which is fantastic) its taking a long time to get sent back. It's not a burden but it is annoying asking someone every time I want to do some work or write an email.
In any case a mission team from Cornerstone Church in Michigan was here with us this past week and were a total blessing. While it was an adult team they had a totally child-like passion for the ministry they were doing and did a fantastic job.
Two days last week I got to go out with the teams in Qwa Qwa and helped them start relationship evangelism.
Going out with them was great and totally fired me back up about being here. Some of the group had come last year and knew/remembered people who they had met from the year before.
One family had two older ladies as well as a crippled brother named Sco (not sure of spelling). We spent a few minutes with them and when they brought Sco out into the room he just smiled from ear to ear. He was so happy to see his friends return. We prayed for that family as well as a number of others. We planted a garden for a woman where she could plant vegetables and gave families bibles in Sesotho (the local language).
I also helped with an afternoon of children's ministry where the team basically led songs, games and Bible lessons for close to 100 kids the entire afternoon. While I was basically crowd control I had a great time just hanging with the kids trying to make conversation.
I feel almost comfortable now with being in Qwa Qwa amongst the people and it is really awesome. Thanks so much for your prayer and support. Lives are being changed here, one by one.
Blessings.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Botswana Part 4 (Back Home!)
Written 4-6-08
I have returned safely from Botswana! It was another long drive through the desert but we made it. Our trip was a great success. We finished sanding all the floors, painted all the ceilings and walls, and gave the floors and windows their first coat of varnish. One on the interns, Matt Moline, who has significant construction experience, completely re-tiled a bathroom and a vanity.
We worked 9-12+ hour days with our only break being a half-day on Sunday for church. While it still has some minor work to be completed, we did in 10 days what LBOM would take weeks or even months to do. With Matt's and others expertise we also did it properly. While the work was long and hard we did get to use our last day to relax at a lodge in Maun called Audi Camp. This place had a pool and a restaurant and we got to relax and swim the entire day as well as enjoy two fabulous meals.
It is very strange being back on the base in Harrismith and tomorrow we jump right back into term 2 with classes, work and ministry.
It was really wonderful to see and spend time in another country and to see and help another ministry. Stay tuned for my newsletter and photos of my trip.
Here's to Africa!
I have returned safely from Botswana! It was another long drive through the desert but we made it. Our trip was a great success. We finished sanding all the floors, painted all the ceilings and walls, and gave the floors and windows their first coat of varnish. One on the interns, Matt Moline, who has significant construction experience, completely re-tiled a bathroom and a vanity.
We worked 9-12+ hour days with our only break being a half-day on Sunday for church. While it still has some minor work to be completed, we did in 10 days what LBOM would take weeks or even months to do. With Matt's and others expertise we also did it properly. While the work was long and hard we did get to use our last day to relax at a lodge in Maun called Audi Camp. This place had a pool and a restaurant and we got to relax and swim the entire day as well as enjoy two fabulous meals.
It is very strange being back on the base in Harrismith and tomorrow we jump right back into term 2 with classes, work and ministry.
It was really wonderful to see and spend time in another country and to see and help another ministry. Stay tuned for my newsletter and photos of my trip.
Here's to Africa!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Botswana Part 3 (Church & Daisy)
Written 3-31-08
Yesterday we got a welcome respite from our work for half a day and we got to go to the church in Maun that LBOM started. While we did not go to the actual service we ending up doing something just as rewarding, we helped with the children's ministry.
All kids from preschool-grade 5 meet separately from the adults. After some singing and talking they split into age groups to do different stations. I volunteered to be at the teaching station w/ Daisy, an awesome older lady who superbly translated for me as I read the story of the Ascension.
After teaching, the kids went to play games and I ended up chatting more with Daisy. She was a fantastic woman who just loved the kids and would randomly pray for the youth as we taught and chatted.
She told me about her life and how God had brought her from South Africa to Maun. She then asked me about my testimony and I told her about my life and how I got to Botswana. Half way through my story Daisy stopped me and showed me her arm, "Look" she said, "Goose pimples." It was at this moment that I realized how extraordinary our conversation was and how God had brought us together for that very moment.
Daisy had such joy and it just poured over into me. Near the end of the chat as I was telling her about my family she put her hand on my shoulder and prayed for me. Her kindness and spirit struck right through me. Her 6 year old granddaughter came over at one point after this and I ended up praying that her parents would come to church.
It was such a pleasure to meet Daisy and it was a great privilege to teach and bless the kids here. God is truly working here across the ocean and I can only stand back in awe.
Yesterday we got a welcome respite from our work for half a day and we got to go to the church in Maun that LBOM started. While we did not go to the actual service we ending up doing something just as rewarding, we helped with the children's ministry.
All kids from preschool-grade 5 meet separately from the adults. After some singing and talking they split into age groups to do different stations. I volunteered to be at the teaching station w/ Daisy, an awesome older lady who superbly translated for me as I read the story of the Ascension.
After teaching, the kids went to play games and I ended up chatting more with Daisy. She was a fantastic woman who just loved the kids and would randomly pray for the youth as we taught and chatted.
She told me about her life and how God had brought her from South Africa to Maun. She then asked me about my testimony and I told her about my life and how I got to Botswana. Half way through my story Daisy stopped me and showed me her arm, "Look" she said, "Goose pimples." It was at this moment that I realized how extraordinary our conversation was and how God had brought us together for that very moment.
Daisy had such joy and it just poured over into me. Near the end of the chat as I was telling her about my family she put her hand on my shoulder and prayed for me. Her kindness and spirit struck right through me. Her 6 year old granddaughter came over at one point after this and I ended up praying that her parents would come to church.
It was such a pleasure to meet Daisy and it was a great privilege to teach and bless the kids here. God is truly working here across the ocean and I can only stand back in awe.
Botswana part 2
Written 3-28-08
I just finished my third day of work here and things are going relatively well. We have quite a job to do. We are completely renovating a house on the Love Botswana Property that will be used for housing for LBOM interns. We are sanding down all the floors, painting the ceiling and walls, and then varnishing the floors. I have become good friends with the power sanding tools, taking care of the edges and corners in rooms so the big sander can come in and do the rest.
We are working long hours so that we can finish before we leave but I feel much better than my first two days working. LBOM looks like a great and established ministry and it is great to help them even in this indirect way.
I just finished my third day of work here and things are going relatively well. We have quite a job to do. We are completely renovating a house on the Love Botswana Property that will be used for housing for LBOM interns. We are sanding down all the floors, painting the ceiling and walls, and then varnishing the floors. I have become good friends with the power sanding tools, taking care of the edges and corners in rooms so the big sander can come in and do the rest.
We are working long hours so that we can finish before we leave but I feel much better than my first two days working. LBOM looks like a great and established ministry and it is great to help them even in this indirect way.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Back from Botswana!
Note: While I was away I did not have internet access but I did write 4 blog entries to post when I got back. I'm having computer issues here (read I don't currently have one to use) so me posting them will be slightly delayed but I hope to post them every couple days. Pictures will be up ASAP also. Enjoy the blogs and more news to come.
Blog entry written 3-25-08
I’ve made it to Maun, Botswana safely. Our trip took two days, most of which was in a car but it wasn’t too bad. The first day we drove 7 hours to the border and spent the night at a nice, if humble, guesthouse. The next morning we woke at 6 AM and by 7:30 we were in Botswana.
The first thing I noticed about Botswana is that there is not much to notice. Our drive took us past miles of scrubby desert bush and squatty tress. I slept and read off and on but was usually woken by Neil (who drove us) blasting his horn to get animals out of the road. Donkeys, Cows, and goats all were present and all cared little about getting out of the way of fast moving vehicles. We were actually driving through the Kalahari Desert but there was no sand just scrub and nothingness. We did go through a few towns where we got gas, snacks and bathrooms and had pizza for lunch at the Kalahari Arms Hotel in Ghanzi. We arrived in Maun around 6:30PM, made dinner and settled in. All is well and our work starts tomorrow after a tour. Here’s to Africa!
Blog entry written 3-25-08
I’ve made it to Maun, Botswana safely. Our trip took two days, most of which was in a car but it wasn’t too bad. The first day we drove 7 hours to the border and spent the night at a nice, if humble, guesthouse. The next morning we woke at 6 AM and by 7:30 we were in Botswana.
The first thing I noticed about Botswana is that there is not much to notice. Our drive took us past miles of scrubby desert bush and squatty tress. I slept and read off and on but was usually woken by Neil (who drove us) blasting his horn to get animals out of the road. Donkeys, Cows, and goats all were present and all cared little about getting out of the way of fast moving vehicles. We were actually driving through the Kalahari Desert but there was no sand just scrub and nothingness. We did go through a few towns where we got gas, snacks and bathrooms and had pizza for lunch at the Kalahari Arms Hotel in Ghanzi. We arrived in Maun around 6:30PM, made dinner and settled in. All is well and our work starts tomorrow after a tour. Here’s to Africa!
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