He names the Stars

I often sit outside at night: anyone who knows me knows I love to watch the night skies. Whether here in the States, or in Botswana the skies fascinate me. Its such a combination of emotions--admiration for God's handiwork, peace at the end of a day, curiosity. However, I do not feel so little, the hugeness of the sky does not make me feel so very insignificant. You understand, I worship a God who is purposeful.

Our God is Sovereign; but He is also loving and approachable. We do not serve Him if we leave our candles under a basket. Jesus encourages us to go out -into all the world. With our relationship with Christ Jesus, we can do this without doubt or fear or insecurity.

I do not feel lost in this kingdom of enormous dimensions, of countless stars and endless grains of sand. We are part of this kingdom-we were created in His image and taught to love by Jesus.

It is a new and different season--do not allow your own troubles, and issues and especially do not allow someone else's opinion and issues to interfere with your journey. Embrace what Christ has for you--look at the universe-you are meant to see the stars!

He determines the number of the stars; He gives to them all of their names,

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, His understanding is beyond measure.....

Psalm 147: 4-5

sittin'

well---its about time

So much time since I last blogged-----many apologies!
The biggest issue has been the catastrophe at Bopagnang Basha. The youth centre had been receiving US funding via another organization. We discovered that the finance officer of Bbbs had "misused" quite a bit of money and we are now involved in picking up the pieces. It has been so hard to explain to a group of young adults that we cannot change what happened but we can change and control how we react. The number one lesson is forgiveness. I am working on the understanding that forgiveness is a way of showing God's Mercy and love but also releasing yourself from the bondage of hurt and anger. It is another way of surrendering to the lord. By forgiving we are saying it is no longer ours to hold.
Moving forward will require patience and love and understanding. These gifts the group has, more than they know.

I am waiting now for a new group of refugees to be sent to the retention centre. Currently all have either been sent home or have gone to Dukwi-a camp north of town. i am also waiting to receive permission to go to Dukwi to minister.

My health has been pretty good and I think my asthma has disappeared. Things that normally set it off no longer do. What a praise!
Our weather has gotten cold. I cannot believe how cold. I am enjoying it hugely. However it also means the dry season is upon us.

Prison

This past Thursday I was invited to minister at Francistown Prison for Illegal Immigrants. A small group of us went and checked into a heavily guarded, barbed wired facility at the edge of town.
Deb, Dearly, and I went to the women's side and entered a hall. I was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect this first time. The women filed in, smiling broadly and greeting us. The shock for me was the amount of children who also entered, shyly smiling but happy nonetheless to see us there for them.
Dearly, a good good friend, is Kenyan and many of the women there are from Middle Africa so they all speak Swahili. She was able to translate for us and so our job was a bit easier. We began with prayer and one of the women sang out to begin our worship. We read Scripture and then Deb told a story. I sat and watched the faces of these women. Mostly all were refugees from countries that had political troubles. They came with very little possessions. One woman talked in stilted English/French about leaving the Congo without her shoes. These women talked to us about not knowing where their husbands, daughters, sons, or parents were and even if they were still alive. At the end of our lesson, we each walked around the room and prayed with the women individually. We prayed for sick babies, lost loved ones, depression. how hard it was to see children here! Hard enough these women but the little ones! We spoke about salvation and joy in The Lord. We know the Lord will bless them at some point but it is important that they have support walking with them on this path. After two hours we silently walked back to the car.

Magwe Falls RSA

One of the highlights of my South African holiday was our trip to the beach on December 26. When we got up-it was rainy, cool, windy, very grey-a perfect day to try out a new beach on the Wild Coast!
As we headed to the beach, we talked about a sign directing us to Magwe Falls. We turned off, at least hoping to get a glimpse. We drove down a lne lined by tea plants, obviously once a thrinving tea plantation. The landscape was lush accented by the misty soft rain. To me it was like a dream.
We pulled into a gravel road that twisted around, seeming to have no destination. On the road were a group of teen age boys-excited to see visitors. We asked about the falls and they offered to show the way.
Joe, Anna with Levi on her back, Moses, Isaac and me followed these young men down a grassy path, across a rocky brook, and through a field. We could hear the falls, but could not really follow the sound.
Our leaders stopped at the edge of what turned out to be a very sharp and steep cliff. There, etched into the side of the hill where we were standing, was a gorgeous waterfall. Very high, and very very perfect.
I wondered what it must be like to live near such a beautiful place. Do you become used to it, do you take it for granted eventually?

Visit to the Land department

Bopaganang Basha is currently looking for a new place. We are in prayer about this, feeling we need to find a place that can grow with us and be suitable to the youth we want to attract.
Months ago, the leaders of BoB had thought they found a place and paid the Lands department a months rent and usage. That building consequently was torn down.
Yesterday, Bishop Mogomela, Benny, Exe, and I paid a visit to the Lands office. We had made an appointment for 900 and were finally seen by 1030. After a very polite discussion, we recommended either the money returned or the department find another suitable space. The woman in charge was very kind, and felt we were also being very reasonable, so we are meeting again next Thursday for a decision. Hopefully, a good decision.

Settling back in......

Forgive me if once again, I write out of chronological order.
I returned from my Holiday travels last Wenesday on the night train. Tim Bertsches, former Botswana missions worker, picked me up from the station early early early. I had been anxious o meet the Bertsches, and was very happy to realize they had set time aside for me in their very busy schedule. Wednesday Tim and his wonderful wife Laura took me out for lunch and we spent several hours getting to know each other as much as possible. We then went home, Laura, Melody and I went for tea at Grace's house and the rest of the afternoon was just golden.
Thursday we all went visiting. We mostly visited in Monarch, an area of town very close to where I live. We ended the time in Monarch with a visit to the Tabona household. Rra Tabona is with the Head Mountain church, a very large and influential spiritual church here. We had a short prayer meeting , tea and snacks and then went outside for pictures. I spent most of the time chatting with Rra's wife,Mma Jane.She is one of the warmest people I have ever met. She gave Laura and I both gifts, and then realizing that I was admiring her hardens, she then gave me five or six of her potted plants, filling my boot with greenery. One of their sons, Peter attends Bopaganang Basha. Mma Jane and I exchanged phone numbers and with a promise of tea we parted.
That night Melody and Carl threw a pizza party for the Bertsches. Friday morning I went to BoB for Bible study and then Tim arrived and we had conversation with the leaders. Great advicegiven by new friends!