The question is, when are we NOT on the road? Isn't life a journey from beginning to end?
Our sermon yesterday at church from Maruti Kwambe was about Luke 24. There are alot to love about this passage.
For instance, Jesus comes to Cleophas and his companion, and tries to enter into the conversation. Cleophas is a bit shocked that Jesus had not heard of what had happened to the man from Nazareth. Jesus continues to ask questions. I sometimes feel that He has walked up next to me and asked"What things are you talking about?" and perhaps I did not give Him a polite response or even appeared interested in what He needed to tell me. How often do we questions events and try to figure them out ourselves without consulting our Lord? I wonder...
Jesus spent enough time with them to inform them of how prophecy from beginning of time played into their present circumstance, and long enough for them to realize WHO He was or is.We cannot possibly that busy that we cannot take the time on our walk to listen.
I remember taking walks with a friend who was into fitness and everything needed to be about the burn. I had and still have, an irritating habit of being easily distracted by birds, sounds, scents and sights. No, Aimee-its not you, after all-you could always multi task, watching your surroundings and going for the BURN! You are so cool....lol.
I do not regret being this way, there are many other things I can and should change, but loving my surroundings will not be one of them.
We are now in fall, and the temps have dropped a bit and life is so comfortable. The nights are gloriously cool, and the leaves are changing. We will not get a winter proper, but the morns will be colder. This is a good season to go to the village, and hopefully I will go in a day or so. I would rather bundle a bit then try to be friendly in excessive heat. God is so cool!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
People part 1
So I have been negligent in mentioning the different people here. One of the greatest gifts in living abroad is meeting people from all countries. Of course, there are lots of South Africans, afrikaaners, and Zimbabweans. But we now have friends from Norway, Sweden, 'Germany, Denmark, Australia, Britain, Scotland and yesterday I met an older woman from Northern Ireland. Many are mission workers, but many are consulate workers and bankers. Very exciting. I have yet to actually meet any Americans but will probably when I get to Francistown. It is really eye opening to meet these folks-many are so kind and very curious. It is amazing how God moves in each life without borders or boundaries of race, country, or denomination. We Mennonites have a loving reputation here because we are not trying to plant churches, just support and help the local churches. I am told the Bible studies down here are enjoyed with great enthusiasm so I am looking forward to joining one or two when I return from my village live in.
Friday, April 4, 2008
couple of quick notes
We recently rented two movies---August Rush and Little Miss Sunshine. August Rush was a bit of a fairy tale but I enjoyed it thoroughly and the soundtrack was phenomenal. LMS, well, hmmm, don't know if I liked it or not. I think it was well made and very bright--just a little hmm, weird. Fun, but weird. We have a large crew of mission families staying here so we have been looking for entertainment in the evening that calms everyone down. August Rush was viewed by all but LMS was viewed by adults. A fun thing to do here in Botswana!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The air I breathe
So, the air here in Africa is so much more clear and refreshing. I think the air smells like woods or spices. In the malls, there is a tinge of different body smells and some exotic perfumes and also the foods. Many of the foods here are spiced with curry and garlic and I am actually beginning to crave our Botswana dishes. The beef is outrageous and tender and the vegetables are great when we get them. I am not sure what I will be eating in the village but I know some of the dishes are wonderful. There is also a worm, called mopane which I will not eat. I just cannot do it right now. I hope not to offend anyone,but it is not possible for me. Well maybe soon.....
A few words about the spiritual air here. There are a lot of churches here and I have been to a couple. I enjoyed greatly the AIC I attended on Good Friday. When I arrive in Francistown it will be important for me to find a home church. I am gathering some connections so I will have an easier time I hope than starting from scratch.
The group of folks I am associated with are a spiritually intense group of Christians who love our Lord. This is great support for me, and I am at ease expressing myself and how I feel. I am a bit hungry for more Bible study, but I am also doing quite a bit of language study so I am using that time to expand my vocabulary. I am feeling at ease with knowing I am where God wants me at this time. This brings me great relief although I am eager to work and see everything.
Part of our concern will be finding a place for me to live in Francistown. We are pretty sure that i will be in the AIMM house but it will not be available for possibly six months. Well, we shall see what God is placing before us......
A few words about the spiritual air here. There are a lot of churches here and I have been to a couple. I enjoyed greatly the AIC I attended on Good Friday. When I arrive in Francistown it will be important for me to find a home church. I am gathering some connections so I will have an easier time I hope than starting from scratch.
The group of folks I am associated with are a spiritually intense group of Christians who love our Lord. This is great support for me, and I am at ease expressing myself and how I feel. I am a bit hungry for more Bible study, but I am also doing quite a bit of language study so I am using that time to expand my vocabulary. I am feeling at ease with knowing I am where God wants me at this time. This brings me great relief although I am eager to work and see everything.
Part of our concern will be finding a place for me to live in Francistown. We are pretty sure that i will be in the AIMM house but it will not be available for possibly six months. Well, we shall see what God is placing before us......
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
RETREAT!!!!!!
Wow! Where to begin?
WE travelled Thursday to the Mokolodi Game reserve just outside of Gaborone. I knew there were many many varieties of wild life there however I was most interested in meeting the people I have been corresponding with for three years. What a great crew! These families have been all over
africa and the children are all multi-lingual-very exciting.
We stayed in chalets and the one I was in looked out over a very busy waterhole. The birds here are so incredibly gorgeous and the flowers, yum. Just breathtaking. Our accomadations were very nice, and we had several days of activities planned.
We had Bible study and worship every morning at 830. This was lead by Jonathan Larsen who is quite a pastor. He and his wife have been missionaries for many many years and he has stories of God's Intervention in situations that would seem impossible. His topic for this retreat was "loss". This was difficult but necessary for all of us-in one way or another we have all endured and will certainly endure again such losses. We discussed at length how difficult finding emotional support was when folks who are missionaries feel as though we basically "asked " for tough times just by nature of being missionaries. One woman talked about folks at home that seemed to not want to hear what she had to deal with, although homefolk spent a great deal of time passing on their own tough stuff. It is sometimes as if we are expected to change into superhumans just to deal.
I find that it is different for me because I did not move my entire family. yet there is a sense sometimes of being pushed aside, that this is the life I chose. We all felt great cammeraderie-it is good to finally find people who understand truly what happens. Almost all the south african team told me they only receive at most three or four letters a year! I guess I better get used to this. It is sad, and yet refreshing for me. A little tough, maybe, too, because I am barely started and I heard some really hard to swallow stuff. I have not heard from one brother in a week and the other brother at all!!!
Well, okay, enough belly aching!
We went on several game drives and they were incredible! Impala, Kudu, Ostrich, many birds like hornbills and owls, wildebeest, waterbuck, mongoose, and ZEBRAS!!! We even saw rhino. Understand that this is a game reserve, meaning the land is safe, but understand also these animals are wild and natural. We also saw much to my delight cheetahs. Cheetahs are incredibly beautiful and quite graceful. Oh and also ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!
The only animal we had trouble with were baboons. First of all, they were huge!!!!! And they are mean, pathetic pirates and scoundrels that broke into our kitchen and garbage. They also scratched one of our kids and hung out on our porches all night making quite a dodgy ruckus. Quite cheeky, these old boys. Unfortunately, they will probably be shot by the reserve because they have gotten too fearless and so present a problem.
I am tired and really have so much to write. I really do miss the States. But I am learning alot about home. One of our lessons was in Matthew-"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to put His Head." So wehere is home? Jonathan says home is wherever his wife is, and that is very cool. I say home is where Jesus is.
More on this retreat to come
WE travelled Thursday to the Mokolodi Game reserve just outside of Gaborone. I knew there were many many varieties of wild life there however I was most interested in meeting the people I have been corresponding with for three years. What a great crew! These families have been all over
africa and the children are all multi-lingual-very exciting.
We stayed in chalets and the one I was in looked out over a very busy waterhole. The birds here are so incredibly gorgeous and the flowers, yum. Just breathtaking. Our accomadations were very nice, and we had several days of activities planned.
We had Bible study and worship every morning at 830. This was lead by Jonathan Larsen who is quite a pastor. He and his wife have been missionaries for many many years and he has stories of God's Intervention in situations that would seem impossible. His topic for this retreat was "loss". This was difficult but necessary for all of us-in one way or another we have all endured and will certainly endure again such losses. We discussed at length how difficult finding emotional support was when folks who are missionaries feel as though we basically "asked " for tough times just by nature of being missionaries. One woman talked about folks at home that seemed to not want to hear what she had to deal with, although homefolk spent a great deal of time passing on their own tough stuff. It is sometimes as if we are expected to change into superhumans just to deal.
I find that it is different for me because I did not move my entire family. yet there is a sense sometimes of being pushed aside, that this is the life I chose. We all felt great cammeraderie-it is good to finally find people who understand truly what happens. Almost all the south african team told me they only receive at most three or four letters a year! I guess I better get used to this. It is sad, and yet refreshing for me. A little tough, maybe, too, because I am barely started and I heard some really hard to swallow stuff. I have not heard from one brother in a week and the other brother at all!!!
Well, okay, enough belly aching!
We went on several game drives and they were incredible! Impala, Kudu, Ostrich, many birds like hornbills and owls, wildebeest, waterbuck, mongoose, and ZEBRAS!!! We even saw rhino. Understand that this is a game reserve, meaning the land is safe, but understand also these animals are wild and natural. We also saw much to my delight cheetahs. Cheetahs are incredibly beautiful and quite graceful. Oh and also ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!
The only animal we had trouble with were baboons. First of all, they were huge!!!!! And they are mean, pathetic pirates and scoundrels that broke into our kitchen and garbage. They also scratched one of our kids and hung out on our porches all night making quite a dodgy ruckus. Quite cheeky, these old boys. Unfortunately, they will probably be shot by the reserve because they have gotten too fearless and so present a problem.
I am tired and really have so much to write. I really do miss the States. But I am learning alot about home. One of our lessons was in Matthew-"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to put His Head." So wehere is home? Jonathan says home is wherever his wife is, and that is very cool. I say home is where Jesus is.
More on this retreat to come
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)