This period of settling has been a great stretch for me. There are so many new things that are part of my daily life and more newness to come I am sure.
I have a difficult time asking for help, and this is something I strongly need to work on. I have however received much support and friendship from people here in town and i am really excited about it. For instance, as I said earlier, I was feeling really down about how hard allergies hit me. As I discussed this in my Bible study group, other women talked about what they went through when they first came to Botswana. It is si dry here, and windy and yet such beautiful flowers grow here!My bible group has really made me feel like a part of something and I get to hear such great stories. Most of the group are missionaries. But a few women are not and this study has been going on for YEARS!!! One of the women, Nicky, has been in Botswana since 1962. She and her husband are quite involved with wildlife and her stories are fascinating. She is helping me with my love of birds and aanimals and tomorrow we are going birding.
My neighbors are also very warm and wonderful. They come from all over Africa and each has their own story and viewpoint about life. Most are Christians. Very exciting. They make me feel as though I am part of this tapestry we have woven in Francistown. God is so awesome-giving us what we need whether we recognize it or not.
Friday, September 5, 2008
work
I am still feeling my way around what I supposed to do here. I have visited the youth center a few times and am torn between being there very often or hanging back until we are all used to each other. I have been to the youth Bible study and am impressed by the focus and caring the young folks give their study time. Benny seems to be working very hard and he is not quite used to me yet. Part of it is the fact, I think, that I am a woman. With both him and our friend Philemon who leads the adult Bible study, they are used to working strictly with men and I am a bit of a shock for them. I know that this will change in time, and it is really up to me to be patient. Philemon and i have discussed taking me to different churches but he is not licensed and I also am not yet. So i spend a lot of time walking around talking to different people and just keeping an appearance.
Last week was a prayer meeting for the release of the new Kalanga Bible translation. At this point, it is just the New Testament and Psalms, but it is an important start. The Kalanga people area strong influence in this area in particular and this translation will be a great blessing. The meeting was packed-we were jammed into a room and it was a wonderful meeting with speeches and songs and great joy. Afterward, we did not stay as long as I would have liked, but I did get to talk to a few pastors and church representatives. Here it is important that people at least start by gettingto see you around and involved so I felt like this meeting was a step in the right direction.
Last week was a prayer meeting for the release of the new Kalanga Bible translation. At this point, it is just the New Testament and Psalms, but it is an important start. The Kalanga people area strong influence in this area in particular and this translation will be a great blessing. The meeting was packed-we were jammed into a room and it was a wonderful meeting with speeches and songs and great joy. Afterward, we did not stay as long as I would have liked, but I did get to talk to a few pastors and church representatives. Here it is important that people at least start by gettingto see you around and involved so I felt like this meeting was a step in the right direction.
settlin'
Well it has certainlybeen a while...I did not realize I had not blogged in a month. So much for the accusations of addiction heh? lol....
It has been a very busy month. There has been lots to do with settling in and I must admit that I underestimated the time it would take. On top of that, I developed bronchitis rather severely, and was a while nursing that. Since I am currently without a car, I walk almost everywhere. It has been a very dry month and it had been rough on my asthma. I am not as disciplined as I should be with my meds, and now I am learning here you just cannot be frivolous. It costs me a lot of time to take care of this. Also, allergies are bad here this time of year and so I am working with that.
Despite all of that, i have really loved my house! The yard is coming along very slowly but as I said it is dry. The birds are enjoying themselves, and my puppy, Tsolo seems to think this is her yard and her house. She is really getting quite a personality. She is very funny and hard headed and loves to play. She definitely has the cute thing going and knows how to use it. I am quite taken with her!
Life is good!
It has been a very busy month. There has been lots to do with settling in and I must admit that I underestimated the time it would take. On top of that, I developed bronchitis rather severely, and was a while nursing that. Since I am currently without a car, I walk almost everywhere. It has been a very dry month and it had been rough on my asthma. I am not as disciplined as I should be with my meds, and now I am learning here you just cannot be frivolous. It costs me a lot of time to take care of this. Also, allergies are bad here this time of year and so I am working with that.
Despite all of that, i have really loved my house! The yard is coming along very slowly but as I said it is dry. The birds are enjoying themselves, and my puppy, Tsolo seems to think this is her yard and her house. She is really getting quite a personality. She is very funny and hard headed and loves to play. She definitely has the cute thing going and knows how to use it. I am quite taken with her!
Life is good!
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