Tucker Times Vol 26 October 2019

October was very busy for the Tuckers. We enjoyed the month getting reacquainted with the missionaries here in Lobatse. We are sad to leave and have enjoyed joining in all the ministry goings on. So many wonderful things are happening here! The Shores family have developed the Urban Rhythm Youth centre are doing a wonderful job of making disciples and ministering to the young people of Lobatse. Kevin and Sarah Witt help in the many rural villages establishing churches and supporting local pastors and fellowships. Sarah has a very fun and healthy ministry doing Revelation Wellness christian fitness ministry at the youth centre and at the preschool in Gopong. Debra and Jason Shirek have had a greatly needed ministry to the prisons in Botswana and providing refuge ministry. The Christian school "Valley Academy" is growing by leaps and bounds as they teach using Accelerated Christian Education to children up to Standard 7 (about 6-7 grade). Elie and I have joined in with most of theses ministries and are sad to say good bye to all of the friends we have made. It is good to see how each and every ministry is well suited to the calling they are doing.

We also have been learning a lot about the rest of the Word to Africa team. WTA is connected to the Every Nation international ministry and the His People church in Gaborone. We were pleased to attend a Making Disciples training meeting ran by the Every Nation leaders. We also were able to attend the biannual WTA cluster meeting where all the settlement pastors and ministers join to share what and how they are doing. God is really moving and ministering in Botswana! If you are interested you can find out more at their facebook and web sites! I was gong to attempt links but got frustrated so if you private message me I can send them to you! So while we have been in this season before we officially begin our work in the bush, we have been busy helping where we can and learning how to work effectively with the team we are a part of now. So glad to have their support and to know we are part of a winning team! God is using each one with their unique talents and gifting to spread the Word of God and to accomplish his work. Even in and through you! What are you doing for the kingdom where you are? If you are praying and supporting us you are also working God's purpose for Botswana! Thank You!

1. Praise the Lord for opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with other American missionaries here in Lobatse.

2. Praise for the the rain that has finally started here in the desert!

3. Pray that we find a solution in selling the truck and getting a 4x4.

4. Pray as we prepare to move to Maun soon.

5. Pray for us as we begin more cultural training and working with the WTA and Every Nation ministries.

Thad's Thoughts

Time spent in the desert...as we prepare for the next leg of the journey, I realise this time was for a purpose. To help and encourage other leaders. I have helped the Shores (Urban Rhythm) with ceilings, insulation and roof leaks; the Witts working toward a wood stove install and the Shireks with burglar bars and home security. Just recently we were able to finally capture one of the thieves who had been intruding for the past few weeks. A twelve year old boy who was taken to the police station and parents notified. Do you remember the movie "Dances with Wolves", when the main character arrives to his post to find no one and disarray? His job was to straighten out his current post. Your's and mine are the same even when it seems like a desert. Help and love those whom God has given you and placed in your path and even when it seems dry and denude of value. God is using you!

Sara's Sayings

When I think of this saying I remember fondly a pin Bekah had as a little girl and how she loved to say "Don't Bug Me!" It has taken on a whole new image for me now as we start into the rainy season here in Botswana! The most unique incident being after our first big rain this month. The following night the termites swarmed about so think they left a layer of wings and bodies that had to be swept off our porch! The moisture has brought out huge stick bugs, massive grasshoppers, harmless centipedes, amazingly large praying mantises and unknown bugs of every size and shape! Not all the new creepy crawlies are harmless. A team from Texas ,we had the pleasure to meet, ended up with a close encounter with spitting cobra and another close call with a scorpion! Praise the Lord it hasn't resulted in lasting injury. I have retained from posting the pictures for my more squeamish readers but will add them to a facebook post soon. But we do know that we are all in God's precious hands and it is making our adventure even more a testimony to His goodness!

Due to a large one time donation we have extra that we plan to store away for our vehicle purchase! Thanks to all of you who have given to us regularly both in large and small amounts! Our regular giving was about the same, just around the half way mark in our budget. We are so blessed to have had a donation to our South African bank account too! Remember as the year comes to an end if you need a tax donation giving through the Foundation for Missions will give you the nonprofit credit! Just click the link below!

Click here to donate/ link to past Newsletters

Elianna's Escapades

Elie is officially now 12 years old! She had a fun birthday party with the many friends here in Lobatse. We chose to take advantage of the fact the American missionaries know about Harvest parties and did a costume carnival with a fall theme. As you can see she was a warrior elf. Games included hoolahoop and jump rope competitions, jar ping pong ball toss, pin the nose on the pumpkin, and a scarecrow photo booth, just to name a few. She is sad to leave her friends here and I ask you to pray she can settle in Maun without being too lonely. She admitted that making new friends again seems a bit daunting.

We had a few people express concern about mailing to us at the South African address. Even though we are moving farther north before mail might get here we do want to encourage you to send any cards or packages to the Zeerust address please. While it may not make sense to you, but because the mail is better in South Africa we will most likely still get it sooner than a package sent to Botswana. We also may not even be able to get a post office box in Maun. They are very hard to come by!

Our address:

Thad and Sara Tucker
P.O. Box 1161
Zeerust, Northwest province
South Africa 2865

ptnstucker@yahoo.com