September 2012 Newsletter

September Update

Dumela! (Hello in Setswana) September has been such a busy month for me! My church held two big events this month.

We held a church conference at a nearby village (Matshelagabedi) with our sister churches. Our main speaker was Pastor Maureen Shana from Zimbabwe. Her and her husband founded Word of Life International Ministries. She was an amazing speaker and really stirred a lot of vision for our church's growth here in Francistown. Large churches are few and far between here, and pastors that stay to pastor them for the long haul are also very rare. We're believing to increase our church membership to 1,000 people by the end of 2013. Please help us pray that God will show us how to reach our community and city.

September was the national month of prayer for HIV and AIDS in Botswana. Our other event was a free HIV testing, counseling and education clinic we held at the church. Our pastors even tested in an effort to encourage others to not be afraid of being tested. Botswana currently has the second highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world, despite having one of the most aggressive AIDS prevention campaigns in Africa. We had a great turn out and actually didn't have enough testing staff to test everyone that came. At the end of the event, our pastor shared a message of hope in Christ. Even though people here have the resources to know about how to avoid contracting AIDS, it's not enough to persuade them to change their lifestyle, so the love of God is the only thing that can make them want to change and give them hope.

I also started Bible school this month. It's challenging and exciting to be back in school again. I am enjoying it and I'm learning alot. My classmates are people of all ages, backgrounds, careers, and nationalities.

I'm feeling a little more acclimated. I've started to learn some Setswana and I hope to become more and more fluent. A lot of ministry and teaching opportunities have also opened up for me. I started teaching a weekly computer class for a home school group. I also occasionally teach at the weekly youth group, at the chapel for our church's private preschool academy, and at one of our community small groups.

Thank you for your prayers. I truly feel that people are praying for me and I value their prayers so much.

Killed A Cobra

The end of last month I had my first encounter with a real live poisonous snake - a cobra! The dogs on the property I live on found it one evening and it made for a frightening and exciting adventure trying to hunt it down. Fortunately, with some team work, our gardener Lovemore and my friend Bazi and I were able to kill it. Just another day in the life of this missionary :) Click here to visit my site for more pictures from my first cobra encounter!

The Buckleys

I wanted to introduce you to the missionary family I'm living and working with during my time in Botswana, the Buckelys - Matt, his wife Kristin and their two sons, Madison and Anderson. They've been missionaries in Botswana for over 20 years and founded Light of the World Ministries, which includes a thriving local church here in Francistown, Botswana, as well as a Bible Tranining Center, and a private Christian academy. I'm excited to be a part of their ministry and glean from their experiences on the mission field! They're such an amazing family and they've already been such a huge blessing to me!

Prayer Requests

- I've received word this month that my residence permit is being processed. Please continue to pray for favor in being able to obtain it with no issues or delays and that I receive it before my 90 days expire on October 26.
- For the grace to do everything that God is calling me to do out here.
- I continue to acclimate to the culture, learn to speak more Setswana, and develop new friendships/relationships.
- For clear direction/vision to know how God would like to use me during my time in Botswana.
- Continued financial provision.