From Elizabeth last night:

Last night someone broke into my house while I was sleeping and stole my laptop and tablet the cord to my phone and I'm at 31 percent now so can't do much more communicating.

June 13, 2016

Link to Photo Gallery

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog....to say I have been busy is accurate and maybe even an understatement.  But it is wonderful...I love what I am doing  and I am thrilled to be a part of the work of God's Kingdom in Africa.  I marvel that I am able to do all I'm doing at my age.  God is so good.

I have 2  more that I am helping with English plus the one I have had and I also teach and coach him in math.  I teach piano and have one more student since my last post.  I am teaching sewing...cooking here and there and I am constantly making cookies...and I have a women's Bible class...so with preparation time  and the classes I keep busy.

First of all let me say that it does get cold in Africa. ..much colder than I anticipated.  Today the low is 46 and the high for a little bit in the afternoon of 61.  Today the 61 seems even colder because the wind is blowing constantly.  It keeps howling around my house and I wonder at times is it going to take my roof off...I'm sure it will stay in tact but it does sound pretty vicious at times.

No one has heaters in their homes.  They just wrap up and deal with it.  I guess I'm a wimp but I finally bought a little heater last Monday.  It doesn't help much but does take the edge off a little.  I also had to buy sweaters to wear and a jacket. I'm told it will get colder...we are not in the middle of winter yet  😡  We worship in a tent with a dirt floor and that is cold now to sit in there for church services.

There are some young pastors who are preaching in some of these small villages and have no education.   I have been asked to teach them on a weekly basis how to preach and lead and shepherd their people.  It is a huge task for me but I know God will help me.  I have been moved way way out of my comfort zone.  Here they think that because I was a pastors wife for so many years that I would know how to help them.  I would appreciate your prayers for me that I can help them and make a difference in their lives.

The pictures that I am sharing are from a week end I spent in Lerala.  It is a village about 4 and a half hours north of where I am I  Bokaa.  It was a wonderful week end.  I almost felt I went to another country.   It was so different there and the people are hard to reach because they worship their ancestors.

But we had a successful week end anyhow with God's special presence.

On Friday morning I was up at 5:30, breakfast at 6:00.  7 of us from Bokaa went along with others from Gaborone.  At 8:00 we were at the roadside waiting on our  bus to take us there.  It did not come until after 10:00.  On the way we stopped at Mhahalape and got a bite to eat.   I had been wanting a really good hot dog but couldn't find one here but when we went to the deli at a grocery there they had what they called a cheese griller. ..Oh my...it was sooo good!!! and satisfied my yen for a hot dog.

Around 3:00 we arrived at Lerala.  We got all set up.  The others all took mattresses or sleeping bags to sleep on the floor.  Because I was the oldest one in the group I had a bed there to sleep on.  I so appreciated it.  They were so kind to me but I pretty much kept up with everyone.

We brought our own food so they began preparing that.  But 7:00 was to be our first service and supper wasn't ready so we ate after service at 9:30.  We had meat, rape and porridge.  Rape is similar to spinach or kale but has a different flavor and cooked so that it  doesn't have any body to it.

Saturday up at 5:00...prayer  meeting at 6:00.  Breakfast after that.   I was served buttered bread, boiled egg and pork n beans.  Service at 10:00.  Lunch at 1:00 was meat rape and samp  (samp is like our hominy).

In the afternoon we canvassed the area.  We divided into groups of 2 or 3 and made calls in the homes.  I so enjoyed that.  There were 3 of us who went together.   I was able to converse with many of them and talk to them about the Lord and invite them to our services.  We were treated kindly  but held at a distance too. One man we met on the road stopped and we asked him if he knew about God and he said I know there's a God but I don't know much about him.  We told him about the plan of salvation and invited him to our services. I felt so sorry for him.  We needed longer with him.   He had such a kind face.

I should say I was instantly received by the people especially the children because I took 2 bags of homemade cookies.   They were like the people of Bokaa, they knew very little about homemade cookies. ..it was a real treat for them.  The children instantly became my friend and I had such fun with them.

I was a novelty too because I was the only white person in the group.

Sunday up at 5:30...pack at 6:00 and get ready to leave. Went to breakfast and was served buttered bread and jam, 2 hotdogs and tea.

Sunday school ...service at 10;00...Lunch at 2:00...chicken, goat meat,beef stew,

Cooked sweet potato, beets, slaw and rice!!!.  And huge servings of it all.

Left for home and got in at 8: 00.

I want to tell you about our services...you get 40 some Botswans ladies singing a capella,  singing parts and it is gorgeous.   In the open building we were in it sounded like 100 ladies singing full voice.   A neighbor to where we were heard the music and she said she felt something inside her telling her to get her problem child to the service.  A girl of 14.  She was very pretty but had a very troubled look on her face.  At the close of the service her mother took her to the front and I realized about right away we were dealing with demon possession.   We prayed and prayed with her and finally she was delivered. ..she looked different.  The  next day more of her family came and her grandparents and others were saved. The girl herself gave testimony and was so grateful to the Lord for what He had done for her. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work.  Other people were helped in the services.   Sunday morning we had a huge crowd and people just kept coming forward.  It was wonderful.

I know this is way too long but I could write so much more.    The Holy Spirit abides in  Botswana. ..and I thank Him almost daily  that I am here and part of this Botswana family...they are my family on this side of the ocean!!!

Thank for your prayers for me.  All of you my family and friends are very special to me.

With loving appreciation
Elizabeth
Psalm.  32:8