Updates From Botswana - November, 2016

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My dear friends:

It has been way too long since I last put an entry in here I know.   Being in the states in September and part of October and then hitting the ground running when I returned has influenced my schedule considerably.  And too electricity has been iffy a lot of the time so it has been hard to keep my phone and tablet charged so I can use them when I want to.  Running water is not always available either.  I do have good clean water in a bucket beside my kitchen sink but that is inconvenient.  We have been having lots of thunder and lightning, and rain and when we do you can count on the fact that we will be without electricity for a while.  Last Friday I was to fix supper for the parsonage family and because we had had a storm the night before I didn't have electricity until 2:30 in the afternoon.  So we ate a little later than usual.  I had planned to fix my meat in my crock pot but it wasn't getting done so had to put the crock in the oven to finish cooking.  It wasn't as tender as I wished but they all seemed to enjoy it anyhow.
The heat has been extreme too.  Several days in a row we had temperatures 100+  104 and 106 degrees!!! Two weeks ago I was to give the morning message in the pastor's absence and when I got home it was 104 and went to 106 shortly.  I had also led Children's Ministry too.

The children are all so precious and I am so proud of what they are accomplishing.   For a while they were straggling into Sunday School at all kinds of times and some missing out on things i wanted them to learn and know.  So I offered a prize if they got there on time.  That did the trick.  Sunday school starts at 10:00 but there is apt to be several children there at 8:30 and on. One Sunday there were 21 there a little past 8:30   Amazing what a sucker will do.  And then they are learning the 23rd Psalm, the Beatitudes, 100th Psalm, 10 Commandments, the books of the Old Testament and New Testament and many other key things from scripture that they need to know.  I also give a bigger prize when they can quote any of these for me.  And then they stay for church too and then walk to my house to get one or two cookies!!!  And yes my cookie ministry is still very active only now I have to have enough cookies for the whole church on Sundays!!!  I'm sure the grocer appreciates all the butter, flour and sugar plus other items I purchase for them!!

Our little church is growing and every week now it seems we have new faces which is encouraging. I think most of you know we worship in a tent with a dirt floor.   We really need a building.  I/We are praying urgently about this need.  It looks impossible but I do believe in miracles so I am praying for one.  There is a burned building on a plot of ground very close to where we worship now that seems ideal to me but we can't find the owner of the land to see if he would be willing to negotiate with us.  Help us pray about it.  I think it would be a real encouragement to the people if they could witness God working in a special way for us.

I am still teaching Math and English and Bible each week.   Had a cooking class last week and another one this week.

It looks like my my special project by the name of Thibo is going to go to a Bible college and university in Swaziland come January.  He is so excited and thrilled and I am thrilled for him.  This is a huge step for him but God has transformed his life  and it will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds and how God uses him as well.  He has little money at this point but is believing God to supply his needs.  There is registration, books, travel, clothes and many items to consider to get ready for this.  Some of you keep asking what can we do to help your ministry?  If you feel so led you can ear mark money for him and it will be used 100% for his needs.  Send money as always to my son, Wendell Brown, 1030 Ridge Dr., Circleville, Ohio 43113 who deposits in my account and I can get it out of the ATM here!

I wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.  Of course, thanksgiving is not celebrated here.  I will be at a women's retreat here this week end.  I am glad to have something special to do then I won't miss so much what is going on with my families in the statesl

I appreciate your concerns, prayers and gifts for me.  I am amazed at God's goodness, and the way He takes care of me and supplies my needs.  I hear of people I don't even know who are praying for me. 

Amazing!

You all, everyone, are very special to me.  I am very blessed !!!

Elizabeth Brown
in care of Wendell Brown
1030 Ridge Dr
Circleville Oh 43113

Box 14
Bokaa Botswana Africa