I am taking this from my daughter's facebook status but I thought it was perfect and appropriate for our Thanksgiving. "All I have needed thy hands hath provided, Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."
I want to start this post by saying how Thankful I am to have had 3 wonderful months of sharing life with 2 incredible young men from the states. Matt and Seth were short term missionaries with Campus Crusade that arrived in Botswana just a few weeks after we did. They were staying in one of our guest cottages and were a big part of our family here. We started our Thanksgiving on a sad note when we took the guys to the airport to say goodbye. I told them when they left to never doubt why God brought them to Botswana...He brought them to minister to us and our boys - if nothing else. They made our adjustment to this country so much easier. We will miss them so much - but are praying that God will make their next steps in ministry very clear to them.
Although this holiday in Botswana away from all of our friends and family has been "different" to say the least we have had a Happy Thanksgiving. We hosted a "feast" at our house on Thursday evening and were joined by Gabi and Norman Schaeffer (Pastor and Wife at Open Baptist) along with their "Botswana" daughter, KG. We dined on roasted chicken, homemade stuffing - made from dried bread (nothing in a bag here ), green beans, Waldorf salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, and what was suppose to be sweet potato casserole but had to improvise with Butternut Squash casserole. (We couldn't tell the difference) Everything was delicious and the fellowship was sweet. We are thankful for friends in Botswana that have adopted us as part of their family.
Today we traveled 70K to a smaller town called Lobatse. We were invited by the Walkers (a missionary family from Atlanta area) to join them and several other missionary families (67 people in all) for a Thanksgiving celebration. Seems so weird when a Thanksgiving celebration involves bringing swimsuits and towels on a day that the temperature is close to 100 degrees. We spent the day by the pool and enjoyed all of the "traditional" Thanksgiving favorites - 8 Turkeys and all the trimmings. Everything was delicious and we enjoyed getting to know so many other families that are serving our Lord here in Botswana. We are thankful to be included in a group that are here with the same mission - to see people come to know Jesus as Lord.
We truly are grateful this Thanksgiving but the holidays make us miss some things too: missed cooking and eating with my family this year. Missed going through the sales ads and planning out our "Black Friday" shopping madness. Missed the "hustle and bustle" of the holiday hubbub - It was just another day in Botswana. This was the first year that Makenzie wasn't at the Thanksgiving table with us...really missed her. Holidays have always been "family times" so we missed just being together with the ones we love.
When I think about the song "Great is thy faithfulness" I can't help but think how gracious our God has been to us. How He sent His son to save us. How He has redeemed us and sent His Holy Spirit to live in us. I am so thankful for his daily provision. For the way He worked everything out for us to be here, I am grateful. I am thankful that He works in the hearts of His people to accomplish His glorious purpose. I am thankful that He allows us to be part of what He is doing. I am grateful that my boys didn't seem to mind that this Thanksgiving was different. I am grateful that even though circumstances, places, and people change - our God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the same in SC as He is in Botswana and He deserves our gratitude and praise not only on Thanksgiving but everyday.
This day of giving thanks makes me thank the Lord for all of you. I am so thankful that He has allowed our paths to cross. I am thankful that you are part of our lives, and that you care, love and pray for us. I am thankful for all of you who have sacrificially supported our family and the ministry that God has called us to in Botswana. I am thankful that you take the time to read our blogs and send words of affirmation and encouragement. We love you all and pray God's richest blessings for you and yours!! ~ Tonya
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
3 Months
Sometimes in my head I think "It's only been 3 months?? You have got to be kidding me." Then other times I think "Three months - already?" That is how it is with me in a foreign country - just kind of an up and down, up and down. One day I feel peaceful and completely content in my new life and the next day I have longing to return to what I know. The ups and downs don't bother me, I accept them as part of normal and still have complete Trust and assurance that this is exactly where God wants us to be.
The pace has really picked up this past month as far as our ministry. That is really good for a girl like me that likes to be "doing" something (and has an urgency score of 99). As Scott says I like to have a list and be checking things off. We have completed our first lesson of Children's leadership training at Old Naledi and have 3 more sessions together before we help them launch a new children's program on Sunday mornings. We are happy to be accomplishing the mission God called us to: To help as many churches as possible take their next step by establishing sustainable Children's Ministry. The first session went great. There were 12 in attendance and they were all very eager to learn and grow in their capacity to lead.
We started with some "requirements" of being a leader in ministry. The first requirement being: You must be a born again believer in Jesus Christ. We went around the room shared our salvation stories. It was so neat to hear people testify to God's grace and redemptive work in their lives. I noticed while we were sharing that everyone's story had a repetitive theme.... Someone (a person) invited them or invested in them and that led to them coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I was reminded of how important it is to invest in the lives of people. EVERYONE matters to GOD. The session had to be translated into Setswana and the testimonies had to translated into English for us to understand ~ I was in awe once again at how GOD works. I sat there thinking to myself about so many people that are so much more qualified to do this training-People with years of experience and that have written books on leadership and training manuals. In my heart I asked God, as I have many many times this past year, "Why us God? Why would you choose us?" I'd say to Him, "I feel so inadequate God and have so much to learn myself." "I am not a teacher. I don't have much experience. I can't do this." My list goes on and on in my head. The things we are using at our training sessions we have taken from other books and training we received. There is nothing new that we have or are experts on. I am sharing all of this with you so that you will know that anything that comes from any of what Scott and I are doing in Botswana is all GOD!!! We are completely trusting Him to accomplish His will and complete what He wills and purposes to do through us. I am clinging to the promise that he uses the weak things (us) of this world to accomplish His plans so that HE will receive all of the Glory. I am still doing the "Experiencing God" Bible study with a ladies group at Open Baptist. The study this week reminded me of this promise. I looked at Moses, Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, Rahab and many others that didn't think they could do it or were able and GOD shined and worked through them. The study reminded me that when we are weak - then it is HIM that is strong. So my friends, as we go forward with training leaders and starting children's ministry please continue to pray that we would just be the weak, willing vessels to be used by HIM and that He would accomplish great things for the children of Botswana.
We are making plans for a VBS in December in Mosojane. Pastor Andrew and his wife Elizabeth are very excited about us coming. Andrew shared that this will be the first time they have had a VBS. They want us to do some type of event in the evenings in some other villages in the northern area while we are there. WE are hoping to do puppets as part of the VBS and be able to take those on the road in the evenings to share. The resources in the area are VERY limited so we will have to prepare and take everything with us - including our own meals for the week. This task alone is more than I can handle but I move forward knowing and trusting in the One who is more than able. I am so happy that Makenzie will be here and will be joining us on this trip. Please pray as we prepare and plan that the many children who will attend will come to see themselves as valuable to God (precious in His sight) and that many would take their next step toward Jesus. Once again we are trusting Him to accomplish what He wants in Mosojane.
We are meeting this week with Flying Mission - a ministry in Botswana - about how we might be a part of the "Botswana School Outreach" program. We are praying and believe that our best help will come in training the current leaders of the program. Please pray with us.
We were asked today by the principal at the boy's school to host and lead a one day children's event on the school campus. This is a great opportunity - the campus is one of the nicest in Gaborone and can hold many kids. She is asking us to pray and prepare to host the event on the Saturday before the new school year starts in January. That is a very exciting possibility and will bring many, many, many children. Please be in prayer about this. This would require lots of volunteers and planning but we know God is able to provide. He has proven himself faithful to us over and over again.
There are many more opportunities for us to be involved with Children's Ministry in Botswana. Please continue to pray for us to have HIS wisdom and discernment as we move forward.
I want to end today's blog by sharing some answered prayers over the last 3 months. First I have asked everyone to pray for the boys as they settle into their new culture and life. School started off very difficult because of all the changes. The principal shared with me this morning how great she thought they are doing. I know this is because of prayer!! She said they all have friends, she has had no discipline problems out of any of them, they seem perfectly content when she observes them. She even told me how happy she was that Hunter and Chandler have befriended a boy named Asante. I have to say that made this moma proud. She said Asante needed some good friends and notices a difference in him. She is praying for Asante's salvation. These are some answers I am praising God for: God has opened many doors of opportunity for us to minister. God has shown us when to say no to some things. God has provided for our every need and even some of our wants. God has made us comfortable in our home and is bringing new people into our life on an almost daily basis. God has blessed us with a new love for each other - It is so neat to watch Hunter and Chandler become friends. God has blessed Makenzie with the man of her dreams and we are preparing for a wedding. God is still working on us and transforming us into His likeness.... as my friend Karla would say "GO GOD"!!! Thanks prayer warriors for standing in the gap for us.
We love you all very much. We thank God for you and for you love, support, prayers and encouragement. We wouldn't be here without you!!! ~ Tonya
The pace has really picked up this past month as far as our ministry. That is really good for a girl like me that likes to be "doing" something (and has an urgency score of 99). As Scott says I like to have a list and be checking things off. We have completed our first lesson of Children's leadership training at Old Naledi and have 3 more sessions together before we help them launch a new children's program on Sunday mornings. We are happy to be accomplishing the mission God called us to: To help as many churches as possible take their next step by establishing sustainable Children's Ministry. The first session went great. There were 12 in attendance and they were all very eager to learn and grow in their capacity to lead.
We started with some "requirements" of being a leader in ministry. The first requirement being: You must be a born again believer in Jesus Christ. We went around the room shared our salvation stories. It was so neat to hear people testify to God's grace and redemptive work in their lives. I noticed while we were sharing that everyone's story had a repetitive theme.... Someone (a person) invited them or invested in them and that led to them coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I was reminded of how important it is to invest in the lives of people. EVERYONE matters to GOD. The session had to be translated into Setswana and the testimonies had to translated into English for us to understand ~ I was in awe once again at how GOD works. I sat there thinking to myself about so many people that are so much more qualified to do this training-People with years of experience and that have written books on leadership and training manuals. In my heart I asked God, as I have many many times this past year, "Why us God? Why would you choose us?" I'd say to Him, "I feel so inadequate God and have so much to learn myself." "I am not a teacher. I don't have much experience. I can't do this." My list goes on and on in my head. The things we are using at our training sessions we have taken from other books and training we received. There is nothing new that we have or are experts on. I am sharing all of this with you so that you will know that anything that comes from any of what Scott and I are doing in Botswana is all GOD!!! We are completely trusting Him to accomplish His will and complete what He wills and purposes to do through us. I am clinging to the promise that he uses the weak things (us) of this world to accomplish His plans so that HE will receive all of the Glory. I am still doing the "Experiencing God" Bible study with a ladies group at Open Baptist. The study this week reminded me of this promise. I looked at Moses, Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, Rahab and many others that didn't think they could do it or were able and GOD shined and worked through them. The study reminded me that when we are weak - then it is HIM that is strong. So my friends, as we go forward with training leaders and starting children's ministry please continue to pray that we would just be the weak, willing vessels to be used by HIM and that He would accomplish great things for the children of Botswana.
We are making plans for a VBS in December in Mosojane. Pastor Andrew and his wife Elizabeth are very excited about us coming. Andrew shared that this will be the first time they have had a VBS. They want us to do some type of event in the evenings in some other villages in the northern area while we are there. WE are hoping to do puppets as part of the VBS and be able to take those on the road in the evenings to share. The resources in the area are VERY limited so we will have to prepare and take everything with us - including our own meals for the week. This task alone is more than I can handle but I move forward knowing and trusting in the One who is more than able. I am so happy that Makenzie will be here and will be joining us on this trip. Please pray as we prepare and plan that the many children who will attend will come to see themselves as valuable to God (precious in His sight) and that many would take their next step toward Jesus. Once again we are trusting Him to accomplish what He wants in Mosojane.
We are meeting this week with Flying Mission - a ministry in Botswana - about how we might be a part of the "Botswana School Outreach" program. We are praying and believe that our best help will come in training the current leaders of the program. Please pray with us.
We were asked today by the principal at the boy's school to host and lead a one day children's event on the school campus. This is a great opportunity - the campus is one of the nicest in Gaborone and can hold many kids. She is asking us to pray and prepare to host the event on the Saturday before the new school year starts in January. That is a very exciting possibility and will bring many, many, many children. Please be in prayer about this. This would require lots of volunteers and planning but we know God is able to provide. He has proven himself faithful to us over and over again.
There are many more opportunities for us to be involved with Children's Ministry in Botswana. Please continue to pray for us to have HIS wisdom and discernment as we move forward.
I want to end today's blog by sharing some answered prayers over the last 3 months. First I have asked everyone to pray for the boys as they settle into their new culture and life. School started off very difficult because of all the changes. The principal shared with me this morning how great she thought they are doing. I know this is because of prayer!! She said they all have friends, she has had no discipline problems out of any of them, they seem perfectly content when she observes them. She even told me how happy she was that Hunter and Chandler have befriended a boy named Asante. I have to say that made this moma proud. She said Asante needed some good friends and notices a difference in him. She is praying for Asante's salvation. These are some answers I am praising God for: God has opened many doors of opportunity for us to minister. God has shown us when to say no to some things. God has provided for our every need and even some of our wants. God has made us comfortable in our home and is bringing new people into our life on an almost daily basis. God has blessed us with a new love for each other - It is so neat to watch Hunter and Chandler become friends. God has blessed Makenzie with the man of her dreams and we are preparing for a wedding. God is still working on us and transforming us into His likeness.... as my friend Karla would say "GO GOD"!!! Thanks prayer warriors for standing in the gap for us.
We love you all very much. We thank God for you and for you love, support, prayers and encouragement. We wouldn't be here without you!!! ~ Tonya
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What Do You See?
Dumela to all our friends and family. Tonya and I apologize for not updating recently. I want to start the blog asking for prayer and praises for my friend, Moruti James Mpopang, Pastor of Naledi Baptist Fellowship, was in "T-Boned" in a car accident yesterday in the van he was driving. The passenger van that hit him was driving too fast when James pulled out into the road and made contact at full speed. If the contact was 2 feet closer to the driver door, he would have perished. He was being watched over from heaven. There was no injury other being very sore. Pray for his back pain and removal of the flash backs he keeps having of the impact. Just recently, James has been elected President of the Botswana Baptist Convention. Pray for wisdom and good leadership as he carries a vision of spreading the Church to the northern areas of Botswana. This is where the HIV/AIDS percentage is very high and where tribal worship has blocked the truth of the Word from the people.
We had a great conference at our house this week and learned some very helpful insights to working effectively for the kingdom of God. All of us see things through lenses our world forms for us to see through. Westerners tend to see things from the perspective we need to fix something because there is something broken. We have a something we can give a needy consumer who needs us. Tribal cultures see the world as spiritual that is filled with good and evil spirits who have to be pleased to survive in it. They will take what is given to them but know the spirits have the final say. To move up in this world, the spirits have to be bribed. So how do these two different looking worlds work together? The love of God and looking the world from a biblical world view there is only one world, the one He made.
Living in Botswana for almost 3 months, I am starting to see the world through different glasses. I have learned I need Botswana more than Botswana needs me. Working with the people here, there is such a richness in blessings of human opportunity that you cannot see from a world view perspective that only reveals there are givers and takers. I learned that a blessing is not a gift but the opportunity to prosper, abundantly. God's Word demonstrates this definition over and over again form Genesis to Revelation. I am learning how to love more and more as we live here. I feel Botswana has given me more capacity to love and see the blessings of God's creation. The biblical view is showing me the love of God for this world is found in His Word not in what I see. What do you see in your world?
In His Love,
Scott
We had a great conference at our house this week and learned some very helpful insights to working effectively for the kingdom of God. All of us see things through lenses our world forms for us to see through. Westerners tend to see things from the perspective we need to fix something because there is something broken. We have a something we can give a needy consumer who needs us. Tribal cultures see the world as spiritual that is filled with good and evil spirits who have to be pleased to survive in it. They will take what is given to them but know the spirits have the final say. To move up in this world, the spirits have to be bribed. So how do these two different looking worlds work together? The love of God and looking the world from a biblical world view there is only one world, the one He made.
Living in Botswana for almost 3 months, I am starting to see the world through different glasses. I have learned I need Botswana more than Botswana needs me. Working with the people here, there is such a richness in blessings of human opportunity that you cannot see from a world view perspective that only reveals there are givers and takers. I learned that a blessing is not a gift but the opportunity to prosper, abundantly. God's Word demonstrates this definition over and over again form Genesis to Revelation. I am learning how to love more and more as we live here. I feel Botswana has given me more capacity to love and see the blessings of God's creation. The biblical view is showing me the love of God for this world is found in His Word not in what I see. What do you see in your world?
In His Love,
Scott
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