"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

First Bible School Planning - Gakuto

We had a great meeting in Gakuto today. Tonya and I along with our summer intern, Chelsea, looked over the church to make account of what we would need to do while a team from Aiken, SC is here to do a VBS. Gonna be a busy week of hard work and seeing true needs being met. We need to paint, hang some screen to prevent birds from roosting in the church, repair some broken windows, hang some doors and replace broken locks. Not to mention we have some serious yard work to do. Chelsea commented when she saw the thorns, she thought again about the crown of thorns Jesus wore. These things look like sharp tooth picks heavily covering branches from every direction. The great part is we will work along side the people there and another church here in Gaborone for their first mission trip.

Another wonderful part of this trip, we will work with the primary school there to encourage and help the teachers. With the strike, this is great timing. We met with teachers and they were happy to hear we are bringing a team in 3 weeks to help the children and church in Gakuto. Their faces were filled with brilliance when we said we are bringing a teacher to provide a workshop for them who specializes in reading. The teachers were literally dancing when they asked if we could bring them each a Bible since they did not own one and we said yes, of course. They asked if we could help them with supplies they have difficulty receiving. This list includes Glue bottles, glue sticks, skinny and fat markers, pens (red, blue, and black), water color paints, teaching aids (specifically phonic posters, charts, etc.), colored pencils, pencils, paint brushes, rulers, board games (Scrabble), puzzles, whistles, and tennis balls. The teams along with us here will work hard to get this list complete. The headmaster even said "that these kids needed God to know the right way. It will change Gakuto with hope."

The Lord has big things in store, moving in amazing ways and has a BIG VBS in store. The teachers said today that there are 300 kids enrolled at the school and think every kid will want to come because there has never been anything like this in the village. We were expected half that number. This church has no running water or electricity and limited toilets. It's going to be a great experience!

Please continue to pray over our preparations, the teams travel and our week together with them in Gakuto. The VBS will start 13 June. Pray also for the kids, the church in Naledi who has their first mission trip with us and for the church where we are working at that only has twenty regular members. What a might God we serve.


The Shipes & Chelsea

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A New Botswana

Words can not express how my heart aches for Botswana. This nation has been the most peaceful country in Africa. Just 2 years ago, Botswana was the 5th most civil place to live in the world. Now it is in civil unrest. A country-wide strike by public sector employees, which began April 18, 2011, has been extended by the labor unions and declared “indefinite.” This strike is based on a rejection of a 16% wage increase request and a rejected offer of 5% from the government. Independent demonstrations by secondary school students in Molepolole, Ramotswa, and Mochudi took place on May 13 and May 16. At least one of these protests resulted in a confrontation between students and police. The result was damaged vehicles from thrown rocks, school vandalism and students put in jail. While the level of violence accompanying these demonstrations has been minimal, it has shaken up this small nation.

The strike, involves 20,000 - 30,000 government employees nationwide, has disrupted service delivery in public hospitals and clinics. On May 16, government schools closed until further notice, and most private schools in Gaborone closed on May 17 apparently at the request of the Government of Botswana. Services such as electricity, water, and telecommunications, however, have not been severely affected. Military and police are prohibited from striking and have adhered to this directive. President Khama announced all employees who did not show up to work this week are no longer employed.

The Shipes family is doing well and the streets are calm today. Demonstrations are at specific places and we do not go near there. We are moving forward with our work and see the need even more to reach the children here. To understand the grace and truth of Jesus Christ is so important right now. He is the only way for reconciliation for them to deal with what is happening around them. A population of 1.9M with 700,000 children out of school is tragic. Their belief system has been wrecked. This is a God moment as I see for the children, a time for a new generation, a new Botswana to trust in the Lord.

Please be in prayer for the nation of Botswana and the safety of its people.


Scott Shipes

Monday, May 16, 2011

First Day Back In Action

Today is May 16 and our first day of getting back into the routine. Have not settled on a Botswana time yet. Keep waking up at 3:30 AM and not easy going to bed at night. Becky Chennault gave us some tips we are going to start and see how it goes. Went to Old Neladi today to work at the feeding station. It is such a joy to for me to be there and have the children and workers recognize us and give big Botswana hugs. Many of the children ran to me and told me they are wonderful and special because God made them this way. The message I have been telling is sticking with them. Thank you God for your Word and promises. Shared the message on the power of God/Jesus. He can stop storms and calm our fears, we have to have trust and faith in Him.

We have a friend here with us, Chelsea Arthur, from Aiken, SC. She is spending the summer helping us. Pray for her as God reveals what He is doing in Botswana and what plans He has for her. Being around all our boys has been a bigger shock to her more than Africa. Always something going on in the house at all times.

Pray for stability and calmness in Botswana. Government workers have been on strike since we left for the 5th week. They have not had a raise in 3 years and the government is not meeting their requests. This is a large group of people who impact the country. Doctors, nurses, teachers, policemen, garbage collection, immigration and street cleaners are all on strike. Children in the schools were going to school just to set because attendance is so importent but no teachers. Students rioted Friday and today so the government closed all schools until further notice. This is hard to watch for me because the ones who suffer are not involved but victim to the process.

Pray for our boys as they readjust to the culture again. It has been real hard them.

Thank you for all the hugs, love and support everyone shared while were home last month. Words can not express how much it meant to us.

Scott Shipes

Friday, May 13, 2011

Reflections on God's Gifts

I was given a book by a dear friend(thanks Lisa) while I was in the states. It is titled "One Thousand Gifts" and came to be when the author Ann Voskamp was challenged to write a 1000 item gratitude list. I decided to use this idea to blog my trip home.

I am grateful to Almighty God for these and all blessings:
1. Safe flight; 2. Reunion hugs; 3. Sisters; 4. Felicia's quick diagnosis and treatment plan; 5. Late night prayer sessions; 6. The ability to care for my recuperating sister; 7. Joshua's healing; 8. Uneventful flight for Scott and boys; 9. The Keelty's Taylor street home; 10. Stan Harmon's Sunday School Class; 11. A box full of goodies to bring back; 12. The Overmans and Darrs setting up our "Aiken" home; 13. Unlikely reunion with the Gillaspie Family; 14. Surprising Karla at the park; 15. Unexpected hugs at Firehouse ... Denise & Celeste; 16. Wednesday night at Alice Drive Baptist Church; 17. Frazzled Females; 18. 4 bedroom Mission houses; 19. Spontaneous "circle-up" in the Hafner's living-room; 20. The ability to Praise HIM during the storm; 21. A church family that loves us like we never left; 22.A completely stocked mission house! Thanks Mandy & friends; 23. A van to use as our own - Thanks Mike & Felicia; 24. having "church" at chemo sessions; 25. talking in "code" and getting each it - Fe; 26. Nurse Dennis at AOA; 27. Affirmation through Dr. Lawson; 28. Prayer time with sister and Mike; 29. Sharing our life in Botswana with our ADBC family; 30. A Braves game for the boys; 31. Cousin time at Aunt Lea's; 32. Flat hair, laughs and great food at the Melting Pot - Thanks Mark & Karla; 33. Dr's that love Jesus enough to ask their patients if they know Him; 34. Seeing Mrs. Cantwell after 25 years; 35. Reunion with Judy-picking up right where we left off; 36. Tyler living with the boys...a natural fit; 37. Helping other chemo patients; 38. Clay Smith - not only concerned about what we've accomplished but how we feel too; 39. Staff development meetings; 40. Having the chance to tell Ed team how good they've got it; 41. Brent Limbaugh(oncologist); 42. A mom and dad who are always there and willing to help; 43. My momma's sewing: 10 ties, a flower girl dress, 4 waistbands and flowers, and numerous tablecloths; 44. 2 "spend the nights" in the dorm room - just me and my girl; 45. Bridal Shower Hostesses: Maxine, Susan, Lindsey, Cheri, Dawn, and Michele - thanks girls!; 46. A Shipes Family Reunion including a peaceful Scrabble game; 47. Dressing Room laughs with Moma; 48. Lunch with the Drawdy Family; 49. Shower hostesses: Mandy, Karla, Melissa, Patti and Amanda - Thanks friends!; 50. Lingerie and sex talks; 51. My sister Lea who handled the wedding details for us - even the hard ones; 52. Kissing my Hampy's head in person; 53. Seeing Benton play with his faves...josh and joe; 54. New Church; 55. Extended stay in Sumter; 56. My boys visits with their friends; 57. Late night with Missy and Karla; 58. Madea; 59. Scott getting to attend Orange Conference; 60. Wedding preparations coming together; 61. A week at Edisto Beach; 62. Meeting and sharing time with Johnny and Donna Smith; 63. 3rd chances on tests and understanding nursing professors; 64. passing exams; 65. Makela McAlpin, Abbie Geddings, Terri Jowers, Carrie McLeod, and Ashley Brokop for sharing their talents; 64. A perfectly beautiful Wedding; 66. being witness to my daughter's first kiss; 67. placing Makenzie's hand in Tyler's with complete trust; 68. seeing them off at the airport; 69. Goodbyes - even though they hurt; 70. safe flights; 71. A place to call home in Botswana......
The list could go on and on - How can I ever stop signing HIS PRAISE!! ~ Tonya