2013 - A Year in Review

I can barely wrap my mind around the fact that we have been back in the states for 5 months.

I have done a poor job of blogging since our return, so here's an attempt to catch up:

Praise God for His goodness, mercies and provisions in 2013

When I look back over 2013, I am once again overwhelmed by the goodness of our Lord!

In January: We were blessed to be with family to bring in the New Year. We got to spend a weekend in Tennessee to reunite with a special group of friends. We returned to Botswana to complete our 3-year term. The kids got back in school and we got right back into ministry – Scott preaching at 2 different churches and me leading Woman’s ministry.

In February: While we were busy readjusting to life in Botswana, Scott preached every Sunday and had the privilege to return to SC to be a part of the Millbrook Baptist Missions Conference. I had to opportunity to go to Lobatse Baptist and teach the ladies some basic sewing skills.

In March: Scott returned from SC. We had a 3 day getaway to Bufflesport with our missionary friends. We led a Sunday School training and made preparations for the 1st ReFresh Teacher’s Conference.

In April: We welcomed our dear friends, Karla and Lisa. We spent 3 days in Kasane – got to visit Vic Falls and did an Evening Boat Safari on the Chobe. We hosted the ReFresh Teacher’s Conference for over 350 teachers from all over Botswana. We said goodbye to a precious missionary – Clay and to our dear friends and fellow missionaries – The Barkers. We led 2 Children Ministry training sessions and welcomed Mark Partin from Alice Drive. We spent a week showing Mark the ministry, working toward the completion of the Feeding station in Old Naledi, and seeing the preschool ministry in Mosojane.

In May: We celebrated Makenzie’s graduation via Skype (one of the hardest parts of being a missionary overseas - missing the big life events). We welcomed our 2 summer interns – Joe and Abbie. We served at the GBC after-school program. We ran a Sunday School training at OBC. We welcomed Shan Rose (a dear friend with DEEP ministries). Shan helped us prep for the MBC mission team that came the end of May. Together with the MBC team we ran our 3rd VBS in Gakuto village. We hosted our 1st woman’s conference in Gakuto thanks to Janet Jenkins & Living Hope Missions. God made clear our direction forward – to keep doing ministry in Botswana but live in the USA.

In June: We said goodbye to MBC team. We welcomed our friends the Davis home from their furlough. We added a precious family – The Whites – to our home (who we were blessed to walk our last 6 weeks of life in Botswana beside – both discovering a new meaning of “walking by faith”). We started a Bible Study/small group in our home with the Gakuto Youth. We travelled to Mosojane to serve and say our goodbyes in that village.

In July: We said goodbye to Joe and Abbie. We hosted a teacher’s conference in Lobatse. We learned that God had provided a place for us to live in Aiken, SC. The body of Christ, through Millbrook Baptist, set the entire house up for us. We said lots of goodbyes and continued to pray for direction for our future ministry. One week before we departed Botswana, God made clear our direction - to return to SC to serve as faith-based missionaries with Christ Central Ministries in Aiken. We packed up 4 boxes, 12 suitcases, 6 carry-on bags and said our sad goodbyes as we completed our 3 year mission. We were welcomed stateside by our families and spent the 1st week at home at Edisto Beach.

In August: We registered the kids in their new schools. We tried to adjust to a new pace of life. We celebrated all God had done in and through us with our church family in Sumter, Alice Drive Baptist. We began meeting, planning, and praying with our new mission family at Christ Central. We watched our kids re-enter the American school system and find their place in life and church (which was by far one of the hardest parts of returning).

In September: Scott began leading/teaching a GED program every Saturday. He was able to help 6 people get their GED before the end of the year. Josh and Joe began playing football. Chandler began mentoring/tutoring a 9-year-old boy through the Christ Central Mentoring Program. We began making preparations for the opening of Hope Center – the building we will direct ministries out of. I met with and observed “Prosperity Project” in Columbia to begin preparations for the after-school program at Hope Center. Josh and Joe began an after-school reading program. Parker continued to find his way in Middle School and began going to youth group on Wednesday evenings.

In October: We continued to meet and pray weekly with the Christ Central Team. Scott continued the GED program. I began a Bible Study for Ladies (mostly single mother’s of kids that attend Christ Central) – teaching “Money Matters”. Josh & Joe finished their football season with a win. We had lots of meetings and did lots of networking. The kids got their 1st report cards (which were all good) and we celebrated our first Halloween back in the states.

In November: Parker went to an adventure Camp with a Friend. We finished up our “money matters” class and began a “servesafe” class with the ladies. We made a trip to Columbia to observe the free dental clinic and make some preparations for the clinic that will be on-site in Hope Center. We registered all of the Christ Central kids and helped connect Christmas Sponsors for every one of them. We celebrated Thanksgiving with our kids and family. We found out we are going to be GRAND PARENTS – we are thrilled!!

In December: Scott completed his 1st year of his Masters program with North Greenville. Of course he has a ‘A’ average and looks forward to finishing in 2014. I was blessed with the opportunity to return to Botswana to be a part of a ladies conference, host the youth for dinner, and run a Christmas event for the kids of Gakuto. It was strange to return as a visitor instead of a resident. I am so grateful to able to keep the relationships going that were established during our time there. My precious 'african' daughter, Elizabeth, travelled for 3 days by bus to come and see me (What a sweet reunion). In Aiken we prepared our home for Christmas. We took all of the moms from our Money Matters Class shopping for their kids for Christmas (thanks to the sponsors). We distributed Christmas gifts for 19 families that sponsors had provided. We worked hard to get Hope Center building completed and ready for the Grand Opening on February 3, 2014. We celebrated Christmas with both of our families and had all of our children together on Christmas Morning.

We give God all the Glory for the things He has done. We look forward to 2014 and what He will do in and through us. Please continue to pray for our family, the work at Hope Center/Christ Central Aiken, and the ministry and people of Botswana. Pray for clear direction and discernment as we plan and prepare for 2014.

Thank you all for being a part of our ministry. Your love, prayers, encouragement, and financial support mean the world to us.

Much love - Tonya