Dumelang!
[I forgot to post this entry on this blog...so I will post it now. I will keep the date from when I wrote it and posted it on my other blog. For the latest post there, which I'll post here soon, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilyjc]
First off, I wanted to let everyone know some of the places I’ll be sharing once I’m back in the U.S.—
For Michigan friends:
I will be speaking at a couple churches in the Blue Water area, sharing about the ministry in Botswana:
Sunday, December 12 at Croswell Wesleyan Church for 10 minutes during each of the two services at 9:30 and 11:00 am. The church is located just on the way out of town to the west: 200 W. Peck Rd Croswell
Wednesday, December 15 at Grace Ministry Center in Port Huron for 45 minutes with time for questions and chatting afterwards. The presentation with stories, pictures and videos from Botswana will start at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, December 19 at Grace Ministry Center I will share the same 45 minute-hour presentation at 9:00 am in a classroom while the first service is going on, and then for a few minutes in the 10:30 am service.
Grace Ministry Center is located at the far end of the Outlet Mall off of Range Road—just off the Range Road exit on 94.
For Minnesota friends:
I will be making a short visit there when I will get my jaw checked out again at the specialist. I will be at the Lessons and Carols service at Messiah at 10:00 am January 2, and I will share a bit after the service. Messiah is located at 1631 Ford Parkway in St. Paul...just a block west of the Ford Parkway & Snelling Ave. intersection by the old water tower.
If you live nearby and it works out for you to come, it will be great to see you! Obviously, I’ll be around more than just those times, so if you really want to get together, let me know. I hope things can work out to see many of you!
Life in Botswana
Nothing too out of the ordinary has happened since I last wrote. We’ve had the holiday program going each day at the office for the Standard 7 (12-13 year olds). I shared one day about my accident and the testimony of God’s presence and healing touch. On Monday this week, I spoke on identity/worth and peer pressure (how having their identity and worth secure can help them withstand peer pressure).
On Fridays, we’ve still been visiting the hospital, talking and praying with the patients and also singing worship songs with guitar if the people in the ward are all awake and want us too. I’ve also been hanging out with the student from the local school who I’m driving to counseling in Gaborone. We had a good talk for about an hour a couple Saturdays ago, and last Saturday we played basketball together at the school. Today I’ll drive her in to her next counseling appointment.
Last Saturday was also the graduation for the daycare orphans & vulnerable children. It was quite the festivity, held here at the office. The little kids even wore graduation cap and gowns—too cute! They performed songs, skits, and dances as well.
The YFC National Directors from all over Africa are still here getting training (it will be a month long, not two weeks as I’d said before). I’ve had ample opportunity, therefore, to experience being a ‘bus driver,’ like my dad so thoroughly enjoyed. Last night, a car-full of them came over to our staff house to hang out and enjoy some fellowship.
Mosquito Net Analogy
Now the other day, I noticed a small lizard on the outside of my mosquito net which covers my bed. This makes me even more thankful for such a net and reminded me of an analogy I wrote up back in May, I believe, but have yet to share with you all. I hope you find it intriguing, and perhaps amusing:
God is my mosquito net (shield and protector)
So as I lay in my mosquito-netted bed the last few nights, I am serenaded by what sounds like a Nascar or Formula 1 car race with the sound of buzzing at different pitches. Though the mosquitos creating such Nascar sounds are but mere centimeters from my head, my heart does not fear and I can rest assured that due to my mosquito net, they cannot harm me. This brought to mind an analogy …that, though my enemies surround me on every side, the Lord is my shield and my defender. Therefore I can rest assured that they can do no lasting, eternal harm.
Yesterday’s Spurgeon devotional read, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night.” –Psalm 91:5. “He who promised to be a wall of fire around His people: who can break through such a barrier?” [Not mosquitos yo!]
Here is my new application of Psalm 27 –
“The Lord is the refuge of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers [mosquitos] assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall [whence they hit the mosquito net]. Though an army [of skeeters] encamp against me, my heart shall not fear…for He will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle [mosquito net tent]…Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me [and serenade me like Daytona 500 Nascar action].” –Psalm 27:1-3, 5-6
So yes, now I can be all the more thankful that the mosquito net also serves as a lizard net! And yes, some recent nights, the Nascar serenading action has been so loud, it has kept me awake and necessitated that I fall asleep with my headphones in, listening to music to try to drown it out. But at least my heart does not fear my flesh being eaten up!
Thanksgiving
Tomorrow, the seven of us living at the staff house have been invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with an American family who goes to our church and small group bible study. My mom and Chester (the faithful hound) are driving up to be with Ryan in Minnesota, so if you think of it, please pray for safe travels (I heard the roads in MN have been quite icy). Also, prayers are appreciated for us all, as this is the first Thanksgiving since Dad went to heaven and the first time I'm away too.
What will be forever etched in my memory was the prayer before Thanksgiving dinner last year, which we now know was our last all-together as a family:
As Mom, Dad, Ryan, and I held hands, we designated that Dad would pray. We closed our eyes. And waited. And waited… I glanced up to see Dad too choked up to speak, tears of gratitude welling in his eyes. He eventually was able to utter a short yet meaningful prayer of thanks to the Lord who had brought us together and provided for us.
I hope that you will share a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. I know I am thankful for all of your prayers and encouragement along this journey.
Blessings,
Em
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