Please excuse me if my pronunciation isn't quite what it should be.... I had to use a website called Babelfish to translate from English to Spanish! It is certainly quite bad for my proverbial 'head' when I find out that people from all over the world (if not the universe!.... 'gogle boogle' for anyone from another planet!) but very nice to hear :-) I hope everyone is ok, and enjoying my inherent babblings!
On Thursday it was too windy to venture up the tree, so I helped Aunty Christine start the Sunday School prize packs. We counted everything and tried to decided what extra stuff (brilliant word that any English Teacher worth their salt would tell you off for using!) we would need to buy. This is the first year that they have been short on things, so we had to buy stationary and some toys, clothes and so on. This is the part I spiel off a great sob story about all the poor little kids round here to whom a simple toy is such a great privilege, giving them so many hours pleasure, while we have so much stuff (!) we do not know what to do with it all.... so come on guys, just give a pound a month! I should do an advert an' all. Seriously though, If you have any old things you cannot abide to look at any more, there is a container that comes out once a year!
On Friday I went with Aunty Christine and Uncle Colin to Gaborone, the capital of this semi-arid land. I wanted to travel in the back as it large and I would have the whole space to myself! I had a couple of mattresses and a blanket, but after awhile I was too busy enjoying myself to sleep! Amongst other delectable sightings I saw a battered up old donkey cart that had the noble wording 'Ambulance' on the side! How fast that would go I am not sure! and it must be an abismally uncomfortable ride. I also saw a couple of guys gutting and cutting up a (dead!) cow right by the side of the road, obviously someone had run it over.... if you can actually run a cow over! I went to a shop to buy a present for my Dad... the main reason I went, so I hope it is good enough for ya Dad! It was a miserable day all day.... but I was sure there were many people who were thankful of the cooler temperature, so I couldn't really pray for sunshine! We were mainly there to get the monthly shop... fancy traveling nearly four hours and back for the monthly shop anyone?! and extra things for the Prize-giving. We went to a few stores before lunch but I had to stay in the car as we had quite a few things of value in it. I read and reread the international express.... So now I know all about the life of Kenneth Greene ( The guy who wrote Wind in the Willows) and 'The impact on Soldiers families as they (the Soldiers) returned from the second World War!
On Monday some guys came round to finish off the tree, instead of faffing around with all that scaffolding, Uncle Colin decided to get two men in who said they could take the tree down by climbing it and using a harness. We cleared all the branches and brush as they brought down the tree, it certainly came down a lot quicker!
On Wednesday Aunty Christine and I walked to the shops to get the food Andy and I would need for our trip, and then I just helped Aunty Christine with bags and so on.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Odds and bits
Hello all! Sorry this has been quite a while in the coming, I really have no excuse! How long has it been since I last wrote on here? A week and a bit I think… trying to think of all that has happened since then is pretty hard! Maybe if I work backwards, it could be quite a bit easier! Yesterday we started taking down a big tree in the next door neighbours garden, Uncle Colin killed it off a few months ago as it is far too big, it must be nearly 30metres! The only way to bring it down is to erect scaffolding up to each branch, bring that down, and then take it all down to move it around to the next branch! We are having to take the scaffolding up pretty high, I will add some pictures! It is good fun, but very tiring, and quite shaky work. It was over 40c today, so it was pretty hard working in the sun, especially glaring up into the sun, concentrating on cutting branches down while you balance on a tower around 10metres high!
On Monday I went with Uncle Colin to Francistown to get shopping for Aunty Christine. It was a really good journey up, seeing different sights on the way. We listened to Ministry by Grandad and others on the way up and back down again, so that was good. I went to the shopping centre while U/ Colin went to sort out the scaffolding which he was buying. It was quite strange wondering round the shop looking for all the food we needed, but it wasn’t too bad. One of the best things about living out here is the price of Cans is a LOT cheaper! it costs about 29p for a can, and it is the real business! Helps to keep your fluid intake up when cans of coke are so cheap :-P It was seriously hot on Monday as well, any metal I touched, or even the car seat was too hot really. As I was taking my shopping back to the car, this old man walked up and started talking to me, he obviously worked in the car park and he took my trolley off me saying he would take it to the car if I just went ahead and opened it. He was very nice but I wasn’t sure if he worked there or was just trying to take some of my shopping. I know it sounds very bad of me to think that, but it is really unfortunate that things like that can happen and it spoils it for everyone else who just wants to earn some money. We had a good chat about the weather and other such important things, and I gave him 4pula to say thank you. People like him would probably have worked in the car park and survived solely on tips. It really brings it home to you out here, here am I, comparatively rich just because I happened to be born in a certain country, and there are so many people out here who could live on the money that it cost me to buy this laptop. It does feel uncomfortable sometimes, thinking about so much that I have, so much that I take for granted, but how do you help people without being snobbish and condescending? Even thinking about the fortunate position I have makes me feel condescending! I was reading a book about a man called George Alagiah, You might have heard of him, He was the BBC’s correspondent to Africa for quite a while and has covered Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa and many more places. He goes into quite a lot of detail about the foreigners stance in Africa, and tells graphic stories about starvation, genocide and corruption. I know you might be sat reading this thinking “o, he is only young and idealistic” but the only way we lose our good ideals is by becoming old and boring, and since I cannot do anything about become old, I will just have to stay clear of being boring won’t I!! But seriously, as I sit here writing on my laptop, with my nice new MP4player by my side, and my comfortable clothes on… how many people are starving under the same sky? How many people are suffering pain? It just makes me uncomfortable as a Christian that’s all. I know it is all easy to say for us who don’t have to worry about the next meal, and it can be seen as petty foolishness, but I would like to make some difference.
Anyway, back to the time log! On Monday night we had the most amazing storm! It was SOOO cool! In both senses of the word :-P I stood outside on the porch for about 15mins and watched the rain and thunder, it made quite a show. As I was sat in my room just as the storm started, I was looking out of the window and I saw a ball of lightening hurtle down and hit the electric fence we have around the property! It was quite an experience! As the lightening hit, the fence alarm started (naturally!) the electricity when off for a bit and the house alarm went off! But it was really nice sitting up late just watching the rain come down. I definitely prefer the mix out here, lots of sun and what rain we get is a real treat instead of lots of rain and the minute amount of sun we get being a real treat!
Only Sunday I wasn’t feeling too well, some sort of blues I suppose! I had a bit of a headache and so on, was probably a pressure headache since we had rain that night.
Uncle Colin got back on Saturday night which was good, he had brought a screen cover and a plastic case for my Mp4 player (yes, more unnecessary buying!) which was good as it was getting a bit scratched! I didn’t do much on Saturday I don’t think, it was pretty hot all day. I did have a lie in which was a good start to the day!
On Friday I walked to the shops with Aunty Christine, we took Ethan in his pushchair, so that was good exercise. Then I went with Beth to the shops again to get some stuff we still need for the prize giving, we didn’t manage to get much, so if you want to fly out with some gifts for the kids feel free!
I am sorry, but I cannot really remember what I did in the days before Friday, I’m sure I worked very hard and all that!
Can I just ask for a small matter in prayer. A friend of my Uncle and Aunty has just been given one-three months to live because of cancer, she has just had their third child. Please pray for this family, none of us know God's mind, but we know he can heal, so it must be worth our prayers huh?
I really hope this has been interesting, I know there is a lot more that I can say, but if I leave it, maybe it will encourage me to do another one soon!
Have a good life y’all
On Monday I went with Uncle Colin to Francistown to get shopping for Aunty Christine. It was a really good journey up, seeing different sights on the way. We listened to Ministry by Grandad and others on the way up and back down again, so that was good. I went to the shopping centre while U/ Colin went to sort out the scaffolding which he was buying. It was quite strange wondering round the shop looking for all the food we needed, but it wasn’t too bad. One of the best things about living out here is the price of Cans is a LOT cheaper! it costs about 29p for a can, and it is the real business! Helps to keep your fluid intake up when cans of coke are so cheap :-P It was seriously hot on Monday as well, any metal I touched, or even the car seat was too hot really. As I was taking my shopping back to the car, this old man walked up and started talking to me, he obviously worked in the car park and he took my trolley off me saying he would take it to the car if I just went ahead and opened it. He was very nice but I wasn’t sure if he worked there or was just trying to take some of my shopping. I know it sounds very bad of me to think that, but it is really unfortunate that things like that can happen and it spoils it for everyone else who just wants to earn some money. We had a good chat about the weather and other such important things, and I gave him 4pula to say thank you. People like him would probably have worked in the car park and survived solely on tips. It really brings it home to you out here, here am I, comparatively rich just because I happened to be born in a certain country, and there are so many people out here who could live on the money that it cost me to buy this laptop. It does feel uncomfortable sometimes, thinking about so much that I have, so much that I take for granted, but how do you help people without being snobbish and condescending? Even thinking about the fortunate position I have makes me feel condescending! I was reading a book about a man called George Alagiah, You might have heard of him, He was the BBC’s correspondent to Africa for quite a while and has covered Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa and many more places. He goes into quite a lot of detail about the foreigners stance in Africa, and tells graphic stories about starvation, genocide and corruption. I know you might be sat reading this thinking “o, he is only young and idealistic” but the only way we lose our good ideals is by becoming old and boring, and since I cannot do anything about become old, I will just have to stay clear of being boring won’t I!! But seriously, as I sit here writing on my laptop, with my nice new MP4player by my side, and my comfortable clothes on… how many people are starving under the same sky? How many people are suffering pain? It just makes me uncomfortable as a Christian that’s all. I know it is all easy to say for us who don’t have to worry about the next meal, and it can be seen as petty foolishness, but I would like to make some difference.
Anyway, back to the time log! On Monday night we had the most amazing storm! It was SOOO cool! In both senses of the word :-P I stood outside on the porch for about 15mins and watched the rain and thunder, it made quite a show. As I was sat in my room just as the storm started, I was looking out of the window and I saw a ball of lightening hurtle down and hit the electric fence we have around the property! It was quite an experience! As the lightening hit, the fence alarm started (naturally!) the electricity when off for a bit and the house alarm went off! But it was really nice sitting up late just watching the rain come down. I definitely prefer the mix out here, lots of sun and what rain we get is a real treat instead of lots of rain and the minute amount of sun we get being a real treat!
Only Sunday I wasn’t feeling too well, some sort of blues I suppose! I had a bit of a headache and so on, was probably a pressure headache since we had rain that night.
Uncle Colin got back on Saturday night which was good, he had brought a screen cover and a plastic case for my Mp4 player (yes, more unnecessary buying!) which was good as it was getting a bit scratched! I didn’t do much on Saturday I don’t think, it was pretty hot all day. I did have a lie in which was a good start to the day!
On Friday I walked to the shops with Aunty Christine, we took Ethan in his pushchair, so that was good exercise. Then I went with Beth to the shops again to get some stuff we still need for the prize giving, we didn’t manage to get much, so if you want to fly out with some gifts for the kids feel free!
I am sorry, but I cannot really remember what I did in the days before Friday, I’m sure I worked very hard and all that!
Can I just ask for a small matter in prayer. A friend of my Uncle and Aunty has just been given one-three months to live because of cancer, she has just had their third child. Please pray for this family, none of us know God's mind, but we know he can heal, so it must be worth our prayers huh?
I really hope this has been interesting, I know there is a lot more that I can say, but if I leave it, maybe it will encourage me to do another one soon!
Have a good life y’all
Sunday, 12 October 2008
First things first, I would like to take this opportunity (don't all good speeches start that way?!) to apologise for the delay in writing on here, since I last wrote the Internet failed for nearly four days (yes, EVEN in the middle of Africa such things happen!), so I have been unavoidable delayed!
I am not sure whether I mentioned that Aunty Christine came home on Monday night, so that has been nice, someone to make sure the washing is done properly and keep the food at a decent level!
On Tuesday I had the day off, so we spent the morning talking and sorting through the things A/ Christine had brought back with her, My Mummy had sent me a nice big chocolate bar which was well received!
We suddenly realised on Tuesday that my visa was running out the next day, and I needed a new one! So we rushed off to the immigration office, but it was SUUCH a hassle getting it sorted! The dude behind the counter originally told me I would need to go back to the UK and then fly in again to be eligible for another 30 days! Then he got all moody when we told him I was doing some voluntary work for the 'church'! I told him the woman at the border had told me I could just have another 30 days, and Andy said that if we couldn't get it from him, we would just travel back to the border again! After that he got a bit flustered and changed his tune (He now started singing 'Bright eyes', I don't know why! Joke btw), He then said Andy had to write a letter stating that I was his visitor, and I had to fill in a long form all about how much money I had and whether I had any diseases or anything! We had to go back on Wednesday and fill it in, I was kinda hoping that he wouldn't stamp my form then we would have had to go to the border and I might have got a mini safari out of it!
On Tuesday afternoon some guys appeared with the roof sheets for the new hall, so we had to supervise that. The way the roof sheets fit together meant that each one had to be PERFECT, not a dent on the rim, but low and behold most of them were badly damaged! So the guys stacked them in a corner and they were meant to be coming back the next day to sort them out, but they haven't been back yet! The way things are done out here is totally different.
On Saturday Beth and I (c.... gud grammer cumin thru their mum!) went for a walk along the dam wall again, we went all the way along this time and saw a guy wading right out into the middle of the dam to check his nets, at one point he called us in for a swim! On the way back we took a different route home, along the pipe line back to palapye. At one point we came across a section where they (don't ask who 'they' were, just builders I suppose!) were installing something, and had made a pretty mess of the track. After asking which way we were meant to go, we were told that the JCB was clearing us a path through! After managing to struggle through, we then watched a Toyota( that can be said backwards! A Toyota!) corolla get stuck! Quite an experience.
Sorry this is quite short, I am pretty tired and cannot think straight for the nice comfortable bed behind me!
I am not sure whether I mentioned that Aunty Christine came home on Monday night, so that has been nice, someone to make sure the washing is done properly and keep the food at a decent level!
On Tuesday I had the day off, so we spent the morning talking and sorting through the things A/ Christine had brought back with her, My Mummy had sent me a nice big chocolate bar which was well received!
We suddenly realised on Tuesday that my visa was running out the next day, and I needed a new one! So we rushed off to the immigration office, but it was SUUCH a hassle getting it sorted! The dude behind the counter originally told me I would need to go back to the UK and then fly in again to be eligible for another 30 days! Then he got all moody when we told him I was doing some voluntary work for the 'church'! I told him the woman at the border had told me I could just have another 30 days, and Andy said that if we couldn't get it from him, we would just travel back to the border again! After that he got a bit flustered and changed his tune (He now started singing 'Bright eyes', I don't know why! Joke btw), He then said Andy had to write a letter stating that I was his visitor, and I had to fill in a long form all about how much money I had and whether I had any diseases or anything! We had to go back on Wednesday and fill it in, I was kinda hoping that he wouldn't stamp my form then we would have had to go to the border and I might have got a mini safari out of it!
On Tuesday afternoon some guys appeared with the roof sheets for the new hall, so we had to supervise that. The way the roof sheets fit together meant that each one had to be PERFECT, not a dent on the rim, but low and behold most of them were badly damaged! So the guys stacked them in a corner and they were meant to be coming back the next day to sort them out, but they haven't been back yet! The way things are done out here is totally different.
On Saturday Beth and I (c.... gud grammer cumin thru their mum!) went for a walk along the dam wall again, we went all the way along this time and saw a guy wading right out into the middle of the dam to check his nets, at one point he called us in for a swim! On the way back we took a different route home, along the pipe line back to palapye. At one point we came across a section where they (don't ask who 'they' were, just builders I suppose!) were installing something, and had made a pretty mess of the track. After asking which way we were meant to go, we were told that the JCB was clearing us a path through! After managing to struggle through, we then watched a Toyota( that can be said backwards! A Toyota!) corolla get stuck! Quite an experience.
Sorry this is quite short, I am pretty tired and cannot think straight for the nice comfortable bed behind me!
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Pictures!
In my excitement over the heady number of people reading my blog, I forgot to add the pictures! And I also forgot to spell check it, so please forgive all the mistakes!
This is a thorn about the same size as the ones I got in my foot... Though it isn't quite as big as it looks! probably about 2inches long on each barb, which is long enough!
This Is my beloved pickup filled with thorns for the tip
Here I am showing off my boots
Me pretending to work!
This is a thorn about the same size as the ones I got in my foot... Though it isn't quite as big as it looks! probably about 2inches long on each barb, which is long enough!
This Is my beloved pickup filled with thorns for the tip
Here I am showing off my boots
Me pretending to work!
Gosh this is getting popular!
"Hello all you people, come gather round".... a slight variance on an old song only our older readers will get! I will have to be more careful about what I say, honestly, I know how celebrities feel now! At first I could be free with my thoughts, but now I have a large(ish!) audience, I will have to take care who I offend!
Lol(a phrase for any younger readers), I have been reading boris Johnson's exerpt in the weekly telegraph, if I could see my blog as anywhere near as interesting as his written doodlings, I would feel immensely proud!
On saterday I woke seriously late (9am) after which it felt like the day was wasted! Maybe I am getting too used to being up early and in bed early. I was cooking for lunch (beef curry) so Tefo and I went out to the shops. I managed to park my beloved pickup pretty badly of which I was quite proud! I am thinking of making a sign that says 'rubbish at parking and proud of it!'! On saterday afternoon I really didn't feel like doing much, so I just sat around and read readers digest, I found some really interesting articles about people who went abroad, sometimes with no plan and hardly any money, to help people. I would really like to do that, I know I am helping out here, but I want to make a real differance to people's lives, to eliviate some of the suffering in the world. When we think about what we consider 'necessities', and the money that we could do without, do we really need it? Here in Botswana people are having it hard, but even here it is a lot better than in many places. I suppose the christian way is to stop talking about things like this and actually do something to help someone in our own area, before we try and conquer the world!
On Sunday we had the usual meetings, in the sunday school I managed to embarrass one of the little girls in front of her friends! She had walked past a few days early with some other friends from school, and had stopped to talk to me, she was pretty good at english! So when I saw her at sunday school I asked her what school she went to, I don't know whether she had told the friends she was with that she had been talking to me a few days before, but as soon as I turned round to her, all her friends burst out laughing and she hid behind someone else! So yeh! I was tempted to ask if I could get her picture just to make it even worse... But I didn't think I could do that on a Sunday!
After my observation the other day about girls being girls the world over.. I have found out that little boys have the same imprint all over the place. As I was cleaning the outdoor assembly area while the classes were going on, a little boy walked out of one of the classrooms, and instead of walking to the toilet which was three doors away, because he thought no one was watching, he did it round the corner on the concrete! I mean no harm to any well brought up little boys who would rather die than do that... but it is a little boy thing to think of!
On monday morning Tefo and I started work by clearing a load of dead thorn branches from a neighbours garden. I know it sounds foolish, but I didn't really think to put on anything but my (reasonably substantial) work sandals. I put my right foot down as I moved back towards the pile and I got a HUUGE thorn (picture provided) right through my sandal into my foot. So I jumped off that foot and put all my weight on my left foot, only to find there was an even bigger thorn in that one that went right through my foot to the bone :-( It hurt SOOOO much, it still burns. You know when something grates against a bone? Gosh I was fed up. Then we took all the branches to the tip which is basically a big area of ground with... rubbish all over the place! A lot of people scavenge on the tip, I bet they get a lot of stuff, but it can't be a nice way to live.
We have started the carpentry work needed in the bedroom area next to the workshop. I have got Tefo into Abba, so we both sing along with great gusto!
Andy (My cousin, have to think of these details now my blog is read by more than my Mum and Dad! incidently, why do you usually write a thank you letter for instance, 'Dear Aunty Betty and Uncle Bob' (not saying that is the way I address all thank you letters, just ones to 'Aunty Betty and Uncle Bob'!) instead of 'Uncle Bob and Aunty Betty'? Is it because the Aunty, or Nana, or 'Aunty Grace (the lady who never was your Aunty, your Mum just made you call her Aunty for some reason) is the one who puts all the thought into your presant so deserves to come first?! Anyway... back to the subject in hand!) has got clients over for tea, so he did a braai (see last installment). They are from Germany and are travelling round some pretty impressive places, I feel like asking them if they want a nice young companion to compliment their trip! or do the washing :-P ( :-P is an emoticon that anyone over the age of 35 should NOT get the significance of, as if you do, it means you text too much, and use too much text slang and that knowledge will show you up)
I have been looking at Faith lately. When reading through the account of the Children of Isreal in the desert, it seems as if they had so little faith, yet I know I cannot judge, because so many times God has done something wonderful in my life, yet I still question the path, question what is going on. I suppose in the case of the Isrealites we can read it all in one go, we KNOW what happens next. I am not saying their lack of faith was all alright, but I can be just the same, and need to learn the same lessons of trust they did. Faith and Trust seem to get more and more important as I try and progress in my life for the Lord, Without the faith to rest in him, and the trust to know he has big plans for me, I know I won't ever achieve my potential. Still pretty hard though! Quite a struggle.
On a higher note, can anyone (young or old!) tell me where the line "Goodbye sweet dear, for I must needs be gone" is from?!
Lol(a phrase for any younger readers), I have been reading boris Johnson's exerpt in the weekly telegraph, if I could see my blog as anywhere near as interesting as his written doodlings, I would feel immensely proud!
On saterday I woke seriously late (9am) after which it felt like the day was wasted! Maybe I am getting too used to being up early and in bed early. I was cooking for lunch (beef curry) so Tefo and I went out to the shops. I managed to park my beloved pickup pretty badly of which I was quite proud! I am thinking of making a sign that says 'rubbish at parking and proud of it!'! On saterday afternoon I really didn't feel like doing much, so I just sat around and read readers digest, I found some really interesting articles about people who went abroad, sometimes with no plan and hardly any money, to help people. I would really like to do that, I know I am helping out here, but I want to make a real differance to people's lives, to eliviate some of the suffering in the world. When we think about what we consider 'necessities', and the money that we could do without, do we really need it? Here in Botswana people are having it hard, but even here it is a lot better than in many places. I suppose the christian way is to stop talking about things like this and actually do something to help someone in our own area, before we try and conquer the world!
On Sunday we had the usual meetings, in the sunday school I managed to embarrass one of the little girls in front of her friends! She had walked past a few days early with some other friends from school, and had stopped to talk to me, she was pretty good at english! So when I saw her at sunday school I asked her what school she went to, I don't know whether she had told the friends she was with that she had been talking to me a few days before, but as soon as I turned round to her, all her friends burst out laughing and she hid behind someone else! So yeh! I was tempted to ask if I could get her picture just to make it even worse... But I didn't think I could do that on a Sunday!
After my observation the other day about girls being girls the world over.. I have found out that little boys have the same imprint all over the place. As I was cleaning the outdoor assembly area while the classes were going on, a little boy walked out of one of the classrooms, and instead of walking to the toilet which was three doors away, because he thought no one was watching, he did it round the corner on the concrete! I mean no harm to any well brought up little boys who would rather die than do that... but it is a little boy thing to think of!
On monday morning Tefo and I started work by clearing a load of dead thorn branches from a neighbours garden. I know it sounds foolish, but I didn't really think to put on anything but my (reasonably substantial) work sandals. I put my right foot down as I moved back towards the pile and I got a HUUGE thorn (picture provided) right through my sandal into my foot. So I jumped off that foot and put all my weight on my left foot, only to find there was an even bigger thorn in that one that went right through my foot to the bone :-( It hurt SOOOO much, it still burns. You know when something grates against a bone? Gosh I was fed up. Then we took all the branches to the tip which is basically a big area of ground with... rubbish all over the place! A lot of people scavenge on the tip, I bet they get a lot of stuff, but it can't be a nice way to live.
We have started the carpentry work needed in the bedroom area next to the workshop. I have got Tefo into Abba, so we both sing along with great gusto!
Andy (My cousin, have to think of these details now my blog is read by more than my Mum and Dad! incidently, why do you usually write a thank you letter for instance, 'Dear Aunty Betty and Uncle Bob' (not saying that is the way I address all thank you letters, just ones to 'Aunty Betty and Uncle Bob'!) instead of 'Uncle Bob and Aunty Betty'? Is it because the Aunty, or Nana, or 'Aunty Grace (the lady who never was your Aunty, your Mum just made you call her Aunty for some reason) is the one who puts all the thought into your presant so deserves to come first?! Anyway... back to the subject in hand!) has got clients over for tea, so he did a braai (see last installment). They are from Germany and are travelling round some pretty impressive places, I feel like asking them if they want a nice young companion to compliment their trip! or do the washing :-P ( :-P is an emoticon that anyone over the age of 35 should NOT get the significance of, as if you do, it means you text too much, and use too much text slang and that knowledge will show you up)
I have been looking at Faith lately. When reading through the account of the Children of Isreal in the desert, it seems as if they had so little faith, yet I know I cannot judge, because so many times God has done something wonderful in my life, yet I still question the path, question what is going on. I suppose in the case of the Isrealites we can read it all in one go, we KNOW what happens next. I am not saying their lack of faith was all alright, but I can be just the same, and need to learn the same lessons of trust they did. Faith and Trust seem to get more and more important as I try and progress in my life for the Lord, Without the faith to rest in him, and the trust to know he has big plans for me, I know I won't ever achieve my potential. Still pretty hard though! Quite a struggle.
On a higher note, can anyone (young or old!) tell me where the line "Goodbye sweet dear, for I must needs be gone" is from?!
Friday, 3 October 2008
Excitement!
First off, I would like to apologise for not posting on here sooner, I have been pretty tired for the past few nights and sitting for long stretches at a hot laptop trying to think of witty things to say sounded a bit daunting!
On Monday Tefo and I washed all the vehicles ready for our big trips out on Tuesday and Wednesday, We slacked a bit after that I am afraid to say!
On Tuesday we were up early, around 6.30, to get ready to go to Francistown, I was happy because we had decided to take my beloved pick up instead of the landie, so I got to travel in the open back with some of the others! We had a really good time on the way there, going 120kph for over two hours! I bought drinks and sweets and we all settled down and watched all the crazy drivers go past! At one point we were in a queue of around 30cars, whenever there was a gap in the oncoming traffic, about 10cars would just appear out of the queue and dodge back in wherever there was a space! As we came into Francistown, we saw a coach broken down in the middle lane of a roundabout, which was quite a sight! It was pretty windy travelling like that, and my face was numb when we arrived!
We had five hours of ministry throughout the day, there was a guy from Wales, a missionary living in Francistown and one of the local believers all speaking (not all at once!) Actually, it was only 2 and a half hours because it was all with interpreters! We had a normal Setswana lunch, consisting of beans, chicken, and so on.
The way back was even more of an experience as it was pitch black and pretty dark at times! We could just see lights as a car came speeding up behind us!
Then on Wednesday morning we drove over to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, I got to drive over there, thinking I would have to relinquish my lovely vehicle to someone else to drive around the sanctuary, but to my complete joy and happiness I got to drive around as well! I had my first experience overtaking on the way there, which I didn’t tell Andy till after we got there!
I found it really good fun to drive on the sand around the sanctuary. It was pretty difficult at first, and quite tiring, but very rewarding! I didn’t get to look around as much as I would have liked to, but with around 8 people in the back, I didn’t want to take any risks! (ok, I did, but only fun ones!) At one point Andy warned me there was reasonably deep sand up ahead, and in a 2X2 with 10 people on board, this could have been a bit of a problem! But I just revved it up and FLOORED it all the way through! Really good fun! I forgot to tell the people in the back what was happening, due to adrenaline rush, so I think a few of them got a shock! Andy said that I did really good though, which was high praise indeed!
We saw Rhino really close, a giraffe, ostrich, kori bustard, wildebeest, antelope and quite a bit more. Dimpho ( Andy’s other ’arf) said she saw a rat caught in a spider’s web, which would have made SUUUCH a cool picture!
On the way back I was driving away from a police check point just outside Serowe, when I saw a coach ( which was meant to be travelling at 100kph) overtaking the bakkie behind me at nearly 140kph! I have to say I didn’t want him overtaking me, so I sped up a bit (just a bit!), but within a km or so he had overtaken me, by the time I was halfway back, he was way out of sight! The buses try to get from Serowe to Gabarone and back in a day, which is physically impossible at the legal speed, so they all step on it a bit!
On Wednesday night we had a Braai with all the young people (and some of the old) at the hall, Andy had a pretty impressive Braai going, and I joined him in turning the meat. It was unbelievably hot, we were soaking ourselves down with water, and within 10-15 minutes we were dry as a bone again. It was really good fun though, all the people out here like their steak burnt to a crisp, so I was lucky I was cooking as I got to pick the choicest piece and cook it medium rare… perfect it was! I have to say though, I have NEVER had anything so delicious as the water I was drinking while I was cooking, it was gooorgeous. Purely because I was so thirsty! After we had finished I cooked myself some marshmallows on a stick over the fire and relaxed, it was a pretty good night to be living!
Nothing much to report since then, We managed to get most of the work done at the hall, which I am pretty happy about. So we start on some work we have to do over on this side on Monday.
I have been thinking a lot lately about my responsibility to the Lord, I am reading through the Old testament and a lot of the earlier O/testament is about giving to the Lord, as priests mainly. It really struck me that if I want to be serious about my life for the Lord, I am living my live as a priest and should take the responsibilities and privileges that go along with that. Sacrificing to the Lord, keeping myself clean and pure for the ‘temple work’ and giving him the very best. I suppose it is the difference between the marathon runner out there for the record, and the guy who goes along for the laugh, both of them are living the life, training for the marathon, but for one it overrule everything, for the other it is part of life, but never the most important.
Please continue to pray for me out here, mainly that I will be able to carry on working as it gets hotter, I already feel like spending the day reading a book!
On Monday Tefo and I washed all the vehicles ready for our big trips out on Tuesday and Wednesday, We slacked a bit after that I am afraid to say!
On Tuesday we were up early, around 6.30, to get ready to go to Francistown, I was happy because we had decided to take my beloved pick up instead of the landie, so I got to travel in the open back with some of the others! We had a really good time on the way there, going 120kph for over two hours! I bought drinks and sweets and we all settled down and watched all the crazy drivers go past! At one point we were in a queue of around 30cars, whenever there was a gap in the oncoming traffic, about 10cars would just appear out of the queue and dodge back in wherever there was a space! As we came into Francistown, we saw a coach broken down in the middle lane of a roundabout, which was quite a sight! It was pretty windy travelling like that, and my face was numb when we arrived!
We had five hours of ministry throughout the day, there was a guy from Wales, a missionary living in Francistown and one of the local believers all speaking (not all at once!) Actually, it was only 2 and a half hours because it was all with interpreters! We had a normal Setswana lunch, consisting of beans, chicken, and so on.
The way back was even more of an experience as it was pitch black and pretty dark at times! We could just see lights as a car came speeding up behind us!
Then on Wednesday morning we drove over to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, I got to drive over there, thinking I would have to relinquish my lovely vehicle to someone else to drive around the sanctuary, but to my complete joy and happiness I got to drive around as well! I had my first experience overtaking on the way there, which I didn’t tell Andy till after we got there!
I found it really good fun to drive on the sand around the sanctuary. It was pretty difficult at first, and quite tiring, but very rewarding! I didn’t get to look around as much as I would have liked to, but with around 8 people in the back, I didn’t want to take any risks! (ok, I did, but only fun ones!) At one point Andy warned me there was reasonably deep sand up ahead, and in a 2X2 with 10 people on board, this could have been a bit of a problem! But I just revved it up and FLOORED it all the way through! Really good fun! I forgot to tell the people in the back what was happening, due to adrenaline rush, so I think a few of them got a shock! Andy said that I did really good though, which was high praise indeed!
We saw Rhino really close, a giraffe, ostrich, kori bustard, wildebeest, antelope and quite a bit more. Dimpho ( Andy’s other ’arf) said she saw a rat caught in a spider’s web, which would have made SUUUCH a cool picture!
On the way back I was driving away from a police check point just outside Serowe, when I saw a coach ( which was meant to be travelling at 100kph) overtaking the bakkie behind me at nearly 140kph! I have to say I didn’t want him overtaking me, so I sped up a bit (just a bit!), but within a km or so he had overtaken me, by the time I was halfway back, he was way out of sight! The buses try to get from Serowe to Gabarone and back in a day, which is physically impossible at the legal speed, so they all step on it a bit!
On Wednesday night we had a Braai with all the young people (and some of the old) at the hall, Andy had a pretty impressive Braai going, and I joined him in turning the meat. It was unbelievably hot, we were soaking ourselves down with water, and within 10-15 minutes we were dry as a bone again. It was really good fun though, all the people out here like their steak burnt to a crisp, so I was lucky I was cooking as I got to pick the choicest piece and cook it medium rare… perfect it was! I have to say though, I have NEVER had anything so delicious as the water I was drinking while I was cooking, it was gooorgeous. Purely because I was so thirsty! After we had finished I cooked myself some marshmallows on a stick over the fire and relaxed, it was a pretty good night to be living!
Nothing much to report since then, We managed to get most of the work done at the hall, which I am pretty happy about. So we start on some work we have to do over on this side on Monday.
I have been thinking a lot lately about my responsibility to the Lord, I am reading through the Old testament and a lot of the earlier O/testament is about giving to the Lord, as priests mainly. It really struck me that if I want to be serious about my life for the Lord, I am living my live as a priest and should take the responsibilities and privileges that go along with that. Sacrificing to the Lord, keeping myself clean and pure for the ‘temple work’ and giving him the very best. I suppose it is the difference between the marathon runner out there for the record, and the guy who goes along for the laugh, both of them are living the life, training for the marathon, but for one it overrule everything, for the other it is part of life, but never the most important.
Please continue to pray for me out here, mainly that I will be able to carry on working as it gets hotter, I already feel like spending the day reading a book!
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