7-13-00
Here I am in the President Hotel in Gaborone again. It seems as though I was just here; I can’t believe it’s been four years. At most it seems no more than a year.
In London I did the three things I had thought of doing: I went used-book shopping, tried to find something regarding Oasis for David, and went to the British Museum. I went to quite a few bookstores, but didn’t find anything. I did find a two-volume set of “The Life and Epistles of St. Paul” by Conybeare & Howson, from 1857, but with stiff pages and a £65 price tag (around $100 US), I passed. I almost bought some antique maps (they weren’t expensive at all), but talked myself out of it. All I found to do with Oasis was a “Melody Maker” cover story, so I got that for David.
The British Museum was great. I only got to spend a few hours there, which isn’t near enough. It is an antiquities museum; just incredible. Seeing objects that I’ve only seen or read about in books before: the black obelisk of Shalmaneser, out in the open, being able to get right up next to it, examine it and touch it. Wall panels of carved stone, from the Assyrian palace at Nimrud; various things from Nineveh; the coin from “render unto Cæsar”; part of a carved column (with various figures) from the temple of “Artemis (Diana) of the Ephesians”; Roman busts of various Cæsars (including Titus); an inscribed stone commemorating Alexander the Great’s contribution to some building effort; an inscribed clay tablet from Ur of the Chaldees, the hometown of Abraham; a scissor-hinged, folding, three-legged table of Roman origin (the craftsmanship was equal to today’s standard); high-quality brass hinges, and a complex lock box, both Roman (Ecclesiastes 1:10-11, “Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after”). And on, and on.
I got around town on the Underground (which goes above ground at times, as well). A one-day, all-zone pass can be had for £4.50 after 9:30 am, but as I couldn’t wait until then, I paid £7.50 (as well as the £3+ fare I had paid from Heathrow to Gloucester St.). A fairly efficient way to get around. The first bookstore I went to (at Gloucester St.), I asked the owner where more bookstores were, and he pointed me to Charing Cross. I got off the Underground there, and walked all over (partly because I got lost trying to find the British Museum).
Upon arriving in Botswana, it really does seem as though I were just here. Everything went fairly smooth at the airport (I had to pay duty on the projector (P28.85, about $5.75). I had forgotten I had it. The customs man opened the box with the tracts, and I had to declare it. I would have anyway, but I had forgotten that I had it).
The truck that I got is nearly identical to the one we had in 1996, with the exception that it has a standard tailgate / cover, and manual-locking hubs for the 4WD, as well as different theft-deterrents (and it’s a Toyota). It is almost brand-new, only 2153 km on it.
Physically, Gaborone hasn’t changed tremendously, though there are new buildings (including one behind the hotel where the theater was last time). As the agent at Avis had told me, “Gaborone hasn’t changed, but everything is more expensive.” Which is true, it is more expensive (in truth it may not be; last time the exchange rate was 3 to 1, this time it’s 5 to 1).
The feel of the place, however, has changed. Some of this, I’m sure, is attributable to the fact that I’ve changed, and that I’m more comfortable here now (since I’ve been here before). But it has changed.
It is definitely more Westernized. Cell phones are common, the manner of dress has changed somewhat (more Western, higher quality), the TV has a lot of American shows, rap music was playing in the grocery store.
Well, it’s 11:30 pm now, and after only getting bits and pieces of sleep since Monday night, I’ll probably sleep for a year.
7-15-00
I am sitting in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for Shadreck to arrive, so that we can go to the lectureship. He called yesterday, saying he would be here at eight. He called this morning, saying they would be here at nine. It’s now past ten. It was good they didn’t come at eight; I had time to eat breakfast. I was up until about one this morning, working on my lecture for today.
I didn’t get out of bed until about ten yesterday. I woke up around eight, but I was just worn out from the trip here, so I watched TV for a while.
After lunch I went to get the Bibles. They were cheaper this time, so I got 96. I hope I got the right one, there are two different versions, and I remember Mosi saying one was no good. I’ll have Shadreck look at them when he gets here.
After that I went curio shopping. There are vendors set up in the mall in back of the hotel. The quality is a little less than in Zimbabwe, but it isn’t that bad.
Shadreck came about 10:40. It turns out that he had the wrong info regarding the lectureship. It started tonight (it’s a little after 10 pm right now) instead of last night, so I didn’t have to speak.
We talked about what would take place over the next three weeks, various problems, his plans for the future, what he wants to accomplish for the church, etc. We ate lunch, and he left around 12:30.
He is very sound. It was amazing, all the problems we have in the U.S., they have here: liberalism, complacent members, whatever.
One curious thing: he said that Mahalapye is the last hope for the church. I think he meant for the church south of Mahalapye. The congregation in Gaborone, because of its size and location, is looked to by the church here (in Botswana). Whatever they do, tends to spread; and they are somewhat liberal.
Mahalapye gets converts, yet they don’t grow – they lose a lot of people to Gaborone, because of work, etc.
The liberal missionary in Shakawe has left. He took a position at Abilene.
Since Gao died, the Madala church may no longer exist.
Jimmy Phokeng apparently hasn’t gotten married yet. We are going to try to find him tomorrow afternoon. He is not a faithful member, per se; he is involved in politics, and apparently gives more to that than the church. He received the money to get married; hopefully he hasn’t squandered it.
Tomorrow morning I’ll make the trip to Mahalapye to worship there (I’m preaching).
Shadreck can’t accompany me on the trip. He is going on to Nata with me, to help settle what I’ll be doing there, but he has to be back to work on Wednesday.
I don’t think Keboree can get off work, either. It may just be John Ndolo and myself.
It is President’s Day this weekend; that is what took Shadreck so long this morning, the traffic (by the way, traffic is worse in Gaborone now, also). Then he was in line at the bank for a long time (he showed up 5 or 10 minutes after I gave up and went back to my room).
7-16-00
Where to begin…
I couldn’t possibly relate all that happened today in the space I have allotted.
When I got to Mahalapye, I was one of the first there. I went to Jackson’s house (that is where Shadreck gave me directions to), so that I might follow him to the church building (Shadreck also stopped by). When we got to the building, it had changed. They enclosed the baptistery (now with running water), and added an indoor bathroom. Also, there is a lot of jungle-gym equipment outside (underneath a canopy); they rent the building out to a nursery school. That’s how they’ve gotten the money for the building improvements.
I felt a bit out until I preached; since then I’ve felt much better. Afterwards we took pictures (outside, which was nice, as the sun was warm; it had been chilly inside. The weather had been great until yesterday afternoon, when it started to get cold) and had a men’s meeting. Then I gave them 20 Bibles, 40 tracts, and 20 each of the Spiritual Swords. Jackson was going to deliver the topic at the lectureship instead of me, so he asked me for what I had written for it. We stopped by his place of work and he made a copy of it.
I went to get my hotel room. It is small, in better shape than Gweta, but not by that much. The mattress is horrible, the tub faucet runs constantly, I can hear the music from the room next door, and it is FREEZING. When the sun goes down, the temperature drops immediately. It is strange, but instead of gradually getting darker, it goes from evening to dusk inside of two minutes, as though someone was using a dimmer switch; the temperature parallels it.
When the moon came out, it was huge! At least twice the size of the harvest moon. Did I mention it was FREEZING?!?
Tomorrow it’s on to Nata.
About 3:30 Shadreck came by, and we went to find Jimmy. The 40 km drive from Mahalapye to Shoshong is some of the most beautiful land I’ve seen in Botswana. It was open bush on both sides of the road, with mountains in the distance (we passed through them about 2/3 of the way there, and the road never changed height). Just beautiful. Shoshong is at the base of the mountains on the other side. It is perhaps the most manicured, well-kept village I’ve seen here (population 26,000).
We went to Jimmy’s house, which looked as though no one had lived there for a while. Shadreck went to talk to the neighbors, and their little boy went with us to show us where he stayed now (after the mother (I presume) took down our license plate number!). We had barely crossed the road when the boy saw Jimmy coming out of a store; so the boy walked home.
We went to where Jimmy stays (at the family compound of his “wife”), and talked for a while. We met a young Christian man from the congregation, David, who would be a good candidate for the Bible school.
Long story short, Jimmy isn’t married.
Shadreck called John Ndolo; he probably can’t get off of work. We will find out tomorrow. But it looks as though there will be no one in Nata to go with me until the evening, and it gets dark at 6 pm.
Even worse, Sepako is no more, and Manxotai and Madala worship at Nata. If this is true, and how extensive, I’ll find out tomorrow.
7-17-00
This morning it was very, very cold. There was frost on the grass, and on the window of one of the cars. As there is no heat, even in the dining room, I really didn’t get warm until the truck warmed up on the way to Nata.
We talked with a woman from Norway in the dining room. She was nice; she was going home today. We talked of how cold it was, and how extreme the temperature swing is in a day. Nice and warm in the day, frigid at night.
We arrived in Francistown, and most of the stores were closed due to the holiday. The store where I bought the skins on my last trip was gone.
We had passed a curio stand on the road from Mahalapye to Francistown, but the merchandise didn’t appeal to me.
We went to see Rich Maduba. He was well, but his wife is chronically ill. She gets around, and I don’t know exactly what is wrong, except that it’s in her arms and legs.
He’s building a new house, it’s about half finished.
His truck isn’t working, and he asked me for help to get it running. I plan to give him P2000, which I hope he uses to finish his house (his current one leaks).
We got to Nata, the lodge had changed.
We went to see John Ndolo, he was mad. As was Keboree, as is Tlale. Keboree didn’t know why the letter was sent to him, since he isn’t the preacher (though he is), John and Tlale are mad because they didn’t get letters inviting them (though they did). We got into a somewhat tense discussion.
Afterwards, a preliminary schedule was worked out. Only John and Tlale can go along.
Shadreck has been a tremendous blessing. He is going to stay through Wednesday.<
I gave Shadreck my Spiritual Sword lectureship book on grace, which I had brought along.
Gave the desk girl here at the lodge a ‘God & Man’ tract.
7-18-00
It turns out that Tlale isn’t going to come. A relative of his sister’s (or something like that) is sick, he’s helping out, and he doesn’t want to leave because they might call him for something. John thinks it’s really because of the cost of petrol and food. I had told him I would pay for his food, but???
We (Shadreck, John, Keboree and myself) went to Sepako, Manxotai, and Madala today to let them know when we’re coming. We went to the head man of the Madala area, and he welcomed us, saying he always wants people teaching about God there.
Met several Christians today during the trip. It was warmer during the night, and is quite comfortable now (around 8:20 pm).
Shadreck left today; he thought everything should be okay now, plus he thought that John and Keboree resented somewhat his being here (I think he was right).
I called Oscar, gave him a quick update.
We went to see Gao’s widow. They (Mosi & John) were successful in helping her keep her property. Gao’s relatives had taken P5000 out of her account before she knew it, but everything else worked out okay. I plan to give her P1000 tomorrow.
I gave John P200 for food and petrol, as he is commuting to help out with the mission.
Today at the lodge I saw one of the women (Mojewa) whom we baptized from the lodge in ’96. She is still faithful, and still works here.
Coming alone was a bad idea.
I got stopped for doing 78 in a 60 kph zone (in my defense, I had started slowing down, but either never made it, or drifted back up. I have been being very careful about doing the speed limit). John knew them, and talked them out of giving me a ticket.
7-19-00
A little quiet time. After working this morning, I came back for lunch; John and I are going to see a man at three who wasn’t at his home when we went there this morning, but then we saw him going down the road, and we made an appointment with him. I have about 25 minutes until I have to leave.
Today we went to Christians who don’t attend anymore. It’s hard to know what to say. John will talk with them in Setswana for a time, then turn to me and say, “This is the problem…”; usually someone got sick or something, they were attending to them, etc. Never a real solid answer. Trying to encourage them to come, while letting them know what they’re doing is wrong, it’s a tough line to walk.
Went to Mosi’s, only the daughter (youngest) was there. She isn’t married, and has a child, which means that she was at least very pregnant, if not delivered, when Mosi died. After we come back, I may go see the baobob tree near the lodge, which Mosi, Bendu, Oscar, Hazel and I went to last time.
Interlude...
Well, another day draws to a close. Our trip to see one man turned into a trip to see Keboree, to see if he got the use of the school building, then to Madala to have them prepare for us tomorrow. We decided when we were at Keboree’s to hold class at 5 pm in Nata, then on the way to Madala John remembered that Gao’s wife had said that the people at Madala didn’t get in until three. So, it will be going to the village in Nata in the morning, Madala in the afternoon.
We went to the head man in Madala again (as a courtesy), to invite him to class.
We went to the head man in Nata this morning. We went up, I said, “Dumela” to him (which is “hello” in Setswana), he held on to my hand and said something in Setswana. I said, “How are you”, or something, and he said, “No. Say (he repeated what he had said)”. I began to say that I couldn’t, he repeated it again. I said, “I can’t”, he burst out laughing (we all did. I guess he was just pulling my leg). He took my hand and sat me down next to him in a very friendly way. After John explained, he welcomed us (he took my hand at different points in their talk, as if saying, “Yes, you are welcome”). Then he took us to the sub-head (I don’t really know why). He was a stern fellow, and this time I explained. He asked how long I would be here, why I was here, where I was staying, etc. He welcomed us.
When I went to dinner, there was a table set up with only one chair. It was the table I had sat at last night. I think they might have done that for me. I thought it was nice.
To look at the night sky, it truly looks as though we are under a canopy, and you could reach out and touch the stars. To those who first surveyed and mapped out the night sky, and then figured out how to navigate by it, amazing. To the child it is playful, to the lover it is romantic, to the seaman it saves his life. Truly, “The heavens declare Thy works”.
Tonight was the first truly good meal (last night wasn’t bad, though).
7-20-00
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Well, not really, but it does adequately describe today. I had my highest high, then some discouragement.
We had a restoration today; a man who had had political clashes with Mosi. Supposedly, Mosi sided with the opposition, blah, blah, blah, Gao & Mosi voted this man (Steve is his name) off some church board (probably the one required by the government), Steve didn’t feel he could worship with Mosi, etc. We talked with him awhile, and convinced him to return.
Met an older woman who hasn’t been attending because she has to take the goats somewhere (regularly), but otherwise she has great faith. Tried to impress upon her the need to worship, wherever she is at.
Went to see Mosi’s widow.
Saw one of Mosi’s children the other day (a son I hadn’t met before, about 20 yrs. old; he recognized me from a picture); he was working with the road crew on the Sepako road.
We converted a young man (18 yrs. old), the son of a faithful woman and a father who also is a Christian, but who doesn’t attend. The father is the reason we went to the house. Only the son was there. I wanted to baptize him right away, but before I said so John said we should wait until Keboree got off work, since he is the Nata preacher. I agreed.
Big mistake.
We had set 5 pm as the time to do it; we were late getting back from Madala (we got to his house around 5:10), and he had left about 20 minutes earlier according to his sister (I think she was his sister). We are going to try to find him Saturday.
We went to Madala. It ended up all but two people were Christians, so I had to scrap my intended talk, and come up with something of encouragement on the spot. I used Isaiah 49:14-16, Psalm 37, and Psalm 73. I think it went okay.
When I finished, I started to say something to the two who weren’t Christians, but I couldn’t think of a way to approach it; I didn’t want it to seem as though I was attacking them (there were about 10 or 12 Christians there). I asked John to say something, as he knew them (I still probably should have said something, but it was silent, and I was having a block). John talked to them awhile. One was an old man, the other an old woman. There was another old woman sitting next to her, who was goading her a bit. It ended with them saying they didn’t want to be baptized because of pressure to do it then, that they would consider it again (something like that). Then we took pictures.
7-21-00
This is the worst time of day – it’s an hour and a half until dinner, and I don’t really feel like doing anything. I don’t want to write, I don’t want to read, and there’s no one to talk to.
Just like last time, keeping this journal is a chore, and a not very pleasant one. But, I must plug away.
Today I went to Francistown to give Rich Maduba the money I promised him. No one was home. A wasted 250 mile round trip. I’ll have to go one day next week.
Keboree rode with me on the way down, so we did talk some on the preaching situation, and about sending some men to the Bible school.
Too many people in Francistown.
Last night Keboree said that he would like for me to talk to two older teens who are staying with him but who aren’t Christians. And to his wife about the responsibilities of a Christian wife. Pass the kid gloves.
They’ve made some very nice improvements to the lodge – and they’re still doing more. Hot water tanks instead of the old system (a heat-it-as-it-comes-in contraption – it worked well, but the pilot went out a lot). The old reception area was removed, and they are in the process of making it part of the dining room – consequently all of our meals we eat outside.
It isn’t much fun being here by myself. The big old baobob near here is as majestic as ever – but what’s the point if you can’t share it.
7-23-00
It’s 10:16 pm, and while I don’t enjoy writing this journal, at the moment it’s not so bad; besides, if I don’t, I’ll get too far behind.
Not too long after I stopped my last entry, I was informed that I would have to move to a tent for a night (a big one, with a bathroom). It seems that all the chalets were booked for the 22nd when Oscar reserved my time here. I complained; I asked why during the three months no had told us, and why I wasn’t told when I came here. I told them I had plans, etc. The girl at the desk said she would talk to the woman when she arrived in the morning (6:30). The girl at the desk said they did try to fax.
So I packed, and loaded the truck the next morning.
When I walked by the desk, the same girl said, “It’s okay, you don’t have to move.” I said that I had already moved out. I asked for a different chalet; long story short, I’m now in #9, the one I had last time.
Saw a bushbaby for the first time. It’s incredible how far they leap. It hopped like a kangaroo.
It seems a million people are Christians, but no one attends. At lunch yesterday, I overheard Baptist missionaries (the same girl at the desk had told me who they were as I walked by) saying that there were three church of Christ congregations in the area, and that they weren’t doing well, that the preacher had died last year. He had visited them (the missionary had been to the congregations), and he was going to work on them, essentially. The congregations he named were Nata, Manxotai, and Sepako. I had just returned from Manxotai, and was on my way to Sepako.
I told John about it when I picked him up, and I told him I was then going to talk about baptism at Sepako. He said he knew who the missionary was; he had visited, and offered money to build a building. John had told him no, we raise our money from our members.
Today we worshipped at Nata and Madala. There were few people at either. Nata is in the process of building a new building (brick); we worshipped inside.
At Madala we met in someone’s rondoval (the church building was collapsing).
After I got back, I went to see if I could watch the British Open on the TV at the bar here at the lodge. There was a soccer game on that the only man there had just turned on (6 minutes into a 90 minute game). At the half he let me turn it to the golf (10 minutes or so), and said when the game was done I could switch it. The game didn’t end until more than halfway through the second 15-minute overtime.
So I got to see a large part of Tiger winning the British Open.
Some young kids (8 – 12 yrs. old?) did a traditional dance during lunch today. There were about forty or more (I think the troupe was just passing through). I gave P10.
Talked with some British people before dinner. Very nice.
7-24-00
The Brits I wrote about above, we talked about all sorts of things – why each of us was here (they’re on holiday), England, mostly cricket. The father and son were both big cricket fans. I had watched part of a match while in Gabs, and had mostly figured it out. I asked him (the father) a question or two about things I was unclear on. It had actually been a little interesting once I had figured it out. We were talking while watching the British Open.
Today went well; we went to non-Christians. The first was an old man who accepted the gospel. Then we went to find the young man we couldn’t find to baptize the other day. He was near his house, and agreed also to be baptized today. Then we went to Mosi’s, to talk to his daughter who attends services, but isn’t baptized. She wasn’t there, but a nephew of John’s was. We talked with him, and he accepted the gospel (I’d say he was 14 or 15 yrs. old). We then went to see if Gasemotse could come on his lunch hour to baptize them (he could); at around 12:30 we baptized all three (Keboree baptized them in very shallow water; the old man, his toes came out a little as he went under; I don’t know if he was ever completely under or not).
Both Bendu and Shadreck called today while I was out. I’m waiting for them to call back.
Went to the post office to mail my postcards, they had already closed (they had a slot, but I need stamps).
7-25-00
Just a quick word before starting today.
Yesterday morning as I was getting ready, I was thinking of how there was no way I could do this again; it was just too hard on the old spirit. I knew I would have to come at least once more, to train whoever. But it’s amazing how much strength I gained from those baptisms. It encouraged me quite a bit.
John and I went to find the man at Madala who wants to go to the preaching school; no success. We found where he lives, and we’ll try again tomorrow on our way to Sepako.
We went to talk to Mosi’s daughter about becoming a Christian, she asked us to come tomorrow. There also will be a young man there who wants to hear.
After this, John wanted to go to Francistown to visit Mosi’s eldest son, who is in the hospital there.
When I returned to the lodge, they were cleaning my room. As I had decided to go to the Nata Sanctuary today since I had the time, I went ahead and went.
Bendu called; he’s going to work me to death!
7-26-00
Shadreck called last night to see how things were going (he had said he would). I asked him to let Rich know I’m coming Saturday; he said he’d try.
Today we went to Sepako, but the man who could gather the people together hadn’t returned (an older man, he isn’t a preacher, but he is very knowledgeable and holds the people together). When we had went Saturday, they had been ready for us in the morning (while we were at Manxotai), but we got there in the late afternoon. The old man and his wife were leaving to go to Nata, and hoped to be back Monday, but for sure Tuesday. So we made plans for Wednesday (today). So we could do nothing. We talked to the head man, to tell him we planned to return Friday (he grilled me, literally).
The old man we had baptized the other day – I forgot to mention that he knew my name; at some time in the past Mosi had told him I would come and talk to him!
Today we baptized Mosi’s daughter. We went and preached the gospel to her, and she accepted. The other man who was going to be there wasn’t.
John and I went to Zoroga to let them know we’re coming tomorrow. We went to the head man (the same one they were installing when we came in 1996 – see last journal). He was a personable fellow.
The problem (sort of) is that another old man came up while we were there. He and John talked for a good while in Setswana; then John said to me, “This man used to be a member, but now he goes to another church. He knows a lot of the Christians here, and since there is no building we are going to use his house. There will probably be non-Christians there as well. Is that okay?” What could I say? I agreed, considering that I wouldn’t be opposed to preaching in a denomination as long as I preached the gospel to them and showed them their error. So I thought that I will have to make a point to speak specifically and openly before everyone there to this man about his error.
The other old man who was there said the Baptist missionary had been there, offering to build a building. So, I must talk about baptism to the Christians, preach the gospel to the non-Christians, and rebuke and exhort those who left.
I think I’ll call Oscar to tell him about Mosi’s daughter.
The mistake I made in coming alone, is that even though I am with the church here, I am still alone. Meaning, they tend to talk in Setswana. If there are four of us in the truck on a long (or short) drive, for example, they talk non-stop – only in Setswana. So I am alone. Now, on the Sepako road, that’s not entirely a bad thing – I need to pay attention to the road, especially since they are working on it (it truly is a four-wheel drive road). But they will be in intense, loud conversation, laughing, etc., and I’m clueless.
7-27-00
Zoroga.
We went to that man’s house, and after a bit three women came. Then another. After a while we preached the gospel to them (none of them were Christians). Right after we started, two young boys (about 12 or 13 yrs. old) came. Then right at the end a young man with a ‘Nata Lodge’ jacket came. No one accepted (we found out later that the young man is a Christian).
It turns out that the old man isn’t an erring Christian – he isn’t a Christian at all. He was baptized in a faith-healing church, then he just associated with the church for a while; now he’s back at the faith-healers. He was unwilling to listen to the truth about miracles. To him, I think he thought we are working together. I told John that if any of these people are baptized (they said they were considering), he would have to make it clear that they cannot fellowship this old man.
Went to Gasemotse’s work about 12, the gate was shut and no one was there (he doesn’t go to lunch until 12:30). I have to go back this afternoon, to find out when he wants me to talk to those kids at his house.
It’s about 1:30, and I am tremendously bored. Yesterday we worked until near 5; the days go much faster that way. The time has gone fairly fast so far.
After I finished the previous page, I read through all that I’ve written so far. I’d already forgotten some things, and others, I hadn’t written. Like that I gave Gao’s widow P1000. Or that I gave John another P300.
I took a general accounting of things this afternoon. I checked my tickets, checked the truck rental agreement (to make sure I wouldn’t have to pay for the dent I put in the truck), marked off the traveler’s checks I had used, counted what I had left, calculated (roughly) what my bill here is going to be, etc. I had considered giving Gao’s widow another P1000; but then I thought that she has the horses and cattle, and I don’t know for sure what the truck is going to cost (I should have more than enough). At the moment I don’t think I will, but that may change.
Oscar asked me what I thought about John (I called this afternoon). I do think John is sincere in his faith, and is a good worker; I don’t know how dedicated to the other villages he is, though. He has a traditional home in Manxotai, but a very nice brick one here in Nata (hot water, satellite t.v.). His office is in Nata, he’s a vice something or other on the board of a school here, etc.
It’s funny, but tea puts me to sleep at night. I have been getting a lot of sleep (8 hrs. or more a night). It hasn’t been too cold at night, and the days have been very nice, though the last two have been cooler, and very windy. It probably didn’t get above 70° today, if that.
7-28-00
Again we went to Sepako, again no success.
We checked the old man’s house here in Nata first to see if he went back to Sepako, and his wife said he had. We got up there, he was in a land board meeting.
So we went to some of the Christians, to tell them we were coming Sunday for worship.
The preacher they had had, left the church for a denomination. We got the use of a classroom for worship. We went to see the deputy headmaster about getting it; she is a proud woman. I have much to say about what transpired; I just don’t feel like writing right now. Perhaps tomorrow. She did ask for a Bible, and I gave her one, along with a ‘God and Man’ tract. I had John put his name and address in the front. She said she wants to learn about God. I gave Mojewa Oscar’s address.
The desk girl I gave the ‘God and Man’ tract to, I asked her if she wanted to study. She said yes. Maybe Sunday.
Guinea fowl can fly. You could have knocked me over with a feather.
7-29-00
Went to Francistown today to see Rich Maduba, to give him the P2000. He had gone to the hospital last Friday; he had had a bad headache all Thursday, and when he had gotten up Friday, he decided he had better go. Shadreck had been to see him, to let him know I was coming today. He was expecting me. He is still trying to get me to commit to including Francistown in our trips here. I keep telling him I am not able to say yes.
I had just started to go call Keboree, to see about the two kids at his house he wanted me to talk to, I decided not to; it’s 6 pm and the sun is setting. And there is something John said that I agree with – that Keboree should talk to them (I don’t know if he has or not). Keboree strikes me as though (in general) he’s not real anxious (that’s not the right word; more like he shies away from) to be “the guy” at Nata. Like he doesn’t really want to, but he does. Between him and John, with them both working regular jobs, I don’t think the church will grow here.
The problem here is part what Mosi told me, a lack of sincerity on the part of those who become Christians (not that they aren’t sincere when they first believe, but that they don’t stick with it), and then those that are “faithful”, but they let work get in the way of assembling together for worship. If all the people here (Nata) who are Christians actually assembled together, the building couldn’t hold them, the plot probably couldn’t either, and they would be a force to be reckoned with. The way things stand, they will never be able to accomplish anything.
What is needed is a strong, motivated, respected Christian who has the time to devote to pay constant attention to all those who are baptized; someone to get them involved and doing things, to light a fire under them (why is it that as I write these words I have a feeling where this is heading…).
I want to use the 18 yr. old who was baptized the other day as an example. I was happy when he accepted the gospel – and sad at the same time; the chances of him sticking with it are slim, and if he doesn’t, he is in a worse state than before (now I know that it is only our responsibility to sow the seed, that this man is responsible for himself, and that you never know who will and who won’t stick; yet how can this not be a burden? They need someone to guide, nurture, and motivate them; they are only babes. I tried to impress upon them the need to assemble, so they can grow, but you can only say so much).
About the headmaster from yesterday. When we went to her office, she had a plastic sheet (like a tablecloth for a picnic table) over her desk which had a map of the world on it (in a repeating pattern). When John told her I was from America, I pointed to Detroit and said, “From here!” We laughed. She then said the problem with getting a room to use was that everyone would be gone; they were going to go get their pay. She related how they were ready for us last Saturday (we said we had gone to Manxotai in the morning). After a bit of discussion, she said, “Let me go discuss it with my staff. Wait here.” Then she told me to give John a social studies lesson while she was gone!
I did show John some of the places I had been in the world, then I asked him where he was from. We were talking about that (I think) when she returned. She said, “What are you talking about?! I know it’s not social studies!” I told her I did show him where I’d been (I pointed out a few).
She said we could use a room; we needed to go see a member of the PTA who could let us in. We all went to go see her (she was in the same land board meeting that the old man was in. The headmaster went and pulled her over to meet us and set the arrangements. For some reason it is going to cost P5).
An interesting thing happened as we left the headmaster’s office to go see the other woman. As we left the building (it is a new, red brick building, not cinderblock) John said it was a nice building, almost like in town. He didn’t hear her response, not quite under her breath, but I did – “This is a town.” (As I mentioned before, she is a very proud woman).
On the way back from seeing the other woman is when she asked me for a Bible.
It’s 7 pm now, time for dinner. I should go; we have to be at Sepako at 10 am, it’s about an hour and a quarter drive.
I don’t think I wrote this before, so I will now. Every time I drive the Sepako road, either consciously or unconsciously I get the song “Tobacco Road” stuck in my head (Sepako sort of rhymes with tobacco…).
Just came back from dinner; it was an interesting 45 minutes. First, they directed me to a table (one of the few times, usually you just sit wherever) at the very back – away from everyone. It was almost as though they were hiding me. Then the same bartender who just refuses to come ask what I want to drink (I don’t know if it’s because of the remodeling of the dining room, but you don’t get your drinks from the waitress, someone from the bar comes over). I don’t know if he thinks I offended him, or what. He will not come serve me.
The dance troupe from last Sunday came during dinner and performed (in fact, they finished just as I started this sentence. I could hear them from here in my room. They just started again).
7-30-00
Last full day in Nata. I just finished eating lunch; it’s about 3:18 pm. If I were home, I would likely be at David’s (my son) right now to pick him up for worship (it’s 9:18 am at home).
We worshipped at Sepako today. We started almost an hour late, consequently when we got to Manxotai they had already finished and gone home.
It went well at Sepako. I guess the reason for the PTA woman was just to show us which room; nothing was locked. They did set up a room for us though; all chairs, no desks (except for the teacher’s desk).
The reason we started an hour late is the usual – no one shows up at the appointed time. I was first at Nata, first at Sepako (with John and Steve).
At Nata I’m finished.
Though it’s not difficult, per se, to do what I’m doing here, it is tiresome. Not that I’m tired of what I’m doing, but rather it wears you out. I’m sleeping from 9 to 10 hours a night (though some of that may have to do with the fact that it’s so cold in the morning), and I’m usually out by 9 pm.
I do need to pack, though I think I’ll take a nap.
It’s now about 5:30, I’ve called Tlale to ask how to find him, cleaned the back of the truck a bit, gotten a ticket for dinner, and watched the birds for a bit.
Surprisingly, it’s a bit sad leaving here. I was never sad to leave any place last time. Perhaps it’s because I was here alone, and everything was so personal.
At Manxotai, across from the church’s plot, there is a boarding house for kids that come from far away to go to school. The headmaster had told John that when I came back to take me over there; many of them had never seen a white man. So we went over, I said hello. Now they have seen a white man! One of the boys said I was handsome.
I wonder if they eat guinea fowl?
I know the next week is going to sail by. Which reminds me, I saw someone pulling a motorboat about a week or two ago.
Maybe I’ll read a bit now; I’ve done very little of that this time. Last time, I read three books in two weeks. This time, I have read 3 hrs. max. I have “The Life and Epistles of St. Paul”, by Conybeare and Howson (I gave my book on grace to Shadreck). I forgot about the newspapers and magazines I’ve read.
Last trip I was in possession of a voracious appetite to read, and as I was only doing some of the work here, I read a lot (the books I read were “The Eternal Kingdom”, by F.W. Mattox; “Evolution In the Light of Scripture, Science, and Sense”, by Basil Overton; and the greater part of “A General Introduction to the Bible”, by Geisler and Nix). This time, when I have the time, I’m more into resting my brain, as opposed to doing deep reading.
It just turned 6 pm, at home it’s 12 noon, and they are just finishing worship. I can picture it in my head. I wish I were there.
7-31-00
Well, one thing to be said for the Nata Lodge, at least the bed was comfortable. Here at the Island Safari Lodge, well, at least it has to be more comfortable than the rope carpet (I’m not kidding).
On the road from Nata to Maun, I saw one monkey, a flock of ostriches, twice I saw a solitary ostrich, the remains of a zebra carcass, and the skeleton of some animal (huge, like a cow).
Stopped in Gweta, and saw Tlale. He echoed the same line – people are baptized, they come once, that’s it. He does have some faithful members. They use the building as a day care, run by one of our sisters (Tlale hopes they can get some of the mothers as a result). There were a lot of kids; the sister running it has hired a woman to teach.
I also met his wife.
There is a new, fairly large hospital in town (Gweta).
Upon arriving in Maun, I met up with Bendu, and gave him his check, the projector, the Bibles, tracts and Spiritual Swords. He has gotten much older than the 4 years it has been. I didn’t really recognize him.
He told me the schedule, it’s different than I had thought; it turns out Etsha 13 is over 300km away! So, we go to Toteng tomorrow, Etsha 13 the next day, then we are meeting Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the building, then twice Sunday.
I met Bendu’s sister, as well as his niece.
8-1-00
We went to Toteng today; I was prepared to preach the gospel (I expanded the scope of what I will cover), but only 2 Christians and 1 non-Christian came. So I went through 2Peter 1:5-11 instead. On our way to Etsha 13 tomorrow we are going to stop in at Toteng and give them some fliers to say we will be back on Friday.
I went to Avis to find out what the final cost of the truck will be. We’re going to switch it to unlimited mileage because it will be cheaper. I showed them the damage to the truck; I had to take it to the Toyota dealer to get an estimate. It turns out (as was not explained to me) that the collision waiver only applies to 80% of the total after the first P7500 ($1500), meaning you pay the first P7500, then 20% of the rest. The estimate came out to P1048, or $207.50. I said that the deductible wasn’t explained to me at Gabs, they just said it was a damage waiver. She said that she would talk to her manager at Gabs. Even the back of the contract has an additional proviso giving full coverage, and I had agreed to everything he had offered. Turns out they discontinued that proviso.
So now that I have the total for the truck, and the total for the room, I can go to the bank. I should end up with about $1300 left over.
8-2-00
What a day, what a day, what a day. It was a good day, it was a long day, it was an interesting day. It is now 7:40 pm, dark, and noisy. Just the animals. All kinds. Very loud.
I looked at the stars on the way back to my room; the walk from the parking lot to my room is in the same direction as at Nata for the same trip.
These animals are loud (not lodge animals, but crickets, birds (they sound like geese), and whatever else. A real cacophony).
We went to Etsha 13. It is only about 60 - 90km from Shakawe. Which means it’s a LONG way from Maun. We left at 8 this morning, and got back around 5:30 pm.
When we got there it was the usual; anywhere from a half-hour to an hour or more getting the people together. We met at the preacher’s house; he is Angolan (the people here are Angolan refugees), and he was converted by Bendu (who is Angolan) in 1985 (or thereabouts) and used to preach in Maun. He left the church, then came back (as it’s hard to understand Mauricio at times, I can’t say for sure, but I think he said he left for a denomination, and might have once or twice). He asked for Bendu’s help (he had run into him in Maun) in getting the church going in Etsha 13, and they’ve done a good job. It was mostly Christians who came today; there were likely thirty or more there (total. At least 3 or 4 of the men weren’t Christians, and 4 of the women were converted but hadn’t been baptized yet). They speak Angolan, which Bendu doesn’t; many of them speak Setswana, though. At first, Mauricio was going to translate into Setswana, then the preacher from Setswana into Angolan, but they said they would do fine with just Setswana.
As it was mostly Christians (at first today Mauricio said there would just be Christians; after I had asked when I first arrived in Maun, and he said mixed. All I had prepared for was conversion, so it was to be a late switch in lesson, as well as in mindset. I’ve gone expecting one thing, and found another. It’s fine to encourage the Christians, but I am worried that back home they won’t understand if there aren’t a lot of conversions. I do feel a measure of accountability; after all, the people at home gave a lot of money. I don’t know what is expected of me, per se, but the track record of this work has been a lot of conversions. If there aren’t a lot this time, I don’t know if it will be looked at as a failure or not. The situation has been different this time; whereas in 1996, we had 4 or 5 preachers at a time rounding up people (Christian or not), and Oscar preaching a straight gospel lesson, in Nata this time it was just John and myself, and when we went to a village it was almost exclusively Christians we talked with. The conversions came during the few times we went to individuals in Nata. Here, it’s just Mauricio and myself; we are going back to Toteng, so we should have more people next time, but the rest of the time (with the exception of Etsha 13 today) will be a gospel meeting at night here, which will probably be mostly, if not exclusively, attended by Christians), I gave a short (maybe 20 minutes) encouragement lesson on 2Peter 1:5-11, then I preached the gospel to the non-Christians. We had four respond, so with the four who were already going to be baptized, we baptized eight people today. Which was an experience unto itself.
It began with 13 of us piling into the truck (me, Bendu, the preacher, the eight, one friend of one (or more) of the eight, and another Christian) for the trip to the water several km’s away (through deep sand). It was slow going. Right before we got to the watering hole (this actually was some beautiful countryside), there was this huge bird walking, looking around. At least 4-5 ft. tall (he was still there when we left, and I got a picture). Then, as we broached the clearing, huge vultures flew out of the trees (they lumbered to get altitude), and began circling overhead. We walked to the water for the baptisms. One of the girls (probably about 15 yrs. old) dispensed with upper clothing altogether (I momentarily wondered whether it would be a proper baptism, but it didn’t faze Bendu; she did cover herself most of the time with her arms). When we took the group shot afterwards, I had to have Bendu have her put her shirt on, otherwise I don’t think she was going to.
Anyhow, on the way back, we got stuck in the sand; I got everyone out of the back, which worked, and I drove to shallower sand; they got back in, and off we went.
Bendu asked for P100 for them to buy reeds (P20 a bundle) to build (or start) a building (the reeds are for the walls). I thought to give them P500, but reconsidered and gave them P200. I want to help, not do it for them. They need to take some part in it financially; it can help bring them closer together, feel a part of things. Then again, P200 might build it! Mauricio said they are going to put a metal roof on it, so it probably won’t.
Anyways, I’m going to bed.
I just remembered; on the way to Etsha, I hit a bird. First, just some feathers were visible over the hood (after I hit it), then a foot stuck up for 15 or 20 seconds, then the whole bird came loose and hit the windshield, and went over the truck. Gruesome!
8-3-00
Come on, Monday! Well, it’s not that bad…
Right now is the time I dislike – about an hour and a half, and nothing to do. It’s 4:30 pm, the meeting starts at 6:30, it will take a half-hour to get ready and get there (I plan to get there at 6:15, which means I should only have to wait about 45 minutes or so to start preaching). He’s got it as being from 6:30 – 9:00, but I only plan on talking for an hour.
I see the airstrip as I go into town; a constant reminder. I’m already basically halfway through here in Maun; it went by in a moment (kind of). Tomorrow should fly, with Toteng in the morning, the meeting at night; then any baptisms from Toteng would probably be Saturday, which means getting them, bringing them to Maun, and taking them back (140km round-trip each time – about 85 miles), then the meeting that night, then Sunday.
The bank went okay; I had to fill out a form because I was getting more than P10,000 (who I am, why I’m here, etc.). The exchange rate was better.
Interlude...
It’s now almost 10 pm. Here at Maun they are nearer to being on time than anywhere else I’ve been; probably because it’s a good-size town, so they’re probably more time-oriented. When I got there (around 6:15) there were three people there.
Bendu came at around a quarter till, ten till; I had begun to wonder whether he thought I was picking him up. Turns out he had been there since 5, and he had been out trying to get people to come.
We started singing at 6:30 or so (actually a little earlier); there were about 10 or 15 of us. By the time I started preaching at 7, it was pretty well full. More came during.
I went for an hour and 25 minutes. When I had snuck a look at my watch (their clock is behind the pulpit), it was 8:10, 8:15. When I had started, I went through the first page of my outline pretty quickly (it was only 3 pages, with another page that had Scriptures relating to one part of the outline), or so it felt (I didn’t think I’d make an hour).
When I was finished, and got back to my seat, I was so high and felt such a fellowship with them, at that point I didn’t want any of this to end; even when we ended, and they were all talking, and I couldn’t really talk with anyone, because they were all speaking in Setswana. I felt a part of them like I hadn’t before. I felt at home.
Then I gave Mauricio, his daughter, and three giggly teenage girls a ride home.
A lot of them were taking down notes (at the beginning, anyway. I didn’t notice after awhile); that was encouraging (to me).
8-4-00
When I picked Mauricio up this morning he told me there were some at the meeting last night (non-Christians) who believed in sprinkling for baptism (my lesson had been about baptism; what it is, how, why, who can be; all the while showing denominational error, how it came about, etc.). Good. Maybe they learned something that will bring them out.
We went to Toteng this morning; no one had gathered, and the man was at court. We went to the same house as before; it was one of the Christians, and the non-Christian from the last time. Then three men came up who weren’t Christians, so we preached to these four; all accepted. So tomorrow we are going to baptize them (there are three others needing baptism who weren’t there; that’s why we’re waiting until tomorrow, to get them all at one time).
One of the men brought up the same objection again – we come, we baptize, then we leave them, with no one to help them (this is a very valid point). There are several at Maun who are capable of preaching, and the bus runs on Sunday morning, so they are going to take turns coming to Toteng to worship with them, hopefully until they get strong enough to stand on their own (which they need to do, eventually).
On the way back Mauricio told me he had preached for the President of Botswana on President’s Day (he said they had selected him (who had, I don’t know), they like church of Christ preaching; but they won’t be added, they go back to their denominations). Then, it was on TV on the 25th.
Shania Twain. The same album. Over and over. And over. Endlessly repeating. That’s what plays in the dining room and reception. Nothing else. Over and over…
8-5-00
I didn’t feel like writing when I got in last night.
Last night went okay; I thought I did an adequate job.
We went to Toteng; of the seven to be baptized, there were only three. So we brought them to Maun, baptized them, and gave them money for the bus (Mauricio suggested this instead of taking them back).
Just came back from lunch; boy did I eat the wrong thing.
Last night I went 1 hr. 10 min., and that was with cutting out a section. I really don’t even want to go an hour tonight, with worship in the morning; but mainly I don’t want them to start hating me!
Later…
I have about 20 minutes to kill before going to the meeting. Since a little after 3 I’ve gone into town (oddly, nearly everything was closed; the supermarket had closed at 3) and gotten a newspaper, came back and read it, and walked around the lodge a bit. Except for being quite windy at times, it’s very nice out.
It’s strange how hot direct sunlight is as opposed to the ambient air temperature. When I went into town, the sun was painfully hot on my ear as I drove; yet it is very comfortable out.
Later still…
The meeting tonight went well. I only talked for 45 minutes; I think it was appreciated (being shorter).
The giggly teenage girls – I think it’s because of me.
Last night the one asked me as they were in the truck (in the midst of their giggling), “Where is your wife and kids?” Not proof? I didn’t think so. Tonight, I was sitting in the one of the middle of 4 chairs; they came and surrounded me. That proved it to me!
When I got there tonight, only Mauricio’s daughter was there (she is 15; the gigglers are her friends). We talked for awhile. She’s fairly mature and centered (she’s baptized; Shadreck (I think) had told me she was baptized when she was at the youth conference lectureship; I asked Mauricio this today and he said yes. He also said she likes to go to all the lectureships. She went to the one in Gabs, and yes, Jackson did give my sermon! I told her it was mine, what had happened, and that she would hear it again tomorrow!); she wants to visit America when she finishes school (8 more years).
Today was the first time I think I truly relaxed since I’ve been here (I did relax watching the British Open; still, I had the anxiety of what was yet to come). My sermon for the morning is ready, and the one for the afternoon is basically ready; all I have to do is give them. Then I go home. Lord willing.
I think the trip has been a success, overall; I came to find out what was going on in Nata, I did; we encouraged the people, and we had conversions (I hope we encouraged them…).
I’ve learned quite a bit, being here again. Last time, I was basically just here. This time…
8-6-00
Worship was good this morning. It is now near 4:30 pm; we meet again at 6:30, and that is the end. This time tomorrow, I will be on a plane headed to South Africa (Lord willing).
I have a busy, and boring, day ahead of me. Busy, in that I have to get the truck washed, load it, and check out by 10 am. Then I have to have the truck back by 12:35 (I may or may not have to go to the bank). Either I’ll be bored till then, or I’ll be bored to then! Then my flight doesn’t leave until 4 (though there will be some excitement around 3 – I get to check in!). Then a 2 hour 35 minute layover in South Africa, then over 6 hours in Heathrow (yikes!). But my own bed is at the end of it all.
8-7-00
This may or may not be the last entry. It depends on how bored I get at Heathrow.
Sometimes my own stupidity amazes me. I checked my bags here at Johannesburg, without getting the British currency out, and without putting my coat in the duffel bag, and without putting the map in the suitcase. My bags are checked through to Detroit now. Oh well.
It’s approaching 6:30 pm now, and my flight leaves at 8:35 (or thereabouts).
The last 24 hrs. were quite eventful. Everything was looser last night (lighter mood). I only talked for about 35 minutes. The sister of the man who translated the first three nights was baptized this morning. She was going to wait until next Sunday, but last night they convinced her to do it today. At first Mauricio said, “Perhaps Steve can assist…”; I stopped him and told him there was no way, I had to check out, turn in the truck, etc. So they made other arrangements.
This morning, I went to the car wash at 8, when they said they opened. Of course, they weren’t. Mild panic. I went back after about 20 minutes and they were open. Check out went smooth. I decided just to go to the airport, even though I had the truck until 12:35. I was about P300 short for the cost of the truck, but I knew there was a money exchange at the airport, and I didn’t feel like going to the bank (dealing with the crowd, etc.).
The money exchange was closed.
So, I went to the bank. Which was very crowded.
Anyways, I got back to the airport with a half-hour to spare. I called Avis, she came down (they are about 200 meters up the road). She went back to send the info so they could send her the bill. She came back, and it was about P2000+ more than they had told me. We got that fixed; they had charged me the full coverage rate by mistake (don’t ask me, I don’t know). Anyway, it ended up they only charged me 20% of the accident cost, so I had had enough money before I went to the bank. So now I have about $100 worth of pula in my pocket.
Anyways, here I sit, with 16-17 hours of flying and a 6 hour layover ahead of me.
Fun.