Here I am in Botswana. Here I am in the village of Kumakwane, where the roads are made of sand. Donkeys, cows, and chickens will casually be roaming around the roads. We have been living in a tent and cooking food in a gazebo. We have been out in the hot dry heat doing construction or going to the junior secondary schools where the rooms are at times warmer than it is outside. Throughout our time, us seven girls have been working along side our hosts and their workers. It just so happens that we also have been given the opportunity to work along side a group of theological students from South Africa. In this time we have grown to know our team better, we have grown to know the other team from South Africa and what the Lord has laid on their hearts through their story. I have so clearly seen the fruits of just how the Lord orchestrates time and circumstances and how He makes everything beautiful in it’s time.
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“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Our team went into one of the junior secondary schools within our first week in Kumakwane and spoke to an after school group called “Scripture Union”. It was made mostly of younger girls, that sung with boldness but were very timid when to came to answering our questions. Our heart was to speak about something that would be relevant to them, while still being able to speak from personal experience. We chose to talk about seasons and God’s plan for our lives. Now with this month coming to an end, I can see the Lord bringing back that topic to my mind and reminding me of this time we have spent in Botswana.
I knew before coming on the Race, that this was the season the Lord was calling me to. While I know each month will differ, what I think is so awesome is seeing the Lord’s plans unfolding and the divine opportunities that the Lord is providing along the way. Because of this, even though I am across the world from home it doesn’t feel weird.
It doesn’t feel weird to be here in Botswana, living in a village. It doesn’t feel weird to wake up early and do construction. It doesn’t feel weird to say hello to others by saying “Dumela” rather than just saying “hello”. It doesn’t feel weird to go to bed by sleeping in a tent or waking up by hearing chickens and cows. The Lord has given me that peace even in the unfamiliarity of it all.
I’ve really enjoyed this place. I’ve really enjoyed the people. I’ve enjoyed the experiences and I’ve enjoyed all I have been learning. It has been so clear to me that Lord has chosen such a time as this to be here. He’s given me the time to further trust in His plans and even trust Him in the things I have no control over or I might not even know is up ahead.
Do I miss those that are back home. Completely. I miss those relationships and even the ability to easily communicate. But, I think the Lord has brought comfort to my heart in knowing that this is where I’m suppose to be. This time in Botswana has been a time that the Lord has chosen for us to meet others and grow even in the challenges we didn’t experience last month. I am so confident and sure that the Lord ordains and orchestrates our life, even the littlest of things. He has chosen for us to be with our specific hosts, doing our specific ministry, and provided specific opportunities for us to grow and invest in.
Up until applying for the Race, I wouldn’t have imagined being here and doing what I am doing. The Lord has chose such a time as this to be here. He has chosen such a time as this to meet the people we have met, to grow individually, to grow with others and to grow with Him.
The Lord has crazy plans for our life and what we may not be able to fully understand or see right away. Even though we cannot see the beginning to the end and we might not always know what the Lord is doing, we can be sure that whatever season we are in that He will provide divine opportunities. He knows what is up ahead. He knows what is in store for us. He knows our capacity, our capability, and even greater His capability. We might not always know the outcome, but we can be sure that we can step into the availability for the Lord He will do amazing things. He will provide the growth. He will make everything beautiful in it’s time.
