I sat down to write a blog about Botswana but my mind just went blank. I wanted to talk about how wonderful the people are here and how amazing it’s been living in the Kalahari Desert but I simply can’t put it into words. I can’t even begin to describe what my life here in Rappelspan has been like.
On March 17, my team and I were sent to Rappelspan, Botswana; which is a village with the population of 500 people in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. My team and I don’t have access to a grocery store, clean water, running water, or electricity. We were walking into true abandonment on March 17. The village graciously let us use their community hall as our home for the duration of our stay here which was a huge blessing. We have a gas stove to make our meals on, long drops (instead of short drops) to go to the bathroom in, and a roof over our heads which is good enough for me.
Yes, we have abandoned most of our 1st world comforts but I can’t tell you how amazing it’s been to let all those things go. Abandonment has allowed so much room for the Lord to provide and let me tell you He has. God has provided for us more than I could ever imagine; wether it’s through meeting a neighbor with electricity or providing a bus to go get groceries 3 hours away.
Here in Rappelspan, my team and I are in charge of making our own ministry. It has been intimidating and freeing at the same time. This was the first time on the Race that we didn’t have someone telling us what ministry to do. My team has done a wonderful job at utilizing our time here. Some days consist of building a house for a neighbor other days may have been filled with playing with 40 village kids or carrying 40 L of water across a sand dune. We came with the vision of just helping the community and building relationships with the people and that’s exactly what we are doing. We simply just want to share the love of Jesus.
Unfortunately our time here in Rappelspan is starting to dwindle but I couldn’t be more thankful for my time here. This has been the time best of my life and I couldn’t be happier to end this Race on such a wonderful note.
All my love, from the Kalahari Desert,
Ashlyn
