I have often times found myself praying over Botswana and its people since being here the past month.
About a couple topics that the Lord has put on my heart.
Drug, alcohol, and substance abuse.
Especially alcohol abuse. There has not been a day where I have not seen a drunk person or several drunk people. People say drinking is basically the “national past time” here. And drugs are also a pressing problem. I keep finding myself praying over these problems, but also ignoring them, not educating myself enough about the problems here.
I don’t know who starts them, or what starts these problems.
Since being on the race I have been the minority. A white girl, from America. The amount of times a man has cat called me, is unreal. But being in Botswana it’s different, the amount of times a drunk man has cat called me, is unreal, but the thing is it’s actually reality. The other day while traveling to ministry a group of drunken men called me over to their call, proceeded to tell me to get in for a “spin” and that they loved me and I was beautiful. And I just had to blame it on the alcohol. It something that has become so normal that I can so easily shake it off. It doesn’t phase me anymore, but should it? I feel guilty letting it get to me when there are such bigger problems.
There is one thing that I haven’t been able to shake off, one thing that seems like such a big problem, and it starts with a little background knowledge-
It wasn’t until I volunteered at a preteen and teen event this past week that talked about many pressing topics, one being drug, alcohol, and substance abuse. I was sitting in on a group of 11, 12, and 13 year olds. When a lady talked about these issues and brought up the fact of being careful going to parties, sleepovers, any kind of outing, or just in general when someone offers you a “sweet.” (Candy) Because you never know what their motives are. She really pressed into this topic. From being American I for sure have been warned about things like this, but I did not grow up in fear and being a huge pressing topic. Especially when I was as young as 11, 12, and 13.
But then it hit me,
One of the boys in the group raised his hand and said, “Would that be like when the taxi driver at school gives us a sweet and we get really sick and don’t go to school then next day?”
And the speaker looked at him with sad eyes while shaking her head and said, “Yes that is exactly what I mean.”
My heart dropped, that such young, innocent kids were being drugged, but for what, for why? Because they had to get home from school? Because their taxi driver is a sick man, because their taxi driver is a drug dealer? So many questions have filled my mind, why is this continuing to happen, why does this man get away with this, why such young children?
Why do I feel so helpless? Why is my heart broken? What more can I do to help?
And the list of questions go on…
Hi all!
Here is another blog post for everyone! I really hope you enjoy! There are two more coming today! It’s been hard with the lack of wifi!
i do have something super important for you to all pay attention to right now– I HAVE 3 WEEKS TO BECOME FULLY FUNDED! With that said please, be praying up a storm, and bless during this holiday season of giving, and give! The Lord is good and I know he will provide, but he uses us as tools. I hope the Lord puts it on your heart to donate. It would truly mean a lot. I want to continue in my race, and I want to continue hearing stories like this so I can make changes in the world.
With love, blessings, and praise-
always,
Alina
