Month 2 in Botswana was one of the hardest and best months of my life.
The heat was worse than a West Texas summer, with no air conditioner. To get to from our village to the city it took an hour or two because of public transportation. Sometimes we would have to stand in the isle for the whole ride, body against sweaty African body because they try to fill the busses up so much. So many of the local men took cat calling to a whole new level, I got proposed to almost every single day. It was so uncomfortable to feel like we were walking dollar signs and seen as a body and not a valued person. I like to walk around barefoot and let me tell you, those Botswana thorns are like landmines waiting to strike an unsuspecting foot. It was painful and uncomfortable to be in my most comfortable state. Running water was not a daily reality, we had to take a taxi or walk pretty far for a jug of water that only lasted for a few hours. Being thirsty when its 115 degrees Fahrenheit outside is uncomfortable to say the least. When there was running water, we would fill up empty bottles to have enough for bucket showers and dish washing later. Spiritual warfare was a battle just about every other night.
It was uncomfortable to show up in a place where we didn’t know anyone, we always had to ask for help and we usually didn’t know what the schedule would be like the next day. It took a lot of effort to go anywhere and also to try to foster good morale and team bonding during such pressure was not easy.
Even the times that I sought out comfort for my team, things would turn out more uncomfortable than when we started. We would go to church where we knew there was air conditioning and just as we sit down for the service the power would shut down and we’d be back to our sweaty selves. We went to a friend’s house for a braai and the power shut off. We spent the night at some friends from church’s house and I end up going to the hospital with a teammate for most of the night.
During one of our bus rides to the city I was staring out the window watching the red Botswana dirt pass by and I was done. I just spilled my guts to the Lord. I told Him how hard it was and that I didn’t understand why my attempts at comfort were counteracted each time. I felt so much pressure and just couldn’t see the big picture.
The Lord responded with not just a word but also with one of the clearest visions I have ever had. It was Jesus and I at a well and I’m dehydrated, tired and worn out trying to get water out of the well. Jesus is sitting peacefully on the ledge, smiles at me and simply says…”Lene, you’re only going to find it with me”.
He went on to show me all the beautiful Botswana diamonds that came out of the pressure of the month. We had someone to pick us up at the bus station, a place to stay from day one, we made some amazing new friends, we were kept safe, we ate really well, did community outreach, every single one of my prayers were answered, I grew more than words, every day was an adventure, I even got to help a blind man accept Christ and pray for his healing. My friendships got stronger and my faith was sharpened like never before. I could finally hear the Lord clearly, fight spiritual attacks and trust the Lord fully with my daily schedule.
I wouldn’t trade Month 2 in Botswana for anything in the world. I walked away from Botswana with diamonds in my heart.
