Our first week in Botswana was spent at the Word to Africa base. Our time was split between hanging out with this amazing family, the Walker’s and clearing out this field. The other 2 weeks were spent in the bush, in Moralane, read ‘Become Like A Child’ for more about our time there.
The Walker’s pictured to the right have been serving in Botswana for 5 years. Prior to answering their call to Botswana they served as Youth Pastors at various churches in the states. This family oozes Jesus in all that they do. From precious Charisma to the oldest son Barracka, their love for the Lord is evident. We were even blessed with the presence of time with Heather’s parents, who treated us like we were their grandchildren. They welcomed us in and loved us like we were part of their family. We shared meals, told stories, watched movies, played guitar hero, took naps on their couches and worshipped the Lord together. It was truly a gift to all of us, who seven months in miss our families and friends tremendously. My favorite word from Heather was to wait on the Lord and be patient. She told us the story of their adopted daughter Charisma and how the Lord brought her to them. She challenged us to never tire of asking and to know that He hears us. We need to trust in His timing and wait. I needed to hear this from someone who has walked through seasons of waiting on the Lord and seen His faithfulness.
Clearing a Field – What could I possibly have to say of importance in regards to clearing out a field? A lot more than I would have expected. Clearing out a field in Africa looks quite different than back home. It is hard work. You don’t have lawn mowers and tractors. Instead you have machetes, rakes and shovels. The field we cleared out was covered in thorn bushes and trees, which made the process even more complicated. When we started you could barely walk through some of the grass and bushes. The roots were the hardest things to get out and the thorns tripped you up along the way. After a few long days and hard work, the 
ground was cleared. All that remained was the dirt. You could see what the land originally was, what it was intended to be. Here is what I learned in this process and having been learning all year. My heart is like an overgrown field. It is not what God originally intended it to be because there are roots that have been embedded deeply from past hurts and pains. All year on the race I have been pulling out these roots and there have been plenty of thorns (lies) that 
have tripped me up along the way. The beauty is that like the field we cleared, my heart is being cleared as well and restored to what it was intended to be. 2 Thess 3:5 says, “May the Lord direct your heats into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” Direct in the Greek means to clear away the obstacles. The obstacles are being cleared and my heart is becoming a place that God can fully work and His glory can be revealed.
ground was cleared. All that remained was the dirt. You could see what the land originally was, what it was intended to be. Here is what I learned in this process and having been learning all year. My heart is like an overgrown field. It is not what God originally intended it to be because there are roots that have been embedded deeply from past hurts and pains. All year on the race I have been pulling out these roots and there have been plenty of thorns (lies) that have tripped me up along the way. The beauty is that like the field we cleared, my heart is being cleared as well and restored to what it was intended to be. 2 Thess 3:5 says, “May the Lord direct your heats into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” Direct in the Greek means to clear away the obstacles. The obstacles are being cleared and my heart is becoming a place that God can fully work and His glory can be revealed.Botswana is a beautiful place and one that I hope to return to one day. I am so thankful for the time God gave us here! Thank you for your support in God’s work around the world and the transformation that continues to take place in my heart.
