So I have a little story to share with y’all! Maybe not short but man it’s good!!! God is good!
On the race, we get $5 per person for lodging a day. That’s not very much and in Asia, it was fine cause c’mon Asia is just well, cheap lol. But Africa isn’t so we were struggling on finding a place to stay in Botswana. The places we would find in-budget were either taken or out in the wilderness. We had found a place but the Airbnb host canceled on us as we were arriving into Botswana. Thankfully the Lord is our provider!! That night our team split into the other two teams (TEAM CAKE & HARMONY) who had already found a place to stay. Their Airbnb hosts were so kind to take us in for that night.
Doug & Sally
This is where Doug & Sally come in. Years ago they built a small cottage on their property that they rent out. That’s where Team Cake was going. There wasn’t enough room in the cottage for our team as well. So Doug and Sally brought us into their home. The first night the girls stayed in 2 of their rooms and when Hunter and I came we stayed on their couches. Sally was also down with our budget so we stayed with them for a couple of days. They have 3 children who moved out and went back to England. Every time she was on the phone she would tell people she had 6 kids over at her house lol. We got to know them better and for Sally’s birthday, Hannah baked her a cake! On our last night, we cooked them dinner and Sally got so excited she went and dressed up. We weren’t ready for that but we joined her in it and got dressed up as well. I played piano music in the background and we had great conversations about their life. I’ve realized that loving people doesn’t cost much. Doug and Sally were a blessing for us but we also got the opportunity to bless them with love.
We couldn’t stay longer with them cause they had friends visiting from far away. We got back on Airbnb and found nothing. Kate our squad leader asked her family back home in Australia if they knew anyone in Botswana that could help us. The Lord quickly responded.
Clark & Hazel
Met Clark & Hazel. They’re from Ireland but have been missionaries in Botswana for over 37 years. They gave up their life back home to start a new one here. They didn’t come into this country trying to change and demand from the locals. They became one of the locals. They learned to speak the language. They dress and live like them. We got the opportunity to stay and partner with them for a week in the village of Tlokweng.
Their passion and love for Jesus was so contagious! They helped start a church that now has a strong community of believers. During the week they teach kids and women about the Bible. It was beautiful to see what the Lord can do in our lives when we decide to lay it all down. When we surrender our comfortabilities and chose Him over everything else. We told them we would give them our budget but when we left they said that if we paid them it wouldn’t be a blessing for them. Our hearts were wrecked from their generosity. God showed up again and provided for us. We couldn’t stay longer than a week cause they also had friends coming that they promised to host prior to us. Kate reached out to her mom once again. Her mom reached out to her church and found more missionaries that were in Botswana.
Andrew & Sandra
When Andrew and Sandra heard about us they immediately had a yes in their spirit. They picked us up from Clark and Hazel’s, took us wherever we wanted, provided food and comfy beds. They were so happy to have us so we got to stay with them for the rest of our stay in Botswana. Andrew and Sandra have been missionaries in the village of Gabane for over 9 years. They’re from Australia and were obedient to what the Lord had for them in Botswana. Sandra is working on her masters online and is very passionate about bringing the kingdom of God in a way that people can receive it based on their culture. This is also known as the 3D Gospel by Jayson Georges which teaches you how to do ministry in guilt, shame, and fear cultures. Sandra went over helpful tips that we could use as we evangelized at the university and the market. It really helped me better understand how to respect the people that are in front of me. When you respect, you LOVE. Many westerners want to come into these countries trying to implement their culture and lifestyle…. WHY?? God made all of humanity different and we need to learn how to embrace our unique cultures. Our culture isn’t “better” or “more efficient” than anyone else’s so let’s learn to shift our hearts for others.
God shows up every day in my life but this month I was able to see His provision even stronger. Till the ocean runs dry our God is our provider!! He’s good and He’s able. Thank you, Jesus!
Is He also you’re provider?
