Wow this past month of Botswana has been so different than I expected. From the beginning of the month and not having a place to stay. To then staying with 3 different couples, 2 of which are missionaries. Talk about God restoring my heart for missionaries in Africa. Just being back in the red dirt was restoring my heart. The sunrises and sunsets were everything I missed and more… But God had more in mind. This is where Clark and Hazel come in.
CLARK AND HAZEL
They are some of the sweetest people I have ever met. They are Irish missionaries and have been in Botswana for 30 plus years. They do everything with such dignity and grace. Every conversation was full of wisdom. They love the Lord with their whole being. They carry His grace and peace with them. They live in such a way that they seek God for everything. They live completely by faith. They never know how much money is going to come in each month but God always provides. They instantly made us feel at home. Hazel made us dinner every night and always had tea ready for us. They reminded me so much of my grandparents. In fact, Clark played the piano and reminded me so much of my grandma. They housed us and fed us for about a week just because it’s better to give than to receive. They gave so much more than just a space. They gave us love. Every action just oozed love. Not only did staying with them restore my heart but my whole team was restored in one way or another. Every time we mention them we were all just filled with love. They hold such a sweet spot in our hearts. We were sad to leave them but so thankful for every moment with them. The next couple we met were Andrew and Sandra.
ANDREW AND SANDRA
They were such a blessing in a time of need. We needed to find another place to live and they opened their doors. They have been in Gabane, Botswana for over 9 years. What makes them so different is their desire to understand the culture. They desire to understand the culture of Botswana but they also long for others to understand. The way they desire to understand the culture has restored my heart simply by understanding. Culture is such a huge thing. We all have our own culture but in that there are things that are acceptable to one culture but not to another. The way to be a traveler is to blend in with the culture and do things the way they do it rather than demand. The moment you start to demand things a certain way you become a tourist. Andrew and Sandra blessed us so much. They taught us more about the culture and took us on a mini safari. We left their house feeling so blessed and more able to interact to the people of Botswana. Andrew even drove us all they way to Pretoria, South Africa so we could get a bus to Nelspruit and didn’t have to take two long buses.
Both couples were very different from each other but they both loved so well. They taught me so much about being a full time missionary. They showed me that there are so many different ways to do the same thing. It doesn’t make one better than the other. It simply means that God will use whatever you have to offer. Ultimately, give your all to Jesus and He will never fail you.
