After another long bus ride, that disproved my assumption that I don’t get car sick, we arrived in Gaborone. Jeff and April Sukup were waiting to take us to the village of Kumakwane, another 45 minutes outside the capital. Jeff and April first came to Botswana 6 years ago as missionaries through their church in Florida. They originally served in the city of Gaborone, but after 4 years they moved to Kumakwane to minister in the village.
They now have a small farm up and running, where they teach local villagers different techniques for farming in the desert. One method they have perfected is called aquaponics. This method uses the fish to enrich the water with nutrients. Soil is not needed in this growing process. Another technique they use is drip irrigation, to preserve water. They often sell this produce to local grocery store to help fund their ministry. They also employ several locals to help with the farm and allow them to plant and care for their own gardens.
In addition to running a small farm, Jeff and April also host many mission teams, church groups and agricultural students. While teams are here, Jeff and April expose them to many different forms of mission and outreach opportunities in Kumakwane and Gabarone. To support their ministry, we were tasked with the job of building dormitories. A team of 7 girls in a male dominated culture laying concrete, pushing wheel barrows, carrying blocks and building walls was definitely surprising to most.
The whole time I was mixing concrete, lifting blocks and shoveling stones, I was comforted by the thought that I did not need to rely only on my strength. I am quite convinced that I could not have worked as hard without the strength of God.
We went from mixing concrete and shoveling dirt one hour to wearing skirts and working with kids at the local secondary school the next. We learned this month to be flexible and ready for anything.
Leaving was so difficult. I never thought that I would become attached enough to cry, but it happened this month. Jeff and April made us feel at home and all the guys we worked with became great friends.
