August 1, 2008

Our third week in Gaborone began with Monday and Tuesday being President's Day and a national holiday. Businesses were all closed, so on Monday we just relaxed and realized how much we needed to do that after so many adjustments to our life recently. On Tuesday, we were invited by the managing director of Flying Mission Services, and his wife, to go on a "game drive" and of course we accepted. We drove out to the Mokolodi Game Reserve, which is ten miles south of Gaborone, and in the late afternoon we hopped into a game viewing vehicle that was somewhat like a small open air bus. We were no more than five minutes into the drive when we saw Kudu browsing in the brush. Kudu are Africa's second largest antelope that are about the size of an elk, and the males have large upwardly spiraling horns. The game viewing never let up after that. We saw three African elephants that were about 100 feet from our vehicle, in addition to ostrich and other smaller birds, blue wildebeest, hartebeest, impala, hyenas, giraffes, baboons, zebras, gemsbok, and even a jackal.After days of fast paced city driving on paved roads, it felt so good to get out in the bush of Botswana on dirt roads like we have been accustom to in Alaska. The day of total rest and the game drive during the national holiday was a real blessing and readied us to resume our vehicle search on Wednesday.

Our search has led us to a 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero (or in the USA it is called a Montero) in our price range. It was very well cared for and has fairly low mileage. Once it had been checked over by a reputable mechanic and approved, we finalized an agreement with the dealer. While the dealer took care of the registration and plates, we had the vehicle fully serviced and sought out insurance. At the end of our fourth week, everything is complete and we even had time to get the wheels balanced and aligned.

Colin says, "This vehicle sat for days unnoticed as other cars around it sold. After looking at other prospective vehicles we realized that it was in much better shape than anything else we'd looked at and a good deal for the money. We hurried back and there it sat, waiting for us. Though at the top end of what we'd hoped to pay it wasn't the budget buster we might have had to pay for an equally dependable vehicle. Very much an answer to prayer."
As we progressed though the procedures needed to own a car here, Colin also continued to complete the necessary requirements for his Botswana pilots license. Thursday of our third week, he had further orientation with the chief pilot and was able to do his check ride in a Cessna 210. The results of his written test finally were complete on Friday, and Colin was relieved to find out he passed with an 87%.

Colin adds, "The air regulations or Air laws as they are called, are not as organized as the American ones and there are of course some significant differences. For one they still call aircraft "flying machines". Really! Trying to wrap this old brain around a new set of regulations was a challenge. Much prayer went into the study before the exam. I "wrote for the exam" in thirty minuets even though I had one hour and thirty to do it. I came out feeling good about it but by the eighth day, when we finally got the results, I was quite sure I'd failed and would have to start studying again. There is little doubt that a weeks prayer brought that score up, I'm still in disbelief the score was even a passing one. The flight in the Cessna 210 (a high wing, retractable gear, single engine plane) was my first pilot in command flight in Africa and the first I'd flown in six weeks. I believe it was the longest non flying period I've had in thirty years...it felt gooood to be back in the air!"

We now have had four weeks to learn how things work with the mission, learn to drive on the left side of the road, learn enough culture to at least be polite, and we got lots of paperwork done for pilots license, flight physical, drivers licenses, residents permits, work permits, bank accounts, cell phones in addition to a trip to the police station to get copies of all the above "certified".


As we prepare to leave, there are many things about life this city and people here we already feel a strong bond toward and will look forward to reconnecting in the future months. For those of you that have read the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, the author really does capture much of the flavor of everyday life here and as we have toured around Gaborone, we have seen many places mentioned in the book. A few miles south of the city, there is even a cafe named after the series that we visited for tea one afternoon.

We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but are excited about getting to Maun so we can get to work for the mission and start interacting with the local people and ministries there. We will load the new vehicle and head North (which in our case means toward the equator) on Saturday morning the 2nd of August. The next blog should have information on our nearly five hundred mile, two day road trip across Botswana and much of the Kalahari Desert.

There is a hunger and thirst for the Gospel in this country from the President on down. Christian groups are welcome every where with enthusiasm, especially in the schools. The need is out stripping the ability of this mission to provide all the health/HIV care and education as well as basic Bible instruction that is wanted. Furthermore, Flying Mission Services has flown five mercy/hospital flights this week alone. Please pray that the avenues of support that Flying Mission is seeking will bear fruit. Also, please pray that we would be safe on the roads and that we would remain healthy as the flu is going around Botswana.

July 19, 2008

It has been a little over two weeks since the last posting to this blog and we are now connected with all the dedicated and caring people of Flying Mission in Gaborone, Botswana. Our travel here was long, but comfortable. On the longest leg of the trip over the Atlantic to Johannesburg South Africa (15 hours), we were blessed to have a Christian pilot sitting next to us who was born and raised in Africa, and he had also flown in Maun where we will eventually be stationed. After the long travel, we were met in Johannesgurg by the sister and brother-in-law of our friend, Isabella from Galena. They generously and graciously cared for us in our fatigue for the night, and showed us around the city the next day before we caught our final flight to Gaborone.

On our arrival to Gaborone, we were met at the airport by a large number on Flying Mission people and their families. There was a smaller gathering that night for dinner also, and over the next week many people had us over for fellowship and meals. In addition, Flying Mission services has been temporarily renting a lovely three bedroom home here as transition housing for people coming to serve. There is a beautiful garden surrounding the house, a small pool, and covered patio. Security is a part of life here, so the home is also equipped with an electric fence, a security system, and a guard dog named Wilbur.


Our first Sunday in Gaborone, we went to an 8am church service at the Open Baptist Church in which there were people from 38 different nationalities present. We were encouraged and refreshed after attending. On Monday we were given a car to use and set off to navigate the city streets where driving rules seem somewhat minimal. Not only were there people zooming around (on a different side of the road than we are used to), but there were traffic circles to navigate, free ranging live stock (goats, cows, donkeys, and chickens), and pedestrians that we are told really have no right of way. We have had a some close calls and have gotten lost a few times, but have ventured on safely and in good humor to this point.

We were fortunate to start orientation the first week, and immediately began using the Setswana greetings we learned, as they are culturally important. We are hoping to learn more of the language once we get settled in Maun. Everyday we learn more about the people, area, and culture we will be apart of for the next two years. Moreover, we have been getting to know the structure of the mission and the roles so many dedicated people have in sharing Christ's love here. The feeling of purpose and belonging in the Flying Mission family seems strong, and we have felt very embraced and supported.

After the orientation was completed, Colin began gathering the information he needed to take the air laws exam for Botswana. Most days we had to get a security clearance at the main terminal, and then travel to the FMS office and hanger to work though paperwork, questions and study. The exam was last Thursday the 17 of July, and now we must wait to hear the results until next week.


Gaborone has a population of about 250,000 so there have been a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and goods to choose from in the many shops scattered through the city. Colin has particularly been enjoying the fresh milk with the cream still in it, and the product names and labeling have certainly been different from what we are used to in the United States. Maybe some of you can tell us if the All-Bran Flakes sold in the states also claim in the bottom left of the box that it will, "Detox Daily." We do not remember seeing that on the boxes we bought in the US.



With our first two weeks abroad now complete, there is much to be thankful for. We have been blessed with good travel, new friendships, comfortable living conditions, adventures in city living too numerous to write about ...(though only temporary as Maun will be much smaller), warm winter weather of 40 degrees F at night to 70 degrees F during the day, birds of all sorts to view and listen to, and beautiful flowers and shrubs.



Now that our resident's permits have been approved, we opened a bank account so we can take care of some necessities before leaving for Maun. We need to find a good running four-wheel drive vehicle in a price range we can a ford, also get it registered and buy car insurance. We hope by the end of the next week to get our Botswana driver license and those purchases made. Also, once Colin passes the Aviation law exam, there will be flight check rides to complete. All-in-all, we are so grateful to our Lord for how smoothly this transition has been going and this opportunity to serve Him. We thank you all for your continued prayers and emails, and may His spirit be with you in every day.

July 2,2008

Only one day away from departing Florida for Africa! Since leaving Galena on June 14th (after a hectic and emotional fair well), we spent two days with old friends in Fairbanks and secured the last of our things in storage. We also had to leave our ten year old beagle with a family there, but she is in a secure and loving home with another little dog for company. On Monday the 16th, we flew our plane to Wasilla and spent another two days with the long time friends who bought the plane. Also, there was time with dear friends from Galena who have been living in Wasilla while having cancer treatments.

June 18th was the day of our departure from Anchorage and a group of friends met with us for a late and lingering lunch. We felt so loved and supported by everyone each step of the way, as we eased our way out of Alaska. Then it was off to New Hampshire to visit Colin’s 93 year old mother and cousins living there. Our son Zach and his girl friend joined us there for 5 days also. What a blessing it was to spent time with him and Kristin among other family. We stayed in a beautiful family owned building that was built in 1898. It sits on pilings over the water and is located at the mouth of the Piscataque River. We watched the tides come in and go out, while all kinds of boating activity constantly entertained us. One day, a family member took us out in his boat and we were able to view many beautiful sites on the river and coastline including historical sites and lighthouses. There were also family gatherings and meals together that really made our time before leaving so special. Furthermore, Zach helped us search for a laptop and programmed it for us so we can keep in touch with you all.

On June 26 we flew down to Florida and have been working on a little house we have here while visiting with more relatives. It has been hot and humid (with the first few days particularly hard on us with no air conditioning in our little place), but each day we seem to have adjusted a bit more with the help of some good fans and a small window cooling unit. On Sunday we were able to join family for church and a pre Fourth of July picnic with the church family here also. Southern fried chicken, ham, and many other side dished and deserts were served with an evening devotional and games after. The thunder storms and lightning held off until later that night.

We can truly see God’s grace and goodness to us as He has gone before us each step of the way to this point. Leaving our home, and wonderful friends in Galena after 30 years, has not been easy and a huge step of faith for us. Now we are looking forward to finally getting on our way to Africa after so many months of working towards it and seeing all that the Lord has in store for us as we move forward in faith. Thank you so much for your care and prayers.