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.
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.
2 comments:
Hi Julie,
Kathleen here, Jarl's wife from Homer. I was checking my husbands e-mail, as I do when he's out of town, andsaw an e-mail from Yukon Eagle Air saying that our favorite pilot had been robbed and needs immediate assistance. Is he OK. Can I help?
Reply to missmemphis@hotmail.com
Kathleen Gustafson
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