December 30, 2009

As the Christmas holiday approached, December continued to be a time of fellowship with friends and colleagues. The second week of the month brought the FMS bookkeeper and his wife to Maun. They stayed in the flat while here with 60 of their church youth group from Gaborone. The teens were staying at a school and doing a combined youth rally with a Maun church of the same denomination. It was good to spend some time with them, as they came and went from the youth activities.That same week, the FMS office was finally equipped with an air conditioner. It is usually pretty typical to have two workers show up to do a job, one will do the work while the other supervises. Above the installer. Below the supervisor.

Needless to say, we were all very happy to have it installed after tolerating 90 -110 degree weather for a few months while just using a floor fan.
Our circle of people that we have built relationships with is very diverse. With in that circle is a number of young pilots, who are all here working to build flight hours. It is an interesting group, as the pilots come from all over the world. One young pilot was moving on and there was a going away braii (BBQ) for him at his house. Colin showed up with a large decorated cake, which was a big hit with all the guys.

Rolf and Colin with the cake (above)

The gathering (below)

Even though Kari moved out of the flat on our property last June, we still see him often and he comes over to visit now and then. He went home to Sweden for six weeks, and when he returned to Maun he surprised us with coffee and chocolates from there. Both treats were quite rich and flavorful! Kari is pictured below sitting at the head of the table at the pilot braii.
The rainy season is in full swing, and not only is the country side getting very green and lush, but the landing strips are getting flooded.

Misheck and Debra asked to attend church with us during December. In the Zimbabwean culture, the women are not to leave the house with the baby for the first month. So the first outing Debra made with one month old Briane, was to church on Sunday. They have continued to attend, and we hope they will continue to feel there is a church family for them there.

At church, Colin continues to enjoy visiting and entertaining the many little village children that attend from the neighborhood around the church. Even though most of them speak very little English, the children can easily connect to the warm smiles and hugs he gives out.


As Christmas drew near, it was decided that the FMS Maun team should travel to Gaborone for the FM Christmas party on Monday the 21st. The Kowalski family drove down on the Friday before. Colin flew the C210 down on Sunday with Julie, Patricia, Robert and his wife Pusetso. The picture to follow is the only one we took on the trip...We not only were able to have a great time of fellowship with the Botswana FM team Monday afternoon, but we also spent most of morning in productive meetings at the FMS office.

On returning from Gaborone on the 22nd, we were just a few days away from Christmas. Colin really had a heart to do something again for mothers with new or soon to have babies. We had been so blessed by giving out the baby things we had found stored last year, that we were hoping to do something similar. With some love donations from a few people in the states, we decided to give to a few people in need that Mmatshimo knew.

Christmas is pretty low key here. There is not a lot of hype and decorations etc. like in the states, probably because most people just do not have the money. After driving around Maun on Christmas Eve morning, Julie was able to gather a few gift baskets and bags to distribute in the out lying areas around town. Colin wanted to make sure there was something for the other little children that we were sure would be around each stop, so he put together little bags of sweets and stickers to hand out.

After loading up the back of our car and picking up Mmatshimo, we drove around and made deliveries. People were so surprised and happy to receive the gifts. We also gave out copies of The Book of John and tracks that we were given. The next few photos are of some of the women and children we visited. The young girl pictured below, is only 15 years old. She was expecting in early January and had nothing yet for the baby. Julie was able to visit a few days after Christmas to give printed photos from our visit and a few newborn baby clothes that a friend had given us.
It was late afternoon when we drove back through the sand tracks to this lovely girls one room brick home. We lingered there a while longer than some of the other stops as there was a delightful elder man we enjoyed visiting with. Of course Mmatshimo had to translate between us all.The last stop was Mmatshimo's family plot (property) that we visited last year. This year two other of her sisters could use the baby things. It was fun to see some same faces. One of her sisters is expecting in January, and the other had a baby two months old.

As evening approached we felt so blessed to be able to give to others in need. People here are so thankful for the littlest of things. The picture below is of us with Mmatshimo's family.

The rest of Christmas Eve was spent quietly together. We watched "The Nativity Story" that a friend had sent us from the states. It was wonderfully done and a perfect time to view the movie as we celebrated our Lord's birth.

Christmas was very special this year. The church we attend had a Christmas morning service and after the service, gifts were given out to the children attending. The congregation had donated the items over the last few weeks and all the children seemed very happy with the gifts they received.
After church, we went to a beautiful brunch being held by friends of ours that own the Island Safari Lodge. We loved the good food and quiet atmosphere there by the river. A little later that day we met with Keith and Cheryl, our teammates with FMS, and went to the children's ward at the hospital. Patricia was also with us to interpret while we gave out Christmas presents and prayed for the sick children and their moms. It was such a special time to give hope and encouragement to every child and mom on the ward.
Through out each day, and in all these things we were apart of over this month, we hope that the light of Christ was apparent and that our Father in heaven was glorified. Wishing you God's blessings in 2010, and that you "...will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13