After returning from our marathon trip back to the states, we hit the ground running and are just now starting to feel somewhat caught up from our travels. While paying our internet bill the first few days back in Maun, Julie could not resist asking this lovely Herero woman for a photo of her in a traditional dress. Unfortunately, the picture did not fully capture the beautiful lace work. There are many Herero people living in the Maun area. The traditional dress this woman is wearing represents that she is married. Additionally, we have been told that the horn-shaped head dress represents the cultural wealth in cattle. The Herero people migrated to Botswana from Namibia and the characteristic dress originated from Victorian-era German missionaries.
The picture below was on a poster at a friend's house and we could not resist adding it to our collection. Since so many people use their feet as transportation, it would not surprise us if we did spot this sign along the road.
The first day back in Maun, Colin jumped right back in the plane for a check ride and charters. The FMS chief pilot had been staying at our house while we were gone. He was here to do flight orientation with the new pilot/mechanic (Matt) who arrived while we were traveling. Flights were delayed that day when a Botswana Defense Force (BDF) plane blew a tire and went off the runway.
Having the runway temporarily shut down do to the accident threw off all the scheduled customers we were transporting. Our FMS chief pilot, Tim Schubert, is pictured below as he calls in the situation to our flight scheduler.
As soon as Tim left, our dear friends with the "Word to Africa" mission stayed with us a few days while working on government permits. It was so good to see them and see how big Cordre is getting after his early arrival in October. Dries is holding him in the picture below.
Ilse is sitting with the couple's daughter, Jana, on our patio. This young couple and their children have become deeply endeared to our hearts through the regular visits they make to Maun for supplies. They are ministering in a very remote part of Botswana with the San bushman. If you are interested in learning more about the work they are doing, see: www.wtabotswana.za.org Some of the website is in English, but a lot of information is still in Afrikaans. Even so, there are interesting pictures that tell stories in themselves.
Shortly after Dries and Ilse left, another missionary couple with "Word to Africa" that occasionally stay with us also needed a place to stay while shopping for monthly supplies. They have the same last name as us, but spell it with an "e" on the end. The Brownes have also been ministering to the San people in the north western part of Botswana. Each trip, the couple usually brings one of the San children from the village, Xai Xai, that they have been living in for the last seven years. During their supply shopping, they buy clothing and other simple things the child needs. Unfortunately, the government of Botswana is making it more difficult for people in ministry here to get permits, and the Brownes will be moving back to South Africa in the near future. Peter and Susan are pictured below with one of the children from Xai Xai.
In our first month back to Maun, Colin did a lot of flying and always enjoys taking passengers to Xai Xai where the San bushman live. People from the village come to meet the plane and sell traditional items to the tourists.
Again this year, there is a large amount of water from the rainy season in the pans and rivers surrounding us. The red colors around the drying salt pans is the krill (shrimp) that the flamingos eat and gives them their color.
Colin also had a few overnights at Jack's Camp in May. He always enjoys the warm welcome of the staff members he has been building relationships with. Pictured below are a few of the staff that comes to meet the plane and clients at arrival.
Once all are warmly greeted, there is a drive through the bush to reach the camp.
Colin keeps his camera ready as there are always interesting things to see.
Below is a White Backed Vulture. A new addition to the list of birds sighted during our time in Botswana.
On one of his overnight visits, Colin and our new pilot actually got to go on an evening game drive with clients. At sunset, clients are offered drinks while watching the extraordinary Kalahari sunsets.
As night settled in, everyone returned to camp. Along the way a Cape Hare was spotted.
The outing with the clients was a first for Colin. Most of the time, Colin's time is spent around camp in the staff quarters. Matt is pictured below relaxing in the staff lounge with one of the manager's children.
Pictured below is Linda with her child. She is one of the regular people we co-ordinate flight schedules with concerning clients coming to and from Jack's Camp.
Linda's husband, Stuart, is also on staff. Many people living in Botswana make their living from the safari industry. Couples like this, that live full time in a remote bush safari camp are not uncommon.
The pilot tent provided is not anything even near as comfortable and luxurious as the safari tents the paying customers stay in. After socializing with the staff, the picture below shows where Colin retires to sleep at night. He travels with a bed net after too many nights of being bothered by mosquitoes.
Colin enjoys the diverse flying and cultural experiences he is participating in through our work with Flying Mission Services. Pictured below is a sunrise on the flight line at the Maun airport, marking another day the Lord has made.
The third Sunday in May, the church we have been attending celebrated four years of meeting together in the present building. The Sunday school children were asked to sing some special songs.
Other groups shared special music with the church membership. Below, the Zimbabwean group sang a few lively songs.
There was a smaller group of people from India that also had music in their native language to share.
After the service was finished, there was a luncheon. Everyone brought a variety of food to share.
There was plenty of food for all those that stayed to fellowship.
Debra and Misheck continue to attend church with us. Baby Briane is getting so big. He is pictured below being carried traditionally on Debra's back.
Devango and Nicoline continue to fellowship and grow spiritually. Not only do they attend church regularly, but they are also making a consistent effort to attend two Bible studies weekly.
At the end of May, Mark Spicer, the managing director of FMS was here for important meetings with the Botswana air transport authorities. Colin attended the first day with Mark, but had to fly the next day when the President was attending. Mark is pictured below in the blue shirt.
Even though Colin was unable to attend both days of the meetings, many relationships were established and strengthened by attending with Mark. Numerous key officials in the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), and other organizations were in attendance. Speaking below is the deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transportation.
Anther interesting highlight from the month was meeting the editor of the South African Flyer magazine while traveling with about 15 other airplanes doing a flying tour of Botswana.
Colin pictured with the editor, Guy Leitch, and his airplane.
As the first of June arrived, our new porter named MT started working for us (MT is a nickname because his name is too long and hard to say). Like so many Batswana, he is very gentle and politely pleasant in his mannerisms. MT has been a porter for another company for 12 years, but because of his Christian beliefs he wanted employment with Flying Mission. Though we still miss Robert, we are genuinely pleased to have MT as a part of our staff in Maun. MT is pictured below in his new FMS uniform.
Though we quickly settled back into the needs and work of the ministry we are a part of in Botswana, we regularly think of all you that correspond and encourage us. We feel so blessed to have such a large group of caring people who show their support in so many ways, and we especially value your prayers for us. Leaving Alaska was more difficult than either of us anticipated. At one point a dear friend said, "Just remember, when you look up at the moon remember that I will be looking at the same moon and thinking of you." Please know that we have not forgotten that comment and we think of you too.
After over 30 years of living and serving in a remote village in central Alaska, we have relocated to pursue mission work in Maun, Botswana with flyingmission.org.
The picture below was on a poster at a friend's house and we could not resist adding it to our collection. Since so many people use their feet as transportation, it would not surprise us if we did spot this sign along the road.
The first day back in Maun, Colin jumped right back in the plane for a check ride and charters. The FMS chief pilot had been staying at our house while we were gone. He was here to do flight orientation with the new pilot/mechanic (Matt) who arrived while we were traveling. Flights were delayed that day when a Botswana Defense Force (BDF) plane blew a tire and went off the runway.
Having the runway temporarily shut down do to the accident threw off all the scheduled customers we were transporting. Our FMS chief pilot, Tim Schubert, is pictured below as he calls in the situation to our flight scheduler.
As soon as Tim left, our dear friends with the "Word to Africa" mission stayed with us a few days while working on government permits. It was so good to see them and see how big Cordre is getting after his early arrival in October. Dries is holding him in the picture below.
Ilse is sitting with the couple's daughter, Jana, on our patio. This young couple and their children have become deeply endeared to our hearts through the regular visits they make to Maun for supplies. They are ministering in a very remote part of Botswana with the San bushman. If you are interested in learning more about the work they are doing, see: www.wtabotswana.za.org Some of the website is in English, but a lot of information is still in Afrikaans. Even so, there are interesting pictures that tell stories in themselves.
Shortly after Dries and Ilse left, another missionary couple with "Word to Africa" that occasionally stay with us also needed a place to stay while shopping for monthly supplies. They have the same last name as us, but spell it with an "e" on the end. The Brownes have also been ministering to the San people in the north western part of Botswana. Each trip, the couple usually brings one of the San children from the village, Xai Xai, that they have been living in for the last seven years. During their supply shopping, they buy clothing and other simple things the child needs. Unfortunately, the government of Botswana is making it more difficult for people in ministry here to get permits, and the Brownes will be moving back to South Africa in the near future. Peter and Susan are pictured below with one of the children from Xai Xai.
In our first month back to Maun, Colin did a lot of flying and always enjoys taking passengers to Xai Xai where the San bushman live. People from the village come to meet the plane and sell traditional items to the tourists.
Again this year, there is a large amount of water from the rainy season in the pans and rivers surrounding us. The red colors around the drying salt pans is the krill (shrimp) that the flamingos eat and gives them their color.
Colin also had a few overnights at Jack's Camp in May. He always enjoys the warm welcome of the staff members he has been building relationships with. Pictured below are a few of the staff that comes to meet the plane and clients at arrival.
Once all are warmly greeted, there is a drive through the bush to reach the camp.
Colin keeps his camera ready as there are always interesting things to see.
Below is a White Backed Vulture. A new addition to the list of birds sighted during our time in Botswana.
On one of his overnight visits, Colin and our new pilot actually got to go on an evening game drive with clients. At sunset, clients are offered drinks while watching the extraordinary Kalahari sunsets.
As night settled in, everyone returned to camp. Along the way a Cape Hare was spotted.
The outing with the clients was a first for Colin. Most of the time, Colin's time is spent around camp in the staff quarters. Matt is pictured below relaxing in the staff lounge with one of the manager's children.
Pictured below is Linda with her child. She is one of the regular people we co-ordinate flight schedules with concerning clients coming to and from Jack's Camp.
Linda's husband, Stuart, is also on staff. Many people living in Botswana make their living from the safari industry. Couples like this, that live full time in a remote bush safari camp are not uncommon.
The pilot tent provided is not anything even near as comfortable and luxurious as the safari tents the paying customers stay in. After socializing with the staff, the picture below shows where Colin retires to sleep at night. He travels with a bed net after too many nights of being bothered by mosquitoes.
Colin enjoys the diverse flying and cultural experiences he is participating in through our work with Flying Mission Services. Pictured below is a sunrise on the flight line at the Maun airport, marking another day the Lord has made.
The third Sunday in May, the church we have been attending celebrated four years of meeting together in the present building. The Sunday school children were asked to sing some special songs.
Other groups shared special music with the church membership. Below, the Zimbabwean group sang a few lively songs.
There was a smaller group of people from India that also had music in their native language to share.
After the service was finished, there was a luncheon. Everyone brought a variety of food to share.
There was plenty of food for all those that stayed to fellowship.
Debra and Misheck continue to attend church with us. Baby Briane is getting so big. He is pictured below being carried traditionally on Debra's back.
Devango and Nicoline continue to fellowship and grow spiritually. Not only do they attend church regularly, but they are also making a consistent effort to attend two Bible studies weekly.
At the end of May, Mark Spicer, the managing director of FMS was here for important meetings with the Botswana air transport authorities. Colin attended the first day with Mark, but had to fly the next day when the President was attending. Mark is pictured below in the blue shirt.
Even though Colin was unable to attend both days of the meetings, many relationships were established and strengthened by attending with Mark. Numerous key officials in the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), and other organizations were in attendance. Speaking below is the deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transportation.
Anther interesting highlight from the month was meeting the editor of the South African Flyer magazine while traveling with about 15 other airplanes doing a flying tour of Botswana.
Colin pictured with the editor, Guy Leitch, and his airplane.
As the first of June arrived, our new porter named MT started working for us (MT is a nickname because his name is too long and hard to say). Like so many Batswana, he is very gentle and politely pleasant in his mannerisms. MT has been a porter for another company for 12 years, but because of his Christian beliefs he wanted employment with Flying Mission. Though we still miss Robert, we are genuinely pleased to have MT as a part of our staff in Maun. MT is pictured below in his new FMS uniform.
Though we quickly settled back into the needs and work of the ministry we are a part of in Botswana, we regularly think of all you that correspond and encourage us. We feel so blessed to have such a large group of caring people who show their support in so many ways, and we especially value your prayers for us. Leaving Alaska was more difficult than either of us anticipated. At one point a dear friend said, "Just remember, when you look up at the moon remember that I will be looking at the same moon and thinking of you." Please know that we have not forgotten that comment and we think of you too.
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