Background
Since 1987, we have operated with the desire to serve people of central and southern Africa. The focus of the work includes the following:
- Bring those seeking the services of LBOM to grow in godly character through the programs of OIS, LBBI and outreaches to rural areas and the Maun Village Church
- Support the outreach work of international aid and mission organizations that are consistent with its own objectives
- Minister the love of Christ in ways relevant to the socioeconomic needs of southern Africa
- Stem the spread of AIDS through both prevention (educational) and intervention (medical) methods · Facilitate the training of Africans to help Africans
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Love Botswana Outreach Mission (LBOM) began in 1987 when Jerry and Jana Lackey relocated to Botswana. In 1990 they established their main center of operations in the village of Maun, Botswana. In 1997, the mission compound was completely destroyed by fire. The Lackey's home, office, records, equipment and all their worldly possessions were gone. Because of the Lackey's demonstrated commitment to and love for the people of Botswana, the local community and Botswana government responded in an incredible manner to the loss. The Tawana Land Board granted LBOM a 22-acre parcel of land in Maun to begin the rebuilding process. Out of this tragedy and gift came the dream of building a comprehensive Launch Center that would become a base of operation for educational, spiritual, medical and humanitarian projects; serving the entire central and southern regions of Africa
“Their beginning was about as humble as you get. Responding in simple obedience to God’s call and direction to begin an outreach in Botswana, Jerry & Jana Lackey began the year 1987 by working in the bush in rural Africa. They served. They assisted. They got to know the people. They built relationships. They began reaching out to un-reached people groups, such as the San People living in the Kalahari Desert.”
The early days of our ministry was without flare or flamboyance and reflected very little of the conveniences Westerners take so much for granted. Our priorities were focused on being obedient to the clear call the Lord had on our lives. Our first home was an old deserted farmhouse, still in the bush, which was occupied by a troop of baboons! The baboons reluctantly left allowing us to press forward in this important phase of ministry. There was no electricity. We pumped our own water; and during the dry season, water had to be hauled in when the wells dried up.
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It was this home that became the first headquarters from which we made regular trips into the arid desert of Northern Botswana; sleeping in the bush and learning from the beautiful Batswana people. We became very familiar with cooking over open fires and learned the art of driving through heavy desert sands. We lived in the bush among the people, learning the wisdom needed for outreach to the un-reached Bayei, Humbukushu and San ethnic groups of the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert.
In 1990, we moved our ministry to the village of Maun. This is a village located in the tribal territory of Ngamiland. Maun is still our home today where we live with our three sons, Remick, Jordan, Mason and our daughter Mmapula. It was here, in Maun, that LOVE BOTSWANA OUTREACH MISSION was launched, as God expanded the scope of our vision.
This early phase was pivotal. It marked the transition between operating in simple obedience to a time of developing relationships and trust with the people we had come to love and were called to serve. It was a time in which we genuinely began understanding the people and their needs. It proved to be a time in which the Lord began imparting His vision and purposes for Botswana and surrounding nations. It was a time in which the Lord also did something very significant within us – he gave us a genuine African heart.
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