Field News
The Children's World News
Department: Village Church
The Arise & Shine Talent Show was a HUGE success with over 100 kids performing and raising nearly $200USD which is A LOT of money here! Each child was allowed to sign up and perform once during the night either individually or in a group. Participants recited poetry, scripture, sang songs, danced, performed traditional dances, lip sinc 'd and played instruments. Global Expeditions teams volunteered as backstage security, wardrobe, hair and makeup assistants and also sold food and drinks. Members of the church as well as a few team members also had the tasks of judging and tallying the scores. Former Miss Botswana, Juby Peacock, presented the winners with crowns and awards while Thato Ngele was the night's Emcee. Thank you to all who volunteered and helped turn this event into a night the children could Arise & Shine! They will remember this night the rest of their lives.
The new tent has arrived and will be put into use this week by the average 40-50 preschoolers aged 3-5 that attend each week. Future plans include expanding to allow 2 year olds a place to play and learn also at their level using puppets, games, puzzles, toys and teachings.
T-shirt Sunday / Impacting the Life of a Child. T-shirt Sunday we passed out nearly 175 shirts to the children. A huge thank you to Carroll Brooks from Delano, MN for her donation of 200 imprinted Children's World t-shirts (seen on kids in picture below)! The kids' faces and screams of excitement were more than enough to put a smile on our face and melt our hearts! In looking back this Sunday impacted more than just the kids and teachers. Six days after handing out the shirts, one of the 8 year old girls in the primary class, Doreen, was accidentally killed while playing. Her mother was washing her T-shirt at the house so Doreen could wear it the following day. At her funeral, Doreen's mother shared that the simple T-shirt was so precious to her daughter that she felt compelled to bury her little girl in the bright orange T-shirt she was given. At the talent show for the Children's World on July 29th, Doreen's three sisters sang a song for her and her family was honored as we dedicated the night in memory of Doreen. Although her death was shocking and unexpected, tremendous things are coming about as a result! The teachers have a renewed vision that each Sunday they are making an impact and each Sunday may truly be their last time to impact these kids.
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Love Botswana Bible Institute - UPDATE
Department: Love Botswana Bible Institute
Eighteen students have just completed their 2nd of 3 terms for 2005.Curriculum this term included Pastoral Counseling and Communion With God 101 taught by Dr. Duffer; Systematic Theology taught by Jerry Lackey; Intro to Ministries taught by Jana Lackey; HIV/AIDS Counseling taught by Munya Katumba and the late Grace Ngele; and Positive Living taught by Alf Eikaas and Munya Katumba. Dr. Duffer, Dean of LBBI, states, “It has been a wonderful semester with an outstanding group of students eager to use their knowledge to edify the kingdom of God in their native countries.”
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Road Safety Awareness Week
Department: Okavango International School
The last week of term has been declared "Road Safety Awareness Week" at school and activities will be taking place in the Junior classes. The final week is an important week for the seniors too as there will be feedback on exam questions, a Business Studies debate on Wednesday and a civvies day and an outing on Thursday.
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Former Student Makes Dean's List
Department: Okavango International School
Congratulations to former OIS student, Caroline Kibakaya, now in the USA, who has been selected for the Dean's List at her new school which means that she is among the 1% of students from 3000 schools eligible for scholarships for further studies in American universities.
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Leaving A Legacy
Department: Village Church
This past month has been such a whirlwind with death within LBOM. Below are only three of six deaths that have occurred within the last month. About one month ago, a baby was found abandoned in a pit-latrine (outhouse). Soon after being found, passed away. LBOM gave the baby a name of Naledi (Star) and a proper funeral. Due to this death, some great blessings have occurred! Already one baby’s life has been spared from being aborted and we are sure there are more out there.
Shortly after Naledi died Doreen Reakae, a student at OIS and member of the Children's World was accidentally killed while playing outside near her home. At just eight years old, the love of Jesus radiated from Doreen in everything she did. The primary class at church and students at OIS will miss her smile, laugh and joy. Doreen's sisters and brother also take part in the Children's World and her mother has since joined as a teacher for the 2 & 3 year old class at church!
Mma Grace Ngala, a social worker and vital part of our Mercy Ministries work was killed in a car crash exactly one week after Doreen went to be with the Lord. The Ngala family has revolutionized this nation when it comes to HIV/AIDS and the love of the Lord! Baby Naledi and Mma Grace were deeply connected and Grace never left Naledi’s side until he had been buried properly and with love. She was a mother to the motherless. If there was a child without a mother, she tended as if they were her own. It was a blessing to know her and because of her life, this nation is seeing brighter days ahead.
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Evangelism Team Partners with Outreach
Department: Village Church
So much evangelism was done in the hospital, peoples’ homes, and in a rehabilitation center for disabled people through the combined efforts of the Evangelism team and short term Outreach teams. About ten of the disabled people received Christ as their personal savior and it was such a blessing to hear them eagerly asking for someone to pick them up for church. Another highlight of the ministry is when crowds of people gathered around to watch the teams perform dramas in the center of town. Many of these people made commitments to follow Jesus. Pastors and members of other churches were encouraged to take up the challenge to also evangelize in Maun!
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Counseling Ministry
Department: Village Church
The development of a Christian Bible Based Counseling Ministry is quickly developing as Dr. Jerry Duffer continues to train lay counselors in the course developed by the Light Learning Institute, “Caring for People God’s Way.” Pastor Sonny Seane and Juby Peacock have recently completed the 30 session course. Dr. Victor Ajayi, Leslie Schroder, Sarah Witt, and Junior Mchenje are well into the course with near completion dates. There are several others that are making plans to soon begin the Certificate Program in Biblical Counseling also facilitated by Dr. Duffer. The church will soon have a well trained and skilled group of lay counselors available to help those who have hearts that are hurting and burdened by difficult issues in life. Life can have it’s trials and problems and God’s Word under the leadership and understanding of the Holy Spirit and trained lay counselors will be a great asset to the many ministries of Maun Village Church.
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