Love Botswana - http://lovebotswana.org/ Love Botswana - en-us Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:53:00 -0500 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:53:00 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Osmek.com webmaster@lovebotswana.org (Love Botswana) osmek@osmek.com (Osmek CMS) Video Update http://lovebotswana.org/ Our founders, Jerry and Jana Lackey, share an update about what's happening here at the ministry. 

Take a look with us to see the new Lorato House of Love, our rescue center for orphaned and abandoned babies, and the new Village Church Life Centre under construction!

The new Village Church Life Centre is going to serve so many people in the Ngamiland District. We look forward to moving in around September! This building is focused on youth and will provide the following to the community:

- Indoor basketball court
- Gym/weight room
- Restaurant
- Teen Clubs
- Recording and media studio
- Christian bookstore
- Love Botswana Outreach Mission offices
- Movie theatre
- Counseling offices
- Prayer rooms
- Tutoring services
- Adult education programs
- Fire By Nite youth services
- Village Church
- Children, youth, young adult, men, and women's ministry 

80% of these programs are already running right now, either at the LBOM Campus or at the site of the Life Centre in tents!

We are so excited for the building project to be completed. It is going to be a very busy place where people will be served round the clock! This is God's heartbeat of love for the community.

We are trusting the Lord for the remainder of the funds needed to furnish and outfit the entire facility. If you would like to be involved in this project in any way, please visit our Giving page.

]]> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:53:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-17559 For the Love of God http://lovebotswana.org/

For the Love of God

What determines if I am going to make it to the finish line for God or not? Is it how much I pray or read my bible? Is it the acts of love shown for others? It is the buildings we have built in his service? What about the sacrifice in leaving the comforts of America 25 years ago and coming to the remote Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta of Botswana?

 Along the way so many fall of the track. People who started off well! Pure of heart. Fully surrendered to God and who said, “yes” to Him, “Whatever the cost, Lord I'll go.” Looking at my own life, I took the path that wasn't the most glamorous. There was room for just two. I took his hand, and I walked with Him. Years of waking, years of service. What has changed?

 I recently received a photo on my fb wall. It was the words of the bible, shaped like a person, embracing someone. That is the difference in the Words of the bible versus the words of any other book. It cries out “I love you” and it lives. The Bible, so intricate, so amazing, so historically accurate, yet it is so very simple and clear.

 I have a close friend who, in the process of doing life, has left the God of the Bible and of her fathers, a lineage of pastors. I ask myself why? But there is a thread of something throughout her life that has plagued her. I hesitate to even say what “sin” it is because what we label sin are the big bad things. Murder, Sexual immorality, Adultery, Stealing, drunkenness, you know, the obvious things. So really, it doesn't matter what name it's called. Sin is sin. Flesh is flesh.We all sin.

 The clincher is this- what will I do with my sin? Will I see it? Will I repent, which means to turn away from it? God's Word cannot embrace me, like in that photo, unless I am clean through the path God gave for forgiveness. In itself, that path, is a miracle. Therein lies the ability to be embraced by God. Its the fundamental issue in this life I embrace called Christianity. Jesus paid the price for mankind. Will I allow that price to be paid for me, Jana, a person not spotless, not pure, not holy. Far from it. His measuring stick is not the same as ours. A merciful God, why do bad things happen to good people? I don't know. I just know there is a path and I want to stay on it so help me God! It can't work for me unless I turn away from sin and let God do a work, through His Word, through the Cross, and through the Holy Spirit, whose name literally means “Helper”.

 As long as I am holding the baton of GRACE and running, not my own might, but with the strength HE gives me to run, that I will endure to the end. Its not about getting there in first place. Its not a competition! Its an endurance race that means to finish is to win. Make no mistake about it, “All flesh is as grass...; the grass withers and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:24,25)

 Romans chapter 8 goes into full explanation, but to sum it up, here is Rm. 8:38, 39 ESV “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things resent, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can substitute surrender to God. So, for the Love of God...surrender!

]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:00:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-16375 Holidays at LBOM http://lovebotswana.org/ I am so glad to report that its been overcast, cool and rainy here in Maun during this 2 week holiday time at the Campus! Lorato Babies have kept everyone busy and its been so amazing to see these little ones surrunded with such love! The year ahead holds so much promise with moving into the new facility for Lorato House and the Life Center coming up every day to serve this region of Botswana. OIS school is growing and developing into a highly sought after school in the country. As we refuel for the new year, we look forward to sharing the many things that happen day after day through the dedicated staff and volunteers at Love Botswana.

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:03:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-16309 A Hot Christmas http://lovebotswana.org/

I am reminded of the time when we were at my mom's in Austin, Texas for Christmas with the kids. I was so glad to be out of the sweltering desert heat of the Kalahari in Maun, Botswana. Seasons are opposite between the 2 continents. Christmas's in our part of Africa usually called for a cool salad and dip in the pool! All bundled up with our hot chocolate with whip cream on top, next to the warm winter fire, I asked my 3 young boys how it felt to have a 'real Christmas' in America. Their response, “It's just too cold to feel like Christmas”.

 So here we are again, in the heat, but Christmas really isn't about the weather, but celebrating the birthday of our Lord. Today one of my son's is flying from Oklahoma to Texas with my side of the family to the coast to feel a little more 'at home'. I hope he can feel the love so far away! Merry Christmas everyone, wherever you are!

]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:40:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-16283 Lorato House Christmas Party http://lovebotswana.org/      It is with great excitement that we were able to host the Ngamiland Lodge operators who decided to give a party and much needed supplies to the Love Botswana Lorato House of Love’s babies and care-givers. It was our first introduction to our new facility that will be occupied in just a short time!

Heartfelt thanks goes to:
Royal Tree Lodge, Sanctuary Lodges, Ker N Downey Safaris, Desert & Delta, Chobe Holdings, Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, And Beyond, Moremi Safaris, Gunns Camp, Moremi Crossing, Orient Express, Travel Wild, Ngamiland Adventure Safaris, Wildwalks Safaris, Okavango Tours & Safaris and more.

Also showing their support for the event were Pediatricians & the Matron from the Hospital, the Ngamiland District Commisioner and his Deptuty, Local Police, the Chief Social Welfare Officer, representatives from the elderly community, NCONGO Representatives, Women Against Rape, the Borinyane Kgosi to name a few.

Check out our Lorato House Photo Album and see some of the care givers as well as the beautiful newly completed Home.  For the protection of the children in our care, we cannot post their photos. We are always in need of baby equipment (rocking chairs, toys, Nan milk, nappies-cloth and disposable, etc. ) This home is a very special place in Maun where abandoned babies are cared for by our dedicated team of caregivers!

]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:33:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-16278 Ngamiland bids a fond farewell to a dynamic leader, pastor, advocate, and friend, Ms. Linda Madeksho http://lovebotswana.org/  COO for Love Botswana Outreach MIssion Trust
  
 For the past 12 years, Linda Madeksho has been invaluable to the growth of the NGO, Love Botswana Outreach Mission Trust.   Initially serving as a volunteer missionary, Linda has been pivotal in providing organizational support and serving Batswana through the many varied programs of LBOM.    She has served as Chief Operations Officer of the Mission where over 100 people are employed.  Linda taught leadership, personality development and pastoral counseling at LBOM’s Bible Institute, is an ordained Pastor and was elected to represent the local NGO community in the HIV/AIDS planning initiatives for the Northwest District of Botswana from 2004-2009.  

In 2008, she initiated a women’s empowerment training program in Maun, Botswana called “Maatla” whereby women are offered development opportunities which allow them to work with their natural tools: their hands, creativity and innate drive to sustain the family both economically and emotionally. The program was the top winner for Textiles at the 2010 Women’s Expo in Gaborone for originality in design, marketing and future plans. Linda plans to continue her work as a textile artist with the hope of attaining BOTA certification status to the program in Maun.

Previous to her position with LBOM, Linda Madeksho pioneered and served as the Executive Director of THE BRIDGE Over Troubled Waters, Inc. , a crisis intervention center for women and children in the greater Houston, Texas area for over 22 years. She is a certified social worker and housing & economic development specialist known in her field for developing and implementing cutting edge programs such as emergency shelter, transitional shelter, crisis intervention services, peer counseling, advocacy and support as well as therapeutic children’s programs. The aim of the programs is always to support women and children in crisis such that they have the opportunity to develop self-sufficient lives utilizing biblical principles for problem solving.
She has taught women in both the secular and religious communities for over 35 years where she conducts workshops and trainings on a variety of topics from a biblical perspective including family violence, sexual assault/incest, social service principles, business organization & development as well as leadership development to name a few.
Linda was a member of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas when, in 2003, she responded to God’s call to the mission field and joined Jerry and Jana Lackey Ministries in Botswana, Africa.

In addition, Linda owns her own consulting business aimed at the business development needs of non-profits and start-up, woman-owned businesses. She plans to work in this business on an international scale beginning in 2012.
LBOM Co-founders, Jerry & Jana Lackey, as well as, staff and friends wish to extend Linda a grateful "Re a leboga Thata" (thank you very much) for her unwavering, dedicated service for these 12 years.   Linda will continue in a board capacity during the transition to the new leadership.

 Gary Pelotshweu, Chief Programs Officer and Dietra Bonds, Chief Operations and Finance Officer will be taking the organization into the future, along with several heads of Departments and the staff of over 120, 80+% of which are Batswana.

 Words by Blair Henry about Linda Madeksho:
Those of you in the audience know of Linda's contribution to LBOM. What you may not know about is the immense contribution by Linda to the region of Ngamiland and Botswana as a whole.

In 2005 Linda Madeksho met with a number of leaders of NGOs in the Maun region. Together they were concerned that there was a lack of coordination of services delivered by the civil society and the fact that there was no body set up to advocate for more service and support in Ngamiland. This formative  meeting was all that was needed to get Linda and her 4 peers  to get working to build the Ngamiland Council of Non Governmental Organizations.

Over the next few years NCONGO began its work out of a small office donated by Love Botswana and started to create a strong network of like minded civil society leaders. With Linda’s guidance the organization has grown to 44 members and has been successful in elevating the plight of Ngamiland NGOs as they fight a number of social ills, not the least of which is HIV/Aids.  NCONGO also works to raise the management skills of member organizations so that they can better serve their clients and be more responsive to their stakeholders.

The model of NCONGO is unique in Botswana and  is being used as a model of capacity building in a new USAID project that has attracted $20 million to the country. Linda’s vision and leadership was a vital ingredient in the visioning of this project.  NCONGO has also assisted its members as they have written successful proposals that have brought millions of pula to the region.

Linda is a bridge builder, bringing people together to solve problems.  Linda Madeksho has not only shaped the future of Love Botswana, she also has contributed in the growth and delivery of services by the civil society to Ngamiland residents. Linda has come to this country to work with one organization, but her energy, leadership vision and inspiration has positively changed the landscape of the civil society throughout Ngamiland and Botswana as a whole.

Linda, thank you. Your guidance and leadership will be missed.

Blair Henry
Ngamiland Council of NGOs
Training and CBO/NGO Development Advisor
World University Services Canada (WUSC) volunteer

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:06:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-16007 Maun Village Church Life Centre Progress! http://lovebotswana.org/ Every week that goes by there is major progress on the building site! Watch the building come up behind the "In Tents" church! Monthly site meetings are yeilding such wonderful results!

 

 

 

 

]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:32:00 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-15841 Update on Love Botswana Campus Flooding http://lovebotswana.org/ Fun Flooding Facts!!!

 We’ve used roughly 2700 sandbags[another 1500 coming], 20 pairs of gum boots, 20 pairs of gloves, 15 shovels, rolls of water proof tarp, and probably 400 loads of Calcrete to manage the waters.  In addition we’ve had over 50 volunteers who have put in many hours of hard work!!

]]> Fri, 22 Jul 2011 07:51:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-14789 Flooding at Love Botswana http://lovebotswana.org/ We wanted to give a bit of an update on what is happening here at Love Botswana regarding the flooding.  In an effort to understand why the flooding is occurring, here are a few facts: 

]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:59:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-14743 LBOM, Ngamiland Youth, and Babies! http://lovebotswana.org/ Reaching out to the community in Ngamiland continues day after day.

  • Another baby rescued and cared for bringing our number to 11 at Lorato House of Love.
  • The youth in the area continue to grow and receive training for developing leaders among their number through Pastor Gary's leadership and G's work on the International Award Programme in efforts to inspire mentorship between the older and younger generations.
  • Pastor Rick Snow is rockin All Nations VIllage Church as the "Guitar Pastor" on Staff!
  • 25 Bible School Students are pressin in for amazing teaching Monday - Thursday!
  • Okavango Intl School is back for 2nd term and unaffected by the strike! 
  • The Lackey's are tearing up the USA highways on a working holiday (which means a lot of work and a little play!)
]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 18:28:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-14311 Jerry & Jana's USA schedule http://lovebotswana.org/ Jerry and Jana Lackey will be travelling around the USA starting from May upto end August 2011.  To get our full schedule,click here to download .

]]> Fri, 13 May 2011 09:05:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-14221 April 20, 2011 http://lovebotswana.org/ We are travelling north on I35E headed to Austin, Texas for a service tonight. You will be happy to know that we are working to add lots of new stuff to the website. We started with a bang and then those of us with little computer savvy other than email and Skype couldn't get it moving. But alas! it is coming soon thanks to some "virtual missionaries" who are helping us! Our own Reeds in the IT department is also taking up the website challenge!

]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:31:00 -0500 http://lovebotswana.org/-13992 It's Here! http://lovebotswana.org/ Welcome to our new website!  We are so excited to have this method of communicating with you regularly.  Please visit often and comment to let us know you're around. 

God is doing great things in 2010.  It's going to be our best year yet!

Jerry & Jana Lackey and

the Love Botswana Outreach Mission Team

]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:33:05 -0600 http://lovebotswana.org/-10010