Hands

Well, this may be how my trip to the Botswana Baptist Women's Conference almost ended, but even this was a blessing. Not a word of complaint, just helpfulness and  patience, as we waited, as we were towed, as we worked together.

The Botswana Baptist Women's National Conference was held in Francistown at Great Commission Baptist Church the weekend of July 13-16

Ann Carruthers, who just returned from the states, was happy to be reunited with women from Tsessebe Baptist Church.

The joy of the Lord is our strength, what a precious time it was with each of these ladies!

Greetings, so very important in the African culture. Thank God that these women are able to meet freely and openly worshiping Him as the One True God.

Selebo Jobe from Gaborone Baptist was used by God as she lead the worship team.

Laura Pettigrew, Noma Ndhlovu and Amanda Turner. Pray for Noma,  she is an integral part of the Baptist Student Leadership Team, and is busy finishing her degree while discipling other students.

Vivian, Janet and Teresa, - sisters in Christ! Pray that the believers in Botswana will be known by their love for one another.

The theme of the conference was "Every Woman In Ministry" 1 Corinthians 3:9, throughout the conference women would go to the front and with paint put their hand print on the cross.

There was a special time of prayer dedicating our hands in service to the Lord.

Pray that each woman present will remember this as they have returned home and the world seeks to distract them from the Lord's service.

All ages of women were present, from 6 am till 11 pm each day. "Yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31

Pray that the Baptist Women of Botswana will shine the light of the Lord for all to see.

I jump in this picture with the Gakuto Baptist women as they displayed the baskets they had made.

They were happy to show the work of their hands!

Grace, from Gaborone Baptist Church had made a matching scarf and hat. Right after she showed me her work she promptly gave it as a gift to a friend. "God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Cor. 9:7

Many of these christian sisters shared testimonies of what God was doing in their lives.

Praise the Lord for He is worthy to be praised. Pray that each of these hand prints will represent God's fellow workers, God's field, God's building!

How Blessed is the FOOT!

John Thompson lives in the village of Tati Siding just south of Francistown. He works with the Kalanga Team to reach people in his village with the gospel. Romans 10:15 says "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" This verse is speaking of men like John but for John it needs to be changed to "foot" not feet.

John lost one of his legs due to an infection when he was 12 years old. When he became a follower of Jesus a few years ago his foot has carried him to bring good news of good things to the people of Tati Siding. John is currently working with Randy Windham as they share the gospel with people and disciple new believers in this area. They currently have approximately 25 people meeting weekly to learn the Word of God.

John became a follower of Jesus when Kelly Carruthers shared stories from the Bible to explain the gospel. John realized that he wanted to follow Jesus and from that day he has visited schools, friends, and family members to tell them the good things that have happened to him because of Jesus. Join Randy Windham and Kelly Carruthers and the rest of the Kalanga team in praying for John as he is an example to those in Tati village of one who seriously follows Jesus.

Ladies are seeking to understand and apply the Word of God to their lives. Pray that they will seek answers to their questions and that the Holy Spirit and leaders like John will provide answers from the Word of God.

Kids sit on the perimeter waiting for their parents to finish discussing the Bible. Pray that the parents of these and other kids will teach them about Jesus.

Kelly Carruthers explains the importance of each believer sharing their faith with their family and friends. Pray that these believers will be bold as they share what they are learning with those in their village. Pray for Kelly as he leads the Kalanga Team. The Kalanga people live along the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. Kelly also ministers in Zimbabwe to the Kalanga living there.

Kelly and his wife Ann have served as church planters in the Francistown area of Botswana and into Zimbabwe since 2000.

Their three kids keep life fun and exciting for Kelly and Ann. Kayla is starting her senior year at Rift Valley Academy. Pray for her as she is deciding where God is leading her to go to college. Namon, 14, and Noah, 8 are homeschooled. Pray for the Carruthers family as they prepare for Stateside Assignment beginning in July of 2011.

Randy and Kim Windham have been serving as International Service Corp since 2008. Their term will conclude in late November when their daughter KB graduates from high school. Pray for KB as she decides which college to attend. Pray for Randy, Kim, and their son Luke, 14, as they prepare to return to southern Africa in late 2011.

We are thankful for men like John who are sharing their faith, teaching the Word of God, and impacting the lives of Kalanga men like this one.