My first week in Botswana when I was promised a car to use in the near future, I was less than enthusiastic. Drive a manual? On the left side of the road? In Botswana where I don't know directions, stop signs are optional, and cows are likely to meander across the road at any time? No thanks.
However, six weeks of public transportation works wonders to inspire courage in even the most reluctant of drivers. To illustrate: Sunday morning I was going with two friends to church. We set out to catch a combi at 8:45, which should have given us plenty of time to arrive for service at 10. To make a long story short, our combi driver was in no hurry and we arrived at 10:45, although the church is only 20 minutes away from my apartment...at most.
So Monday I was thrilled that my car was finally ready and I had my first driving lesson. Thanks to a few friends who let me practice on their manual cars back at home, the first lesson was great! I dodged cattle, conquered speed bumps, and avoided driver's ed students practicing on the same street. It went so well that my friend Torie was going to let me drive home. Everything was wonderful until…
I hit a rough edge on the pavement and got a flat tire. The good news is, I should be good to go as soon as they can send a new tire from a town up north, which will take another week or so. Often life here is one step forward and two steps back!
But I am finding that God usually has a purpose in my misfortunes. I pulled the car over into the yard of a few ladies who were having their morning tea. By the time the tire was changed I had a new friend who is attending UB in the fall. I have a feeling the flat tire was no accident after all :)
In other news, I had my first African camping experience this weekend!
This was the Easter Rally, which is basically a weekend-long retreat where all the Baptist churches in Botswana gather together for worship, preaching, and fellowship. The best part was seeing people I have met from different parts of Botswana. I got to see Mr. Fox, who hosted us when we were in Letlhakane. It was so exciting to hear updates on those who gave their lives to Christ during our trip. Park and his friends have been attending the new believers class and meeting one-on-one with some of the men in the church for discipleship. It is so encouraging to hear how the church embraces that responsibility and how these new believers are growing. Continue to be in prayer for them as well as churches around Botswana who strive to make disciples as Christ commanded us!
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