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So a few weeks ago I mentioned that Kevin and I would be a part of the Candle in the Corner Giveaway hosted by Heidi over at Moms, Ministry and More.  With our up/down internet (down for almost a week and a half now, but I’m not complaining right? : ))  I’ve not been able to post about it till just now, but I pray that you pass the word along because it’s not only fun, but it help’s support 11 missionaries around the world……including, yours truly! 

The contest is showcasing 11 missionaries from around the world who are putting up items from their host country.  For example Kevin and I are putting up a trio of Botswana baskets!  Donations earn you entries, and entries earn you a chance to win one of 11 items from these lovely ladies!  (The more entries the higher chance of winning items, but I have a feeling you probably knew that!)  The contest runs for the next two weeks and my showcase day is November 9^th.

Here is how it works…….(and the rules!)

**Head on over to Heidi’s blog at http://momsministryandmore.blogspot.com/ and find the “Chip-in” button on the top right of her blog.  You are automatically entered for all the drawings.  She will track your entries via the email address provided at the time of your donation. 

~~Every $5 donation earns one entry. Every $20 earns 5 entries!

~~All winners will be randomly drawn on November 11 and announced on her blog.

~~Winners must contact Heidi within 7 days and provide a mailing address. This will get passed on to the missionary whose item was won. You can email Heidi at stonefox@pobox.com

~~All monies raised will be evenly split among the participating missionaries to support their work doing church planting, AIDS and orphan care, humanitarian work, Christian education, missionary aviation, and more.

~~Each day a missionary family will be spotlighted and their giveaway item shown along with links to their blog so you can meet them! (First one is up from Spain!)

~~If you blog, FaceBook, Twitter, email etc about this event, leave Heidi a comment at any time during the event and she will give you an extra entry.

~~Please leave a comment or email Heidi (or myself) if you have any questions or problems donating.

~~Heidi is not responsible for (the remote possibility of) lost shipments, damaged goods, etc. Also, Heidi is not the recipient of any monies raised.  Isn’t that amazing……she’s doing it out of the goodness of her own heart to help self supporting missionaries around the world like Kev and I!  I’ve never met Heidi personally but “met” her through another missionary mommy who serves in Indonesia.  As a result I’ve networked with other missionary moms serving all over the world and wow, what a connection!  Sometimes you just need other moms who are where you’re at, even if they aren’t serving right next to you!  I’ve been blessed by these connections!! 

I do often get asked about “self supporting” and yes, that means that Kev and I live off the donations from others who support what we are doing with Love Botswana and the people.  We are humbled every day when we look at see what the Lord has provided for us through the generous donations of people like you.  Without your help, we could not do what God has called us to do.  Sure it’s not easy and it’s a HUGE test of faith to know and trust that He will provide and you know…..in almost 6 years (and all the years before that going short term!) He ALWAYS has! 

So head on over to Heidi’s site http://momsministryandmore.blogspot.com/ and “Chip-In”.  Also if you use Goodle Reader or another Blog subscriber (or even the old fashioned “bookmark page” or “favorites”) you might want to track her blog over the next two weeks to “meet” all of us who are participating.  We value your prayers and I am certain you’ll learn something you never knew before!  Pass along to those who you think are would be interested and thanks in advance for your love and support! 

So we have not had internet since Monday morning. We have no idea when we will be back up. Till then I am getting aquainted with kev’ blackberry. Quite a handy thing but I miss my laptop! Just wanted to give you all a heads up as to why I am not around.

Here is a whole lot of randomness and happenings……..

• Water situation seems to be much better now!  Turns out that the pumps were broken (had been off and on) and so Water Affairs was waiting on parts from South Africa.  Pumps were fixed on Monday and all seems to be in working order for now.  Our area is now getting water and our resevior has been full and clean water coming out.  Thanks SO much to all of you who prayed for us…….it helped!
• Once we got water squared away, our internet went out!  For almost 3 days.  The culprit?  A large crows nest on the tower blocking the signal! (I mean really…..! )  Kev scurried the 100 ft tower only to find it was leaning a bit too much for his comfort so the maintenance department secured one of the stay wires.  Then Matt Clayton harnessed up and climbed up and disassembled the nest!  The crows looked on from a nearby tree…..I am sure quite unsettled that all their hard work was down the tubes!  
• As I said in the previous post our power has been quite intermittent as well.  Once our water came on regularly then the power went out…….really! 
• On Wednesday evening both Witt children got quite sick in the night.  Now I’ve never had both of them sick at the same time so I’ve been lucky.  Andrew has had quite the sick year this year and has had a consistent runny nose and cough since about June.  While I love that he is in school, this is the down side of school…..all the germs.  Both woke up with gooey pink eyes and high fevers.  Poor Piper just laid there and moaned……that was a bit scary.  A trip to the new doctor (which Andrew loved and was SO good…..no screaming fests which normally is what happens!  He got a big ice cream cone for doing so well!) the following day just revealed that they had a virus and to let it run it’s course.  Since we’re almost ready  to go home my med stash is really low.  I had just enough Tylenol for Piper, but I had to run out and by the African version of Children’s Tylenol for Andrew.  I went to four locations to find the strawberry flavored one but no luck.  I was stuck with the mint flavor.  This made Andrew horribly upset (he’s a great med taker when it tastes good! ) and as a result he threw up all of it over the bed.  Now when he sees me coming with the green medicine he runs the other way!  Today while I was in town I checked one other place that was closed and sure enough, they had the strawberry flavor!  Score!  Needless to say, I already have a nice list of medicines that I want to bring back!  I like the familiar and of course the ones that taste good are a bonus! So, lots of sickies in our house, but I think both are on the mend.  Piper’s eyes are still pretty pink and watery so if no change in a few days I might have to take her back in.  The fevers are gone so that’s a good sign. 
• Shoprite’s gaudy Christmas decorations are up!  Ah, the Holiday’s are here! I’ll be honest…..I am glad we’re going home this Christmas!  
• Botswana had it’s elections (please forgive me as I do not know exactly what it was for…..I’ll have to find out.  It was not presidential and I know it’s every 5 years.) on Friday so as a result we had Friday off of work so that our staff could go and vote.  While I was running all over town trying to find strawberry flavored Panando medicine I got caught up in the last bit of campaigning hoopla.  It was insane, and quite honestly a bit scary as I think everyone who lived in Maun was on the back of a truck that day. Trucks were doing U-turns, and children were chasing and jumping on the backs of vehicles!  Holy Smokes!  They were all happy though!  I couldn’t help but be grateful that I am called to a peaceful country like Botswana.  Many other countries elections mean rioting and destruction.  
• I got Andrew a new book bag, as his other one had broken and was ripping.  As luck would have it, I happened to find a Lightening McQueen one!  (I mean Maun is really coming up when you can find stuff like this here!) He has not let it out of his site since I brought it home!  He kept saying, “Let’s go to school mommy!”  I guess he’s ready to show off his new bag!  Funny that the bag is actually quite big……too cute on his little back! 
• And a bit of news on Piper…..she’s scooting backwards!  She can also get up on all fours for a few moments so we’re not far from crawling!  She can also sit pretty well unsupported for a few moments. She loves to sit up on my lap and can now even sit up supported in the tub…..hallelujah!  This makes bathtime so much easier now!  She also eats banana and sweet potato along with her cereal. 
• Internship is going well and we’re gearing up for next January.  Seems like there is much to do yet before we go home and feel really good about leaving things behind for four months.  Our interns have been a blessing and are fun to be around.  On Tuesday one of their classes was canceled so the girls and I headed for some water aerobics in the Lackey’s pool!  Gotta love that! 

Well, that’s what’s going on in our world.  It’s really windy out right now……hoping it will come with some rain!

So the next time you turn on your water faucet…….think of us in Botswana and say a prayer! 

This is what is coming out of mine……

And if you think that’s bad……this is my toilet!

The flush gives a rather dramatic effect………black!

Yes folks…..that really is water!  

As mentioned in my previous post we’ve had some water issues.  Well now I can safely say it’s really a water crisis as we’ve not had real water coming out of our taps in like 6 days.  The whole village is in crisis.  Water Affairs isn’t even responding.  I guess it’s hard to respond when you don’t have the answers. 

Due to the fact that LBOM operates a school of almost 300 students you can imagine that water is pretty essential.  I mean just think about all those toilets…….yes, it’s gross!  Because Water Affairs wasn’t responding, leadership had to search out options to get some water.  Linda found a company that was willing to bring in some truck loads of water.  Albeit that the water was pulled strait from the river……something that is not in crisis as the rivers are flowing! 

On Saturday the trucks came and filled our big (and very empty!) water resevoir.  For those of you who have been following my blog for any length of time you might remember the post (and pictures) of us cleaning out the water resevoir.  (I’ll try to hunt down that post! Here it is by the way! )  It was complete sludge on the bottom…..they were pulling it out by the buckets!  Well, all that water added  in kicked up all the sludge and mixed with the fact that it was river water anyway…….well, you get the idea!  We were hoping that it would settle a bit, but it seems to be all floating around!  

So I know you’re wondering…….
“Has Sarah showered in that?” 

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” 

Okay, have you lost all respect for me?  

Remember this girl did outreach in the bush for two months at a time with showers that probably were not much cleaner than this, and I did on numerous occasions bath in the river.  I just say  a little prayer that any amoeba’s die and that I don’t get sick!  I have full faith for that…..that’s easy for me!  

I am however being careful with dishes as I have bottles that need to be washed.  Thankfully I have some extra non dirty water that I reserved for Piper’ stuff.  I haven’t done laundry…..there just is no use.  

So yeah…..that’s whats happening in the Witt World, in case you ever wonder.   Do say a prayer for us though…..it would be nice to wash those stinky cloth diapers that are in my wetbag in the bathroom!

On a total side note…….
Andrew (who should be sleeping) is singing a lovely rendition of Jesus Loves Me complete with excerpts of Row Row Row your Boat and The Wheels on the Bus.  It’s quite funny! 

And just to leave you with some pretty pictures after all that yucky water…..

Paul says to be content in all things.  Wow…..I have to really ponder on that verse sometimes……especially when I am not content!   Of course it’s easy to be content when all is going well, but with the pressure is on……I get irritable and grouchy! 

I’m feeling the fact that I am in a 3rd world country very much this week.  This really hasn’t been the greatest of weeks in many ways…..

• The Mission vehicles have really been under attack!  The combi van that we use for the school and also the internship was hit and is now down.  Pastor Jerry’s brand new shiny (and beautiful!) Jeep was broadsided the same day while they were getting ready to cross on the ferry into Mohembo to check on the rural churches.  One of our interns Brad was along and quite amazingly they didn’t get hurt…..it could have been bad.  The Lackey’s other vehicle is in the shop for repairs due to another small accident a few months ago.  In addition Linda’s transmission is out on her car so hers is down too!  Our vehicles are so precious to us.  Without them we really feel it.  In the US you can get a car repaired fairly quickly, in Botswana…..it’s a slow process that can leave vehicles down for months if not even longer! 
• Our water situation is pretty dire.  It’s not just our property, it’s really the whole village is feeling a water shortage.  Being that we’re now in the 100 degree season not having water is really no fun.  Not to mention when you have kids, cloth diapers, and bottles that need to be washed.  Like everyone here, I have a good system to reserve water.  When you have to watch what you use, you’re amazed at how much actually goes to waste! 
• Our power has been pretty crazy too.  One day a few weeks ago we were without power for about 15 hrs!  Praise the Lord it was a cooler day so it really wasn’t bad.  The past few weeks it will just click off randomly…..sometimes for a few hours at a time.  No power means no fans or AC.  That mixed with the fact of no water really can make a person grumble! 
• And the last one…..and this one might sound really petty, but I could really go for a Starbucks!   ha!  I wish I could just roll up to one and order a Pumpkin Spice Latte or maybe in this case, a Frozen Pumpkin Spice Latte and just enjoy!  Okay….so now you know what some missionaries dream of.   Throw in a Chick-fil-A  sandwich and you’ll find me content in all things even without power and water!   hehehe

Oh well, I will be content in all things, or at least try to be!  After all, my being here is not about me…….

I miss October’s in the US.  I’ve been craving pumpkin something all week……..

Fall is my favorite time of the year!  I love everything about it…….pumpkins, sweaters, leaves crunching, apple crisp, and Halloween.  It also means that Thanksgiving quickly follows which is my favorite holiday. 

Now October in Botswana is so far on the other side of the spectrum.  While ya’ll are pulling out your winter clothes, I am pulling out my summer clothes.  October here brings on the heat and days that seems like they last forever.  In addition it seems like every October brings with it water shortages.  You can never quite predict when there will be water in your tap or not.  Just when I start getting used to it being regular, it goes out again.  Hot weather and no water equals well you get the idea……stinky! 

My best friend Amy and her husband Damian came to visit me last year during this time.  I remember how wonderful it was to have “family” here during this drab time.  She filled her bags with cans of Pumpkin and Pumpkin Spice Bath and Body Works stuff just so I could feel like fall.  She and Damian experienced Botswana in it’s prime as it was HOT HOT HOT and we were in the process of filling the schools swimming pool which meant big time water shortages on top of regular water shortages!  They also experienced the teasing rains that come and go before they stick around for good in December.  I was so grateful that they came……I was feeling so homesick at that time.  As I reflect on last year I still smile…..oh how I wish they were coming again this year. 

As I look at the calendar though I realize that two months from today I’ll be in the US.  I will miss Thanksgiving, but I will deal……that might be a whole nother post.   At least I’ll get my Gingerbread Latte in the Red Cup at Starbucks……you can bet that is the FIRST thing I am doing after I clear customs in the airport!  

I’ve been meaning to post this for awhile, but do to internet issues and my trip last week it was delayed.  I also didn’t want to rush it…..it was such a special day I wanted to try to put words around it.  I am not even sure I will be able too, but I hope the pictures speak for themselves. 

Kevin and I met Mma Sibongile in 2003 when we came with Teen Mania our last year.  She helped in the camp area and helped watch our stuff when no one was around.  Her cheerful smile captivated me instantly and though she only knew the basics of English, we managed to communicate the best we could.  When Kev and I moved to Maun in Jan of 2004 we were happy to see that she was still with the Mission! 

From there our friendship grew and she’s been known as our “African Momma” ever since.  She has a particular soft spot for Kevin as Kev is forever doting over her and making sure she’s okay. He brings her cokes and heart medication when the clinic is out……she just beams with delight when he comes to the house!  She’s battled many health issues over the years but is a strong pillar in her family.  She lives just off the turn to the property so many times when we drive by we honk and all the family waves.  We also pick her and the kiddos up for church on Sunday.  Mma Sibongile has some problems with her feet that prevent her from being able to walk long distances, though she is getting much better.  She’s a loyal staff member with the Mission and a favorite of many.  Even better her English has improved drastically and now we can communicate quite well. 

A few weeks ago we had the honor of going to her house and spending the entire day with her and her family. The interns helped gather firewood, play with the kids, and help prepare a traditional meal.  She said over and over that we were her guests but the truth is, we wanted to bless them and well…..we walked away with more of the blessing. 

The day was quite overcast and cool which was perfect.  We shared the whole day together and Momma had a huge smile on her face the whole time.  She was so content and happy.  Her grandchildren enjoyed all the attention and even Andrew and Piper were just mixed right along with them! 

I was humbled as Sibongile spoke of Kev and I to the interns.  At one point she wiped tears and said, “They are truly my son and daughter and I don’t know what I would do without them.”  She said when we go home in December that her heart would hurt till we were safely back.  Oh how blessed to know that I have another momma on the other side of the world who is missing me too! 

They served us a lunch of soup and bread and then a few hours later we feasted on a traditional meal that they had worked on all day.  It was honestly the best food I think I’ve ever had.  At the end of the day we all left tired, dirty, full,and most of all with smiles on our faces.  It was a good day.  At the end, Sibongile looked at Kev and I and said, “I am full not only in my belly, but in my heart as well……I love you both!”  We couldn’t have agreed more…..it was a good day and we were blessed just as much. 

Me and Momma

Andrew and David…….David was quite patient with Andrew at the beginning while Andrew got warmed up.  After that they became fast friends!

I love that you can see my face in his eyes! 

I told you they were precious……

Big Smiles…..

Pipes with Granny!

Portia, Sibongile’s daughter gets ready to serve the food! 

Our traditional meal!  Included Rice, Poppa (maize), Samp and Beans, Seswa (the local favorite, pounded beef….much like roast beef), beet root, cole slaw, and veg.  It was way more than we could eat, but SO good!

Here is the crew (and Piper! )

Interns with momma! 

I took over 300 pictures of that day and it’s hard to choose just these few to put up as they were all really good and captured the day so well.  I can honestly say that was one of my most favorite days in Botswana!  I was reminded that just the simple act of building a friendship is sometimes the strongest way of showing Christ through us! 

Just wanted to give you a sneak peek on something that I am participating in.  More details will be coming soon, but for now please just pass the word.  It goes to a wonderful cause!  I’ll be posting more info in a few weeks but till then, pass the word!   I’ll be putting something up from Botswana!

From Moms, Ministry, and More!

Candle in the Corner Giveaway

I’m just a simple missionary mom.

I often wonder if I’m doing any good at all in my corner of the world. But every once in a while, things come together in such a way that I know God is giving me an opportunity to make a difference.

That’s when I’m reminded that even a candle can brighten the darkness.

The Candle in the Corner event is one of those opportunities for me to serve…and for YOU to win some awesome items from around the world!

Missionaries serving around the world have donated items to giveaway and you will have your chance to win them! I don’t know about you, but I’d love to have a Portuguese rooster in my home! Or an African candle…or an Indian batik… (The actual items are a surprise and will be revealed during the giveaway, but as you can see, this is a very unique opportunity!)

By participating in the Candle in the Corner event you could win a cultural item from one of the following countries while supporting missionaries and their work in taking the light of Jesus Christ to their corners of the world:

- Spain
- Portugal
- Indonesia
- South Africa
- Honduras
- Russia
- Uganda
- and more! The list is ever growing!

Does it sound great or what?! Here are the details on how it will work:

~~~The Candle in the Corner event will take place here at Moms, Ministry, and More from October 27 – November 10.

~~~Any donation made here via the PayPal button during the event will earn entries to the giveaway. Every $5 will earn one entry and every $20 will earn five entries. The minimum amount to earn an entry is $5.

~~~During the event I will spotlight the countries and missionaries who are providing the giveaway items. All monies raised will go directly to support mission work in the spotlighted countries. This work includes church planting, orphan care, humanitarian work, prison ministry, missionary aviation, Christian education and student work, and more. As host of this event, I will not receive any of the funds.

~~~Winners will be randomly selected on November 11 and announced here. For time’s sake (I’ve got 4 small children!), you must check back here to see if you’ve won.

~~~As a thank you to those who help kick off this event, October 27 will be “Early Bird Extra Entries Day.” This is your chance to earn extra entries before we start “unveiling” the giveaway items. Any donation made on this day (up until 12:00am EST Oct 28) will earn DOUBLE ENTRIES!!

~~~In addition to donating during the event, you can help by promoting this event via twitter, facebook, blog, email, etc. Grab the button too! If you do one of these, leave me a comment on this post and you’ll get an extra entry.

Get ready to stir up the gift and fan the flame! (II Timothy 1:6)

So I survived my Namibian adventure in more ways than one! 

We had a great time and though it was a LONG journey there and back again, it was also a journey that went very uneventful travel wise.  I couldn’t have asked for better travel buddies or smoother travel. Thank you for those of you who prayed for us……it did not go un-noticed as there were many moments where we felt the Lord’s hand of protection over us. 

Quad biking was the major thing!  I had talked myself in and out of it about a dozen times between the time we left Maun till the day we actually went.  Of course I went, but I was very nervous.  About an hour before hand Kev had text me to make sure that we prayed for protection, especially over one of our interns Ashley. The new company that we went with picked us up and we were on our way.  I was especially impressed at how our guide Johnny took the time to explain the bikes, the dunes, and some safety precautions before we headed out.  On the dunes you go single file behind the guide and you don’t go off course as that is when you could get into trouble.  Plus once you are out there, you can easily get turned around as it’s just all dunes! Once on the dunes I was glad I went as it’s just so beautiful out there.  About an hour into the quading our guide Johnny stopped and said something to Josiah who was in front of me.  I didn’t hear what was said as I was still a bit too far back and before I knew it our guide was going over the edge of what looked like a very large dune.  In my previous experience we’ve taken drop offs like that so I thought to myself, “Okay….here we go!”  I noticed Josiah hesitated a little bit and then went over.  I saw him drop off so again, I was ready for the big drop down.  I said a quick prayer, went full power and went up and over!  What I discovered on “the other side” was an almost vertical drop off and it was way too late to back out.  I noticed that this way was way far though…..much steeper than the ones I had gone over before.  I was sailing down this thing when the g-force hit and my butt (which I might add is not a light one!) came up off the seat and the visor on my helmet shot up!  I thought, “Oh Lord….here it goes!  I am sure I am going off this thing!”  I managed to make it down and turn to look up only to find a HUGE drop off that I just sailed down.  I couldn’t believe I had gone all the way down this thing…..my heart was racing but I had a huge smile on my face.  That sure was a wild ride.  I waited, and waited to see Ashley, Dietra and Brad follow, but never saw them.  Josiah and were like, “What is going on?”  A few moments later our guide came over and said, “Oh my goodness…..you were NOT supposed to follow me down that ledge……you are so lucky your bikes made it!!!”  He then sat there puzzled as to how in the heck he was going to get our bikes back up the ledge, as ours were just the automatic bikes and didn’t have that much power.  I then realized how dangerous it was what we had just did!  When we got back up the dune….by God’s grace only…..we found the other three and found out what happened.  Turns out Ashely’s bike got stuck and she was having some issues with it going into forward.  Hindsight…..had she gone down after me, she most likely would have flown off.  She is a very small person and the fact that Josiah and I barely stayed on meant that she would have for sure fallen off.  Either that or Dietra and Brad would have.   We were praising the Lord for his protection over us……it could have ended very badly. After that our guide was much more conservative with us (after all….he probably thought we were a huge liability! ha!)  After taking that drop off, I was done!  I was so scared after that I went a lot slower than normal and I was oh so glad to see the quad biking place!  I got off and vowed that I will never again go…..at least for awhile!   Our guide was amazing and so patient with us! 

I will say this…….I had no fear, for the first time ever in my life, going down that hill!  Normally I would have hesitated, but this time I didn’t!  I had complete trust!  I totally have a sermon if I ever need to preach……”Full throttle faith in God!”
 
Don’t I look tough in my red helmet? ha!

Dietra totally had the look down!  

Ready to go……I think!

Our crew on the dunes!

So beautiful….the pictures don’t even do it justice!

Quad bikes always give me black hands which eventually gives me a black face because I forget and scratch my face! Oh well….

Dietra, Ashley, and I on the dunes!

The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful.  Ashley went sky diving and Dietra went deep sea fishing while Josiah and Brad followed me around shopping.  We ate amazing meals at some great restaurants and I even managed to catch a movie too!  What a treat!   While it is a long drive, there is a lot to do and it’s not that expensive which makes it great when you’re on a budget. 

It was a huge learning experience for me and quite honestly, I have a new appreciation for Kev as he always handles it all.  I couldn’t have had a better group to “experiment” on though as they were all very patient and willing to help.  It can be hard to please others, but this group was really easy and all knew what they wanted so that made it so much easier for me. 

Kev survived as well with Piper and Andrew and I hope that he has a new apprication for me. ha!  Both kids were pretty excited to see me though which felt good.  Sometimes I wonder if they would miss me, but they were excited to see me! 

Thanks again for your prayers!  It was a wonderful trip!