It takes a special kind of grit to receive baptism in a font of icy water when it’s only 55 degrees outside with a stiff cold wind blowing up onto the plateau. But three young women did just that today in the village of Kanye where we traveled for church. We inspected two flats in Kanye as well as visited the thriving Kanye Branch, a small congregation of our faithful.
PDay last week was spent at the most exotic sounding but not-so-exquisite-in-real-life adventure park hilariously named Lion Park Resort.
We rode the ferris wheel overlooking the dry winter bush…
...the swings...
...and the train...
...and we visited the three sibling lions caged in the park. They're quite impressive even behind the fence.
The Number One Ladies Detective Agency book series by Alexander McCall Smith induced me to fall in love with this country, its people, and its culture. We located The Princess Hotel, where Mma Romatswe our heroine of the books, takes red bush tea each Saturday morning overlooking The African Mall. I have arrived at a pinnacle of my life by recreating this ritual at The Princess.
Scenes from Kanye, Botswana, Africa.
After our Sabbath visit to the congregation and after visits to inspect missionary flats in Kanye, we joined forces with 12 young elders to experience an adventurous P-Day.
The discovery of diamonds in Botswana in the late 1960's brought newfound wealth, put Botswana on the map, and changed this country in such favorable ways, taking Botswana from being among the poorest of the 54 African countries to among its wealthiest. The Jaweneng Diamond Mine lies an hour outside of Kanye and is one of the country's largest.
A local bishop friend of ours works at the mine and so was able to get us in to spent half the day visiting the vast but private Jwana Game Park which surrounds the mine and keeps outsiders safely at a distance.
We saw a ton of animals including giraffe, zebra, kudu, eland, hornbills, wildebeest, and impala.
Of the 4 vehicles carrying all 15 of us, only one was 4-wheel drive. Hence, the other 3 vehicles became mired in the deep soft sand. That's when one gives great thanks for the strong able-bodied young men one has the privilege to serve alongside. They truly earned a hearty lunch on us afterwards!
Was such a lovely day. How I absolutely love these young men and women. We have the privilege of enjoying them without the responsibility of reprimanding nor disciplining them (most of the time). Best of all worlds; just like being grandparents to 86 adorable, moral, honest, hard-working and spiritual young adults. I love my job!
The senior missionaries of the Botswana Namibia Mission may be few in number but are gigantic in Spirit.
I absolutely love reading your blog! I so admire the love you have for these missionaries. I know that they will be blessed beyond measure from your love and guidance. I think you need to bring me a diamond from that mine! I think this mission is such a blessing to you and Aaron. Love and miss you guys. Can't wait to hear.about your next adventure on you play. Stay healthy and remember how much I love you two.🥰😘❤️
ReplyDeleteYou entered the world of Mma Romatswe! I am indeed impressed and envious. Sometimes I forget she is a fictional character created in the mind of Alexander McCall Smith. You and Aaron find happiness wherever you go, whatever you do, and whoever you are with. Your attitudes ought to be bottled up and sold as a magical elixir that 100 percent guarantees happiness. Much admiration coming your way for both of you.
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