Hmm. I don’t even know what to write about; these first two days have just been amazing. Right now I’m sitting in our little thatched-roof hut. It’s our break time between leading the school activities and accompanying the OneWay team here in Botswana on an outreach trip to a nearby village, which includes singing, dancing, a bonfire, and storytelling (yeah.. I got out of the storytelling last night, but they did drag me into the dancing :P). One thing I just can’t get over, though, is the Botswana OneWay team’s passion. When they’re worshiping, each person sings out and dances with such freedom, giving Him their all, like the room is empty except for them and God. This feeling is also the same in their prayer and preaching. If people in Naperville could have this kind of zeal for the Lord, it would be truly revolutionary :].

Ha ok.. enough of that. The experience with the kids today at the school was just as wonderful as yesterday, if not more so. By breaking them into 3 groups we kept relative order, although there’s always just that onee kid, or the awkward moment where we were all kind of asking: “Uhh.. so.. anyone know what we should do now?” hah. The day disappeared quickly though as we had them play games with beach balls, draw pictures and use foam stickers, make “Jesus bracelets” (the bracelets with the 6 beads, each representing a part to the Gospel), listen to (and participate in through hand motions) stories, and sing songs.  With hugs and high fives all around, I was sad to say goodbye. Although I didn’t even attempt to learn 50 kids’ crazy African names in two days, I already felt like I knew some of their unique personalities.

Well, I’ll close this up with a prayer request.. Please continue to pray that our team stays energized (and especially for Derek, who isn’t feeling too well) and that I have the courage to step up and out of my comfort zone as God calls me to do so :]. I love you and wish that you be out here with me! Thanks for checkingg innnn.

-emily

ohh. and as for the title, the kids at the school kept saying “Teecha, teecha” to get our attention :].

Beth Bounds, OneWay Intern:

Wow! Technology… I almost forgot all about you. And you people at home… Well, I haven’t forgotten about you. I do not, however, wish to be in America right now. I’m rather content here in Maun, Botswana. We were greeted with so much love at the airport. I can hardly believe it. Why on Earth do they LOVE so much better in other countries?

We spent yesterday at the orphanage/school after a fired up devotional at the school of missions with SUPER loud singing. I mean I assumed that there were like 100 people when really there were only like 40 people. We went to the orphan center and had a rather hectic time. One little girl seemed to stick by my side and so many of the children just wanted to be cuddled.  Others wanted to talk, but that was a little more difficult. None of us went anywhere without a little child (or 5) to accompany us anywhere.  The children would respond with “Aye-mah!” when they understood something, which means Yes, Ma’am.  If they didn’t or wanted something, just like Emily said, “Tee-cha!” was more commonly heard.

After a wonderful night of dancing around the fire and singing with more passion that I’ve probably ever heard in my life, I felt ready to take on the world again today. Man do these people sing out! I recall one of the boys with us, Jake I think saying,  “Man! When are they going to stop singing?” I responded with “Probably not until the fire goes out”. We laughed and that’s about how it actually happened. Emily, Hannah and I even joined in some dancing and singing. I had to quit early though because one of those treacherous migraines began. I ate two fatcakes (fried dough balls) for dinner and went right to bed when we got home. I woke up ready to take on the world yet again!!

It’s almost noon at home but it’s evening here and our stomachs are grumbling. They aren’t grumbles like the one little guy had this morning though. We spent yesterday and today at the Maun Counseling Center. As you have already read, I assume, this is a center for children who are orphans or “vulnerable” of some sort. Anyways, this little guy had eyes full of tears and a bloated tummy. When one of the Batswana women talked to him, she finally got him to say that his tummy hurt. It was almost breakfast time at the center and he continued to cry until after he ate. I felt so terrible for him. At least I knew that he was getting a breakfast and a lunch at the center.

It amazes me how two ladies teach these fifty orphan children everyday with little guidance and little funds. Another two ladies cook for them. One of the teachers told me that they follow different lessons and do an art project every day. Whoa. What dedication. (Mom, you thought your job was hard at home? Try children with the same problems and no one help you in the process of diagnosing them or managing them. It’s you versus the world. Literally! I admire what you do, but MAN I can hardly believe what those two women do every day.)

The funding comes from the government but they still need more. We left them with many many bars of soap (Thank you Best Western in Naperville!) for the bathroom. We noticed the day before that the children came out of the bathroom with just as dirty hands and that they didn’t have soap.  I wish that we could have left more, but it was difficult because we knew that we were going to a different school on Thursday and Friday and needed supplies.  I will probably go back to the Maun Center next week when the rest of the team leaves. Hopefully I can help and leave some things with the children.

We’re going out a village like 2 hours away tomorrow and then spending time at a new school on Thursday and Friday. The following week when I’ll be staying here after the team goes home, hmm, I don’t think anyone knows the plan for that, and you know what, I’m pretty fine with that.

All in all, we’re doing well. As for prayer requests, please pray for all of our spirits and energy. I don’t understand why these headaches have been coming, but they have continued in Africa too. Oh the rain too! Please pray that it stops. It’s wintertime and it’s not supposed to be raining and for tonight, it has stopped our going out to another village. Thank you for following along with all we’re doing. Thanks for your support and love.

~Beth Bounds

PS I’m not so sure I can get used to not waking up under my thatched roof or the smell of my rainy thatched roof! And as for taking a shower with bugs and living with some lizard in my hut? I couldn’t be more content.