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MCM International
Rural Church Visits
7 Posted: Dec 28th at 8:38 AM
It was a different Christmas this year; a Christmas to remember.
On Sunday, December 20, we began the week with a Christmas celebration with the kiddos at church. We spent the morning playing at the park and then brought all the kids back and distributed Samaritan's Purse gift boxes. It's fun getting to bless the kids through this.
Sunday afternoon, we grabbed some food in town and headed out to the first community. Etsha 6 is the only village of the three we visited that can be found on a map. And this is only if you find the map on a detailed webpage or purchase it in Africa. The villagers say there are probably 5,000 who live in all of Etsha. Matt and I stayed at what used to be a Lutheran Mission Plot. It had several cement cabins and an abandoned church. It was the first time since I've been in Africa that I really felt like I was out in the bush. We cooked over coals and using our camp stove. On a walk through town, we got educated by the locals on how to slaughter a cow - a smelly, eye opening experience! In the morning, we met with three leaders from the church to talk about children's church and what it would look like in their community.
In & around Etsha 6
The church "building"
On Monday, we continued on to a tiny village outside of Shakawe. To get to Xakao, you must take a ferry across the Okavango River and then travel 13 km down a dirt road. The people of Xakao are mostly farmers and since it is harvest time, they were out working in the fields when we arrived. About 1,900 people live in the village. The church in Xakao meets in a building that the members built themselves. They gathered the reed and built a beautiful church. Xakao hopes to have electricity in the village by the end of 2010.
The road to Xakao
the church
the village
trusty Juan Carlos
Matt and Pastor Mmeke
From Xakao, we crossed the border to Namibia and visited the church in Popa Falls. Popa Falls has about 2,000 people. The village is situated beside the Okavango River. The church property is up on a hill, looking down upon the village and the river. (We spent two days fishing at a nearby lodge.) Then, on Thursday, we hosted a children's program in the morning and Matt preached at the Christmas eve service that evening. Christmas was fun! We participated in singing and dancing Namibian style.
the road into Namibia
a Namibian homestead
Pastor Kwamanga
the children's program and the church in the background
the kids loved it!
Friday morning, Christmas day, Matt and I drove back to Maun to celebrate with the missionaries American style. We had a big meal together and listened to Christmas music. These rural churches have grabbed a big part of our hearts. One of our big projects right now is the transcribing of our children's curriculum into the native tongues of the little ones who live in these communities. The translations in progress are Setswana (Botswana), Simbakushu (Northern Botswana and Namibia), and Spanish (South America). We also have a couple lessons in Zulu (South Africa). The Lord's doing a bigger work than we ever imagined!
So awesome, Kelly! And I love the pictures!
Wonderful! You and Matt are such blessings!!!
Great pictures...beautiful kiddos! You guys, through God's power, are truly making a difference in this world and He is expanding your territory! What if the next Billy Graham or Benny Hinn is sitting in your classes right now?? How amazing would that be? God is smiling on you....
I love that your reaching other villages. I didn't realize that was your mission for the holidays. That's a real "Merry" Christmas. The pictures you took are so moving. I enjoy seeing the children, where they live, their pastors, and what their children's programs actually look like. We miss you, but love what your doing in your corner of the world. Look forward to talking to you soon. Love you dear ones ~ praying for you always.
Happy New Year, Matt and Kelly What a different Christmas you two had this year. We were so excited to hear about your visits to the small villages. You are doing such a wonderful work! Sorry we didn''t get tospend time with you in Texas at Thanksgiving. It is so special how GOD is using you two todo His work in Botswana. We love you and pray for you daily. GrandDad and Grammy
I loved the pics they took me back to our vist to Uganda. I keep praying for your health, Wisdom, and knowelege to do the work God has called you and Kelly to do. We love you and miss you so much.
I just wanted to say I miss yall so much. I love the pictures of all the kids, Just know that you and kelly are in my thoughts always. Im praying for everything to be going smoothing, I miss you 2 so much.
-Sharayah-