Carmel in Southern Africa

Good-bye Botswana!!

I can not believe that it's been almost 2 months since i left Botswana, i miss it so much! Here are a few pictures of my last month in Bots. Although it was a tough time, knowing that i was spending my last days there, it really was a blessing too!! It was wonderful to be able to go back to the North and say my good-byes up there, and then to end back in the South to say good-bye to everyone there. Botswana really touched my life, and i know that if i every get to go back i have some real true friends there.

This rhino came out of no where the last time i went camping down in South Africa!

Masunga!

I could not leave Botswana without first going back to Masunga, my first home and where i also worked on the Operation: HIV (He Is Victorious) team. I knew saying good-bye was important, but i never knew how much till i went back to Masunga to say my final good-byes. I had such a wonderful peaceful visit. I was able to go and spend the night with Thandie, the wonderful lady that i did Home Based Care with in Masunga with our church. We had a real good time together, and we also went out to Gunwe, the village where we had 2 Bible studies, to visit my little grandmother as she like for me to call her. It was such a blessing to be able to go back there, and see everyone. I also got to go visit Tshesebe, another village beside Masunga, and say good-bye to some friends up there. It touched me so much to drive up there, and see the wide open spaces. At times i would pull over on the road and take pictures of all the little villages that i passed, just so i could remember them. It was a sad, but sweet time.

Me and Thandie, or as she said "come take a picture with your African mother." I love her, she is such a strong woman with a loving, caring heart.

My church family - Masunga Baptist Church

Thandie (R) and I went out to the village of Gunwe to visit my little grandmother(L - in blue), and give her a word of encouragement from the Bible and to say good-bye.

I stopped by the village of Tshesebe, to say good-bye to some of the ladies that i got to know while i lived in the North East.

It really did bring tears to my eyes when i realized that i was driving by some of these villages for the last time. I loved living in Masunga and the openness of the Northeast.

Francistown!!

Of course i couldn't go all the way up North without stopping over in Francistown to see some of my friends before i left the country. I mean i pretty much have to drive through it to get to Masunga, so it just made sense to stop and have a "last supper" as Name said!

I had to take a picture of the Nando's the "fast food" place that Brandy and i would go eat when ever we came into to town from Masunga!

One last good-bye to some of my friends in Francistown!

I could not leave without saying good-bye to Gorta, one of my first students that i taught in Francistown on the Operation:HIV team, and the first person i got to be with in Botswana as she came to know the Lord!!

Last Pictures of UB!!!

Oh my goodness, this was so hard, the last few weeks of schools. I loved working at the student center in Gaborone. I had so much fun, and made really good friendships. These students made me see university minstry in a whole new light!! I don't want to say they where my students, because i feel like we became good friends and had a mentor like relationship, and really enjoyed hanging out with each other. I'm so excited to see what this next year brings, because i know that God is doing big things at UB and it's going to be great!!! My prayers are with you all!!

This is where all the action takes place!! Oh yeah, it's the Baptist Student Ministries - student center, my home!!!

Come on, like life in the city doesn't get any better then this! At lest the cow was staying on the sidewalk, this is right across from the student center.

My wonderful co- queen, KG, who help me rule our little kingdom!

Just chillin' inside the center!!

Kush all smiles after a game of b-ball!!

Viv, preaching to the choir!! hahahaha..i love seeing people hang out at the student center!!

Angella (L) and Pearl (R) are the sweetest and nicest girls around!! I love you two and miss you tons!!

I'm so excited because Lynx (L) and Noma (R) where part of my FYF group this year, and the torch has been passed to them and they are going to lead the next FYF group!! Way to go guys, i'm so proud of you both!!

Around town!

Well after my trip up North to Masunga, then after school was out for winter break, i only had a few days left in Botswana. So i tried to get around and see as many people as i could and take in every last moment i had left. God gave me great closure to my minstry in Botswana by letting me see the full circle of the work i had been a part of continue. I will never forget all that i learned in Botswana, and people that became my friends then my family - they will always be part of my home when i think of Botswana.

This is Letgo, my friend, neighbor, guard, and generally all around great guy. I wouldn't have made it in Gabs without him, i'm very thankful for all his help.

Riverwalk! One of the malls, with our movies, and of course Primi, best food in town!!

These gals, where awesome and totally keep me styling!!

Our young adult Bible study from Open Baptist Church, coming together to say good-bye!

Me and KG trying to get another picture together!

(L-R) Refilwe, Tshepiso, me, Lynx, and Joe. I have known these guys since i first arrived. They worked on the Operation:HIV team with us, and then they where part of the FYF Bible study at UB!! I love these guys, and it gives me great joy to know that they are now going out on their winter break, to reach others with the abstinence message and the gospel of Christ! What a joy to know that they are going to contiune to work along side of the Lord in Botswana!!!

My last dinner at Primi, my favorite restaurant of all times, with the crew the night before i caught my jet plane

Saying good-bye to some of my best friends Jillian (L) and Shawna (R) at the airport. I totally miss you!!!

Nice smiles before the tears! Vivien (L) and KG (R) totally rock, and are like sisters to me, i miss you guys so much!!

Uganda!!

On my way home, i traveled through Uganda to see my friend Grace and check out another awesome African country! I had so much fun! Uganda is so different then Botswana!! There are so many people, and it's so green!! While i was there, i got to see Grace's everyday life and meet some of her friends! We also went to a Babies home to volunteer, went to church, went to Jinja checked out the Nile, and really just had a blast!!! It was a good break between leaving my home in Botswana and going back home to the states.

Grace, Bridger, and me (L-R) all smiles before we went to chruch!

Tons of banana's, i'm practicing my Vana pose

We weren't the only ones enjoying the botanical gardens!

Some pretty flowers!

Babies Home!!!

One of my favorite things that i got to do while i was in Uganda was go to the Babies Home in Kampala. Grace goes once a week on the 2 hour round trip to volunteer at the Home. First we rode on a mato, which is like a 12-15 passagers bus, but we got way more people on there! Then we had to take a boda up the hill. Which is like a motorcycle, but a little smaller, that is used for a taxie. In the babies home there are about 45 babies from in newbies to 3 yrs. old. The children have been left for lots of different reasons, like either the parent has AIDS and they are afraid the babies does, or can't take care of the baby, or the baby isn't wanted. It really doesn't matter why they have been left, what matters is that these children have somewhere to call home and have people that love them and show them the love of Christ. After they reach age 3 they are often moved to larger orphanages for older children. Remember that Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, and we should extend our hearts and hands to do the same in some way.

My first ever Boda ride or any kind of motorcycle ride for that matter!!!! ahhhh!!!!

The death defining adventure up the hill was totally worth it to play with these adorable babies!!

I fell in love in this little man sitting in my lap!! I totally wanted to take Trevor home with me, he is a great kid!!!

Look at those big brown eyes!!!!

Market Time!!

This is something that i've only seen in Kenya, large outdoor markets. I'm sure there are other places also, but we don't really have such large ones in Botswana. So i thought i would take some pictures so you could see the differences that lay across this awesome continent of Africa!

So many fruits and veggies to choose from!

Some times you just have to know what you want!!

Literacy Class!!

I was very fortunate to go with Grace, to the Literacy Class that her group SIL and the church partnered together to teach. It was awesome watching Pocecy and the other ladies help these beautiful little children learn the basics of reading and writing in their own language. There are so many children in this community that are not able to attend school, for various reason, so this is a very important outreach that they are providing.