Closing Thoughts

Now that Jenny and I have been home from Botswana for more than a week and have been able to get settled back into our everyday routines, I thought it was about time we closed this blog with one last post. I wanted to share the video of the playground dedication at the Life Centre, not only because is it a cool video (not well-made unfortunately, but at least I captured the moment), but it totally sums up the entire experience for me. It was a ton of hard, hot, sweaty work, but watching those kids run onto the playground was the most rewarding feeling. To know that the children in the community now have a safe place to play makes me so happy. To think of their smiling faces. To think of the work that Love Botswana is doing, and will continue to do in the lives of the people of Botswana. It fills my heart with joy.

To all my family and friends, I have been so overwhelmed by your support. Thank you for letting me be a part of this team, to travel to Africa, and to experience God's love in a whole new way.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, 

that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

It's not over yet

Tomorrow marks not only the huge Grand Opening of the Life Centre and the celebration of Jerry and Jana Lackey's 25 years in Botswana, but it's also our last day at LoveBotswana. We sleep here two more nights, and then early Friday morning (6 a.m.!) we're getting picked up to be taken to the Moremi Game Reserve for the safari. It's about 2-2.5 hours away from where we are currently located in Maun. That night, after the safari, the team will be staying at the Royal Tree Lodge then waking up Saturday morning, checking in at the airport, doing some last minute shopping, and taking off for the long trip back. (Check out our itinerary page, there are links to both the game reserve and the Royal Tree Lodge there, if you're interested.) I can't believe the trip is already winding down. In some ways, it's felt like the longest trip I've ever been on, but in others, it seems like we just arrived and there's no way it's already almost time to leave.

Today while the rest of the team was either finishing up on the playground after lunch (or taking naps, or who-knows-what -- only a few people were needed to assist the guys doing the concrete), Jenny and I sat out by the pool and enjoyed some afternoon sunshine. It was a welcomed break, and even felt like a mini vacation for those couple of hours. We read, had some good conversation, and visited with one of the Lackey's adopted daughters. She is deaf, so we passed a notebook back and forth and attempted to "speak" English with her. It was cute. Due to chemicals that had recently been put into the pool, we weren't allowed to swim, but it was a great way to spend the afternoon regardless.

Now that it's almost my bedtime (9:30 p.m., again!) I will sign off, but once again, I just want to thank you all for joining us on our adventures either just by reading our blog, or the KATW email updates, or through your prayers and/or financial support... this has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime trip. And the best part is... it's not over yet! :)

This Is Africa.

I didn't get a chance to write last night, I was way too exhausted to stay up past 9:30 p.m., my eyes were closing as Jenny was typing her semi-daily trip email update. We almost finished our last playground today. As they say here, "This Is Africa," everything takes a little bit longer or doesn't work as planned... patience is a must-needed virtue. We were supposed to start mixing concrete (or should I say, our helpful local workers, since they actually know what they are doing) at 9 a.m., but we actually didn't start with mixing and pouring concrete until after lunch, around 1 p.m. Needless to say, we didn't get done what we expected, but alas, This Is Africa, and thankfully we still have another day to work. Tomorrow we were going to go over to help at the Life Centre to assist in setting up/cleaning/etc. in preparation for the Grand Opening and the celebration of the Lackey's 25 years of ministry in Botswana. Some of us may still go, but some of us will stay here and complete the playground.

Tonight we were able to take early showers (a story all of it's own, that perhaps I'll save for another day), and we're heading into town to have dinner. It's always nice to change into normal clothes and not be sweaty and dirty until 7 p.m.

Anyway, I should be off... just found out we're leaving in 5 minutes and I'm still in my pjs.