Botswana tour with Oscar

Day 1 – Friday 4 April
We started our tour at Metloyane, a small village, around 60km from the Ramatlabama Border, where we ministered to about 50 Afrikaners, Coloureds and Batswana with wonderfull feedback. Although the people were not many, it was a good opportunity to gear up for the rest of the tour, and to test all the equipment.

Day 2 – Saturday 5 April
We experienced a wonderful open-air meeting in the evening at Danie and Connie Smit’s farm near Lobatse. We also had quite a few visitors from Word to Africa Mission, and all of us were encouraged.

Day 3 – Sunday 6 April
After rising early, we left for Lobatse to Jwaneng, and ministered to around 100 people at a Joint service between 3 churches in Jwaneng. After the service we rushed off to Mahalapye, to find a full little church of wonderfull Afrikaans people there. We had several people returning from a marriage enrichment course, and it was definitely a climax to their weekend. An old man also devoted his life to the Lord, and we know that the angels rejoice at every soul that is saved for God.

Day 4 – Monday 7 April
We were disappointed after being turned down by the chaplain at the prison, but we had a wonderful meeting with Rev. Phillip Sello, at his office at Botswana Railways. In the evening we had a full little church again, ministering in English. Amongst the audience were also some Zambian theological students. Around 10 people gave their lives to the Lord, and the booklets “the way to God” were received with joy.

Day 5 – Tuesday 6 April
Again we are disappointed in not being able to minister to the people at Makaleng, due to a Rev. Moyo’s sister who died in Mafeking. We did however, spend the day fruitfully in moving to Pahalapye, being welcomed by Mike and Marthie de Beer. We visited Serowe, and met with Ziggy, a school mate from Johannes’ wife Elzeth there. Ziggy and her husband Chris are ministering there with ELCSA, and are struggling to put up an orphanage there. We also met pastor Jim, who is ministering at the prison in Serowe, but could unfortunately not arrange a meeting there. We also met Hilton Freeman, one of the old stalwarts in Botswana, and he shared some of Botswana’s rich history with us. Due to the weather we could not proceed with our open-air service.

Day 6 – Wednesday 7 April
We had a wonderful meeting with Nelia Bailey in the morning, and we were inspired by the new evolving church being founded by them, called the “Potter’s house of Unity” for Aids orphaned cjildren. The weather cleared up, and we were able to have a wonderful meeting in the evening in front of Pahalapye Spar. Although the gathering was not large, we had an interested audience, with Ronel and Marius even joining us all the way from Mahalapye. The booklets were received with joy by several onlookers afterwards.

Day 7 – Thursday 8 April
We move on to Francistown, where we had some accommodation difficulties due to an event that was cancelled. We praise the Lord for Rudi and Loureen Alberts, who provided us with a roof over our heads and much hospitality for three days. Oscar had a great time photographing the most beautiful ducks, swans, dogs, and all the other children of the farm(being birds, goats, sheep, geese, cows, etc.).

Day 8 – Friday 9 April
Alas! An open door at the prison! We thank the Lord for Allan Rootsey and Chaplain Nicholas Chakalisa, who arranged for us to minister at the prison for Illegal immigrants and asylum-seeking refugees in Francistown. We also visit Claris van der Merwe, a missionary in Francistown. All the prisoners committed their lives to Christ and received a EHC booklet ”The way to God”. The inmates were from all over Africa : Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Chad, DRC etc. [The Prison warden amazingly even knew Oscar’s music as he had a CD of Oscar!]

Day 9 – Saturday 10 April
We set off for Bobonong, 250km away from Francistown, being the most eastern visit on our tour. Although we did not find a big audience their (a sum total of 2), we were able to minister to Pastor Phillip, enrich the security officer at the school, and talk to some Chinese business people about the Lord. We also found some matching Cowboy hats, and a Chinese kettle for our camping at Bobonong at the local Chinese store. We came to the realization that this tour is not about big audiences, but being where the Lord wants us to be, and even putting up equipment just to “lift His name on high”.

Day 10 – Sunday 11 April
We had a wonderful morning service where Oscar ministered at an emerging Afrikaans Congregation of Pastor Chris Viljoen at Digger’s Inn. Several people committed their lives to Christ. Johannes also met some acquaintances from his previous tour. After the service we had to rush to Pandamatenga, and despite a road full of dreadful potholes for about 100 Km and Elephants passing in front of us, we reached Pandamatenga safely and in time. We only ministered to about 25 people there, due to parents having to take their children back to school. It was however, a wonderful meeting, with a very positive response and a great encouragement for the local church.

Day 11 – Monday 12 April
We moved to Kasane early, to make the most hay while the sun shines. The Lord blessed us with a wonderful experience between the elephants on a game drive, and also an unforgettable sunset cruise on the Chobe river. We concluded the day around a crackling camp fire on the banks of the Chobe, with the hippo’s snorting in the background. It was a blessed day off for us to relax.

Day 12 – Tuesday 13 April
We struggled to get the right information for a transfer to Vic Falls, but by the Lord’s grace we managed to enter the Zimbabwean border with our vehicle and all the equipment. Although amazed by God’s awesome creation at the Fall’s, we also came under attack from our spiritual enemy in the sense of a rip-off for the hiring of raincoats [about R30 for two raincoats use for one hour and R50 for a 500m coke which we obviously refused to pay!]. The wild Chacma baboons which accompanied us on the pathway by the falls were a little more amicable! After visiting the falls the Lord granted us a quick pass through the Zimbabwean border at Kazangula, as well as the Botswana – Namibian border at Ngoma. Oscar is pleasantly surprised to meat a fellow-worker from Radio Pulpit at the Namibian Border. Although we only ministered to a handful of Christians on that evening, it was one of our most blessed meetings. Oscar did not only meet Annemarie, who previously gave him accommodation when he ministered in Gobabis, but three of the school girls who attended the service were very encouraged. The next morning Oscar got a thank-you letter from one of the girls, thanking him for his coming to Katima, and witnessing that the light of the Lord is now in her heart.

Day 13 – Wednesday 14 April
We have a lovely performance at Zambezi private School. Even the Indian Children who were not allowed by their parents to attend Christian meetings, sat outside listening to Oscar’s message. After the meeting the children was lying on the mat, reading the “way to God” booklets which were handed to them. After the meeting at the school we proceeded 320 km onwards to Shakawe, at Drotsky’s camp site. It was wonderful to fall asleep in our tents, hearing the hippo’s grunting in the background…

Day 14 – Thursday 15 April
Woken by the bright, clear singing of the Heugling’s Robbin, we proceeded towards Maun. After having some lovely spare ribs together with the warm DRCB Congregation, we ministered to around 20 Afrikaans people. The number of young, enthusiastic people present were remarkable. The response to the performance was very positive, and the people were clearly motivated to renew their vigour for the Lord. We ended the evening with the wonderful whistle of the Pearl Spotted Owls in our ears.

Day 15 – Friday 16 April. The next morning we set of for Boro prison, but were disappointed when there was a misunderstanding concerning the time. We offered to come the next morning, and the offer was accepted. In the evening we visited the Methodist Congregation with Rev. Alex Stein and his lovely wife Ems. We were accepted with warm hospitality, and had a wonderful night of fellowship with about 40 people of the congregation.

Day 16 – Saturday 17 April. After not being able to go to the Boro Prison on the day before due to a misunderstanding concerning the time, we managed to have a wonderful meeting with the prisoners in the morning. Not only did we have an exceptional reception, but the response to the invitation to accept the Lord was amazing. More than 75% of the prisoners had the guts to stand up before their inmates, come forward and accept the Lord.
In the afternoon we proceeded to the DRCB Congregation in Ghanzi. After a warm welcome from Rev. Hennie Basson, and his Wife Engela, we proceeded to Gerhard Botha’s farm where we were pleasantly surprised at the number of people who turned up in the coldish evening air. After a lovely performance on a big lawn with the full moon shining down upon us, we were treated to tannie Marie’s koeksisters and coffee.

Day 17 - Sunday 18 April
The Sunday started with a well-attended service in the school hall, since the church was being renovated. The congregation of Ghanzi was really motivated and inspired by Oscar’s vibrant singing and a message from Johannes. We decided to stay another day at Ghanzi, and we did see some Botswana lions, cheetas and wild dogs at Tautona Lodge. We were able to spend a lovely evening with at potjie at the Peacock family. We also learned everything about drilling and the Morama plant there.

Day 18 – Monday 19 April
Our prolonged stay at Ghanzi was surely a divine intervention. The chaplain of the prison allowed us into the prison on very short notice, and we had a lively time of singing and sharing the gospel with the prisoners. Almost 90% of them came forward to give their hearts to the Lord. We also handed them some Bibles. The smiling faces that we left behind, will stay imprinted in our minds for a long time.
In the evening we only met with two men at Kang, but had a stimulating conversation with them. Although not able to meet all the people at the ward in Kang, we realized that we had a divine appointment that evening. We ended the evening with a wonderful meal at Kalahari Rest Lodge.

Day 19 – Tuesday 20 April.
We woke up to a wonderful sunrise, and were treated with a game drive through the game farm. At lunchtime we had a wonderful time with about 50 of Johan and Bill’s workers at Kang Ultra Stop, and about seven of them committed themselves to the Lord Jesus. Oscar handed everyone of them a cassette, and we trust that the seed sown there will bear multiple fruit. Afterwards we proceeded to Kakhea, where we were received warmly by Boeta and Claudine Maree. In the evening we had a full house at the Lutheran Church in Kakhea, and we had the first opportunity to test out the generator. After the meeting we had to tell the people that they can leave and that we were finished, even after closing with a prayer. It became clear to us that there was a real hunger for the gospel in the Kalahari.

Day 20 – Wednesday 21 April.
After a quiet morning at Kakhea, we moved on to Kokotsa, about 45km to the south. Oscar felt more and more at home, as it became clear that more and more people are speaking Afrikaans. Although the new church premises of the DRCB has already been fenced, we met in the Lutheran church again. It was clear that oom Hendrik Titus and the new moruti (Setswana for pastor) of the Lutheran church had a good relationship. Although the audience at Kokotsa was not participating as we were used to, we can ascribe it mainly to the fact that Oscar’s performance was most probably a first to them. After the service the people also left reluctantly, but with gratitude for what the Lord has done for them.

Day 21 – Thursday 22 April
Thanks to the cooperation of Jannie and Heather Strumpfer, we enjoyed a lovely few days at Cornwall Safari’s Ranch. We were able to build up some energy, as the approaching weekend’s program was quite hectic. We also had some lovely time reading and discussing God’s Word, and experiencing his revelation in the wonderful nature around us.

Day 22 – Friday 23 April
In the evening we had a lively (sometimes too busy) concert with the people of Werda. Due to a wedding nearby, the attendance was not as expected, but we nevertheless had a fruitful meeting.

Day 23 – Saturday 24 April
The next morning evangelist Paul Stander picked up Johannes to attend their bazaar, and it was wonderful to see how the people are really standing together to do something for themselves.
In the afternoon we proceeded to Tsabong where we were surprised to see that the Church is finished, and that the manse at the back is also almost finished. We praise the Lord for his providence in this regard.
In the evening we worshipped with the people of Tsabong. The participation was wonderful, and the people again felt that it ended too soon. We also enjoyed the braai meat and pudding afterwards.

Day 25 – Sunday 25 April
The night was a little bit short, because we had to be at the border at 6h00. Eventually we only passed the border at 6h25, and the 25th rally stage of the Tour de Botswana took off. Oscar drove magnificently on the wings of Rev. Fouche’s prayers, to arrive at Askham (290km of bad dirt road) later, at 9h15. Although the service started a wee bit late, it was nonetheless a blessing. It was probably a first for the farmer community in Askham, and the feedback was overwhelming. We praised the Lord for His guidance and miracle working care in bringing us safe to Askham.
After a delicious boere-lunch at the Fouche’s, which included the traditional leg-of-lamb, we moved on back into Botswana, to Bokspits.
Our outreach at Bokspits can surely be described as one of the most rewarding on our tour. Not only did everybody listen very attentively, but the response of the people was overwhelming. Oscar again sowed several cassettes and videos of his performances, and the children were thrilled to be part of such an occasion. We were granted a lovely overnight facility only 2 km’s from the Trans-Kgalagadi Cross-Border Park by Kruger and Johanna du Toit. We will never forget the wonderful silence and the clear night sky with the bright stars overhead. We went to sleep with the song “how great thou art” still ringing in our heads.

Day 26 – Monday 26 April
Waking up to the sun shining on the red dunes of Struizendam, we ventured into the Park for a quick glance at the game and the scenery there. We were stunned however, by a very bad road and a puncture on top of that. The wonderful scences of Springbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Ostrich, Eagles, Secretary birds, Ludwig and Kori Bustards, as well as several Goshawks, did overshadow our negative experience with the road. Although we were not able to have our final meeting at Struizendam due to communication problems, we closed the day with a wonderful meal and hospitality at Bokspits.

Day 27 – Tuesday 27 April
We left Botswana early with a greatful heart for a wonderful month in this beautiful country. After taking a photo at what is literally the South-Western corner of Botswana, we proceeded to Upington, where I set of back for Lobatse, and where Oscar proceeded to his wife and children in Mossel Bay.
We give all the glory to God for this opportunity, and once-in-a-lifetime experience. We trust that the Lord will bless Botswana and his people, and will make sure that the seed that has been sown, will grow abundantly!