Ron and Heda's Botswana Mission- our Message
We have always felt a calling for overseas mission work. The timing for us is now- to rewire not retire.
What will we do?Heda's Role-Registered Nurse working in Lutheran HIV/AIDS clinic-Botswana is one of the most severely HIV/AIDS affected country in the world. Thankfully Botswana does have one of the most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with this crises.
Ron's Role- Financial Trainer. The assignment is at the request of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana (ELCB) to assist in the areas of financial management. Nationwide membership of the ELCB is 22,000, with 43 congregations and 61 preaching location.
BOTSWANA the country- Botswana is located in Southern Africa north of the country 'South Africa'. Botswana has a population of 1.6 million and is the size of Texas. 2/3 is Kalahari desert. It is mostly rural . We will live in the capital of Gaborone, population approx. 200,000. Botswana's ethnic groups are Tswana , Kalanga, Basarwa and other, including Kgalagadi and white. The languages are English-official and Setswana-national. The climate is semi-arid with warm winters & hot summers. The country gained peaceful independence from Britain in 1965 and has a Parliamentary Democracy. The main economic sectors are diamonds, cattle, financial services, subsistence farming and tourism. It has the highest economic growth rate in Africa and is considered to be the least corrupt and most stable country in the continent. The country has moved from one of the world's poorest nations to a middle income country.
The Lutheran Church in Botswana- was started by missionaries from Germany-1862 and Scandinavia. 75% of the population are Christians. We will be the first American serving from the ELCA.
What our experience will be like: We have a 2 year contract with the Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They will provide us with clean, humble housing, a stipend for food, utilities and medical insurance. They will provide Internet.
Off to Africa-We go for training & orientation to Toronto/Chicago Jan 4-17, 09. We will be commissioned to serve for Global Mission-Jan 25,09- in our home church, Hosanna Lutheran Church, 16526 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77090 http://www.welcometohosanna.com/
The Changing Role Of The Missionary-most missionaries today are ordinary people serving the world through an array of skills and talents-lay people called to serve. To find out more about mission trips and other global ministries go to www.elca.org/gme To find out how to sponsor a missionary and or in part support a missionary, or to become a member of the 365 Club, a gift of $1 a day, contact the ELCA/Global Mission, Office of Global Mission Support, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631, to order a 60 page current 2007 Global Mission Annual at no cost, call Augsburg Fortress at 800 328 4648 and request item 978 6 0002 1880 5
Ron and Heda were and are amazed at the scope of experience and commitment of the Chicago staff of the ELCA and the versatility and global presence of the missionaries in the field of the Global Mission. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and it's members are true to their name- they are Evangelists. The Spirit of the Lord moves within the ranks of the members!
In closing, a note to our adventuresome traveler family members and friends, you know who you are, we hope to get your emails, your snail mail, your telephone calls, to communicate with you per our blog and to see you in Botswana. Our email is r.christ42@yahoo.com our blog you know. The address and phone number will follow.
God's Joy be with you,
Ron and Heda (12-8-08)
