Botswana Bulletin – Eleventh Edition

Botswana Bulletin – Eleventh Edition

“Almost Home”

September 8, 2005

Greetings to you all from the self proclaimed “center of the universe” Toronto, Ontario Canada.  That’s right folks, after 1 year away I’m finally back on Canadian soil, and I’ll admit, it felt a little strange at first.  Nobody speaks Setswana.  People drive on the wrong side (right side sounded biased) of the road.  The radio actually plays good music.  And there are more white people than black!  What kinda place is this?!  Actually, I’m just joking around.  It feels really good to be back. 

For those wondering about my flights all went well.  Well, of course there were a few strange things that happened.  Just to give you some insight on how cool it is to live in Botswana I’ll tell you this story.  I had to check-in with British Airways in Botswana so I went up to the counter and struck up a conversation with the lady there.  Here name was Lolo and we had fun chatting while she was booking my seats and stuff.  I spoke some Setswana to her so she was of course shocked, however, like I’ve told you all before it opens doors with the local people (she was Batswana).  After she saw what seat I had been assigned she told me it was a really bad seat and wanted to move me to a better seat.  I thought that was cool so I told her to give me the seat she would sit in.  Well, as it turned out, someone already had that seat.  Well, apparently I made a really good impression because she then told me that she was going to move the guy that was sitting there and put me in his place!  That time it was her turn to shock me!  Well, after we discussed it she realized that she could probably lose her job by doing that so she kept me in the same seat after all (I guess first class was booked). 

A few minutes later I was called back to the British Airways counter.  Lolo introduced me to a gentleman by the name of Tshimo Dikgang (a Batswana as well).  It was his first time flying and she was wondering if I would look after him and make sure he finds his way though the large airports.  I can’t imagine that could ever happen anywhere except in Africa.  Fearing that this may turn out to be hard work I reluctantly agreed.  Well, as it turned out Seemo was a really fun guy and believe it or not he had a friend travelling to Canada on the same flight (his name was Shima)!  So I had 2 Batswana buddies to hang out with all the way to London.  It was really cool!  We had a lot of fun in Heathrow airport while we were waiting for our connecting flights.  Tshimo left for Brussels to visit his brother from London and Shima had a later flight to Toronto so I travelled the rest of the way alone.

As cool as it was flying with Tshimo and Shima a few things did go wrong.  In Botswana me and Tshimo were chatting it up in the terminal waiting for our flight to Johannesburg when suddenly they called us to board.  Being distracted by our conversation I forgot to pick up my jacket before I boarded the plane.  Luckily I had nothing of great importance in it except for some sweets my friend Heidi Epple had given me.  I didn’t even realize that I had left it until we were in Johannesburg.  I decided in Johannesburg that I would try phoning my supervisor, Richard Wheatley, back in Botswana to see if he could check to see if it was still at the airport.  It was at that moment I also realized I had no Rand with me (the local currency of South Africa).  Actually, after some investigation I realized I did have 3 Rand (maybe 60 cents).  Not exactly a lot of money considering phone calls are charged by the second.  Anyway, I went to the phone bureau (a shop with a bunch of phones) to see if they would take British Pounds or Pula (the only other money I had).  Unfortunately, they didn’t.  Then out of nowhere this Englishman who had heard my conversation offered to pay for my call.  I declined at first but after he insisted I reluctantly accepted.  I felt like I was taking advantage of him because he absolutely reeked of alcohol so I believe it may have been the booze talking.  The call only ended up costing 9 Rand (about 2 dollars) so I felt better knowing I wasn’t robbing him of much.  I found out today that one of my fellow Flying Mission buddies, Jeff Royce, was able to find my jacket the next morning.  I was so thrilled! (thanks a ton Jeff!)  It is an expensive jacket and I wasn’t looking forward to the task of purchasing a new one. 

So after arriving safely in Toronto it was on to SIM Canada for some debriefing.  Not much was planned yesterday.  I was able to chat a bit with some familiar faces I had met last year so that was nice.  Having been up for about 30 hours or so it was good that not much else was planned so I crashed and slept for about 12 hours straight.  After a good nights sleep I was ready for an eventful day.  SIM had there “Day of Prayer” today so a whole bunch of SIM alumni were there in force to pray for various things in the SIM world.  I had a chance to share some of my experiences with the group there which was a real privilege.  After my presentation I had a chance to speak with a bunch of the retired missionaries and it was fun to hear about what Africa was like for them back in the 50’s.  Wow, do I ever have it easy compared to them! 

After my time of sharing it was off to the doctor’s office for tests.  I’m glad to announce that all seems well pending a few tests.  When the doctor told me he was going to take some blood for some testing I had no idea he meant all of it!  Good night, I almost fainted in my chair after they bled 4 vials from me.  The nurse gave me a glass of orange juice afterward and that brought me back to life pretty quick. 

Tomorrow is a big day full of meetings and then Saturday morning I fly to Edmonton!  I’m looking forward to seeing my family and checking out a few things like the progress my father has made on my parents new house and my sisters pregnant gut (I’m gonna be an uncle!).  SIM has requested me to make a few visits to some of the conferences and such that they are putting on while I’m in the country so its going to be a busy few months.  With churches to visit, family, friends, and maybe even some time to relax in between, its going to be tough fitting everything in.  Now I know why the mission world calls it “home assignment” because it sure feels like homework! 

For those wondering about my support raising status I should know all I need to know by tomorrow.  As it stands it looks like I will be raising a very similar amount to last year (about $1166 per month=$14,000 for the year).  The purchase of a vehicle is the major thing that may change that figure so I’ll have to see what happens tomorrow when I talk to the finance office (the amount of money I will need for a car has not been determined yet but the amount will likely be around $5000 bringing my support closer to $1583 per month=$19,000 for the year).  As far as what to do if you would like to donate or stop donating or whatever, I will likely be doing the same thing as I did last year.  For those who don’t know I just mailed response cards which will list the choices of donating, receiving a prayer letter, etc.  I think this way will be easiest and most effective.  For those who would prefer to fill out a response card when they see me in person that’s fine as well, then you don’t have to mail it in. 

Ok, well I guess that’s it for now.  With all the needles I got today my arms are kinda feeling like deflated balloons so I’m gonna take a break from typing.  As usual before I go I have a few prayer requests.  Here they are in random order:

1)  Support raising – This seems like a cheesy thing to put as a prayer request but when you’re a missionary it’s a necessity.  No support, no mission!  Its that simple.  So regardless of how cheesy it sounds it’s still a big need.

2)  Time management – I’m beginning to feel that I am not going to have time to do everything I want to do or that I have been asked to do.  Pray that I will be able to budget my time and use it wisely.

3)  Pray for OBC G-West – This is the church I have been attending and been involved with.  Pray for the continued work that will be happening without me.  A lot of decisions will be made in my absence.  Pray for the wisdom of God for the leaders there.

4)  Culture shock? – I don’t forsee exactly how this will affect me.  I don’t recall having much culture shock in Botswana so I can’t imagine my own country will shock me much, but then again….

Thanks again for all of you who take time to read these bulletins as well as taking time to pray for me.  It means so much.  So, until we meet, God bless and see you all soon!

Peace and prayers,

Graham Crawford