Botswana Bulletin – Thirteenth Edition

Botswana Bulletin – Thirteenth Edition

“100% Supported, 100% Excited!”

November 25, 2005

Well, for all of those who actually read my little subject line thing (the thing in quotes at the top of the page) will know by now that I am officially and gratefully 100% supported to go back to Botswana, Africa for another year!  Praise the Lord!  I am so excited that once again God has provided for me to once again step out in faith and work as a missionary.  My thanks go out to all who supported me and continued to support me to make this possible. 

A lot of you asked me while I was touring around western Canada “Is this something you want to do full-time?” (as in being a missionary for the rest of my life).  I’ve found the best answer to be, “Isn’t that what we are all called to do?”  Being a missionary has a lot more to it than raising support and going to another country.  It’s about following God’s call for your life.  It’s about sharing his love with others.  It’s about giving of yourself, sharing the gospel, showing compassion for those in need…well I think you get the point.  So as I head out to be a missionary in Botswana, Africa realize that you too have a mission field.  It’s called Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver…believe it or not it’s true.  I wouldn’t be surprised in the near future some of you meet a missionary from Botswana here in Canada.  If we don’t become missionaries in our own country, someone else will.

I thought it might be good to start off this letter with a “farewell challenge” so I hope you all take those words to heart.  Anyway, ok, you probably all want to know when I’m leaving right?  Ok, lets get too it.  My flight out of Edmonton has been booked for Dec 1^st.  That’s right December 1^st!  Your probably thinking, “Graham that’s only in 6 days!”  If you said that pat yourself on the back because you’d be right.  However, nobody panic.  I feel that the 3 months I’ve been here have been very productive.  I was able to travel to BC last month and visit all my friends in places such as Vernon, Parksville and the lower mainland.  I was able to attend the SIM Fall Conference and meet some of the missionaries who have paved the way for people like us to enter countries in Africa and around the world.  I had a chance to visit my hometown of Fort McMurray and visit my old church there and greet many old friends.  I had a chance (just this week) to visit my 87 year old grandmother and spend some time on the farm where my father grew up.  Plus, I’ve also had numerous opportunities to spend time with my friends here in the Edmonton area.  So you see, God’s timing couldn’t be more perfect.  This is exactly what he had planned all along.  My original fear when I arrived here in Canada was, “How am I going to be able to see everbody?”  Now I’ll admit I maybe haven’t seen EVERYBODY but I think I’ve seen MOST of the people I was hoping to see.  So God answered my prayer.  He gave me time to relax with family, time to see my friends, and unbelievably time to raise support to enable me to go back.  So you see, now its time to go back!  Of course I will miss you all and it will be tough leaving but I feel that this is where God wants me right now so that’s where I’m going.

Alright, so now that you know a little bit about what I’ve been up to while I’ve been here let me tell you a little bit about my trip out.  For those who may want to see me off at the airport (the flight is at a bad time so don’t feel obligated to come) I will be leaving at 11:15AM on Air Canada flight# 126 at Edmonton International airport bound for Toronto.  After a short layover I will then fly to London, England where I will be meeting some friends and spending a few days there.  On December 5^th I will leave London for South Africa and am scheduled to arrive in Botswana at 3:20PM local time (Botswana in 9 hours ahead of Mountain Time).  I will try to write as soon as possible after I arrive to let you know how my flights went.  I’m sure there will be a story or two to tell you once I arrive.  Flying internationally always seems to be an interesting endeavour. 

So with that, I will bid you all a fond farewell.  I enjoyed seeing most of you and actually having a conversation instead of just reading your e-mails and letters.  I wish I could of spent more time with you all but unfortunately time ran a bit short.  So once again because I likely won’t be around to say it to you all, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentines Day, Happy St. Patricks Day, Happy Easter, Happy Thanksgiving, oh, and Happy Birthday!  (That should cover most of it)

God bless and thank you all again for your prayer and financial support. 

KE A LE BOGA TATA!  (Thank you very much!)

Peace and prayers,

Graham Crawford <><