Report Dekar visit in Botswana
Date: 15 November to 17 November 2023
Who: Br Tiddo Voogt and Br Kobus Erasmus from Reformed Church Lyttelton on behalf of Botswana Missions Group.
We left at 5h00 Wednesday morning and drove straight through. In Ghanzi we stopped to buy some groceries and goodies.
In the evening we arrived at Ref Hendriks house. We also stayed in his home. That was possible as his wife Miriam is in SA to vacate her mother’s (87 year old) flat at the nursing home as she has been transferred to the critical care unit. Miriam’s mother also had a heart attack and is currently in hospital where she is not doing very well. We wish her well and many blessings.
Rev. Hendrik and his work.
• Rev. Hendrik is doing well. He is positive about the work and mission he carries out in Dekar and outreach posts at Mababe/Bêre and Motopi.
• The Bible study material that he regularly records together with the emeritus minister Rev. Gaobolelwe Ngakayaja and its distribution in the areas are eagerly received and discussed. The occult customs and habits among the Bushmen and their descendants remain a challenge, but Rev. Hendrik is positive that his preaching does make a real difference.
The elders of the congregation:
- We met and barbecued with the elders late on Thursday, in the afternoon and in the evening. From the right is Rev. Gaobolelwe Ngakayaja (emeritus), brs. Tiddo Voogt, James Morris, Aron Johannes, Rev. Hendrik du Plessis and br Jim Morris. Absent was br. Morris Morris.
- Emeritus minister Gaobolelwe is a pillar of strength and a good support for the other elders. He was previously appointed by the Christian Reformed Church in the Netherlands as a minister and also compensated by them. The compensation stopped a few years ago.
• The elders are all already in their seventies and eighties. Although they are old, they are still mobile and healthy and regularly visit their ward members at home.
• Currently there is some disagreement among 3 members which causes unhappiness and negatively incites others in the congregation. Our recommendation was to resolve the dispute by way of Matthew 18. If this does not work, the people must be disciplined.
• The catechism is still carried out every Sunday. There are plenty of lesson materials that we have sent in the past. The local school handles children up to class 7 after which they go to Ghanzi high school and boarding school. As soon as they return home and apply to make a confession of faith, they are taught by Rev. Hendrik and or Rev. Gaobolelwe.
• The members are poor and there is no question of monthly contributions. Collections are only held on Sundays and the money is counted in front of the congregation and written down. Total offering ranges from P20.00 to a maximum of P50.00 per collection. Thus almost nothing to speak off.
• The state is the biggest provider of work. Most poor people live on the Pula 400 state pension. (Rand 550.00)
• We read to them from the Bible and closed with a prayer to end the evening.
We must continue to pray that the Lord will provide helpers and experts in the congregation.
Reformed Church Gobabis and Ghanzi Ward.
- There was an interesting development. The Gobabis congregation has notified the ward that is in Ghanzi and surrounding farms that Gobabis can no longer serve them. Rev. Hendrik for some time now ,has visited the homes of some of the Reformed members on request and preached to home groups and also at the NG Church in Ghanzi (which has been vacant (preacher) for some time.
- 2 members have joined Dekar and we hope that more will join. Rev. Hendrik will continue to help where needed and time will tell what will happen next. We invited the 2 members to join us for supper on Friday evening. We had a great time chatting and hanging out. (Thys and Martie Boshoff)
(It must be remembered that the BSG is only a group that helps so that the ministry can continue in Botswana and to take of Rev. Hendrik to preserve and protect and carry the Word in pureness . With that I want to say that the BSG only can give advice and cannot act as representatives of the Reformed churches in South Africa.)
In general
• We also visited the Kuru art building, It is managed by 2 reformed members of Ghanzi: Maude and Pieter Brown who do wonderful work. Feel free to visit the website to see what they do. (www.kuruart.com)
From each painting that is sold, 50% goes to the artist and 50% to Kuru art, with which they again cover painting/framing and administration expenses.
• We visited the D’Kar church building and grounds. There are a few things that we think need attention. Rev. Hendrik will make a summary list and forward it to us. This involves, among other things, repair of cement support blocks of sloping church irons/replace window putty ,paint exterior buildings and possible installation of 1000 liter water tank. If possible later also paint galvanized sheet roof and ceilings inside the church. (I estimate we will get pretty far with about R20—R30000 worth of material) Then also clear the terrain (stones and papers)
• We also met Mere. She takes care of the catechism in Bêre, about 150km from Ghanzi. She happened to be in Ghanzi for a workshop of her work and it was therefore very good to be able to meet her.
• She asked if we could donate another 30 chairs as her class has now grown to 60 children every Sunday. (You will remember that we donated 30 chairs about a year ago)
• Then she also asks for clothes if it is possible. I will therefore kick off with a clothing collection early next year.
• Some of you will remember the Lodge just outside Ghanzi that belonged to the Kuru Development Trust. It is now closed and dilapidated. The earlier income generated from it went to the community of Dekar for pumping water and providing jobs to the local residents. After Covid-19, the infrastructure of the game farm fell into disrepair due to few tourist visitors, which dried up. Many people also complain about specific people from the trust helping themselves to money. Note, the game farm does not belong to the church, but to the Kuru Development Trust.
(I have heard that this facilty turned arround some R3m revenue four years ago.)
To conclude
• For those of you who want to visit, I just want to ensure you that the meat at Graaf butchery (next to the Puma Garage) is better than SA meat. There is also a Hollandia restaurant where you can eat and drink coffee which is very good. The Spar/Shoprite has everything you need for a safari holiday,
• Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit Motopi or Mababe. That’s another extra 400km, and will have to be done on a separate visit. We returned home early Saturday morning and arrived in Centurion late afternoon. (1000km)
• We had a fruitful visit and talked a lot with Rev. Hendrik and encouraged him.
We pray that our Heavenly Father will richly bless all the work being done in Botswana
Greetings
Tiddo and Kobus.