D’kar and Outreach to Motopi: March 7–8, 2026
D’kar
Here in D’kar, our church council is currently conducting home visits in
preparation for next month’s Easter
weekend. By the Lord’s grace, it will once
again be a momentous occasion for us to
commemorate the death and resurrection
of our Lord Jesus.
The church council has decided to celebrate Holy Communion together this coming Sunday. On Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM, the council was invited by the East Hanahai ward to join them in bidding farewell to Hessel and Coby Visser, who have been involved with the Naro New Testament project in D’kar since 1991. After years of dedication, Hessel and his team of translators were able to see the Naro New Testament published in 2012.
Having lived in D’kar for over three decades, their contribution cannot be overstated; it was a daunting task, as Hessel had to learn the Naro language from scratch. Now, the time has come for them to return to the Netherlands, where they will reside in Urk. We pray for the Lord’s blessing upon them. Hessel remarks that it will certainly be an adjustment for them after all these years under the African sun.
Meeting in Gobabis
On the 25th of last month, Brother Thys Boshoff and I traveled to Gobabis for a meeting with a commission from the Reformed Church Gobabis. In my previous reports, I mentioned approximately 26 white members who had transferred to the Reformed Church D’kar. These members are scattered
across Ghanzi and Maun.
Previously, they were a ward of Gobabis, but about two years ago, the ministry to them was suspended. This left them with two choices: join the local Dutch Reformed Church (currently referred to as a “Community Church”) or join the Reformed Church D’kar. While some opted for the Community Church, twenty-six members chose to join us because they did not feel at home with—or could not identify with—the liberal views of the Community Church. This includes practices such as the “blessing” of infants in place of traditional baptism.
The meeting in Gobabis was very encouraging. They expressed a willingness to resume ministry to these members. While the members remain part of the Reformed Church D’kar by certificate of membership, a new ministry agreement has been established. Consequently, they will now be served by both Gobabis and D’kar regarding the sacraments and Sunday services.
Motopi
During the weekend of March 7th, Thys Boshoff and I visited Dorette Cronjé in Motopi. (Abdul, who usually accompanies me, was unable to join due to other obligations.) We spoke at length with Dorette about the future of Motopi. She humbly insists she is not a minister but “at best a Sunday School teacher,” yet she clearly has a remarkable gift for working with children.
Fluent in Tswana from childhood—and
having taught the language at two
universities—she faces none of the
communication gaps that often hinder
missionaries. Our prayer remains that
the Lord will send the right person to
take up the mantle in Motopi.
Dorette turns 82 this year. Though relatively strong, she struggles with heart issues and tires easily. Despite this, she remains content. She feels a great weight has been lifted now that the river is full again; during the drought, she took it upon herself to provide water for the hippos and cattle in a trough near her property. It was heartbreaking for her to see the animals suffer. After months of waiting, the waters from Angola finally pushed through the Okavango and reached the Boteti River at Motopi.
Dorette has no intention of leaving; this is where she wants to be. She continues to lead Sunday services with the heart of a teacher, and the children hang on her every word. This past Sunday, she pointed out several adults in the congregation who were just children when she and Thys first began their work there. I was privileged to lead the service. We ask for your continued prayers for her. The Lord truly uses her in her weakness, reminding us of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10:
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Mababe
The road to Mababe has been impassable
for months. One of our contacts there
strongly advised us not to attempt the
journey, as even large trucks are getting
stuck. A few weeks ago, the roads to the
Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai were
officially closed to tourists.
This photo illustrates the extreme road conditions in that region when they become impassable due to mud and water. The combination of deep mud and rising rivers makes it impossible even
for heavy vehicles to cross, which explains why the routes to Moremi and Khwai are currently closed.
They remain in our prayers. Fortunately, communication via mobile phone has not been completely cut off, allowing us to stay in touch.
Your brother in Christ,
Hendrik du Plessis