Ref Hendrik du Plessis D’Kar Reformed Church Botswana
15–21 September 2020
On our way to Mababe (367km) we had a flat tyre. Fortunately we had a spare wheel. The road is very bad and I think a sharp stone pierced it. While Frits and I were struggling with the exchange of the tyre, a man named Boro showed up who came to our rescue and helped with the exchange of the tyre.
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Anyone knows how discouraged you can be when you notice you have a flat tyre. With a plank we were able to lift the jack off the ground. Here Boro holds it in his hand.
Finally we arrived in Mababe. Idea on the left side was our host.
The next day we went to Mokgotlho Lodge which belongs to Hannes Pretorius. He asked us to bring Bibles for his workers. They start every morning with prayer and so also when they go off duty at night.
Mababe is wilderness at its best. Buffaloes and hippos graze around the yard like cattle at night. One night we encountered five hippos outside the yard. One of them was a calf. Throughout the night, the roar of lions and the hyenas’ familiar cries are the sounds that carry you through the night. On Saturday morning around half past one I woke up to a huge noise. When I looked through the window of my tent, an elephant was grazing on the mopane tree about a meter away from me. At first I thought it was a giraffe. Fortunately, they do not like it when you flash with a torch in their eyes and he retreated very dissapointed. Elephants are a common sight like impalas in the Kruger National Park.
In the afternoon we had a Bible study in Mababe. The woman in the picture read the Bible verses very diligently. The Bible study dealt with Matthew 7: 24-27 where the Lord Jesus points out the difference between two buildings that have been built. The one on sand and the other one on rock, and the water currents and the wind that then came against those buildings and how the fall of the one built on sand was great. Initially, there was no difference between the two buildings. They could stand there just as gracefully. The sun is shining today and there is nothing for me to worry about. This is how many people live from day to day and do not think that his life will one day be tested by a storm. We do not know how and what the storm will be and then the foundation will be decisive whether your house will stand or not. Blessed are you then if you have built on Christ the Rock. The last storm is going to be death, and if you have not put all your hope in Christ, the fall will be great. It was in brief what our Bible study and discussion was about.
Our next day’s planning was to reach out to the people of Khwai village. Khwai is 37 kilometers from Mababe. Khwai is at “Third Bridge” for those who know the area, close to the Moremi.
In Khwai, we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with different people. The mugs pictured above are beer mugs. They sell traditional beer to make a living. On a previous occasion, this was also the point where we started. There between the beer drinkers you sometimes have to answer the most interesting questions.
Idea with his children. grandchildren and friends who accompanied us to Khwai. We stand here at the bridge just in front of Khwai.
Sunday morning we left for Motopi. The day before, it was Dorette’s birthday. She turned by the Lord’s grace this year 76 and Thys 86. They are doing well. She is still actively involved in Tswana classes she offers in Maun. She is overwhelmed by people who are interested in Tswana, especially those who want to become Botswana citizens. Now they are looking for a place to rent in Maun. Then she does not have to drive to Maun twice a week or even more for the classes. On weekends they can then go to Motopi for the service on Sundays.
Closing remarks
In a previous report, I mentioned a plot of land we acquired in Mababe. It is a fairly large yard. We decided not to fence it, but to rather plant corner posts to demarcate the yard. In fact, it does not help to fence the yard. Most of the plots in Mababe’s wire fences are trampled by the elephants. We are in need of a small building where we can stay and offer Bible studies. Elder Frits remarked: “You know Hendrik, it is not good to always stay in Idea’s yard. The people, friend and foe of Idea are going to start associating our church with him. There are people who may not have the courage to visit us while our tents are on his yard.” We talked about it for a long time. At the same time, the building must also be able to accommodate some of our people from South Africa and elsewhere who would like to spend a night or two on their way to the north or perhaps leave Bibles for us there or whatever study material.
In addition to Mababe and Khwai, there is also Sankoyo we want to serve. These are our future plans. In fact, the Boro that helped us with the tyre, comes from Sankoyo. Our prayers are that the Lord will also open doors for us there as far as the Gospel is concerned.
Your brother in Christ,
Hendrik du Plessis