Welcome to our Botswana Trip
4th - 23th April 2019.
Your Hosts: Geofrey and Gwen Liyungu
Next: Introduction & Index
A TIMELINE: (Click on the date)
4th April - Had a lovely Bible chat with Coptic Christian at the hotel in Egypt. Good start! Visited the only remaining ancient wonder of the world - Pyramids of Giza. Unforgettable.
5th April - Placed some literature at the South Africa/Botswana Border. Arrived at Goodhope in the evening through heavy rain and thunder.
6th April - Ministry in isolated village of Cwaananyeng. Was a long day. Learnt a lot from local brothers about local customs.
7th April - Had Meetings in a tiny K/Hall. Many were standing. Ministry thereafter. Gained more confidence to do own simple presentations in Setswana. To knock simply shout KOKO at gate. To greet simply say DUMELA. (Hello). We Played videos at nearly all householders in local language. In the evening there was a social gathering with local dishes (favourite was Seswa).
8th April - Started early Ministry. Accompanied brothers and sisters on studies. This was a long day. After knocking on doors some householders would say TSENA (come in), without even knowing who was outside! A common introduction was LUBAENG (we are visitors), and seats were offered; usually calling entire household to come and listen. We had to adjust our presentations- fast. One thing was clear...we are not used to walking long distances as we were very tired at the end of the day 😀
9th April - After stocking up literature we embarked on an 8 hour journey to the remote village of Ghanzi in the Kalahari desert. There are people who live in truly remote places on earth. Frequently stopped along the way to place literature. It was along this trans-Kalahari Highway that we passed through Jwaneng the largest diamond mine in the world. Upon arrival we were treated to a local bushmen dance at our campsite - really special.
10th April - in the Evening we linked up with 5 pioneer sisters who have come to preach as need greaters from different parts of the world. It was a memorable evening. They had an immediate impact on the children as they arranged to work with them in the ministry the following day. Very small congregation with a beautiful K/Hall.
11th April - Ministry, ministry, ministry! A number were asking for personal copies of the Bible. We were advised that Bibles are usually placed to those who start studies as almost everyone is asking for one. Please note that having an online copy is a challenge as some still use none smart phones. For those who have internet, connectivity is an issue. Potential RV and B/Studies were passed on to local publishers.
Later that evening we had midweek meetings. Only two brothers had all assignments. A number who attended were studies, mostly young ones. The association after meetings was excellent, leaving late evening.
12th April - travel to Maun, a village on the edge of the Okavango Delta (it has one of the busiest airports in Africa). We were welcomed by witnesses. Camped at site near river which was setup for brothers who were meant to construct a new Kingdom Hall. The view across the river (frequented by Hippos 🦛) was stunning! Was really lovely to see old faces as this was our first congregation as witnesses.
13th April - woke up at 4:30am for the Day trip into the Okavango Delta (Early in the morning or in the evening are best times to spot many animals). This was absolutely a special day! The large concentration of wildlife is mind boggling. When lions came close to our car, the children froze and hid in the car. At one point we were surrounded by a huge herd of buffaloes 🐃, but we had a fantastic guide who patiently explained how to behave around different animals. Something consistent was to switch of car engine once you spot animals. Apparently animals don’t see individual humans who are inside a car - they see both humans and car as a whole! Got back to camp after 9pm. No words to describe this day.
14th April - Special talk given by the brother in law of a brother in my congregation in Chelmsford (Sunil). Left immediately after talk as we were on a long trip to Kasane loaded with Literature to place and courier along the way. It was on this day that we shared a special moment with the only witness sister at a junction village of Nata. Spent a night midway at Elephant Sands campsite where there is an elephant waterhole. Elephants freely walked in our camp!
15th April - Arrived in Kasane/Kazungula and met up with brothers. It’s almost unbelievable, but wild animals roam in the town centre!
16th April - Boat Drive on Chobe River. Again the knowledge of our guide was invaluable. Saw crocodiles 🐊 , hippos 🦛, Elephants 🐘 swimming etc. The sunset on the river was mind bending! Again words can’t describe it!
17th April - Victoria Falls trip, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Took time t preach to taxi drivers too. We could not stop speaking about this visit at our campsite in the evening.
18th April - 600km trip to Francistown. Preached and placed literature along the way. Hosted by a brother at his farm who came in the truth in his 60s. He is a regular pioneer.
19th April - Watched the special memorial broadcast with brothers early in the morning. Later we went for a game drive on farm where we spotted scores of wild animals including Giraffes. 19th That evening we attended memorial at school Auditorium with attendance of 309! A number of attendees turned up with invitation leaflets. Lovely association afterwards with old friends.
20th April - Spent a night at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. It’s a huge reserve with currently 55 rhinos- an endangered species. Many other animals abound here. Met friends along the way.
21st April - Arrived in the small capital city of Gaborone. The reception from the brotherhood will remain etched in our minds. A braai (BBQ) was organised. Did a tour of the city too. Was an emotional farewell. Wished we had stayed longer.
22nd April - long drive to Johannesburg from Botswana. Met up with old friends in Johannesburg too. It’s time to say bye to Africa.
23rd April Timeline
Your Hosts: Geofrey and Gwen Liyungu
Next: Introduction & Index
A TIMELINE: (Click on the date)
4th April - Had a lovely Bible chat with Coptic Christian at the hotel in Egypt. Good start! Visited the only remaining ancient wonder of the world - Pyramids of Giza. Unforgettable.
5th April - Placed some literature at the South Africa/Botswana Border. Arrived at Goodhope in the evening through heavy rain and thunder.
6th April - Ministry in isolated village of Cwaananyeng. Was a long day. Learnt a lot from local brothers about local customs.
7th April - Had Meetings in a tiny K/Hall. Many were standing. Ministry thereafter. Gained more confidence to do own simple presentations in Setswana. To knock simply shout KOKO at gate. To greet simply say DUMELA. (Hello). We Played videos at nearly all householders in local language. In the evening there was a social gathering with local dishes (favourite was Seswa).
8th April - Started early Ministry. Accompanied brothers and sisters on studies. This was a long day. After knocking on doors some householders would say TSENA (come in), without even knowing who was outside! A common introduction was LUBAENG (we are visitors), and seats were offered; usually calling entire household to come and listen. We had to adjust our presentations- fast. One thing was clear...we are not used to walking long distances as we were very tired at the end of the day 😀
9th April - After stocking up literature we embarked on an 8 hour journey to the remote village of Ghanzi in the Kalahari desert. There are people who live in truly remote places on earth. Frequently stopped along the way to place literature. It was along this trans-Kalahari Highway that we passed through Jwaneng the largest diamond mine in the world. Upon arrival we were treated to a local bushmen dance at our campsite - really special.
10th April - in the Evening we linked up with 5 pioneer sisters who have come to preach as need greaters from different parts of the world. It was a memorable evening. They had an immediate impact on the children as they arranged to work with them in the ministry the following day. Very small congregation with a beautiful K/Hall.
11th April - Ministry, ministry, ministry! A number were asking for personal copies of the Bible. We were advised that Bibles are usually placed to those who start studies as almost everyone is asking for one. Please note that having an online copy is a challenge as some still use none smart phones. For those who have internet, connectivity is an issue. Potential RV and B/Studies were passed on to local publishers.
Later that evening we had midweek meetings. Only two brothers had all assignments. A number who attended were studies, mostly young ones. The association after meetings was excellent, leaving late evening.
12th April - travel to Maun, a village on the edge of the Okavango Delta (it has one of the busiest airports in Africa). We were welcomed by witnesses. Camped at site near river which was setup for brothers who were meant to construct a new Kingdom Hall. The view across the river (frequented by Hippos 🦛) was stunning! Was really lovely to see old faces as this was our first congregation as witnesses.
13th April - woke up at 4:30am for the Day trip into the Okavango Delta (Early in the morning or in the evening are best times to spot many animals). This was absolutely a special day! The large concentration of wildlife is mind boggling. When lions came close to our car, the children froze and hid in the car. At one point we were surrounded by a huge herd of buffaloes 🐃, but we had a fantastic guide who patiently explained how to behave around different animals. Something consistent was to switch of car engine once you spot animals. Apparently animals don’t see individual humans who are inside a car - they see both humans and car as a whole! Got back to camp after 9pm. No words to describe this day.
14th April - Special talk given by the brother in law of a brother in my congregation in Chelmsford (Sunil). Left immediately after talk as we were on a long trip to Kasane loaded with Literature to place and courier along the way. It was on this day that we shared a special moment with the only witness sister at a junction village of Nata. Spent a night midway at Elephant Sands campsite where there is an elephant waterhole. Elephants freely walked in our camp!
15th April - Arrived in Kasane/Kazungula and met up with brothers. It’s almost unbelievable, but wild animals roam in the town centre!
16th April - Boat Drive on Chobe River. Again the knowledge of our guide was invaluable. Saw crocodiles 🐊 , hippos 🦛, Elephants 🐘 swimming etc. The sunset on the river was mind bending! Again words can’t describe it!
17th April - Victoria Falls trip, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Took time t preach to taxi drivers too. We could not stop speaking about this visit at our campsite in the evening.
18th April - 600km trip to Francistown. Preached and placed literature along the way. Hosted by a brother at his farm who came in the truth in his 60s. He is a regular pioneer.
19th April - Watched the special memorial broadcast with brothers early in the morning. Later we went for a game drive on farm where we spotted scores of wild animals including Giraffes. 19th That evening we attended memorial at school Auditorium with attendance of 309! A number of attendees turned up with invitation leaflets. Lovely association afterwards with old friends.
20th April - Spent a night at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. It’s a huge reserve with currently 55 rhinos- an endangered species. Many other animals abound here. Met friends along the way.
21st April - Arrived in the small capital city of Gaborone. The reception from the brotherhood will remain etched in our minds. A braai (BBQ) was organised. Did a tour of the city too. Was an emotional farewell. Wished we had stayed longer.
22nd April - long drive to Johannesburg from Botswana. Met up with old friends in Johannesburg too. It’s time to say bye to Africa.
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| 23rd April 2019 - Heading Home |
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