We are often reminded in our work here, the many reasons for being thankful to God for the places we have been lead to, and the need to ask for His guidance for the path we walk each new day.

On Christmas eve, I was schedule to conduct an evening worship service in the village of Mogonye at 6 pm. When the time arrived, there was only five people present- two parishioners, my wife, my mother-in-law and I.  I couldn’t help but wonder, at the time, as to why I was there. This was reinforced by a concern that there was  no electrical connection at the church  and whole area would become pitch dark within a short time. It would also make it hard to drive home at night. Thus, I seriously contemplated the idea of offering an abbreviated service consisting of a short prayer and a hymn and then head home. God, however, had other plans. The worship service started by the singing of one hymn, which was then followed by another and another. Those present began requesting their favorite hymns to be sung. As the time slipped by, more and more people continued to come through the church’s door until the room was filled. The frustration felt earlier, was now replaced with an overwhelming sense of joy. Although the worship service finally began at 7:30 pm and continued for more than a hour-and-a-half, it was a moving worship experience. And I was reminded that “God is with you in all that you do.”

At the church in Ramotswa, we were scheduled to begin work on roofing the new church structure by the end of November 2010. Nonetheless, between pricing and locating the materials, hiring a contractor, and having several church council and building committee meetings, the first load of sand was delivered during the worship service on Sunday, January 23 of this year. Each and every time I wonder as to why such things should take so long to complete, I am again reminded that “God is with you in all that you do.” One of the reasons there is a church building today in Mogonye, is that the parishioners in Ramotswa decided that they could wait a little bit longer in the building of their structure (5 years) in order to build up and encourage the congregation in Mogonye. Praise God.

Today, while buying groceries in the local supermarket, Jayanthi ran into a young lady who was a former student at Sedibeng, a training center for disadvantaged youth. The young woman, at the time she was a student in the flower arrangement course, was quiet and lacked self-confidence. Today, that same person was beaming with enthusiasm, and shared with us the news that she now had her own flower shop. Although Sedibeng was made to close its doors for a period of restructuring, this young woman reminded us that “God is with you in all that you do.”

Paul in his letter to the Church at Ephesus says, “I pray that you and all of God’s people will understand what is called wide and long and high and deep....I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured...Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” (Ephesians 3:14-21). Jayanthi and I give thanks for a God who is so “beyond” our understanding of how much He loves and interacts with His children. Amen.

Jayanthi continues to work at Sedibeng while it attempts to redefine its mission and purpose in the community. Since the middle part of last year, it has  been engaged in rehabilitative work with commercial sex workers. As with most issues, the problems faced by these women are multi-dimensional, and the answers complex. Nonetheless, it is because of the hope that comes from Christ Jesus and who makes the impossible possible, that motivates and encourages the Centre to continue with its work.

I work as a lecturer at Kgolagano College of Theological Education as well as a pastor with the Ramotswa UCCSA Church.

We would like to thank everyone for their tremendous support of our work through Global Ministries. Your prayers and letters of encouragement have helped us on the path that we have travelled thus far in Africa over the last twenty years. God bless.

Jim and Jayanthi Wilson
PO Box 26195, Game City
Gaborone, Botswana

e-mail: jrjswilson@yahoo.com