Unbelievable!!! It has been over two months since we landed in the good ole USA (and since I last wrote on this blog). Oh, how the time flies! I would love to tell you all that has happened while we have been stateside, but this blog service doesn't offer enough lines for everything. So, here are just a few highlights:
Stateside Training This is something all returning IMB folks do in order to transition more smoothly back into US life. We chose to do this training immediately upon returning (even before going home to see extended family). We learned a lot and 'eased' back into the busyness of American life. Still the pace of life here is so different than Botswana, Africa that I doubt we will ever truly get used to it.
Readjusting to life in the States While at our training time we were driving through the countryside looking at the beautiful rolling hills and nice acreages with large homes. Our middle son, Kendall, asked, "Why do they waste so much space?". He was used to seeing houses in the capital city of Botswana built side by side. Our oldest son, Landon, asked us one morning why the air smelled so bad. After a few follow-up questions we realized he didn't like what we called the 'fresh smell of morning dew'. Landon missed the smell of raw sewage and garbage from some of our neighborhoods in Botswana!
Seeing Family and Friends What a joy to see extended family members! People can change so much over the course of a couple of years. That's the toughest thing about living so far away from home. We have definitely been spoiled with old comforts like fast food and cable TV. God is blessing us so much with this family time.
Speaking Opportunities We have been able to share with 10 different groups spread over several church families in these first couple of months. We have not necessarily traveled long distances because most of the churches have been within a two hour drive of our mission home, but we have been travelled quite often. It is such a joy to share what God is doing among the Tswana people of Botswana. When we speak, we are able to give a real picture of what ministry overseas looks like and how each group can partner with us...whether it be through prayer support or actually sending a mission team. Each time we speak our mission effort is multiplied greatly!
Things really begin to heat up on the speaking front starting this week. We speak at a few local sites during the week, then we travel to Dublin, Texas to see a group of volunteers who will come to Botswana next month! God is so good.
As you can see, life is hectic but wonderful. We are enjoying our time in the USA immensely but part of our heart is in Botswana as well. Please join with us in continuing to pray for our friends in Botswana, Africa and the ministry going on in that amazing place. We just know God is preparing our team to work alongside Him in a time of harvest!
Well, that is all for now. For those of you that have checked the blog I am sorry to have taken so long. My goal is to write once or twice a week from here on so please keep our blog site on your weekly 'to do' list. Just to remind you: www.botswanajones.blogspot.com
Lots of love from the Jones family to you. God bless.
Todd
