...you hit a dead end.
This morning, Tuesday morning, I went to the printers to pick up my fresh copy of The Advertiser. Today however turned out a little differently than the past eight weeks. Although we have some friends, Renae Weaver and Kitty O'Brien staying with us for Christmas, I was able to get some things done around the house before everyone was up and before going to the printers. Since I had gotten an early start I went to the printer a little early. When I got there I was surprised to find some Advertisers already out on a counter. I quickly grabbed two copies and headed back to my car. But as I looked closer I realized it was last week's edition. So I went inside and set my copies back on the pile and took a seat at some nearby couches. It was 8:45am. I was determined to patient and not anxious. Surely I could wait 15 minutes for this weeks edition to be put out.
Around 9:06 when things hadn't gotten busy and there was no sign of a new magazine I began to wonder if there wouldn't be an edition for the week of Christmas. About 5 minutes later a lady walked by who had seen me sitting there and asked if I was waiting for something. My reply turned her helpful expression to one of concern and compassion. She promptly informed me the last edition of the year came out last week and the next one would not be published until January 15. I thanked her and left.
Once in the car and the door closed I burst into tears. Dissapointment. Discouraged. What are you doing Lord? How are you going to provide? When? I hadn't realized how much 'faith' I'd put into that magazine in effort to find a house, but I felt a bit hopeless. We have to be out of this house January 25. So really can't wait until Jan 15 for the next Advertiser to come out.
We're still not sure what we'll do but we have to trust God will provide.
Tuesday, December 22
tuesdays are for searching until...
...you hit a dead end.
This morning, Tuesday morning, I went to the printers to pick up my fresh copy of The Advertiser. Today however turned out a little differently than the past eight weeks. Although we have some friends, Renae Weaver and Kitty O'Brien staying with us for Christmas, I was able to get some things done around the house before everyone was up and before going to the printers. Since I had gotten an early start I went to the printer a little early. When I got there I was surprised to find some Advertisers already out on a counter. I quickly grabbed two copies and headed back to my car. But as I looked closer I realized it was last week's edition. So I went inside and set my copies back on the pile and took a seat at some nearby couches. It was 8:45am. I was determined to patient and not anxious. Surely I could wait 15 minutes for this weeks edition to be put out.
Around 9:06 when things hadn't gotten busy and there was no sign of a new magazine I began to wonder if there wouldn't be an edition for the week of Christmas. About 5 minutes later a lady walked by who had seen me sitting there and asked if I was waiting for something. My reply turned her helpful expression to one of concern and compassion. She promptly informed me the last edition of the year came out last week and the next one would not be published until January 15. I thanked her and left.
Once in the car and the door closed I burst into tears. Dissapointment. Discouraged. What are you doing Lord? How are you going to provide? When? I hadn't realized how much 'faith' I'd put into that magazine in effort to find a house, but I felt a bit hopeless. We have to be out of this house January 25. So really can't wait until Jan 15 for the next Advertiser to come out.
We're still not sure what we'll do but we have to trust God will provide.
This morning, Tuesday morning, I went to the printers to pick up my fresh copy of The Advertiser. Today however turned out a little differently than the past eight weeks. Although we have some friends, Renae Weaver and Kitty O'Brien staying with us for Christmas, I was able to get some things done around the house before everyone was up and before going to the printers. Since I had gotten an early start I went to the printer a little early. When I got there I was surprised to find some Advertisers already out on a counter. I quickly grabbed two copies and headed back to my car. But as I looked closer I realized it was last week's edition. So I went inside and set my copies back on the pile and took a seat at some nearby couches. It was 8:45am. I was determined to patient and not anxious. Surely I could wait 15 minutes for this weeks edition to be put out.
Around 9:06 when things hadn't gotten busy and there was no sign of a new magazine I began to wonder if there wouldn't be an edition for the week of Christmas. About 5 minutes later a lady walked by who had seen me sitting there and asked if I was waiting for something. My reply turned her helpful expression to one of concern and compassion. She promptly informed me the last edition of the year came out last week and the next one would not be published until January 15. I thanked her and left.
Once in the car and the door closed I burst into tears. Dissapointment. Discouraged. What are you doing Lord? How are you going to provide? When? I hadn't realized how much 'faith' I'd put into that magazine in effort to find a house, but I felt a bit hopeless. We have to be out of this house January 25. So really can't wait until Jan 15 for the next Advertiser to come out.
We're still not sure what we'll do but we have to trust God will provide.
Tuesday, December 15
one bite, two days out of commission
A word from the wise...
don't eat eat food that's been sitting out all day, lest you be sick
On Sunday we bought dinner from the grocery store - the quickest thing we could find - samosas. So they were cold, but we were hungry. In 5 minutes they were eaten. Two days later we're still feeling the ramifications.
"O tla fola" (you will feel better).
don't eat eat food that's been sitting out all day, lest you be sick
On Sunday we bought dinner from the grocery store - the quickest thing we could find - samosas. So they were cold, but we were hungry. In 5 minutes they were eaten. Two days later we're still feeling the ramifications.
"O tla fola" (you will feel better).
Saturday, December 12
saturdays are for resting
In Gaborone Saturdays are just another day of the week. Some go to work others get up early and are seemingly just as productive as any other day of the week. A few different times we have been woken up at 7:30am with loud car music from our neighbor across the street who's out washing his car. When it was campaining season for elections pick up trucks overloaded with party advocates wearing colorful shirts and cheering for their party would drive past our street lead by loud male voice over a megaphone preaching the promises of the candidate in a language we could not understand. Today, however was different. The neighbor moved a few weeks ago and elections are long over.
This Saturday was for resting.
David woke up early to talk to his family over Skype. He got to talk to his parents who are 8 hours ahead and his brother 10 hours behind. "The world is smaller these days". I woke up and read some from a book, cooked cheesy eggs and toast and eventually got ready for the day. We joined some friends for iced coffee at a european deli in town to celebrate David's brother's success...he passed his check ride for his Certified Flight Instructor's rating (CFI). One year in the making. Afterwards we all went our separate ways to nap.
Later we came back together to make dinner and watch a movie. What a day.
Saturdays are for resting.
This Saturday was for resting.
David woke up early to talk to his family over Skype. He got to talk to his parents who are 8 hours ahead and his brother 10 hours behind. "The world is smaller these days". I woke up and read some from a book, cooked cheesy eggs and toast and eventually got ready for the day. We joined some friends for iced coffee at a european deli in town to celebrate David's brother's success...he passed his check ride for his Certified Flight Instructor's rating (CFI). One year in the making. Afterwards we all went our separate ways to nap.
Later we came back together to make dinner and watch a movie. What a day.
Saturdays are for resting.
Tuesday, December 8
Tuesdays are for Searching
On Tuesdays at 9 am The Advertiser hits the streets - hot off the press. In it you'll find everything from beds, refrigerators, cars, and garage sales to housing. These days housing is of particular interest to David and I. The house we have been living in since April belongs to a Flying Mission missionary from Canada. She's been away on furlough (an extended holiday) since April and will return January 25. By that point David and I need to find other accomodations.
Tuesday's are for searching...
This morning at 9 am I went to the printer and picked up two copies of The Advertiser - one for me and the other for a friend who's looking for appliances. I quickly paged to the "houses to let" section and skimmed down each column until I found someplace within my price range (or close to it), with two bedrooms and located close enough to the airport so David can get there within 20 minutes when called for a Mercy Flight.
With cell phone in hand I hurredly dial the number to respond to the first ad that meets my criteria...Ring...Ring...Ring....Hello? They answered! that's a relief. Usually they're at work and sometimes don't answer a number they don't recognize. Even though they posted an ad.
Today I responded to six different ads. But only got to see two - a second floor flat and a house.
The house is not close enough to the airport and the flat...well they're asking beyond our price range.
Searching for housing can be very stressful. A couple weeks ago I decided to wait until lunch time to start calling around - thinking more people would answer their phones. Even though more people did answer their phones, everything good was already taken. If I don't start calling and pursuing places from the moment I get my hands on The Advertiser I have little chance of finding anything. No pressure. :)
However my searching does not compare to David's brother, John's, family. John and Kathryn are moving to Long Beach, CA to work for Dynamic Aviation. After several months of searching for a flight job, John was finally hired with Dynamic. Four days before the moving truck was supposed to arrive, they received word that they'd lost the apartment reserved for them in Long Beach. Now they are searching for a place to live, within their price range, in Long Beach, CA by "yesterday".
Please pray for the lot of us...this is so hard.
Tuesday's are for searching...
This morning at 9 am I went to the printer and picked up two copies of The Advertiser - one for me and the other for a friend who's looking for appliances. I quickly paged to the "houses to let" section and skimmed down each column until I found someplace within my price range (or close to it), with two bedrooms and located close enough to the airport so David can get there within 20 minutes when called for a Mercy Flight.
With cell phone in hand I hurredly dial the number to respond to the first ad that meets my criteria...Ring...Ring...Ring....Hello? They answered! that's a relief. Usually they're at work and sometimes don't answer a number they don't recognize. Even though they posted an ad.
Today I responded to six different ads. But only got to see two - a second floor flat and a house.
The house is not close enough to the airport and the flat...well they're asking beyond our price range.
Searching for housing can be very stressful. A couple weeks ago I decided to wait until lunch time to start calling around - thinking more people would answer their phones. Even though more people did answer their phones, everything good was already taken. If I don't start calling and pursuing places from the moment I get my hands on The Advertiser I have little chance of finding anything. No pressure. :)
However my searching does not compare to David's brother, John's, family. John and Kathryn are moving to Long Beach, CA to work for Dynamic Aviation. After several months of searching for a flight job, John was finally hired with Dynamic. Four days before the moving truck was supposed to arrive, they received word that they'd lost the apartment reserved for them in Long Beach. Now they are searching for a place to live, within their price range, in Long Beach, CA by "yesterday".
Please pray for the lot of us...this is so hard.
Monday, December 7
Emergency 999
This afternoon while finishing up a nice conversation with my mom over Skype I was called into the frontroom to handle an emergency...the little girls who play in our yard for the third time in the last two weeks were at our door with tears streaming down their cheeks because of a scraped elbow, hand or side. Today it was both. Sadly I didn't have a cute bandaid to put over the "owie" but a little antiseptic and plain bandaid would have to do.
Earlier, while David was taking a nap he also was called...but not to help someone in the other room, rather the other part of the country. After 5 months of no flying, David has received additional training and is now back on the flight schedule as an on-call first officer for mercy flights. Today was his first day back in the air. Unfortunately that flight was cancelled as the patient was able to deliever the baby without being medivac'd to a larger hospital in Francistown or Gaborone. However it was good to be "needed" by someone.
This evening, while watching an episode of "The Closer", David again received an 'emergency' call. This time it was for real, and he'd need to bring his overnight bag. As he nervously dressed in his uniform and pilot stripes and prepared to go I admired the renewed excitement in his demeanor - back in the air.
Earlier, while David was taking a nap he also was called...but not to help someone in the other room, rather the other part of the country. After 5 months of no flying, David has received additional training and is now back on the flight schedule as an on-call first officer for mercy flights. Today was his first day back in the air. Unfortunately that flight was cancelled as the patient was able to deliever the baby without being medivac'd to a larger hospital in Francistown or Gaborone. However it was good to be "needed" by someone.
This evening, while watching an episode of "The Closer", David again received an 'emergency' call. This time it was for real, and he'd need to bring his overnight bag. As he nervously dressed in his uniform and pilot stripes and prepared to go I admired the renewed excitement in his demeanor - back in the air.
Tuesday, February 24
Encouragement
Dear Friends,
As you may have noticed in the "But God" section of our latest newsletter we have encountered some difficult situations. Within those we felt a little discouraged, but God has provided in His timing. Over the past several weeks we have been waiting on the Lord's direction for housing, set up costs, finances and our resident papers to be approved. Within the past week I sent out a couple of emails to some friends asking for prayer for these things. And now, only days after my email, the Lord has settled these matters and we are encouraged.
Concerning housing: a week ago we found a place to live within our price range and were about to settle on it when our manager, Mark Spicer, told David of another much less expensive housing opportunity for us. The opportunities we mentioned in our newsletter are just that...we'll be living in a guest house til mid-April and then we'll move into a co-workers house until she returns in January. All this will allow us to save tremendously on set up costs. And that is truly a blessing!
Set up costs: with this plan for housing in place we have been quite relieved of what could have been $10,000 of set up costs (which would also have included a vehicle).
Finances: before we left the states we had some last minute things come up concerning our bank accounts...without going into too much detail, we opened up a new bank account in Florida and applyed for a credit card. Coming to Botswana was really quite something for us as we only had the money available to us that we carried in our pockets. When we got here it was suggested we not change that money over into the local currency, Pula, so that if there is an opportunity to use US Dollars we'd have some. It was really something to feel pennyless and to be dependant on the mission when we were used to being independant. Thankfully the mission was able to give us some money for groceries and gas for the mission's car we're borrowing.
Resident paperwork: In December we filed our paperwork for residency. We got it in before the middle of the month, and were told it should be approved and waiting for us when we arrived in mid-Jan. Unfortunately that was not to be...things happen much more slowly around here than we are used to. We've learned that the government takes a bit of a break for the christmas and new year holiday - about a month long. Needless to say they get behind in processing paperwork around that time.
Yesterday, just over one month to the day since our arrival, two amazing things happened. Bob Patterson, a Flying Mission rep visiting from the states, arrived. With him he carried a packet including our new bank cards and our credit card sent to us through him and David's grandparents, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Ivan Turner. A half an hour before Bob handed me that packet, Roger, a fellow pilot, handed me a packet complete with our approved residence and work permits. After both the packets were delivered I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving and relief. And I am incredibly thankful and delighted that the Lord has settled these matters within 30 minutes of each other.
Today David is applying for his Airport photo ID. And later this week we'll be opening a bank account.
Thank you for your prayers!
As you may have noticed in the "But God" section of our latest newsletter we have encountered some difficult situations. Within those we felt a little discouraged, but God has provided in His timing. Over the past several weeks we have been waiting on the Lord's direction for housing, set up costs, finances and our resident papers to be approved. Within the past week I sent out a couple of emails to some friends asking for prayer for these things. And now, only days after my email, the Lord has settled these matters and we are encouraged.
Concerning housing: a week ago we found a place to live within our price range and were about to settle on it when our manager, Mark Spicer, told David of another much less expensive housing opportunity for us. The opportunities we mentioned in our newsletter are just that...we'll be living in a guest house til mid-April and then we'll move into a co-workers house until she returns in January. All this will allow us to save tremendously on set up costs. And that is truly a blessing!
Set up costs: with this plan for housing in place we have been quite relieved of what could have been $10,000 of set up costs (which would also have included a vehicle).
Finances: before we left the states we had some last minute things come up concerning our bank accounts...without going into too much detail, we opened up a new bank account in Florida and applyed for a credit card. Coming to Botswana was really quite something for us as we only had the money available to us that we carried in our pockets. When we got here it was suggested we not change that money over into the local currency, Pula, so that if there is an opportunity to use US Dollars we'd have some. It was really something to feel pennyless and to be dependant on the mission when we were used to being independant. Thankfully the mission was able to give us some money for groceries and gas for the mission's car we're borrowing.
Resident paperwork: In December we filed our paperwork for residency. We got it in before the middle of the month, and were told it should be approved and waiting for us when we arrived in mid-Jan. Unfortunately that was not to be...things happen much more slowly around here than we are used to. We've learned that the government takes a bit of a break for the christmas and new year holiday - about a month long. Needless to say they get behind in processing paperwork around that time.
Yesterday, just over one month to the day since our arrival, two amazing things happened. Bob Patterson, a Flying Mission rep visiting from the states, arrived. With him he carried a packet including our new bank cards and our credit card sent to us through him and David's grandparents, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Ivan Turner. A half an hour before Bob handed me that packet, Roger, a fellow pilot, handed me a packet complete with our approved residence and work permits. After both the packets were delivered I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving and relief. And I am incredibly thankful and delighted that the Lord has settled these matters within 30 minutes of each other.
Today David is applying for his Airport photo ID. And later this week we'll be opening a bank account.
Thank you for your prayers!
Tuesday, January 20
our bags made it too!
Dear Friends,
We stopped by the airport today to take care of some other business and found all four bags waiting there for us! Praise the Lord!
First impressions...it's hard to say... we've been in the country for approximately 24 hours now so we're just taking things all in...but about the weather and our health...well we're feeling good and it's hot and one of the average house spiders I've seen today - which completely scared me - is larger than a silver dollar - Yikes! It seems we'll be able to adjust well to the time difference but you can ask us that again tomorrow after we've had our second night here. Health wise...we're doing good. We can drink the tap water without worries and eat anything we want. Last night and tonight we're staying in a guest house and tomorrow night will be moving into an in-laws cottage for as much time (it sounds like) as we'll need to until we find our own place. It will be quite a change and things will be slow in coming...but we're not overwhelmed yet. :)
Stephanie
We stopped by the airport today to take care of some other business and found all four bags waiting there for us! Praise the Lord!
First impressions...it's hard to say... we've been in the country for approximately 24 hours now so we're just taking things all in...but about the weather and our health...well we're feeling good and it's hot and one of the average house spiders I've seen today - which completely scared me - is larger than a silver dollar - Yikes! It seems we'll be able to adjust well to the time difference but you can ask us that again tomorrow after we've had our second night here. Health wise...we're doing good. We can drink the tap water without worries and eat anything we want. Last night and tonight we're staying in a guest house and tomorrow night will be moving into an in-laws cottage for as much time (it sounds like) as we'll need to until we find our own place. It will be quite a change and things will be slow in coming...but we're not overwhelmed yet. :)
Stephanie
Monday, January 19
We Made It!
But our luggage hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it will come tomorrow. Please pray that it will.
It was a good flight - 15 hrs direct from Washington DC to Johannesburg, South Africa. And only one hour north to Gabarone. We were warmly greeted by our friends Bryan and Amy Lindner and our new boss, Mark (and his wife Deb) Spicer. We also met another lady named Teena - I believe she's the gal who's gonna give us some good Botswanan culture training.
Today is Monday and its just about 1/4 to 11 pm. Its been a long day...but we made it and are looking forward to sleeping in until 8. :)
Blessings from Botswana!
David and Stephanie Boogaard
It was a good flight - 15 hrs direct from Washington DC to Johannesburg, South Africa. And only one hour north to Gabarone. We were warmly greeted by our friends Bryan and Amy Lindner and our new boss, Mark (and his wife Deb) Spicer. We also met another lady named Teena - I believe she's the gal who's gonna give us some good Botswanan culture training.
Today is Monday and its just about 1/4 to 11 pm. Its been a long day...but we made it and are looking forward to sleeping in until 8. :)
Blessings from Botswana!
David and Stephanie Boogaard
Sunday, January 11
One week from today...
...We'll be on our way to Botswana. It's hard to imagine that we are almost on our way. We've been preparing for this for several months now and I can't believe we're almost there. We were sitting at Sunday lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Turner listening to stories of when they were married and thinking of their adventures. I couldn't help wonder what kind of stories we'll have to tell our children some day. "Kids, when we were first married your father and I packed up our apartment, gave our cars and motorcycle away and moved to Botswana, Africa." I wonder what they'll think of us. :) 
Over this past weekend we said goodbye to David's parents who are as I write this, in route to Papua New Guinea for another term. We also said goodbye to his sister, Elaine, as she went back to Chicago for another semester at Moody Bible Institute. The weekend before that we said goodbye to John and Kathryn and our nephews Nathan and Philip. We're not sure when we'll all see each other again, but savored the time we've been able to share with our family while we've been in Fairhope, Alabama for the past two weeks. We've also been able to see extended family here and meet dear folk from churches in this area who are praying for us.
Before that, in December, we were able to spend three weeks staying with my parents, Isaac and Kathy Barreto. And really enjoyed our time with them and with my sisters Laura and her hubby David and with Tina and getting to meet her boyfriend Aaron. I really feel that the Lord has allowed all our family to send us off. And we feel very loved and supported. It was such a blessing to be with all of them and wonderful to build memories. We also enjoyed some snowy weather and visiting friends from Bethel Church and from Moody. The Lord kept us safe as we traveled to and from the city and allowed my mom's car to be available for our use. A praise from this past week regarding our airline tickets. We had learned (a few weeks ago) that we would need round trip tickets in addition to our one way tickets to Botswana since we would not have a Visa in hand to present upon our international check-in and for our protection the United States would not allow us to leave the country with only one way tickets. The truth is that once we arrive in Botswana we will be given tourist visas at the airport and our work visas should be waiting for us once we arrived to the Flying Mission's office. Expecting this the mission advised that we could purchase round trip tickets through our travel agent and then once we report that we made it safely to Botswana they would refund us. So while in Chicago we applied for a credit card in hopes that an approval would at least take the bite off the cost of these additional tickets. As that has taken some time to finalize I emailed our travel agent to inquire how the arrangments would work. Her reply stated that she'd be able to use the agency's corporate card to purchase the tickets and they would refund those once we're in country. What an incredible blessing from the Lord! We are so amazed at how the Lord has streamlined everything.
Another praise - we had purchased some luggage before leaving Spokane. We got a great deal and were able to use some gift cards from Bed Bath and Beyond we found amidst some papers while packing. We were delighted to take the luggage to Chicago and then onto Alabama. However on the trip to Alabama our luggage must have fallen out of a cart or mishandled or something anyways both David's check-in luggage were damaged and were no longer of help to us. His duffle bag was ripped and the wheels on the rolling suitcase were broken as well as a handle. We figure that in combination with the weight (50lbs each) and just in handling that's how they broke. So while in Alabama we have now purchased three pieces of luggage, with the help of David's parents and good sales at Kohls. Two of these have replaced our duffle bags and the other to replace David's rolling suitcase. We expect these to be much more durable and should take us to Botswana and back. Also the duffle that was still in good condition we were able to gift to Elaine, David's sis, as she was in need of a larger suitcase when she left Alabama over the weekend. The Lord worked it all out.
Thank you for your continue prayers and notes of encouragement. Our next update should be from Botswana...unless I feel the inspiration to write sooner. :) We'll be driving next Sunday morning, the 18th, to New Orleans to catch a 12:45 flight to Washington DC. From DC we'll fly 9 hrs west to Dakar, Senagal. There we'll refuel and continue onto Johannesburg, South Africa for another 9 hours. Think of us then, because we'll not be getting off the plane in Dakar. We'll have a 1.5 hr layover in Jo-burg before our one hour flight to Gabarone, Botswana. We'll get into Gabarone just in time for dinner around 6pm on Monday the 19th. Gabarone's time zone is Greenwhich + 2 (UTC +2).
Talk to you soon!
David and Stephanie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)