more than average

Missions or Bust!

2011-07-30T10:33:00.000-06:00

Greetings from Spokane, Washington. Time continues to fly by; it’s hard to believe we are already in July. We celebrated our anniversary recently and found ourselves looking back at the many things God has brought us through the last year. We want to thank you all for your faithful prayers as we transitioned from Botswana back to the US and began to look at the best way to move towards long term missions involvement overseas. Several opportunities have come that will allow David to continue to gain valuable flight experience, but that present challenges as well. We value your partnership on our journey to spread the gospel and want to briefly share how God is leading in our lives.

Even as God led us from Botswana he kept the desire to work in long term ministry on our hearts. In many ways this was our reason for returning to Spokane. Christ the Redeemer Church’s strong missions focus and encouragement from fellow attendees continues to bless us. Moody Aviation provided exceptional training before our years in Botswana and they are once again doing all they can to help us continue in missions.

We still feel strongly God’s leading toward life long service with Wycliffe Bible Translators and are seeking the most expeditious manner in which to become Wycliffe members. From an aviation standpoint this requires that David gain more flight experience. We’re happy to say that God has already provided some much needed flight time and that another opportunity looms on the horizon.

Through Moody, David was connected with Brigade Air ministries. Brigade Air runs week long summer camps introducing aviation as a means for ministry to high school youth. David spent the third week in June helping run one of these camps in Columbia, CA, introducing campers to flying, sharing the news of Jesus and logging 25.5 flight hours!

He has also been working in Moody’s maintenance hangar assisting staff in working on aircraft since February. As for the looming opportunity; each fall Moody senior flight students take a 10 day trip through mountains along the west coast. Due to a small senior class, and because of his maintenance work, there is room for David to join the trip at a reduced cost. This 1 time chance would be a fantastic way to earn most of the remaining flight experience he needs in realistic mountain conditions under the tutelage of veteran mission pilots. It would also provide great preparation for Wycliffe’s flight evaluation test we hope to take next summer. The challenge is our inability to afford this trip even at a reduced rate. We currently need 3,000 dollars and we need the full amount by August 31.

While we are tempted to be discouraged, we know we serve a big God who provides more than all we ask or need. Please pray with us that God will provide the money we need for this trip. Also will you consider giving toward the financial cost of the trip? Your prayers and giving would greatly aid us in completing the flight hours needed to qualify for Wycliffe’s flight evaluation test. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of our lives.

David and Stephanie Boogaard

moved in and settling

2011-04-12T20:49:00.000-06:00

there's something to be said for having your own place and unpacking your bags.
something to be said for a great smelling meal cooking in the slow cooker, sitting at a table in the comfort of your own home, afterwards listening to pleasant music whilst sitting on a comfortable chair or love seat with lamp illuminating the page of a good read.
we are in! after two months of living with great friends!!! we have finally moved into a place we'll call home for a while.
thanks for your continued prayers.

now the settling begins. David's at Moody Aviation each day volunteering in the shop. in the evenings he's begun studying for his Certified Flight Instructor's rating. I am looking for part time employment. But am enjoying being at home, unpacking and making our apartment home.

thanks be to God for a time of rest

we're on our way

2011-01-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

After months of moving around Gaborone Botswana we have returned to America. We arrived 7 Dec in Chicago and have been visiting family and friends ever since. Its been so good to be back. We have been able to visit most family on both sides and a good number of friends.

David and I are really looking forward to unpacking and settling into our new apartment in Spokane Washington. That will happen in February. Until then David is in Alaska helping our friend Paul Hadfield, of Arctic Barnabas, fix an airplane. Meanwhile I, Stephanie, will continue my visit in Chicago until after my sister Tina's golden birthday. David and I will then meet up in LA to visit his brother and fam. Finally to end up in Spokane Washington where we'll get to settle into our new apartment.

Why Spokane? Before leaving Botswana we'd been really seeking out what God wanted us to do. We had three options, Chicago: near my family; LA: for a possible job opportunity for David; or Spokane WA: to earn a flight instructor rating through Moody Bible Institute. Our goal and prayers is to return overseas to do missions through aviation and to keep David flying. In answer to our prayers God shut the doors on both Chicago and LA but had them wide open for Spokane. So there we will go. David will attend Moody and earn his flight instructor rating - this will give him the missing flight hours he needs until he'll have enough to apply for a Technical Evaluation with a mission. Also through some folks at our church in Spokane we'll have an apartment for free. And God's given us a car that's also waiting for us there.

So we're looking forward to what God has in store for us on this next chapter in our lives. We pray he'll continue to prepare us for the future and continue to bind us together.

be our guest, be our guest

2010-04-19T02:54:00.000-06:00

Be our guest, be our guest put our service to the test! :)

We have been enjoying so many evenings of fun around the table in our dining room. After about 12 stores of searching and pricing we found a 7 piece, metal framed table with solid wood table top and seats. A quality table for a very good price! The evening of the day we bought it we hosted three of our friends.

Since then we have been able to have a few friends over. A long awaited desire for both of us. There are not enough nights in our schedule to have everyone over as soon as we'd like. But we've really been enjoying the conversations, games and food around the table.

This past weekend our guests were some Boogaard family friends from the days when they were missionaries in Columbia, South America (1980's and 90's). Nate Richmond and Dan and Rachel Gabler are in town working with Flying Mission in the maintenance shop for a week. It was a real treat to meet up with them in a very different part of the world.

This next week we look forward to a few meals with our friends Gilbert and Sara Collins with 2 yr old Timmy (big mo) and 4 month Nicholus (nicky tricky). The Collins work with the US Peace Corp, previously posted in Botswana, but have relocated to Namibia to direct the program there. They will be staying with us for several nights during their visit in Gaborone.

Please note: all guests must check their passes at the gate. Our security guard, Loula, requires approval of all visitors. :)

pictures of our new home

2010-03-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

Greetings dear friends,
Here is a link to pictures of God's answer to all of our prayers for housing. The link is a photo album taken from Stephanie's Facebook account. Enjoy!

We'll post pictures as have set things up.

Our New House Photo Album

love,
David and Stephanie

Tuesday's are for paying the deposit and first month's rent!!!

2010-02-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

After months of many prayers, and a melt down the day of, we have found a house!!!!

As we reported before we were supposed to be able to find out about the Block 5 house once the landlord came back into town on the 2nd of Feb. On the 31st we drove past the house to see if there was any sign of moving. When we found no sign we decided to not wait any longer and pick up an Advertiser on Tuesday to search again.

Tuesday morning ended up being a difficult one for me (stephanie) because I had reached my point of emotional exhaustion of house hunting. Although we picked up an Advertiser at 9 am as we should we didn't start calling on ads until 10:30am. We found about 10 interesting ads. But when I called 5 of them were already taken and the other 5 weren't answering their phones. It was tremendously discouraging. But I decided and David encouraged me to go to the office instead of spending the day in bed. At the office my friend Sheila talked and prayed with me, which was very encouraging. After we prayed we took a walk to a nearby grocery store to pick up some lunch. On our way I received a phone call from a number I didn't recognized. The voice on the other end announced she'd missed a call from my number.

She was calling me back in response to my response to her ad!!!

I quickly recovered from the shock and made arrangements with her to see the house that day. David and I met up and together we were able to tour the house. (David was on-call that day, which means he needed to be available to go fly when an emergency arises, but otherwise hang out close enough to the airport to respond within 20 minutes tops.) To our delight the current tenants gave us a relaxed tour around their home. Giving us plenty of time to look in each room. Also to our delight the house was clean and roomy.

After the tour David got called to go on a flight. He dropped me at home and went to work. I also went to work and called the land lord back saying I'd like to meet with her to discuss the lease. Her husband met me within the hour and the next day dropped the lease off at the FM office for us to review.
On Sunday, 7 Feb, David and I met with the landlord to ask some questions about the lease agreement. And on Tuesday the 9th I gave the land lord the first month's rent and security deposit. FMS will be signing the lease to give us a tax break.

On March 1st, or there about, we'll be moving into a three bedroom ranch with kitchen, dining room, and living room. It includes a master en-suite, guest bathing room and toilet room, and fireplace. This house is located in Block 8 which is 100 times closer to the airport than the block 5 house. Not only is it closer but David will easily be able to get to the airport in 5-7 minutes. This block 8 house is also situated close the FM office for easy access for me. It's an incredible blessing! Since we have 3 bedrooms, we'll have plenty of room for visitors. If you plan to be in the neighborhood please give us a buzz. :)

Praise God for his good timing and good plan. May he continue to be patient with me especially as I continue to learn to trust him and not be anxious. Thank you for your continued prayers.

David and Stephanie

Tuesday's are for searching

2010-02-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Although it's Monday it will be nearing Tuesday by the time many of you read this entry.

Maybe it was a mistake, but since we were in the neighborhood I thought it was a good idea to sneak a peak at the progress of our moving into the house at Block 5. The current tenants in the house are supposed to be out 31 January.

On Sunday afternoon, 31 January David and I drove by to see if there was any moving progress. We found no sign of moving. My guess is they haven't found a place to stay yet.

The landlord returns tomorrow, Tuesday. I'm not sure what to expect with his return. I wish I could wait and just see, but alas I'll pick up an Advertiser for another Tuesday of searching.

My prayer, our prayer, is if this is the house for us then God will provide the current tenants with a place to stay, and noone will be homeless, or kicked out or any of that. Or that God would reveal his better plan for us.

Other news...
One of the cell phone companies have sponsored a new skate park in town. David has been skating (skateboarding) for 12 years. Over the past 4 years he's taken time away from the sport to concentrate on flying. However we heard about the start of a "skaters for Christ" outreach ministry in town. So we ordered a skateboard for him. It arrived two weeks ago. Saturday afternoon he and I went to the new park. He skated and I watched. We were able to meet a few of the kids...jr high/ high school age...they seemed really cool and all thought David was a good skater. :) We hope to make this a regular routine and hope to build relationships with the kids.

grant us patience, O Lord

2010-01-28T01:22:00.000-07:00

Last week I was able to see the inside of a house in a neighborhood called Block 5. I went to see this house two weeks prior with my friend Tracy. But the tenants would only allow us to do an outside walk around the property. I was told then it had three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and dining room and bathroom. It also has a guest quarters. The house seemed very nice from the outside. Its on a corner lot, with chain link fence covered in an evenly tall hedge all the way around the property. It had recently been remodled and painted. After much seeking after the landlord/lady, who's been out of country since Christmas, I was finally able to see the inside. The tenant quickly walked me through each room. Allowing only so much as a glance in each room. The bedrooms are big and are fitted with wardrobes. It is well lit and the yellow walls give the house an array of sunshine. The kitchen is a work area and there is a larger area just on the other side of the wall for a dining room. The bathroom has a tub and sink and there is a separate toilet room with sink. The yard is laid with bricks and everything is clean. Although my viewing was brief...I promptly told my realator we'd take it! :)

So what's the problem? When can we move in?

Problem number 1:
The tenants are supposed to be out end of month, but they haven't found a different place to live.
These tenants are only moving because the neighborhood is too boring for them. I guess they like to party.

Problem number 2:
Landlord won't be home until 2 February. Nothing can be negotiated or finalized until then.

Do you remember a couple posts ago that I had been praying God would show me that day the house he was going to give us? This was one of the houses I looked at that day. I am praying God will grant this desire. In the mean time our realator is having us look at other houses within our price range. Just in case the tenants decide not to move or something happens.

Friday 19 January commemorated 1 year living in Botswana. Time has flown.

On Tuesday 26 January we handed over the keys to the house we'd been staying in since April. It was a sad moment for me to say goodbye to the home we've known for the majority of our time in Botswana. We moved into the two room guest quarters of friends who live close by. We have a bedroom and kitchen. The kitchen room was fitted with sink and under counter storage space. Thanks to the generousity of some friends, we were able to move our stove and refrigerator into this space as well. We also have our own bathroom. They are lovely accomodations. We thank God for once again giving us a roof over our heads and a comfortable bed to sleep on.

Other news...
- David continues to be on a flight/maintenance schedule rotation. He continues to amaze me with his willingness and availability.
- Our friends, Dan and Melissa Parlane, have joined Flying Mission and arrived in Botswana just last week. We are happy to have them here and look forward to being apart of their settling in.
- Stephanie has received another Short Termer volunteer into the program. Andy Robinson from New Zealand arrived Wednesday 27 Jan and will be here until November. Prayer for both she and Andy as they work together to orient him to the program and country.
- Stephanie's mom continue's to wrestle with Lukemia and the need for blood transfusions. Recently mom needed a transfusion just one week after the previous one. This is a new development and test have been done to understand the occurance. We are waiting for the results.

perspectives

2010-01-20T02:50:00.000-07:00

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act" Psalms 37:5

over the past few weeks as time was hurrying along and still we had no place to stay we were growing more and more anxious. the questions and concerns were mounting: were we doing everything we should be? are we being picky? should I have negotiated harder for that place? why didn't we know about this before? can we afford a higher monthly rent? do we need to change our lifestyle? how quickly can we commute to town or the airport from this place? what if? when? how?

it's been difficult. but we praise God for his people who have encouraged us. one missionary friend, Sue, came to our door and encouraged us saying "sometimes we need people to stand in the gap for us and trust God for his timing and the outcome", she has been standing in the gap for us. my other encouraging friend from last week, Tracy, came over last night asking how we were doing and seeking an update for her prayers. we also received a card from a friend, Levi, who encouraged us with some perspective. "I'm pretty sure God wants you here in Botswana. He brought you to Africa so why shouldn't he provide a house for you? Its the most easy thing for him!" He further encouraged us to be thankful.

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" Philippians 4:6

david and I have been doing a bit of praying together about these things and we are helping each other stay on track with that perspective.

thank you for your continued prayers.

no news is good news

2010-01-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

so i will report how the day of house searching went.

It was a very difficult day filled with both encouraging moments and moments of desparation.

Looked at several houses...tried for one...deal fell through...someone else made a better offer.
Some were too small and in an awkward location. Another was an okay size but too far away.
This last one we're looking at is farther south than we wanted, but after all the emotional highs and lows of the day seems like the best house for the price. Don't know what the Lord is doing...trying to trust him and not to be anxious or discouraged. But I was really hoping that today God would show us - signed, sealed and delivered - the house he's prepared for us.

Some blessings of the day:
- had a wonderful friend drive with me around town with her baby to most of the appointments - whose role was to pray and encouarage - God used her to be both of those things for me
- david was at home and was available to look at some of the houses with me
- was given a delicious lunch by my encouraging friend
- a working vehicle to get to each house
- time was maximized and not a minute was wasted.
- many prayers were lifted up for us - Thank you for your prayers....

Please continue to pray. We are still waiting on God's timing and provision.

a day in the country...a night at the club

2010-01-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

no we do not go clubbing, but if you could hear what we're listening to right now you'd wonder if you were at a club. Our neighbors are having a party. Its a surprise party for a friend...they came and told us before the music began. They said it wouldn't go for long...but that was at 8...its 12:05 and it sounds like they're having a good time and the end is no where in ear shot.

This afternoon we went to the country for two reasons. The first was to rid our back yard of yard waste. we drove 71 kilometers round trip to take one of three loads to the Regional Dump in Metsimotlhabe. A village west of town. The other two loads will just have to wait until Friday when David will have more time and energy to take them.
The second reason for our journey into the country was to enjoy a visit with Malcolm and Gudren McArthur, patrons of Flying Mission. They are selling their house in the country and are giving us first dibbs on some furiture there. We are blessed to be the proud owners of a refrigerator, stove, microwave, couch and chairs, night stands, short book shelf and coffee table. PRAISE GOD!!!
After our visit, which included tea and german cookies on the veranda overlooking the valley and distant hills, we headed home with a brief stop at a scenic spot compliments of the Gaborone Dam.

Praise God for a beautiful day outdoors and for many blessings! We continue to trust him for a place to live. This week the Advertiser comes out again. On Tuesday please be praying the Lord will show us the place he has prepared for us here.

tuesdays are for searching until...

2009-12-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

...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.

tuesdays are for searching until...

2009-12-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

...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.

one bite, two days out of commission

2009-12-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

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).

saturdays are for resting

2009-12-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Tuesdays are for Searching

2009-12-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Emergency 999

2009-12-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Encouragement

2009-02-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

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!

our bags made it too!

2009-01-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

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 Made It!

2009-01-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

One week from today...

2009-01-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

...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

Four more days

2008-12-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends,

We're out of our apartment as of Sunday, Nov 30. David's folks, Bob and Deb Boogaard, and our friends Peter and Linda Stuart helped us clean our apartment for approx. 5 hours on Sunday. For the two Saturdays before that Ed Boogaard (David's uncle), Bob Boogaard, Matt Swift and Christina Julian also helped us move out furniture. We are so thankful for all the help we've had moving out! Now we're staying with Peter and Linda Stuart until Monday.
We're finalizing a whole bunch of paperwork and loose ends before we take off for Chicago on Monday. Last night we shared with our youth group at CTR our plans for Botswana. It's weird to think we've already started saying goodbye. But we also leave with confidence that it's not for forever. And it's so great that we have a wonderful church family and friends who are sending us off.

David and Stephanie

Three, two, one

2008-11-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends,
We're getting closer. Just three weeks until we leave Spokane, two weeks until we need to be out of our apartment, and just one week until our BonVoyage party at Dave and Andy Knaggs' home. Although I feel somewhat overwhelmed at times, things are really coming together. Thanks to all who've given ideas about minimizing space and where to get packing materials. It's hard to think of everything. I guess my biggest prayer is that we don't miss important details. Thank you so much for your prayers for our many decisions we're making.
We have been so blessed as we've received responses from friends about our newsletter. Thanks for emailing us!!! :)
Blessings!
David and Stephanie

Multi Engine Rated Pilot

2008-10-13T10:57:00.000-06:00

Greetings!
On Wednesday Oct 1st through Thurs, Oct 9 David was in Long Beach, California going to school to earn his Mulit-engine rating. This was the first time he underwent flight training outside of Moody. It was definitely an educational experience and very encouraging. His instructor there encouraged David stating he is a very confident pilot and has good habits in the cockpit. David's response, "I love flying!". On Wednesday Oct 8 David tested for the Multi-engine with a different instructor and passed! We are so excited. This was the last rating he needed for us to be ready to move to Botswana and do the ministry there.

Keeping In Touch

2008-10-02T17:50:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,
As we've mentioned in our recent newsletter we are looking for ways to be in better contact with our friends and family. We hope that this blog will be a helpful tool toward that end.
Please feel free to post comments and notes. We would appreciate your prayers.

Blessings!
David and Stephanie Boogaard