Botswana

The border--always an adventure.  There were at least 30 trucks lined up, but fortunately 

for us, they were going the other way.  And of course, the cow always has the right of way.

As we went through the last check point, the guard wanted to look in the trunk.  She 

said, "You're missionaries?  Where is your Bible?"  Thank goodness we had a Book of Mormon 

so we gave it to her and she was really excited to have a 'new Bible.'

Orometswae is the Director of Arts of Culture for Botswana.  He helped us get the 

Licensing for The Young Ambassadors accomplished.  He is one of many Albinos in 

Africa.  Their life is not easy and they especially have a hard time with skin cancer.

This is Leonard Thebe and his family.  He is the Country Director of Public Affairs for 

Botswana.  He also works for the American Embassy which is probably quite helpful.

"Hello Number One!"  is what this parking attendant would say to Grandpa everyday. 

I don't think he could speak anymore English than that.  It really made us laugh--inside

joke.  Remember our Sunday afternoon drive through town yelling, "We're number 

one" out the window?   What a lame family activity but it usually involved ice cream

so I guess that made it all right.

A herd of goats right through the middle of town.  Rather picturesque.

A baptism at the branch we attended.  The great thing about this baptism is 

that it was a family.  They also had a cute little girl.  

President of Zambia and Modikwe Game Park

The President of Zambia came to visit Botswana and as luck would have it he stayed on our floor.  Grandpa actually met him in the hallway.  They had a nice visit and in the course of things, Grandpa said he had 14 grandkids (usually one off the first things he shares!)  Anyway, the President said, "Oh, you must have been a bad boy when you were young." ??
We couldn't quite figure out how that fit together, but anyway I think Grandpa and the President became pretty good friends.  Big surprise!

We went to the Modikwe Game Park that evening after work.  We weren't too sure about an evening drive but it was pretty fun.  

This fellow is called a Blue Wildebeest.  They are rather rare and hard to find apparantly.  

He was so unconcerned about us being there.  He walked right by our car, down the road a ways, and then off to the other side and into the bush.

Wild dogs.  Every dog has its own unique colorings, just like our fingerprints.

They are apparently separated from the pack.  So this one spent some time, rutting around in the weeds to leave his scent so the pack could find them.  

Then he trotted off to find his other two companions.

We had the cutest guide.  He was so determined to find us some lions that he got out of the truck and searched for some tracks.  After a time, he returned and said, "That's enough of that.  There are all kinds of tracks around here and I'm not going any further, even with my gun."

Taking pictures at night is tricky.  The only time I could get the camera to work is when the spotlight was on the animal.  I think I need some instructions.

We conquered and found the lions.  As you can see we got up close and personal.  They had just killed something so they were pretty satisfied and sleepy.  This is the Mom, of course.

I love the eyes on this picture.   

I

I think this sunset rivals the one we saw in Tonga.

Training in Botswana and Mokolodi Game Park

Our reason for the visit to Botswana was to train this new Public Affair Committee for the country of Botswana.  Leonard Thebe (third from the left) is the director, and everyone else are newly called.  Some are over Government Relations, Inter-Faith Relations, Media, and Member Relations.  We are very excited about the caliber of people that have been called to serve in Botswana.  

Then we met with the Sister Missionaries, Elder and Sister Taylor, and Elder and Sister Kimball (from the Mission Presidency.)  They were hoping for some help with a project for the area Country Fair that will take place in July.  It is an exciting idea and we hope to return and be involved a bit this summer.

We decided to go to a local game reserve that evening.  It was a small acreage but we had a great time.  We love to see the animals in their natural habitat.

We didn't see a lot of new things but this little guy tried to outrun our truck.
He was right in front of us and took off running.  It was rather comical to watch.

Northern South Africa farmland

We finally made it through the border.  Grandpa nearly got fined for driving 5 feet past the stop sign so he would be by the border guard.  He was supposed to wait for him to get off his chair and walk over to the car.  He backed up and told the man he had repented and if we repent we should be forgiven.  The two guards talked it over and decided they really couldn't argue with that logic and let us go without a fine.  Grandpa and his gift of gab triumphs again.

We thought it was thoughtful of the authorities to warn us and I'm sure the bad guys would only Hi-jack by the sign.

Gaborone (pronouced Haverown) is the capital of Botswana.  Sheep, goats, and cattle are everywhere.  We were told that there are more cows in this country than people.

These are the taxis (Kombies).  They will sometimes pack 4 to a seat.  They are not the least concerned about seat belts and some of the time they run stop signs and break the speed limit.

An African Mormon Wedding

Malvern works with us at the area office.  We went to his wedding last Saturday.  He was married in the temple, but because they have so many non-member family members they often get married in the chapel as well.   At the beginning of the ceremony, the Bishop announced that there would be no smoking or drinking in or around the church.  Rather different.  They had 3 speakers, a musical number, and then the Area Seventy married them.

After the ceremony the fun began.  Everyone went outside and broke into ceremonial singing.  Everyone danced (except for all the Senior Missionaries who were too busy taking pictures) and all were singing.  There is no age limit--children on up.  This little lady was over 80 years old and she led the way.  And, of course, the ladies were doing the high-pitched trill that means, "We are so-o-o happy!"