A Constant Source of Encouragement and Support
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4
Many individuals to be confirmed and baptized and not enough cards to give over to the participants; increased numbers of children and a growing need for church school teachers; not enough communion trays and cups; issues to sort out about the person doing the tiling in the new church building; the need to hire a contractor to build a toilet at its church outstation in Mogonye.….Although some might be seen as problems…the congregation at Ramotswa UCCSA takes it as a wonderful challenge….given by God, through Christ Jesus.
The Church has been slowly but steadily growing over the last three years – from an average of 25 people in attendance to around 100 on Sunday mornings. The children and youth programs quadrupled in size. We hosted regional events for the UCCSA Soldiers of Christ, Youth, as well as the Women’s Fellowship. It also continues to be involved in several outreach programs – sometimes more than even this moruti (pastor) can keep up with. Nonetheless, the church has chosen not to leave “well enough alone” and forgo any kind of static worldview of what it means to be a congregation. At a recent Church Council meeting – there was discussion as to how we might better serve the youth with an advisor appointed by the council; a need to further strengthen the outstation at Mogonye – improving its physical facility and the planning additional church wide events there. They have shown by their actions that complacency is unworthy of the church’s calling.
For both Jayanthi and me, the Ramotswa UCCSA has been a tremendous blessing in our lives – a constant source of encouragement and support.
In July of this year, we’ll be heading back to North America for a time of itineration on behalf of Global Ministries. Although it’ll be tough to say goodbye to the friends we have made in Botswana, we look forward to meeting up once again with old friends and making new friends during our period of itineration over a period of 4 months.
No words can express can how much we have appreciated all the support we have received while serving the church in Botswana – prayers, letters, and financial assistance which enabled the Ramotswa UCCSA congregation to build their new building.
We would like to end this newsletter with a prayer we came upon some time ago, i.e.
Prayer
Lord, each day is a brand new gift – unspoiled, unblotted. Help me to be inwardly open to what you have for me today. Amen
Jim and Jayanthi Wilson
jrjswilson@gmail.com
James & Jayanthi Wilson are missionaries with the Kgolagano Theological College in Gaborone, Botswana. Jim serves as an instructor at Kgolagano Theological College. Jayanthi is seconded to the Botswana Synod and assigned to Kgolagano Theological College. She serves as librarian at Kgolagano College and will continue to work with the Sedibeng Centre.