Pray for Botswana on Sunday, February 23, 2014

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 5:38-48

Prayers for Botswana:

Dear Gracious and loving God, we give thanks that you are forever tied up with our lives. Our joys are your joys. Our trials are yours and we are never made to walk alone. This week we come to you to lift up the people of Botswana. Be with them in the upcoming general elections and keep them safe and fair. We ask that those living with the condition of albinism feel the full weight of your love and a new sense of inclusiveness in society at large. Lift up our partner organizations in Botswana, the UCCSA and Kgolagano College, as witnesses of your love unto all. God, guide Botswana to realize their dream of building a railroad opening up the corridor linking countries now landlocked with those who lie on the ocean

In all things, we give you the glory. Amen

Mission Stewardship Moment from Botswana:
Botswana is awash with political activity. Having completed their primaries in late 2013 to determine candidates for the general elections, they are ready for the 2014 voting. The people of the country are about to make important choices about who will run their government – at every level.

Botswana along with other Southern African countries (Zimbabwe and Mozambique) holds out hope of building a railway line that will someday move goods and people in affordable ways between the countries now landlocked and those who lie on the ocean. Decision makers are being elected who will be working to connect Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique – a potential benefit to them all.

Kgolagano College, a Global Ministries partner, is the only ecumenical learning institution in Botswana training pastors for several denominations. As with most educational institutions, they have had to struggle with limited financial resources. In a response to the needs of the community, there is a growing demand to train educators and counselors by expanding programs and courses – a challenge that calls for growth within restraint.

The United Congregational Churches in Southern Africa (UCCSA), also a Global Ministries partner, is God’s servant through Jesus Christ, engaged in many ways and in many communities of Botswana. New churches are under construction and older ones are being revitalized. They are also maintaining and growing diverse social ministries like orphanages, feeding programs, and HIV/AIDS counselling.

Some of the personal struggles we’ve witnessed are with the people living with albinism, the chemistry of the body producing little or no pigment color. It presents innumerable challenges not only for the person living with it, but also for their family and the social group of that family. Deep rooted prejudices persist, and the individual carries horrible shame. They are also subject to ignorant defamatory remarks which are hurled at them such as mpopi (doll) and leswafi (albino). This pigment condition also limits job opportunities and social relationships. The church is often the only one to accompany them.

Let us keep the people of Botswana ever close in our prayers this week as they face decisions that will significantly impact their future. Let us also keep our partners in prayer this week as they learn from and serve the people of these communities.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Jayanthi and Jim Wilson)

Mission Partners in Botswana:

More information on Botswana:
http://globalministries.org/africa/countries/botswana/

GLobal Ministries Missionary in Botswana:
Jayanthi Wilson, a member of Cairo-Jacksonville Pastoral Unity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cairo, Missouri, serves the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). She is seconded to the Botswana Synod and assigned to the Kgolagano Theological College in Gaborone. She works as a librarian at the College and will continue to work with the Sedibeng Centre once the restructuring process is complete.

Jim Wilson, a member of Cairo-Jacksonville Pastoral Unity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cairo, Missouri, serves the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). He is seconded to the Botswana Synod and assigned to the Kgolagano Theological College in Gaborone. He works as an instructor at the College.