Naledi News #22

December 31, 2007

This Week in the Fellowship…

Life slows down a bit in Old Naledi at this time of year, but it is also a wonderful time to reflect on the journey that God has initiated, and the ways that He has shown himself faithful over and over again. In the book of Jeremiah, God asks the Israelites to “remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown (Jer 2:2b).” While many of our youth have literally followed God through the desert in Diphudughudu recently, we can all point to times this year, that God has led us through emotional and spiritual deserts, while bringing us into a place of deep love and devotion with Him. Often, as God teaches us these amazing lessons and gives us sweet communion, it is the time afterwards that is particularly difficult. We ask for all of your prayers as the youth and other members of the church are dispersed among their homes, surrounded by influences that are not from God, and experiencing the lasting effects of deep interaction with the Lord during the camp. We pray for sustained relationships, safety in travel, and heartfelt worship of our creator who has given another year of His faithfulness.

Last weekend, Christmas festivities abounded. The junior youth Christmas party concluded the Saturday program for the year with many games, food, and gifts. Rapula and MG were DJs and many of the older youth helped with face painting and serving the food.

There was even more food on Sunday as the church hosted an engagement party for Owen and Becky. Moruti and others blessed the couple with encouragement and prayers for their future.

This Sunday, the Open Baptist Church, hosted our fellowship for their evening service. Lame shared highlights of the Diphudughudu camp and Moruti preached the message about finding the truth in Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Newletter 21

December 21, 2007

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:2-3

Being Watchful and Thankful!

*Prayer meeting this week focused on thanksgiving as the church has a multitude of blessings for which to be thankful since the youth arrived safely from Dipudugudu with many stories of God’s works.

*Mothusi praises God for his plans of full time ministry in Gakuto. Although he originally planned a different course for his life, God redirected him to His service and changed his heart.

*Rapula and Lame thanked God for a year of health.

*Moruti led us all in thanking God for our partners who have been used by God in sustaining the fellowship through struggles with the building, tent, and Mothusi’s support.

*Mma Bodutu thanked God for His comfort as a neighbor in Old Naledi was found dead in his house after several days.

*We also praise God for employment opportunities for the youth.

…So that We May Proclaim the Mystery of Christ: Update on Diphudughudu!

We appreciate all of your prayers concerning the youth mission’s trip to Diphudughudu. The devil was clearly not pleased with the work and they experienced an intense spiritual battle along the way, but they have returned home safely with many testimonies about revival, relationships, and regeneration in their own hearts and those that they ministered to.

They left for the trip in a rented combi with individual prayer assignments to cover the work that God had prepared for them at the sister church. Over the week, they felt a prayer for unity being answered in a powerful way. Working together, Mothusi said that he witnessed, “the least becoming greatest” and each contributed an individual walk with God that encouraged the others. All of the youth were exhausted from the physical labor they endured during acts of service, but they felt that this was an opportunity to put into practice our study of Christian service, modeling their ministry off of that of Christ.

Lame was struck by the deep relationships that were formed, especially with the older youth. Many of the Basarwa girls are pressured to become pregnant as soon as they can quit their schooling. As a result, only one of the youth girls that had made a commitment to abstinence was free enough to help as a church leader. Lame’s heart was changed by the trip and he feels called

to return to the village at least three times a year, to cultivate relationships and continue his prayer for the elders. Please join Lame in prayer for follow up. All of the youth identified a lack of leadership as one of the greatest needs of the church. They are fervently praying that someone will be raised up to pastor in the area.

MG pointed out traditional healing as another stronghold that requires prayer. As the youth went about offering their services and sharing with those that were interested, they encountered a traditional healer in every house as the local people struggle with diseases that have ravaged the community. He praised God that despite some fear of the witchcraft all around them, the youth were all strong and well protected by the Lord.

The obstacles continued as the group made their way back to Gaborone. First, the combi broke down near Molepolole, so that they were stranded with very little food and water until help came. Eventually, Champ worked out transportation for all but 4 of the youth guys, who stayed overnight until they were able to ride the bus the next day. However, Champ had to lend his car to the owner of the combi in the meantime. The owner got in a drunken accident, smashing in the top and side of the car and totaling it. Unfortunately, the driver is refusing to pay to replace the car and seeking legal advice. Please pray for this situation as he continues to face obstacles that only god can overcome and provide protection. Our God is so faithful!

December 7, 2007

Prayer Requests

*Please pray for Moruti’s sister. She has tested positive and returned to Marina on Tuesday.

*The youth will leave for Diphudhugudu tomorrow morning. They will be cleaning and repairing the kgotla and church property as they minister, build relationships, and host children’s and youth programs for a partner church in the Basarwa village. Please pray for unity, revival, and strong armor against Satan’s attacks.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise!

*As we anticipate celebrating the birth of Christ and the coming of a new year, we reflect on the wonderful God that we serve and His mighty acts over the past year.

*Praise God for the Tlamelo Christmas party that was a big success.

*Praise God for His generous provision of funds for the December camp. The youth will be providing an update to all of our partners when they return.

*Join Rapula in praising God that his brother has begun to follow Christ.

A Tlamelo Christmas…

“ Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth

Peace to men on whom

His favor rests. ”~Luke 2:14

Moruti Mothusi shared the reason for our celebration, teaching a large crowd of children this morning at the Tlamelo Christmas party. Lesego, Champ, and Mpho joined him in leading party games and singing.

The women of the church provided a great meal with all of the generous donations, and distributed clothing, sweets, and other Christmas treats. This was the last meal that will be served until Tlamelo reopens next year!

Old Naledi News 16

November 27, 2007

“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6

Prayer Requests

*Mma Moruti Schaffer of Open Baptist Church suffered a severe heart attack this week. Please pray for her health and strength for Pastor Norman and the congregation. She has been released from the hospital and is resting at home.

*Moruti’s sister is terminally ill from low blood sugar. Please pray for their family as well.

*Please pray for the transition for the Standard Sevens who have just graduated from Sunday school. They attended their first full church service on Sunday.

*Please pray for the senior youth group who will perform several songs at OBC on Sunday in preparation for a special offering to benefit the December Camp in Pogudugudu.

*Pray for Mma Moruti and Bushie, who will begin teaching Sunday school next week.

*Thank you for praying for Rizo’s mother and Becky Hartnett. Both are back to normal and recovering.

Praise the Lord!

*Becky Coonrod, a friend of NBC at Faith church in America has been working hard to organize a youth group fundraiser for our December Camp. Thanks to many prayers, they were able raise enough to send 10 of our youth to Pugudugudu to minister among the Basarwa. OBC will also be taking a special offering this Sunday for the trip. We are truly overwhelmed by the blessings that God showers on us through His body!

This Week in the Fellowship…

The Junior Youth are leading our church into the advent season with scriptures, song, and candle lighting during the worship services. This Sunday, they presented the prophesy of Jesus’ birth in Isaiah 9 and prayed through the four names of Christ mentioned in the passage. This was a great way for us to meditate on who Jesus is and thank Him for who He is.

Moruti has been teaching about freedom and responsibility in Christ this week. We will begin to incorporate the sermons in Junior Youth quiz time and Sunday school to help transition the Sunday school children into the full service.

We welcomed Moagi back from Johannesburg this week. He and Lame are back and helping with all of the regular church programs including AWANA and Tlamelo teaching.

Naledi News 14

Naledi News

November 20, 2007

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” ~Galatians 5:22

Prayer Requests

*Please pray for Rizo’s mother as she went into the hospital this week with asthma complications.

*Pray also for the Senior Youth Camp in Dipudugudu, which will begin on December 7^th. Much planning and fundraising still needs to occur.

*Please pray for Becky’s health. She has been in the hospital this week with an infection, but God granted energy and stamina to continue with the Junior Youth Family Day!

Men’s Fellowship

The Men’s Fellowship began meeting several Sundays ago for prayer and bible study. They ask for you to join them in prayer that it would begin to obtain established and faithful members. They are also praying about starting a new ministry for the prisoners in Gaborone jail.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~Micah 6:8

Family Fun Day!!!

God worked a miracle through the junior youth this week. Prayer warriors around the world have been bringing this event before the Lord and submitting it to His will, and He was faithful in bringing it to completion despite continuous attacks that could have prevented it. Beginning with their fruit of the spirit theme, the junior youth presented a program to a full tent of their guardians and friends complete with skits and illustrations of the gospel, memory verse recitation, songs, and traditional dancing. We even inspired Moruti and Mma Moruti to get up and dance! We invited Mothusi to share a brief message, followed by an awards ceremony recognizing those that completed the “Memory Verse Club”, and Lillian for her hard work and leadership. Nnaka, Mma Rebekah, Mma Moruti, Mma Grace, Kerotse, and Phemelo provided a wonderful meal for all those in attendance, which was followed by parachute games, water balloons, dancing, and a slide show. Praise God for an opportunity to establish relationships with many families. Just like David the shepherd, or Mary the young teenage mother, God again chose the least likely, the junior youth of Old Naledi, to accomplish His great plan of reaching the whole area with the gospel!

Here are a few pictures...

Naledi News 13

Naledi Baptist News

November 2, 2007

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” ~Proverbs 3:3

This is our prayer for the young people of Old Naledi. God has given us the privilege of being bystanders, small errand helpers in His magnificent work of grace around the world. We have seen Him instill love and faithfulness in the heart of a child who proclaimed, “That’s God!” this week at a break in the thunderstorm clouds, and in the hearts of the junior youth who prepare faithfully to learn God’s word and share it with their neighbors at family day on the 17^th. We have also seen His love demonstrated in the youth, who studied the word by the headlights of a corolla last night, praising our God of second chances, who would remain faithful even to someone as unfaithful and cowardly as Peter who denied Him three times. Please pray with us that the young people who are getting to know this God would take these attributes of love and faithfulness and grow to follow Him with their whole hearts.

*Please pray for Moruti who lost a goat in Mogoditshane and has been searching yesterday.

*Pray for Champ’s sister. Her condition is worsening.

*Please pray for Phemelo, who is healing from a stab wound on her right thigh. She is also taking exams right now and this is a difficult time.

* Mma Rebekah asks for our prayers as her sister passed away recently.

*Rizo has also experienced the death of a family member and is in our prayers.

*Praise God for Kerotse and Agnes who finished their term as Sunday school teachers. Bushe and Dikabelo will begin this Sunday

*Praise God for Mma Rebeka and Nnaka who worded hard yesterday cleaning the PC after rotten meat left a bad smell.

This Week in the Fellowship…

The men’s fellowship began meeting on Sunday in a newly erected church tent on the Southwest side of the plot. Please pray that this new ministry will gain momentum and faithful members. The members are also praying about the possibility of starting a prison ministry. Many people have been asking about the future plans for building on the plot. Right now, we are hoping and praying that God’s provision of funding will allow construction to begin in December. Currently, mine work in northern Botswana is preventing the trucks from moving Moruti’s office building. The other PC will need to be moved by South African trucks. If these become available, they might be moved as early as the end of November.

The youth are finishing their study of Jesus’ last words. This week was a study of Jesus’ trial before Pilate and the Chief Priest in John 18. They will be concluding in 2 weeks.

Congratulations to Rebecca, Vivian, Kefilwe, and Kerapetse! They are the first Junior Youth to join the “Memory Verse Club”, with 6 verses about the fruits of the spirit. We would like to extend an invitation to any of our partners who are here in Gaborone to attend the Junior Youth Family Fun Day on November 17^th!

Old Naledi News #12

October 26, 2007

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

~John 10:11

Prayer Requests

*Mpho has lost his id. Please pray that he will be able to get it replaced this week.

*After two thunderstorms, the church tent collapsed two Saturdays in a row. Praise God that He is sending His rain to Botswana, has provided hard workers to erect the tent last Sunday, and provided partners to contribute to the building project. Pray that we will trust in our provider.

*Please pray for the sick.

*Pray for DK, Phemelo, Tshiamo, and others who are writing exams.

*We are praying that God will provide Godly marriages in the church.

*Pray also for Lame as he continues to face spiritual warfare and a difficult class schedule in Johannesburg.

Sing Praises to our God, Sing Praises!

* Praise God for revival in Gakuto! The congregation is growing and we are trusting God for a youth ministry to begin soon.

*NBF has been adopted by an American church from the Vision Trip, which offered its generous support through a $5000 donation towards the building project. We are truly blessed!

*Rapula is offering thanksgiving for a time of spiritual encouragement that he experienced at last week’s conference with Moruti and Julian.

*We also thank God for Champ and the dedicated youth that set up the tent for last week’s service. This week, it will be moved to a more protected area to prevent more damage.

This Week in the Fellowship…

Our protection, guidance, sustenance, freedom from fear, source of unconditional love, and sacrificial care, these are all offered to us by our good shepherd. This was something that God revealed to many different members of the church this week as a testimony to His providence in reaching our needs and knitting His congregation together in unity. The junior youth memorized this verse in a song as they discussed their fears and how Jesus rescues us from our fears and saves us from sin by giving up His life. They are preparing for a Family Fun Day, concluding their study of the fruits of the spirit, on November 17^th. So, please pray for Lebang, Rebecca, Vivian, Ogomoditse, Kefilwe, Ditso, and Lydia as they will all have important speaking roles as they lead the group in sharing a gospel presentation with their families and friends.

The senior youth studied John 17 this week and reviewed the 8 “I am…” claims in the book of John during their study of Jesus’ last words. After much prayer and consideration, we have been given the opportunity to move the December camp to Pugudugudu village in the central Kalahari, by a church there that has expressed great needs and partnership with OBC.

Mothusi led prayer meeting with another encouragement about our savior as a good shepherd on Tuesday. Many times we choose to take comfort in worldly things, but the good shepherd is the only true comfort provided to us that will not let us down. Even as we fear thunderstorms and other unexpected barriers to our plans, He continues to provide shelter and all that we need for an abundant life in Him!

The men’s fellowship will begin meeting this Sunday. Please pray for this new ministry to grow and for the teaching to bring honor and glory to God!

Old Naledi News 9

September 14, 2007

“O dira di gakgamatso! O dira di gakgamatso! Jehovah Jireh, Modimo monete, o dira di gakgamatso!”

Prayer Requests

*Praise the Lord, that after much fasting and praying, Mma Rebekah’s daughter, Vivian’s stolen school uniform was returned!

*The Gakuto congregation is growing! Praise God for the first youth group meeting, which was held on Saturday.

*Praise the Lord that the Junior Youth is off to a good start. They are studying the fruits of the spirit with Rapula, Lillian and Becky. This week’s fruit will be joy!

*The process has begun in drawing up plans for the new NBF church building and youth drop in center.

*Becky’s sister Maipelo and her family will be visiting Gaborone at the end of this month!

*Please pray for the youth fund raiser which will be held at OBC on December 4^th. The youth are all preparing dramas, songs, dances, and poems to be performed on that evening.

*This Thursday, a meeting will be held to decide the future of the Mogoditshane church. Please pray that God’s will would be done.

*Champ asks for prayer for moving the PC to its new location at the church plot.

This Week in the Fellowship…

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ~2 Chronicles 7:14

God has truly blessed the efforts of the outreach team in Gakuto. The service this Sunday grew to include many children and youth, and this congregation asks for prayer as a youth group will begin to meet this week!

Mma Rebekah taught the women’s fellowship this week from Psalm 46. She and Mma go Becky have been meditating on Psalm 18 together at the Tlamelo Project.

The youth group has been challenged through an exciting study of Jesus’ last words in the book of John. This week, Lame taught on John 13, washing the disciples’ feet. We believe that God has heard our prayers for unity, as we got to know each other more deeply in pairs, and washed each other’s feet. This theme has also been a major focus of the girl’s study of Ephesians each Friday night. This past week, we celebrated Masego’s birthday and discussed Godly marriages through Ephesians 5.

Please pray for a continual spirit of unity among the youth, especially as we begin to serve the Naledi community enter an anticipated time of preparing for the December camp.

Old Naledi News 8

September 7, 2007

O dira di gakgamatso! Jehovah Jirah, Modimo Monete…O dira di gakgamatso!!!

Prayer Requests

*Monna Mogolo is sick this week with some serious back pain. Please keep him in your prayers.

*Please pray for all the ministries of the church, especially the girls football outreach.

*The Gakuto and Mogoditshane churches have been outreaching to their communities. Please pray for fruits to that labour.

*Please pray for funds for the December Camp.

*Lame will be leaving on September 22^nd for South Africa. Please pray for his immigration paperwork and praise the Lord for travel expenses being provided by the body of Christ!

*Please pray for the local youth who have been vandalizing and stealing church property.

*Mma Rebekah asks for prayer for the young children who frequent the bar near her house. She has been watching them walk a dangerous path.

This Week in the Fellowship…

He keeps on doing great things! This has been the theme of the week here at Naledi Baptist Fellowship. This Sunday, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper along with visitors from the Francistown Baptist Church. We welcomed back an old friend from Harvest Fellowship, Barbara Hartnett! Our Deacon Champ returned after several weeks away. We are happy to have him back and praise God for answered prayer as he assisted his father in his home village. We now continue in prayer with Champ as he is concerned for the health of his sister.

We are very excited to have had our first well attended Jr. Youth program. Becky and Rapula led the group with games and stories illustrating Gal. 5:22 about the Fruit of the Spirit. We were surprised by the enthusiasm of the children.

The women met to sing, pray and study God’s word on Thursday evening. The question “What is a Christian?” was asked. They looked at important verses such as Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus”, and Acts 16:31 “Beleive in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Mma Rebekah lead the study.

Sr.Youth began their study on the Last words of Jesus with a drama by Thumo and Linkie and Becky’s teaching on John 12. The Youth begin their fundraising project; a theatre night, to be held at Open Baptist on Oct. 4. This will be a big undertaking. Please pray for the work that will go into it.

Girl’s Bible Study, which meets on Friday night, has been very well received. Much fruit has come out of this time and the girls are excited about their growth

Old Naledi News Issue 7

Naledi Baptist News

August 31, 2007

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” ~Isaiah 58:11

Prayer Requests

*Last week, the outreach team handed out invitations to the church services in Gakuto. Praise the Lord for an increase in attendance as young children came to church!

*Praise the Lord for safe arrival for Barbara Hartnett who has come to encourage our fellowship. Please pray for her time here. She is already being an encouragement and help in ministry.

*Lame, Moruti, and family had safe and refreshing travels in South Africa last week.

*Praise the Lord for providing a venue for the December camp. Pikwe Baptist Church has invited us for a time of spiritual nourishment. Please pray for the preparation and planning for this event!

*Thank you for your prayers for financial provision. This week, the church partners have provided much of the money required for Lame’s travel expenses for seminary.

* Please pray for Champ and his family as his father has lost many cattle and Champ’s assistance is needed during this time

*Last week, there was a bus accident in which several students from Maun were killed. Please pray for their families and praise the Lord that these students had the opportunity to hear the gospel through the work of Face the Nation.

Harvest Fellowship Prayer Requests...

(This is the part where I'm going to compile a list of prayer request from Harvest this week..)

This Week in the Fellowship…

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31

During the absence of Moruti and his family, Moruti Julian spoke on Isaiah 40, reminding us of the hope that the Lord provides of renewed strength. Like the eagle, we must wait in faith for God to deliver us. We can draw strength from trusting in him to truly soar in His will for our lives.

The outreach team made invitations and distributed them among children in Gakuto village, inviting them to attend Sunday services. The bubble gum attached to the invitations was a big hit! They followed up on the outreach this Wednesday and will continue with similar invitation ministry next week, inviting young people in Old Naledi to the Jr. Youth program. Please pray with us as this is a ministry that would fulfill a huge spiritual need; but students have shown little interest. Pray against discouragement!

The youth will be starting a new study on Jesus’ last words to the disciples. We are excited to meditate on the message of our savior and to truly hear what God has to say to us in following Him more closely. There will be a youth leaders meeting this Tuesday. Please pray for those that will be leading this series as we want to be accountable in our faithfulness to the purity of God’s word. Like Paul said, we do not want to “go beyond what is written”, but as those “entrusted with the “secret things of Christ”, we would be proven faithful (paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 4).

Old Naledi News Issue 6

Naledi News
Issue 6
August 17, 2007

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” ~John 17:3

Prayer Requests
*Praise the Lord for Champ’s safe arrival back in Botswana. He was detained in Dubai on his way to visit the Ottos and the Dubbeys; experiencing some persecution for his faith. He is now resting and recovering in his home village.

*Praise the Lord for an intensive study of biblical purity at the young women’s retreat last weekend.

*A meeting of reconciliation was held after church last Sunday to resolve conflicts among the youth. Please pray that the process of forgiveness and healing would be swift.

*Pray for our outreach team. This week we will be going to Gakuto village to invite youth to church with Moruti Mothusi.

*Pray also for follow-up with the Tlamelo children that attended VBS in Mogoditshane this week.

*Moruti Julian asks for prayer this week as he will be leading services in Moruti James’ absence

*Pray for safe travel for Moruti’s family on their way to Durban for holiday and for Lame as he leaves for Johannesburg on Tuesday.

This Week in the Fellowship…



Many of our youth attended the annual Baptist Youth Rally in Francistown this week. We are giving thanks for a sponsor that God provided for their finances, and praying that they will be renewed and prepared to share what the Lord has taught them when they return on Sunday. Those that remained in Gaborone attended a “Face the Nation” Rally at the Baptist Student Centre, where Malebogo helped to perform dramas and dances to illustrate the gospel and God’s call to purity in front of a crowd of UB students.


The Tlamelo children had the opportunity to participate in a Vacation Bible School in Mogoditshane this week along with children from churches all over Gaborone. Their theme verse was Proverbs 22:6: “Train a child in the way he should
go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Old Naledi Newletter Number 5

Naledi News
Issue 5

August 10, 2007

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your site, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Praise the Lord!

God has heard the prayers for the Mogotishane fellowship and has provided a venue for them to meet this Sunday at a nearby school.

Champ is being sent this Sunday as an ambassador for the Lord and for the NalediBaptist Church, visiting our dear friends, the Ottos and the Dubbeys in the UK. He will be returning next month. He preached from the word of God on “fighting the good fight” this week to growing youth group.

The Tlamelo project is closing over the school holidays to reopen again September 10^th. Please pray for the physical and spiritual health of the children while they are away, but praise Jesus for much needed rest for Mma Moruti and those that serve in the kitchen.

Upcoming Events:

*Girls’ Purity Retreat 10^th&11^th

*Youth Rally 15^th-18^th

*Face the Nation Rally 17^th

*Jr. Youth 11^th

*VBS in Mogoditshane 13^th-18^th

A Vision…

The last newsletter included pictures of the current meeting place; a large tent, which has been nicely decorated by friends who have helped to plant and care for trees lining the plot and church members who tend the garden in the back. As we look at the land that God has provided, we are convicted to be good stewards of this gift and praying for it to be multiplied in ministry. We are hoping to begin construction on a youth drop in center in January. This center would provide a place for local youth to build relationships and community in the context of the church, expanding the ministries to younger children and exploring ways to serve the larger community. Plans for a multipurpose building have already been drawn to also accommodate worship services on Sundays. Please pray, over the next several months that God would be glorified in these efforts.

This Week in the Fellowship…

The book of Ruth is the new topic for Sunday bible teaching. This week, we focused on Ruth’s declaration to Naomi, “Where you go, I will go..” and learned about a life of sacrifice in following the Lord at all cost. Phemelo and Agnes led a Sunday school for the younger children. Windy weather on Sunday caused one of the tent poles to fall, hastening our prayers that God will soon provide a building for the church meetings. Cell groups began on Thursday of last week and the women’s fellowship took a break. Throughout these many ministries of the church, we are praying that God would be glorified in it; That whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we would do all in the name of Christ Jesus!

Naledi News
Issue 3

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” ~2 Timothy 2:15

July 26, 2007

Prayer Requests

*Several acts of vandalism occurred at the church hall and Tlamelo this week. Please pray against hatred in these young hearts and pray for discipline in their families.

*Rizo asks for prayer for his niece who has been causing trouble in his family

*Please pray for the ministries of the church this week. All of the church programs are happening as normal, and we will be adding a Jr. Youth meeting on Saturday at 3 o’clock.

*Pray also for the leaders of the church, that they would not be discouraged and draw their strength from the Lord.

*Pray for Mma Moruti, who has been attending a workshop, and Champ, who has been attending a conference this week. Members of the church have been faithfully helping with the Tlamelo project and all of their responsibilities in their absence.

*Please pray for the youth food fundraiser this Saturday at the National Stadium. The youth will be braiing and raising money for the National Youth Conference in 3 weeks.

Notes from Gakuto

Moruti Mothusi has updated us on the great things that the Lord is doing at Gakuto Baptist Church. He is very encouraged that many youth have been responding to God’s call in their lives and have been interested in joining the church activities. He asks for prayer against the strongholds in Gakuto that may be blinding the youth from the grace of God.

This Week in the Fellowship…

As a congregation, we are experiencing God as our strength during times of weakness and trials. Despite vandalism and difficult circumstances, His love an kindnesses indeed never cease as He renews us from discouragement. Moruti Julian blessed us with the sermon Sunday and Tuesday’s prayer meeting was a refreshing time in the presence of the Lord. Brother Lame returned from Johannesburg and shared Isaiah 53 in a testimony about God motivating him to study the word. The outreach team of Bushie, Lame, Becky, Rizo, Thumo, and Champ (pictured bellow) have been prayer walking through Old Naledi, asking God to tear down strongholds. The youth are studying 1 Timothy 4 with Linkie this week. They are preparing for a fundraiser this weekend, selling food at the National Stadium to raise money for the youth rally in three weeks. Please pray that the remaining money will be provided as the church is unable to help with finances this year. We trust the Lord to provide!

Naledi News #2

“ Be joyful always. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~I Theselonians 5:16

________________________________________________________________________

July 20, 2007

Prayer Requests

*Praise the Lord for the generocity of the National Rugby team, as this week, the children of the Tlamelo project and many of the youth in the church are attending the tournament and being blessed with Lunch.

*Praise God for the safe return of our “Face the Nation” youth. They have already encouraged the congregation with what the Lord has taught them.

*Please pray for Moruti’s family as they grieve the loss of his brother. The funeral service will be held on Saturday.

*Pray for the comfort of God’s presence in Moruti’s family as they grieve the death of Moruti’s brother. Funeral services will be held on Saturday.

*Pray for the ministries of the church this week: AWANA on Wednesday, Basha on Thursday, and the new junior youth program on Saturday. Pray also that God’s power would fuel the Sunday School class during the church service.

*Pray also for the interim pastor at the church in Mogoditsane. Please pray that God would raise up more leaders to further His kingdom!

The Tlamelo Rugby Fan Club

This week, instead of regularly scheduled church programs, many of us participated joined spectators at the UB stadium to watch the rugby tournament on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Botswana National team provided lunch, and the Tlamelo project resumed during the evenings.

Remember your Creator in the Days of your Youth…

Joshua, David, Timothy, Mary; God uses youth to further His kingdom. What a privilege we have as the Naledi Baptist Bashsa to be a part of that plan of salvation! The new senior youth program will be led by a prayer team, worship team, and activities team which started working together this week as Rapula led discussion about being “light” in this world. God willing, the youth will begin serving the community through “service Saturdays” next month and begin fundraising for the December camp, with a food stand at the Zebras game on the 28^th of July.

The youth women’s fellowship has been meeting on Friday nights for fellowship and a bible study about unity as sisters in the body of Christ. Dikabelo and Lilian are also leading Sunday school for the children, and are excited to expand their team to include Malebogo and Karotse. This team of four is helping to develop a new junior youth program next Saturday! Please pray for both of these teams as they obediently follow God’s leading in their lives and give of themselves in ministry.

Lillian was the first of the youth to successfully memorize Philippians 2!

This Week in the Fellowship…

We were reminded during the prayer meeting on Tuesday that God is continually at work among His people, comforting, sustaining, and providing all the more when we are at our last strength, working all things together for His glory. Many in the congregation are exhausted from the challenges presented this week, yet are filled with joy at the encouragement that Linkie offered on Sunday: “He will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear (Job 11:15).”

Moruti Julian taught about predestination of belief in the bible study Sunday; exploring the theology of free will in accepting life or death, and God’s omniscience in knowing the intentions of our hearts in terms of repentance.

Ephesians 2:1-6 was the theme of the service. Moruti taught about the work of Jesus Christ in bringing us as His children from death into Life. It was exciting to worship with members of the congregation that have been ministering through “Face the Nation” and are now back among us.

“”Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. ~Psalm 96:3

Naledi News #1 (the blog lives...)

The church in Old Naledi is going to start sending us some updates every weekish so that we can join with them in prayer. Here's the first one.

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Naledi News

“fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind”.
Philippians 2:22
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July 12, 2007

Prayer Requests

* Praise the Lord for 93 new potential members of the Gakuto Baptist Church. This past Sunday, Pastor Mothusi welcomed students from the primary school where students heard the word of God from partners at the Keystone Church in Philadelphia.

*This week, the principle from Wycliff Bible College in Johannesburg, where Lame is a student, will be preaching and encouraging members that God leads to enroll in seminary classes. Praise the Lord for answering our prayer of providing biblical training for church leaders!

*Pray for the ministries of the church this week: AWANA on Wednesday, Basha on Thursday, and that God’s power would fuel the Sunday School class during the church service.

*Pray for those in the congregation who will be writing exams soon. Mma Grace will rewrite exams in August and Mma Rebekah’s children will be writing Form 3 and Form 5 Exams. MG gives thanks for passing all of his exams at university.

*Pray also for the interim pastor at the church in Mogoditsane. Please pray that God would raise up more leaders to further His kingdom!

Thank you all for your prayers and support of the Old Naledi Baptist Fellowship. We would like to remain in close communication with our friends, working alongside this church in the work of the gospel for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that this newsletter might encourage you as you hear about the wonderful works of God among His people in Old Naledi and the world.

This Month in the Fellowship…

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf” (Psalm 66:5)

Moruti James Mpopang shared this verse at the prayer meeting on Tuesday night, a call to praise God for the wonderful things that He has been doing in the lives of those that have shared testimonies in the fellowship. We have been blessed by the presence of members of the Keystone Fellowship at Gakuto Baptist Church on Sunday through Wednesday, where they encouraged us through workshops, preaching, and gifts of bibles and resources for Moruti Mothusi.

Sunday services at the Naledi Churh have been focused on God’s call to love one another. The bible study is discussing the meaning of Christian Fellowship and how the early church in the book of Acts experienced fellowship through the breaking of bread and prayer.

The women’s ministry studied Psalm 119. They have been praying and meditating on the word of God together every Thursday afternoon.

The youth are being challenged to memorize Philippians 2 and have set finishing the chapter as a goal for the end of July. We are putting faith in the Lord that He will bless our efforts by writing His word on our hearts, so that we can constantly bring to mind Christ’s example of humility and our call to praise Him along with the rest of His creation. This week, Moagi shared a message about prosperity, based on Malachi Chapter 3. We are very thankful to have the encouragement of those that have been studying the word of God and are back on holiday to share what they have been learning with us.

As a congregation, we have been praying for several of our members, Mpho, Malebogo, Linki, Agnes, and Rapula, who have been sent as missionaries throughout Botswana teaching AIDS education and God’s call to abstinence in the schools through “Face the Nation”. We are praying for God’s power to move mightily in Botswana through this ministry and several conferences, which we look forward to in August.

Gakuto Remarks from Moruti Mothusi…

This past weekend we had our second Sunday school. We had about 15 kids. It was a great time to have some kids who remembered the past memory verse, but had never learned verses before. It was a blessing to have a preacher from South Africa. Many were really touched. God is doing great in Gakuto. The church did not have a lot of youth, but God is still faithful to us.

~Mothusi

“Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me.” ~Psalm 66:20

Porter/Hartnett Team Update - 12/11/06

Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:17:30 -0600
Subject: Africa Team Update - 12/11/06 - Second Try


Hey everyone!

First off, sorry if you got this twice. I'm just now builing the e-mail list and messed it up the first try. You won't get it twice every time - I promise.

You're getting this e-mail because you either signed up at Harvest of the "Botswana Bash" to get updates from the Hartnett/Porter team or because you're my friend and I thought you'd like to hear what's going on as we go through this adventure of preparing to move to Africa. Either way, if you dont' want to get any more updates from us e-mail me back and I'll cross you off the list.

Now that that's said and done - I hope you all are well. Sorry that we haven't sent out an update since the Botswana Bash. Life has been pretty hectic for all of us - we've been remodeling the store/installing a new system at the Bluestem and it's consumed almost all of my time. And I may be speaking out of turn, but Becky is pretty busy with school and being a dorm resident assistant and being active on campus. It think we're all ready for the rest that we hope the holidays will bring. That is certinaly one way that you could be praying for us. Just that God would give us times of rest. I am feeling really overwhelmed with work (both at the Bluestem and as a Jr. High Basketball Coach), trying to figure out how to move to Africa (which is amazingly exciting and a LOT of work) and the pressures of everyday life. I'm pretty worn out. But, hopefully things will be slowing down here shortly.

In other news, we are in the process of trying to start a partnership with an organzation called the Flying Mission. They are an organization that works extesnively with HIV/AIDS communities by providing humanitarian aid in the name of Christ. They do a lot of work in Botswana and the capitol city where we will be and we hope that we can mutually help/work along side one another to glorify God. They asked us to write them a letter explaining what we will be doing in Old Naledi, how they can help, and what we would like to do for them. They also asked us to send them some resumes. I just finished the letter tonight. We just need to polish up our resumes and we'll fax it to them. They could really provide a lot of help finding us housing (maybe even provide it for free), with visas, with language/culture training... things like that. You could really be praying that God would cause that to come about. It would make the logistical things SO much easier. Also, it would be good for us to have fellowship outside of Old Naledi as well.

I am also currently working on drafting up a support letter. We finally have a better idea of how much the Porters need to put this whole thing into action. Pray for God's wisdom as we finalize the budget stuff and write this letter. Also, praise Him for the blessings of a great church home. Harvest has really been a great support to us in SO many ways - through prayer, support, accountability, and friendship. They also have gotten behind us and agreed to be our sending church. They also made us an official part of the budget and provided our first real financial support. It's exciting to see our dreams of working with this church in Old Naledi turn into tangible realities. Prasie God for that.

We're also excited that around New Year's our team will be going to St. Louis for a conference called Urbana. It's a missions conference that helps people prepare to go into the field. We're especially excited because this year they have an option to focus specifically on going to parts of the world where AIDs is a major issue. It should be a great time to build some team unity as well as a great time of learning/eqiuiping as well as worshiping. If anybody knows anyone in St. Louis that might have a place where we can stay, Kevin, Erine, and Elijah's place to stay didn't pan out. We have a hotel option, but it's pretty expensive and it would be a blessing to have place to stay for cheap/free. Anyways, keep the confernece in your prayers. It's the 27th of Dec through the 1st of January. It should be a really good learning time.

This letter is getting kinda long and that wraps up the big things going on with the Botswana Team (or at least the the big things on the Porter side of things). We are so greatful for the prayers and support that all of you provide in so many ways. I promise that we won't be so long in giving you an update next time. I'm going to shoot for at least every two weeks. Feel free to e-mail me any questions/comments/suggestions/a quick hello or ways that we can be praying for you all. Thanks so much. We are so greatful for you all.

Blessings,
Kevin for the Botwana Team

Botswana Bash

You're Invited
To The First Ever “Botswana Bash”

Come Join Us For A Dessert Party
Sunday, November the 12th
at 7:00 pm
in the Faith Evangelical Free Church Youth Wing

It will be an informal time to just hang out and also to hear Kevin, Erine, and Elijah Porter and Becky Hartnett talk about what God is doing in Old Naledi, Botswana. Then specifically, we plan to share the vision He has given to our team for the year or so we're planning to live there.
So please come and bring any questions or ideas you might have with you!

Questions?
Call Kevin at 341-4288

Beth Shanholtzer - 2

(Beth is from the Harvest family and is currently travelling the Botswana countryside with 4-H. She can be reached at: bshanholtzer@gmail.com
The following is an update from her adventures.)

Hello again everyone!!!! I have now finished host families 7 and 8 and am in Gaborone for an agriculture/business expo called Global Expo. It is great to be back in Gaborone, where we started our trip four months ago. First and formost I am happy to be in a hotel where I have running water, a toilet that I can flush and has no bugs, and a shower!!!! Yes...running water, a luxury after living without it for the last two weeks. You see it is the dry season right now in Botswana and everyone is patiently waiting for the rains so in some of the smaller villages, water has been scarce. In the last family I lived with we had a collection of buckets and barrels that we collected water in every other day. The village tap that we walked/drove to was only a five to ten minute walk so we usually didn't have to wait in line to get water like I have seen so many other people do. But, the day I left the water at the village tap we had been going to was no longer there so they were loading the truck to go to another tap a few kilometers down the road.

Besides the water scarcity, Botswana has been GREAT!!!! I have come to the realization after so many families of varying types that it is definitely the people and not the accomodations that make this trip so memorable. My 7th family was O.K. but not really very social so I spent a lot of time with Lindsey and her mom at a Home Based Care facility where they counsel, test, and guide people with HIV/AIDS. I got some experience in grant writing by helping them with one grant they were working on. Lindsey and I corrected their English and wrote more concise explanations to the questions asked. It was a lot of fun but a little stressful at times. In this family I had my own house on the "compound" but as I said before not a lot of conversation. In my 8th family, I had seven kids under the age of 12 to fill my time and two sisters who were around my age, so we had a lot of fun but lived with no running water. I was able to attend the World Food Day here in Botswana and got to tour a pig farm, my first here, an industrial laying hen operation, and a huge vegetable operation. I learned a lot and was able to collect some great information from all the informational booths.

Learning the language is coming along very well and I know can understand quite a bit of conversation by picking out familiar words. It feels good to know that I am making progress. One lesson I learned recently though is that even though the word is spelled the same it can have two very different meanings. For instance, mabele pronounced ma-BALE-ley (voice raises during the middle syllable) means sorghum and I use it a lot when talking about the foods here in Botswana. What I recently learned is that mabele pronounced the same except for the voice lowers during the middle syllable means breast. So...I hope I haven't confused too many people by talking about a breast in my favorite foods list!

Speaking of food, one thing I have gotten very good at is eating certain food here with one hand! With some of the stiff porridges here the consistency allows for you to eat with your hand and everyone does. You tear off a piece of porridge and mix it with whatever morogo (vegetables) or soup you have on your plate. It took me a while to get good at just using one hand and not using two, but I can honestly say that I have mastered the art quite well! In fact, I think it is a skill I may have to establish in the U.S.!!!

The last thing I have to talk about in this email is grandparents raising grandchildren, I may have touched on this before but I had some first hand experience with it in my last family. They have four daughters all who have at least one kid and no husband, which is also common here. Anyway, the family I lived with was a set of grandparents two of their daughters and 7 grandchildren. They were nice but I could tell sometimes the grandparents became exhausted dealing with the seven grandchildren. I think a lot of my own family...I don't know if my grandparents who have enjoyed raising all 11 of my cousins and I!

Well, I had better say good-bye. Enjoy the cool weather in the states...here it is HOT!!! Only six weeks left until I return to the states!!

Love you all,
Beth