First Congregational UCC - Platteville

Dumela (Azoga – sekgalagadi),

This was Independence weekend. Last Thursday, President Mogae declared that Tuesday would be a holiday. Monday already was because Independence, September 30th, fell on a Sunday. So, we had a four-day weekend at the last minute, as per his majesty’s whim (Tautona Mogae – Big Lion Mogae). He is revered. Maybe because he gives his people extra holidays.

Anyway, the celebration was on Sunday, it started at 8am with a prayer service at the kgotla. There was a program that included performances from the very drama group I took to Ghanzi. They have been practicing, albeit sporadically and came up with two new dramas for the occassion, one of which was HIV/AIDS related. I’m so proud of them. They were busy practicing last night for another performance at an awards ceremony at the Ncojane Junior Secondary School next week. That brings me to beautiful moment number one:

Last night I joined them at the community hall for the first time in awhile, since Run for Life practices conflicted with theirs for the last couple of weeks. I’ve finally convinced the runners to run in the morning. It is cooler and then we have the rest of the day for things like drama practice. So, I’m with the group and they are singing and dancing and including me in their circle which is humbling and wonderful. I have to leave the practice early to check on Katlego and finish filling out our GLOW application form that was due today (that’s why I’m in Ncojane, I had to travel to a fax machine). ;) So, I walk out of the community hall, the singing following me, and turn around to enjoy the moment. The sun was a huge blazing orange ball setting behind the ridge that makes up the edge of the saltpan to the west of the village. There were camel thorn trees and traditional round chalets silhouetted against the most amazing sky I have ever seen.

Rainy season is here, which means more wind (yesterday we had a full-blown dust storm, pun intended) and a few drops now and then, but most excitingly at this point, it means clouds. Which means beautiful skies. The real rains will come next month, we hope.

That “moment” made me think of all my loved ones and of the bigger picture and of a Holy Presence and of how incredible it is that I have the opportunity to be here.

Much love from Botswana,
Leah