Shipes on Mission

A Year to get Here

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 04:19:00 +0000

For many of you that have followed our story and lives over the past 5 years you know where we've been, what we've left, and how the journey has brought us to this point.

In July, 2013, as we were praying and waiting and trusting for His direction, God led us to be Directors of Ministry at Hope Center. You can read about that part of the journey here

When God affirmed our call to Aiken and Hope Center we thought the building would be ready for occupancy and ministry in September 2013. Little did we know that it would actually be September, 2014.

That doesn't mean we had nothing going on with life and ministry, Oh there has been plenty of that! I have been blessed to be a part of a women's (and sometimes men) group that meets for Bible Study and most recently to do Jobs for Life classes. God has knit together hearts and created friendships through this group.
Scott has continued to work on his classes towards his masters degree in Christian Ministry, has been teaching classes for Christ Central Institute, and is doing interim Children's work at Millbrook Baptist Church.
Add all of that to our chaotic home-life with kids in school and activities and you realize we have been busy! To top it all, we welcomed our first Grandchild, Stella James Smith, to the world on July 5th and have been blessed to be close enough for trips and visits. (You can see all the baby pics you want here).

We have continued to spend a lot time in meetings and prayer as we worked toward the opening of Hope Center. There have been grants to write, people and places to speak and share the vision. There have been needs of people to be met... needing rides, and help, and someone to walk alongside them. There has been a team to build (which is still in the process) and equip for mission ministry. There have been details of contractors, and invoices, and building inspections but mostly, there has been a lot of work to be done inside our own hearts to be ready for such a time as this.

Although we had a grand-opening with Governor, Nikki Haley, in February we have not had permission to occupy the building until this past Thursday - September, 4th.

So today we mark a very historic day in our Journey. The opening of Hope Center. Today was the first full day of ministry. The morning began with transporting momma's and babies to class.

Trinity academy (Preschool Ministry) under the direction of Anita Stokes had class with 4 leaders and 9 littles. What a blessing to watch God call people that love little ones and see the importance of reaching them with the love of Jesus even as an infant. It's such a joy to watch preschoolers begin to learn routines and expectations from teachers, and to see teachers pour their passion into the future generation.

Morning Worship time at Trinity Academy

Learning to play together in Centers at Trinity Academy

Mrs. Pam loving on the Babies of Trinity of Academy

Mrs. Barbara (a jobs for life graduate) serving the babies of Trinity Academy

Snack Time with Mrs. Stokes 3 and 4 year old class

Ty, a 4 year old, enjoying being in preschool

Jobs for Life class met in Hope Center with 11 students and 5 mentors and leaders. A great group of men and women learning and growing as they seek jobs and a better for themselves and their children. This is the heart-beat of what will happen in Hope Center as mentors are matched with people that are seeking to grow and learn and make positive changes in their lives.

This afternoon the doors opened once again to welcome our first kids to the after-school mentoring program. Donna Paschal, after-school director, has worked a tireless number of hours organizing, planning and preparing for this day. Although it seemed like a small start it was a God beginning and we had a great day. Just last week we thought we had one mentor for these kids and could only have 2 kids in the program and before we finished today we have 6 kids matched with mentors and have 14 on a waiting list.

Entering the After-School program for the first day of mentoring

Mr. Scott led worship and Bible Study with the after-school children

Mrs. Donna mentoring Keon

Camilla Moyer mentoring AJ

Mrs. Cindy Merritt mentoring Caleaf

The first mentors and students of Hope Center After-School Program

The verse Hope Center was birthed from is from Isaiah 58:12 ~
“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell."

Tonight we are grateful for those that have journeyed ahead of us with vision and direction from God. We praise Him for His faithfulness and for keeping His promises. We praise Him for the faithfulness of His people who provided for the 'rebuilding'. We give God all Glory for the great things He has done.

As Hope Center begins there are still many needs and we know He that began this work will see it through to completion. We are asking for you to pray to see where God would have you be a part of what He is doing. We are in need of preschool helpers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We are in need of adult mentors to be part of the adult classes and walk alongside students. We are need of mentors for the after-school program - there are 14 children waiting for mentors. We also need snacks coordinated and served, and a recreation leader.

If you feel God is calling you, or you might know of someone that would like to serve at Hope Center, please let us know. We would love to sojourn with you.

Thanks again to all of you who pray for us, love us, support us financially, and encourage us on this journey of Faith! We love you all!

~ Tonya

2013 - A Year in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 03:02:00 +0000

I can barely wrap my mind around the fact that we have been back in the states for 5 months.

I have done a poor job of blogging since our return, so here's an attempt to catch up:

Praise God for His goodness, mercies and provisions in 2013

When I look back over 2013, I am once again overwhelmed by the goodness of our Lord!

In January: We were blessed to be with family to bring in the New Year. We got to spend a weekend in Tennessee to reunite with a special group of friends. We returned to Botswana to complete our 3-year term. The kids got back in school and we got right back into ministry – Scott preaching at 2 different churches and me leading Woman’s ministry.

In February: While we were busy readjusting to life in Botswana, Scott preached every Sunday and had the privilege to return to SC to be a part of the Millbrook Baptist Missions Conference. I had to opportunity to go to Lobatse Baptist and teach the ladies some basic sewing skills.

In March: Scott returned from SC. We had a 3 day getaway to Bufflesport with our missionary friends. We led a Sunday School training and made preparations for the 1st ReFresh Teacher’s Conference.

In April: We welcomed our dear friends, Karla and Lisa. We spent 3 days in Kasane – got to visit Vic Falls and did an Evening Boat Safari on the Chobe. We hosted the ReFresh Teacher’s Conference for over 350 teachers from all over Botswana. We said goodbye to a precious missionary – Clay and to our dear friends and fellow missionaries – The Barkers. We led 2 Children Ministry training sessions and welcomed Mark Partin from Alice Drive. We spent a week showing Mark the ministry, working toward the completion of the Feeding station in Old Naledi, and seeing the preschool ministry in Mosojane.

In May: We celebrated Makenzie’s graduation via Skype (one of the hardest parts of being a missionary overseas - missing the big life events). We welcomed our 2 summer interns – Joe and Abbie. We served at the GBC after-school program. We ran a Sunday School training at OBC. We welcomed Shan Rose (a dear friend with DEEP ministries). Shan helped us prep for the MBC mission team that came the end of May. Together with the MBC team we ran our 3rd VBS in Gakuto village. We hosted our 1st woman’s conference in Gakuto thanks to Janet Jenkins & Living Hope Missions. God made clear our direction forward – to keep doing ministry in Botswana but live in the USA.

In June: We said goodbye to MBC team. We welcomed our friends the Davis home from their furlough. We added a precious family – The Whites – to our home (who we were blessed to walk our last 6 weeks of life in Botswana beside – both discovering a new meaning of “walking by faith”). We started a Bible Study/small group in our home with the Gakuto Youth. We travelled to Mosojane to serve and say our goodbyes in that village.

In July: We said goodbye to Joe and Abbie. We hosted a teacher’s conference in Lobatse. We learned that God had provided a place for us to live in Aiken, SC. The body of Christ, through Millbrook Baptist, set the entire house up for us. We said lots of goodbyes and continued to pray for direction for our future ministry. One week before we departed Botswana, God made clear our direction - to return to SC to serve as faith-based missionaries with Christ Central Ministries in Aiken. We packed up 4 boxes, 12 suitcases, 6 carry-on bags and said our sad goodbyes as we completed our 3 year mission. We were welcomed stateside by our families and spent the 1st week at home at Edisto Beach.

In August: We registered the kids in their new schools. We tried to adjust to a new pace of life. We celebrated all God had done in and through us with our church family in Sumter, Alice Drive Baptist. We began meeting, planning, and praying with our new mission family at Christ Central. We watched our kids re-enter the American school system and find their place in life and church (which was by far one of the hardest parts of returning).

In September: Scott began leading/teaching a GED program every Saturday. He was able to help 6 people get their GED before the end of the year. Josh and Joe began playing football. Chandler began mentoring/tutoring a 9-year-old boy through the Christ Central Mentoring Program. We began making preparations for the opening of Hope Center – the building we will direct ministries out of. I met with and observed “Prosperity Project” in Columbia to begin preparations for the after-school program at Hope Center. Josh and Joe began an after-school reading program. Parker continued to find his way in Middle School and began going to youth group on Wednesday evenings.

In October: We continued to meet and pray weekly with the Christ Central Team. Scott continued the GED program. I began a Bible Study for Ladies (mostly single mother’s of kids that attend Christ Central) – teaching “Money Matters”. Josh & Joe finished their football season with a win. We had lots of meetings and did lots of networking. The kids got their 1st report cards (which were all good) and we celebrated our first Halloween back in the states.

In November: Parker went to an adventure Camp with a Friend. We finished up our “money matters” class and began a “servesafe” class with the ladies. We made a trip to Columbia to observe the free dental clinic and make some preparations for the clinic that will be on-site in Hope Center. We registered all of the Christ Central kids and helped connect Christmas Sponsors for every one of them. We celebrated Thanksgiving with our kids and family. We found out we are going to be GRAND PARENTS – we are thrilled!!

In December: Scott completed his 1st year of his Masters program with North Greenville. Of course he has a ‘A’ average and looks forward to finishing in 2014. I was blessed with the opportunity to return to Botswana to be a part of a ladies conference, host the youth for dinner, and run a Christmas event for the kids of Gakuto. It was strange to return as a visitor instead of a resident. I am so grateful to able to keep the relationships going that were established during our time there. My precious 'african' daughter, Elizabeth, travelled for 3 days by bus to come and see me (What a sweet reunion). In Aiken we prepared our home for Christmas. We took all of the moms from our Money Matters Class shopping for their kids for Christmas (thanks to the sponsors). We distributed Christmas gifts for 19 families that sponsors had provided. We worked hard to get Hope Center building completed and ready for the Grand Opening on February 3, 2014. We celebrated Christmas with both of our families and had all of our children together on Christmas Morning.

We give God all the Glory for the things He has done. We look forward to 2014 and what He will do in and through us. Please continue to pray for our family, the work at Hope Center/Christ Central Aiken, and the ministry and people of Botswana. Pray for clear direction and discernment as we plan and prepare for 2014.

Thank you all for being a part of our ministry. Your love, prayers, encouragement, and financial support mean the world to us.

Much love - Tonya

"HE Knows"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 21:28:00 +0000

"He knows my name. He knows my every thought and He hears me when I pray."

We are so thankful for those of you that have prayed for and with us. God has certainly heard our prayers and has answered beyond what we could have imagined!! Isn't that just the way our Mighty God is?? "To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

As I shared before we have been walking in complete faith, trusting Him to show us each step. This week He has shown His faithfulness over and over. He has used His body of believers in Aiken, SC to completely set up a home for us. He has used His faithful followers here in Botswana to provide a vehicle for us for when we arrive. He has provided financially to ship some of our belongings back. He is faithful!!

Last week we knew - through His provision - that we would move back to Aiken but we were unsure about jobs and where we would serve when we arrived. Today - exactly one week before we fly out of Botswana - He answered those questions too.

Today an email conversation between Scott and Judy Floyd (director of Christ Central Aiken/Graniteville) began. Judy asked about what we planned to do for jobs when we returned. Scott replied that we were seeking and praying but that if she knew of anything to please keep us in mind. He also told her that we are looking forward to serving at Christ Central alongside them.

Judy's email reply took us to our knees. Please read a small portion to understand:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"As you know Christ Central is an all volunteer ministry to people in need, but if there is a specific position of need that requires 30 or more hours a week, the director (in this case me) is able to offer some level of support and the missionary or missionaries are permitted to raise their own support that can be run through the mission books and 100% forwarded to you.

Christ Central would love for you and Tonya to pray about whether God if calling you to join us for a one year's commitment to establish the ministry of Hope Center in Graniteville.

Hope Center is a 15,000 sq. ft. building that Mike and Stan are rebuilding to the glory of God. It will be an education and job training center and also a Christian community center for preschoolers to senior adults. The commercial kitchen is due to open Sept 1 and the remaining parts of the building should be finished before year's end. We hope to offer Jobs for Life, GED, after-school mentoring for children ages 5 to 18 years, and and other job related programs. It will also include free medical and dental services to people who are uninsured or under-insured.

Hope Center has been a journey of faith for us and we have prayed for several years for God's choice to lead this ministry....we are believing that God is calling you and Tonya. Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Prayerfully yours,
judy "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And our reply:

Judy,
To say we are blown away would be a complete understatement!!!

Scott and I have been praying for over a year now and have trusted that HE knew the next steps for us. We have trusted and waited and followed one step at a time. Sitting at our kitchen table exactly one week from the day we will fly out and reading your response was an absolute 'holy' moment!

As we sit here in tears of joy - it is without doubt that HE has answered our prayers today!!! He is more than faithful!! We are 100% sure that Directing the ministry of the Hope Center is His answer to our prayers and the prayers of many!! We are so excited about the future and look forward to serving HIM alongside you and Roger!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All Praise and Honor and Glory to HIM!! Thank you for praying, for giving, for encouraging us and for being eyewitnesses to His faithfulness throughout our journey!

Continue to pray for our transition back, for our new position as Director's of ministry at the HOPE Center and for our continued ministry in Botswana.

With a grateful heart ~
Tonya

Walking by Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 18:31:00 +0000

It's hard to believe we are at the end of this chapter in our lives. In two short weeks we will board the plane and head across the ocean to begin the next chapter. As the pages turn God gives us glimpses of what is next but continues to ask us to trust Him with our futures.

These past few months have been super busy and super emotional. We were blessed to host two interns that were just like family to us. We loved having Joe and Abbie here serving with us. We have traveled to say goodbyes in the village of Mosojane (6hours north). My heart broke as I held each face in my hands, reminding them that Jesus loves them and thinks they are special. After serving there over the 3 years and running 4 VBS they all came out to tell us bye. My heart was overwhelmed at the crowds that waited and pushed just to hug us. My prayer for these little ones is that they understand this Love of God and will come to know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior.

We spent 4 weeks hosting the youth of Gakuto in our home for Bible Study. I loved to see their desire to grow and know more about Jesus. The connections we made with these 5 young adults made it even harder to say our goodbyes in the village. Gakuto is where we have served and loved for the past 3 years. Going around the 'greeting circle' after church with tears pouring down my face, just praying that these people understand this Love we have shared - The love of Jesus Christ. One lady told me that she had never seen such love! Please pray with me that the church of Gakuto will remain strong, they would keep a desire to learn and grow in the Lord, and that they would be a lighthouse in their village.

We have served and worked in Old Naledi trying to see the feeding station on the church grounds through to completion. We have invested in individual lives, prayed, loved, and cared for the needs of many. Goodbyes are never easy! Please pray for Naledi Baptist Fellowship as they love and serve in their village. Pray that they will be a beacon of Christ's Hope and Love to this village. Please pray for a sweet young friend in Naledi that is pregnant with twins. Pray for her health, for her to make the right choices, and for her to walk with the Lord. Pray that God would send someone to support and encourage her.

We are helping host a teacher's conference this week in Lobatse - reminding these teachers of the power they have to change lives. We will say our goodbyes to the sweet friends in Lobatse that work daily at the church running an after-school orphan care project. Pray that God will continue to strengthen them and that the good work they are doing in the lives of children will continue. Pray that the kids they serve will understand the love and grace of Jesus Christ and will come to know Him as Savior.

Our kids are winding up their last week at school here. Please pray for them to have closure and grieve as necessary. Pray that God will prepare hearts of friends to recieve them when we arrive back in America.

As all of this comes to an end and we work to pack our bags please be in prayer for us. We have travelled this journey by faith. We have walked with God and watched as He provided everything we needed. We have watched Him open doors and change lives. We have watched Him transform a village and individuals. We have trusted Him to complete the good works that He began. He is forever faithful!

We have been praying and waiting since last October for God to show us our next step - Walking daily in Faith. We have tried not to worry or fret (which on some days was VERY hard). We wondered where we would call home and settle our kids into school. Last week we got an email from my sister, Felicia, saying that God has provided a house and office space for us in Aiken, SC. We are so grateful for His provision. As I write, the body of Christ is busy at work setting the house up for us. We are humbled and beyond thankful!

We have several prayer needs as we transition - please join us in praying:
1. That God will continue to lead us in the way forward as we seek to continue our ministry in Botswana while living in the states.
2. That we would have clarity and direction as far as jobs.
3. That our children would adjust to new schools and get the help they need with their education.
4. That our cars will sell in Botswana so we can purchase cars in the states.

We appreciate all of you that been on this journey with us. Your love, financial support, encouraging words, and prayers have made an eternal impact on our family and the children of Botswana. Our prayer is that you will continue to support the work God is doing in Botswana.

With much love and a grateful heart ~ Tonya

Immeasurably More!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:42:00 +0000

Eph 3:20 ~ "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

We have had an Immeasurably More few weeks!! So incredible it's just plain hard to put into words. This morning I was reflecting on all the Lord has done and was in tears and speechless. 'Thank You'just seems too little to say.

We have known since we arrived in Botswana that our mission was to reach Leaders of Children. We have worked in lots of churches and children's ministry conferences but God continued to impress upon us that the Leader that has the most influence on a child is his or her teacher. God gave us a vision to do a conference for School Teachers. We were unsure what that would look like or how we would manage to do it, so we began to pray for direction. When Scott mentioned this vision with our friends, Pam and Steve Workman, they shared that they had been dreaming and praying about doing the same thing.

We began to meet together and pray and brainstorm about the possibilities. We watched God open doors as we prayed. Scott and I knew of two teachers that we definitely wanted to be a part of this conference. I wrote my dear friend Karla Hafner and told her to begin praying and ask Lisa Avins if she would be interested as well. Karla wrote back and said that they were both very interested but knew that it would only happen if God made the way.

We continued to watch God open doors as we prayed. Karla and Lisa talked with their principal and got permission to ask for the time off of work to come. We prayed for favor with the superintendant and within a few weeks they wrote and told us that they were given the time off with pay and subs provided. GO GOD (Immeasurably More)!!

We prayed about how we should promote and invite teachers. In our finite minds we thought it would be best to only invite teachers from the closest villages to Gaborone, since we would not be able to lodge them. Pam, the headmaster at the The Learning Centre School, was invited to speak with the ministry of education about the conference. When she arrived at the ministry things seemed to be in chaos so she texted me to pray. A few minutes later the deputy secretary came out and said , "Yes we know about your conference. We are very excited and are appointing 300 teachers from all over the country to come. We will pay for their lodging and their transport costs." He also said, "People have offered to help our schools by sending sports equipment, or setting up computers, but none have ever asked to invest in our teachers. We are hoping this will not be the only conference you have like this!" Pam could hardly believe how GOD had done all of the work and we were just left to praise HIM - (Immeasurably More)!!

We prayed over details, invited more speakers, and began to prepare topics to present. The week finally came (last week) and we got to watch God at work ~ AMAZING (Immeasurably More)!! All of the teachers came. They were very receptive of all that was presented. They began to see themselves in a new light - as the ONES given a unique opportunity to change the world... one child at a time. On the last day of the conference, Steve Workman, pastor of Desert Streams Fellowship, presented the Gospel. 207 people scribbled their names on little pieces of paper (just torn from their notebooks) stating they had prayed to recieve JESUS as savior and Lord!! - Praise be to God!! (Immeasurably More)!!

When I reflect on the week all I can do is give thanks!! Thanks to everyone that prayed! Thanks to Lisa, Karla, Amy, Barbara, and Pam for speaking Truth into the lives of the teachers of Botswana. Thanks to Scott for his energy and passion that he freely pours out!! Thanks to Steve and Pam for being obedient, for hosting the event, and for sharing the life changing message of Jesus! Thanks to The Sumter School District teachers and friends for giving so generously for the 100's of prizes given away to the teachers of Botswana. Thanks to Our AWESOME GOD - for saving souls,for changing lives and perspectives,for giving teachers a reFreshing outlook, and for using ordinary, broken people like us!!

Hope you enjoy some of pictures of "ReFresh"

Psalms 71:8 ~"My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long."

Preparing for Goodbyes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:38:00 +0000

How do you prepare for Goodbye? I have not been able to wrap my finite human brain around that question. I know there are lots of people that are preparing for goodbyes ... spouses deploying, family members terminally ill, aging parents, kids moving away... the list of possibilites is endless. I pray if you are in that place of preparing that God will give you the grace and peace that only HE can!!

But when I think about all of this, I still wonder HOW? My heart breaks every time I say a "temporary" goodbye - knowing I will see them again. My heart breaks as I watch others say goodbyes to their kids leaving to go on mission a continent away. My heart breaks as I watch others say goodbye to their dying family members. My heart breaks as I continue to watch my sister and family grieve over the goodbye that was said 5 years ago to Baby Wills. So why does this heart of mine break? I have often said through the years, "Goodbyes HURT because our hearts are built for eternity where there are NO goodbyes!" I know that is TRUTH and I long for that day of no more goodbyes! Still I'm in a place of trying to prepare for the goodbyes that are coming.

These past few days have been some the hardest on the field. I had to tell 2 of my "daughters" that we are moving back to the States. These 2 have been with us from the beginning and God has knit us together. They were both so incredibly sad that it broke my heart in two. I reminded both of them that we still have 5 months together so we need to celebrate our time together. Still how will I do it come July? How will I leave my daughters, who live in poverty and need, not knowing if we will see each other again this side of Heaven?? I (and they) can only do it by the grace of God. We will cling to this verse: 2Cr 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Please be in prayer for us as we are making preparations and telling our friends and family here we are leaving. Pray that God will give us Grace for every conversation and complete Peace that He has perfect plans for EVERYONE!!

Pray specifically for Elizabeth and Mercy. Pray for their breaking hearts!

Continue to pray for the work still to be done before we leave in July. Our calendars are full of appointments, trainings, kids camps and conferences.

We love you all and appreciate your continued love, prayers, encouragement and support!
~ Tonya

What's Behind Us - And What lies Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:32:00 +0000

We were blessed once again to have the opportunity to travel to the states for the holidays. What a joy to be with our kids that are stateside and see the rest of our families and friends.

We spent Thanksgiving in the mission house in Sumter,SC with my sister and kids, my mom and dad, and all 7 of our kids. Scott preached at Alice Drive Baptist Church the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I was a joy to worship with our sending church and get so many hugs and greetings.

We were able to be with Makenzie and Tyler at the launch service of NewSpring Greenwood where Tyler is on staff as production director. We loved our time there and are excited to see what God is doing through that church.

We got to experience the new Christmas production at Millbrook Baptist, that my Mom, my sister,Felicia, and her family were in. Once again it was great so many friends and church family members. It's always like going home when you see faces that were there when you were a kid,teen and young adult in that church.

The kids and I had a wonderful week with my sister, Lea and the cousins. We enjoyed some Christmas time activities with them, seeing lights, decorating the house, shopping and cooking. When we are together it's like we've never been apart!

The boys and Scott were part of the kids Christmas Program at Alice Drive Baptist - where, of course, my "showmen shipes" stole the show! :D (Isn't that what all proud momma's think?)

We spent 10 days at Edisto Beach where we celebrated Christmas with our kids and Tyler's Mom, Donna. Then had a week with all of my family - a wonderful time of laughing, singing, sewing, eating, playing games, and just making awesome memories! We were blessed to have Meredith(Chandler's girlfriend) and Micah join us for a few days. I'm sure they left with some 'culture shock'after hanging with our crew! :D

After the new year we had a Fun and Fabulous weekend reunion with several of our dear friends. We stayed up til the wee hours of the mornings playing cards and games, laughing, talking and enjoying our time together. I love how God knits peoples hearts together and when they reunite it's like there was never any time or miles between them! That's how it was for all 25 of us in the Keelty home. The Chennaults, The Chandlers, The Arthurs, The Keeltys and all of the Shipes Clan in one house - GLORIOUS!!

We had the chance to share our hearts and ministry with a small group of sweet ladies at Millbrook. They blessed our hearts and our family with many goodies to bring back to Botswana.

I spent the last week in the states helping my 2 grown kids get settled back into college and helping my Momma while she recuperated from Retina Surgery. I was grateful to be there to help since so I often I miss these "life-things"!

It's been one week since we made it back to Botswana and we have spent that week trying to recover from Jet-Lag! Not much time to rest - the kids started back to school this week and Scott did too!! He began his first class on-line through North Greenville University. He is working on his masters in Christian Ministry degree. I'm so proud him he made a 97 on his first assignment in over 28 years.

Scott and I began to make preparations for the coming year. We are filled with anticipation as we fill the calendar with events. There is already a conference scheduled for April that will reach 300 public school teachers. Please pray with us as we plan for this. We pray that many teachers will be refreshed, renewed, and recharged and that they see the importance of their job in the lives of Children. We believe that by reaching the teachers with the gospel many children can be impacted for Christ. We are excited to have 2 special friends from Sumter come to serve at that conference with us. Please pray for Lisa and Karla as they make preparations to come this way.

We have scheduled a week in Gakuto with Millbrook Baptist again and are so happy that it is working out for their return. Please pray that God would prompt those that should be part of this trip. As excited as I am for this team to come, It brings tears of joy to think how excited the kids in Gakuto will be to see them again. When Millbrook left last year the kids told us they were counting down the months until they could come again.

Scott is scheduled to travel back to the states in Late February to be part of the Millbrook on Mission Conference. Such an honor and privilege to be a part of that. We took part of that conference the March before we came on the field in 2010. Nothing like being in the church that God used to transform your life and call you into ministry. Pray for Scott as he travels and shares the stories of what is doing in Botswana and southern Africa.

There are plenty of other things on the calendar like preaching, trainings, supporting other missionaries,church events and Bible Studies. There is one date on the calendar that we knew would come but realize is so close when we wrote it down. July 25th!

July 25th,2013 or there abouts, we will finish our term of service in Botswana. Our family will return to the states for Scott to finish school, Chandler to graduate, Parker to start High School, and the twins to get some help in their education. At this point we have no idea where God will send us to serve but one thing we do know is that He is in control and He has a perfect plan for all of our lives. He knows exactly where we need to be and what He needs to accomplish in each of our lives. Please pray for us as we face the future - that we would be discerning and wise. Pray that we have clear direction about the future of our ministry in Botswana. Pray that we would stay in the center of His will for us. Pray that we finish this term well ~ "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."-Act 20:24

We love you all and appreciate you!! Your encouragement, prayers, and support are vital to the ministry the Lord has called us to!

Thanks for reading! Until next time ~ Tonya

See what God's been up to in Botswana ~ 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:45:00 +0000

Sitting here this morning Praising God for all He has done!! I am amazed that HE is able to use two ordinary, yet willing people to accomplish what HE has planned and purposed! “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!” Eph 3:20-21

Join us in Celebrating His Work in our ministry and lives in Botswana ~ 2012:

January – We said our goodbyes and left our boy Hunter (for the 1st time) to return from our stateside visit on Jan 11th. We kept 3 sweet Missionary kids (Meredith, Micah & Peyton) for their parents to go to a Missions meeting for 2 weeks, started homeschooling Parker, and celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary.

February – Scott ran 4 weeks of training at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, did teacher training at Believers Destiny Academy, we kept 2 more sweet girls for missionary friends of ours (Maddy & Myah), and Chandler went camping in the Central Kalahari with the Lions.

March – Ministered to a family we love as a part of “Remembering Wills”, Ran training in discipleship for 3 weeks at Desert Streams Fellowship, Scott preached at DSF, hosted the hors d'oeuvres for the MK prom, continued with 3 weeks of training at Believers Destiny Academy, did a weekend of training with Branch Ministries in Silibe Pikwe, Chandler and Scott were part of a hunting/purity retreat for Missionary kids – Chandler killed his 1st impala.

April – Celebrated Good Friday at Desert Streams Fellowship with a baptism service, Scott spent 10 days in Zambia leading a Children’s Ministry Conference, celebrated Chandler’s and my Birthday, and ended the month heading to the Okavango Delta to camp with friends (in Wild Botswana).

May – Scott led a weekend training in Francistown, we said goodbye to a great friend of the boys – Micah Davis – as he headed home for college, celebrated Parker’s 13th Birthday, led training at Growing Faith Church, welcomed my sister Felicia for a 2 week visit, welcomed and helped a team from Highland Baptist serving at GWest, welcomed our 1st intern of the summer – Drew.

June – We welcomed our dear friends the Keeltys who came to serve and vacation with us, We welcomed and served alongside our friends from Millbrook Baptist Church, did a week kids camp in Gakuto village with MBC, Keeltys, and Drew, went on a safari and to Victoria Falls with the Keeltys, celebrated Scott’s 50th Birthday and the twins 7th, welcomed our 2nd intern of the summer – Kayli, and said TOO MANY Goodbyes.

July – we did Sunday School leaders training at Open Baptist Church, welcomed a team from Alice Drive Baptist church, Ran 2 kids Camps in 1 week alongside the ADBC team (despite having the Flu), and welcomed our girl – Makenzie – back to Botswana.

August – traveled north to run a kids camp in Mosojane, led the 2nd annual Children’s ministry conference at Open Baptist Church, spent some precious family time with our girl, said goodbye to Kayli and Makenzie, and did 2 days of teacher training at The Learning Centre School.

September- Scott preached at Tati River Baptist in Francistown, we helped with the 20th Birthday celebration at The Learning Centre School, Scott spent 10 days in Zimbabwe serving with “Call to Africa” leading Children’s Ministry conferences in 3 different locations, kept Peyton and Meredith so their parents could go to a mission meeting, Chandler and Meredith starting dating, Chandler and I went to “Passion World Tour” in South Africa our friends, our family went camping at “Warm Baths” in South Africa, I became the leader of “W.O.W”(women of worth) ministry and had our 1st Bible Study, and Parker went back to school to start his 8th grade year.

October – Started “Hope for Gakuto” – spent my Saturdays in the village taking pictures and getting kids sponsored, Scott led Sunday School leaders training and preached at Tati River Baptist, welcomed Clay Smith our lead Pastor from ADBC, spent a week of ‘vision casting’ with Clay, hosted the 2nd ‘W.O.W.’ Bible Study, Scott preached at DSF and we kept some sweet MK’s again!
November- spent an afternoon of vision casting with guys from Johnson’s Ferry Baptist, shopped and packed gifts for ‘Hope for Gakuto’, Scott preached at Tati River Baptist in Francistown, hosted the “WOW” Christmas party and Bible Study at our house, went to Lobatse to help teach sewing to women that run an orphan care center, and hosted a surprise Birthday Party for a sweet young Missionary - Allison.

As we wrap up our 2nd year here – we will Host the ‘Hope for Gakuto’ Christmas Party on Saturday complete with Jumping Castle, Great Food, and Lots of Gifts and Smiles. We depart Botswana on the 20th to head home for holidays. We look forward to seeing our kids we miss so much and our families. We will see lots of friends and family and return to Botswana in January to continue the work God has called us too.

Please Praise God with us for what HE has done. We give all Glory to HIM!! We are thankful for the way HE works in and through us. Please continue to pray for our Next Step in our service to HIM. We love you all and are thankful for your part in our lives and ministry!! ~ Tonya

Zimbabwe!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:27:00 +0000

I was blessed to work in Zimbabwe last week. Ken Galyean, with Call to Africa led a team from the U.S. and Gaborone, Botswana with Open Baptist Church as part of Close Connections. Ken brought his trusted side-kick, my friend, Clyde Watts from Oklahoma. They arrived a week earlier to work in village area near Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a must see for anyone. Witnessing decisions made for Christ from was the best view for the team. We are reminded there is such a need to support the local pastors to disciple the new spiritual infants. When I met up with them they were not slowing down. They were a holding soccer (football) training camps in the local schools in Bulawayo.

In Zimbabwe as in Botswana, churches are allowed to go into schools to coach, pray, lead Bible studies and evangelize. It was interesting to listen to the school leaders worry about the other schools cheating to win. Tournaments in the past have been chaos because of it so there is no trust among the schools. Ken and Clyde assured them the games would be fair and in the spirit of good sportsman ship. I also met Ernie, a local hero from Bulawayo who played on the Zimbabwe International basketball team in his day, (he is 37 now) who is coaching young boys. He shared his vision to teach basic ball skills and plays with a focus to build their leadership through Christ. Ernie feels the players watch too much TV and play “street ball” with no regard to rules. He is praying for the opportunity to build sports based ministry in the schools of Bulawayo.

The team went to a local school to do an outreach. My job was to share the Gospel with them at the end of program. I was in my element I have to say. We had music, a puppet show and drama to share Jesus' message to them. I love watching the children as they marched in single file in their full uniforms with not a smile but blank face looking straight ahead. The teachers were the same, looking all serious and stern keeping t. I was not going to let that remain for long. Children kept coming and coming and coming to sit on a concrete slab in the hot sun to hear our message. There were nearly 750 children at this school. Within minutes we were cheering and shouting “Pepsi-Cola” and “Jesus Christ”, clapping and laughing. What can I say, caffeine and Jesus works for me in the morning. The rally team did their job and then I was able to share the Gospel. Like I said, I was in my element God helped me realize something that morning. The kids were paying attention and impacted by what they were seeing but even more, the teachers were moved and connected to what was happening. The stern looks faded away and laughter with big smiles replaced them. They felt relaxed and eager to hear what we were saying and sharing. When it was over and the children were heading back to their rooms in single file, I ran ahead and started shaking hands, high fiving, and fist pounding. As the passed I thanked them for their beautiful smiles and shared Jesus loves them. I cracked up when the teachers ran into the line to receive what I was sharing. I was able to thank them for their hard work and teaching these beautiful children. The joy on their faces to hear someone recognize their work and appreciated was outstanding. Teachers give great hugs when they are appreciated and I received some good ones. The rally team started doing it too and it was awesome to share the love of God in that school. The head master asked the church to come back again to encourage the children and teachers like they did today. Learning moment for me was as much as I love the children and reaching out to them, the greater impact was inspiring and encouraging the school leaders through Christ.

Ken had an amazing day on Saturday I have to share. He was invited to speak to some local pastors because the bishop to this group of pastors had a dream that frightened him. He dreamt he was leading his church flock to hell because of his teaching. I have to be upfront, by definition this group churches is a cult. They have a prophet over a church that tells them “divine inspiration from God” with no Bible. It is based on works. This bishop was afraid and wanted direction from someone concerning this dream. God used Ken in a mighty way. He spoke to over 40 prophets and pastors from the church about biblical truth and God's plan and grace. There was a mighty awakening to God’s Word and His Kingdom on that day. The bishop got it and began to weep. Out of 42 of them, only 2 had a Bible but all committed to preach the Word of God. OBC was able to provide an audio bible of the entire New Testament and 30 of Charles Stanley’s sermons from “In Touch Ministries”. Pray that local church leaders disciple and build these leaders for the Kingdom of God in truth from His Word.

I was also able to lead a one-day Children’s Leadership Training in Bulawayo as well. We had 41 leaders representing 9 churches in the area. It was a success in that they embraced the leadership principle to build and grow their children’s ministry with Passion, Attitude, Teamwork and Honor. The principle of reaching the mental, physical, spiritual and social aspects of children was new to them from a church perspective. They only focused on the mental and spiritual part of children. They understand it has to be balanced in all 4 areas and deliberate to reach the whole child for Christ. They cannot do it alone; they need the pastor’s support and the work of others to make it happen. Pray for these leaders as the recruit and develop leaders for their children.

The soccer tournament went will that day as well. No chaos, no cheating, just good sportsmanship. The gospel was shared and a desire for church leaders to help the schools use sports to minister to their students was overwhelming. I think Ernie maybe be busy in Bulawayo.

Next, we went to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, for a larger scale conference with pastors and children’s leaders. We had 89 pastors and 19 children’s leaders registered. The thirst for the Word of God and the courage of the local church in Zimbabwe is nothing like I have ever seen or experienced. I came here thinking we were going teach at a slow pace but they wanted a full marathon. Run hard, run strong and run long would summarize their desire to learn best. It was way beyond my expectation and understanding of the church here. Their drive and desire to be soaked in the Word and truth is incredible. I see Kingdom minded vision and direction here. When you are immersed in something big like this, I mean God big like what I saw there, you know He answers prayers and cares for His Church. I think of Kathy Tucker of Aiken, SC who shared with me before we came here as missionaries, how she has been praying for Zimbabwe for years because of the oppression from it's political leaders. I witnessed her answered prayers as well. The church here is thriving and hungry.

With this blog I cannot close with out sharing a concern most of the pastors expressed to us about the local Church. The success of the church here does not come without temptation. There is great concern over prosperity gospel and African Traditional Worship distracting churches and pastors with blessings and bribes to the ancestors. TV pastors from Africa and USA showing the churches to ask for blessings and healings with little to no gospel is overwhelming. Pastors escorting in fine cars and led by men in dark suites and dark sunglasses. It is very appealing to churches with little or nothing. The standard theme with the ATW church is “God’s divine word revealed through ancestral and spiritual deities.” Teaching you can have Jesus and your ancestor Gods. Prophets say they have God’s word for the church and they keep a strong hold on the flock. In either practice, there is no grace, no Holy Spirit and no Jesus the Savior, just God and church leader, giving blessings and wealth to those who demand it or pay for it. Truth is diluted and distorted; people and churches are led astray. You see why the earlier comments about Ken's time with those pastors was such a God thing. Pray God will send leaders, teachers and pastors to address this battle and help the churches.

Thank you for taking time read my blog. Please pray for the requests I mentioned. Pray for Hunter and Makenzie while they are away from us at university. Pray for Chandler, Parker, Joe and Josh as they adjust to the last term for the school year. Pray for Tonya as she keeps they wild bunch together. We love all of you for your prayers and support.

Scott Shipes

The Whirlwind of our Winter!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Sitting here in Awe of the fact that we have now lived in Botswana for 2 years. Reflecting on God's goodness to us!

We are coming out of our Winter in Botswana (Summer in USA) - It literally happens overnight here. We go from mild days and cold nights to HOT!! To say we were busy this winter wouldn't seem to do it justice. Since the arrival of my sister on May 23rd to putting Makenzie on the plane home on August 19th, we have had someone at our house the whole time. Although it can be very tiring to host so many, overall we love having people with us.

This Winter we hosted 4 Kids Camps in 4 different villages. We were the leaders of the Children's Ministry Conference held at Open Baptist Church in early August. We have hosted 2 college interns and 2 short-term mission teams. Thanks to the gifts of others we handed out over 75 Bibles this Winter alone, and assisted with the logistics, coordination and finally the delivery of the food packed in the states for orphaned and vulnerable children of Botswana. During all of this, we were bless to have vacation with friends from the states and have a wonderful 3-week visit with our Daughter. Just typing it all makes me say "whew"! We Praise God for His Strength that is made perfect in our weakness! Without Him none of this is possible!!

We posted earlier about our 1st Kids Camp in Gakuto alongside the Millbrook Baptist mission team. Our 2nd Mission team came in July from Alice Drive Baptist Church. It was neat to serve with our sending church (even though we only knew 2 of the 7 members). We got to know all of them very well during their 10 day stay. The ADBC team did 2 kids camps with us - one in the village of Molepolole and one in the city of Gaborone at the Learning Centre School. Despite having the full-blown flu in the house and among the team, we served over 400 kids that week and 14 young teen girls came to know Jesus as Savior. We praise God for His saving Grace!!

When Makenzie came we travelled north to the village of Mosojane to do a Kids Camp there. We had about 150 kids come each day. I always love serving with my own kids. Chandler ran Recreation, Scott did the Bible Teaching, Parker & Makenzie did Music, Kayli (summer intern) did crafts, and I was in charge of the 150+ PBJ sandwiches made each day! This is the 3rd time we have had a Kids Camp in Mosojane - so the kids are getting to know us. We are thankful for the Pastor and His Wife that minister to these kids on a weekly basis. We Praise God for His provisions!!

On the home front this winter we celebrated Josh & Joe's 7th Birthday, Scott welcomed the Big 50, the kids finished their second term of school, and Joe lost his first tooth. We praise God for His faithfulness to us!!

As the summer approaches we are preparing to start the last term of school and Scott is preparing for a long to trip to Zimbabwe. He will be traveling throughout the country doing kids camps and leading the 1st Children's Ministry Conference in Zimbabwe.

Please pray with us for the Conference in Zimbabwe, for traveling mercies for Scott, for the everyday life of the rest of us, for our kids in the States - Hunter started his freshman year at Charleston Southern and Makenzie started her senior year. Pray for us as we plan and prepare for the future of our ministry. We love you all and are grateful for your prayers, love and support.

~Tonya

Refreshment in the Desert

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:49:00 +0000

It's hard to describe the place I've been emotionally these past 6 months. We made it through the half way point of our 3 year commitment here in Botswana and I was feeling at an all-time low. I guess the best way for me to put it would be "Dry". Living in a dry desert gives me a new understanding of the word and I can especially relate it to my heart and soul. So, Although this past month has been extremely busy, it has been a refreshment to my "dry soul" and to the whole family.

I have never been so happy to see my sister, Felicia, than when she got off the airplane in Botswana. After having to cancel her plans to come last year due to her fight with Lymphoma, she and I kept our hearts guarded til the last minute about her ability to come this year. From the moment she got off the plane and until she got back on, the time we had together was no less than extraordinary. Although we didn't go anywhere special or do anything out of the ordinary just being together was awesome. I'm so thankful that she got to come taste, see, and experience life with me in Botswana. When she left, 20 days later, she told me it was better than she could have ever dreamed.

The week after Felicia arrived our Dear family friends, the Keelty's arrived. It was such a blessing to have them here. This family has been a huge part of our ministry from the very beginning. I remember very early on in the process of coming to Botswana wondering how God would make everything happen to get us here. About that time the Keelty's came for a visit in Sumter and left us with a gift that God had laid on their hearts to give. He used them to affirm His call and take away the doubts and questions we were having. To have them in Botswana almost 3 years later to see what God is doing here and to experience it first hand was an incredible blessing.

Two days after the Keelty's arrived the mission team from Millbrook Baptist Church arrived. To say I love that team is an understatement. The team consisted of 8 people (Felicia made 9 + 5 Keelty's = 14) - 6 of which had been on the team last year. The team were all people we know and love so it felt like a big family reunion.

We began our week of Kid's Camp (VBS) in Gakuto on Wednesday afternoon with a whopping 367 kids. Last year the number was 311 so we were all in shock at the increase - the craft team did a great job of coming up with more supplies to cover the surplus of children. The camp ran through Saturday with lots of fun, music, food, games, crafts and some "Sweet" Bible Lessons. The theme for the week was "GRACE" - getting something great that you don't deserve. It was incredible to see the children grasp the concept of grace by getting sweet things like cupcakes and candies that they didn't really win or deserve. To watch the team explain to them that the greatest and sweetest gift of all is Jesus Christ was amazing. The story of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son explained the need for everyone needing to be rescued and how much celebration there is when even one is found.

We finished the week on Sunday morning, worshipping with the kids and adults at Gakuto Baptist. Saying goodbye to the kids is never easy and this time was no exception. The pastor told us that the kids had been counting down the days for the Millbrook team to arrive and they would be counting down the months until they would return. The church shared that this team coming was the best thing that happens to them all year and they were very grateful for the investment into lives of the children. We cannot express how grateful we are for the impact Millbrook has had on Gakuto. To quote Scott, "Millbrook has made an impact in Africa, in a country called Botswana, in a village called Gakuto and in 387 children's lives. Grace was given to the least of these." To God be the Glory!!!

Not only did we serve together in Gakuto but we had church together every night at our house. What a sweet time of fellowship we shared as everyone recalled the events of the day and talked of what God was teaching them and how they felt about all of it. Closing every night with a circle of prayer - so much refreshment to our "desert dry" souls. It was during one of these precious times together that both Chandler and Parker shared from their hearts that they understand why we are in Botswana. After seeing them struggle so many days here it was a relief to see them both come to an understanding of God's will, not only in their parent's lives but in their lives as well. Praise be to God for answering our prayers.

Saying good-bye is the hardest thing we do - we love the hellos but we hate the good-byes. We took Felicia and the Millbrook Team to the airport early Monday morning and said all of our emotional goodbyes.

We were very thankful that Keelty's had another week and we were headed on vacation. We packed up and headed north to Kasane for a whirlwind safari. Our vacation started with "Grace - getting something great we didn't deserve". So like our Awesome God to arrange a "sweet treat" for us. The hotel we booked was being renovated so they moved us to a "bush camp". We stayed in luxury tents on stilts complete with our own chef and lighted water hole where the animals came to drink. We had a blast on a sunset cruise of the Chobe river. We experienced Victoria Falls at it's fullest- a breathtaking sight. We did a morning game drive and saw so much of God's gorgeous creation. We saw a leopard tracking an impala and within 100 feet we saw a lion kill. We were able to sit and watch the lion cubs at work. We ended our trip at the Khama Rhino reserve trying to finish up our Big 5 sightings...unfortunately the Rhinos were hiding really well. We did see one but from far away and in the bush. The trip was incredible and so much fun to enjoy it with our friends.

Saturday was the last or our sad goodbye as we put the Keelty's on the plane to the States. Our emotions have been on a rollercoaster but we are forever grateful for the experience.

Today was back to normal for the Shipes Family. Back to school, paying the bills, scheduling appointments, etc. Please pray for our family as we transition back to our "normal". Pray that we would dwell in the great memories we made and in the goodness of our Lord. Pray for the team that is coming from Alice Drive Baptist Church in July to run another Kids Camp in different village. Pray that God would begin to soften the hearts of Children there to recieve the good news of His Grace. Pray also for the fast approaching Pastor's & Children's Ministry Conference that will be held first week of August.

Thank you for reading, for your prayers, your love and your continued support of our ministry. Thanks be to God for giving refreshment to my soul ~ Ps 63:1 "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

~Tonya

Blessing in the North

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:10:00 +0000

I had a God moment to share before I go into my recent training. I was contacted by a man who was working here for a few weeks for the government as a contractor. He is from Bluffton, SC and elated to know there was some "home folk" and a family he could connect with while he was here in Botswana. Chris Carter was such a joy for me as well. I got to hear about his life in SC and see how God is using him with the people he is working with here. He was looking for a church to attend and I took him to Open Baptist Church with me. I was sharing my Zambia trip to the congregation that Sunday so the message was about missions. Pastor Norman Sheaffer did a wonderful job challenging the church and us about the life of a church is missions. Without missions, a church is not living the life Christ wants us to live.

Tonya, Chandler and Parker were in the bush on a safari with friends. I was glad they got to see the heart of Botswana and share on facebook the adventure. The twins had to stay back because the look too much like food to lions. Little do they know they are more a stomach ache instead of a nice meal. Just kidding. They sat so well for Mr. Chris. Josh said he liked church when Mr. Chris was there because Joe behaved. The church was interested and joyful of the work we did in Zambia.

We had great training this week in Francistown with the Anglican Church of Botswana. If you remember, I held a training session with them in Gaborone in March. They were so pleased with the work that I was asked to go to the Northeast area and train 5 churches in that area. I love working with others helping them catch the vision of reaching children by developing children leaders. So many churches are faced with losing the next generation because as children grow older into teens and adults they do not get involved in church. The modern church is children and older people, nothing in between. I was asked to bring energy into their church. If you know me, energy showed up.

When I arrived at the church, there was a college age woman waiting for us. She introduced herself and began to tell me why she was there. She is a student at University of Botswana in Gaborone and just arrived home from school. She had been praying about what she should be doing to serve God and where that would be. On Saturday night her father told her to pray and God will help her know His plans. Then she said went to church and a pastor shared about a mission trip to Zambia he just went on working with children and how amazing it was for everyone. I knew right then that is what I wanted to do so I called me dad when I got home. He told me our church in Francistown was having training for children's leaders so that is why I am here this morning. "Hey, what a minute! You are the Pastor! Wow! God sent you to encourage me and now He sent you to teach me." How amazing. I was so pumped up about what God was putting together.

Well, the training just got better from there. We had 17 attend. 10 could not make it at the last minute so I was a little bummed out at first. There was so much energy and passion about the children not only in their church but in their community. They wanted to know how to get the church involved with children outside the church. We played games, laughed and put ourselves in a mindset of children and what is important to them to reach them. We were all blown away with the ideas and plans that came out of our meeting. When the training was over, one by one they expressed how well they were equipped and confirmed they were ready for the task.

Pray for the church leadership to embrace their desire to grow the ministry beyond their 4 walls. Pray for them as they put in practice teaching with only a Bible and using an organized schedule for the children. Pray as we plan for training at other Anglican churches in Botswana. Also a special prayer request for their school here for orphans lost a major supporter for food. Pray God will help them see how He will provide for the 114 children.

Our childrens' ministry kicks in full gear next week. We are expecting a team from Aiken, SC to go back to Gakuto and work with the church and school reaching the children about God's Grace. Pray for their safety traveling and time here. We visited the school and they are so ready for us to come back and share with the children. Pray the kingdom is growing through the children of Gakuto.

Where Have You Been Scotty?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:18:00 +0000

First, I would like to apologize for such a long time between posts. I have no idea what happened to time and life that would prevent us from posting anything these past five weeks. But the busyness has blocked us none the less. Here is where I have been.

We had a Saturday training at OBC, our second in the series. They have a great curriculum and wonderful volunteers teaching the children. Teaching moment for them was taking the lesson and putting it to action for the children. Great turn out of about 25 people. Looking forward to the next session on children's discipleship.

I spent time training in the village of Selebi-Phikwe in the Northeast area. We did the next step in teaching with just a bible and they got it. Such a desire to open God's Word to children and using it to teach them direction for their life. I had someone from Kings Foundation with me to help train community outreach for the churches and provide them with a BaSE kit they offer for ministry. This training and kit will reach 500 children in the village. In the photo of the children, there were 388 jammed next to one another feeding each other after a bible story and prayer. It was like watching the feeding of the multitude breaking bread and passing it along.

When I got back to Gaborone, Chandler and I went on a father/son hunting trip. We had a chance for some leaders to talk about God's design for relationships. It was a great time of focusing on Chan. It was neat for me to have a time of hearing what he learned about God's design for his life. Chan got his first kill, a nice size impala 130 yards away drop shot. Worse part of the trip was Chan got tick bite fever and was pretty sick. Meds got him back to health. Such a great time together, I love that boy! He always knows how to make me smile and laugh.

We celebrated our first Easter here and Tonya's __ birthday. Our dear friends from Mosojane came to visit with their children. The Easter bunny has arrived in Africa! We went to an Easter egg hunt at the embassy grounds. We celebrated Good Friday with 7 baptisms at Desert Stream Fellowship. Easter was a great celebration and spent eating with friends. For Tonya's birthday along with our friends, the Barker family, we had red-velvet cake and mexican food (our favorite). When we got home, we had a multiple Skype session with Makenzie and Hunter. It was a lovely day for momma and daddy was glad God arranged it.

Then it was Xtreme Camp at Desert Stream Fellowship for the youth in the area. I got the chance to have fun on Saturday with the smaller kids. We used the BaSE kit provided to me from Kings Foundation and it was like Christmas. The colorful game props and 5m parachute was just the thing for them. They did not want it to end. We played "wolf" and "cat and mouse" - they were the favorite games. Also, I had the chance to see Chandler play his electric guitar for the worship team during the week. He did a great job. I also helped council the youth as they made "next step" decisions for Christ. Such a thirst for God here for the young people. The workers are few to disciple so many young people.

Then it was off to Kabwe, Zambia. Open Baptist Church (our receiving church here) has a mission point here. Every April they conduct a pastor's conference and allowed me to come along and teach the children's workers. All I can say is "WOW" and "Go God"! It was a great time for me to see how churches and communities without children's ministry are struggling. There were 14 bars within 1/2 km of the church we were at and children were all outside of them waiting on someone or just all in the streets. I had 27 leaders who worked with children or had and interest. When the sessions were over, every one of them committed to service in Children's work. Seven of them were not doing anything with church and said without hesitation, "I want to change the next generation, I want to teach children." I trained and gave them a BaSE kit as well and we had a kids Game Afternoon as well with 63 kids, 5-14 years old. One child said, "It was the greatest day of my life. We've never had something like this before. Please come back." Thanks to Kings Foundation for the kit and training, they can now have it every week. The vision for our ministry allowed me to reach 7 different churches in the area impacting over 2,000 children. I had no idea before we got there, God knew!

Closing, I just want to say, "I have been BUSY!" On a personal note, I would like to share as much a joy this side of the ministry is for us the other side is hard, very hard. The impact on our family living on two continents frankly, stinks! There are days when your children need momma no matter how old they get and she can not hold or help them. Sometimes, even daddy needs a chance to talk with them about what is going on with their lives. Not being there for them pulls at you in places you can not describe nor explain. On top of that, missing life moments like high school graduation and settling your child into college - it's painful. Truth is: we plain out MISS THEM!!! In this world, everything goes fast and vanishes quickly waiting for the next thing to happen. No time to soak it in or hold on to it. We have to keep moving, no matter how much rest you take, you can not stay there for long.

The ministry has mainly been me going away teaching while Tonya stays behind with kids, which makes the distance hard as well. The distance apart does not get shorter no matter how good the technology is out there. We pray daily that our children will not become angry at God or resist Him because of the impact this has made on them. We pray they will know Him because of what they experienced and obey His plan for their lives and not turn a deaf ear to Him. I guess the silence of 5 weeks is me not wanting to rejoice in what God is doing with our ministry because of the impact on our family is not always so joyful. We knew this going in but had not idea how to picture the sacrifice until we laid it on the alter and trusted God with it. I never knew how great and hard it would feel letting Him use it. Please join us in praying as we try to celebrate what God is doing and still mourn what we are missing!

Scott

Double Rainbow!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:07:00 +0000

The week started out Sunday evening with a beautiful double rainbow with a full moon in the middle of them. We went out for ice cream with our friends, which turned into a meal for the boys at KFC. Yes, we have a KFC here in Botswana. It is different than home, no biscuits! We have adjusted to the taste difference here as well, no extra crispy or original recipe. On the way, the rainbows popped up and then the the full moon kept sneaking in and out behind some dark clouds. Starting the week off was pretty good. Then Monday came.

I can not explain how this week went emotionally crazy but it got into a tailspin. We found ourselves having a struggle to get out of it. Before we knew it we were getting on each other's nerves and snapping at each other. Adding to the mix, it is hot and humid. It almost rained 3 times this week. Going so long without rain has a depressing impact on you. We had rainbows but no rain. The heat and humidity is heavy on you. Then humidity left and it was dry. Your lips, skin and hair dries out fast. You wait on relief but it does not come. My favorite topic, traffic comes into the picture. It gets insane with running traffic lights and turning 2 lanes into 5 back to 2. Tonya tells me when I talk about the traffic, it is just the symptom of my frustration dealing with the culture. All I can tell you it is nuts. Here is my view every morning to show what it looks like.

Then you find yourself avoiding connections with people because it usually involves someone trying to get something from you for their benefit. It is the most different kind of stress we have ever experienced. Our emotions are conflicting with what we do and why we are here versus everyone wanting a piece of you and what you have. Most of the times there is gratefulness but usually it is "I know they could have done more." It eats on you.

To help, I play songs sung by children here in Africa praising a God who provides and keeps on doing great things. I tell myself to pray for those who do not know how to behave or drive. Most important, I pray for God to always keep putting situations before me to share and connect with those He loves and that I never stop seeing them. In all the madness while shopping I noticed a little boy who was crying loud and hard. He had gotten separated from his mother. He was walking around crying and no one assisted him. He was the age of my twins and I thought it would kill me to know no one would help them. I talked with the boy, his name is David. I walked with him to find a policeman to radio around for his mother. Of course, he looked at me like why are you walking around with this crying boy. UGH! I begged him to radio the other security people to make them aware of the situation. The mother was frantically talking with one of the security people on the other side of the mall and they were reunited. I am grateful my heart was not hardened to prevent me from seeing a little guy who needed someone who cared. This also changed my "stinking thinking" I was having for the week. I said to myself, don't focus on the Red Sea, focus on the path God prepared before me. I am glad I can see the paths, I pray for focus to stay on it.

An exciting weekend was planned for Chandler and his friends. We held a missionary kids prom on Friday night. Tonya and the other moms planned a progressive dinner between four missionary families' houses. The kids had a lot of laughs and fun. It gave me a reminder we can bring focus to our family and it is healthy for all of us to be intentional about us sometimes. Hard to see Chandler taller than me now by two inches and looking sharp. He is growing up. This means per Tonya, "He is looking way better than his daddy. You should be proud." I think it was a compliment? We took photos at Grand Palm Hotel down the road from the house because it is the only place with green grass and trees and of course a fountain.

We watched with excitement, as Alice Drive Baptist Church's "Big Weekend" for the student ministry bagged, boxed and shipped over 285,000 meals to feed children here in Botswana. This go to feed orphans and vulnerable children in several locations here in Botswana. Great job! We also got to see our Hunter in the middle of the mix with a fashionable hairnet and working hard.

This Sunday I preached at Desert Streams Fellowship and led a discipleship class to encourage discipleship. This is their first start at training leaders to lead discipleship,and so glad to be part of it. The best part of the service was watching Parker lead worship for the first time. He felt convicted several Sundays ago that he was not using his gifts for God. Without asking us, he went to the pastor asked could he be on the worship team, he wanted to use his gifts for God. A twelve year old looked like David to me this Sunday. When it was time for church to start, he was the only one there (typical in Africa to arrive 15 to 23 minutes late). I asked what did he want to do, his reply, "I am prepared. If God wants me to do it alone, I can do it alone." The others did finally show up but he was up there ready to sing, with or without them. Parker did a wonderful job and sang from his heart.

Our daughter, Makenzie got into a wreck and damaged her car pretty bad Friday night. She was unharmed but a bit rattled by it all. Hate the helpless feeling of being so far away and depending on others to handle it with her. Thanks to her husband Tyler and Tonya's sister Lea, they took care of her when we can't be there in person.

This past week we celebrated the crazy with the cool and with the courageous. Loved how the week shaped up and the learning process along the way. We had one other surprise Friday night. A missionary family that left Botswana to work in Greece shared with me this week about our "third culture kids". They reminded me that our family will be different and impacted by what we are doing. They will never be the same. They will look at the world around them differently and see opportunities to be doers and not seers in the world. Our kids will be "world changers" and expecting to do something about the things happening around them. I pray this God's plan for them. Pray as we continue to make preparations for training in the north-east. Thank you for your support and taking time to read a long blog, sorry.

Scott and Tonya Shipes

Intentional Leaders

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:59:00 +0000

This week I finished an amazing month of training at the Anglican Church in Gaborone and continued training at Believers Destiny Academy. For the past 3 Saturdays we have spent 4 hours with 30 children leaders from the local Anglican churches here in Gaborone. Our training is built around developing biblical based leadership with passion and purpose that ends with being intentional in our choices to be leaders of disciples, the children. This group understood and got what we are teaching. Their dedication was amazing; all of them gave up three Saturdays and sat in a hot, 98 degree F room to listen to man who speaks funny English. They connected well on every point we had to teach and were able to use it on their own without me. One of the leaders commented they were looking forward to seeing if someone could come into their church and bring energy to the children's sunday school time. I quote, "from this training, I have learned I have been equipped to bring energy to the children. This has been wonderful and thank you." This is from a teacher of 30 years in public schools who is also teaching children in the church, "You have taught us new ideas and new ways to be intentional teachers of children using bible stories as process of action. This is refreshing for all of us. We are ready to use what you have taught us." There is planning under way to teach all of the locations in Botswana so all of the Anglican churches are equipped, not just in Gaborone.

We had another training with Believers Destiny Academy this week. It was an amazing day with them as well. We have been working to connect them to why they should be intentional with how they teach and reach children. It is more than working from a syllabus, completing tasks and just being there for the children. Children need to know teachers want to connect with to help them mature. We have to be focused on reaching the whole child: mental, physical, social and spiritual elements of a child. There mission statement is based on this point. They admitted they find themselves focused on the everyday items and not the growth elements of a child. They are realizing the Bible story telling process with the intent to see how the story impacts children lives for change, a heart change, is powerful. Advertising and media work very hard to do the same thing but not based on Biblical truth. How are they to know truth if they do not hear it from parents, teachers, or other important adults in their lives. We discussed levels of spiritual maturity to help know what the "next step" should be for a child. They worked through several Bible stories and discovered how this can be effective in child development. The "win" during this session: Hearing truth is not a guarantee; it has to be learned, felt and put into action (head, heart and hands). Their effort must be intentional and well planned by them for behavior change to happen. They were nervous but excited to start seeing how they can be deliberate in developing the "whole child" God has put in their care.

February has been a good month kicking off our work here for 2012. I know God has big things coming our way this year and what we have to share is relevant. I mentioned in a previous blog the "real-life disciple process": Share, Connect, Minister and Disciple from Jim Putnam's book. This is how God is leading me to equip here and it is working. If fits perfectly with Alice Drive Baptist Church process of everyone has a next step with Christ. Continue to pray as more churches are asking for training and this process begins to work for the leaders and the children. We are seeing Jesus making changes in the lives of people.

Tonya is still doing well with her neck and boys are doing well in school. Makenzie and Hunter have busy schedules with school and work but doing well. Chandler is on a camping adventure in the desert with friends this week. He might be able to spot the "big five" animals of Africa; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Praying for his safety and no "getting lost" trips this time and that he can outrun his three friends on the trip, LOL.

Thank you for continued prayers and support.

Scott and Tonya Shipes

Are you being sifted?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:28:00 +0000

Dumela lang!(Hello to all my friends and family). Thank you for praying for the things I mentioned in my last blog. Tonya is doing much better and is back to being her active self again. She was released from physio today! Makenzie got a Nursing Externship this summer in the Cardiovascular ICU at Roper Hospital in Charleston. She is excited to have the opportunity for the experience and to work in critical health care. Hunter is doing well adjusting and is very busy with life and getting ready to attend Charleston Southern University this with his sister. Parker and Tonya are settling into a homeschool routine. Josh and Joe are practicing their reading everyday and keeping us on our toes as always. Chandler is doing well in school. He is going camping in the Kalahari Desert next week with some friends and is looking forward to that. So things on the homefront seem to be okay for now. Thank you Jesus!

Today, I want to share a verse that convicted me, about how am I letting God's Word make changes in me? I read this verse the other week and felt no need for comment but today was different. Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." I missed this over the years and and never fully realized Satan asked permission to deal with Simon Peter. Jesus explains this will happen but He prayed for Simon Peter that his faith will not fail.

"Sift like wheat." I kept processing this statement over again in my mind. I can visually see it now since we moved here. The local people grind maize and sorghum and sift the grain by letting the wind take away the husk and fiber and leave only grain in the their basket. The "good" is in the grain and they want to remove the other dead material. I was seeing a new picture here. Satan wanted to take away the good from Simon Peter. The process of sifting, is to shake in an upward circular motion the sieve or basket to create turbulence to remove the dead from the good. A biblical way to say it is the inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. Our faith and self-control keeps the good away from the dead. So where am I going with this?

Every day in this world we are given to the agitations and turbulence. A world that Satan is in and all over it with his lies and hate. Jesus tells Peter He prayed his faith may not fail. Then Jesus tells him "when once", meaning at some time you will fail,but you will return and encourage everyone. The "when once" suddenly started to sink in for me. The times I am the most agitated and torn within is when others are impacting my life or when I can not do the work I want to do here.

Peter and I are starting to be too much alike, or maybe I'm just starting to notice. Quick to speak and stubborn to think others may be right. Always too busy thinking I'm the one that's right. It is during this sifting, inward, turbulent process that I have the opportunity to display my faith. God allows this happen to strengthen me and others. We have to protect and maintain the good in us which is from Jesus Christ and not from our selves. If good is of man, it is corrupt, destructive and fleeting. My self confidence creates sorrow and shame if I do not keep it in check. This so apparent to me sitting in traffic while drivers are darting in and out and everyone is trying to get a better spot in the waiting line. I feel helpless in long lines paying bills, buying food, filling out documents and government paperwork. I have been hearing too many roosters crowing lately when I blow my horn or make remarks about people.

Just as Jesus restored Peter, He restores me. He gives me a chance to gain strength and learn from my actions. I need to encourage others not just in our training times but in my life times in the daily "world" stuff. Discipling is not just at specific times we choose, it is all the time and everywhere. I have to be prayerful about this to keep my "wheat" from getting taken away or I should say, "given to Satan"?

Thank you for your love, support and prayers. We are busy doing the work God called us to and are enjoying it. Finishing training at the Anglican Church this weekend and starting the next level of training for the school. I have such a desire to disciple and am praising God He keeps discipling this modern day Peter.

Scott

What Are You Really Saying?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:28:00 +0000

Hello family and friends from hot Botswana. It starts off hot here and ends way hot when the day ends. Hard to describe how intense the sun is here other than you move around in a oven broiler when you are out in it. I have gotten adjusted to it but the rest of Shipes, not so much. Also, thank you for the prayers concerning the adjustment for them. I think they are in a good place right now and working through it. We had the three Davis children staying with us for 10 days so their missionary parents could go out the country and experience what God is doing in other parts of Africa. We missed their parents but we had typical Shipes family time: loud, laughter and tears. Shout out to Mica, Meredith and Peyton for hanging in their with us.

We rejoice that we have done 2 training session this week. We ask them to complete a survey to help us understand where they think their ministry is at right now and where do they want to take it. Also, this provides where they excel and where they have needs for the ministry. Here was some facts we discovered from this information that I would like to share. We worked with 80 people in the classes who have weekly contact with 2,396 children. A 30:1 ration leader to child means to reach all 800,000 children of Botswana, 27,000 teachers would need to be equipped. Remembering God's math I shared last time, this could easily happen in 3-5 years if everyone trains someone else with what they have been equipped. I feel like David sometimes standing there with 5 rocks looking at something big and overwhelming when I think about how many children there are and how few workers are out there, (sounds like a familiar verse). We know the reality it is a "big thing" and God's way means we have got to face it and not shake in fear. I pray I can see beyond the "big thing" in front of me and ready to take on all the "big things" out there. All David needed was one God and one rock to do the job at hand. I love how he picked up 5 rocks. David knew the "big thing" and 4 other "big things" were out there to do battle with. He was equipped and ready for them. He was ready for Goliath, Goliath' father and three brothers. This is what equipping ministry is about being prepared with a new way of thinking. David did not need Saul's armor and army. He needed God and what God provided.

This brings me to the title of this blog, "What are you really saying?". In the survey, they provide me what resources they need to be effective in reaching the children. Overwhelming there was a consistent request: flip boards, felt boards and CD's. Almost everyone asked for them. At this point, I could have made requests and gone out and found the items for them, be the hero of the week and take pictures with everyone happy and smiling. I resisted this power trip and asked the question in the title. The response was the same from all them. They want to be able to tell bible stories to the children the same way missionaries and teachers did with them. It was all the knew and that is why they asked for it. I was speechless, (for those who know me, that does not happen a lot). The training I have developed with God's help is teaching with Passion, the right Attitude, working as a Team and Honoring one another; using only the Bible in a story telling format. I told them I had something different in mind that would do the job. After the first session, no one wanted flip charts, felt boards and CD's. The bible is all they need plus using a teaching method of learning how to read and tell stories from the bible with a goal of showing children how to apply it to their lives. We are teaching how to share, connect, minister and disciple the children using only the Bible as the source for the answers. The Word of God is all Jesus used and look how well that turned out. He trained 12 men how to bring the world in the greatest relationship it will ever know, one with God eternally and helping others along the way.

The training has opened more opportunity to equip for us here. The Anglican Church has requested we train all of their 50+ churches in Botswana this year. Pray we can make arrangements with the Botswana Baptist Convention to train their churches. We are having discussions, but have not finalized anything at this point. They see the potential and need but have to work out a number of logistics issues to make it happen. We are finalizing the details to go back up to Selebi-Phikwe in a few months to continue the next step in their training and also, host a kids camp for a day with another local organization here.

Thank you for support and prayers from all of you. Also, for taking time out to read this blog and posting comments. Pray for the training in the planning stages and for a good response. We continue to receive feed back on how wonderful the training has been for their children's ministry in the churches we have trained. Continue to pray for Makenzie and Hunter back in the states. Makenzie had a job interview for the summer she really would like to have for her nursing career. Hunter has adjusted well to being back in the US. Leaving them in God's hands is a rock I sometimes have a hard time putting in the sling shot. I know who has the power and possibilities for them. Praise God. Pray for the muscles in Tonya's neck. I guess I am not the only pain in the neck for her anymore. She has been experiencing muscle spams that come and go that are making it difficult for her to get around. It is happening more frequently and the pain has been pretty bad. She is seeing physicians here but not getting relief.

Love all of you and keep the prayers and love coming,

Scott and Tonya

Is it real life?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:29:00 +0000

As we have been getting back in the swing here in Gaborone, Botswana, the reality of life here is apparent. We miss our family, we miss our friends, school is different for our children, the culture is different and most all we are different. The way we do things, from everyday items, to planning for the future is centered around life in Botswana and how to move forward in ministry and with family. Moving daily around long lines, traffic jams and going to multiple places to complete your shopping list can wear you out, especially when it is hot. When people around you behave in a manner you do not like, it is unreal how frustrated you can get dealing with the attitude. After all, people who are real in life behave the way we do, right? Everyone should do things the way we do it because it is better, right? People should not be so selfish, right?

I know God did not send us here to find people like us, who think like minded and confirm how great it is to know the Lord and do His work. He has blessed us with wonderful missionary friends who encourage us and help us. God has blessed us with African believers who are such a joy to spend time with and share their life stories. We have connected to believers here but I have to admit I have not connected to many non-believers here. It takes time and it can be messy sorted out their life problems and how it relates to God. I live in a country who know Jesus as Spiritual Infants and Children who were not discipled further than the day they accepted Christ. Infants and children are loud, messy, time consuming, selfish and need direction. That is why we are here in Botswana, to lead people through their next steps with Christ. Everyone has a next step, learning to read the bible and memorize, learning how to serve in church, learning how to disciple others and learning how to lead others to disciple.

I discovered a new name this week in my study time, "Carnal Christians". A Christian who is only concerned about themselves in their church life. You know them by the comments they make. "This church is too big, I liked it better when it was smaller and everyone knew me." "They keep changing the music all the time. I liked the music when I first started attending here 15 years ago. It was good then, why should we change a good thing. I loved it." "Why should I attend a small group? The pastor speaks to me just fine every Sunday. People in small groups just want to get in my personal business." Just a few of my favorite comments I have heard over the years in church. I have said similar comments on why it is hard to live in Botswana. How selfish is it to think everyone should change their behavior because I am here to do God's work.

Real life for a believer in Jesus Christ is WWJD not WWID (What would I do). Jesus had a great ministry format and taught it to his disciples. share, connect, minister and make disciples. Twelve men shared the gospel message with the command from Jesus to "Go" and "Disciple" and changed the world. By the third century, the Roman Empire declared Christianity their official religion. We are all called to do work like this. Being aware others around you spiritually maturity so God's can say here is your "go". Share, connect, minister or disciple to the one I love who is before you. Think about it, Zacchaeus was a person no body liked to be with. God ran him up a tree so Jesus and the disciples would notice him, single him out and fellowship with him, a person different from them nobody liked. God taught Zacchaeus and the disciples during this event, Jesus is here for the lost, we are here for the lost. Are we being internal Christians thinking about us or intentional Christians who see a "go" moment and serves others.

Last thought, God has exponential numbers when it comes to His math. Reading from "Real Discipleship" by Jim Putnam, this is one of the best books and work books I have read for God's perspective of His work. After all, He names a book Numbers to clarify how important numbers are to Him. Jim said, "If one person disciples three disciple-makers every five years. If those disciples do the same every five years, in ten years there will be almost 180,000 disciple-makers in this world. If they continue this process for seventy years, (average life span) there are potentially 14 billion disciple makers. Twice the number of people currently occupying our planet." God can start with one and do amazing things. The one has to "GO" to be the one who God uses to start the process. A real life for a Christian is Sharing, Connecting, Ministering and Disciple-making, that's what Jesus did.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read. Please pray for us as we start training next week and have a full schedule through April. Pray for our children's schooling here in Botswana and in the US. Pray that God would rise up disciple-makers to carry His Word to the world. I excited about the potential for this year.

Scott Shipes

Home Again

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:35:00 +0000

Today our Suburban made it home to Gaborone after it broke down in Francistown on October 8th last year. The fuel pump failed after we drove to lead a training session in the northern part of Botswana 5 hours from home. The journey from this point on, has been amazing for me to watch and confirms so much how God is so at work around us.

First day, we met a pastor, Darren, who was an auto mechanic who agreed to fix it for us. A pastor friend of his helped us in a motel where we received a much needed night's rest and meal. The day we left Francistown, I prayed with Darren after he shared his testimony how he felt called to be a missionary pastor in Zambia to encourage and equip pastors in remote areas but that door had not opened for him yet. He was waiting faithfully knowing God was going send him but it was 4 years and nothing had happened. We prayed God will open this door and give him the opportunity to serve him in Zambia.

5 days later, a team picked up the repaired Suburban to return it to us and it broke down again an hour away from Francistown. A pastor from the US was with the team and lead a man to the Lord who just got of a bus where it broke down. The man had shared that he prayed that someone would share Jesus with him. It gets even more amazing as a local pastor there from Brazil was a friend of on the team members and he helped the team load all the contents in my Suburban in at his house. The man who just received Christ lived just down the road from the pastor's church. This man also had prayed for a church to attend. I communicated with the Brazilian pastor and introduced our ministry to him. He was beside himself. He has been praying for months to meet someone who could help reach the children in their village. Their church was growing in numbers from children and they did not know how reach or work with them. We will be scheduling training with them this year. Jehovah Jireh was at work way before my car broke down.

We decided to send a part from the US to replace the pump Darren felt would work. 30 days later, the part never made it to Darren. It was somewhere in Botswana but not at the final destination. I find out from Darren also at this time he got a phone call there was opportunity to move to Zambia. After all this time, he had a chance to do what he was called to do. He went to Zambia to see if the call was going to fulfilled. He sent me a note and said he was going to leave for Zambia as soon as he could close things out in Francistown.

We brought back another fuel pump from the states. Praise God the folks at Advance Auto in Aiken heard my story and sold me another one at cost. I spoke with Darren that we had returned and began to laugh. He told me since we met and prayed, his business had been the best it had ever been since he started it. Then he got the call to Zambia. He has faced road block after road block that would prevent him from going. He still faithfully moved forward to sell his business and begin fulfilling his calling. Road blocks fell and another would rise up. He sold his business and he is ready to go into the mission field into Zambia on February 1st. Jehovah Shalom helped Darren through these chaotic days.

I had the part delivered to Darren who installed it and confirmed it was ready to pickup. I was working on how to get me up to Francistown when Darren called and said he had to take some medical tests in Gaborone and would drive it to me. Wow, how amazing to have it delivered to me. We have it back and driving around Gaborone today. Darren is on his way back and ready to start his ministry February 1st.

I love God with all my heart, mind and body. His ways are far better than mine. His timing is more perfect that mine. His work is more amazing than anything I could organize. I say, go God! Thank you for letting me be part of a great work. Thank you for confirming in me my trust in you in everything.

Love, Scott

Back In Botswana

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:44:00 +0000

We made it back to Botswana without a hitch other than having a hole in our hearts and home. We are missing our 6'4", 17 year old son. His was always making noise and making his presence known around our house. It is a good bit quieter here - if you can believe that. Hunter was part of the "step of faith" journey here and now there is a missing piece. Also, we have a greater realization how much we miss our time with our daughter Makenzie and her husband Tyler. We enjoyed being part of their lives for the month we were home and now are missing that again - not so nice. While in the States we shared times of tears and cheers and back to tears again but we would not trade any of it. Going home was harder this time because we see and understand more of what this commitment to "go" means to our family and the sacrifices it requires everyone to make. The older children have a hard time with the goodbyes because you are not suppose to say goodbye to family so many times in your life. We are also struggling with all of the separations that have come to the family sooner than they are normally experienced. It hurts to watch our kids suffer, hurt and desire for something we can not provide for them. Please continue to pray for Makenzie, Tyler, Hunter, Chandler, Parker, Joseph and Joshua.

Life before "the call" was different and fun for the family. School, church, work and friends kept it busy, interesting and comfortable ... for most of us. Life for me was not comfortable or joyful. I think back to the days and nights I yearned for my life to be something different. I knew God had a call on my life but had no idea what "it" was. I went through the motions of living "the American Dream". Then Botswana changed my life. I saw how God was at work there and knew that was where He wanted me to be. Light shined in a place where darkness and uncertainty had filled my thoughts. I was so certain of His call on my life and knew what He was expecting of me. I have to admit I have been disobedient to lots of things He has asked of me but this time I really feared telling God no, more than facing the issues that saying yes would present. Tonya also knew this was His plan for us so we answered His call and went.

Our tents and borders have certainly expanded. We have touched so many places and made an impact for the Kingdom. I am taken aback that God can use a country boy from Williston, SC living in Sumter, SC to do amazing things for Him here in Botswana and beyond. Watching children's leaders, that have been touched by our ministry, have a thirst and desire to grow is only a God thing. This is God's ministry fueled by our obedience to go and fed by your obedience to pray and support it. We could not have gone if we were not sent by folks like you who have connected with us one way or another and who are obedient to support. I am grateful for Alice Drive Baptist Church's support and following the vision when this all started. Without them beside us, it would have been difficult or near impossible to take the steps we have taken this far. We are grateful for their continued support and commitment to us and the ministry. Now we have Millbrook Baptist Church, Aiken, SC alongside us as a strategic partner. This is going to be awesome watching them grow as they connect to the children of Africa. 2012 looks to be a promising and exciting year for us in the ministry here. We have a number of conferences and training sessions planned for this year. God is showing us why we are here and the field is white for harvest.

Today, my thoughts and prayer time takes me to the Israelites leaving Egypt, wandering in the desert, remembering Egypt and hoping for the promise land. Egypt was all they knew but not where God had planned for them to be. It was not the best situation but they got through it. I can relate them right now. This transformation process tears us at the core of our hearts. It seems long and can leave us longing for what is left behind and questioning the road ahead. Holding on to hope and not sure exactly what it will look like when you get there but holding on because it is God's plan, not ours. The rewards along this journey are what keeps us going. Commitments, life changes, opportunities and connections we would never have made doing what we were doing before.

We know God chose our family and we trust Him to grow us and help us know Him more through all of this. We are in awe that He trusts us to work here. We are praying we see how our children learn, through the pain, of how awesome God is in this world. We love all of you for your kindness, support, encouragement and for taking the time to read our blog and pray for our family.

Scott

Botswana and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Friends, here is an update from a dear friend and children's leader, Brian Maseko. we trained in August. He is a childrens' leader in Zimbabwe. This is what our training and ministry is about.

"Hello how are you and family, as for me the good Lord Jesus Christ is keeping me well. We finally did our Sunday school teachers training in Harare where I became one of the facilitators. We taught on 7 ways method of teaching. We had people from different provences of Zimbabwe. It was one of my greatest experience to share with other leaders. I was so excited to share what you taught me and pour it out to others. I just want to thank God for what you have done for us because the 7 ways is now is now bieng used in diffrent provences in our Country. We had a children sunday school camp on 2 Dec to 4 Dec with other Baptist Churches. It was wonderful seeing children giving their life to Christ and watching kids became crazy with the song (In My Fathers House).

You know God has been so good to me ever since I came from Botswana my Christian life is not the same. God Has been revealing new things in my life. Thank you for your prayers. Give my greetings to your wife, Tonya, Pastor Todd, Beth and Chylene. Merry Christmas to all of you. Love you lots guys and God bless you."

Please pray for Brian and the children at Rangemoore Baptist Church, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. His pastor commented to me recently, "I do not know what you did to Brain, he is not the same man. He is on fire for reaching children and teaching them. Thank you."

God has opened doors and opportunities we could never imagined. What a great God we serve to send us to Botswana and reaching out into Africa.

Praising God in a Season of a Baby Worshiping a Living King,

Scott

Time to Celebrate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:11:00 +0000

I've been reflecting on what GOD has done in and through us in our first full year here in Botswana I am amazed and humbled. I have tried to determine the impact of both our ministry and on our family. We have held (2) 3-day Children's Ministry conferences - one is Gaborone and one in Masunga; (3) 1-day seminars - in Selebi-Phikwe,at AFM,and at OBC; we have started with will continue (3) weekly leadership trainings; have staffed and run (3) VBS's; have established and will continue (1) Bible Study for the teachers of Gakuto; and we celebrate (5) children ministries that have launched and are continuing on a weekly basis by the impact of what we have taught.

Our Family impact is still under evaluation. We are leaving for our visit in states in a few days. Hunter is leaving Botswana to stay in the states. We have no idea what that will be like for us as a family here but know it is not going to be easy. This past year there have been great days and not so great days. We have missed our daughter and families terribly. We have felt sad and lonely. We have shared many laughs, and at other times felt depressed. We have experienced many extremes being energized, bored, excited, lonely, loved, tried, and tested. We have grown and learned from our experiences and most importantly have experienced God in ways we could never have imagined.

Pray for this little family and how we handle the home visit and return back from the USA. Thank you for your prayers and support and love. Without them, we could have never made it this far. ~ Scott

FINAL TRAINING WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:01:00 +0000

We had our first training with the OBC Children's Sunday School team this weekend. 43 teachers were there, including 9 from a church member's preschool. In the training there were 6 people who were not leaders or teachers just considering working in children's ministry. OBC has a very successful children's program for Sunday morning. They reach 200 children and have about 30 in the toddler class every Sunday.

The "win" for the training was to equip the teachers with leadership thinking. The focus was PATH leadership developing the passion, attitude, teamwork and honor for the teaching team. The start of the training first involved asking what and why they did the work they do. Majority was the patent answer from all over the world, "the pastor asked me". As we worked most of the morning the group focused on more about why they were there as individuals who are working as team working for God. It is always a joy watching the facial expressions and conversations change as they learn more about themselves and how they impact the ministry. So many shared the need to be encouraged and loved to fill like they were getting their cups filled in order to continue to pour out to the children. When we finished the day all 6 who were not sure what they were going to do in the ministry have a desire to be part of a fantastic part of God's work. We will be doing continual training with the OBC team every term for 2012.

On Monday, I had my last training for the year at Believers Destiny Academy. Working with them has been a wow God moment. I have worked with 49 teachers for the past 3 weeks every Monday. The work has been a blessing to me and to them. This is the school where we started in a 110 degree tent talking about passion, attitude, teamwork and honor. What a way to start. In 3 weeks we have taught about leadership, personality, mission, vision and values. Their thirst for more is incredible. For the first time, they see the connection on what and how they teach children is guided by the focus of the schools mission, vision and values. They are aware of the importance of continued coaching and training. The school is willing to provide for them. When asked what did they learn, over and over they commented it was encouraging for them changed the way they thinking about teaching and reaching children. They want further training and we have agree starting in February we will continue to provide leadership & discipleship to reach the children in their school.

Destiny Believers Academy already has 100 children in their bible club that meets every Saturday. The club is designed to be a children's church for the area. This has been by word of mouth only. They will start in January advertising after their December Bible School that is expected to have 400+ children. We have trained them on curriculum and how to engage the children with story telling methods and how to connect with the children using games and activities. Once this is successful, they will introduce the same method to 3 other school locations to begin children based churches. What joy it will be to see children worshipping in Botswana at a church where they are the focus.

Please keep both of these ministries in your prays as they seek to reach Children for Christ!

Cows, Donkeys, Goats Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:13:00 +0000

I just got back from a long trip training in the village of Selebe-Phikwi and wanted to share what a great experience I had during this trip.

First, the travel was crazy, with all the business of payday and everyone driving wild on the roads to get where they wanted. Took way longer than I expected to reach my destination. My first stop was to visit the Brazilian missionaries who have been watching over my belongings in Palapye after the Suburban broke down (yes, it is still in the shop. Waiting on parts from the US to arrive.) Wonderful family establishing church in their home and reaching 45 children and 23 adults. When they found out our ministry, they were very interested and requested we do a training next year for them. They will organize other baptist churches in the area who need this type of training. Opportunity impact of reaching 150 to 200 children in the churches alone that have no established children's ministry. That Suburban is building my ministry and the kingdom of God by my fuel pump breaking down. I pray the Lord will be done with it soon so I can get it back to help in transportation back in Gaborone. I'm loving what he is doing but sure miss my car.

Because of the late driving, I ended doing something I should not do, drive at night in rural Botswana. Death from driving accidents involving animals is the largest in Botswana outside of HIV. From the main road to Selebe-Phikwi I traveled a road so full of life stock I felt like I was driving trough a farm instead of a road. Cows (dikomo), donkey (ditonki) and goats (dipudi) were everywhere. The locals were driving through as if they were not there, just the flashers going off. I had my hands at 2 and 10 o'clock and my head in the windshield looking out for them. They were in the road walking, sleeping. They were beside the road and even saw a few Impala jumping across the highway. The adrenaline was over the top. I finally arrived and was welcomed by Rob and Mary Grindley, with Branch Ministries to a nice steak and a good nights rest.

The training was with Branch Ministries who asked me train three churches in their ministry. The churches were: Church Of The Harvest (the existing ministry); Botshabelo and Tobane. They are working to develop children ministry in two of them and grow the ministry in the third. There are 140 children attending the churches represented. Branch Ministries was established in 1996 by Robert & Mary when they answered the call to preach the Gospel in Africa. Since that time they have been involved in many types of ministry. Their ministry is primarily in Selebi-Phikwe, a mining town in central Botswana with a population of approximately 65,000. Branch Ministries now includes works and projects of church planting, evangelistic outreaches, leadership conferences. Selebi-Phikwe is an area known to be surrounded by witchcraft and the spiritual battle is very real for all ages. It is a battle field most of us can understand nor begin to comprehend. This is a stronghold capturing many generations.

The next day was a wonderful day of training. Eager participants and who grasped what was taught and a vast desire to learn. A day was not enough for this group. Our mission here is to help establish effective children's ministries in churches. Watching the churches work to organize themselves, determine the roles they were to fill and define their mission, vision and values right in front of me was impressive. I wish Pastor Clay Smith was with me to coach me through the last part. He is the beast at it. I am grateful this grasshopper had a good teacher. God showed up and it was working great as they eagerly got busy putting the work together. Pray for the three churches as the work their next steps in their children ministry and define the direction God wants them to take. The 3 churches have the opportunity to impact 1,600 children that attend school them. I look forward to seeing what God will do here. Pray the next training will be done soon before we head home for the holidays. They want to learn more about creative teaching methods and finalize their mission, vision, values statement. Such a joy to be part of something that is 100% what we provide to churches here in Botswana.

The drive home was uneventful, praise God, with not issues. Glad to spend the night with family and enjoy time with friends who were visiting.

Pray for Hunter's last weeks here and the transition all of us are going to face when we leave him in the US and head back to Botswana in January. We love tall, competitive boy so much. He has such a presence in the family that will be greatly missed.

Scott Shipes

It is Hot in Botswana

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:20:00 +0000

To all our friends and supporters, man it is hot here. Calling for 104 every day until the rains get here. For the rain to come it has to get hot. You have to take the heat to get the rain. Praying for that rain to get here soon. Not only is it hot but the sun is so intense. It takes the energy out of you quickly when you are out and about in it. Enough of my whining about being hot.

Yesterday I had the privilege to teach 49 teachers at Believer's Destiny Academy about children's leadership. It was such a joy to have that many teachers willing to learn under a tent which was 110 degrees for 2 hours. I was able to share the core of our ministry and why they should work to be part of it. They have the ability to reach 40% of the population in Botswana about Jesus Christ who mostly ignored in churches, children. This work should be done with passion, the right attitude, with a team and with honor.

The teachers were engaged, asking questions and wanted more of what we have to provide and willing to come every week for 2 hours in the heat or not to learn. They want to take this teaching to their churches they attend and build their children's ministry. God has shown me the opportunities are out there. We must continue to pray for discernment and His direction as they become apparent to us.

The owner of the school has a vision of running children bible schools on Saturdays at 4 villages where she operates schools for 2 hours. She wants leaders trained to do this work starting the new school year. Tonya, the boys and I ran one of the bible schools for her on Saturday last week. 78 children were there without any advertising or pushing it throughout the village. Just word of mouth. Teaching them they are a child of the King, made in His image and His friend was so much fun. They were excited to hear this and joyful repeating this message to me. They were children who do not attend her school, so this is truly an out reach for the owner. I see God confirming her vision and joyful we can be part of training leaders to help this work.

Pray for the remaining training sessions we have with them. Pray for the energy it takes to pour out to this number of people. Pray for the leaders to connect to the vision to reach the unreached children who do not know God and His son Jesus. Pray for our boys as the final month of school for the year is here and their preparation to be home in the states for the holidays. Pray for my Suburban to get back on the road again before we head home. Pray for my son Hunter who will be leaving Botswana to finish high school in the US to prepare for university.

Thank you for all your support, love and prayers.

Scott Shipes