Chronicles

I've started a few different blog posts over the past week, but haven't finished them yet. So much has been churning in my mind for a brief while but then disappears like a mist blown away by the breeze as soon as I try to solidify it into words on a page, or on a computer screen actually. What I've decided to do in this post to somewhat bypass my typer's cramp (did I just invent a new term?) is just chronicle some of what has happened since I arrived in Botswana. It will be more facts and less thoughts than usual. Please forgive any repetitions that may slip in from previous posts. 

Cessna A2-FME

Nine and a half weeks ago, I arrived in the beautiful country of Botswana. My contract with Flying Mission Services was as a pilot, and I was slated to fly Cessnas into the Okavango Delta region around the city of Maun. Since arriving, I have submitted applications for both a work permit and residence permit to allow me to begin working and living legally in the country for the next two or more years. Neither one has been granted yet. In fact, many applications like mine have been denied in the past few months, so I'm very grateful that I can trust God to take care of mine and teach me more about Him through the whole process! In the meantime, I've technically been volunteering at the FMS offices here in Gaborone. The first few days and weeks here I was scrambling to get through ground school, testing, and applications as quickly as possible. It's a waiting game for my permits right now, but I still have one more step each to complete for the validation of my pilot's license and my mechanic's license. Monday and Tuesday of this week I will be taking a check ride in a Cessna 206 up in Maun with a Botswana pilot examiner. After that, it will just be a matter of time, hopefully. Taking one more written test is all that I need to accomplish for my mechanic validation. Lord willing, the end of the waiting is in sight! 

The beauty of a sunset in the bush

The office work I've been doing has included writing some new in-house tests for incoming company pilots, researching aircraft maintenance compliance for various planes being worked on in the hangar, counting airplane parts to verify the amount of inventory in stock, and helping cook for the monthly company braii (cookout). There are definitely some days where I feel useless and impatiently want my authorization to start flying to come through. Remembering that God has a plan for His ultimate good in all of this always perks me back up though!

Braiing some chicken and sausage 

Outside of the office I have been able to connect with some of the local community through sports like ultimate frisbee, running, volleyball, and tennis; get to know other FMS personnel on camping trips, at pool parties, and lots of cookouts; and spend time with some IMB missionaries, the founder of FMS, and the young men's group from a local Baptist Church. Some of the new foods I have been able to try so far include zebra, impala, and goat head as well as Ethiopian, Indian, and Lebanese cuisine. It has all been delicious! I've always been a sucker for delicious foods, and there are plenty of them here. One thing that has been a little shocking for this small town, tee totaling, country boy who has lived in the homeschooling and Christian college bubbles his whole life is the amount of alcohol that gets consumed over here. Apparently a social event here isn't complete without beer, wine, rum, whisky, or homemade moonshine (ok, I haven't actually seen anything home made yet). The country as a whole has an alcohol problem that the government has attempted to curb by continually raising taxes on alcoholic beverages. But, in the words of Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life, "No, I didn't have a drink!" 

Giraffes beneath a cloudy sky

I have had a few minor challenges in the past nine weeks, but overall it has been a great time of learning and growing. My car had to go into the shop for repairs on two different occasions, but God showed his goodness by allowing it break on the day before my warranty from the dealer expired. It's hard to call it a trial or hard time when my car gets fixed for free. The first time I tried to turn in my application for my pilot's license here, it was rejected and I became a bit dejected. But again, The Lord has been faithful, and I should be able to successfully resubmit the application within the next week to 10 days. On the electronic front, my laptop crashed and the batteries ran out in both of my wrist watches last month. A quick shopping trip should remedy those issues, though. I have to remind myself that these "problems" are so insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Most of them can be classified as learning experiences and faith builders more easily than as trials or tribulations. I am very blessed.

Camping in South Africa for a weekend

I always request your prayers for my time here in Africa, for FMS, and for the nation of Botswana. It may not appear that dark or lost from the outside looking in, but there is great need for Jesus in this country.