Some of the Sights of Gabs

We've had another great week here in Gabs. No tremendously big news this week. Well, I did get my hair cut this week. To some, that may sound like "no big deal". However, when you have short hair like me, if the cut is bad, you can't hide it!!!!!!.....unless you wear a hat. (Which, I have a big floppy hat to wear when I'm outside with the girls.....don't need any more wrinkles!) I digress. Anyway, the hair cut I received was excellent! I am thankful for my stylist back in NC (Hi Kim!!) but am thankful to have found someone while here. She was recommended by a friend. So, all those who wondered, "WHO will cut your hair?" No worries. I'll be taken care of. :-)

Many have emailed and asked, 'Just what does Gaborone look like?" Well, it depends on where you look. Like any city in the US, you've got areas that are poverty stricken, and you've got other areas that are wealthy --- and then there are the 'in-between' areas. Downtown Gabs where the dignitaries live is called 'the Beverly Hills of Gabs'. I don't have a picture of that area for you to see in this posting. For now, here are just a few pictures taken on our way to church this morning. There are so many other areas I want you to "see" as well. I'll be working on getting additonal pics.


A neighborhood in Gabs. In the neighborhoods, there aren't sidewalks. Many of the houses have the high walls. Everything is very green now. We are still in our rainy season. It is still summer.

A typical intersection in Gabs. Notice the 'No U-Turn' sign. And what else do you notice....anything unusual about the side of the road we're driving on? Yes, we drive on the left. (By the way, I'm getting more and more used to that.)

We're still behind the same blue truck. Again, notice the road signs - one for pedestrian crossing, the other is a yield sign. When we first arrived, it was really, really odd to see blue and red road signs. And the speed limit signs are just round with the number (in kilometers) --- still blue and red. Sorry, don't have a picture this time of one of those. One more thing to point out....see how some of the tall grass has been cut? The grass isn't cut with machines...but by hand. Laborers use machetes to cut the tall grass.

This is a house in a nice neighborhood, which is full of homes with walls around them. This house does not have a wall around it, but a make-shift fence. The yard is mostly dirt. This type of home is made of cinder block, and has no air conditioning. One is thankful for a nice breeze on hot days, and some cold water to drink.

To change gears on you a bit - this is part of the front of the church where we worshipped again this Sunday (Open Baptist Church). The pastor who spoke today (Joel Carwile from Valley View Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky) is here on a missions trip - teaching at this week's Pastor's Conference - which is being hosted by Open Baptist Church. Pastors from Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana - were in the service today - to participate in the Pastor's Conference this week. Hearing these pastors introduce themselves was beyond words - to see with my own eyes the men who are leading flocks of their own back in their countries and towns. Listening to Pastor Joel teach was a treat - it was good to hear his American pronunciations. He is originally from northern Alabama. S met him before the service. We found out Pastor Joel is indeed an Auburn fan. WAR EAGLE!

The other amazing discovery is that 38 nationalities are represented in those who worship at Open Baptist Church. As the Senior Pastor said today, "Just look around you....this is what heaven will be like.....all races and nationalities singing and praising the Lord together!!!"

This is one of the Sunday School classes. Classes are held outdoors under the canopies. The children have class while the adults are in the worship service. Our girls will be attending SS for the first time next Sunday. They are a bit nervous and excited at the same time.

This is a typical sight in Gabs; using an umbrella to shield the hot sun while walking. These ladies had been in the worship service with us.

This is the road to church. The paved road ended and the dirt road began. Interesting thing I found out this week. The location of the church used to be a restaurant. Hmmm......sounds familiar.....a church using an existing building and turning it in to a place of worship to glorify the Lord!!! Awesome.

OK - changing gears again. This picture was taken on the way to downtown Gabs. This sign means "No Stopping".

A couple of the buildings/businesses in downtown Gabs. I forget what these businesses are - but the buildings look like something you would see in the US.

Lastly, this is a picture of one of the mosques in Gabs. As the girls and I are studying and learning about Africa in school, we've learned that it is not uncommon for Africans to embrace several religions. They may go to a Protestant church service on Sunday, and also attend Muslim or other services during the week as well.

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