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'Drenched in Support' – a sister in Botswana's experience
Joyce Manase-Ntau • March 13, 2021
Trusting God amid the Covid-19 Pandemic, Part Two
"My name is Merrelrash Seema. I’ve been a disciple of Jesus Christ for seven years here in Gaborone, the capital city, where I enjoy fellowship with the Botswana International Church of Christ.
I’m a professional and mother of two adult children. My eldest, a daughter, has two sons aged eight and six, and we live in one household as a close-knit, happy family. We all got the virus and still experience lingering side-effects.
Covid-19 has affected my finances, and I now have to take care of both my children and two grandchildren. My daughter worked in South Africa. She returned home last December as her company couldn’t continue operating with their full complement of staff.
At a macro-level here in Botswana, there is no salary increment this year because of the pandemic. Living costs are higher than ever before.
I became closer to God than ever before. He worked wonders when I thought everything shut down on me during our quarantine period as a family. We had the full support of fellow members of the church. We lacked nothing. Our recovery was swift because of the psycho-social, emotional and spiritual support they drenched us in. God showed us He is the greatest healer. In Him there is no fear at all. His word encouraged me; it showed that I can conquer everything if I depend and rely on Him. His grace is sufficient and we never go to bed hungry.
The past year has shown me that God is in control. He can bring the entire world to a standstill. It was a year like none before. It showed me that “life is meaningless” as Ecclesiastes 2:11. We toil so much and yet we can’t even control the air we breathe. The biggest lesson is that I can only survive if I include God in my life–if I depend on and surrender all to Him."
The Botswana International Church of Christ hosted its first Swamp Camp, had a groundbreaking ceremony for a missions hall, revived teen Bible Discussions and hosted a marrieds retreat.
The church in Madagascar focused on deepening our relationships with the Fathee and one another. We delved into Bible study, and mentoring and hosted our third youth camp.
Updates from the friendly city of Gqeberha, otherwise known as Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape where 2024 has been an encouraging year with a campus and young pro retreat, three baptisms, two restorations, and an annual church camp, amongst so much more.