Kristin Hammett – Village Vista

We began our traveling the end of June. For deputation, and our last furlough, we had a travel trailer. So traveling with just a minivan was new to us. While both ways have their pros & cons, we had a good trip. This particular trip, we were in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Ohio. Along the way we were able to spend a week with each set of grandparents. It always works out nicely when you have supporting churches nearby family. This was special as none of our family in the Midwest had met Luke yet! We have lots of memories and pictures were captured.

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Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

We just said good-bye to the last of the ladies group that was here. It was sad to see them leave—Rachel and I have truly enjoyed the fellowship. It was fun having them here and the time went by very quickly. I think they all enjoyed their time here and hopefully learned some things that will be of help to them in the future.

In a few weeks, we will have to say good-bye to Rachel and Sam as they head back to America to life. Rachel’s final appeal was denied, so she has no choice but to leave. Samuel has decided that it is time for him to come back also so he can finish with Bible Institute and hopefully earn a little money. We will miss them both very, very much. They have been a very active part of the ministry here and very involved in the work.

On the Other Hand (A Study in Perspective)

That’s NOT my new hearing aid squealing. As I write this, wrapped around my neck inside my scarf lay a wee, 12-hour-old puppy, the only offspring born to our dog, Darling, who was laid to rest today. I thought I was over my “nursing” days. Yet here we are, engaged in shift-work, every 2 hours, bottle-feeding this infant orphan. This was NOT on my list of “to-do-today” …On the other hand…We enjoyed our years with Dyanna’s dear Darling. Her companion, Happy (a Scottish Terrier mix), remains to rule the roost outdoors, barking her warning or greeting at beck and call, day or night. Perhaps she will grow accustomed to this pup enough to adopt him. Meanwhile, our family has opportunity to develop new skills and perhaps some extra character, such as patience, compassion, and whatever else the Lord has to grow us. Darling’s passing was also a very good excuse for me to cry about all the other things I would have LIKED to cry about but couldn’t. Is there such a thing as virtual tears?…

Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Greetings from Botswana! I can tell that winter is almost here. The days are much shorter now. The last few days have not gotten as warm, and the nights are dipping down to around 4 degrees Celsius. For all you Americans, that is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. So the house is cool and doesn’t warm up much during the day. We dress in layers in the morning, and then take off layers as it warms up a bit or if we go outside.

Debbie Wilhite – Africa’s Ambassadors

I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy the change of seasons. With the cooler weather even the air smells like autumn! A world of memories surfaces with the scent and crunch of dry leaves fallen from trees preparing for the cold of winter.

Michelle Castner – The Castner Chronicles

It’s been almost two months since we pulled out of the church parking lot. We have already traveled thousands of miles, been in many of the beautiful states that we enjoy in our great country, and have had the privilege to be in some very special churches and visit some of the Lord’s greatest servants!

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Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Wow, so much has been happening lately, I am not sure where to start. They say time flies when you are having fun—so we must be having lots of fun! I can honestly say that we are enjoying our time here and are keeping busy doing the work that God has called us to do.

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Kristin Hammett – Village Vista

Greetings from the land of cardboard and packing lists! I am SO thankful the weather has cooled off a bit. It is a beautiful time of year to be packing. We are in the process of packing up our entire house, and moving into a storage facility for the time we are on furlough. The house we were renting already has been rented out again after we leave. We will most likely have to find another place next term. God knew exactly where we needed to be this time, and knows where we need to be next time too. There are always people we would probably have never met, except that God had placed us in the same neighborhood.

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Debbie Wilhite – Africa’s Ambassadors

It’s SO good to be home with my family in Africa. These past months have held some adjustments for all of us as we shift back into a routine that includes my presence. The older girls did a very commendable job caring for the needs of the family, managing the house, and playing mommy-daddy-sisters to the other children. I’m very grateful for all the children and their workable, willing spirits. We also have been able to enjoy the company of George and Jackie Wyatts, James & Diane Kyeyune from Uganda, the Doug Hammetts, and the George Hammetts, as well as a personal quick trip for me to see Donna Kuzel. You can’t buy good friends and sweet fellowship!

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Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Greetings from Botswana and Happy New Year to each of you—oops, I guess I am a month late already. It is hard to believe that January has already flown by! I hope you had a good holiday season and are now busy serving the Lord in this New Year. When I was a kid, I could never imagine living past the year 2000 and here we are at 2012 already. For those of you who are wondering if the world is going to end this year because the Mayan calendar predicts it, just put your mind at ease. I can say with assurance that we have at least 7 more years until the world ends—and that is only if the Lord comes back in the rapture this year and takes all those who are saved home to heaven. So just keep your eyes on the Lord and stay busy doing what He has called you to do!

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Hide & Seek

I love hiding where I can see my kids, but they can’t see me. I love to watch the creative ideas they come up with for hiding places. And how generous they are with the tiny spaces they think Mom can fit in!

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Debbie Wilhite – Africa’s Ambassadors

We as a family are indebted to the numerous people who sympathized with us and prayed for us during my recent eye trial. We are also very grateful to our church for their love, and especially the Jim Hall family for putting me up–and putting up with me!–in such a sweet hospitable way. I shall take this month’s opportunity to share what occurred, trusting God may be glorified in the account.

Michelle Castner – The Castner Chronicles

It is hard to believe that the year is quickly drawing to a close. We will have spent 7 months of 2011 right here in the United States! As I reflect back over these months, I find that the Lord has been very faithful to us.

Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Greetings from Botswana! It is a beautiful COOL cloudy day with the promise of rain in the forecast. We have enjoyed about a week of delightfully cooler days and lots of rain showers. On our trip to the village yesterday, I noticed that there is a little water in the riverbeds—a very unusual sight. The rains have started early this year, so we are hoping that is a good sign and will mean lots of cool days and lots of rain.

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Michelle Castner – The Castner Chronicles

I can’t believe we have been here for 4 months already! It has been a very blessed 4 months spiritually and physically. You have all been so kind and helpful to our family as we have made our adjustments to being back in the States. I think that most of the culture shock is wearing off, although a part of that never goes away. That may be hard to understand (I don’t always understand it) but I think that some of it has to do with the fact that somewhere in the future we will have to say good-bye again and the Lord helps us prepare for that by not letting us feel completely “at ease”.

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Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Greetings from dry and dusty Botswana! It has been interesting learning to live in a desert climate. Since our last rainfall was in March, and grass is a rare commodity in this country, dust prevails everywhere. The slightest little breeze stirs up the dust and dirt. Just the dogs walking through the yard sends up clouds of dirt. And when they play and run and fight, it looks like a dust storm in our yard. The other night we had a wind storm and it actually sounded like ice was hitting the windows—but it was just dirt and sand.

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Boys and Dirt

“How do I keep BOYS from playing with dirt, rocks, and bugs during church when they are sitting in a pile of it?”

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Beneath the Surface and Behind the Scenes…God’s Seasons

The Bird of Paradise is showing off her glories in our back yard once again! We recently planted two rose bushes chosen out of hundreds at Ludwig’s Rose Garden while on a “date” to the airport. Of course, they appear more like thorny sticks than budding beauties. But their (hopefully) glorious season lies ahead. And two of several purple irises have awakened from their winter sleep.

Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert

Much has happened since our last update. We have seen the Lord’s hand at work in the village of Makobo. This is a village about 30 KM outside of Francistown where we have been teaching every Sunday for about 5 months. This group of people had many false beliefs—including animal sacrifices and ancestor worship—so we had to go slow and make sure they understood the truth of God’s Word about salvation. What a blessing it was a few weeks ago to see eight precious people, all adults, bow the knee on a cold concrete floor and call out to the Lord to save them! The next week on Sunday 4 more adults were saved. Please continue to pray for this group of people.