Saskatoon Whirlwind

It's been a wild two weeks in Saskatoon already and there is another two weeks to go. We have managed to have lots of visits with family, a few sleepovers with the cousins, and even some meals with friends. The highlight of our arrival back in Canada was - would you believe - playing in the snow! There was just a little left in Grandpa's back yard, and the kids managed to play in the snow at least 6 times in the first two days. We soon wished that the temperatures were a little warmer, as Easter weekend was frigid for Africaners like ourselves.

We have really been blessed by the outpouring of love that so many of people have showered us with. It is a little overwhelming to have so much attention from so many people in such a short time, but we are BLESSED! We are looking forward to visiting as many people as we can while we are here. Sharing in your lives and being able to pray together has been a real treat.










We are greatful for this time to grieve and rejoice with family and friends, and yet we look forward to our return to Botswana. We will be moving to Maun in the month of May and will be starting a new phase of our life in the country. We are excited for what God has in store for us there, but will miss the dear friends that we have made in Gaborone (and of course everyone here in Canada!)

Our Jake-O-Lantern

Today Jacob lost another tooth. As you can see from the picture he's got quite the grin. I always thought his smile lit up a room. These tooth losing days are exciting for a 7 year old. We just had to share his smile with you.

Johnathan's Seeds

"I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds." John 12:24
Johnathan's Seeds have begun to be scattered across this beautiful land. When Johnathan died, people asked if they could make a donation in his memory. Starting Johnathan's Seeds seemed like the perfect way to honor his memory, and help the people that God had planted in our lives.

We are pleased to introduce you to the first people we have been able to help through your generous gifts.



Our first "seeds" loan was actually for seeds - maize seeds - given to an industrious Zimbabwean. Felix has planted a crop of maize,the staple food item here. Cheryl has never really been excited about gardening...until Felix came to report that the plants had reached his knees already. In April we are expecting a great harvest.




Our next "seeds" loan was given to a young bible school student named Terrence who has become a dear friend of our family. He got married in December after waiting 7 years to be able to afford to pay the bride price. After he got married to Patience (a fitting name, we think) there was a problem. She needed a passport to be able to come to Botswana to be with him. It was our joy to be able to help bring her here. These guys are a beautiful couple with such promise. Patience is a school teacher and her and Terrence both have a heart for children's ministry.



Our most recent "planting" is in Peter's life. He has regularly come to our gate willing to do any kind of work. As we was cutting our lawn one day, he mentioned that he would like to own a push mower like ours (sometimes people reduce his pay grossly when he uses their equipment.) We happened to know a missionary who was leaving. You guessed it. They were selling a push mower just like ours for only 100 Pula ($16.00 cdn) Now Peter can work for himself and earn a fair wage. Sometimes the smallest seeds can produce big yeilds.

Teaching in Old Naledi

We met a missionary who runs an afterschool project in the poorest most destitute part of Gaborone. She teaches the kids bible stories, verses, and songs, then the kids separate into two smaller groups for classes in music, dance, math, art, or English, depending on the day. Then she feeds them a hearty supper, all 300 or so in attendance. (for many its the only food they get) My heart was stirring as she told us about it and asked her what kind of help she needed. She's from Korea, doesn't speak english well, and asked me if I would teach the English classes. Its so important that they learn English well so they can work, do well at school, and it gives the children a better chance of building a better life. When she found out how much I love teaching the Bible to children, she asked if I would also teach a Bible class as well. After praying and talking to Keith about it I enthusiastically agreed. So, every Thursday afternoon that's where you'll find us. The classroom is small and sweaty-hot and JAM packed wall to wall and spilling over with kids eager to learn. And they are wonderful to teach! I have never taught a more beautiful group! They are so responsive and are very grateful and so happy to be there. I have experienced soooo much of Gods presence there, and am overcome by how much God cares for these kids. Abigial helps me sing fun bible songs, and Jacob has been asked to read to a few of the intermediate children who are just beginning to learn english while i teach the young teens. I never could have dreamed for a more perfect way for my family to serve together and its exciting to see my kids joyfully giving. It is definately the high point of our week.

Annual Bible Distribution at Princess Marina Hospital

It is a tradition here in Gaborone,Botswana that Flying Mission personnel will spend the morning of Boxing Day at the local public hospital distributing bibles to the patients who have had to spend their Christmas there. This year I was privileged to be part of this tradition.
I have to admit that the thought itself scared me...approaching total strangers and offering them a bible...what would say, how would it go? But like most things, the thought of doing something is much more terrifying than actually doing it. I was privileged to spend time with two men that received bibles. The first, Godwin was a middle aged man who had many complications from diabetes. He was very open to having a visit, and I was able to pray with him. A real peace settled upon us, and we were both grateful for our time together. The second man has a difficult multi syllable name which I can not remember, but I do know that he is about my age and had been in the hospital for about two months now. I knelt by his bed for about a half an hour, and almost the entire time, I held his hand. I prayed mostly silently for this man, and he wept from time to time.
I don't know what impact this day has had on my life, but I have been keenly aware that Christmas can be a lonely time for many, but that each of us can make a difference to someone.

The birth of a child

That's what we are supposed to be remembering this year as we run around to parties, go shopping and sing Christmas carols by the swimming pool (just rubbing it in - I heard about the -42*C last weekend). It's far too easy to forget about the real reason we have a holiday called Christmas. But I hope this year that we will take time to really reflect on what happened in Bethlehem around 2000 years ago... God came down to earth as a little baby. Why would the creator of the universe humble himself and take on the form of a defenseless baby - one that would depend on his parents for everything that he needed? Because he had a plan. It seems that God really trusted Mary and Joseph - and I guess that means he really trusts each one of us too. And if Mary and Joseph had a part to play in God's big plan for our salvation, it seems that he must have a plan for our lives that is bigger than we can understand too.
Since Johnathan died, we have been praying that God would use it for his glory, that he would indeed work good out of the situation. The fact that God sent his Son to earth to die for our sins, is the reason that we can have hope in the midst of a tragic situation like this. Johnathan has gone to Heaven to be with the Father. Yet we are still here, because God has a plan that is bigger than we can comprehend. We shed tears, and we grieve, but we also rejoice because of that.

Unless a grain of wheat...

Johnathan Reese Kowalski
Feb 16, 2007 - November 5, 2008

It is with great sadness that we must share this news. Our little Johnathan fell into our swimming pool and drowned this week. Cheryl, paramedics, and finally doctors worked to save his life, but were unable to.
We have been comforted by many here in Botswana, and by many through prayer, calls and e-mails. We are beginning to see the fruit of this accident in how our own hearts have changed, and how the lives of others are changing as well. One Botswana man told me tonight, "This happened for our sake. I am learning so much from this and my heart is changing". We are praising God for His goodness, and are GRATEFUL for the time that Johnathan was with us.