Day 1: A Warm Welcome To Botswana

Early this afternoon, we arrived in Botswana (BW) an were welcomed at the newly renovated BW airport by old friends that have become family (Leon Spencer, Fr.and Mrs Amanze, Gosego and grandson). After a simple lunch at Fr. Amanze's home (BW's Companion Link Chairperson), we attending a short rehearsal at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The climax of the day was dinner at Sir Ketumile Masire's Residence (the 2nd President of Botswana and Bishop Trevor's/Bioshop of Diocese of Botswana father in-laws). 

The dinner guest list was amazing and included the Archbishop of York, the Archbishop of Central Africa and over 20 Bishops, mostly from the Province of Central Africa and several the companion dioceses. The Archbishop of York shared a brief and memorable message with the Diocese of Botswana and its guest as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary . (St. Anne's you will appreciate this) He said, "We are to be Agents of Change. And for the church, Social Justice is our main job! Ingredients for that change include: 1) Trust, 2) Tending to those who need help in the world and 3) Keeping to the task until the job is done and until the rest of Africa can celebrate its Independence. The change only occurs when we work together and not in silos. We belong to a much bigger community than our individual churches, therefore we must become places of belonging, places where people feel safe." He closed by saying, "together we are called to challenge violence, challenge injustice and be agents of peace." 

Below are pictures from our first day in Gaborone, Botswana. For me, the picture that best captures the essences of Day #1 is the the picture Fr. Murdock, Rev. Jamie and I encountered in the airport this morning as we were leaving South Africa. The caption reads, " If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."  African Proverb 

Peace and many blessings,
Sharita.