Pray for Botswana on Sunday, September 6, 2009

Pray for Botswana on Sunday, September 6, 2009

Lectionary Text and Prayer for Botswana: Mark 7:24-37

Molimo wa rona (Dear God)

Touch our hearts and minds so that we might respond pro-actively to those people living on the margins of Botswana’s society. We lift up at this time – the illegal migrants streaming over the border from Zimbabwe; those suffering from HIV/AIDS; victims of spousal abuse as well as those young people with limited educational opportunities and who lack employable skills.

We also pray for the nation of Botswana as it comes to terms with the pandemic influenza (H1N1), as well as it prepares for its upcoming national elections that will most likely take place this month or in October.

We also pray dear God, for the UCCSA (United Congregational Churches of Southern Africa) which recently held its 35th Assembly in Molepolole, as well as the Church in general. Make their hands, your hands in service to all of your people. We ask this all in the precious name of Jesu Keresete (Christ Jesus). Amen 

(Prayer by Jim and Jayanthi Wilson)

Global Ministries International Partners in Botswana:

  • Botswana Council of Churches founded in 1966 with 36 member churches. The Council exists to serve the churches, to enable them to serve God and God’s people, especially those in need. It is a national body which is affiliated to the All Africa Conference of Churches and to the World Council of Churches. Among the many projects which it is involved in, include evangelical and developmental work among the Hambukushu people on the western side of the delta in Ngamiland and assisting children in especially difficult circumstances (street kids) in the capital of Gaborone, through rehabilitation, re-education and reintegration into society
  • United Congregational Church of Southern Africa – Botswana Synod. Kgodisong Centre was started in July 2001 by the United   Congregational Church of  Southern Africa (UCCSA) in Kanye, a partner denomination with Global Ministries. It began as an initiative to address the escalating number of orphans in Kanye. According to national records from the Department of Social Services 51 600 orphans are registered countrywide. Approximately 5,000 of these are registered in Kanye alone. This alarming figure is by far due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic followed by road accidents and other factors. These children at risk in the local community are provided with a safe environment for learning, nutritious meals along with varying other assistance each week day.
  • Kgolagano Theological College. Since its beginning in 1975,  Kgolagano is the only ecumenical theological institution in the country, both in terms of staffing as well as student body. Although the major focus of its programme has always been the promotion of theological education for the pastors of Botswana., Kgolagano cannot and does not ignore the life issues facing the people of the nation. It has an active, grass-root  HIV/AIDS awareness programme as well as an educational empowerment programme  for individuals incarcerated in prison.

Global Ministries Missionaries in Botswana:

Jim and Jayanthi Wilson are missionaries with the Kgolagano College of Theological Education in Gaborone, Botswana.  Jim serves as a tutor of theology at Kgolagano College of Theological Education.  Jayanthi serves as the coordinator of the College library.