About

THE PERSON

LynetteLynette – the Pioneer

Not even in my wildest dreams, would I ever have considered pioneering, but here I am, doing it.

It started about 15 years ago when I resigned form teaching in public schools, lived and worked among the Sotho people of South Africa, and then read “Is that really you, God?” by Loren Cunningham. What I read in this book, I wanted for my life – of course not realizing at the time what I was wishing for.  Soon after, I joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM), and been working with this missions organization ever since.

After my initial training with YWAM, we did a short term outreach (field assignment) to Namibia, finished off with debriefing at Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, and traveled through Botswana back to South Africa. This is where the first seeds of the dream was planted. Though YWAM had a presence in over 100 nations at that point (1996), there were more tribes, languages and nations that still needed to be reached, Botswana being one of them. And I started praying. The following 10 years was a time of searching, growing, questioning, discovering, until in 2006 I sensed God encouraging me to move the vision forward.  Finishing up prior commitments and lots if preparation followed.  And now I am at the point of leaving my country – moving to Botswana to pioneer a permanent YWAM work there.

Me – as a normal person ….

When I’m not preparing for a lecture, traveling on a rickety bus somewhere in Africa or writing a newsletter, then I enjoy just being at home.  It’s true – I’m actually quite domesticated.

Spending time with my nieces and nephews, and seeing them grow up makes me really happy. Having coffee and playing card games with friends refreshes my heart. And nothing beats the smell of a fresh wood fire under a glorious African night sky.

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THE COUNTRY

Botswana

Sunset over the Khalari

Archeologists have been able to trace the crisscrossing of a number of tribes over hundreds of years into Southern Africa, including the area which is today known as

Botswana. The Khoisan, with their unique features, interesting click language and hunter-gatherer lifestyle, being one of the earliest and best known of these tribes. Around 200 – 500 AD, Bantu-speaking tribes with a farming lifestyle started to appear, and soon after the Zhizo from Zimbabwe, who brought with them mining and pottery skills. In the 14th century a split happened in the Tswana tribe, and over time developed into the four present-day Batswana groups: the Batawana, Bakwena, Bangwaketse and Bangwato.

With the colonization of Africa in the 1800’s, the Germans occupied what is today known as Namibia and started moving east. The Boers from the Cape Colony in South Africa started moving north and west, threatening

to close the Bechuanaland expanse. The British, wanting to keep this corridor open as a trade and missionary route to Zimbabwe and further north into Africa, proclaimed the Bechuanaland protectorate.

In 1966 Botswana gained independence and Seretse Khama became the first president, steering Botswana with a steady hand through the first 14 years of independence. When he died in 1980, his vice, Ketumile Masire became president, and continued on the foundations laid by his predecessor. Masire was followed by Festus Mogae, and in 2008, Ian Khama, son of Sereste Khama became the forth president of Botswana.

At the time of independence, Botswana was ranked among one of the poorest countries in the world, but the situation changed drastically with the discovery of diamonds in 1967. Revenue from the diamonds was used to invest in infrastructure – roads, schools and hospitals were built, and soon Botswana became a strong player in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

See video from Botswana.

Learn more on wikipedia about Botswana.

Archeologists have been able to trace the crisscrossing of a number of tribes over hundreds of years into Southern Africa, including the area which is today known as Botswana. The Khoisan, with their unique features, interesting click language and hunter-gatherer lifestyle, being one of the earliest and best known of these tribes. Around 200 – 500 AD, Bantu-speaking tribes with a farming lifestyle started to appear, and soon after the Zhizo from Zimbabwe, who brought with them mining and pottery skills. In the 14th century a split happened in the Tswana tribe, and over time developed into the four present-day Batswana groups: the Batawana, Bakwena, Bangwaketse and Bangwato.
With the colonization of Africa in the 1800’s, the Germans occupied what is today known as Namibia and started moving east. The Boers from the Cape Colony in South Africa started moving north and west, threatening to close the Bechuanaland expanse. The British, wanting to keep this corridor open as a trade and missionary route to Zimbabwe and further north into Africa, proclaimed the Bechuanaland protectorate.
In 1966 Botswana gained independence and Seretse Khama became the first president, steering Botswana with a steady hand through the first 14 years of independence. When he died in 1980, his vice, Ketumile Masire became president, and continued on the foundations laid by his predecessor. Masire was followed by Festus Mogae, and in 2008, Ian Khama, son of Sereste Khama became the forth president of Botswana.
At the time of independence, Botswana was ranked among one of the poorest countries in the world, but the situation changed drastically with the discovery of diamonds in 1967. Revenue from the diamonds was used to invest in infrastructure – roads, schools and hospitals were built, and soon Botswana became a strong player in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Two other industries that contributes hugely to the economy are beef and tourism.
Though Botswana is considered the least corrupt nation in Africa, with the best investment opportunities in the developing world, it is not without problems. One of the biggest challenges Botswana is facing, is the impact of HIV/AIDS. According to the World Health Organization, 40% of the people of Botswana between the ages of 15 and 49 are HIV positive, and the pandemic has reduced life expectancy to a mere 33 years. Other challenges include fractured family structures, influx of Zimbabwean refugees, and the re-settlement of the San in the Kalahari.
In spite of these challenges, Botswana is a country which still hosts some of the richest African wildlife, is home to beautiful and diverse cultures, and holds great wealth in the potential of it’s people.
YWAM Botswana Rss