In their report, Hessel and Coby Visser write about a beautiful way the Bible is being discussed in their community. In the city of Gaborone, they came into contact with couple Ashley and Percy Thaba. They have a team of staff who organise campaigns on everything to do with marriage and family. They have already held campaigns in several cities in Botswana, reaching thousands of people in each city. They base the course on the Bible and work with the government.
Getting to know
Usually, all sectors of the public administration are involved, and a large part of a city comes into contact with the content of the campaign. Recently, they also came to Gantsi. Hessel recounts:
'Last Monday, the Family Building Campaign was launched. A team of about 12 people came from Gaborone. We found a nice accommodation for them, close to the Community Hall where the campaign is being held so that's nice. We had the team over to our house for a braai on Monday evening so we could also get to know each other a bit better.
Living from the Bible
The opening of the course in Gantsi has been on national television in Botswana. And there were a few hundred people right away.
The opening was held at the kgotla, the traditional municipal meeting place. The kgosi (traditional leader) is also fully supportive of the initiative. And it is great that the Bible could be discussed so openly.
Yesterday (Tuesday) was the first day of the course, and there were many trainees then, but this morning the entire Community Hall was full. And in the afternoon, trainees went to their own places to teach others. We are amazed at what is happening here, it is great to see Bible principles on marriage and family being taught in so many different places. We pray that many people may come to new insights, and learn to live from the Bible, and that people will have stable relationships, and live in harmony with each other. Will you pray with us?
Teaching in a café
A few members of Naro Language Project's translation team also attend, and they then teach the team and others in the afternoon. Furthermore, Rev Sibeko comes from West Hanahai every day. He was also willing to pick up a few church members from East Hanahai. These then teach in Hanahai: at the church, and to a group from the village. A group was also already active in a bank this afternoon!
And yesterday we feasted our eyes because a whole group of young men came to the lessons. And police officers are teaching people in bars and cafes and so on, it's really incredible. We are grateful to be part of this campaign.'
