Good Friday and Easter are annual highlights for the Reformed Churches in Botswana. The various congregations come together to commemorate the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to spend time with one another.
This year’s Easter celebrations also marked the farewell to Hessel and Coby Visser. Thirty-five years ago, they were sent to Botswana for the Bible translation work amongst the Naro-speaking population in the Kalahari Desert. On the Saturday afternoon between Good Friday and Easter, there was a festive gathering, at which various congregations sang to Hessel and Coby with songs they had composed themselves. Various speeches, including some from people outside the church, highlighted just how important Hessel and Coby’s work is to the San people. Their language, Naro, is now an official language in Botswana, and news programmes are even broadcast in Naro on radio and television these days. But the most important thing is that people hear the Gospel in their mother tongue. We heard about the blessing their work has brought over the years, and at the Easter celebration we saw how the cross and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus continue to have an impact on people’s lives.
Saturday morning was spent visiting every home in East-Hanahai to talk to people about their faith and personally invite them to attend the Easter service on Sunday.
Just as on Good Friday, all the congregations came together on Easter Sunday to hear the Word of God and to celebrate Holy Communion together. After the service, each congregation made a musical contribution by singing a number of hymns.
It was a special experience to celebrate Easter in Botswana and to give thanks to the Lord for His work in and through Jesus Christ. Through His Spirit, He also gathers His church in Botswana. There was a sense of sadness at having to say goodbye to Hessel and Coby, but above all there was gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness and grace. He has promised to be with His church.
Rev. H. Polinder, Southern Africa Committee of Deputies
