Trip to Botswana day 1

Monday March 19
Today was a travel day.  We drove  from Johannesburg, South Africa to Sowero, Botswana.  Here are some pictures of the border crossing from South Africa to Botswana.  When we crossed the border we were "greeted" by three groups of baboons.  (A couple, a group of 8 and a group of 12).  In the last two groups it was obvious who the patriarch was- a large grey haired baboon who sat off away from the group watching vigilantly over the group.  We were driving and did not stop so I couldn't take any pictures.  Later I saw that the baboons were more cautious than the other animals.  They stayed at the side of the road.  The donkeys, horses, cows and the goats just wandered whenever they wanted to cross the roads.

Along the way we stopped for lunch in a ore mining town.  Here are pictures of the hills and train.  Most of the mining activities I have seen (gold and ore) have been strip mining with stair step mountain cutting to get to the ore, or re-mining the mountains of soil that was removed from under Johannesburg when gold mining took place (from the 1850s) .  

 We stopped for lunch and ate outside- a beautiful day.

 From Left to right- Monalisa, Leon, Rev. Jimmy and Ayana.

We arrived at the Sowero Congregational Church which is known as a cathedral because of the architecture.  The story is that the king Khama converted to Christianity when the missionaries arrived and they originally settled in Palapye, Botswana.  After his wife died he moved all of his people to Sowero.  The London Missionary Society did not want to move and build a new church so he had his soldiers do it.  He was the grandfather of the first President of Botswana.  When we arrived it was being beautifully decorated for the Executive meeting.

 Ayana and Rev. Nixon- pastor of Soweto CC.

 The dedication plaque from the Centennial celebration. I have noticed that plaques like these seem to be a part of the major celebrations and rededications.

 A view of the 'Cathedral' from outside.

 Gathering outside as members of the Executive arrive.

 Views inside the Cathedral.  Side stained glass window.

 Views of the sides of the church.

 Front stained glass window.

 View down the aisle to the front of the church.  The church had wonderful acoustics for the singing!

 Decorations for the dining area set up in the rear of the sanctuary.

 A view out the door to the front steps.

Gathering for dinner.

 Monalisa and Ayana registering attendees.

It was a long day that started at 5:30 and ended late after dinner.  We went to our host homes and crashed for the night so we could get up early and start the week long Executive meeting.