Category Archives: My Journey

Kicked out of School at 13 years old!

04 Saturday Jan 2014

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Day 5 -500 Words A Day Challenge

Has there ever been a song that just sent you to another place, song that so captured your heart’s cry and brought healing to your wounds? I was sitting in a Christian School and my life reflected anything but that of a Christian. I found myself in a school assembly hall listening to the story of God’s great love-plan for mankind. God, wrapped in flesh given the name Jesus, sent to take my sin upon himself, so I could be connected and have a relationship with Him.

I was on a path of self-destruction at 14. I was kicked out of a public Jr. High school for my bad behavior at 13 that included cussing out my choir teacher on a pretty regular basis, smoking, skipping school and various other things they had on their list when they called my mom to come and get me.  There was a new Christian School that I was taken to and the 3rd day there I also got kicked out for passing out drugs to the “cool” guy in the parking lot. Kicked out of there, but by some miracle I was given a chance to come back, thanks to some pretty loving people on the school board that I owe a great debt to up to now!

That day, in that Chapel service, God, wrapped his love around me and got my attention for the first time. I said, “God, if you are real, please come and do something in me. I know I am not living right or doing right. Come, and make your home in my heart. Wash me clean from all the junk in my life and give me a new start today.”  That’s all it took, a heartfelt cry from my heart to His ears. And guess what? I found out, for myself, that God is VERY real! He so drastically changed my life that day that people could see it in my face! I was FREE! Washed clean. Fresh start! Imagine. I popped my head in to the principles’ office and told him the great news!

What I didn’t know is that they had already called my mom and told her that I was busted for sneaking in some Pot or Dakka as they call it in Botswana. They failed to tell her the great news of my “new life”.  I wasn’t even aware that I was busted at the time. I was sitting at my desk when the teacher came and told me I was wanted in the Principles’ office. As I rounded the corner, I saw, on his desk, the remnant of a rolled joint. Someone had ratted me out. I sat there, wondering that the timing couldn’t be worse. He was bound to call the police and that was it for me. It was not my first offence. As we sat there and exchanged glances, I said something to him that made him know I was for real in my new found faith. I said, “Mr. Grimes, that was mine and I did wrong. You can do whatever you feel you need to do, I understand. But one thing I know for sure, is that God has forgiven me.”

As I left the office, I didn’t know what was ahead. But I had peace. UNTIL, I remembered, I had bought my very first significant quantity of Marijuana that very day and it was in my handbag under my desk.  I had saved my babysitting money for weeks to buy it. I passed a note to a trusted friend whose sister had sold it for me. She too, had given her life to God that day. I reminded her of the stuff in the bag and said to “meet me in the bathroom urgently”. When we got there, we split up the goods and little by little, flushed it down the toilet. With each flush, in my heart I was flushing my past away.

A lot of things happened in that season and it took time for people-especially my mother and that school board, to believe that my encounter with God was real. Someone once said to me, “all this talk about Jesus’ blood, its just gross!” But I am here to tell you, it is that very blood, that Jesus shed for you and for me, that has the power to still the storm, to calm the raging sea inside of our hearts. It’s that blood and all that it represents, that gave me strength to go through some really tough times in the coming years. My dad left, my mom nearly died, my brother ran away from home, and I was left with my little blue eyed sister, so innocent and my mom. I got a job and I finished school and by the grace of God I am where I am today because of the price Jesus paid on the cross.

Thanks Andrae’ Crouch, for writing this song. It has reminded me that without Jesus making a way to God through the ultimate sacrifice, I would not be where I am today.

Andrae’ Crouch is a well-known name to anyone on the gospel music scene and many circles around the world. He became a preacher’s kid as a little boy when his dad was asked to pastor a church. He started out on the piano and never stopped! Around 14, he started writing songs and leading the choir. Up to that time he had a stuttering problem so he let is twin sister speak for him in public.  At 15, he had written a song, but tossed it in the trash because he thought it was poor. His sister, Sandra, thought differently and salvaged it. It became his first published song and it is the song that captioned my story today.

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“The Blood Will Never Loose It’s Power” Andrae’ Crouch

The blood that Jesus shed for me way back on Calvary

The blood that gives me strength from day to day

It will never loose its power.

It reaches to the highest mountain

It flows to the lowest valley

The blood that give me strength from day to day

It will never loose its power.

It soothes my doubts and calms all my fears

And it dries all my tears

The blood that gives me strength from day to day

It will never loose its power.

Thanks Andrae’ Crouch, for writing this song. It has reminded me that without Jesus making a way to God through the ultimate sacrifice, I would not be where I am today, with the awesome adventure and joy of serving God in Africa for over 25 years.

info on Andrae’ Crouch taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andra%C3%A9_Crouch 

My New Years Resolution

02 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Life in Africa, My Journey

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If there was one word that I hope to embrace and become this year, its “diligent”. On a mission to make my season (50 something) to count and get the most out of it, it is going to take drastic measures. I am a person with a lot on my plate, but I have evolved enough that I have to be strategic with my days. Like many people, this is a wannabe thing-to set goals for the new year. I am teaming up with some pretty successful people to do this. 1. Alece Ronzino of oneword365.com 2. Bit the bullet and signed up for Michael Hyatt’s 5 day course bestyearever.me/ and last, but not least, 3. Took up the challenge goinswriter.com/my500words/

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So, starting now, I am writing +-500 words per day for 31 days. Besides being diligent to be a good to myself, wife, mom, pastor, and whatever else, I will be writing. I started the blog with some good kick, but stopped way too soon. This blog is my declaration to you, the reader that-I am back! 25 years in Africa has changed my life and i am going to be writing about that change. Stories of challenges, victories, crazy stuff that would be hard to believe if you don’t know me-that’s what I am going to share.

Lots of people have stories inside of them, and I am going to be one of those who do something about it! If you are a writer wannabe- then take up Jeff Goin’s challenge too and let’s put some pen to the paper, or fingers to the keys and get going!

It reminds me of a time when I was around 15 years old.  I was at my mentor’s home. (Rachel Burchfield) I was having a “quiet time”, reading the bible and talking to God when I heard a voice, deep down, that said, “Jana, I am going to give you a life of perseverance”. Wow. God actually spoke to me! So excited, I ran out of the room and at the breakfast table where she and her mom and sister were sitting, I shared this amazing news. Then, I paused and said, “Rachel, what is perseverance anyway?” Fast forward to my wedding day, 26 years old, Rachel gave Jerry and I a charge at our wedding. She shared that story that I had long forgotten. Up to that point, I had plenty of opportunities to say I was living a life that needed lots of perseverance. Now, fast forward again, today, in my 52nd year of life, I can, and will by God’s grace and diligence, write about how I have seen that word-perseverance- shape my life at every level. There are already blogs written on this site that have started telling the story. Go with me, if you will, and we will adventure together! I was tasked that this first day of the 31 day challenge should not be edited, just a “rant”. So here it is. I am pressing the button on Day 1!

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Oprah Winfrey Show “And you LIVE there?!”

11 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Life in Africa, My Journey

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When I got on Facebook this morning, I was asked if I wanted to write a review. Here it is:

I was sitting in the hospitality room at Harpo productions. I had just been on the front row in the Live “Oprah Winfrey Show”. I was invited beforehand to meet with the producer after the show. I started telling her our story. It went something like this: “I live in the small but growing Village of Maun, Botswana. My husband and I got married, put our things in storage and headed off to Africa. We only thought we were giving up the “American Dream”. After 25 years of living and serving in a place where we wanted to help lift people’s lives, we are, indeed, the ones who have been lifted! The richness of the culture, the people; the honor and respect that is the fabric of society, and the value of relationships and manners, have shaped our lives by living here.” there were lots of questions and lots of answers about our work here, which we call ‘Love Botswana Outreach Mission Trust’ and what all we have been privileged to accomplish and build, with help from all around the world. But the one question she kept repeatedly asking, shaking her head, leaning forward, with big eyes and great intensity was “And you LIVE there?!” the answer, “yes”.

You may be asking what this has to do with my Facebook Review? Well, we have gone without electricity, running water and lived in tents. When we came there was dial up Internet, but no phones! But today, Botswana has almost twice as many cell phones as the population! There may be a mud hut and no power or water tap, but a cell phone is as much utilized as water! From the children to the grannies, cell phones are everywhere.And so is the internet. Talk to anyone here who uses a phone and they also know about Facebook.

When we came to this village, the rest of the world was so far away, our family, our friends, our life in America. I know I speak for all international volunteers when I say that Facebook has impacted volunteerism with a worldwide impact. International Volunteers can now stay connected to their friends and loved ones as if they were living in the same house! Most of our revolves around developing leaders. I can visit countries all over the world in just a day’s time right from the Village of Maun, Botswana through Facebook. Sometimes it’s a social visit, but it is also an opportunity to nurture, mentor and be a leader to my “friends”. Hundreds of people have come through Love Botswana, and through Facebook, we can stay connected and continue to be a part of their lives as they capture the heart of volunteerism and the joy it brings to many.

Mark Zuckerberg and your amazing team, in sharing this little bit, what you thought was a great networking tool for pleasure has impacted the world through giving people, like us, the opportunity to multiply our efforts in our sphere of influence. And it just keeps getting better and better.

All the best! Jana Lackey
Co-Founder, Love Botswana Outreach Mission Trust
janalackey@lovebotswana.org
http://www.lovebotswana.org

P.S. the only negative thing I would share is the new thing of allowing friends of friends to see all our posts. I wish that would go away.

The Wedding Part 6

25 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa, Marriage, My Journey

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On June 7th, 1986 we were joined in marriage at the First Baptist Church of Friendswood, Texas. We were the first couple to be Wed in the beautiful white, victorian Gazebo under the great oak tree built in memory of Dot Wilden’s beloved husband. Money was tight for us both so it really had be put together on a shoestring budget. At the home of the Duffer’s we had a magical night at our Hawaiian Luau following our dress rehearsal the night before the wedding. Jerry Duffer performed the ceremony 18 years later came to work with us in Botswana! Rachel Burchfield told a story as she did “The Commissioning” to Africa as an important part of the ceremony. She told of how, when I was a teenager I had spent the night and was having a quiet time with God. I came out and said to her, “God spoke to me!!” She said, “What did he say?” With great excitement I shared that God told me my life was going to be a life of perseverance, and that he was going to teach me perseverance. Her eyes got big and I said, “By the way, what is perseverance?” So has my life been in many, many ways as we have learned to stick with it through thick and thin!

We had a beautiful wedding and God pieced together every detail, including the pearls lovingly sewn on my wedding dress by family friends and my Texas-style hat. It was so wonderful to see so many people pull together to make it an unforgettable event. The wedding planner and family friend, Geri Hart Duffer helped coordinate flowers, music, cake, food, photos, presents, potpourri and friends. So many amazing people in our lives helped make that day unforgettable. .

When we recently celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary, we looked back in awe at the wonderful gift the Lord has given us in one another and so many people who have been a part of our lives to help us to fulfill His calling in much greater ways than we had ever imagined.

We made a promise never to say the “D” word, (divorce). We’ve had our share of struggles as two people with very strong wills and ideas. But when placed in the Lord’s hands, He can do wonders with our flaws and weave them into a wonderful tapestry of destiny for His glory!

The Fire, Part 2

16 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by in Growing Pains, Life in Africa, My Journey, Trials to Triumph

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ImageI called for help and as I stepped outside I could see a huge mountain of black smoke coming from the direction of our mission base and home. Someone from the office tracked Jerry down in town and before I knew it, we were in the car. All he could think of to do, was go to the airport because it had just received its very first fire engine! It was brand new and strictly for use at the airport. (Maun airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the southern hemisphere due to tourism. Mostly small planes sport its runway.) The river next to the house was dry from drought and we had no running water on the farm. We had to haul all the water we used for the 3 years we lived there.

Jerry ran in and used his best negotiating skills, while trying to keep calm, to get them to come out and salvage what might be left of 10 years of pioneer work in Maun, Botswana. Meanwhile, I was in the car and had one of our sweet, older students, Shevaun, in the back seat holding the baby. All I could do was pray. As we sat there, I overcame the feeling of totally loosing it by starting to speak out praises to God. We have been taught that “if you put the word of God in you when you don’t need it, it will be there when you do need it!” As I started, I couldn’t think of a thing to Praise God for in that situation, so from deep down inside, I began to worship Him for Who He IS, for His faithfulness to us in all things, for his great grace, for what he did for us on the cross, and for his mercy.

Gradually, I felt a super charge of power as I focused on God and God alone in the midst of this tragedy. About that time, Jerry returned to the car with a big, yellow fire truck in tow. As they followed us out to the farm, Jerry tried his best to prepare me for what was ahead. He could see from the smoke that it was very bad. The main house was thatch and went very quickly. He said, “Jana, you need to be prepared that there is likely to be nothing left”. I continued in my heart to worship and focus on the Lord. Shevaun and the baby were crying in the back seat, Shevaun because she realized the severity of the situation and the baby, because he was hungry!

We arrived at the base, with only smoldering ashes left. Jerry and I got out of the car, took hands and started a walk around the house. That walk together was a history-maker for the both of us. As we walked around the perimeter of the house, we came to the window of the room we had slept in the night before. As we stood there, Jerry said, Honey, I am so sorry. It’s all gone. He really didn’t know what to expect me to say or fee. You see, we had everything in that house. No more was this a short term thing, we were it it for the long-haul! Jerry was trying to console me when a Holy anger came up from deep down inside me. As we held hands tight, I said, “Devil, we won’t stop! We won’t quit, we won’t give up! We are going to go further and do more than ever before!” It was a declaration and it was clear who our enemy was and where a ‘holy anger’ should be directed! Jesus said in John 10:10 “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (The Message Translation)

It was all gone, 10 years of life in Africa- the tangible and the worldly possessions at least. Photos from our lives, musical instruments, guitars, keyboard, music, journals, bibles we’d had from the time we had given our lives to the Lord, my mother’s wedding ring and special family jewelry, $10,000. (usd) was hid in a shoe in the closet awaiting deposit for the expenses of the outreaches and teams we had that season. I didn’t even know it was there. Everything was incinerated. Later, when we began rummaging through the debris, we saw a neat little stack of the remains of the bills that Jerry had tucked in an old shoe, and with one touch of the finger it turned to dust.

There is a little song that has filled my thoughts many times and became even more dear to me than ever, “More than anything, More than anything, I love you Jesus, more than anything. More than worldly wealth, more than life itself, I love you Jesus, more than anything.”

One day I was thinking about all that was lost and remembered something precious to me. It was the Fender guitar that my daddy gave me when I was 16. I loved that guitar. It had a sound like no other. I was a serious sentimental sap all my life, but I then heard the Lord whisper to me in my heart, “Jana, we love people, not things”. Another famous quote is so true: “Only one life on earth is passed, and only what’s done for Christ Will last”.

Do you want to hear more of the story? What do you think so far?