Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2014 Adventist Medical Mission in Botswana: Toward an Effective and Appropriate Model Olaotse Obed Gabasiane Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the African History Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Gabasiane, Olaotse Obed, "Adventist Medical Mission in Botswana: Toward an Effective and Appropriate Model" (2014). Dissertations. 52. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/52 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT ADVENTIST MEDICAL MISSION IN BOTSWANA: TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE MODEL by Olaotse Obed Gabasiane Adviser: Bruce Bauer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: ADVENTIST MEDICAL MISSION IN BOTSWANA: TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE MODEL Name of the researcher: Olaotse Obed Gabasiane Name and degree of faculty adviser: Bruce Bauer, D.Miss. Date completed: July 2014 Since holistic health is central to Africans, they will seek it from all possible health-care systems that include (1) African traditional medicine, (2) Western-oriented medicine, (3) Christian medical mission, as well as (4) African Independent Churches (AICs) with emphasis on spiritual healing. However, at times this comes with negative consequences. This research sought to understand why medical pluralism exists in Botswana and the rest of southern Africa, and why it finds concurrent use by Africans; solutions can help Christian medical missions develop more effective and holistic ways to serve Africans. The research can also help Christian medical missions understand how they can especially engage with the African traditional and spiritual healing systems. This qualitative research conducted a missiological historical study of the origin and development of Adventist medical mission in Botswana. By analyzing and comparing the Adventist methods with those of other Christian medical missions and traditional medical systems, the research developed guidelines for a suggested alternative model for Adventist medical mission in Botswana and beyond. In addition, it provides a documented history of Adventist medical missions in Botswana. This study examined written and oral sources for research and data collection in order to discover the history of Christian medical missions, the biblical medical mission models, and the present health-care models that exist in Botswana. Thus the data collection process was a combination of documents and texts, as well as interviews with various Botswana government Ministry of Health (MOH) officials, Christian medical mission directors, senior nurses, current and retired chaplains and missionaries, village elders, traditional doctors, and prophet-healers. This research showed that Africans have a holistic worldview. Any imbalance in the physical, social, mental, emotional, relational, environmental, or spiritual spheres of their lives constitutes illness. The biblical medical mission model revealed that God viewed humanity holistically and desired to restore them in all the aspects of life in the truism of shalom. By engaging in medical pluralism, Africans are attempting to optimize their opportunities to restore the imbalance they experience. However, Western-oriented medicine, including Christian medical missions, was found lacking in this holistic view ideologically and/or practically. Therefore in the conclusion, I develop a suggested alternative biblical model for Adventist medical mission that offers a more holistic approach to health care. In order to serve Africans more effectively, I recommend that Adventist medical missions consider opening dialogue with African traditional health-care systems. In addition, this research contributed to the body of knowledge on the socio-history of Adventist medical mission in Botswana. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary ADVENTIST MEDICAL MISSION IN BOTSWANA: TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE MODEL A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Olaotse Obed Gabasiane July 2014 ©Copyright by Olaotse Obed Gabasiane 2014 All Rights Reserved ADVENTIST MEDICAL MISSION IN BOTSWANA: TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE MODEL A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Olaotse Obed Gabasiane APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Adviser, Director, PhD in Religion Bruce L. Bauer Thomas Shepherd Professor of World Mission Gorden R. Doss Dean, SDA Theological Professor of World Mission Seminary Jiří Moskala Wagner Kuhn Professor of World Mission Thomas Shepherd Professor of New Testament Interpretation Jon Dybdahl Date approved Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies Walla Walla University DEDICATION To the Ancient of Days, the Greatest Healer, Sustainer, Protector, Counselor, and the Prince of Shalom To Betty Chandapiwa Gabasiane: Most precious to my life. Wonderful companion in the Mission of God To Itumeleng and Segofalang: Precious flowers we could ever possess To my late parents, Olefetswe Gaulefufa and Solomon Bagwasi Gabasiane, who brought me up and equipped me for a higher purpose To God Be the Glory! iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ viii LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. xi Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 Background of the Study ................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................ 7 Statement of the Purpose ................................................................................ 9 Research Questions ......................................................................................... 9 Justification of the Study ................................................................................. 10 Scope and Delimitations ................................................................................. 11 Limitations ...................................................................................................... 12 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................... 13 Self as the Research Instrument ...................................................................... 14 Methodology ................................................................................................... 17 Summary ......................................................................................................... 20 Chapter Outline ............................................................................................... 21 2. HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF BOTSWANA INCLUDING THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTIAN MISSION ..................... 23 Historical Background .................................................................................... 23 Cultural Background ....................................................................................... 26 Social Background .......................................................................................... 29 Economic Context ............................................................................................ 30 Health Care ..................................................................................................... 32 Traditional Health Care ............................................................................... 34 Christian Medical Mission ........................................................................... 37 Government/Public Health Care ................................................................. 37 iv Mission Context .............................................................................................. 40 Early Missionary Endeavor ......................................................................... 40 African Independent Churches .................................................................... 43 Botswana Union Mission of the SDA Church ............................................ 47 Missiological Implications .............................................................................. 50 3. BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL MODELS OF CHRISTIAN MEDICAL MISSION .......................................................................................................... 54 Yahweh,