The End...of Part One

My trip in a nutshell:

At times overwhelming, many times full of tears of laughter and sadness, most times mixed with both adventure and sitting around, almost always interesting, and very fulfilling and rewarding in the end.

I’ll be leaving Namibia for now, but I have a feeling that Africa and I aren’t quite done yet…

Thank you once again for your prayers, your comforts, and your support as brothers and sisters in Christ!! I look forward to seeing you all on the other side! J

So...What Exactly Did I Do?

VVVRREEEUUUM! That was the sound of my month here at Children of Zion zooming past me in the blink of an eye. And in my last full day, as I’m packing, saying goodbye, and preparing my final devotion, I’m also reflecting on the work that God has allowed me to accomplish.

What is the number one thing that I spent my time doing? That would, hands down, have to be spending time with children, staff, and the people of the surrounding area. The bulk of my experience has been with people, encouraging others (and being encouraged), watching after little ones, taking the kids on walks (they spend most of their time inside the Children’s Home, so any chance to get out and explore their surroundings is very appreciated by them), fishing (even though I’m a vegetarian… needless to say we didn’t catch much), teaching new games and songs, helping out with everyday jobs, and most of all just building relationships and solidifying the trust and friendship between the Namibians and Americans who work together, side by side, every day in order to serve God. Much time was also spent worshipping beside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in devotions, Sunday worship, and the random outbursts of singing that sometimes occur here. J

This time around in Africa, I was able to go out into the surrounding area and town a bit more, and I even got the chance to minister with some South African missionaries who drove up to the Caprivi region to pray, encourage, and distribute gifts.

Another large chunk of my time was spent in the school here at Zion. Here, a larger extent of the community is also felt as more and more “outsiders” (as in non-permanent residents of Children of Zion) are coming in to be schooled. My main jobs included grading tests, monitoring, and especially tutoring kids one on one (mostly in Math and Literature).

I also got the chance to do some financial work for the Children’s Home. I spent a good chunk of my evenings entering receipts and organizing related papers.

In my free time, I re-landscaped the area around the school and did minor maintenance jobs, such as helping the “uncles” to put a new ceiling on the school.

Throughout this whole month, I could feel your prayers at work, and GOD worked at least a hundred wonders a week (I started counting actually, and gave up around day 3 because I was becoming too busy).

Let me just say some of them, though:

-Safety and Health: The opportunities to get hurt, get sick, or get in an accident in everything I was doing were more than plentiful, yet her I am typing away in one piece, with a clean bill of health, and nothing more than a few scratches. J

-Logistics and Timing: Exactly the right amount of support was raised for each trip at exactly the right time I needed to have it. The dates worked and transportation worked out so that I would be volunteering exactly in the time frame when there was a need, I left New York at the exact same time as my friends who were visiting from Spain (so that made transport and accommodation A LOT easier), I will return to New York just in time to see my sister at her White Coat Ceremony, see my family, turn around to leave for Peru, and I will arrive in DC exactly in time to start my classes for school for the fall. God is good when?… All the time!

-Every Day A Blessing: Every struggle, every problem, every worry- God, God, God. He gave me the focus, wisdom, and responsibility to serve Him in ways that I am 100% sure that if I were to take on the tasks alone, I would failed and ended up embarrassed, discouraged, and fallen flat.

Psalm 121:7-8

Working In Africa

I wanted to take this time to give you a taste of a short-term volunteer’s life here by describing some things that I have learned about working in Africa.

Working in Africa can be very slow.  The jobs needed to be done are very necessary, but many times several different jobs need to be done to accomplish just one.  Factor in the concept of “African Time” (which just means that being on-time is a rarity), the many distractions (i.e., screaming children, daily chores, hospital visits, crazy chicken-eating wild dogs, etc.), and limited resources, and you have yourself a very potentially discouraging situation.

Alone and with no purpose, it would definitely be very discouraging work, but I know why I am here.  I am here to glorify Him in everything I do, and to be a light unto others and an encouragement while serving. 

So, I’m very thankful that He gives me purpose and a reason to be doing the seemingly crazy things I do every day!!  And many times, distractions and frustrations are really blessings in disguise!  When operating by His plan, everything just works out better. :-) 

“The LORD will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore,” Psalm 121:7-8

Please Pray For:

-The kids and their schooling.  Pray that the kids will see the importance of their education, especially in a developing country, and that they would be motivated to study and do well despite certain difficulties.

-The growth and integration of the older kids into the real world.  Pray that they (and me, as I’m going off to college soon) would keep strong faith and be a light in a dark world.

-RESPONSIBILITY: I know that this trip will be an exercise in responsibility for me with the different tasks that I will be taking on.  Please pray for me as this trip challenges me and stretches me.

-My own personal growth as a follower of Christ and as an individual.  My hope is to come out of this experience as a stronger, more mature, dedicated believer.

Good To Be Back

My first full day in Namibia and I have already done so much!  Hours have been passed juggling kids, hugging and shaking many, many hands, and various around-the-village chores (i.e., washing dishes, sweeping, organizing, preparing meals, etc.). I also had the opportunity to participate in a special, all-day church service outreach in the middle of the bush about a 45-minute walk and a short canoe ride from the village.  I was blessed to be able to worship among such enthusiastic voices, share up front a bit of my testimony and about my experiences and values (specifically related to fellowship), and even teach the congregation some American-style songs for worship. 

Also, now that I’ve been here for about 24 hours, I’ve found out that I will not only be the only volunteer here for the duration of my stay, but for this week, I will also be the only Westerner in the entire village!

Please Pray For:

-FOCUS: In handling every day tasks and getting work done

-WISDOM: In making work-related decisions, especially when I will be working without direct supervision.

-PATIENCE: I can already feel that God will be testing me this trip.  Please pray that when frustrations come, I would be able to let God take over and not become anxious.

Arrival

After 4 and a half days of traveling, I have finally arrived!  It is such a blessing to be back!  I still can’t believe that I’m here!  God made everything work out, and after several cancelled flights, two extra overnights, a canoe ride through the swamp, and other delays, I was picked up by a friend’s cousin in Windhoek (the capital city of Namibia), and because of the delays I was able to see his church and meet with some of the members.  I got to the village around 4 o’clock in the afternoon two Fridays ago.

It’s been a crazy ride, but I am safely settled in and now it’s time to get to work!

Please Pray For:

-Safety in and around the village.  The potential for danger is limitless.  Just today there has been a bush-fire which we are working to keep away from power lines, gardens, buildings, and most importantly, people.  I am also driving stick shift on the left side of the road, and cows seem to like grazing asphalt here more than grass.

-A continuation of good health

-Wisdom in serving

-A great attitude, and to be focused on the reason I’m here!

By the way, sorry for the absence of pictures and the delay in getting these posts up here.