Drilling
Finally started drilling the third week of February. Gary returned to an area we were unsuccessful in last year, Oshivelo. After drilling 1 dry 80 foot hole and running into hard stone he couldn't get through at this and 3 other sites, he decided to go drill in Tsinsabis a while. Elie Nauses, 65 years old, is proud to pump clean water easily. "No wonder I lived so long. I was waiting to see clean water! Now I even get to pump it in my own back yard."
Discipling African TeensGod gave us Getrude to be the house parent. She was living in a convent planning to be a nun, before she heard the gospel and asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior five years ago. She is a 27 year old single without children. This fact in and of itself is a strong witness to the girls to stay pure and finish school.
The first few weeks have been a learning curve for everyone. The idea of a home with a parent instead of a maid and a cook is a foreign concept. Getrude is parenting them well with firm love and lots of prayer. The girls are excited about the “luxury” accommodations. It is the first time for them to have a full bedding (set of sheets, pillow, blanket) and towels of their own. They read about and agreed to the responsibilities that came along with the nice place to stay. Nonetheless it’s a difficult process. It isn’t easy to learn how to shower, cook on an electric stove, eat balanced meals, compost vegetable waste, recycle tin and plastic, wash with a washing machine, have daily devotions, keep a prayer journal, community service, and more. With each accomplishment comes an increased sense of self worth.
After explaining the concept of community service and talking about several options, the girls opted for visiting the SPCA and the Old Age Home. While the idea of bathing and playing with dogs seemed appealing from a distance, they didn’t like the yard full of dog waste, nor the kennels. People bring their dogs for dipping, without a collar or leash. The girls decided they were too afraid.
The Old Age Home is in a part of town they would rather distance themselves from and has mostly male residents. An additional complaint is that the residents were “Damara,” a “lower” tribe, and don’t speak the language of the tribe in power in Namibia. Elizabeth told them those were all reasons to minister to these old men and women. Hilde, a woman that can only see shades, was so happy to have a visitor. She grabbed the girls by the hand and kept rubbing their forearms, talking away all the time.
After about a half hour, the girls were more at ease. We found the center had some dominoes and some playing cards. We located the key to the unused dinning hall and set the dominoes out. Without even calling or announcing anything to anyone, the people started coming in to see what we were doing. Dominoes seem to be the best game to play, no points, just matching numbers. It turned out that was a challenge, because of failing eyesight. The girls played with them and helped the ones that could feel/see their dominoes, but had trouble seeing the dominoes on the table. Elizabeth called out the available numbers to match. One lady complained she had too many dominoes after having to draw several times in a row. One man wanted to go through the dominoes and choose the best one when it was his turn to draw. Everyone laughed at him and after the third draw he stopped trying to flip the draw dominoes over. It was quite fun!
Work Permits
After 6 years we were issued work permits for one year and our passports stamped for six months. We won’t have to go back to Home Affairs until August. Last year we spent 4 working days of every month dealing with visas and the process for work permits. There is still some more to the process that we have to do to get the stamp for the second six months, but it will be in a town only an hour away. Needless to say, the savings in time, travel, and energy is great. Bless the Lord, praise His name, for His mighty works.
Prayer Requests
1) Favor with our neighbors concerning the DAT home.
DAT young ladies: Marie Jose Ngandu, Nafuka Ndilimeke, Shellestina Gabriel, Aina Nelenge, and Linea (Ponny) Timotheus. Pray for Getrude as she parents these girls. Pray for Frieda, teen wanting to come to DAT.
Dale and Kim Swafford arriving in Namibia March 31st. Dale will help with the drilling. Kim will do pottery training and help kick off a pottery project.
Bible Institute for 15-20 pastors, April 26-May 1st, led by Scott and Tori Johnson
Rachel and Caleb Stevens, Peace Corps volunteers, are requesting us as hosts for 2011. Pray that their request will be approved and that By Provision will be approved as a host.
4) The container with new rig and thousands of seminary books is in Houston, waiting on final packing and shipment. Pray it will leave soon. One container is still needed to get things for the DAT girl’s home. Pray it will soon be donated.
