Good times in Africa!

Choir conference: We went to Kasosi village to see the choir competition. There were many choirs who came from all over to perform.  They were from Angola, Windhoek and other parts of Namibia.  It was amazing to see this plot of land transformed into tent city.  There were changing rooms made out of sticks and tall grass,  large tents for multiple people to sleep, 2-4 man tents and bathing areas.  It was fun to see all the girls doing their hair and boys shining their shoes to get ready for the competition.  It reminded me of the days of show choir and our saturday competitions.  The girls changing and putting on makeup and fixing their hair in anticipation of what was to come.  

It was supposed to start around 2 but of course we are on Africa time so it did not start till almost 4.  It was narrowed down to five groups in the final competition.  They each did a number from a bible verse in Isaiah. They were all very serious. Each group sang acapella and did sign language to go with the words.  They all did a wonderful job.  

Teaching at the school: Melissa and I taught at the nursing school a few weeks ago.  We spoke on spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.  The students did a very good job answering questions and listening.  We each spoke for an hour and did some case studies.  Who knew I was going to be a nursing instructor while I was here?! I had no idea I could talk for an hour about something but I did. :)  It felt good to be able to pass on knowledge I have gained over the years. We are going to continue to help sister Jane and lecture next on coronary artery disease and myocardial infarctions. It is going to be fun!

Muhango Park: For my birthday weekend we decided to go camping and see African wildlife. Three of us got the joy of riding in the back of the buckee because there are only two seat belts in the front of the truck. We spent the next two hours being beaten by the wind in our face and the sun on our legs.  I got an awesome knee burn. :)  There are many campgrounds around the park but we decided to stay at Nunda Lodge.  It was a great location right on the river with a good pool and decent size camping spots.  We set up camp then went out the see the animals.  We were able to see zebras, warthogs, antelope and a giraffe the first night.  Plus we got the joy of watching the sunset as we drove out of the park.  I love african sunsets! They are wonderful.   The colors come alive in the sky. I know people always talk about them but there is nothing like experiencing it for yourself. 

The second day we got an early start and went into the park just after the sun rose.  The dew was still heavy in the air.  As we drove through the park I could feel God surrounding us.  It was chilly but it was so quiet.  It was a perfect morning.  We drove by the swamp lands and saw many birds getting their morning bath.  We kept driving and as we came around a corner to see a giraffe standing posing in a clearing.  It was almost as if he was waiting for us to come to take pictures of him.   As we drove on we saw buffalo and then another pack of zebras surrounding the watering hole.  The sun was now shining down on us and we were able to take off some layers of clothing.  Next , we headed to the buffalo park.  We still were eagerly awaiting to see some elephants and hippos. We had high hopes for seeing them as we drove along the river.  Melissa, Anna and I stood in the back of the truck keeping our eyes peeled for animals as we drove.  Eventually we came to the end of one of the roads and we stopped to turn around and in the distance we saw elephants along the rivers edge.  We got our wish!  We continued to drive along because we still needed to see hippos.  By this time we have been out for about 5 hours with minimal food and drink in our bellies.  We were not planning on being out all morning.  But we were determined to find the hippos.  Again we pull into a clearing to get closer to the river and across the river we saw hippos and water buffalo hanging out.  :)  We ended up staying out for almost 7 hours, but it was worth it.  

Prayer Requests: Anna and I have started two bible studies out in the village and would like prayer for wisdom and guidance as we teach these young adults.  In addition, I would still like prayer for courage and patience at work in the hospital.  It can be frustrating at times and I am doing my best to have a positive attitude. 

It's been a month!

       The weather: So its been pretty hot here in Rundu in comparison to Windhoek. Plus we get the pleasure of walking since we have no car. There is sand everywhere! It gets in your shoes, on your clothes and your skin. One of my favorite things is how the taxis pass you on the road going 100 km/hr and make a huge cloud of dust only to get more dust on your sweaty body. Love it!  We walk to and from work which means we are sweaty each way, fun times. But on the same token it does cool off a night which is a blessing. My favorite time of day is dusk.  It is cooling off and the sun is going down, its a great time for a walk. The sunsets are beautiful here. 

Conference:  All of the AIM missionaries from Namibia came together for a time of fellowship and learning along with some international guests as well.  We learned a great deal about personalities and behavior styles.  In our team from Rundu ,we learned that we are all a little different and deal with conflict in different ways.  It was good to talk about it and be up front and honest and hopefully not have too many conflicts. ;)  It was uplifting and good for us to hear about the mission fields in the other regions of Namibia as well as the southern region of AIM.  There are some amazing things happening all over Africa.  It encourages me to hear about how God is working in other places and drives me to want to serve here in Rundu.  I want to make a difference and watch God work through me.  I am still wondering how he will do it but I am a willing servant.  

Home stay: We had the opportunity to stay in one of the villages surrounding Rundu.  Anna and I had the privilege of staying in Ndama. We were lucky and we were honored to stay in one of the mud homes.  It is not a hut but a home with three rooms. There is the main room which is where we hang out and eat, the sleeping room and the storage room. We did get to experience going to the African “bathroom” and taking a African “shower.”  These people only eat once a day because it is all they can afford. They eat a large meal for dinner and that is all. I can tell that the children are hungry.  It breaks my heart. 

Living in the village is hard work. There is lots to be done and it takes time to do everything. There is no microwaves, refrigerators or ovens. All cooking is done over the fire. The women have to gather the wood, chop it, build the fire then cook the meal. For the traditional dish of pap the meal is gathered, ground up, sifted, laid out to dry then it could be cooked.  This is a process that is not easy.  In addition, all the clothing is washed by hand in large basins.  And of course all the dishes are washed by hand. :)  It was an adjustment when coming from a culture with some many amenities. 

Overall Africa is starting to feel like home but I am still feeling very overwhelmed. Everything takes a little more time and effort. It can be exhausting. I go to bed every night tired and emotionally drained.  They tell you that living in another culture is hard but until you completely experience it, there is no way to explain it.  Every conversation takes concentration, walking in the sun on sandy roads is physically hard in addition to carrying all your groceries, learning a language takes practice and trying to adjust to a different hospital environment are just a few of the things we are dealing with daily.  But God is greater than all of that! And I thank him for that. He has been faithful to me. Thank you for all of your prayers. 

Prayer Requests: Continued guidance in the hospital and learning my place there and how to be a help to them.  As we start our ministries, which include bible studies with the girls in the villages and campus crusade, give us wisdom and discernment. 

       Pictures: First of the pictures is me making some pap, a traditional African food.  The second is of the lion Mufasa at the place we stayed at conferance. The last is me with the children in the village for my home stay.