Arandis, Namibia: 2007-01-07

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Missed chances

I was on my way to Penn State today, to bring Diandre back to school. I was listening to a Peter Mayer CD and one of the songs on his Music Box CD contained, as part of its lyrics, the words "missed chances".

My mind then wandered to last July during my first trip to Namibia. How many "missed chances" did I have?

Missed chances?

If you read in an earlier post from 4 Jan 2007, "I'm going where? Alone?", I refer to "things I had hoped to do"; missed chances I felt I had last July. Now, don't misinterpret this to mean that I was not satisfied with my trip last July. My trip last July was by no means unsatisfying. However, in retrospect, many things sometimes take on different meaning. And, in thinking about things once I got home, I felt that I missed out on some things as a result of my own decisions and some of the responsibilities that I accepted.

Looking at things retrospectively allows you to see more of the bigger picture because it inherently allows you to sit back and see how things played out. It allows you to think about what you might do differently "next time". No, I wouldn't trade my experience last July for anything. But my experience last July will be the foundation for whatever I experience this time.

While I am more aware of what my "missed chances" were, more importantly, I am more aware of the chances I hope not to miss this time around.

posted by Don @ 9:46 PM 0 comments

More Thanks

13 Jan 2007

Taking a cue from when my daughters went to Africa in 2005, I decided I would draft a sponsor letter and send out to family, friends and business owners that I know. Unlike my daughters, however, this sponsor letter would not be on my behalf, but on the behalf of the children of Hope's Promise Orphan Ministry. I have included a copy of the letter under the "Prayers and Support" section, over there on the right.

I want to publicly thank those who were in a position to make a donation in the form of cash or check. To those who may have only been able to silently offer their prayers and support, your prayers and support will also go a long way and I thank you. Your spiritual support is needed and appreciated.

Now, I'm a firm believer of "you never know unless you ask". On that note, while I am in Namibia I am still able to draw funds from my account using an ATM. So, if any of you are still inclined, you can still send donations to my home address (6 Bible Way, Nashua, NH 03063). Prior to my departure on Wednesday, January 17th, I will arrange with Karen to let me know if we received checks in my name or in the name of Hope's Promise. In the case where the check is made out to me, remember you will not get "credit" for a tax deduction, but I will be able to withdraw whatever you donated via ATM and give it directly to Brenda Johnston and HPOM while I am in Namibia. As with the other checks I received made out in the name of Hope's Promise, I will need to send those through to Colorado. Doing so will allow for you to receive a "charitable contribution" letter from HPOM. They will then wire ALL of the donation to Brenda. Please be sure to include "Child Sponsorship - Namibia" on the check.

God Bless

posted by Don @ 9:09 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Thank You

Driving really gets me to think sometimes. That is why I enjoy it so much.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was driving to Gloucester today. Among the things I thought about was how fortunate I am to be able to embark on yet another trip to Africa - my second in six months.

I want to thank my wife Karen and my family for putting up with me, understanding, and allowing me to miss yet another two weeks out of their life. I love you all.

posted by Don @ 8:33 PM 0 comments

I love the Internet

As I was driving to Gloucester this morning, thinking about the fact that I was leaving for Africa in less than one week, and what that all meant, I was listening to a Dave Crowder song. For some reason, the lyrics I was hearing really caught my attention, "We all want to get to heaven but we don't want to die".

So, being the Internet hound that I am, tonight I proceeded to search on those lyrics in hopes of finding out who was the first to come out with that statement. Although I don't think I found my answer, I did find this little piece. It was the text of the Commencement address at Stanford by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005. In it, he uses the same quote. I found the rest of his story fascinating. Give it a read...

posted by Don @ 7:26 PM 0 comments

I'm packed....or at least I was...

11 Jan 2007

So, I packed my carry on two nights ago; the one small suitcase that has 95% of my personal belongings. Actually, there are 2-3 items that I have yet to put in because I will be using them between now and the time I leave; and then there is the backpack that will be laden with not one...but three laptops. For the most part I am packed. What became unpacked, however, were the two pieces of checked luggage. The previous and now (possible) future contents of those suitcases are still sprawled across the dining room floor. Having come across items that Brenda requested recently, I am in the unpack / repack based upon necessity and "what are the most important things that I can bring down" mode.

Dear Lord, will You allow uninterrupted and uneventful travel for this smuggling mule?

A smuggler; that is what Mike Knight referred to me as this past Wednesday when I was chatting with him online. Between the medicines, supplements, toothbrushes and toothpaste, videos, DVD's, clothes, laptops and computer odds 'n ends that I am transporting, I guess I could be labeled as a smuggler. However, if questioned, I'll be going with the humanitarian aid angle. I know it sounds less exciting, but it's definitely closer to the truth.

So let me start telling you a little bit about Hope's Promise Orphan Ministries (HPOM).

Who is an HPOM child? A HPOM child is one who has been:

neglected,

deprived

abused

and / or orphaned.

Yes, there are likely many children who fall within this category and that is why I became involved, to help out where and when I can. It is HPOM's goal to place each of the children who come under their care into Christian families with the emphasis on love, care, affirmation, and social integration.

In Arandis alone, there are

Twenty-two (22) HPOM children who have been placed within three (3) loving and nurturing HPOM foster family settings.

These expenses incurred by these foster families are subsidized by HPOM.

The sponsorship of an HPOM child's living expenses is $1,200 per year (USD). At this level of sponsorship / subsidy, the child also attends public school.

To attend the Talitha Kumi Christian Academy (which will be opening for the first time on Jan 17th for 1st and 2nd grade) the sponsorship costs an additional $2,400 per year (USD).

Children in kindergarten or preschool can also attend Talitha Kumi Pre-School at a cost of $1,200 per year.

I've often thought about $1,200 per year for living expenses for a child in Namibia. Do you want to know what puts that into perspective for me?

A large coffee and two bagels, every day for the entire year, from Dunkin Donuts costs over $1,400 per year.

I pay over $1,200 per year for cable television and Internet access.

I don't smoke but one pack of cigarettes per day might run well over $2,000 per year to maintain that habit.

I do enjoy wine, however. Let's see, $1,200 a year at $10 per bottle (mid range) would yield about slightly more than 1 1/2 glasses of wine per week.

How easy it is to spend over $1,200 per year on music CD's, videos, DVDs that cost between $10 and $15 each?

How much do YOU spend on JUST Christmas presents each year?

I might easily spend over $1,200 in car expenses each year.

One might spend well over $1,200 per year in daycare costs alone here in the States.

How much do you spend on groceries alone for your family per year?

Unfortunately, not every child is sponsored 100% at this point in time so HPOM ends up subsidizing these children through their own efforts. If you would like to help, you could always send a check to Hope's Promise in Colorado and make a notation in the memo that it is for child sponsorship in Namibia. That way, they will get the entire donation. Here is the address:

Hope's Promise
209 Jerry Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104

Thanks!

posted by Don @ 6:39 PM 0 comments

About Me

Name:Don (& Chandre)
Home:Nashua, NH (Arandis, Namibia)