Arandis, Namibia: 2007-01-21

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Off to be the substitute for 2nd grade

26 Jan 2007

Greetings to everyone back home. Things have continued to be busy here. Another half-day into Swakop yesterday for Brenda to get things for her household when she is gone, picking up a DVD/VCR player for the 1st and 2nd grade building (thank you again, Tim & Brenda.) While I have attempted a couple of times to resume blogging, the opportunity arose to be able to spend time with or help some of the people here.

And, despite my hope to use this blog to relay my activities here, somethings just cannot be translated into words properly. Last week my time here did no seem so limited to me. The reality of it is that I do leave next Wednesday morning to go to Rehoboth. And there is still much to do...

I am busy trying to begin and produce the presentation that Brenda and Sylvia so desperately need when talking with sponsors and potential sponsors. Your prayers are requested for my ability to depict Namibia, Hope's Promise, its families and its children through the pictures and video that I will be blending together. All of the computers (10?) here at Nan's house and at the school have been updated. They are in use or ready for use. There are still 4-5 at Tresford's house that I need to tackle.

Yes, as noted within the subject line, this morning I will be leaving here shortly to go and be the "teacher" for the 2nd grade class at the new Christian Academy. It is just another role that I was asked to assumed here, if only for a day.

Know that all of you are not far from my thoughts. I miss everyone.

posted by Don @ 11:27 PM 4 comments

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Two productive days - Part two

23 Jan 2007

Chriszelda grew up in Arandis with her Ouma (grandmother), went to school here and now works here. But, like many - even back home in the States - she longs for someplace different. We ended up heading back to the house where we sat, talked and watched a little television with Boniface. We started talking about Etosha and she said, you know, I live here in Africa and the only time I have seen any wild animal is on television. She had never been to Etosha. I pulled out my camera (um, yea...the 1 GIG card holds quite a few pics, even from last year's trip....). I walked her home and as we were walking, she was saying, "I can't wait to get my own car, to drive with the windows down, music loud with Beauty and Precious (her two daughters) in the back seat."

One the way home, I thought again at the many things I take for granted.

Before I headed in, I looked up to find the Southern Cross. I had seen it earlier in the morning, as I was waiting for Sammy to do his business. Oh, Sammy...Nan's dog, um...puppy. For any of you who have ever had a puppy you'll be able to read between those lines. He's a cute little dog, but puppy training is not something that I thought I would ever be doing in Africa. (Listen to me....what am I saying, did I think I would EVER be doing anything in Africa?) But hey, I am here to help.

Anyway, I couldn't make out the Southern Cross tonight because the moon was hanging out and there were also a few clouds in the sky. Sorry Jackie!

Plans for the rest of the week.

Once I finish with the school and family computers, Tresford has 4-5 others at his house that I will also probably look at. That will give me time to hopefully have some one-on-one time with Tresford - to talk about his ministry, Fabiola - to talk about the school, and Pearl - just to talk about anything.

I also would like to visit with Justine and Armando at some point. I know Thursday, Chriszelda would like me to help her look and find stuff on the Internet. I also want to video some of the practices, meetings and events that will be happening before I leave. And, I must not forget that I need to start thinking about putting together a presentation for Brenda and Sylvia to use.

Finally, I just hope to be able to hang more with the children.

Good night.

posted by Don @ 5:33 PM 10 comments

Two productive days - Part one

23 Jan 2007

It has been a very busy two days here in Arandis. Yesterday, I went to both schools to begin my picture taking for Brenda and HPOM. I also took quite a few video segments. I tried to upload one of my segments (26 megs) this morning before heading out, but realized it would simply take too long. I will try to get some video clips up but at the blazing speed of 49.2 kbps.

Around 11:30 Brenda, Franco, Boniface and I headed into Swakop to run errands. We didn't get back until 4:30 or so. It was quite interesting to think that we had to go to three different stores, the first of which was a hardware store, to try to find a lock for Daniel.

Upon our return, I put my away my groceries and headed to the foster homes to see if I could help out with homework. I ended up helping Elaine with her book covers and then had a few rousing games of tag with some of the children. As per usual, I came home, made a quick dish of pasta and continued updating the computers. I've finally got the routine nailed down:

Insert RAM

wipe hard drive

install windows 2000

install an office suite

install two CDs worth of games

I've completed eight systems and am currently working on number 9 and 10 tonight (though it is currently 9:58 PM so I'm not sure how far I will get.) We have one of the schools 99.9% outfitted. I say not 100% because the last computer I was acting up when I was testing it with one of the games. I've delivered complete systems to two of the four homes that were earmarked for a system.

With these late nights, mornings come early; though that is nothing different than home. And, while on the topic of seeming like home, one of the things that I have noticed being here alone and not with a group is that I feel I am closer to experiencing the life here that occurs on a day-to-day basis. Alone, I am better able to blend, or be less noticable. I see more of the frustrations, lack-of-patience and challenges that occur. People don't seem to all of a sudden stop talking if I turn the corner, or discuss daily issues. I also am seeing more of the caring, nurturing and fun times as well as I stop in at the foster homes to visit the children at different times. Yesterday, with all the running around, I almost felt like I was back at home, doing the things I needed to do. I felt I was back in "rush" mode. But oddly enough, we were in "rush mode" to simply find and get things that would have been far easier to find and get back home.

Things I've taken for granted.

Once again I have learned how much I have and how much I take for granted. Just talking with Boniface, Chriszelda, Tresford and Fabiola gives me a different perspective and reminds me of all the things with which I have been blessed.

Today, I started my day out at the Talitha-Kumi Christian Academy where I began working on the three systems there, as well as the spare laptop I brought down. I then strolled over to the Talitha-Kumi Pre-school and Kindergarten for more picture taking.

While there, I was also the center of a ring-around-the-rosie and lost all my footraces with the pre-schoolers. After that it was back to the Academy building to try to finish up with the systems there. Oh, today I officially became an Arandis driver! Yeah, I know - for you seasoned Africa drivers out there, it's not much driving around Arandis in Brenda's Arandis Pick-up, but hey, it's a start. I did have to keep reminding myself...LEFT, LEFT as I turned each corner! I have also gotten used to shifting with the left hand.

During the early afternoon, as I was working on systems, I had time to spend with Franco. Franco is staying at Brenda's and is sort of like a handyman around HPOM. He's a great guy and, hey Darin...a lover of Mustangs! I told him about your recent episode and he did wince when I got to the part about the branch falling on your baby. Well, he likes all of the old cars from the 60's and 70's, when cars were cars. Franco was putting the new plugs on the power cords for the computers and monitors; something that, although I have done something like that, would have taken me longer.

When he was doing the plug for the laptop, he didn't just cut the end like the others. He started shaving away at the rubber/plastic around the ground of the plug. I watched and asked what he was doing. He said this wire was different than the others and he was checking to see which color wire went to the ground. "Computers are expensive and I don't want to blow one up.", is what he said. Honestly, I don't think I would have thought about doing that!

Sometime after 4 PM I took I took a carload of children, and Pearl, home after their afternoon school session. It was then that I delivered the 2nd home computer. I also pulled out the game of Twister that I brought down and sat back, took pictures and videos and laughed alot.

I took individual and family photo's before I left. The pics should be up soon! I reminded the family to really try to use the computer these next couple of days, to see if anything might go wrong, before I leave. Well, a half-hour later, I had my first computer technician call!

I was supposed to be meeting up with Chriszelda tonight. She is one of the teachers at the pre-school. She came here and we walked over a little after 7 for my tech-call. All seemed to be well with the computer...at that time. I offered the ALT-CTRL-DEL solution to get out of any issue that might arise, but to keep watch of what issues might occur. Chriszelda and I then continued our walk and I listened to her as she talked about how she came to Arandis and what some of her hopes and dreams are.

posted by Don @ 4:33 PM 2 comments

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Sunday morning thoughts

21 Jan 2007

When you're greeting them for the first time after a long time and talking with them...

You can see it in their eyes as the tears well up with happiness.

You can hear it in their voices through their smiles.

Coming back to see them and to be with them, help them, listen to them; caring enough to want to come back.

Blessed enough to have it happen.

Those are just a few of the thoughts that are racing through my mind as I try to find a little quiet time to "catch up".

I mentioned to Brenda this morning, about how the children were yesterday; more receptive, talkative and loving. And that's all I said. Then, as if she had already read my blog, she said, "It's because you came back." You know, I never got a hug from Chandre last July when saying goodbye. But yesterday she reached up, pulled my head down and gave me a kiss on the cheek as I was leaving. How will things be when I have to leave again? I won't pretend to think it won't be hard, but I sense that in some way, it will be just a little easier. I think that I and the people here realize that coming back is possible, that it did happen and God willing, it will happen again.

When it comes to coming down with a group versus alone, I do understand the fact that it is likely that I might get more attention since there is no one else to share it with. But I can't say that I mind! Still, it is still hard being away from Karen and the girls and other family members. Once again I was asked when I was going to bring my family with me so everyone could meet them. Wouldn't that be great though...

This morning at the church service I guess I experienced my first "waterless" child baptism. A couple and their infant came forward to express their desire and commitment to bring up the child as a Christian. I thought about Tresford's words, that we as parents have to teach our children to be Christians. That this new parents would now have to start singing Christian music and reading scripture to the infant so that when he grows older, and hears something...he may just think he had heard those words before...a long time ago; so that he would be prepared to assume the responsibility on his own, when he was old enough. Then there was the singing and the music. I don't know if it's the different language, the words or the mystique of hearing African-style music and harmonies that seem to bring a smile to my face every time. Perhaps it's a combination of all three, as well as seeing the couple dozen people who attended this morning's service interact, not just with each other, but with God.

After the church service, I went to the local grocery store, picked up some cheese and a can of hot and spicy mixed vegetables. Not sure what I'll do with the vegetables but I'll figure out something. After that, I went to Brenda's house and talked a bit. Daniel ( her "adopted" son ) would be driving me to the Rossing Uranium Mine. He had to get his uniform and I was going to be taking pictures along the way and outside of the facility. Daniel tried to describe, as best as he could, the process; pointing out the various locations. He is a welder there. The link provided will tell you a bit more about the company if you're interested. Arandis was built to house the workers of the mine and as you can see from the header graphic to this page, it really is just "plopped" into a desert. Nan's house, were I am staying is literally the furthest most house in the town. For pinpoint accuracy type in the headings "22 24 40.29S, 14 58 25.50E" in Google Earth. If you zoom in, you just might see me waving!

Brenda.

She is a person of one doing the work of an army. Keep her in your prayers as well, that she is able to rejuvenate some when she comes back to the States with me on February 1st. Don't think that all of her 6-8 weeks away will be a vacation. Although there will be some family time, she will be traveling across the country making presentation and appeals to current and prospective sponsors and partners. Oh, if you want to see what an Arandis pick-up looks like, I posted a picture of blue one in the gallery.

Oh...here's another interesting "coincidence"...

Last August, I think it was either Darin or Jackie that mentioned something about an 20 minute piece that ABC did on "The Children Left Behind" due to AIDS/HIV in Africa. Although they did not discuss Okahandja, Rehoboth or Arandis specifically, one might think it could have been. I ended up ordering the segment on DVD and only received it a week or two before I left, even after having ordered it last August. I had honestly forgotten about it. I brought it for Brenda and gave it to her the evening I first arrived. When I saw her the day after, she was extremely excited about going home now. As some of you may know, she was a former Disney Executive and has ties to ABC in New York. She is hoping to get in touch with her ABC contact, bring the segment along and say hey, this is what I am doing in Arandis and Rehoboth. Come down here and we'll show you more; and that it is a very serious problem. She also hopes to be able to use similar material in her search for sponsors and funds for Hope's Promise Namibia.

Hey Brian Raj, if you're out there, Boniface says hello. I heard him laughing hysterially last night from his room. I gave him the video clips of our trip last July and I think the time I heard him all of a sudden "bust a gut" was when the piece came on with you dancing at the back of hall the night of the band played in Arandis. I will be giving him your email so expect to hear from him.

G - what time is the meeting on the 28th?

Oh well, it's time to get back to work. I know I'll have a few pics to put up. In the meantime, here is one of Boniface, Tresford and Pearl after today's service.

posted by Don @ 8:08 AM 5 comments

Photo update - 21 Jan

21 Jan 2007

New photos uploaded this morning. I am hoping to add titles at some point. I just need to get into some routine. Will be leaving soon to go to church. I plan on bringing my camera and video camera to film the choir, etc. No promises...but I will try to post that sometime today or tonight.

I did find the Catholic Church and I've uploaded a picture of it. It is right around the corner from Brenda's office. Not sure when the services are though. Chandre and Elaine think 10 AM. Tresford's service is at 9:30 AM. For various reasons, I feel slightly compelled to attend Tresford's at this point. However, the girls also stated they thought there was a service at St. Johannes on Wednesday nights. I'll have to check into that. I would like to experience / attend a Mass here; to see another side of Arandis.

Still hard to believe I'm back. Karen, everyone is asking when you will be coming down!

posted by Don @ 12:39 AM 2 comments

About Me

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