Arandis, Namibia: Long Days That Went By Fast

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Long Days That Went By Fast

9 March 2008 10:20 PM

Our flight leaves at 1:45 PM Monday afternoon. If all goes as planned, we arrive in Boston on Tuesday around 9:30 A.M. and I will be having lunch, at home. The world seems so small when thinking about it on those terms, yet the U.S. and Namibia are worlds apart.

As I close out another chapter in this story that I find myself in, I can't help but wonder what lies ahead. For me, I know that it will take the better part of a week for my body to get back into synch with American time. During the times that I should be sleeping, but will not be able to, I will likely begin to process these last three weeks. I will play back the events of my time here. I will think about the conversations I've had and the observations I've made. What have I learned about myself? Could I have done something differently? Would I do something differently the next time? The next time...yes, I am hopeful that there will be.

I've met new people and new families. One of the new families includes a grandmother & grandfather caring for an epileptic daughter, four grandchildren, as well as a HPOM child. Two people who have toiled their entire life and, by right, should be enjoying what little pension they have. Instead they are trying to provide the best life they can for the children in their care. It's awesome to think that our lives will forever be entwined by the interactions we had here.

The other new family is Lina, her three natural children and three HPOM children. I remembered Lina from when she was in Rehoboth. She used to work at the Beads of Promise / Seeds of Hope store. At that time, she only had her own children. It wasn't until the need for additional HPOM families that she agreed to take on the responsibility of caring for and raising three more children and move to Arandis. In addition to the two new families, two children were added to the existing families. Zuelery is now living with Likkie and John, Kassie's nephew, is now in her care.

New families, however, was not limited to HPOM families. We got the chance to meet and talk with Steve and Karrie Graham, a missionary family from Virginia who have taken up residence in Arandis, to help out with Hope's Promise. Unfortunately, our meeting and conversation was brief since they had just arrived a day or to before we were leaving and the only chance we had with them was on the day we were leaving Arandis. From the brief conversation and interaction we had, I am anxious to keep up with their new life in Arandis through their blog. It will be good to continue to get updates on life in Arandis through their experiences. I wish them the best.

We've had the opportunity to have good conversations with our friends Joan and Dieter Morsbach, Nan Parker, Brenda Johnston, Richard and Sylvia Beukes, and many others involved in various ministries here. We also got to spend time three weekends with Mike Knight, from Christ's Church, who is here for a year as a distributed youth pastor. Mike has been working mostly in Okahandja with the youth there and hopes to spend time in Arandis and maybe Rehoboth.

I have been blessed to have been able to be here for the third time. Once again, the long and busy days resulted in time that just seemed to pass by quickly. And, while leaving is not easy, I know that I must return home to a family who has allowed me this incredible opportunity; to resume the responsibilities that I have there.

Good night Namibia.

posted by Don @ 4:20 PM

0 Comments: