Arandis, Namibia: 2008-01-27

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Getting Ready....To See New Faces

Since my last trip to Nambia, things have changed somewhat between Rehoboth and Arandis. Two families have been added to Arandis, either as a transplant from Rehoboth or as a new HPOM foster family. Where there were four families with eleven children just one year ago, today there are six families and twenty-four Hope's children now in Arandis. Unfortunately, this increase in families and children did not occur with a commensurate level of staff, resources or facilities. They are in dire need of a new school building for the kindergarten and pre-primary; one of the projects that I hope I am able to help out with when I am there. The construction of the new school will free up one of the homes. Additional housing is needed for the Graham family, from America, who will be living and ministering in Arandis. You can read more about Steve, Karrie, Kailey, Ashlan, Jessa and Josiah Graham, and keep up with their life in Nambia, at their blog - Reach Namibia. I am hoping they will be arriving around the time I am there so I can meet them and spend some time with them and their children.

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I know that the last time I went to Namibia, I had sent out letters requesting donations for Hope's Promise to friends and family. Your generous donations went a long way. This time around, I decided not to specifically request donations using individual mailings. However, if you feel in your heart that you would like to contribute, or contribute again, your donation will be graciously accepted. Per your instructions it will either be forwarded to Namibia for use there, or used to purchase items here, that we bring there. Donations can be sent to: Don Berthiaume, 6 Bible Way, Nashua, NH 03063. I will be purchasing things here before I leave on February 19th, or giving what ever donations I receive to Hope's Promise. If you do send a donation, please be sure to have the check made out to me, in my name. As I did last year, I will deposit your donations into an account here (or Karen will if it arrives after I leave) and simply go to an ATM while in Namibia and pull out your donations in Namibian dollars and give the money to Brenda.

I know my list of things to bring currently includes:

children's cough/cold and flu medicine

adult cough/cold and flu medicince

antibiotic cream

over the counter medication for ringworms and styes

ibuprofen for adults

gauze and bandages

I also know that there is likely a list of things for the school that they are in need of, though Brenda has yet to get me that list. So before I leave I will be making my trips to either Sam's or BJ's to purchase what I can and bring down for them.

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As before, your prayers and thoughts are needed for our preparation, our travel to and from, and our time in Namibia.

posted by Don @ 9:55 AM 0 comments

Friday, February 01, 2008

And You Wonder Who You Are, Under Who You Are

That thought is part of the lyrics from one of the songs on Peter Mayer's latest compilation, Still in one Peace. The song is called Waterfall. As I prepare to return to Namibia, after a year, I've been trying to remember how it is I felt after I returned home last time. I say "try to remember" because I find I no longer feel as I felt for those first days, weeks or months of understanding where I had been and why. Peter's thoughts about wondering who you are, under who you sort of brings me back to those days after returning home, trying to sort things out.

While in Namibia, I was different. I was different because my environment was different. For two weeks (or so) I had stepped out of my world. My daily routine that I had become accustomed to, didn't exist there.

As I return, I wonder again how things will be, who will I be under who I am? What will coming home be like after, once again, stepping out of my world here, and this time for three weeks?

posted by Don @ 11:16 PM 0 comments

About Me

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