Arandis, Namibia: 2008-03-09

Thursday, March 13, 2008

What If You Couldn't Visit Someone

One of the first faces of the children I got to see in Arandis was Chandre's. I remember her smiling face as she peeked out from behind the curtain, through the window,

as she unlocked the door. Now, as I sit hear thinking about it, I wonder if it was by design or by happenstance that she be the first to greet me. Either way it was welcoming and assuring and it was great being able to just pick her up and give her a hug after not having been able to do so for over a year.

Everyone in the family was there to greet Jackie, Mike and me. We did not stay long at that initial visit since it was getting late and we had hoped to make our rounds at the three Hope's Promise homes, side-by-side on Quail Street, and at the Banda's home a couple of streets away. But I do remember the feeling of being able to say, "I'll see you tomorrow..." and knowing that for the next twelve days I would once again be waking up in Arandis.

With each successive home we visited that night, we were met with not just "social hugs" but strong hugs and, in many instances, tears of joy that we did return. Here we were thousands of miles from home, in another part of the world, continuing a relationship that, in all reality, the people here could not continue on their own in this same fashion. Sure, there was always the ability to maintain the relationship via correspondence but when it came to maintaining the physical relationship, no matter how hard they might try or want to, the reality is that they might never be afforded the opportunity.

I wonder how that feels? Is there any comparison for me here?

Does the knowledge of not being able to reciprocate and come to the U.S. to visit us have an impact on how they perceive our relationship? How much more precious does this relationship become to them? Is there an extra sense of loss when we leave knowing that if we do not return, the physical relationship will end? Or, does a glimmer of hope exist that someday they too will be able to come and visit us?

I have been blessed with many things but how much do I take for granted the ability and where-with-all to more or less come and go easily; to be able to leave here and visit other people and places and not be dependant upon someone else to maintain or sustain such a physical relationship? Do we all, who are as fortunate, take it for granted?

posted by Don @ 6:07 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Another Safe Journey

11 March 2008

Just a quick post to let you know that we have returned safe and sound, including all luggage. Look for more posts and pictures these upcoming weeks, and maybe even a video or two. Thanks for coming along for the ride, your thoughts and your prayers.

posted by Don @ 5:06 PM 1 comments

Monday, March 10, 2008

Homeward Bound

10 March 2008 (not sure what time....)

Currently in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our flight to Washington has been delayed one hour. I'm hoping that Jackie isn't the reason for the almost 24-hour delay in Paris the last time she was traveling back from Namibia. We shall soon see.

We also learned that our flight home includes a little stop in Dakar, Senegal. I landed there for about an hour the last time that I traveled to Namibia in 2007. I am assuming that it will be a similar short stop tonight. Nonetheless, Jackie is not excited about the unadvertised "up and down". Oh well....

During my flight from Namibia to South Africa, I began the process of going over these last three weeks. Perhaps one of the biggest questions I will be asking myself will be, "Is anything clearer for me?" I continue to wonder why, at this time, has Namibia entered into my life and why does it keep calling. I'm sure there is at least one person who will be reading this who might be quick to offer his version of the story at hand.

Jackie and I talked a bit about these last three weeks and she asked what my highlights were. After thinking about it, I told her it was seeing the children and being able to, once again, be a part of their daily life. Then, after thinking more about it, I told her that meeting William and Anna Charles, and their family, is also weighing in as a highlight. As you may recall, they are one of the two new HPOM families in Arandis. I'm not quite sure why, but I feel that there is more in store for me and them.

And so the story continues....

posted by Don @ 10:10 AM 0 comments

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

About Me

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