I seems that the more I come here, to Arandis, the more challenging it becomes to maintain each of the relationships, all in one visit.
This morning, after doing a bit of work, I heading over to the primary school for the children's play break, then I went across the street and popped my head in at the library to check on Pearl [keep her in your prayers, that she does well], who is studying to take write one of her exams, I got to spend a couple of hours talking with Chrizelda, who will be delivering her [hopefully a boy] baby this month. This afternoon I had the opportunity to spend some time with Brenda, as we drove into Swakopmund, and waited, to have some work done on her car. When we arrived back, I finally got the chance to see Kassie, but only for a short time. Before dinner, Kat and I also spent some time playing and hanging with Revival, Nanasha [a new HPOM child] and eventually Salome for a little bit. We made a quick trip to Richard and Julianna's house for a short visit there as well.
Those who have been here with know that it doesn't take me long to start comparing the things I feel I want or need to do, and the people I want to make sure I see, with the number of days left. On the other side of that, I am often reminded to just enjoy each day and not to worry about the rest; to take each opportunity to talk and interact as each presents itself.
And besides, you really can't plan here anyway.
There continue to be many things to be aware of and learn; cultural nuances that, if not considered, quickly reveal one's American identity based purely upon mannerisms. Greeting, addressing, being sure to say goodbye, or how you word something are just a few examples. These were among the topics of conversation and discussions I had with some of the people here today.
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Kat has been busy this week working at the primary school in the library, helping with the new catalogue system they are trying to get in place. She also has had the opportunity to spend quality time with many of the Hope's Promise children in that setting.
Yes, we arrived in Arandis on Monday and once again it was like coming back to a very familiar place. However, as I've found with previous trips here, each ends up being slightly different when it comes to the interactions and dynamics that take place. There are new missionaries here from the States, with the Graham family, and with Mike Dunne; who have taken up a somewhat indefinite residency here in Arandis. While having met the Graham family briefly the on the very day we left last March, this trip would provide an opportunity to get to know them better and what they have been doing here since their arrival. I can see and hear, even within these first two days, the Grahams and Mike have begun to have an impact on the community and have been a big help.
On Tuesday we were able to make our initial visits to each of the families. However, we have yet to really see or sit with Kassie who has been ill with the flu since this past weekend. We have stopped in at the house numerous times, but each time she has been in bed. Please keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
After expressing a little concern and disappointment Monday evening, Kat has already begun planning her next, month-long, trip here to Arandis. Her day yesterday was more in line with descriptions she has heard me talk about many times; something that I had assured her would likely happen and that she needed to continue to have an open heart and open mind. It seems the first day here didn't quite play up to what her expectations were. Something, I think, that might happen to anyone visiting here for the first time accompanied by someone who has been here numerous times before. As friendly and wanting for love as the children are, they are still children when it comes to meeting someone for the first time. Kat's subsequent interactions with the children have now all been preceded by huge smiles and big hugs. Welcome to Arandis Kat!
As many may have read from Kat's blog she has begun helping out at the primary school; something that I had done during my last few trips here. It's a great place to be because you get to interact with most of the younger Hope's Promise children. As for me, my morning and day was filled with most of what I had planned or hoped to accomplish. In addition to spending time doing a bit of work for myself, I spent a few minutes talking with Brenda Johnston, who is the Arandis coordinator for Hope's Promise here in Arandis. She brought me up-to-date, more or less on what's been happening. And, I'm sure we will be chatting more during our time here. Her main goal for me is to be able to update the Hope's Promise website. Unfortunately, that was part of my "planned day" that I never did get to. It was shortly after my first trip here in 2007, when I realized that my time, personally, is much better spent building relationships, taking the time to have the short or long conversations with the people here as opposed to working on websites, blogs, or things that do not involve the people here. Having the ability to function on 4-5 hours sleep, I've found there to be ample time to get the web work/blogging done either in the solitude of the early hours of the day (like now) or in the late evening, when others are sleeping.
Yesterday I was able to sit with Pearl and try to map out a plan of attack with her, to get back on track with her studies. Pearl is home schooled and, as I suspected, has been spending too much time doing the things she likes to do instead of her school work. So, I am happy to say that we have set some goals for her and have set up a way for her to treat her homeschooling in a more disciplined fashion. It is our hope that she will be able to sit for 2 of her 6 remaining exams before we leave here; another the following week, then the final three by October 31st. Please keep her in your prayers that she can follow this plan and maintain her focus.
After finally visiting William and Anna's family and Lina's, Kat and I ended up at the pre-primary school where Karrie Graham was working with/tutoring some of the junior and high school teens here. It is exam time and each day this week and most of next, there are daily exams on the different courses and subjects; much like mid-terms at home. We decided to help and lend a hand to both Karrie and Marlena (a college student from Germany who arrived last week and is her for two months.). Jolene, Raymond, Bradley, Charmaine and Elaine were there. While I will elect not to go into some of the dynamics, here in print, suffice to say that working with a couple of these teens in the past has been challenging for me. After our short time there yesterday, I can see that from 2:30 to 4:30 I will be there to help Karrie for whatever duration I am here because I can understand how difficult it may have been for her trying to do this on her own. Once again, your prayers are asked, this time for each of these teens to do well in their exams. And in doing so, realize that sometimes it is such prayer that helps get them through it all, because they may not be able to do it on their own.
Today was our last full day in Rehoboth. Our stay with Richard, Sylvia and Cathlo has been a good one; such gracious hosts they are. Tomorrow Sylvia, Friedell, Kat and I will head out to Arandis, leaving here around 6:45AM. We will also be dropping Cathlo off in Windhoek, so she can attend her class. Hopefully, we will be able to make a short stop in Okahandja, to drop some things off with Joan and Dieter Morsbach. Plans are to return to Okahandja for the last two days of our trip where we will stay and visit with Joan, Dieter and Mike Knight. As you may recall, Mike is from Christ's Church of Amherst and is here until November.
These last two days were spent trying to update Sylvia's desktop with the latest XP updates, etc. in preparation for the installation of a new accounting system for Hope's Promise. Unfortunately the process was to take over 9 hours in all. In fact, I still need to stop in at the office before we leave town tomorrow to make sure everything was completed.
For me, one of the highlights about this trip to Rehoboth was being able to locate and spend some time with Maderyna and her daughter Memory. After having found her yesterday and visiting briefly, I thought that might be it for this trip. However, last night and this morning, Sylvia noted that I seemed bothered by something. After talking a bit, she suggested that I spend more time with Maderyna and that Friedell would go and pick her up and bring her back to the office. Then we could visit more while I finished updating Sylvia's system.
Perhaps I might use another post to write about some of the thoughts I was having, after I return home. Suffice to say that realization of finding her living in Block E, in a tin-shack, with her mother and her mother's boyfriend was a bit unsettling for me. Today's visit was a good one and I got to watch a young 17-year old girl be a mother to her 1-year old daughter. As I think back to 2005, when I randomly selected her photograph to use in my blog; a photograph of a 13-year old, Hope's Promise child, who seemed so filled with gratitude and without a care in the world, I can only shake my head thinking, my how things have changed in such a short period of time. Please keep her and her daughter in your prayers.
I've had some good conversations with Richard and Sylvia and I've also spent much time just listening; trying to better understand the dynamics that exist here and in all that takes place. It's not easy and I can see how frustration levels might sometime near the point of giving up. But they don't. With conviction in their beliefs, they use the power of prayer and keep forging ahead. Please keep them in your prayers as well that they can remain strong and focused in their vision.
I should be much more afraid of being mistaken and then finding out that Christianity is true than of being
mistaken in believing it to be true. (Pascal)
We all want to get to heaven but nobody wants to die. (Unknown...still looking)
God hasn't given you the events of your life to hold in your own hands. He is allowing you to watch them
unfold in His. (Shannon Kubiak, "God Called a Girl")
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