Despite being my fifth trip here each has been different. And within hours of hitting the ground, there are indications that this trip will be among the most interesting of them all; certainly not one that could ever have been scripted or planned by just anyone.
Even after not having been here for over a year and a half, the children who did know me were once again excited that I had returned and provided me with not just smiles but with real tight hugs. And, though only 24 hours have passed, there is a certain promise in the air that I will truly get to know some of them even more this trip.
Today we got to visit with some of the families that we know and meet a few we didn't. There are still more new ones to meet and I cannot believe the number of new children. It's the weekend, so we have yet to meld into the weekday activities but that will come soon enough. Tomorrow is Sunday and I will be attending Mass at St. Johannes with Kassie, one of the foster mommies. I think Jackie will be opting for a more African atmosphere with our friends at the Arandis Christian Center.
Despite how some of you might think a Catholic Mass is long at about an hour's length, Jackie's service will be starting at 9:00 AM and I'll be meeting her at around 11:30 or so. Though it might be longer than I am used to, I always enjoy taking part in the ACC services as well and try to attend at least one of them while I am here. Their message, their music and singing are truly an experience that I enjoy and remember long after I am gone from here.
What else...
Many of you may have heard that I did sleep on the plane. Yes, it is true and I must say it made the trip over the pond a tad shorter. Fighting the back end of a cold, long days and nights for 3-4 prior to the leaving for the trip as I tried to get some work done that I did not wish to take with me, and not having slept the prior 30+ hours, was all it seemed to take.
Flying into Walvis Bay instead of Windhoek seemed easier all around. Even getting through Customs seemed less of an issue as we were able to get our passports stamped, grab our luggage and head out the door without having to pass by anyone who might even look at you as International smugglers.
We are staying at the home of Steve and Karrie Graham who, with their family, are back in the U.S. I think our presence here is also a blessing to Happy and Napoleon, their two dogs. Who [and Karen you'll appreciate this one] need baths very week or so! Jackie said that was my job.
Well, it is 11:05 PM here, got a few other things to do before I call it day. Hope to have a few pictures and maybe a video clip or two up for you tomorrow.
In closing, there have been an incredible amount of changes since I was here last. It is not the same Arandis Town that I first experienced back in 2006 where I could count the families on one hand and I knew the name and face of every child. What I think about is how when I leave, I might need two hands to count the families and I doubt that I will be able to come to know the names and faces of every child now, even after a month's time.
T-Minus... oh I don't know... but it'll be happening soon
This will be my fifth trip to Namibia and my longest. Man am I blessed and in so many ways. It is my hope that I can be a blessing to the children and families of Arandis, and Rehoboth if we do get there. And something is telling me we just might. I think Jackie might have another international speaking engagement to attend.
Anyway, today I will be picking away at my checklist of things to do before I go. It's beginning to seem real... again.
As typical for me when I am back here in the States, saying there is always a dearth of blog posts is quite the understatement. I guess I need to stop promising that there will be more posts, each time I return from Namibia.
It just doesn't seem to happen. Maybe I need to resign myself to the fact that I am a traveling blogger and leave it at that.
So, those of you who have continued to frequent this place, in hopes of reading something new, thank you for not giving up. Your wait is over.
As many of you may already know, I leave for Namibia on March 4th. Traveling with me, again, will be Jackie Livsey. We had been on a group trip together in 2006 and she and I had traveled back on our own in 2008.
I must admit [many will have their own thoughts and conjecture about this, or as to why] I have been slow in getting my head back into the fact that I will be spending 4 weeks in Namibia. I really am excited and blessed to be going back.
Mentally, however, I think life [as it often times does for me] has gotten in the way of me being able to simply sit back, be still, not do something related to work... and just think about what spending 4 weeks in Namibia will be like.
I am hopeful that during these next few days, I will find the time for reflection upon past trips and that with an open heart I am able and willing to do whatever is needed to help during this upcoming trip.
To many of you who will be watching and following, your thoughts and prayers throughout our trip are greatly appreciated. If you haven't yet seen the short film by Amy Montalvo and OnePass Productions, be sure to take a look at it.
To those of you who found you could donate towards supplies we will be bringing, a heartfelt Thank You!
To those of you who may have wanted to help with the cost of supplies, or maybe even help with a portion of the monthly costs to sponsor a child, I will be graciously and humbly accepting donations while I am there. Email me at dbrthium@comcast.net to make arrangements.
To Karen, thanks for understanding why I go. I love you and will be missing you.
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Our itinerary
We leave Jackie's house around 3:30 AM on Thursday, March 4th to catch a 6:00 AM flight from Logan to JFK. We leave JFK at 10:30 AM and by the time most of of you might be starting your day Friday morning, we will be arriving at Walvis Bay, Namibia at 1:45PM [7:45AM EST]. I am looking forward to seeing what the Namib desert, and those giant red sand dunes against the shores of the South Atlantic, look like from the air.
Brenda Johnston will be picking us up, we'll do a bit of grocery shopping as we pass through Swakopmund and then head inland for our short trip to Arandis. This will be the first time we do not fly from Johannesburg into Windhoek. It actually saves us [or someone] from making the 2-3 hour drive between Windhoek and Arandis.
At this time, we are choosing to stay and help the ministry in Arandis for our entire stay. Of course, once we get on African soil, as many of you who have been there can attest to, all bets are off on any prior plans. I will do my best to keep you all filled in, and not being in the States, my track record for blog entries is significantly better than when I am State-side.
So, welcome [back] both here and soon... to Africa.
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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