July, 2003

12 – It has been awhile since I have written. Acclimating to Africa and settling into Windhoek as our new home has been an exhilarating experience for me. Each day is a new adventure. We have bought a new pickup truck (they call them bakkies here) - a 2001 Isuzu double cab bakkie, white with canopy over the loading space. We have now moved out of our borrowed flat and are at the beach for several days. We decided that if you must stay in a hotel, it might as well be at the beach. It’s cool here and a refreshing change from the mid-day heat of summer in Windhoek. Val and I are very much at peace with ourselves and with each other now that she is beginning to actually like it here.

20 – For me Namibia represents Freshness. Where I had become stale, it is a fresh start for me. Where Americans have become complacent in their comfort and convenience, Africans are alive in their spirits and ripe for revival. Where life was ordinary in America, it has become extraordinary here. Same life, new perspective. It is not really Africa, it is me. Good things come alive in me here. God things come alive in me here. I like myself here. In June, 2001, I wrote that I wanted to be “naked and unashamed” before God – honest and comfortable with my weaknesses as well as my strengths, celebrating with God that he put within me the perfect combination of characteristics and abilities. I am rapidly approaching that goal here in Africa. I know who I am, I am comfortable being me and I want more of God in my life. More dependence upon Him, more awareness of His Spirit within me, more of His love flowing through me to a needy world around me.

22 – 3 WAYS TO BE UNCHRISTLIKE - 1) Elevate yourself above others, either by pushing yourself up or by putting them down. Both separate you from other people. 2) Distance yourself from their pain. 3) Focus on their imperfections. This reminds them of how unacceptable they are to you. Ridicule and pedantic teaching will accomplish this for you “quite effectively.” Christ was touchable, approachable and reachable. Anything that encourages others to separate themselves from you is potentially un-Christlike. Only separation that eventually leads to greater intimacy is Christlike. Christ separated Himself on the Cross that we might be reconciled with God and united with Him forever.

27 – The shipping container arrived late today. It was supposed to arrive last week but they couldn’t find a truck. It was supposed to arrive this morning but they couldn’t find the driver. It was supposed to arrive this afternoon but the driver and truck got lost. TIA – This is Africa. So we unloaded the container in the dark and rain at Hodygos. By then it was too late to load our stuff back onto a smaller truck and drive it back to Windhoek. So we spent a sleepless night outside swatting mosquitoes and waiting for morning.

28 – We loaded the Toyota Dyna with Dave and Jen Fortin’s help and headed for Windhoek. We unloaded, ate lunch and returned the truck to Hodygos. So we now have our African belongings all in one place (except for about 15 boxes which we must have missed in the unloading). Jos set the pace for speed rather than accuracy or safety. It feels so nice to have our things available again.

29 - Val is busy unpacking and beautifying as I travel north with Dieter, George and Jape. Warthogs, baboons, ostriches, cattle, goats and donkeys abound. The trip is long and tiring but uneventful. It was a valuable time to get to know Jape Van Vuuren better. He is the Director of Operation Mobilization in Namibia. He is a pleasant, easy-to-get-along-with gentle man. Along the way, we stopped in Otjiwarongo and met with Theo Borstlop, a Christian businessman, and two local pastors, Nico Kruger (AFM) and Etienne Binneman (Agape). Once we arrived in Oshakati, we met with Pastor Festus Negumbo (Four Square Gospel Church) and Pastor Johnny Heita (FSGC in Ohangwena). Festus is anxious to have us do leadership training at FSGC.

30 – This morning began with a beautiful sky, cool air, and birds singing marvelously – just like every other “mora” in Namibia. God is good. I read Phil. 2 this morning in my quiet time. It reminds me of how I must act and feel to be effective in ministry in this country. Humility is required. They have no use for haughty, know-it-all Americans who come with force and energy and then try to cram ready-made, American solutions down their throats. They need servants who will humble themselves to help and slowly build relationships, people who will be open and honest and vulnerable. We met this morning with Adriaan Grobler, a Christian businessman and elder at the Oshakati DRC, which is between pastors now. He is a committed lay minister who does a lot of his own ministry on the side. We also met with Markus and Fulla, YFC ministers who just moved back to Oshakati to do ministry there. They are old friends from my first trip to Namibia. They were students in our leadership training who have since married.

31 – The people of the north (Ovamboland) seem so open and accepting and ready for ministry assistance. Pastor Festus is very anxious to have me help him with leadership training.