July 23, 2008
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful, where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name”
Wow, a place with water in the riverbeds. Nice.
“Blessed be your name when I’m found in the desert place. Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name…”
I am definitely in the desert place. This is the wilderness indeed.
“Blessed be your name when the sun’s shining down on me, when the world’s all as it should be, blessed be your name.”
Namibia does have about 300 sunny days a year. I do like that. Though there’s no shade- not a cloud in the sky and no tree to rest under.
“Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering, when there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name.”
(Bitter laugh) Oh the road is actually named suffering. This is the most painful offering I think I’ve ever given.
“Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say blessed be the name of the Lord blessed be your glorious name.”
Through the tiny joys Lord you have encouraged me, for that Lord, I praise you. Still this life feels so heavy, Lord I know the only reason it hasn’t fallen on me is that it’s your strength that is carrying it. Blessed be your name.
Monday, September 22, 2008
No Man's Land
July 12, 2008
I live on the equivalent of a Native American reservation (actually my friend said her grandmother doesn’t like to be called that so we settled on The 1st People Who Lived in the Land That’s Now America But Whose Land Was Stolen By White People).
The Herero people were massacred and driven from the desirable land. As restitution later people were given plots out here…in the desert. But really, Namibia was one of the last African countries to be colonized- even the Europeans didn’t want it.
So I’m in the No Man’s Land of No Man’s Land.
I live on the equivalent of a Native American reservation (actually my friend said her grandmother doesn’t like to be called that so we settled on The 1st People Who Lived in the Land That’s Now America But Whose Land Was Stolen By White People).
The Herero people were massacred and driven from the desirable land. As restitution later people were given plots out here…in the desert. But really, Namibia was one of the last African countries to be colonized- even the Europeans didn’t want it.
So I’m in the No Man’s Land of No Man’s Land.
You Talk Too Much
July 1, 2008
Three boys in Grade 6 can’t seem to keep their mouths shut- they need so much attention. During afternoon study today I asked them to try to be quiet for 5 minutes…they couldn’t do it, after that though they were pretty quiet. Suddenly they asked why they should be quiet anyway. “Do you want to know what the Bible says about people who talk too much?” Yeah they said. “The Bible says that people who talk too much talk…ovipuropuro (nonsense).” The whole room erupted in laughter. I didn’t even know I was going to say it- the Otjiherero just fell out of my mouth.
Three boys in Grade 6 can’t seem to keep their mouths shut- they need so much attention. During afternoon study today I asked them to try to be quiet for 5 minutes…they couldn’t do it, after that though they were pretty quiet. Suddenly they asked why they should be quiet anyway. “Do you want to know what the Bible says about people who talk too much?” Yeah they said. “The Bible says that people who talk too much talk…ovipuropuro (nonsense).” The whole room erupted in laughter. I didn’t even know I was going to say it- the Otjiherero just fell out of my mouth.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
I Conquered The Village...Not The Other Way Around
June 29, 2008
I have conquered the village. The village has not conquered me.
We have a well from which our water is extracted. It is piped into a huge tank. There is a pump/tank for the school and a different set for the surrounding community. At the school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday our tank is filled, though there is no meter gauge when the tank is getting low.
So I’ve told you before how the water has gone off a couple or times over the weekends. It’s not usual so the first time it happened was a huge shock. Since then every Friday afternoon I fill 2 large pots with water just in case. I also have a 25L jug for emergencies. I always take a bath on Friday night and begin the necessary laundry (if the water goes off, it’s usually on Saturday morning).
It’s Sunday. By 11am I had (hand- as all “laundry” doing is) washed all the sheets, boiled rice, prepared meals for the week, and washed most of the dishes when it happened. The water went off. I didn’t panic. I didn’t get annoyed. I looked at my water pots and smiled. I thought of all my weekend accomplishments and felt a small surge of pride. I was productive and prepared.
CSR: 1
Village: 0 (this time)
I have conquered the village. The village has not conquered me.
We have a well from which our water is extracted. It is piped into a huge tank. There is a pump/tank for the school and a different set for the surrounding community. At the school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday our tank is filled, though there is no meter gauge when the tank is getting low.
So I’ve told you before how the water has gone off a couple or times over the weekends. It’s not usual so the first time it happened was a huge shock. Since then every Friday afternoon I fill 2 large pots with water just in case. I also have a 25L jug for emergencies. I always take a bath on Friday night and begin the necessary laundry (if the water goes off, it’s usually on Saturday morning).
It’s Sunday. By 11am I had (hand- as all “laundry” doing is) washed all the sheets, boiled rice, prepared meals for the week, and washed most of the dishes when it happened. The water went off. I didn’t panic. I didn’t get annoyed. I looked at my water pots and smiled. I thought of all my weekend accomplishments and felt a small surge of pride. I was productive and prepared.
CSR: 1
Village: 0 (this time)
Hanging By A Thread
June 27, 2008
Me and Bri: An SMS Conversation
(all abbreviations have been spelled out for your sake)
Me: It was an alright week. There was some homesickness then consideration of going home in August. Interesting chats with host mom. Classes alright. Lots of quiet time and prayer this week. Optimistic.
Bri: You really are using positive coping. I’m impressed. Unless that was code for ‘spent the week drinking. Broke down and ate an earthworm, I hate this place.’ Really though, glad you connected with host mom and took some time for yourself.
Me: Oh girl, I’m hanging on by a thread…wish I brought that 6-pk but better that I didn’t. Find relief in escapism…just today talking about Mozambique in August. It’s all good when I’m in my room chillin’ with Jesus…when I get to class with those little buggers I’m just tryin’ to recall Christ at all %-). Sorry, didn’t mean to sound zen or anything in last sms.
Bri: Hey I could use some zen myself, no apologies. And yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Best part of the day is 5pm when I shut my door for the day, light a candle (electricity still out) and read til bedtime. And I look at my calendar alot. Alot.
Me: We MUST get some leads on what to do for August break next weekend…something to dream about under your flickering flames .
Bri: Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to looking forward.
Me and Bri: An SMS Conversation
(all abbreviations have been spelled out for your sake)
Me: It was an alright week. There was some homesickness then consideration of going home in August. Interesting chats with host mom. Classes alright. Lots of quiet time and prayer this week. Optimistic.
Bri: You really are using positive coping. I’m impressed. Unless that was code for ‘spent the week drinking. Broke down and ate an earthworm, I hate this place.’ Really though, glad you connected with host mom and took some time for yourself.
Me: Oh girl, I’m hanging on by a thread…wish I brought that 6-pk but better that I didn’t. Find relief in escapism…just today talking about Mozambique in August. It’s all good when I’m in my room chillin’ with Jesus…when I get to class with those little buggers I’m just tryin’ to recall Christ at all %-). Sorry, didn’t mean to sound zen or anything in last sms.
Bri: Hey I could use some zen myself, no apologies. And yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Best part of the day is 5pm when I shut my door for the day, light a candle (electricity still out) and read til bedtime. And I look at my calendar alot. Alot.
Me: We MUST get some leads on what to do for August break next weekend…something to dream about under your flickering flames .
Bri: Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to looking forward.
Delirious
June 22, 2008
I want to go home. My mind seized on this Friday and hasn’t let go since. I love the family pics my sister sent and I love hearing stories about my little munchkins. But I hate that they’re growing up without me. I have an intense longing to see them (“want” doesn’t begin to describe what I feel). My little burrito is now a super walking burrito and will be talking before I know it…and I won’t be there. Plus, this life is rough. I don’t love this country (probably never will). I don’t love this culture.
One of the things giving me comfort right now is cooking. On the weekends at least 2 of my 3 meals are a production. Yesterday for breakfast I had bacon, eggs, and hashed browns. Lunch was tuna cakes. This morning it was French toast and fried corn. Lunch ended up being a grilled cheese and salad but I prepared the spinach pizza topping for later in the week. I also rolled out some homemade tortillas and chopped veggies for tacos.
I feel like I spent a lot on groceries this month but right now it’s my sanity.
I want to go home. My mind seized on this Friday and hasn’t let go since. I love the family pics my sister sent and I love hearing stories about my little munchkins. But I hate that they’re growing up without me. I have an intense longing to see them (“want” doesn’t begin to describe what I feel). My little burrito is now a super walking burrito and will be talking before I know it…and I won’t be there. Plus, this life is rough. I don’t love this country (probably never will). I don’t love this culture.
One of the things giving me comfort right now is cooking. On the weekends at least 2 of my 3 meals are a production. Yesterday for breakfast I had bacon, eggs, and hashed browns. Lunch was tuna cakes. This morning it was French toast and fried corn. Lunch ended up being a grilled cheese and salad but I prepared the spinach pizza topping for later in the week. I also rolled out some homemade tortillas and chopped veggies for tacos.
I feel like I spent a lot on groceries this month but right now it’s my sanity.
(;_;)
June 15, 2008
Father’s day. Sunday morning. Broad daylight. Three of us talking while we walked over the bridge. Two teenage boys came up the slope from the parking lot at the side of the bridge just where the railing ends. We weren’t paying attention to them. Suddenly they’re too close to my friend. Then she’s saying no. All I know is that I have to get them away from my girl. I don’t even know what is happening yet but I’m pushing them off of her. They snatch her bag and run across the street and disappear into a gulley.
In shock we go to tell the mall security guards, the ones standing around chatting instead of checking the perimeter (I’m sure this wasn’t the first time this spot had been the scene of a crime). They must have been board as the mall was just opening and they had nothing better to do so they went to look for them. They too disappeared into the gulley. We watched and waited. We didn’t think much would happen.
Suddenly a guard came running at full speed from the mall. We looked up at the bridge and a guy with a gun was nudging the two young ruffians forward. Our mouths dropped open. As they walked past us we froze. Urged to follow by the security guards we did at a distance. All of the excitement gathered a crowd who were tagging along.
There were too many people stuffed into a mall security office, including the two boys. Suddenly they looked so young. One of them I was certain about the other I could not positively ID. But when we were adamant about his guilt he turned his own buddy in.
Security smacked them around a bit. Out came her cell phone. They smacked them around a bit more. Out came the SIM card. They smacked them around some more and lead them back to the gulley. Her bag, wallet, glasses, and other odds and ends resurfaced.
Did we have to fill out any paperwork? No. Can we go? Yes. What will happen to them? We will call the police.
* Please excuse me if I spoke to you on the phone that day, it was a rough day- Ben, Jam, O, Booda.
Father’s day. Sunday morning. Broad daylight. Three of us talking while we walked over the bridge. Two teenage boys came up the slope from the parking lot at the side of the bridge just where the railing ends. We weren’t paying attention to them. Suddenly they’re too close to my friend. Then she’s saying no. All I know is that I have to get them away from my girl. I don’t even know what is happening yet but I’m pushing them off of her. They snatch her bag and run across the street and disappear into a gulley.
In shock we go to tell the mall security guards, the ones standing around chatting instead of checking the perimeter (I’m sure this wasn’t the first time this spot had been the scene of a crime). They must have been board as the mall was just opening and they had nothing better to do so they went to look for them. They too disappeared into the gulley. We watched and waited. We didn’t think much would happen.
Suddenly a guard came running at full speed from the mall. We looked up at the bridge and a guy with a gun was nudging the two young ruffians forward. Our mouths dropped open. As they walked past us we froze. Urged to follow by the security guards we did at a distance. All of the excitement gathered a crowd who were tagging along.
There were too many people stuffed into a mall security office, including the two boys. Suddenly they looked so young. One of them I was certain about the other I could not positively ID. But when we were adamant about his guilt he turned his own buddy in.
Security smacked them around a bit. Out came her cell phone. They smacked them around a bit more. Out came the SIM card. They smacked them around some more and lead them back to the gulley. Her bag, wallet, glasses, and other odds and ends resurfaced.
Did we have to fill out any paperwork? No. Can we go? Yes. What will happen to them? We will call the police.
* Please excuse me if I spoke to you on the phone that day, it was a rough day- Ben, Jam, O, Booda.
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