And you thought Chicago was the Windy City...

Posted on 8/11/2010 06:11:00 AM by mike

The wind started Monday night. Only the kind of wind that you find in a flat desert. Gusts that almost knock you over as you're walking and kick up sand in your face. It blew loudly all through the night and morning, but fortunately it began to let up in the afternoon. As I mentioned most of our days will look very similar. On Day 2, Meegan and Anna were back in the schools, Jenn was with Revival and the others were helping the Bandas with fundraising projects for their building program. The severe wind put a damper on the brick making, but they continued working on beading, Bobbi sewed
a lovely bag, and Kyle was working on a wire car. In the afternoons we returned to the homes where we spent Monday afternoon. We helped with homework and studying for exams. One had an exam in Damara (their tribal language) on Wednesday so she studied by giving us some Damara lessons. Some of us also went out on walks and had the children show us around town. One of the sights included this old dump truck that they used to use in the nearby uranium mine. It became obsolete because it was too small!

Another project that we were asked to do is to teach music classes at the Talitha Kumi Primary School. They have no one locally who knows about music in order to teach a class, so they are putting some of our musical people to good work. We teach a half-hour class with the 1st & 2nd graders, and then a half-hour class with the 3rd & 4th graders. We've split the week up so one person teaches each day on a different musical genre. On Monday Josh taught about Jazz. The kids loved how he said, "Smooooth jazz." On Tuesday Kyle taught about hip-hop including a rap lesson and learning how to write poetry. He rhymed words like 'heard,' and 'bird,' and 'thrid' (maybe the primary schoolers could help him with his spelling). Later this week Bobbi will teach about Classical, Fred about Country/Western, and I'll teach about good old Rock n Roll.

Evenings continue to be team-time. Dinner was really good - chicken and rice - very American! Anna lead worship music to kickoff our debrief time. We all shared about God moments we saw throughout the day. Then everybody sat around the table and played some games. It was an early to bed night because everyone has been exhausted from such full days of active ministry, but that's what we're here for. It's exciting to see everyone so willing to jump in and help out even when they're tired. Please continue to pray for sound rest, health, and strength!

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16 comments:

  1. McDarla7:15 AM, August 11, 2010

    Thank you Mike for these updates. We appreciate them as we are waiting for them. You all are our arms and hands extended for those of us not there with you... We are backing you up in prayer and will continue to pray for sound rest, health and strength in Jesus Name.

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  2. Leah Dezan8:14 AM, August 11, 2010

    God must be so proud of you all right now!
    ( and I am too!). Def. will pray for sound
    rest, health, and strength. Matt. 5: 14-17
    " You are the light of the world. A city on
    a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people
    light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
    Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives
    light to everyone in the house. In the same
    way, let your light shine before men, that
    they may see your good deeds and praise
    your Father in heaven."

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  3. Marc Richardson8:40 AM, August 11, 2010

    We have been and will continue to be in prayer for all of you. Our God reigns! May His glory and comfort rain down on you all.

    The love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the grace of our Heavenly Father is deeper and wider than an ocean with no bottom and no shorelines. May everyone you meet in Namibia sense the Holy Spirit walking and ministering amongst you. Keep your eyes on Him!

    We at Grace Family Church love you Josh and the rest of the Maine contingent. Be strengthened!

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  4. Anonymous9:32 AM, August 11, 2010

    Still praying :)

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  5. Anonymous9:57 AM, August 11, 2010

    I can just see the kids faces while learning about all the music; how exciting! Love it. Continuing Praying for you guys; You should play a Billy Joel Song for them Mike :) Still praying... cant wait for more updates- Tif

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  6. The Crawfords10:41 AM, August 11, 2010

    Hi Sis, it was so good to get up this morning and have a message from you. I am so excited for what God is doing in your life. I was talking with Mr. Josh yesterday he is so excited for you. He said that a plane ride of 3000 miles doesn't change a person or prepare them to do ministry work its what is in their heart and that is so true. He said that you have a heart for mininstry. Love you and miss you but wouldn't change things for anything. Keep smiling and remember God loves you and so do we. Praying for you all:) <3 your family

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  7. Brigitt11:37 AM, August 11, 2010

    Professor Kyle, has a ring to it!! Poetry?? Jenn fundraising?? God is smiling pretty wide right now!! You and your team are doing amazing work for these kids and this mission. Your actions as a team are speaking volumes. We just returned from Miami and are celebrating dad's b-day with a coconut cake. Miss you and love you, mom, dad and Hudson

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  8. Anonymous1:37 PM, August 11, 2010

    Just wanted to let you all know that people are praying for you here in Texas. May God use you all in a mighty way!
    Misti Collier

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  9. Cathy Schreiber2:04 PM, August 11, 2010

    We are thinking and praying for you daily love you so much papa and grandma

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  10. Tim Funaro2:39 PM, August 11, 2010

    Hey Kyle and Jenn - We miss you guys. We can tell by the blog comments that Namibia is a better place with you and your team doing great things!! Kyle - all your cousins from NY say hey and they miss you. Think about you every day and wonder what you're doing at that moment. Great things!!
    Love you
    Mom and Dad

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  11. Christine5:19 PM, August 11, 2010

    Anna - you are so awesome! Thanks for serving and representing Christ. Keep on keeping on! Can I have a hug???

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  12. Christine5:24 PM, August 11, 2010

    Kyle - or should I say Lil' Kyle - news of your rapping skills have crossed the Atlantic. Excited to see videos. Can you rhyme the word thrid?

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  13. germaine5:51 PM, August 11, 2010

    love that you guys are teaching music :)) still praying!!

    Love -G

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  14. Naomi Gdanian9:46 PM, August 11, 2010

    Hey Anna! Thank you so much for my Birthday Greeting! It made me feel very special, and I teared up! I love you so much and miss you. I am so glad God is doing so many things down there. I can tell you are really enjoying being used by Him :) I pray for you and the team continually! Take care and God bless

    Love NA

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  15. Dad9:53 PM, August 11, 2010

    Anna Bannana with the Big Blue Eyes. We are so proud of you and are so blessed that you and the team made it safe. May the Lord richly bless you and the other in all the a you say and do for you all are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

    Love Dad

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  16. Maureen Gdanian6:48 AM, August 13, 2010

    Hey Anna,
    Every day I thank God for sending you all to Namibia to shine His love and demonstrate HIs love by serving them. I see vessels being filled and poured out, filled and poured out, a divine exchange.
    The provision is glorious evidence of His faithful love and grace.
    I love you,my dear,and the prayers continue,
    Mom
    Love you enormously

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