T's coming soon

Well, word has been sprung that team t-shirts are on order so I thought you might want a sneak peek at the design. Katie did a great job putting this together and we're looking forward to having them soon. We'll figure out how to get them to you early so you can wear it around and promo the trip. It makes a great conversation starter and could give you an opportunity to ask, "Would you like to make a donation?!" Also plan to wear it on our first travel day so we'll all recognize each other at the airport. This is one more step toward being ready for departure. Hope you like it!

Packing List

With almost 100 days to go I know you're all anxious to know what to put in your suitcases. But please tell me no one's starting to pack just yet! This is the list I typically go by and it's done me fine so far. I've divyed it up between what you're wearing, your carry-on bag and your checked bag. When we get a little closer to the trip I'll also post a list of helpful packing tips to remember, probably nothing new, but stuff you won't want to forget. If you have any questions about this list, leave it in the comments. Ok, so here's the rundown of what you should bring...

On your person:
Jeans
T-shirt
Belt
Underwear
Socks
Sneakers
Passport
Wallet

Carry-on Bag:
1 set of prescription meds
Chap-stick
Travel-sized deodorant
Travel-sized toothpaste
Toothbrush
Hair brush
Sunglasses
1 set of clothes (underwear, socks, shorts, & t-shirt)
1 sweatshirt
A book to read
Bible
Journal, pen/pencil
Camera
MP3 player & headphones

Checked Luggage:
1 set of my prescription meds
Ibuprofen, cough & cold meds (only a few doses)
Deodorant
1 bar of soap
Shampoo
Shaving cream & Razor
Other Toiletry needs
Towel
Underwear (6 pairs)
Socks (4 pairs)
Sandals
1 church outfit (guys: khakis & collared shirt; ladies: dress or skirt & nice top)
1 pair of Jeans
2 pairs of Shorts
4 t-shirts
1 sweatshirt
Pajamas
Warm sleeping bag
Pillow
Air Mattress
Air Mattress pump
Sunscreen
Extra batteries/battery charger
Donated items for the ministry

New Team Logo

It's time for the grand unveiling of our new team logo! Katie, our resident graphic artist, designed this specifically for our trip. We're gonna put the logo on some specialized team t-shirts. Hopefully it can be not only a sign of unity amongst our team but a good conversation starter as well. Feel free to download and use the logo on any promo material for fundraising events or update letters you send out to supporters. Just right click on the image and click "Save image as." And you may want to crop it down to size. Hope you're getting excited!

Meet Chandre

Chandre was born on May 17, 1997. She and her older sister, Maderyna, were living on a farm with extended family. When Maderyna was only eight years old she was brought to the hospital after it was discovered that her aunt had sold her to a neighbor for sex. She and Chandre came to His Promise at the request of a Social Services aid working at the hospital. Chandre is now a healthy, spunky junior higher involved in the dance team at Arandis Christian Center. Maderyna lives in Rehoboth with her three year old daughter.

Meet Willem & Anna Charles

This is Willem and Anna Charles. Now at the ages of 70 and 66, both Willem and Anna retired long ago but still feel compelled to do what they can; particularly after one of their own daughters died, leaving two parent-less children behind. They currently serve as His Promise grandparents, helping to raise four of their own grandchildren, Annalie, Daniel, Lee-ann, and Trevor. They also care for one of their own daughters, Lorraine, who is epileptic and unable to care for her daughter (Annalie) on her own. Also included in this family is Geno. Geno lives with the Charles family during the school year and returns to his family in Rehoboth during the holidays. This way he is able to attend Talitha-Kumi Christian Academy in Arandis.

Meet Chriszelda

Chriszelda was born on July 13, 2000, the youngest of five sisters. The girls' father, their mother, and their mother's current partner all excessively abuse alcohol. The girls have spent most of their lives on their own with the two oldest sisters caring for the three younger ones. When the social worker stepped in the girls had been suffering from malnutrition, lack of care and one of them was being sexually abused. The youngest three were placed with HPMN where they now have a caring foster family. Chriszelda is now in first grade at Talitha Kumi Christian Academy where she can receive the special needs care she requires.

Meet Smithley

Smithley was born on November 20, 2000. He is the youngest of three children. Both his parents died from AIDS. His extended family, including grandparents, was already taking care of 22 children of his generation. Social Services and Smithley’s family decided it was in the best interest of the five youngest children to be placed with His Promise Ministries. Smithley, along with his cousins Riaan, Ismael, Queen & Memory are currently living in Arandis with HPMN volunteers until a suitable foster family can be found. They are all going to school at Talitha Kumi Christian Academy where they are receiving a quality Christian education.

What will we eat?

These are mopane (pronounced mo-pa-nee) worms. They're the caterpillar of the emperor moth, otherwise known as tasty hor dourves. After a good rain you can always see people walking with their buckets through the bush collecting these juicy fellas off of mopane trees. They squeeze out the guts, dry them, salt them, and fry them up to eat as treats or maybe use in a stew. They're not too bad actually, kinda leafy flavored.

Whenever people think of going to the African bush they assume they'll have to eat some kind of bugs. While I'm sure we could find some for you, most people are relieved to discover that Namibia has very modern grocery stores with a variety of foods just like you'd find in the States. You might not see the very same brands or flavors, but you'll find plenty that looks familiar. As a team, we'll do all our own shopping and cooking so you should have no fear of going hungry.

That said, we may have the opportunity to eat at some Namibian restaurants where you can eat some indigenous foods. I highly recommend the game steaks like zebra, kudu, or especially gemsbok. They're very flavorful and cooked to order. We also may have the opportunity to visit people in their homes. It's good manners to offer your guests something to drink or eat. It is also good manners as a guest to accept the hospitality of your hosts.

We'll talk a lot more about cultural awareness as we go along, but in general, since we're visiting such a different culture, I highly recommend jumping in head first and taking full advantage of any cultural experience possible. Cultural immersion not only gives you a feel for Namibian life, but it helps you understand a little bit more about the people we'll be ministering to. It also helps tear down some of the walls inevitable to cross-cultural relationships. But the long and the short of it is, if you're not up for eating bugs, no worries. That's one missionary test you won't have to pass on this trip.