Wednesday (Tim)

Good evening from okahandja, Namibia Africa 11:30 pm. I apologise for taking so long to make this post but I actually fell a sleep while making a post and earased it all.

Today was a great day Bill and I went into Windhhoeck , pronounced "Vendhook" with Calvin the Ministry Care Point (MCP) director, as well as a Pastor of the church we worshipped at last Sunday, and our driver when we need to get some where. We needed more plumbing supplies, wood to repair the two swings and repair some dry rotted wood where the gutters hang. We stopped at a place called "Mug & Bean" a place that reminded me a little of Applebee's where we had our first real cup of coffee since we left the states, unless of course you consider two scoops of instant "Sanka", a scoop of sugar and and powdered creamer a good cup of coffee. I remembered the girls back at the MCP and brought them back each a Chocolate Muffin which they are saving for the morning.

This evening after the children left we drove out to five Rand, a place I visited in 2006, a Squatter camp about 3 miles from where we are staying. We went there in an attempt to meet the family of a 19 year old young lady who is being taken care of by the MCP director and his wife because her mother is not able to. The place hasn't changed since 2006 except there a more shacks. I have no idea how these people live in the conditions they live in, and what makes it harder is to spend the day with the kids and then to take them home and to see what they go home to, it's indiscribable. I can't see how people coould ever rise above the poverty, and that word doesn't begin to discribe what you see while driving through.

When o logged on to fb this evening there was a head line about what Meg Ryan is going to do to if she gets in office and one of the statistics was that California has a 12% unemployment rate, well the unemployment rate in Namibia is 57%, that's right 57%. how would you like to wake to that each day or try getting a job in these conditions, good luck.

After we left five Rand we drove a short didstance to Monkey Mountain to see the Sunset and we were not disappointed. With all the smoke and dust in the air below the sun went from yellow to pink to the deepest orange I have ever seen. Two of the volunteers in the MCP Center, came with us and of them has a disabilty that requires that he usses crutchs 24-7 and I was amazed how he climbed up to the top of the mountain, up and over rocks and dirt,
I was so amazed at how nothing was in front of him that he could not get over.

And that how this whole journey has been for this team. Through the Grace of God and His desire for all these people, our team and those who here in the MCP, to come together in fellowship and to serve God together here in Africa at just this exact moment in time gives me God Bumps. the team has geld together and become so close through our stay here that its going to be hard to adjust to not having breakfast lunch and dinner together when I get home. Brandi and Bill were able to video SKype with there kids who are staying with Grampa in Pheonix tonight and that was exactly what they needed, praise God for the mind thst He gave to man that could create such a great way to keep in touch with famliy.

Tomorrow our team will be making dinner for the staff of the MCP, our way of saying thank you. We will be making Goolosh with green beans, rice, and for dessert we are making chocolate chip cookies one of my favorites.


I most get to bed now, it's 1:30 am and this post has taken way to long. But before I go, here a couple things I would ask pray for:

Continued Safe Travel while here.

That we would recieve not only our visas but also that we can get lour passports back from Home Affairs of Namibia. they asked for our passports the day we arrived and we have not had them since and we need them to get home. I have been told not to worry we will have them in time.

For the time when the Team must say good by on Saturday morning at 8am midnight where you are. This will be a very difficult transition for the team as they have built strong bonds with evreyone here.

Clarity of vision and purpose of this mission trip. Everyone has been challenged by God to figure why they are here but more importantly; What will they do with it!

July 28th, My Utmost for His Highest the devotion I have leading each night with the team asked the following questing and i in turn asked them;

"What is MY vision of Gods purpose for me?"

Good night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!