Day of the Namibian Child Sept. 28, 2011

It was an excited day on Wednesday Sept 28 which is the celebration of The Day of the Namibian Child.  This is a day to bring attention to children in Namibia that are in need because of 3 major areas: poverty, child rape and child abandonment. 

On Friday afternoon we had unexpected visitors from the Ministry of Gender.  They were coming to invite the children from the Zion Mission School to perform at the cultural event.  Well, this was short notice but it gave them Monday and Tuesday to prepare and we were all excited.  The children have never performed at the stadium before so this is a first!!!  We crowded about 30 children in the 2 vehicles that we have and headed to town at 8 in the morning.  They were dressed in their school uniform and shared emotions of excitement and a bit of nervousness. 

A marching “band” went through the town and entered the Sports Complex to kick of the event. The marching band consists of 2 drums, one set of cymbals, two “horns”, a drum major and marching girls that wear a white glove and carry a stick that they use as part of the performance.  We actually never heard the cymbals but they were there.  

    

There were several young kindergarten groups that performed.  Very cute! 

            

Then, STARING, Children of Zion Mission School Choir!!!!!!!!!!   Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!!!!!!

                 

The event ended with refreshments for the performers that included a sausage sandwich, small bag of chips and a can of soda. 

We were proud of our children.  They demonstrated good behavior and had a great performance and we all had a wonderful time. 

Energy and activity at the Epiphany Transition Home

God has blessed the children with a transition home where the oldest one move and learn how to function and live more independently.  This home was built a couple of years ago but finding the right national couple to be the house parents was difficult.  Finally, we felt that God was calling one of our current staff and his wife to be the house parents.  We were so excited when they accepted the challenge on a “trial” basis. 

           

So, when the Epiphany team was here from Epiphany UMC in Ohio, they (along side some of our children)finished painting the outside and started cleaning the grounds around the home.  We shifted furniture that we could to start out.  We purchased some basics.  AND, last weekend, the 12 older children moved.  Now, this house is not very far.  It is a short walking distance (almost like us walking from our house to the children’s home).  It is outside the gate that leads into the property. 

               

They are gathering fire wood and cooking their own 3 meals outside over the fire on their own.  They are doing their own laundry by hand (which they have been doing), they are cleaning and trying to keep their rooms neat (at neat as teenagers think they need to be) and also attending school that starts at 7am and attending church with us at Zion on Sundays (as before).  So far, they are enjoying the new parts of their adventure. 

         

They seem to think that it is too quite without an additional 8 people in their room (there is now 2 per room with 6 boys and 6 girls total) and there has been a lot of foot traffic up and down the road to see each other and determine who is eating the best meal (which is most important of course).  They will be starting their own garden plot and having Bible studies with the house parents along with learning how to budget and purchase what they need. 

Now that one of the puppies is back with the house parents, our dogs have totally abandoned us:(  They just stay at that side and we hardly see them.  Traders!!

We thank God that these older children will be more prepared to go into the world and be successful. With this learning time and God’s help, they will be good Namibian citizens that will hopefully bring others to know and love the Lord!!!