Celebration in the Nearby Village

Well, I am going to try to write accurately but we really do not understand everything so we apologize up front if there is inaccurate information or information that we have missed.

We were invited to the nearby village to come to a “coming out” of 4 girls.  We were asked to come at 8am and bring our camera.  So, we waited a bit because the rain was coming down and we were not sure.  Then we got a call asking if we were coming?  Well, we headed out immediately. The dog goes everywhere with us, we we took the lease “just in case” she would think about getting in the way or in trouble.  The rains were coming down and we were walking a narrow path with overgrown wet grass, so we were wet before we even arrived.  When we arrived they took Travis to be with the men and I was invited into the house with the girl/women.  I was ask to begin taking pictures and videos.  So the camera came out and never went away until after 224 pictures and probably about 25 videos. 

So, as we understand it, once the girls become “of age” they are kept in the house so that no men can see them.  They are taught all of the rules.  They are taught how to act and behave for their husband – to be submissive and to never talk back.  They do the same for the elders.  When they do talk back, they are beaten.  This goes on (beatings, teachings, advisement, and being served – kept in the house) for months – 3-4 months!!  Can you imagine?!   So, today, the girls come out!!!  They are led by the godmother and a care giver (under the blanket with the squares).  They continue to be covered until they arrive at the celebration.

                 

Once they arrive, they are uncovered and the dancing begins.

        

The one in the middle is a leader and the small girl on the right is the sister of baby Lorna.  She was a server for the girls during their stay in the house.  She brought them meals…  Money is placed in a bowl for the girls. Some of them had the money on their heads as you can see in the second picture below.   The men pictured on the right are important.  From left to right are Joseph, father of baby Lorna and our good friend and a leader at the local church we attended, then Travis, them another Joseph then the old man of the village and our friend, Mr, (Bo) Mombela and Victor.  Important!!!! 

     

The rains poured down and everyone was very wet.  The girls had on white tops but the brown clay they painted on them selves turned their white shirts into what looked like blood stains.  Yes, their is our faithful and loyal dog!! 

       

Here are the sisters of Baby Lorna and her father.  Her mother had to work today:(

                    

These were just a few sweet pictures. Wish you could see the videos!!! When you see us dancing you would laugh your heads off!! 

                             

The celebration is almost finished now.  Time to serve and be a women.   God Bless you as you go!!!!

     

Love and Adventures and Blessings from us serving in Namibia Africa!!! 

Because of HIM, Travis and Lorna

OH, What a day!

The morning was beautiful.  A bit cool, but still humid from the night rains, and cloudy.  Well, we were happy because we did not have a car in the village that was functioning so we had to walk out to town.  I had to get meds for one of the small children so I knew I might have a very long day at the hospital.  Travis would do some other errands while I waited in the infamous queue at the hospital.  So, we walked… It was not as hot as when we walked back yesterday so that was a blessing.  We were blessed to get a lift from our neighbor when we were about half way. 

I get to the hospital and go to the desk to greet my friend there.  She is always very nice and usually puts me in front of the others.  Now, I do not like to do this because it really makes the others mad!  And, I personally do not blame them.  They might sit there for 6 hours and I should do the same.  BUT, when she offered to take the hospital record and refill the meds, I said, “OK, Thank you very much!”  So, it really did not take any time at all. 

Now, to top it off, I wore different shoes because I keep getting all the ones that I have wet and muddy.  Well, I should have stuck with the ones I had been wearing because now I had blisters on both feet and could hardly walk!  I kept singing songs in my head to keep my thoughts positive and in all things, give thanks! 

We had been looking for sports shorts for the children and had only seen a few at one store.  The guy there said he would call us when more came in, probably Monday.  since I was there and Travis was doing other things, I decided just to check.  When I went in there were more. So I picked up several pairs.  Then the man saw me and said he was “just going to call us”  The shipment just came this morning.  So I said thank you very much!  Then he said, “do you take donations?”  I said “yes we really appreciate donations”.  So, he said he had some things to sort out and then he would call us!  Another connection and another blessing!!!

Travis said the car was fixed so we could take it back!!  YAHOOO!!  This was big, good news because we had a BIG meat order to pick up for the village.  Now this is meat to last over a month for ALL of the children so it is HEAVY.  We were thankful to have a car!  OH, wait.  The car is really not working properly so back to the shop it went!  So, in order to get the meat back, we could not walk (foot) but we needed the boat.  So we called our staff member to get us in the boat.

We loaded the boat.   Now, there were 10 boxes of meat.  I am pretty strong but I could not pick them up so Travis and our staff member had to load them.  Plus, the meat had been thawing at the shop and the boxes were all bloody and dripping and falling apart. 

We start slowing up the river.  Now we are just praying that the boat makes it.  It is going very slow and the motor does not sound very strong.  Now, the RAINS start pouring and blowing!!!  WOW!!!  We are getting soaked!!!  About a half hour later, we are dripping wet, back at the village and still have to unload the boat! 

BUT, we are thankful!!!  We made it back and the motor in the boat did not stop.  After our return the lightening started but not while we were on the river in our metal boat.  The meat is unpacked, we are dry and safe.  God is SO GOOD!!!  Unfortunately I did not have the camera but you would have laughed your head off if you would have seen us soaking wet in the boat with all of the bloody meat boxes.  But, when we got back, I would not let Travis in the house until I got his picture.  You really cannot see how wet his clothes are but 4 hours later, they are still dripping!!!   LOVE from us!! Please pray for our road and our cars and us!!!  THANK YOU!!!!

                                                      

New Year’s Day 2013 Namibia, Africa

Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.   For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring, a great King over all the earth!!!   HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Today we had such a wonderful day!  The sun was shining and the breeze was warm.  We started by giving thanks.  Thanks for so many things and so many people that continue to be a blessing to us.  We joined our staff (all 2 of them) and the small children (all 5 of them) for morning devotions at 8. 

Then we walked to the nearby village church.  They were up all night preparing for the New Year and celebrating how Great is Our God!  When we arrived, they were cooking the biggest pot of pap (maize meal) that we have ever seen!!!  It was giant.  We all took a turn in “stirring” which can be compared to pulling a rowing paddle through cement that is wet.  HARD WORK!!!

              

After the cooking was done, the service started.  The benches were brought out under the big shade tree.  People shared testimonies of how God Blessed them in 2012. It was encouraging and inspiring.  We all sang.  Some were “invited” to the front to share in singing in the local Silozi language.  Well, I think that we did ok :)  As usual, our dog escorted us as she does not seem to let us go anywhere any more without her. 

      

After a couple of hours of worship, we enjoyed that nice lunch.  As the guests, we were the first ones served.  It was delicious with rice, chicken, tomatoes and onion.  I think they gave us rice maybe because they thought it was more appreciated by us than pap.  But we are used to eating pap with the children so either was fine with us.

Then the dancing started!  Great spiritual music with new dance steps to learn.  The children were cute and loved getting a photo taken. 

                                          

As you begin your New Year we know you are also thankful.  Start the year new and fresh and put away the old.  Continue to seek God with all of your being. 

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”  Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:5

May your line stay straight and steady.  May your eyes remain fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, who awaits you at the finish line.  And may the path between your today and your eternity be strewn with stones of remembrance.     Happy New Year!!!!!