Darin's Diary pt. 3

Greetings to all of our iNam friends and family! Thanks again for your faithfulness in prayer. I'm happy to report that all of our sickies are now at full strength again. Let's just say it's been flushed out of them and leave it at that. I'm also happy to report that my group within the team made our journey away from the others in Okahandja and settled into Arandis with much excitement and enthusiasm.

We are staying in our friend Nan Parker's home - a house that easily accommodates our group of 16 (our original 14 plus Toivo and Richard who have joined our team). Nan's home is very comfortable. Her dog Sammy... well, he's small. Exceptionally loud for his size. Taken fondly to the lower legs of several of my teammates (and we're here to talk about abstinence - the dog isn't listening!) and he peed on my guitar. Let's just say that the men are cooking Wednesday night, and I've assigned Richard the task of rigging a rotisserie. Sammy may presently be enjoying his last hours, pre pup-chops. "Sammy? Nope. Haven't seen him. Anyone seen Sammy?"

We enjoyed reconnecting with the Banda family upon our arrival Saturday night. Pastor Tresford and Fabiola have worked out a full week of ministry opportunities in which we can join them.

Sunday we worshipped with the congregation of Arandis Christian Center (Pastor Tresford's congregation). It was wonderful to see so many friends again. The service was a blessing to us all. In the evening we traveled to Swakopmund to take part in a youth service. Our dancers performed a couple of numbers, John and Tresford led a song, and Richard brought a marvelous message on the Prodigal Son. The service erupted at the end into a dance party - a huge conga line, a circle with many taking turns stepping into the middle to showcase a move or two. It was amazing to be a part of that. Reflecting on it later, it was thrilling for me to see so many of the youth from Arandis actively involved - young people that we are familiar with from prior trips.

Monday morning started very early with our annual return to Kolin Foundation Secondary School and our friend Dr. Erna Both. This is the dear lady who was so concerned the first time we visited there in 2005 that she literally held our power feed in her hand to unplug it if she needed to. Since then we've developed a relationship that includes much trust on both sides, leading in the 06 and 07 trips including our team members taking classrooms to dialogue with students. Today as we began Dr. Both introduced us saying, "God sends His messengers to us. Listen closely to these dear friends of Kolin from America. They are regulars here now." Those of you who have been here before know how blessed we are to hear her speak like that!

Dr. Both requested that our team send a few of the young people into the school the rest of the week for peer interaction with her 11th graders. She especially wants us to talk frankly with the students about sexual purity and hope for the future. She said to me, "These messages you bring are taking hold in many of the learners lives. We're making progress." So, we anticipate doing that beginning tomorrow.

We raced 100km from Kolin to a Primary School in Usakos. Pastor Tresford's congregation has been reaching out to this community and he was hopeful that our dancers and musicians could do an assembly to help build for the future there. We arrived to find an amazing school. We were sent into a first grade classroom that looked like one you'd see in America. The teachers we met seemed very capable and warm. The next thing we knew, more than 400 students were marched in - between 1st and 7th grade. There was not a free square foot of floor space for dances. So, the team modified their plans. We put on the Wiggles and led the kids in (gentle and space appropriate) movements. They loved it. Amanda was called upon to share a message with the children. She spoke about God's unchanging love for us. At the end she asked if she could pray for the kids and there was a rousing "YES!" reply from the whole room. As she began, "Let's pray", you could have heard a pin drip in that room.

Our Monday began to wind down with the first of the week's dance classes. The first group of younger children numbered 40. The second group of older children numbered 20. Those numbers will increase tomorrow, as we've learned. The first day went very well. The children loved the classes and didn't want them to end.

That brings you up to date. Parting thoughts from my heart to yours... emotions. These trips are very emotional for all participants. Many on our side of the team are having those emotional experiences this week. Please pray for us all as we comfort and encourage one another. These are the things we prepared ourselves for in advance. More soon...