Darin's Diary pt. 5

As I type this, thirteen of my team members are waking up in Swakopmund where we stayed last night in a guest cottage one block from the ocean, and four are waking up back in Arandis where they chose to spend the night with Pearl and the Banda family - one last evening to visit before we depart.

Thursday and Friday offered us more opportunities to continue in the endeavors we had been involved with our friends in all week. Another visit to Kolin Secondary School 11th graders for our school team; more work at Talitha Kumi Primary School and work in the library for our HPOM team; more afternoon dance classes with the kids of Arandis for our dance team. For me, it was the opportunity with two of my team mates to meet one very cool man named Jimmy.

Kerry, Steph and I drove Tresford and Fabiola into Swakop for the morning to purchase supplies for Friday morning's breakfast with the elderly residents of Arandis the church would host. On the way we stopped to see Jimmy Kearney, a South African man who resides in Namibia and who is simply "out to change the world". He shared much of his story with us. It started when he was telling some kids about Jesus and one of them said, "Uncle (many of the children refer to adults as Auntie and Uncle), that is good about Jesus, but can Jesus give me some food? Can Jesus give me a blanket?" Jimmy said, "Yes!" and has been doing it ever since. From one child to a whole community of kids, he offers healthy meals to kids every day after school. He's leased a huge complex in Swakop where he houses several need-meeting ministries. Most impressive was a business he launched there where dozens of locals now work, and the product they produce (similar to a Cheese Doodle), bag and ship all over southern Africa now sustains the ministry financially and more. They in turn are assisting dozens of other grass-roots programs all over Namibia. Kerry, Steph and I saw quite clearly, this guy is the genuine article!

From there we had another stop - at an Arandis sewing factory. Anne Marie was a lady who liked to sew. She had a dream. What if we made clothing here for the rest of the world. She saw tags in clothing that said "Made in Mexico" and so forth, why not "Made in Namibia"? She gave Kerry, Steph and I a tour of her quality control area (the smaller of two production lines). All together, she has 250 employees on her payroll and is shipping her products to Woolworths around the world. This is in Arandis! When I spoke to her she said, "the people needed employment so I came up with this" as she looked around the factory. No kidding - this is changing the world!

Finally, my day ended with a meeting with Pastor Reuben - the church that had initially sent Tresford and Fabiola to Arandis three and a half years ago. I asked Pastor Reuben to share the vision of his congregation with me. As he did, I realized that he had just articulated the Vision and Core Values of Christ's Church. My friends, we have found our true kin on the other side of the world. I cannot capture my excitement at meeting and sharing with these three people. This day will go down as a highlight for me for years to come. I'm certain that our future relationship with all three will be the stuff in which people catch glimpses of God's story.

Speaking of God's story, more is being written. As I began I mentioned that four of my group elected to stay at Pearl's last night. The entire team was invited but we were concerned that our numbers would be more of a burden than a blessing on the Banda household. Still, we didn't want to say no, as that might have been a cause of hurt. Kerry, Bonnie, Sallie and Steph decided to spend the night at the Banda's home. I'm on my way to pick them up within the hour. Pray for my team. This time when we load up and aim our combies north, it will be "goodbye". I've told my team that three things will make for the best separation experience (from my experience); (1) allow yourself to grieve over the separation; (2) say good goodbyes; (3) say thank you. I'm praying this morning that my team remembers that lesson from our training. They will benefit greatly if they do.

So now we begin the long journey home. We're on our way to Etosha to go and stalk the lion population of Africa and to "make friends" with a few elephants. Roadkill (my combie's annual nickname) knows the way to Etosha without me. So, we're almost home. Pray for my team now as all 27 of us will reunite for the first time since day 2. Pray for my team as these next three days of debrief and turn-around are actually some of the most important of our trip. Pray for my leaders, as they are helping your loved ones prepare for re-entry, which can be a traumatic shock to the system. Don't worry - we've got great and experienced leaders in place, and hosts who know what they're doing. Pray that we finish strong.

Lastly, I'm not sure what communication will look like from the north. Our new internet connection ability has been amazing thus far, but it relies on cell service. So, if we go silent for a couple of days, no worries. We're just messin' with the elephants. We'll be back. Of course, if it works, I'll have more for you. Sorry I've fallen a bit behind. I'll promise to "type when I get home". Love to you all, from us all!