One Last View

For the Team Leifde crew, here is one last video that Katie has put together. I think this is a great 'final view' as it includes so many pictures of us with our Namibian friends. In a final analysis, this was what it was all about. Right? Enjoy the memories - and until we ride again...

It is finished...

not the blog... just the journey...

After 13 hours in the air of our final leg, we were informed that the weather in NY was rough and the wanted us to stay in a holding pattern for 45 minutes. We were low on fuel so we were diverted to Toronto... ugh... after 3 hours of sitting on the plane we were cleared to take off for JFK. We landed at 6:00pm made it through customs without a hitch and then took the next 5 hours driving back to NH. Thank you so much Nancy & Elizabeth for coming to get us!!!

So close, yet so far away...

We have landed in Dubai... Nate is eating a McArabia... I am afraid... very afraid... 15 1/2 hours & we land at JFK...

On the road again...

It's true... I still have lots more to share about our adventures. It's been such an amazing trip, but we have started the trekk back home. Currently Papa Nathan (pa-pa knot-en) and I are sitting in Johannesburg airport for another 2-hours. Travel from Namibia went quite smooth. No hitches at the airport, I handed the lady at the check-in desk our itinerary and she pulled my ticket right up. It was a beautiful thing. Another 27-hours until our arrival at JFK... Papa Nathan can not wait to hit the ground... soon enough Papa... soon enough!

Where to begin??

I guess the beginning... at least of our time in Ondangwa. We drove all day from Swakopmund and arrived in Ondangwa before nightfall. Which is a smart thing to do since cattle roam the "highway" and have the right of way. We pulled into the Fantasia Guest House where we were greeted by Simeon who recognized Nate, asked about Nancy, Jim & Paula and offered us a 30% discount. Yes, a sweet beginning. Our room was nice and cozy with all the ammenities we might need. It's definitely a quaint place. So we went off to forage for food. The only place that Nate said would be open in town is KFC... I had avoided having KFC in Namibia for the past 6 trips, but the time had come. It wasn't horrible and some things about it made me smile. Oh, and the most important news of the evening was that I won in Phase 10... yea! Beat Mike... another first...

We woke up to the "glorious" rooster crow and went to Boniface & Saara's. Boniface took us for a tour of the property, showed us how they cut the grass to make a thatched roof. Explained how no water seeps through even in the heaviest of rains and how the grass absorbs the sun's rays and keeps the place cool, unlike zinc which creates an oven. Then he took us inside he & Saara's home. I thought the place was beautiful. He also took us around and showed us their garden (this was inspired after Boniface took the Micro-MBA course at Dieter's place). He showed us where they are starting to build a shower and the hole for the new toilet that they are going to build. He also took us into the office to show us a bit about the solar power on the property and then into the dormitory (which is all part of the school building).

From there we went into the classroom and listened while Grace taught class. They were learning about Spiritual Warfare and the heart. They learned that they had a test on Friday and if they failed they had to write the book of Deuteronomy. The class freaked out a bit because they were focusing on the "what if they failed" instead of I better study so that I don't. If I were them I would've started studying instantly. Once class was dismissed we left for the afternoon since that is when everyone rests, we were asked to come back at 5:30pm. In the evening we met some more people, talked more in the office about Boniface's dreams and I was taught a little about how they cook by my new friend Elizabeth who is Boniface's in-law.

We were instantly immersed in their lives and they were excited to share it. It was such a blessing to learn about them and what God is doing there. Yet again... part of my heart is left in another part of Namibia...

I need words as wide as sky...

I have been trying to write a post for two days now and haven't known quite how to express it. This was my (and Mike's) first visit to Boniface & Saara. I met them once briefly in 2006 when Nate's team took them to Etosha with them for an evening. I have seen much improvement from the pics that I have seen from the 2006 team. The building for the school seems to be pretty much completed. They have solar power in the building and they have moved some homes on the plot around from what I've been told.

Boniface has so many dreams for the plot and it's such a joy to hear him express them. I am so glad to have had this opportunity to meet the people that are attending the college and to experience their lives. The three of us were talking about what a different experience it is to be in Ondangwa. We are actually coming into their lives in their community... experiencing what they experience. My eyes have been opened to a whole new world. I will share more with you later, I have much to share about the people, community, lunch, teaching... currently we are in the car driving south and my sweatshirt tent is getting a bit stuffy.

Boniface wanted us to tell Carey it's been too long. He sends greetings to Nancy, Jim, Paula & Richard & would love to know when you will visit again. He also asked about John & Dave Knight as well as Jeremiah Burrow.

It's not a problem...

Well... I think it is. See here's the brief story... There was a phone conversation one day where Germaine was not on the phone but another person was. Germaine expressed that she was unable to get a ride back from JFK if her and the person on the other end of the phone were to stay later than the rest of the team. The person in the room with her expressed this to the person on the phone. From what Germaine understood... the person on the phone said "No, problem... I can get us a ride." Germaine has since learned that said person does not recall the conversation and it appears we may be stranded in NYC... anyone up for a road trip on Sunday to JFK??? Gas $$ will be involved and Germaine won't need to beat someone (who's name is being withheld) up if they are stuck together in NYC...

'Dis is Afrika!!

We made it to Ondangwa by night fall... YAY!! I've always thought the north was so beautiful. This is where you experience Africa as people think of it. Cattle, goats & donkeys wandering the streets. Ladies carrying huge buckets of water back to their homes in the village. Homes made of mopane trees. I remember in 2002 the kids at the first school we went to showed me a mopane tree, told me that their homes were made of it, handed me a leaf and asked me to keep it to remember them by. And of course I remember... we were having a conversation about Mike not understanding why I remember some of the things that I do... useless information as he calls it. My response was "God wired me different". Nate said that would be the name of my book... I will keep that in mind in case I do write a book about me.

We are staying at the Fantasia Guest House for the next couple days. It's a nice place... Nancy, Jim & Paula... Simeon asked about you. Nate was excited that he remembered you all... I am excited too because he gave us a discount.

Tomorrow we will be up early and off to Saara & Boniface's. We have already been asked to teach... of course I am feeling under prepared, but I know what I want to teach so that is the biggest hurdle.

Do you love your neighbor??

Today we went into Arandis & visited Pastor Tresford's church. I was overwhelmed with the amount of people that I knew there. I saw Jasme, Jennifer & Rebekka from the Kolin School as well as quite a few more. I also got a Nan hug... a Rebecca hug and a Gracia hug all from Team Zebra. I was greated by Michael Dunne my facebook friend and was immediately given an assignment from Boniface upon his hearing that we would be attending youth group in the evening. It was just to prepare group games. Of course Mike got the leading worship music assignment and I made sure to let Boni know that Nate also needed an assignment. He thought about it for a moment and asked him to give a 5 minute testimony on why learning and schooling is important... little did Boni know that this was right up our Social Studies teacher's alley.

After church Brenda invited us over for lunch. Cameron, Brenda's adopted son's younger brother, was telling us many stories about the Lion King and Stuart Little. I also had to operate on a ginormous sliver that he had in the palm of his hand. That little boy is definitely hardened to pain. I also learned another communication barrier. After I removed the sliver I used an anti-bacterial handiwipe to clean the wound. I told him to tell me if it stings and I would stop. I asked him several times and the little man said "no". I asked him one final time and he said "no, but it's burning." I felt so bad and explained to him that is what I meant by "does it sting". All in all, he was quite relieved to get the stick out of his hand (as he put it).

After Brenda's we went to the Banda's and hung out with Pearl & Clara (& Tresford for a bit). Clara shared all about her coming in second place in the regionals of the science fair and how she gets to go into the nationals in September. Her project could even get picked up by mining companies because she found a way to create sodium carbonate and can use it to clean uranium instead of having to import acid. We will see what the future holds in that regard. She is one smart little lady.

Youth group was a lot of fun. We played "Do you love your neighbor" since there were lots of kids and the chairs were already set in a circle. Nate's talk on education was encouraging to the kids. Mike's guitar playing was great as usual and Steve Graham gave a great talk on how we know God's voice.




I was hoping to go into Kolin school tomorrow, but we have an extremely LONG drive and it looks like we won't get the opportunity. Our time table is too crunched and I keep thinking that it would be nice if we were scheduled out until the 31st like we thought that we were. And Elizabeth... I hear daily... sometimes multiple times how much Nate misses you. Thought that you might like to hear that. ;)

It's quiet... but not for long...

Yesterday was the first full day without the rest of the team. We used this day to rest a bit and figure out the next plan of action. After a couple of phone calls we decided that we would head to Arandis until Monday and then head up to Ondangwa to see Saara & Boniface. I am so excited to see Pearl tomorrow. Since she didn't know that I was staying an extra few days, she sent me a letter that stated coming all the way to Namibia and not coming to visit her was wicked... little does she know that "wicked" is a good thing to a New Englander. I am also excited to travel north and learn more about Saara & Boniface.

Toivo spent the day with us. It was great to spend some time with him. Currently he is looking into what he needs to do to get college scholarships. He still has two years left of school, so it is great to see his initiative. That boy is going to be a great doctor one day. In the evening we made hawaiian pizzas for dinner and then went to the coffee bar at the Multi Purpose Ministry Centre (MPMC).

I decided to play checkers with Assed. I told him that he was a checkers shark, he beat me the first 3 out of 5 games. I wish I wrote down the Afrikaans word for checkers... I was informed that the word is "like the squares on a shirt". That made me laugh. Funny how the game is called the same thing in both languages.


While I was playing checkers Nate was teaching two boys how to play chess. (fyi... my camera stopped working so my pictures are taken with a camera phone). Maybe they will start a local chess club. ;)

Not only is Mike the farmer's champion in foosball... he dominated Toivo in DDR.

This morning we took the drive out to Swakopmund. We decided to stay at the coast for a few reasons and think it was a nice decision. I am so excited to actually sleep in a bed tonight AND, AND I don't need my sleeping bag!! Nate took his first trekk up the sand dunes tonight to watch a gorgeous sunset. Then we walked the .7km from our bungalow to a great restaurant called the Tug. It is right on the ocean and actually made out of a tug boat and it's the second coolest restaurant in the world! Yes, I do admit we are feeling a bit spoiled these past couple days. Tomorrow we will spend the day with the Bandas and hopefully Pearl will be able to join us for the evening here at the coast. It will be a busy week of travelling but all in all should be a good and enlightening time. I have already been informed that we will need to teach in Ondangwa... man... wasn't expecting that... although I guess I should have. I will spend the next couple days discerning what to do.

Don't You Forget About Me

Yesterday Mike, Nate, Toivo, Richard & I dropped the team off at the airport. The 2 days leading up to that were a bit surreal and the last 24-hours of our time together were quite emotional for me. My team was made up of 9 people who didn't really know one another and quickly became family. I am not sure if you could find a group of 9 that are more different, yet if we had differences we worked them out, if we were annoyed with one another we all put it out on the table. I was reflecting on this team and compared it to the other 6 teams that I have been a part of and I really think that we were probably the closest group and no issues were left unresolved. I even thought about comparing us to the final scene in the "Breakfast Club" where everyone has a label, yet they discovered that they all possess some of the same characteristics.

The realization that I would not be travelling back with my team hit me hard. I think this is a bit of what Toivo feels like after the team leaves. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for what is to come... but I almost feel like I let them down. I already miss Jan's laugh and additions to the Jan remix. I could really use a Matt & Melissa hug. I would love to see Steph's smile and experience her dry wit. I want to have an authentic talk with Ginger and sing some songs with Jesse. I even miss Grants 5,000 questions about what's for dinner & when it's going to be ready. I drove into town and just before I went over the river ditch I could still hear Grant say "GO FASTER!!"

But all in all... Nate & I are fine. Nate shared the movie game with Mike and they had me rolling at dinner this evening. So, yea... don't worry about us. We will keep you posted with the rest of the journey. Please pray for no more car trouble. It's been a rough trip in that regard. The car we have now is a VW Golf and since we are going to be travelling we really need this one to keep working nicely.

Just a few more videos to share...

Hey everyone! Since we're sitting in South Africa waiting for our next flight, we might as well share a few more videos with you all on certain highlights of our trip.

The first is of John playing guitar and singing, while Bonnie danced to the music at a worship service in Walvis Bay.



The second is a glimpse into the dance classes and final performance of all the kids in Arandis!



Hope everyone enjoys these, and I can't wait to see everyone tomorrow when we get home!
-Steph

Darin's Diary pt. 6

Greetings from Jo-burg. We made our departure from Namibia earlier this afternoon and all 25 of us managed to get on the plane despite South African Airline's best efforts to make some of us miss the flight. There were issues with our ticket numbers that required many delays in check-in, but alas we all made it. Notice I said 25 of us, that is because Nate and Germaine have stayed behind to finish some of our team business as well as to revisit a number of our Namibian friends that this team didn't have time to see. Our first flight was uneventful, and we are all in pretty good spirits as we make our way home.

I realize that I am woefully behind in my diary entries. Please forgive me. Living these experiences has just been so precious that stopping to write about them has been hard. I'll try to pick up where I last left off.

Our Thursday was marked with a little disappointment as Bonnie's ipod was stolen during the dance classes. It wasn't just the loss itself that hurt the most, but the realization that many of us were within mere feet of that ipod when it disappeared, and sadness that while we were there to do good, someone took advantage of us. We're satisfied it wasn't one of the dance students but some of the other teens that were hanging around. Thanks to Bonnie's mom Linda at home for getting the special cut versions of the dance songs emailed to us overnight so that we didn't miss a beat with Friday's classes. Thursday night we accompanied Pastor Tresford to a church in Walvis Bay where he has been building a good relationship with Pastor Benny. Pastor Benny had asked if the dancers could participate in his service. Because we had lost the ipod and our music, we were nervous about what the dancers could do. Bonnie stepped up. She offered to improv a dance to something John could play on guitar. What followed (and we'll post the video shortly) was a very moving version of David Crowder's "Come and Listen". After the service, Pastor Benny and his wife Karen invited all of us to their home for soup. We all were pretty touched to find ourselves on the other side of the world enjoying such warm hospitality and care.

Friday morning began rather early. We hosted 20 of Arandis' senior citizens (called pensioners in that setting). Most of them spoke only Afrikaans or tribal dialects, so communicating was a challenge - but a fun one. The breakfast was an effort by Arandis Christian Center to bridge the gap into the senior culture in Arandis, and afforded us a rich sense of Namibian culture. As the breakfast ended, these 20 seniors stood and united their voices in harmonies and sang us a song thanking us.

Of course, our school team and teachers continued working in the schools and getting to know the people they met. More later... as soon as time permits.

Team Liefde Finale

Even though we've been spending our time in Etosha the past few days, we've finished up one more video from Team Liefde's last weekend in Arandis. Enjoy!

We made it to Etosha!!

We all rolled into Halali (our rest camp) shortly before the gate closed at 5:30pm. My team has had more car issues... okay... maybe just me, but I wasn't driving this time. We arrived at the first rest camp with plenty of time to do a bit of "game hunting" but when Nate went to start the combie it wouldn't turn over. We were (and still are) able to push the combie and pop the clutch. We are a real life "Little Miss Sunshine" mobile.

Debrief has begun and people are still trying to process the events of this journey. We may never comprehend it all. After our meeting many of us went up to the Moringa watering hole and saw these three rhino. All I could do is marvel and think that these are probably the same ones that we see year after year. They always come at the same time and it's always the three. I've never really thought it through like that before and it put a smile on my face. Tomorrow some of us will head out early in search of lion and elephants. Some will just spend most of the day back here at camp. I am really excited to see what tomorrow brings!

Shout Outs From Okahandja Take II

MOLLY------ I miss you a lot and watch our video before bed often. I hope the drama bomb isn’t too much when we return. I’ve gotten you some African Spar presents I know you’ll enjoy. Etosha is next and then home. I can’t wait to see you again. MOM AND DAD thanks a lot for going to the lake house the entire time I was gone haha I love you and miss you. Oh and molly blacks and iced grande Starbucks must be there when I return, oh and we’re going to the pond. DUH. –matt

Mamma, Derky, Ryan & all of Bell Mountain—I miss you all so much. It sounds like you have had a pretty amazing time up at the mountain. I send my prayers for kate and please tell everyone I miss them and cant wait for a VT weekend. Tell Uncle Ricky I love him and best of luck in the rest of his time in Fort Hood. Tell my Ry-Ry I miss him and cant wait to hug him. 10 bucks he is still tanner than me. Haha. Well I am off to Etosha today (that’s where all the animals are) and then I will be returning home. Hey mom can you tell all my friends, if you see or talk to them that I miss them and cant wait to see them. Oh, and hey mom I would give my left leg to talk to you and call you mamma. BY THE WAY I called you from here to say hi and you kept picking up and hanging up…the service here is yucky. Well I love you. see you in a few days. –Melissa

From Nate: Elizabeth! Hello my dear, hope you are feeling well and not missing me too much; I know I am missing you terribly. Have you received any postcards yet?? We are off to Etosha and the half-way point for me. It feels like it’s been a month since I left… the time will go by quickly though. I am feeling great physically, and pretty good otherwise. We had a great dinner the other night- it was really extravagant and meaty yummy good… I felt spoiled and tried not to eat too quickly!!! Hope you had fun at Tom-Kats grill over there in Amhersty-way. I love you… CWTKU!!! 
Mom and Dad, Hello! I DO miss you guys…  Casey, be good! Wilson clan, Much love to all of you, it cheered me immensely to hear from you the other night around the fire! Take care of Elizabeth for me; don’t lose her down a portal!!! Everyone else, sorry for abandoning my blog… internet access is hard to come by right now; know you all understand. Much LOVE! -Nathan

Dad, if you haven’t taken my car for a test drive yet you should. The car goes straight but the steering wheel goes right. Sorry I didn’t tell you before I left. Mom, if City Year has not replied go on my Mac. I have their phone # on a stickie note (you can ask Christina for computer assistance). Not much to say. I love you guys and Africa but ginger beer can not take the place of ginger ale and I can not go on a walk without being covered in prick-ers. We should go to Denny’s right when I get to the church on Friday because you guys have a love for breakfast foods and that is the only place open late at night.
I love you to the moon and back, Love Stephanie

Hey dad,g,b, and m im having so much fun sometime the family should do this trip. We climbed a mountain it didn’t have a name but it was so awesome we saw a bunch of baboons and mom got some pictures it was awesome. We also when to Joe’s beer house and eat ostrige, crocodile, kudu, orix and zebra. Cam can wait to see you we have to go dirt biking or some thing when I get back. Cant wait till deer foot.
See you soon Grant ps.“theres no ketchup.”

Hi everyone,
I am doing well but ready to come home. I have tried 5 kinds of meat and yes, I ate the worm on purpose. Jen, I am praying for you and your family and it is breaking my heart not being able to be there for you. I have been praying for everyone. I love you Carey and cannot wait to see you. Thanks for the posts. Off to Etosha. Love Jan

Greeetings to all my family and friends,
My profound thanks for all the support (financial, prayer, encouragement, childcare) you have given and will continue to give until we return. Our departure from Okhandja, today, is bittersweet. I had a great week of working w/the soup kitchen folks and getting to now our Northern neighbors (Canadians) who were sharing the plot. As I write this, my eyes are welling a bit with equal tears of joy for having been here and sadness at how quickly the time passed. George: love you so much and miss you terribly - start clearing your calendar and making your packing list – summer 2009 will come quickly! Grace, Burdick and Margaret: can’t wait to get my arms around you and give you all a big squeeze. Pam: there are no words adequate enough for a friendship such as ours – I love you, dear. Other friends and family: can’t wait to get home and share stories and pics of this great adventure – including our hike through snake country (Black Mamba – that is). My love and God’s blessings for you all… Ginger

Thanks for the posts my love, now you’ve got me curious about these surprises. I love you and can’t wait to see you. Anyways, things have been going well here, the team has done whatever was asked of them and I’m very thankful for that. I got a chance to do some hard labor in the sun digging on Friday and I was so psyched to be able to be a part of that work on a garden that will provide for the soup kitchen ministry (they do an amazing job over there). Even though there were times where the days were long, it still seems like time has flown by and I cling to the hope that I will be able to continue making these trips for the rest of my life. And now…We’re going on a lion hunt! Pray I don’t get eaten when we take our picture around the “Do not get out of your vehicles sign.” Be blessed
-Jesse

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!

Jesse, I'd like to go to the post office in the morning if I can...

Yea, I'd like to get the bat out of my room...


Bat extraction was a success... no bats were harmed in the creation of this post... although he did run into the screen many times, he was still able to fly out on his own accord.

Small axe = Big problem

As we were setting up the tables and chairs for the afternoon meal at the soup kitchen on Friday, the boys ran over to Jan & I soaking wet. I was then informed that one of the workers setting up the garden had hit the main water pipe onto the property & a geyser was coming up from the ground. Grant & Matt were helping to move the firewood from the sudden burst showering down. My first thought was how are they going to cook & the second was how are we going to clean up. It took approximately 15 minutes to find the main shut off valve. The kids had come outside for breakfast & were in awe of the sight, giggling... not realizing the complications that lay ahead.

I was so touched by how quickly Matt & Grant stepped up to help with the situation. They immediately understood the severity of the issue. Once the water main was turned off Grant immediately asked how he could help rectify the situation & grabbed a large tin can and began to bail the water out of the whole so that they could see how bad the damage was. When I spoke with Sigfreid he said that it will not be that difficult to fix, but it is still a huge inconvenience. In the afternoon I spoke with Kauna and she had to come up with an alternative plan for lunch, but by the looks of it... it was as good a meal as the kids had been served all week. They did need to walk into Vyf Rand and borrow water, which required multiple trips with a large bucket carried on a woman's head. These people are survivors, it's what they know how to do... I have learned more and more every day what community is all about.

Halfway Around the World

Hi Everyone... Here is our latest video from Arandis. Look out for another one coming in the near future as well!

Lot's of people helped video tape this one so I can't name everyone, but they all did an awesome job!