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...