New Partnership!

Susanna, pictured here is one of our cooks at the cafe. BC (before cafe) she was our housekeeper and now she works at the cafe instead. We have another cook, and have just added two of our students to our payroll. Yes, we are that busy! Nice, eh?

This exciting adventure has brought us to a whole new level! Here we are, directing a Youth Discipleship and Mentoring program, operating a small cafe, serving breakfasts, lunches, and home-baked goodies with GREAT coffees. That would be enough to keep us content and fulfilled, but God has added a bonus. Closwa, #2 Billtong company in South Africa is based here in Okahandja and the executives have taken a keen interest in our program. They are offering a three-month employment contract to the students who complete our program. Can you believe that? The Lord has sent us so many people near and far who have not only expressed enthusiasm for what we are doing, but have gone above and beyond by contributing to what we are doing - either financially, practically or in this case, offering employment. There's no way we could employ everyone who completes our program, and the students are aware of that. You can imagine that while they are happy for the training, they wonder, "What will I do after this training is over? Will I find work then?" With unemployement at about 50% this offer is such a great opportunity. When the GM of Closwa came and announced this offer to the students, they were overwhelmed. We are still pinching ourselves to make sure we are awake. Check out the Closwa website: http://www.closwa.com/

Remember the Children

Three of the attendees in our program have a child and are unmarried. None of them have employment which makes it very challenging to meet the responsibilites of parenthood. Pictured here is Joseph and his little angel, Joy. Isn't she adorable? She is entering grade one this year and the YDM program has helped with her school expenses along with 7 others related to this program - some are younger brothers or sisters of attendees. It brings us pleasure to help in this way. The government schools here require school tuition as well as uniforms, and of course, books, and supplies. Cost for one child per year is about $75 US, about N$1000. For unemployed parents, it's nearly impossible without some sort of sponsorship either from relatives or someone with a BIG heart! So, thank you to all our partners for helping with schooling these 8 little ones.

Renovating the cafe during the holiday break. Cleaning the kitchen exhaust fan which was gunky and disgusting. Adding a cement step at the entrance for customer safety. Installing a new stove and grill top. Installing the large sign on the building wall (shown in picture). Some of the program attendees helped us and some other young men we have worked with in the past as well.

Training in hospitality, discipleship and personal encouragement continues to fill our lives. An extra side benefit is getting the chance to contribute to the school of the little ones related to our program attendees and staff. You see - your finances are being stretched in ways you didn't expect. Each one we can help gives these families a boost.

Meet more students!

Here are the rest of the program attendees. We are about half way through the program. The first half focuses on biblical foundations, and the basics of restaurant work - hosting, serving, and customer service. The second half will continue the spiritual development and along with the restaurant skills, more language and math exercises, add computer skills. Thanks to our friends in Germany, we now have three fully functioning laptops and the students are all ears and eyes as they experience the wonderful world of technology. What fun to see their eyes light up and the smiles and giggles as they manage their way around the computer world. Here are some more pictures too. As you read the bios, you can see for yourself.

Dirk at age 28 is one of the elders in the group. He also speaks three languages – Nama-Damara, Afrikaans, and English. He is born and raised in our sleepy little town of Okahandja, and now lives alone. Dirk completed grade 10 in Secondary school, and then began working to help support the family.

His goals? “Growth in Christ, and my desires to have a good job.” In answer to the question about his personal faith in God, he answers, “I don’t know whether I am a Christian but my life changed totally. I see things different now that I started knowing God.” What has he learned from the program this far? “The word of God, and how to love someone. To humble myself and to be patient when I do something or when something happens to me.”

Manfred age 20 speaks Damara, Afrikanns, and English. He was born in Gobabis. Yes, he and Ulrich are related – they are brothers. His goals are very ambitious – “to run my own business, and a desire to join the tourism industry.”

His hobbies? He likes to play soccer, swim, and socialize. He accepted Christ into his life at the age of 18, when he saw how happy his Christian friend was. So he made up his mind and started following Christ too.

What has he learned so far in the program? He answers, “I learn how to host, receive customers, sit customers, and serve customers. I learned a lot about spiritual life. I learned the importance of working in a cafe.”

Joseph (pictured lower center of group picture) is 25 years old and speaks English, Afrikaans, Damara Nama, and Otijiherero. He has completed grade 10 and held a couple of jobs and lives on his own.

His goal is to become a good business man and “to do his own business like auditing, and management.”

His hobbies: Eating, cooking, playing.What has he learned so far in the YDM program? “I learn how to communicate and serve customers, and learn more about the Bible.”

Patronella is 19 years old and speaks English and Afrikaans. She lives in Okahandja with her mother and father and four siblings. She has completed grade 10 and has a desire to work hard and be the best server at the cafe.

When asked, “How is your life different now since you’ve been in this program? She replied, “It’s easy for me to know how to pray now and because I never pray in my life before.”

In her own words: “I learned how to pray, to serve for people and that Jesus died for my sin on the cross in the program and how to welcome people.”

Zu-beira is 18 years old and speaks Afrikaans and English. She was born in Okahandja, Namibia and has a younger brother and sister. She has completed school through grade nine. Since entering the YDM program her step-father and mother have both passed away. Life has been challenging for this young woman, but she has continued to attend the program and is trying to better her circumstances. Zu-Beir and her sister and brother now live with her Aunt and Uncle. Her goal: “...to work hard to learn how to become a successful business woman.”

When asked what she has learned so far in the YDM program she replied, “To be polite and friendly; how to communicate with people around me and to serve customers and I have also learned about our Lord and his powerful Word.”

Thanks to all who have contributed to this terrific program. We are enjoying the challenge, and already see positive results.