Merry Christmas near and far!

We are in the "Season" and you can tell by the hustle and bustle all around us here in the States.  Each year we remind ourselves about the TRUE meaning of the season and that we need to focus on sharing love with each other rather than tangible gift-giving.  It means so much to spend time with family and friends, especially when we have been far away for many holidays now.  Thanksgiving was so precious -- talking, sharing, cooking together, laughing, playing games, eating, sharing stories from the past..... laughing some more.  Precious!  Moments we will always cherish.

Last year we were with our Namibian family at the cafe.... sharing small gifts, singing together, enjoying a special meal and those memories bring a smile today.  May you too enjoy the special moments with family and friends as you love one another, maybe singing together, maybe sharing a meal, maybe telling stories..... whatever you do.... remember the most precious gift of all.... our Savior Jesus Christ.  Without HIM we would have nothing of value to give to others.  He IS love.... in the flesh.

Oh how we adore HIM!

Merry Christmas from Namibia and America.... !

The first picture is of three members of our staff -- Herculady, Jessica, and David.  However, Esmarie, the Rosen's, Katrina, Jen, Rosalia, Lucia, Dennis, Englehardt, and Johannes wish you a very blessed Christmas!

Challenge to Men

I am sitting here in the States listening to my wife singing hymms with her father to her mother in the other room and I am enjoying the sweet sounds of their voices being raised to God. It is a nice to sit and catch my breath from all the opportunities we have to share with friends, family and loved ones.

What a challenge it is being back in the States after being gone for over 2 1/2 years. So much has changed in regards to technology and I have been overwhelmed by it and am trying to resist it. I had also forgotten how fast paced everything is here and it is a shock to my system.

What has not changed is the message God has placed on my heart for men everywhere I go. In fact if anything it has become and even more urgent message. The message is for men of God, around the world, to get into the the worldwide battle that is going on all around us.

Last Sunday I had the honor and the privilege to share this message at Moreno Christian Assembly during their evening service. When I asked the pastor how much time I had to share he said that there was no limit. I am used to having five minutes to try to share what God is doing in Africa through us, so to get told I can talk as long as I like is wonderful!

I will try to summarized what I shared. The message title is "Get Into the Battle" and I shared  how the men of God have not fufilled their roles and that we need to get off our butts and get into the battle. God spoke to Ezekiel and told him in Ezekiel 3:17-21 that we are to be watchmen. A watchmen, for those who do not know what that is, is the man who stands on the wall and is on watch to warn the people of danger and to sound the alarm when there is trouble.

Today men around the world have gotten off the wall and are failing miserablely in their God-given roles as Christians to be watchmen. We need to get back up on the wall. Today it is not a literal wall it is a figurative wall. We need to be watching out for each other, for our wives, our children, friends, brothers, sisters, neighbors, coworkers, community, those in leadership above us, etc... The list goes on and on but the point is we  -- as men  -- have to be watching out for those God places in our path.

The consequence for not fulfilling our role as watchmen is that we have the blood of those we do not look out for on our hands. I know God spoke it to Ezekiel and it was a message for Isreal but I believe that it is also meant for us today. We men are called by God to watch out for and to speak to those He brings accross our path. We need to stop being afraid of what people will think or say. We need to be courageous and trust in Him. We will stand in judgement before God not man. We need to get into the battle or the enemy will continue to win battle after battle.

Satan will not win the war but he is winning battles he should not be winning  -- because we have become to passive and afraid. Look at the morale decline of our country, the high rate of divorce, abuse of every kind, drugs, leaders not following after God, children with no Godly role models. The list goes on and on and it is our fault because we, as men, have become wimps and have let Satan have free reign to do as he pleases.

I know that I want to be able to hold my head up high when I meet Jesus because I fulfilled the mission He gave to me. I want to hear "well done" when I have finished my race. I want to stand there without the blood of my brothers and sisters on my hands.

As I finish I want to remind the men of God that you have blood on your hands if you are not doing what God has commanded you to do. I leave you with this verse to pray for yourself and for other men. Ephesians 6:19 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the gospel," The key is prayer, that is where our true power comes from.

Get into the battle and let us all make our Father proud to call us His sons.

Celebration time!

We completed training program #5 with 12 lovely young ladies. Here are some pictures. There is a unique and touching story for each one that is motivating us to keep doing what we are doing. We took the liberty of pulling excerpts of their testimonies so you can hear for yourself how this program impacts lives. We couldn’t pick just a few, so we are posting all of them. God receives all the credit. We are privileged to be tools in His hands.

Special thank you to Charles & Sondra Rosen (pictured in some of the photos) for their tremendous efforts to train, coach, counsel, pray with and love these ladies through the 12 week training program.

We also want to thank Esmarie for her willingness to serve as interim Management at the cafe while we are travelling to the states and Germany to give reports on the work that God is doing. She has been such a great help to the staff and to us keeping things running with excellence.


Esmarie.... and she's still smiling!

More pictures ....

Over the Top

Busy is not a strong enough word!


The day was hopping by 7:00 am with preparations for the local Trade Show at the Soccer park, and special lunch catered for the Golf Club, as well as normal cafe preparations. Working from three separate venues was a challenge that we have never had before. Thanks to our “foreign” volunteers (Annelies, Charles & Sondra) we pulled it off and with great results.

Charles & Sondra “staffed” the cafe with 1/3 of our regular staff plus several of the students. Everyone worked hard and most customers did not realize that we were short-handed. That’s a compliment to the staff and the Rosen’s who kept things running.

The Golf Club event required that we pack and bring a stove, plates, cups and saucers, all of the food, coffee maker, cakes, and various other items. It took two trips with the bakkie. Our staff was fabulous – setting up tables and chairs, cleaning, and cooking. Some of the club members asked for business cards and directions to the cafe. Another compliment to our service and food!

 The Trade show was “staffed” by Mr. D. and crew. Again, the set up took several hours to prepare for and execute. The Garden Cafe space was set up and running before most of the other vendors were even set up! One Peace Corp volunteer commented on how organized our crew was. Her words, “I was very impressed with how well your team did – setting up, being organized, planning it all, everything.” Yes! Another compliment to our wonderful staff!

Some of the pictures will come later, but here are some of the Trade show event. The Mayor was there, but had to leave before the festivities began, but we did get a picture of the Youth Councillor who addressed the attendees and visitors. We sold grilled sausages with rolls, pancakes & cupcakes -- food of course, but other vendors sold handmade goods, paint, and offered other services. The idea of the community event was to promote local businesses and encourage entrepreneurship. We hope that next year it will have a bigger attendance and stimulate more involvement.

In the center - Youth Councillor, surrounded by vendors and visitors

Our own David & Mr. D. working hard

100% Gets The Gold

Give it all you got!  Have you ever been coached with something like that?  Go for it!  Not just 50% or 80%... but 100% effort.  Now that is what brings the gold.  We have a good example in Mrs. Sondra Rosen.  She has taken on the very challenging task of teaching 12 young ladies through the YDM program.  We do the Discipleship for the most part, hospitality skills training, and on-the-job experience, but SHE is coaching in Math and English.... AND doing a great deal of personal counseling and tutoring a few on the side.  100% effort is what we see.  An example to all of us.... to never give up.... push hard and win the prize. 




Left to right - Dennis & David

 David, our supervisor is another example.  He is coaching and encouraging the rest of the staff every day.  Planning, preparing, training students, ordering supplies, keeping records, leading Bible listening times.... he just never quits!  He nearly dragged Dennis to the February 2012 YDM training.  Dennis was floundering along in a party mentality and David talked him into coming.  Dennis not only demonstrated determination to succeed by completing the program but finished strong -- great customer service and an eye for detail.  We hired him!  Dynamite concept -- pass on the torch.  We coached David... now he is coaching Dennis.  It works!

The Presence of Evil

Today is Friday the 13th and in some cultures it is bad luck, a day of evil or just silly traditions. Today I felt the presence of evil so strong that it made the hair on my arms and neck stand on end. I even got goosebumps. It takes quite a bit to get me spooked and afraid but tonight was one of those nights. We are into the second week of our training and we have come under some attacks by the enemy and through prayer we have been victorious.

Yesterday Catherine posted on her Facebook page about a girl we have in our class who is a true orphan and has given her life to Christ. She has told her boyfriend that she cannot continue sleeping with him. From what we are able to understand she shared her new faith with him. He refused to listen and broke up with her and  kicked her out.

She has no family or friends here and does not want to leave the program. Last night she slept outside in the cold with a small blanket so we have helped her find shelter for tonight and will try to find some more permanent housing for her.

After we got her into a safe place tonight I was in the restaurant by myself closing up.  I was doing some paperwork and I heard the doors rattle as if someone was trying to get in. Then I heard the gate around the Cafe rattle in the same way. Next I heard the windows shaking and I felt a presence of evil   -- as if someone was watching me. I began praying, claiming all the building and everything around it in the name of Jesus and commanding whatever it was to flee.

When I left to go home there was no wind at all so I know it was the enemy. I have not felt an evil presence so strongly since I was in Cameroon many years ago. Catherine and I have prayed tonight and have asked others to pray too. We feel that there is a battle for one or more of the students in our program. We are standing for them and with them against the enemy.

I am reminded again that the battle is real and we must continually be on guard against the enemy and his attacks. Please pray with us over these students. Pray for us as we continue to do battle. Pray we will not grow weary from battling day in and day out. Friday the 13th, or any day for that matter... we must be ready to take a stand with the Kingdom of Light, and resist the darkness!

YDM Class #5 Up and Running!

We began our fifth training class on Monday the 2nd of July. We had 30 people pick up applications on Tuesday the 26th of July and we had 20 of them return on Thursday the 28th with their completed applications. We began the interviews at a little after 8:00am. The first four or five applicants had come at 6:30am.

As we sat with each applicant our hearts were torn because we knew we would only be able to accept twelve of them. Eight of the 20 had submitted applications prior to the fourth training.  They returned in hopes that they would be accepted into the program this time.

We completed the interviews just before noon. After letting each one know that they would be receiving a call by the end of the day we sat to pray and decide who got to stay and who we had to say no to. After much prayer and discussion we had narrowed our list down to twelve. We placed calls to the eight that did not make it and encouraged them to try again  February 2013. We then called each of the twelve that were accepted and you could hear the screams of joy and excitement from several feet (meters) away.

Class #5 with Mrs. Rosen, Herculady (our staff TA) & Mrs. Duran

We look forward to working with and getting to know the twelve ladies that have been accepted into the program. We already know God is going to do amazing things in this group. These are exciting times for them.... and for us. 

E-Cube Neighborhood tour

Jacky won the E-Cube award because he scored the highest in the Discipleship classes.  When he opened his E-Cube he was so excited to show his grandmother the picture cube and the story behind it.  It was a proud moment for him.  He wasn't sure how much his grandmother understood about the pictures and stories until she demonstrated.  The next thing he knew  - his grandmother was visiting each of the four neighbors sharing the story and picture cube with each one.  Jacky was happy to see that his grandmother was enjoying his gift.  We were happy to hear that the gift.... keeps on giving.

Oh... what is an E-cube? 
Short for Evange-cube.  It illustrates with colorful pictures the story of God & mankind.  First picture - showing we are separated from a holy God because of sin.  Second, God loved us so much He made a way for us to fellowship with Him.  That "Way" is named Jesus.  Our Saviour and redeemer was sacrificed for us on the cross, paid the price for our sin and rose from the dead - cancelling our debt.  Now we are offered a new life because of what Christ has done for us.  Another picture He is reaching out his hand to you and me .... we each have a choice to follow Him or follow our sin nature and worldly ways - which leads ultimately to eternal death.  Choose life ... say "Yes" to Jesus.  He is the only way to heaven and fellowship with God the Father. 

Look What God is Doing!

Rather than use our own words, we decided to share words written by the students.  The full testimonies are quite long, so we have placed a key sentence or two from each one first, and then followed with the whole testimony.  Continue reading if you want to hear the long version.  We shine the spotlight on God today - It's HIS program, and these are HIS students.  He deserves all the PRAISE!

1. “The life was so hard for me because once my father died I decided to work hard in every opportunity that I get, with the aim to succeed in life.”


2. “... I thank God for bringing Mr & Mrs Duran in my life to teach me the word of God. Now I know that friends can sometimes be enemies. I thank the Lord for saving my life.”

3. “Now I have a brother in Christ. His name is David. When I’m tempted I call him and we pray together.”


4. “This course that I’m taking is really showing and teaching me that we are serving a living God. I learned how to pray with faith. God has touched my heart and change my life.”

5. “Mr. and Mrs. Duran helped me to come to Christ, and I accepted Christ in the classroom. I felt so calm and relaxed, God touched me very strong and deeply. I can really see the changes in my life.”

6. “Oh Lord, thank you for all the joy, love, and wonders that you bring to my life. Thank you Lord for teaching us how to pray.”


7. “… when I started this Y.D.M program I started to know Christ and I felt that I am someone. He cares for me and he is always with me. I thank Mr. & Mrs. Duran … What they showed me, no one in this country can show me.”

8. “ I have learned at the YDM program many things and it even has changed my life. From now on my life belongs to God and I am very grateful for every day, to have such a wonderful God.”

9. “Today I freely know how to read the Bible and understand it, even how to pray and giving thanks to him. I made it, so can everyone out there.”

10. “ I became part of the YDM program and my life as a Christian began to change. As a new believer in Christ, I am a new person.

11. “... I started attending the YDM program. I met new people in Christ and suddenly my whole life turned and I pick up all my broken pieces. I took Gods road.”


FULL VERSION:

1. The life was so hard for me because once my father died I decided to work hard in every opportunity that I get, with the aim to succeed in life. It was not easy to leave behind my family members and go to the town that I never knew before. Praise God! I give glory to God that He brought me to a special place with Mr and Mrs Duran and I regard them as my spiritual parents. I believe that there is a good life after suffering through Christ.

2. I was so afraid to loose these friends of mine. But I didn`t understand what was going on with them. I expected them to lead me to Church but they did not. The most I gained from them was that they always took me out for drinking alcohol. Now I thank God for bringing Mr & Mrs Duran in my life to teach me the word of God. Now I know that friend can sometimes be enemies. I thank the Lord for saving my life. He took me from the worst sin and now I know that He is always there for me.

3. I grew up in a family that are believers, but I did not know God personally.Before I learned to know God, my life was not good at all. I was going out every weekend, and was staying with bad friends. My life was like hell. After I learned to know God, everything started to change. Now I’m always at home with my family, reading a bible or praying together as a family. Now I have a brother in Christ. His name is David. When I’m tempted I call him and we pray together.

4. First of all I will like to thank the almighty God for sending Mrs. and Mr. Duran to Okahandja. They were the people who showed me the way of truth. This course that I’m taking is really showing and teaching me that we are serving a living God. I learned how to pray with faith. God has touched my heart and change my life. He always answered my prayers. I hope and pray to God to give me the strength to always follow him for the rest of my life, and to teach others and my children the way to eternal life. I am so glad that I know God and feel joy in my life.

5. I am a church going person but not every Sunday or Wednesday. The habit that I had was drinking every weekend and even weekdays if possible. When I started with the YDM program I accepted God. I really saw what God can do in my life and the changes he can make. Mr. and Mrs. Duran helped me to come to Christ, and I accepted Christ in the classroom. I felt so calm and relaxed, God touched me very strong and deeply. I can really see the changes in my life. I am even more responsible now. If I am having a problem or difficulty I pray and he answers my prayers. I can even control my anger now.

6. Oh Lord, thank you for all the joy, love, and wonders that you bring to my life. Oh lord you never leave us alone. Every day you give us hope and strength, father of Israel. Thank you Lord for teaching us how to pray, amen.

7. I always search for love but no one was there for me. My heart was so empty, I felt like I was not having a dad and no one cared for me. I always cried for someone to love. I looked for love but did not look in the right way. This year 2012 when I started this Y.D.M program I started to know Christ and I felt that I am someone. He cares for me and he is always with me. I thank Mr. & Mrs. Duran for all what they have taught me. What they showed me, no one in this country can show me.

8. One day I was thinking, why am I so alone in this world? There is no one who loves me and appreciates me for the things I do for them. I was struggling since my father left me, and my mom has to raise me by herself. There was no man to take care of us, and it was so difficult for us. Than after the struggling, we survived. I just want to say, if it was not for God’s help, I don’t know what would have happened to us. I have learned at the YDM program many things and it even has changed my life. From now on my life belongs to God and I am very grateful for every day, to have such a wonderful God.

9. I have met bad friends in my life, who always called me to ask what the plans for the night were. These are the kind of friends who called whenever I had money or whenever I had anything that caught their interest. They were never there when I felt alone. I met this good guy who introduced himself to me and invited me to his church and he encouraged me to talk to God to change my life. He told me that there is someone who loves me more than I know and it is God. My tears started shedding down my face. At the beginning of this year my friend was so much happy for me, knowing that I am getting discipleship lessons. Thank you God, the YDM program will always be an eye opener. Today I freely know how to read the Bible and understand it, even how to pray and giving thanks to him. I made it, so can everyone out there.

10. I am 22 years old, live with my mother, sister and two brothers. I became part of the YDM program and my life as a Christian began to change. As a new believer in Christ, I am a new person. I have learned how to follow God. Christ has been the center of my life always. I submit to God moment to moment, letting God control all areas of my life. I pray throughout the day every day. Prayer is talking to God. One day I sat down thinking about my loving God who will not lose my salvation. He has provided the way for me to escape from temptation.

11. I’m 25years of age and I’m having a baby boy. I know that God lives but I just was not ready to accept Christ. Several times I wanted but I was afraid of people. Later on I made my last decision. After giving birth to my baby, life changed. The father of my kid decided not to support my baby. My heart broke into pieces that I couldn’t put together again. Later in the year I started attending the YDM program. I met new people in Christ and suddenly my whole life turned and I pick up all my broken pieces. I took Gods road. Now my big sister is supporting my baby and the path I choose to follow God is wide open. God changed me!!!

Courageous

Courageous.  The theme for the men’s meeting I attended on Saturday. We had the privilege of having Jack King visit from the States. He challenged us to be courageous Godly men. Jack’s focus was on discipling the next generation of men. It was a powerful message and it challenged and convicted every man who was in attendance.

If you do not know who Jack King is I encourage you to Google him. His testimony and ministry are incredible. God is using him to impact men around the world. He definitely impacted the men here who were gathered to hear him speak.

During a break I got a chance to talk with Jack for a few minutes. I just had to get some one-on-one time with him to soak up as much as I could. As we talked I shared how much the father was missing in so many of the families in Namibia. He had shared earlier about a father’s blessing and I commented that I do not believe any had ever received one. Jack then shared with me that he felt God moving him to offer the men in attendance a "father’s blessing."

After the break Jack said he had a message he had prepared to share with us but God had just given him a new message.  I smiled because I knew what was coming. Jack laid a great foundation on what it means to be a man and the significance of being told we are men. He shared the importance of receiving a father’s blessing and what a father’s blessing is.

Jack invited all the pastors to come forward. Jack then gave each of the eleven pastor a father's blessing. It was powerful and amazing to see. You could see the pride each man felt. It was as if they were being empowered  - from the inside and in a sense they were. They were receiving the Father’s blessing and they stood taller and full of confidence.

Then Jack turned to the men sitting and offered each of us the opportunity to receive a father's blessing. Any man wanting to receive a fathers blessing could come down and go to one of the pastors or to Jack.

I sat in the front row and watched as every man came down to receive a fathers blessing. I wept at the sight. I prayed over the men as they came forward and watched as grown men broke down sobbing. The presence of God was so powerful and the love that flowed was overwhelming.

There is a hunger and desire to be loved by our fathers that is so strong that when we do not get it we seek it from the world. Watching grown men coming to receive a fathers blessing just showed me that the father wound extends to every generation.

As a man I have the opportunity to share the love of the Father with each man that God brings across my path. I pray that I have the courage to show and share the Father's love. There is nothing more humbling than to hear someone tell you that you are their spiritual father and that you have shown them what love is.

God Moments

As we wrap up week nine of the Youth Development and Mentoring program (YDM) we are very happy with how the students are doing. One of the highlights for me was on Wednesday when we were preparing for some discipleship review. As I walked into the classroom the students were talking about something so I asked what was going on.  Several looked at one of the girls and said, “You need to tell Mr. Duran what is going on.”

She told me that she was having sharp pains and that she may need surgery.  It sounded serious, so I asked for volunteers to pray for her. You could have heard a pin drop. When I pressed them for a volunteer some said they did not know how to pray.

I knew at that moment - we were not going to be doing review. I asked each student to get a blank sheet of paper and to write ten things they were thankful for. Some were able to list ten things right away, but others struggled. Next they were asked to write down five things they needed. Lastly I asked them to write down the first names of five people they knew who were not saved.

I told them they had to pray by themselves using their list as a guide for five minutes. They were to give thanks for the things they were thankful for; they were to pray for God’s will for their needs; and they were to pray for the five people that have not made a commitment to Christ.

Walking around the room watching and praying over them I noticed only two out of 13 had no problem praying for five minutes.  I next instructed them to get into groups of 3-4 and share one of their prayer needs. Each had to pray out loud for that person. I gave them 15 minutes to pray and the looks on their faces were priceless. Pray for 15 minutes? How? There is no way!

We were standing in one of those God moments . Catherine and I walked around the room praying over them as they prayed for each other. Almost 30 minutes later I had to stop them so we could continue our studies.  When I told them how long they had prayed they were all shocked. Asked how they felt after praying, they all responded that it was great and that they felt much better.  It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

What an incredible moment. To witness God working in and through them was like getting a glimpse of heaven on earth. Fears were overcome, doubt was replaced with confidence and the enemy who had his clutches on them was defeated in prayer that day! It was so amazing ... and we got to be a part of it.

Another goodbye...

It's time.  In just a few days James & Malia will be saying goodbye to Namibia, and us, and the staff, and the students.... so many who will miss them terribly.  But, we are thankful for the time that they have spent with us and the many contributions they have made.  We are praying for their "re-entry" and trusting that God has their path prepared and it will be GREAT because the Lord is their guide!

We had a fun night Saturday with the staff, students and James & Malia.  Watching a movie, eating popcorn, and sweet snacks... yum! 

Church "bus"

It's possible to take a taxi to church on Sunday mornings, but it costs about N$16.00 to travel to and from town.  Here is a picture of a sizeable portion of our church family who live just outside of town in a development called Five Rand.  Yes.... they all fit into this truck... men, women, and children.  That is devotion!  Now that vehicle was sold and is no longer available so they must walk or arrange for another church member to pick them up.  The challenge is.... there are only a few of us with a truck like this that will accomodate that many people.  Does anyone have a bus to donate?

More family fun!

Malia tutoring long division

Emgard, David, Johannes, and Janine

Serious theological discussions, questions about love & marriage, afternoon tutorial sessions, live music, record sales days, dancing and singing in the kitchen.... and so much more fill our days.  Challenges and rewards --- such is the balance of ministry here. 

Friday night these three students and David (staff) served tables at a school fundraiser.  We are building a reputation in the community and the leaders of the event asked us to send workers -- another great opportunity to let our lights shine!

Family feeling

What is it about feeling connected?  Doesn't everyone want to know that they belong?  That they are wanted?  We are seeing a very distinct change in the attitudes and behavior of our trainees since we handed them their cafe T-shirts the other day.  Wow!  Several of them hang out longer than the schedule demands.... just don't want to go home.  There's obviously a feeling of family, of connectedness that they long for.  Of course, it's the LOVE being expressed through our staff and all of us as we work together to serve customers.  It's truly a beautiful thing!  You can see from the pictures that the staff has embraced James and Malia, and also our new trainees.  It's like one BIG, family!  .... oh... getting bigger too.  Yikes!

Ripple effect

David our Lead Server

Yesterday I (Catherine) listened as one of our staff members shared devotion time with our new students.  He told some of his own story - how he lived for the drinking party every weekend.  He painted a picture of a very sad, hopeless young man who was ready to give up.  Then, one day... God entered his life and changed everything.  It was one of those moments when you realize, "this is what it's all about."  We came here with a message of Hope and Love and he was one of the young men in our classroom who studied what God had to say about him.  He learned about the truth of God's love and care for His children and embraced it with an eager heart.  Now to watch him light up with the joy of the Lord as he explains how his journey of faith has strengthened him and given him a greater hope than he could ever imagine. We passed on the message to him and watching him pass on the message to these eager students ..... well.... I can't describe the sense of spiritual fulfillment I felt.  My heart is overflowing with gratitude today!

Let the Classes begin!

Today we held interviews with the 27 applicants seeking to be accepted into this YDM program.  We did not advertise publically, but sent text messages to our local partners and community leaders.  Over 40 young people responded. After a brief orientation we gave out the applications with specific instructions.  We were impressed by those who came today showing genuine desire to be invited into the program.  It was a challenge for us afterwards... but we managed to select 11 to begin the program next Tuesday.  Most have not completed grade 10, several are single parents, a few are orphans, and most have little or no relationship with their father.  Please keep us and our staff in prayer as the next three months hold a great deal of work -- and we desperately need the stamina, energy and creativity to be successful.

CAFE TEAM BUILDING

There's just something about playing games that brings a family together - laughing and cheering each other on... it's just so much fun!  These particular games are designed for TEAM work.  No one person can be a star... everyone must particpate.  When everyone pulled together... the result was amazing!  Here are a few pictures, thanks again to our wonderful daughter-in-law, Malia.

Making new Friends

While on holiday a few weeks ago, we met a couple from England traveling and camping throughout Namibia for several weeks.  We enjoyed a delightful chat that evening as we strolled through the camping area right around sunset.  Little did we know that she is a professional photographer.  Check out their blog.  Beautiful pictures of our lovely country, and very interesting stories and comments too.  As we ended our chat, we handed them our business card and invited them to the cafe if they came through Okahandja on their way out of the country.

Petra, Tony and Anders

Well.... guess what?  Today they showed up!  We were pleasantly surprised to meet them again and they ordered pizza, coffee, and cakes for dessert - which they said were terrific.  Again.... we shared more stories, and they asked a lot of questions about the work that we are doing here.  It was so encouraging to share with others who show care and concern for those who are struggling in this country.  Just take a look at the pictures and read their stories and you will "hear" their heart. We hope to see the Stridfeldts again!  http://stridfeldts.wordpress.com/