KFC doesn't sell worms
Who says you can’t be at home in Africa! KFC in Ondangwa, Namibia who’d a thought it. This is one of the first places we saw as we traveled about in Ondangwa. Just across the street from the grocery store we’ve been using. Thursday night we decided to check it out. Nate said I will never eat at a KFC in the USA again. The food was better than in the US. Speaking of food, on Friday we were treated to a traditional African meal. While sitting on the ground around the food which included Traditional bread which was made of Mahangu, a native grain, Mahangu (mashed grain), Ombidi (spinach), Makunde (beans), Boiled Chicken and Pan worms. Most of our team tried the worms, Paula wimped out. As far as taste well…. tastes like chicken...NOT! The Kawana’s were so happy we were willing to sit on the dirt floor and share a meal with them. We ate by candlelight which enhanced the atmosphere. It took most of the afternoon to prepare it!
Friday was busy for us. When we arrived at the school, John, a former student, was giving a homiletics class. It was very interesting. We did our normal bible studies in the morning with the students. Lonia was struggling with being a Christian and still doing bad things. She was in tears but Nate, Nancy, John, and Paula encouraged her that we are in a battle and all Christians struggle with this. The students are such precious Christians.
After lunch the door that was getting hung for one of the rooms was finished and the rest of the prep work for the cement floor was done. The mortar was mixed and the floor was under way. A friend of Boniface’s, who is a mason, helped us put the floor down. Real manual labor, no cement mixer except a shovel and a strong arm and back. Completed in a couple of hours. This room will be where Jim and Paula sleep Wednesday night. The wall is not completed so you can see the sky, which will be awesome to see the stars. There are lizards that crawl around so we may have some company in bed with us during the night! No window either so we will be sure to goop ourselves up with Deet!
We had the chance to help grind the mahangu and a nut that makes an oil and what they call soup. The soup is the nut meal that remains after the oil has been carefully pressed out. Paula sat with Saara while she showed her how to do this and shared how she came to Christ. It is a fascinating story about how she was supposed to follow in her family’s footsteps and become a witch doctor. Her family was so angry at her they burned all her clothes and beat her. They would not accept her in their family anymore but she knew she had chosen the right path. When she went through a period of backsliding she was once again accepted into the family. But then she came back to the Lord and was once again rejected. She wanted to know more about God and went to Bible school in Okanhandja where she met Boniface.
The girls are amazing putting huge pails of water on their heads and carrying them up the hill to water the garden! (Check out the team photos.) Lavinia and Tuyeni must be all of 75 pounds soaking wet yet they have no problem carrying the water. The garden is coming along despite the high salt content in the soil.
On Thursday we got a lesson on mixing cement and brick making. Check the photo album for the process and finished product. Boniface’s church holds a service on Tuesday and Thursday nights. They are a real blessing with wonderful singing and sharing of the Word. For Thursday night’s service Paula shared the message for the service. She talked about waiting on God and praying for God’s direction about everything…even asking God how to pray. It brought a lively conversation with Raymon Haimbile, our host for the church, John, our interpreter, and Pastor Boni giving testimonies about how God led them to where they are today. Some of the church attendees asked great questions about how to listen to God and hear His direction. The openness and conversation of the group was such a blessing.
Please pray for Paula & Jim’s luggage. It is still MIA. A special thank to Lisa for the bra and T-shirt and to Joan for the extra shorts and pants for Paula and thank you Amanda for the towel!!! They have been a blessing!
Our stay at the Fantasia has been a blessing. Our gung-ho team leader likes to do 12 hour days and we come back to our little oasis exhausted and appreciate the accommodations! Simeon and Elfreida along with their son Francois have made us feel welcome and special. We have had a number of opportunities to chat with them. Nate has had some great spiritual discussions with Simeon. Even though we are here for Saara and Boniface the Lord has presented us with the opportunity to be a witness to our hosts also. That is why Nancy made the decision to stay here. We stay at Saara and Boniface’s all day and share lunch and dinner with them so having a safe private place to crash at night is a blessing. Please pray for our team’s sleep over at Saara and Boniface’s Wednesday night, our last night in Ondangwa. There is no electricity or water and even though the toilet is sufficient it is not conducive to maintaining good colon health. Having no door doesn’t help because as you squat you can watch the cattle roam in the field or whoever or whatever else happens to walk by. Gives new meaning to squatty potty!
From Jim and Paula: Gramm and Pop want to say a special hello to Andrew, Zachary, and Nicholas. We wish you could be here with us to see all the different animals! Hi Jenn and Matt! Justin you can really see Little Mookie’s art on the moon! We got a great picture today! Check it out in our team photo album. When the moon is full we’ll get some more shots and post them. Ellen and Nancy… the girls love the dresses and shoes! Hi Mom and Ed!
From Nancy:Yes, the team leader is a slave driver, but what a team. Who else would sit around in the dark on a dirt floor and eat worms with me. Seriously, I was greatly blessed that the people at the school shared their lives so openly with us yesterday. We studied and prayed and sang with them, we prepared food, carried water, mixed cement and ate their traditional food in the traditional way alongside them all day. I felt like they were letting us in on their lives. Vern, see what you are missing!!! I will try to e-mail. I miss you.
From Nate: Not much to say. Hello to everyone back home. I am having an amazing time and making good connections with the people up here. Definitely looking forward to this day off. (Sat) It has been a very busy schedule, but rewarding. I love you dad and vern and casey. Meow. Love, Nate.
posted by Jimmy C @ 4:32 AM
