Greetings Friends,
I’M BACK IN NAMIBIA – PRAISE GOD. It’s very good to be back, and to be able to get on with my life and work of the present time. And unlike a year ago, this time I’m slotting back into what I know, so it’s not a matter of having to find my feet.
I left Brisbane on 22nd October, after spending the last weekend at my church parish camp, which was a good time to be together. They were both glad and sorry to have me there! But they were glad to know I would not be there the next Sunday, but back here. I had a day in Perth, then overnight to Johannesburg and connected straight through to Windhoek the next morning. Three from SU were waiting for me, and it was good to see the scrubby golden hills again as we drove to town.
One thing I said last year was that I knew I would be really at home here when I could go to the shops and bump into friends. Well, we stopped at some shops before getting home, and I bumped into 2 there, and another a few days later. The extra special thing is that each was from the 3 different racial groups (black, coloured, white), which was especially meaningful to me. Then at home the upstairs Aussies were all there to greet me, and give me dinner too. Phill looked after flat and house well – not his fault that the taxi bumped the car back in July. Still to be fixed.
MEANWHILE IN SCRIPTURE UNION NAMIBIA…
Schools visits have all but stopped for the year, as Gr 10 & 12 have already finished, and others are now doing exams. Schools will close by 26th November, earlier than usual due to national elections the next 2 days. But last weekend our Coastal worker Boniface had a camp for 55 students, and Adam, Elmo and I were all in the program. It was very well run, and the expertise of our team is fantastic. The key is to multiply such people, so I think major work for 2010 will be using these ones to skill others. All campers made commitments to abstinence now and faithfulness in marriage (part of the Biblical HIV/AIDS program we include), and 6 came forward for counselling for personal commitment to Jesus. Most were already committed – praise God.
The 3-week booking from 25th October went mostly well, but all the Shalom team are very tired. Pray for them to get back on their feet. Especially pray for Manager Stan. He was looking forward to a weekend to relax, but had word that his sister’s husband died suddenly in Cape Town on Monday, so he went there on Thursday. I covered for him the last few days. Please also pray the government pays for the camp promptly.
We are having hassles getting our SU Bible-reading guides from SU South Africa, due to new SA Gov’t export regulations. Pray for a way to get around this, as we need to promote these books quickly.
29th November we are having a 25th thanksgiving lunch for SU Namibia. It’s short notice, but pray for a good response across Windhoek, and even wider. Pray it brings ongoing volunteers and supporters.
Yesterday, Adam went to Nairobi, Kenya, for a one-week SU staff development course. There will be about 22 from many African countries. It is new training under SU International, so pray it runs well, and it can then be repeated in various parts of the world. It is part of an International SU training plan that has been developed over recent years. Pray for the team leading, including Wendy, Clayton and Terry (who, as God would have it, are all SU International staff from Brisbane !! ).
Meanwhile this month, Adam, Cecilia, Phill and Elmo all have exams and assignments in their various studies. Plus Adam marries Emily on 19th December, at her village in the north. Busy lad.
For me at work, there’s no shortage of matters to attend to even though schools are slowing down. A bit of a backlog, naturally, so I’m well-occupied.
AND MEANWHILE FOR ME…
Tuesday, I had the day off. That’s to make up for camp last weekend. I’ll be making sure such things happen, for all the team. Pray I can get my head and daily work around all the bits & pieces that each day involves. But within that, I can also look at long-range goals as we prepare for 2010. We will have planning days on 1st and 2nd December. We finish for the Christmas closure on 11th December.
Meanwhile, my poor car looks a bit sad, with it’s dented side from the taxi. I have 2 quotes: A$150 and A$3000 ! Phill has confidence in the former, but the insurance company doesn’t. I have to get another, but good repairers are booked out till January. Thankfully the car goes fine anyway. Then last weekend, driving through roadworks to the coast, a truck threw a nice stone, so a new windscreen later this week. Thankyou insurance. But poor car also needs a bit of TLC, simply being 10 years old, so that will happen in 2 weeks – no insurance for that one. It’s worked hard this last year, but it’s still great for here.
Mid-December I’ll head north for a few days, particularly to attend Adam’s wedding at Emily’s village. From what he says, it will be an education for me. And it will be about 40C daily.
FOR YOUR PRAYER *Thanks that I’m back, and the welcomes from many. *Pray for Adam & Emily as they move toward marriage on 19th December, including finding all that is needed for a proper Namibian wedding, and an affordable flat near SU after. *Also pray for Adam in Nairobi and all at the course 15-21 November. *Pray for our 25th anniversary lunch on 29th, especially Cecilia and Clarice preparing it all. *Thanks that the big booking at Shalom went well, and prompt payment by Government now. *For Stan and family, in their sorrow, and especially his sister Jackie. *For all the team, and senior school students, doing exams and assignments etc this month. *For clear thinking and forward-planning for 2010, over the next month.
Finally, please pray for the elections for President and Parliament on 27 & 28 November. Pray all goes smoothly, that all will understand democracy, and that God will give us the best leaders for the nation.
Many thanks to all for your prayer and care,
God bless, Graeme
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