Saturday, May 26, 2007
Rellies
Our neighbour has a very large plot of land which she has allowed to grow wild and is thus a haven to birds and bats. I was able to photograph this critters recently. Thanks to my new camera, I was able to really zoom in on the bats, which sleep very high up in the trees. Unfortunately, lighting and having them often fly away when I was unprepared for the shot meant I only got a couple of good ‘uns but they look so sweet!
I love etymology (discovering roots and origins of words). David delighted me with an Oshikwanyama word recently. Their word for ‘relative’ comes from the root word ‘epata’ meaning (in a modern sense) ‘kitchen’. However, to discover what ‘epata’ originally referred to, one has to go back in history.
Homesteads, which still are common, are ‘alleys’ of wooden palisades, opening off into different open areas. The whole thing is surround by a big palisade. Each area has a designation: meeting area for the men, slaughter area, pounding grain area, sleeping area. Each wife had their own ‘epata’ – a cooking/communal living area for her and her offspring. Hence, each epata represented a group of close relatives.
I love etymology (discovering roots and origins of words). David delighted me with an Oshikwanyama word recently. Their word for ‘relative’ comes from the root word ‘epata’ meaning (in a modern sense) ‘kitchen’. However, to discover what ‘epata’ originally referred to, one has to go back in history.
Homesteads, which still are common, are ‘alleys’ of wooden palisades, opening off into different open areas. The whole thing is surround by a big palisade. Each area has a designation: meeting area for the men, slaughter area, pounding grain area, sleeping area. Each wife had their own ‘epata’ – a cooking/communal living area for her and her offspring. Hence, each epata represented a group of close relatives.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Good Samaritan vs the Bad Bochochos
At Wednesday Bible Club (WBC) yesterday, David helped me lead the singing. They do enjoy the action songs. This pic I include is from ‘Who’s the King of the Jungle?’. Then I told them the parable of the Good Samaritan. We divided the children up into 3 groups afterwards and encouraged them to each put together a mini play from the parable. This was something they had never done before but they soon entered into the spirit of it all. In Owamboland, thieves are called bochochos. Everyone wanted to play the part of a bochocho (see photo)! And when the Samaritan arrives with his donkey, you should see these children smack their friends on the rump as if they were herding cattle back in their village! In one group’s presentation, one chap was ‘going down to Ondangwa from Ongwediva’ in his new car. Some boys asked another boy for a lift … and then attacked him and stole the car (all too common in this day and age)!
They came the bows. Meanwhile, David was videoing it all and the culmination was trouping into the lounge to watch themselves on the TV. There was much hilarity as they watch each other acting.
Etienne has been learning to play Amazing Grace on the recorder. It was an ideal time to set him the biography of the writer of this famous hymn, John Newton. He really enjoyed it. Here is his review:
Amazing Grace
John Newton was a boy when the story starts; angry and disobedient, etc. He was so naughty that he got whipped! John had a terrible life. He was a slave, on a slave ship. Then he became a captain of a slave ship. Then his ship got caught in a storm and he prayed to God for help.
God changed his life. He became obedient and trust-worthy. He got married to Mary Catlett.
One of John’s best loved hymns is Amazing Grace. I can sing it and you may sing it too. My favourite part was when John kept preaching after Mary had died.
As you can see from the WBC pix, we are now outside as it is cooler and the lower sun means more of the garden in shade. The nights are rather chilly now (much to David’s delight!).
David leaves on 31 May for Angola. It is a bit daunting as drinking water can be polluted, many roads are more potholes than level surface, and communication between places is poor. We are not sure if even to let him take the camera as apparently they charge you at the border for the ‘privilege’ of taking in such things. The effects of the war are much more apparent that side of the border than here, where infrastructure is beginning to bring the outside world into this corner of Namibia. Broadband arrived at the end of March (tho’ is still very expensive). Many people around towns (and thus coverage) have cell/mobile phones now. Land lines are not very common because many folk have no electricity in their homes. You can go to little roadside businesses like barbers and plug your cell/mobile phone into their power supply for a fee.
The pressure is on at the moment to get the first section of my Sunday School training/teaching manual completely translated into Oshindonga as, when the CESA (Church of England in South Africa) team come up end of June, one thing on the agenda is an all-day training seminar for people interested in learning how to teach Sunday School. We plan to give each person attending Section 1 (6 lessons plus info such as genealogy, time line, Wordless book, how to tell stories, mini Bible overview etc) of the manual, ‘Hidden Treasure’!
However, it is hard to find people to help me correct the Oshindonga as Oshiwambo generally has few fixed rules when it comes to which words should be joined up/separated, and even how to spell some words so there can be differences of opinion on what I have written, and both opinions be right! The English language has Shakespeare to thank in many ways for standardising spelling, grammar and sentence construction. (The plethora of plays created a relatively consistent grammar.) However, of all the languages in the world today, it is Greek that has changed the least. It is still very similar to the Greek of Homer’s day. We can see how much English has changed by trying to read some Chaucer!
They came the bows. Meanwhile, David was videoing it all and the culmination was trouping into the lounge to watch themselves on the TV. There was much hilarity as they watch each other acting.
Etienne has been learning to play Amazing Grace on the recorder. It was an ideal time to set him the biography of the writer of this famous hymn, John Newton. He really enjoyed it. Here is his review:
Amazing Grace
John Newton was a boy when the story starts; angry and disobedient, etc. He was so naughty that he got whipped! John had a terrible life. He was a slave, on a slave ship. Then he became a captain of a slave ship. Then his ship got caught in a storm and he prayed to God for help.
God changed his life. He became obedient and trust-worthy. He got married to Mary Catlett.
One of John’s best loved hymns is Amazing Grace. I can sing it and you may sing it too. My favourite part was when John kept preaching after Mary had died.
As you can see from the WBC pix, we are now outside as it is cooler and the lower sun means more of the garden in shade. The nights are rather chilly now (much to David’s delight!).
David leaves on 31 May for Angola. It is a bit daunting as drinking water can be polluted, many roads are more potholes than level surface, and communication between places is poor. We are not sure if even to let him take the camera as apparently they charge you at the border for the ‘privilege’ of taking in such things. The effects of the war are much more apparent that side of the border than here, where infrastructure is beginning to bring the outside world into this corner of Namibia. Broadband arrived at the end of March (tho’ is still very expensive). Many people around towns (and thus coverage) have cell/mobile phones now. Land lines are not very common because many folk have no electricity in their homes. You can go to little roadside businesses like barbers and plug your cell/mobile phone into their power supply for a fee.
The pressure is on at the moment to get the first section of my Sunday School training/teaching manual completely translated into Oshindonga as, when the CESA (Church of England in South Africa) team come up end of June, one thing on the agenda is an all-day training seminar for people interested in learning how to teach Sunday School. We plan to give each person attending Section 1 (6 lessons plus info such as genealogy, time line, Wordless book, how to tell stories, mini Bible overview etc) of the manual, ‘Hidden Treasure’!
However, it is hard to find people to help me correct the Oshindonga as Oshiwambo generally has few fixed rules when it comes to which words should be joined up/separated, and even how to spell some words so there can be differences of opinion on what I have written, and both opinions be right! The English language has Shakespeare to thank in many ways for standardising spelling, grammar and sentence construction. (The plethora of plays created a relatively consistent grammar.) However, of all the languages in the world today, it is Greek that has changed the least. It is still very similar to the Greek of Homer’s day. We can see how much English has changed by trying to read some Chaucer!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Moving On
We are delighted to tell you that Amalia no longer works for us! And why are we delighted? Because it means her hairdressing business is becoming established and she is now doing it full-time. Please pray that she would continue to get enough customers to make it a viable business (viz. that she will earn enough to support herself.)
One can learn words in a language and still not be able to speak it. I was going over something I had written in Oshindonga for the Sunday school book with an Oshiwambo speaker. I had said that Genesis means ‘beginnings’ and the book told us of the beginning of the world and the beginning of God’s people etc. I had used the same Oshindonga word for ‘beginning’ (etameko) of the world as of God’s people. He said, no, I can’t. The word etameko means the beginning of someTHING, whereas euyepo means the beginning of someone.
The photos show David playing soccer and doing a Bible overview with his ‘boys’. The bird is a bee eater, taken from far away in the late arvo, hence poor quality. But a very pretty bird.
The lending library is a great success. I have 17 children now, with their own little ‘library cards’ upon which I mark books borrowed and returned. As a confirmed bibliophile, it is hard to send my books into the ‘unknown’ and risk them being eaten by goats but, as a confirmed bibliophiIe, I love watching them walking home, engrossed in their new books as they walk.
The children are allowed to come 3 days a week at 3pm. Any earlier and it makes it hard for us to finish school work and for my children to have a quiet time to read or play together. I saw some of the boys sitting outside our house at 1.30 a.m. today as they had nothing else to do, just chatting, reading their books and wating for 3 o’clock to arrive! The boys spent about 2 hours playing bionicles with Étienne today. They have all built their own from the box of bits and have a grand time. Caris and her little friends played dolls.
One can learn words in a language and still not be able to speak it. I was going over something I had written in Oshindonga for the Sunday school book with an Oshiwambo speaker. I had said that Genesis means ‘beginnings’ and the book told us of the beginning of the world and the beginning of God’s people etc. I had used the same Oshindonga word for ‘beginning’ (etameko) of the world as of God’s people. He said, no, I can’t. The word etameko means the beginning of someTHING, whereas euyepo means the beginning of someone.
The photos show David playing soccer and doing a Bible overview with his ‘boys’. The bird is a bee eater, taken from far away in the late arvo, hence poor quality. But a very pretty bird.
The lending library is a great success. I have 17 children now, with their own little ‘library cards’ upon which I mark books borrowed and returned. As a confirmed bibliophile, it is hard to send my books into the ‘unknown’ and risk them being eaten by goats but, as a confirmed bibliophiIe, I love watching them walking home, engrossed in their new books as they walk.
The children are allowed to come 3 days a week at 3pm. Any earlier and it makes it hard for us to finish school work and for my children to have a quiet time to read or play together. I saw some of the boys sitting outside our house at 1.30 a.m. today as they had nothing else to do, just chatting, reading their books and wating for 3 o’clock to arrive! The boys spent about 2 hours playing bionicles with Étienne today. They have all built their own from the box of bits and have a grand time. Caris and her little friends played dolls.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Fame at last!
Some of you may remember a photo I posted of David with a lizard hanging by its teeth from his ear. I thought it was such a funny pic that I sent it to the Kids’ National Geographic (South Africa) and this issue (MAY) featured David and the children! (Autographs available!)
The school holidays are on and there are less children around because many of them go to their villages. Families who do not live near a decent school often send children to rellies who do and the child stays there all week or term. It seems strange to our cultural-way of thinking, but it is also practical. In the north, families are very close (often literally; unlike our culture where family members can be scattered throughout the world). It seems normal for a childless couple, or couple near a good school, to take a niece, nephew or half-sibling into their home for months or years.
Some children, like our neighbour Johannes, goes back to the village to be with his relations because his mother works full-time. They do enjoy it and I sometimes wish I could send Étienne as it would be an experience to ‘put hairs on his chest’! No electricity or running water. Sleeping in a mud hut with all the bugs that go with it. A long drop for a toilet. Meals only two times a day (morning and evening); mainly mahangu porridge (which he hates). Working in the fields if it is sowing or harvesting time. But he could chase chickens, catch birds, climb trees (if there are any left in the area), etc to his heart’s content. Ah, but Étienne does like his creature comforts so perhaps … not!
Nothing much to say about the photos posted as they are pretty self-explanatory. However, for those of you fairly new to the blog, you won't know that those ‘mobile shops’ that the men carry on their heads are truly that. They go around with an assortment of things for sale in those boxes that would amaze you. One never sees a woman doing it, though. I don't know why.
You can also see Caris with some a new friends (answers to prayer) playing dolls. It has taken a while for girls her own age to come into the group that visits our house.
I have discovered a local scout and brownie/guide group and may try our two in it but it may be a bit tough at first, being the only non-indigenous children. I think it is conducted in a mix of languages. However, if they can make friends it should be good for them. I need to wait till next term to enrol them.
Groups of women selling all sorts of things are a common sight. They have a regular spot and are there every day of the year. This one is quite near us and Caris is buying a vetkoek (dough ball friend in hot oil). She really likes them. This one also sells dried fish (by her leg).
By the way, the Afrikaans word for chameleon is ‘verkleur mannitjie’ (not sure of the spelling). It means ‘little man of colours’. Namibians are so scared of them. They saw us holding it and told us we would get diseases and die from it, that they are poisonous etc. David was saying it was a good thing as it ate mozzies and flies but they tend to kill any reptile as they are scared, even of lizards.
The school holidays are on and there are less children around because many of them go to their villages. Families who do not live near a decent school often send children to rellies who do and the child stays there all week or term. It seems strange to our cultural-way of thinking, but it is also practical. In the north, families are very close (often literally; unlike our culture where family members can be scattered throughout the world). It seems normal for a childless couple, or couple near a good school, to take a niece, nephew or half-sibling into their home for months or years.
Some children, like our neighbour Johannes, goes back to the village to be with his relations because his mother works full-time. They do enjoy it and I sometimes wish I could send Étienne as it would be an experience to ‘put hairs on his chest’! No electricity or running water. Sleeping in a mud hut with all the bugs that go with it. A long drop for a toilet. Meals only two times a day (morning and evening); mainly mahangu porridge (which he hates). Working in the fields if it is sowing or harvesting time. But he could chase chickens, catch birds, climb trees (if there are any left in the area), etc to his heart’s content. Ah, but Étienne does like his creature comforts so perhaps … not!
Nothing much to say about the photos posted as they are pretty self-explanatory. However, for those of you fairly new to the blog, you won't know that those ‘mobile shops’ that the men carry on their heads are truly that. They go around with an assortment of things for sale in those boxes that would amaze you. One never sees a woman doing it, though. I don't know why.
You can also see Caris with some a new friends (answers to prayer) playing dolls. It has taken a while for girls her own age to come into the group that visits our house.
I have discovered a local scout and brownie/guide group and may try our two in it but it may be a bit tough at first, being the only non-indigenous children. I think it is conducted in a mix of languages. However, if they can make friends it should be good for them. I need to wait till next term to enrol them.
Groups of women selling all sorts of things are a common sight. They have a regular spot and are there every day of the year. This one is quite near us and Caris is buying a vetkoek (dough ball friend in hot oil). She really likes them. This one also sells dried fish (by her leg).
By the way, the Afrikaans word for chameleon is ‘verkleur mannitjie’ (not sure of the spelling). It means ‘little man of colours’. Namibians are so scared of them. They saw us holding it and told us we would get diseases and die from it, that they are poisonous etc. David was saying it was a good thing as it ate mozzies and flies but they tend to kill any reptile as they are scared, even of lizards.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
JFK a la Namibia
Étienne has turned into a really enthusiastic music composer and it is fun in the evening to hear him and David play and sing his compositions accompanied by piano and/or recorder.
This morning the three of them went for their regular bike ride. Caris is really a keen cyclist.
You can see a pic of a woman and a married couple flanking her. She is Afrikaans and she pays for the NETS correspondence course which she then, in turn, teaches her enthusiastic but illiterate friends who then go into their communities and teach the material in their own language.
Can you see the fungus thing? It appeared in our garden and the flies LOVED it. anyone know what it is?
Also posted is a picture of John Kenedy. We wrote the accompanying article (below) for Checkpoint magazine (CMS) which has just come out so I can now post it for all you other folk to read.
A LIFE TRANSFORMED BY CHRIST
The car was plastered with “Jesus film Project” logos. Its driver climbed out, well-dressed and smiling, and walked over to us immediately to greet us.
This is John Kenedy. No, not JFK resurrected, but he has experienced a resurrection of a different kind. Previously a hardened criminal, his job since the completion of his prison term is with Campus Crusade for Christ, travelling around villages of Northern Namibia to show the Jesus Film (newly-released in Oshikwanyama). He establishes those who respond in small discipleship groups, and teaches evangelism.
How did this radical change come about? John tell of he coming to know Jesus personally through the NETS (Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary) Christian leadership program – also known as the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) course.
John describes how the course influenced him: “I learned how to extend forgiveness to other people. Previously I could not face challenges, and that is the reason I resorted to crime. I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour when I was doing the course. I used to be only a hearer of the Word. Now I am also a ‘doer’ of the Word. I now know the fear of God.”
Sergeant Nestor Nghifenwa is the spiritual care officer at Oluno prison. He has seen the effect of the NETS leadership programme on prisoners. “Almost every day I have prisoners wanting to participate in the NETS programme. They see the changes in the fellow prisoners who are students, and they want to share in those changes……”
Recently, he also became a participant in the NETS course.
Church is a compulsory activity for all prisoners, unless they are not ‘Christian’. Most of the preaching is shared amongst prisoners who have demonstrated a Christian commitment, and a desire to lead. This includes 5 NETS TEE students, past and present. Thus, they have weekly opportunities to preach about things that they learn. NETS students also run baptism and confirmation classes. On certain days, they visit the local hospital to share the Gospel with patients and to pray for them. These prisoners have a great impact on the prison as a whole – as well as the community ‘outside’.
I have the privilege of living close to Oluno prison (30kms), and running weekly workshops there (the two other prisons I visit in Northern Namibia are 600km and 800km away respectively). Generally, I try to discuss the content of the NETS TEE study guides, which include topics such as Old Testament, New Testament, Christian leadership, happy marriages, dealing with AIDS, building disciple-makers and preaching.
However, the workshops are casual affairs, and often follow whatever spiritual issues the prisoners want to discuss, including personal issues and current affairs. At the last workshop the issue of a recent funeral was raised - featured on national news – when a Lutheran pastor of a small town in Northern Namibia refused to bury a deceased, unbaptised, young child in the church graveyard. We discussed such issues as:
Are all babies automatically children of God, and going to heaven?
If not, then what does baptism achieve?
Do all babies that are baptised automatically go to heaven?
If not, then why baptise babies at all?
We examined Bible passages and tried to work out if our beliefs were consistent with biblical teaching.
We are about to sign up our first female student in the prison, and pray she will be able to influence the other lady inmates.
Not only prisoners do the NETS courses. Northern Namibia spans 1250km by 400km. Participants include pastors, elders, deacons, evangelists, chaplains in the defence force, or spiritual officers in prisons; none of whom can afford to move to Windhoek to study theology fulltime.
One of the reasons Theological Education by Extension is so rewarding, is that it makes us realise how much we have been given. Simply understanding the ‘big picture’ of the Bible is a blessing enjoyed in most Bible-centred churches in Australia. Not so in Namibia, even amongst the pastors.
Bad theology leads to many errors churches. Recently I met a lady, Meme Justina Haiyambo, well-known as a “prophet” in Namibia, considered consistent with the prophets of the Old Testament. She prophesied that the world would end in 2000 – but had to make some adjustments when it didn’t ...! Now she calls people from all churches to make their dwelling in her village and wait for a ‘star’ which will fall on Namibia. She has freedom to speak in most Namibian Anglican and Lutheran churches.
We earnestly desire that leaders, trained to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’, will be able to protect Christians from being deceived by the devil in subtle ways like this. We pray that the NETS courses would be used by God to do just that.
If you are capable of leading a Bible study, why not investigate where TEE leaders are needed in the world, and how you could prepare yourself to be one? Otherwise, why not contribute to the CMS bursary funds for Namibia? “…..from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48 – NIV)
This morning the three of them went for their regular bike ride. Caris is really a keen cyclist.
You can see a pic of a woman and a married couple flanking her. She is Afrikaans and she pays for the NETS correspondence course which she then, in turn, teaches her enthusiastic but illiterate friends who then go into their communities and teach the material in their own language.
Can you see the fungus thing? It appeared in our garden and the flies LOVED it. anyone know what it is?
Also posted is a picture of John Kenedy. We wrote the accompanying article (below) for Checkpoint magazine (CMS) which has just come out so I can now post it for all you other folk to read.
A LIFE TRANSFORMED BY CHRIST
The car was plastered with “Jesus film Project” logos. Its driver climbed out, well-dressed and smiling, and walked over to us immediately to greet us.
This is John Kenedy. No, not JFK resurrected, but he has experienced a resurrection of a different kind. Previously a hardened criminal, his job since the completion of his prison term is with Campus Crusade for Christ, travelling around villages of Northern Namibia to show the Jesus Film (newly-released in Oshikwanyama). He establishes those who respond in small discipleship groups, and teaches evangelism.
How did this radical change come about? John tell of he coming to know Jesus personally through the NETS (Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary) Christian leadership program – also known as the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) course.
John describes how the course influenced him: “I learned how to extend forgiveness to other people. Previously I could not face challenges, and that is the reason I resorted to crime. I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour when I was doing the course. I used to be only a hearer of the Word. Now I am also a ‘doer’ of the Word. I now know the fear of God.”
Sergeant Nestor Nghifenwa is the spiritual care officer at Oluno prison. He has seen the effect of the NETS leadership programme on prisoners. “Almost every day I have prisoners wanting to participate in the NETS programme. They see the changes in the fellow prisoners who are students, and they want to share in those changes……”
Recently, he also became a participant in the NETS course.
Church is a compulsory activity for all prisoners, unless they are not ‘Christian’. Most of the preaching is shared amongst prisoners who have demonstrated a Christian commitment, and a desire to lead. This includes 5 NETS TEE students, past and present. Thus, they have weekly opportunities to preach about things that they learn. NETS students also run baptism and confirmation classes. On certain days, they visit the local hospital to share the Gospel with patients and to pray for them. These prisoners have a great impact on the prison as a whole – as well as the community ‘outside’.
I have the privilege of living close to Oluno prison (30kms), and running weekly workshops there (the two other prisons I visit in Northern Namibia are 600km and 800km away respectively). Generally, I try to discuss the content of the NETS TEE study guides, which include topics such as Old Testament, New Testament, Christian leadership, happy marriages, dealing with AIDS, building disciple-makers and preaching.
However, the workshops are casual affairs, and often follow whatever spiritual issues the prisoners want to discuss, including personal issues and current affairs. At the last workshop the issue of a recent funeral was raised - featured on national news – when a Lutheran pastor of a small town in Northern Namibia refused to bury a deceased, unbaptised, young child in the church graveyard. We discussed such issues as:
Are all babies automatically children of God, and going to heaven?
If not, then what does baptism achieve?
Do all babies that are baptised automatically go to heaven?
If not, then why baptise babies at all?
We examined Bible passages and tried to work out if our beliefs were consistent with biblical teaching.
We are about to sign up our first female student in the prison, and pray she will be able to influence the other lady inmates.
Not only prisoners do the NETS courses. Northern Namibia spans 1250km by 400km. Participants include pastors, elders, deacons, evangelists, chaplains in the defence force, or spiritual officers in prisons; none of whom can afford to move to Windhoek to study theology fulltime.
One of the reasons Theological Education by Extension is so rewarding, is that it makes us realise how much we have been given. Simply understanding the ‘big picture’ of the Bible is a blessing enjoyed in most Bible-centred churches in Australia. Not so in Namibia, even amongst the pastors.
Bad theology leads to many errors churches. Recently I met a lady, Meme Justina Haiyambo, well-known as a “prophet” in Namibia, considered consistent with the prophets of the Old Testament. She prophesied that the world would end in 2000 – but had to make some adjustments when it didn’t ...! Now she calls people from all churches to make their dwelling in her village and wait for a ‘star’ which will fall on Namibia. She has freedom to speak in most Namibian Anglican and Lutheran churches.
We earnestly desire that leaders, trained to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’, will be able to protect Christians from being deceived by the devil in subtle ways like this. We pray that the NETS courses would be used by God to do just that.
If you are capable of leading a Bible study, why not investigate where TEE leaders are needed in the world, and how you could prepare yourself to be one? Otherwise, why not contribute to the CMS bursary funds for Namibia? “…..from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48 – NIV)
To Eastern Bushmanland .... and beyyyyooooonnnnddd!
Before you embark on this epic, written by David about his recent trip, I would recommend you copy and paste (into Word or somewhere) the entire thing as it is 5 pages’ long and there is a lot of info to digest.
I have recently returned from a “’safari’ – visiting some more distant towns. Here is a brief account ....
Leg 1: TUESDAY Ongwediva - Tsumeb (270km)
Tsumeb is an attractive mining town, where the main mineral is copper – but there are many others on offer as well – all the streets have different mineral names. Every town has its own character. Tsumeb demonstrates the erstwhile divisions between black and white. The ‘whites’ generally live in the ‘rich’ part of the town, whereas the “blacks” live in the location – which is much poorer.
I was warmly received by Yorri and Ronelle Jordaan, the couple who pastor the CRC (Christian renewal centre) church. We were put in touch with them through Ivonne, a close friend of Alisan’s. The Jordaans had agreed to contact all the pastors in the town to a gathering where I would explain what courses were available through NETS, and encourage pastors and churches to get involved.
As it turned out hardly anyone came – only 3 people from the Jordaans’ church, which was a bit disappointing. However it illustrates the difficulties involved in getting a ‘foot in the door’ in the town.
Choosing a contact person is tricky. If you choose someone from an ‘established’ church, they generally only consider other established churches worth inviting. As an Anglican, I have a more or less open door with Anglicans – but Roman Catholics almost never attend (for obvious theological reasons) and Lutherns hardly much better (because they have their own training system in place). I asked the secretary in the Lutheran church (‘black”’township) about the other churches. She told me about the Catholics and the other Lutheran church. When I asked if there were any others she said (in Afrikaans) “Oh, then there are the small ‘repentance’ churches” – but did not know anything about them. I wanted to respond that I thought ALL churches were ‘repentance’ churches but I held my tongue.
On the other hand, choosing a ‘Charismatic’ or ‘Pentecostal’ contact person often means that other churches (especially the established ones) don’t take you seriously, so you stand to ‘tarnish’ the image of NETS, which tries to draw people from all denominational shades.
Sometimes the best bet is to work with the NG (Dutch Reformed) church. Ironically, although it has a history of being the church of the ‘oppressor’ in years gone by, it now enjoys the most credibility with the ‘established’ churches (as it is also supposed to be ‘conservative’) and the ‘charismatic’ churches (as it has, in many cases, bought into ‘born again’ theology). However, the NG churches are not present in many of the towns I serve, and in some cases serve ONLY the white community, and are not interested in NETS.
I had a good conversation with a local Lutheran pastor who seemed interested in the courses. And then I found the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene – an American. I discovered he was running a TEE programme for Nazarene pastors all over Namibia. Some Nazarene students study at NETS, but it is not encouraged as that church has a strong emphasis on ‘holiness’ theology and thus want to do ‘their own thing’.
Leg 2: Tsumeb to Otavi (63km)
Having over-nighted with the Jordaans I proceeded on to Otavi, a small town with a couple of factories. First job was to find somewhere to camp, and I found a nice spot on a farm. The Jordaans had given me a name of a new pastor in town, and I went to seem him.
Having met and chatted, I then went back to town to find a place to watch some cricket – the world cup semi-final, between .... AUSTRALIA and ..... SOUTH AFRICA! No questions for whom I was shouting! South Africa batting first ... the rest is history. At the end of the first innings I was glad I had an appointment with some pastors in the evening! My contact was a man called Hendrik Hoabeb – an AFM (Apostolic Faith Mission) pastor. He had organised that 4 other local pastors come and hear about the NETS courses. It was all good – everyone was keen and took lots of application forms. We will see what ensues ...
Leg 3: Otavi to Grootfontein (87km)
Contrary to what many ‘white’ people would do, I pick up hitchhikers. The local people have little of their own transport. I think it would be anti-Christian not to. It seems quite safe. Put it this way, I have not been car-jacked yet. I get 3 benefits from picking up hikers.
1. Sometimes they offer me money, which I sometimes accept – it helps to pay for the car insurance.
2. I usually use the opportunity to preach, big time. Most people are at ‘born’ into an ‘established church’ (Anglican, Lutheran, or Catholic) which almost always means they have no understanding of the Gospel and no assurance of salvation. I hope they have an understanding when they reach their destination!
3. If I pick up an Oshiwambo speaker, I sometimes get good language practise (depending on their dialect). Speakers range from very comprehensible Oshikwanyama to totally incomprehensible dialect.
The time in Grootfontein was a washout. I had organised the time with an NG ‘missionary’ ... who had gone away with only few days’ notice. No students had been contacted. Actually, some of the NG missionaries do some great training with the NETS TEE courses. It is an ideal situation – the local pastor catches the training vision and organises elders in his indigenous congregation to do the courses – which the NG church usually pays for. Grootfontein is on the edge of Bushmanland, and there are at least 6 Bushmen (San) people doing the course.
I tried to locate some pastors. The first was an old Assemblies of God pastor, who was new and couldn’t speak Oshiwambo, English or Afrikaans. Luckily, his son interpreted for us. I left some materials with a Lutheran Elder, and Catholic deacon, and popped in at a Universal Church of God Church.
Having ‘done’ Grootfontein, I had to find a place to sleep – a very nice rest-camp availed itself, complete with swimming pool. Ahhhhh. We have a great tent that we purchased here, which goes up easily. It saves up to 80% on accommodation costs (example AU$11 vs AU$100 per night).
Leg 4: Grootfontein - Tsumkwe (300km)
… and all of it dirt road, though relatively good. But make sure you take enough fuel for the return journey!
En route, I had organised with a local NG pastor to see 2 of his students – both Bushmen. Both were 20km off the ‘main road’ – one of the 20 km ‘roads’ was just a ‘track’. My task to find ‘Shorty’ was to get to the school, and then ask for a guide. On arrival, one of the ladies comes running out of the school (term has just finished) shouting “Here I am, here I am”. “Who ARE you?” I ask. “I am the one you came to pick up.” “No I am not.” “Oh no, my lift has just not arrived”.
Anyway, having visited Shorty, I had to return to the school, take her, her colleague, and 2 bushmen children, and HEAPS of luggage to the main road, and then backtrack to the ‘Animal inspection gate’ (15 km back), drop them off, and then proceed back towards Tsumkwe. They hoped to catch a lift from there
Shorty is officially a Deacon in his church. I asked him “What does a deacon do?” He could not answer me. Later, in speaking to the NG minister, I discovered his title of ‘Deacon’ is simply to give him a place in the ‘church structure’. Officially, a deacon is there to deal with financial issues – in particular to distribute to the poor and needy. However, in Shorty’s church, there is no money. There is simply 100% need with ALL the people in the church.
Shorty has no job. He has a few goats and chickens, and lives off the land, hunting, eating berries … as the Bushmen have always done. However, his love for Jesus is evident. The minister says often finds him reading his Afrikaans Bible under the tree when visiting him.
I found Jaffet, the other Bushman (church) elder. At both points, I chatted a little with them, and then proceed to do the Matthias Media ‘Bible Overview’ with them - and their household and local family and friends. It was my first opportunity to hear ‘Bushman’ spoken ‘in the flesh’. What surprised me was, now and then, in the interpretation, I picked up and Oshiwambo word or two. I later learned that there is a fairly complex political history involved – with the people being resettled variously by church and government.
The Bushmen are extremely economically deprived. They live in very deserted parts of Namibia where there are no opportunities for business. You may have been aware of them petitioning Brangelina for assistance during their natal visit of the country. But the NG church is doing a lot to uplift them. Helping them acquire farming stock, sinking boreholes, educating, sustaining preaching points, training elders, and selling curios and artefacts, that otherwise are inaccessible.
Then on to Tsumkwe. Actually this is a Bushman word, with 2 clicks. The ‘Ts’ is the click which you would make when you say ‘Tch, tch’, being disgusted with a child’s behaviour, or having pathos evoked by a small cute animal. The ‘kwe’ is the click you would make (for the horsey ones) in the side of your mouth when are telling a horse to get a move-on. So, try that one for tongue twister.
I got to the lodge after nightfall, and having eaten a grand feast of rice and pilchards, I spent an evening with two American fellow campers, Eric and Sharikay, who are touring the world – see www.border-crossings.com.
Leg 5: SUNDAY Tsumkwe – Ongwediva (650km)
On the final morning I met up with 4 Bushmen elders of the NG church who are all steadily working through the NETS TEE course with their ‘Dominee’ (Pastor) Hendrik van Zyl. We had a great a discussion (in Afrikaans) about some leadership issues – including what they thought was the most important aspect of Christian leadership, how they became leaders and what their vision was for their respective congregations.
The men labour under having to do the course in Afrikaans, which is not their mother tongue. They have no Bible in their language. One of the previous ministers composed an orthography for their language and also translated the Gospel of Mark. More recently, an anthropologist came and composed a new orthography, and now the men have to start at the beginning to learn to read their own language. A sad situation.
I exhorted them to do read their lesson at home before their weekly meeting, and write down in a workbook everything they didn’t understand. But am I on another planet expecting non-literary people to do something like this?
As I prepared to leave and have some good unwind time listen to some CMS Summer School tapes, I was accosted by a couple wanted a ride; 300km to Grootfontein. Suddenly there were them and then 3 Bushmen in the car.
The man, a Kwangali from Rundu, was speaking to me in English initially. Then I realised they understood Afrikaans better. Whilst we drove they got an on-the-fly translation of 2 ways to live in Afrikaans, which the Kwangali lady translated into Bushman (the real name for the Tsumkwe language is !Kun, I think).
But I also discovered they spoke Oshiwambo, so I got a bit of practise in, and learned a few more words. When we arrived last year, CMS graciously bought me a hand-held recorder. I use it to record words and phrases, and use it for practise when I am in the car on my own: a real asset.
After Grootfontein, the journey was quieter until back in Owamboland, where I started picking up hikers again. Unfortunately, you travel through ‘Ndonga’ which is dialect compared to the ‘High Kwanyama’ which I am learning, so communication is tenuous – but fun.
I arrived home by 6pm and greeted by my beloved children and dear wife who, during my absence, fielded the home-schooling and the many people who come to our gate – at all times of the day.
Do you wish you had gone with me? Well, if you pray for us and financially support us through CMS, then you DID! We praise God for you, our Gospel partners!
I have recently returned from a “’safari’ – visiting some more distant towns. Here is a brief account ....
Leg 1: TUESDAY Ongwediva - Tsumeb (270km)
Tsumeb is an attractive mining town, where the main mineral is copper – but there are many others on offer as well – all the streets have different mineral names. Every town has its own character. Tsumeb demonstrates the erstwhile divisions between black and white. The ‘whites’ generally live in the ‘rich’ part of the town, whereas the “blacks” live in the location – which is much poorer.
I was warmly received by Yorri and Ronelle Jordaan, the couple who pastor the CRC (Christian renewal centre) church. We were put in touch with them through Ivonne, a close friend of Alisan’s. The Jordaans had agreed to contact all the pastors in the town to a gathering where I would explain what courses were available through NETS, and encourage pastors and churches to get involved.
As it turned out hardly anyone came – only 3 people from the Jordaans’ church, which was a bit disappointing. However it illustrates the difficulties involved in getting a ‘foot in the door’ in the town.
Choosing a contact person is tricky. If you choose someone from an ‘established’ church, they generally only consider other established churches worth inviting. As an Anglican, I have a more or less open door with Anglicans – but Roman Catholics almost never attend (for obvious theological reasons) and Lutherns hardly much better (because they have their own training system in place). I asked the secretary in the Lutheran church (‘black”’township) about the other churches. She told me about the Catholics and the other Lutheran church. When I asked if there were any others she said (in Afrikaans) “Oh, then there are the small ‘repentance’ churches” – but did not know anything about them. I wanted to respond that I thought ALL churches were ‘repentance’ churches but I held my tongue.
On the other hand, choosing a ‘Charismatic’ or ‘Pentecostal’ contact person often means that other churches (especially the established ones) don’t take you seriously, so you stand to ‘tarnish’ the image of NETS, which tries to draw people from all denominational shades.
Sometimes the best bet is to work with the NG (Dutch Reformed) church. Ironically, although it has a history of being the church of the ‘oppressor’ in years gone by, it now enjoys the most credibility with the ‘established’ churches (as it is also supposed to be ‘conservative’) and the ‘charismatic’ churches (as it has, in many cases, bought into ‘born again’ theology). However, the NG churches are not present in many of the towns I serve, and in some cases serve ONLY the white community, and are not interested in NETS.
I had a good conversation with a local Lutheran pastor who seemed interested in the courses. And then I found the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene – an American. I discovered he was running a TEE programme for Nazarene pastors all over Namibia. Some Nazarene students study at NETS, but it is not encouraged as that church has a strong emphasis on ‘holiness’ theology and thus want to do ‘their own thing’.
Leg 2: Tsumeb to Otavi (63km)
Having over-nighted with the Jordaans I proceeded on to Otavi, a small town with a couple of factories. First job was to find somewhere to camp, and I found a nice spot on a farm. The Jordaans had given me a name of a new pastor in town, and I went to seem him.
Having met and chatted, I then went back to town to find a place to watch some cricket – the world cup semi-final, between .... AUSTRALIA and ..... SOUTH AFRICA! No questions for whom I was shouting! South Africa batting first ... the rest is history. At the end of the first innings I was glad I had an appointment with some pastors in the evening! My contact was a man called Hendrik Hoabeb – an AFM (Apostolic Faith Mission) pastor. He had organised that 4 other local pastors come and hear about the NETS courses. It was all good – everyone was keen and took lots of application forms. We will see what ensues ...
Leg 3: Otavi to Grootfontein (87km)
Contrary to what many ‘white’ people would do, I pick up hitchhikers. The local people have little of their own transport. I think it would be anti-Christian not to. It seems quite safe. Put it this way, I have not been car-jacked yet. I get 3 benefits from picking up hikers.
1. Sometimes they offer me money, which I sometimes accept – it helps to pay for the car insurance.
2. I usually use the opportunity to preach, big time. Most people are at ‘born’ into an ‘established church’ (Anglican, Lutheran, or Catholic) which almost always means they have no understanding of the Gospel and no assurance of salvation. I hope they have an understanding when they reach their destination!
3. If I pick up an Oshiwambo speaker, I sometimes get good language practise (depending on their dialect). Speakers range from very comprehensible Oshikwanyama to totally incomprehensible dialect.
The time in Grootfontein was a washout. I had organised the time with an NG ‘missionary’ ... who had gone away with only few days’ notice. No students had been contacted. Actually, some of the NG missionaries do some great training with the NETS TEE courses. It is an ideal situation – the local pastor catches the training vision and organises elders in his indigenous congregation to do the courses – which the NG church usually pays for. Grootfontein is on the edge of Bushmanland, and there are at least 6 Bushmen (San) people doing the course.
I tried to locate some pastors. The first was an old Assemblies of God pastor, who was new and couldn’t speak Oshiwambo, English or Afrikaans. Luckily, his son interpreted for us. I left some materials with a Lutheran Elder, and Catholic deacon, and popped in at a Universal Church of God Church.
Having ‘done’ Grootfontein, I had to find a place to sleep – a very nice rest-camp availed itself, complete with swimming pool. Ahhhhh. We have a great tent that we purchased here, which goes up easily. It saves up to 80% on accommodation costs (example AU$11 vs AU$100 per night).
Leg 4: Grootfontein - Tsumkwe (300km)
… and all of it dirt road, though relatively good. But make sure you take enough fuel for the return journey!
En route, I had organised with a local NG pastor to see 2 of his students – both Bushmen. Both were 20km off the ‘main road’ – one of the 20 km ‘roads’ was just a ‘track’. My task to find ‘Shorty’ was to get to the school, and then ask for a guide. On arrival, one of the ladies comes running out of the school (term has just finished) shouting “Here I am, here I am”. “Who ARE you?” I ask. “I am the one you came to pick up.” “No I am not.” “Oh no, my lift has just not arrived”.
Anyway, having visited Shorty, I had to return to the school, take her, her colleague, and 2 bushmen children, and HEAPS of luggage to the main road, and then backtrack to the ‘Animal inspection gate’ (15 km back), drop them off, and then proceed back towards Tsumkwe. They hoped to catch a lift from there
Shorty is officially a Deacon in his church. I asked him “What does a deacon do?” He could not answer me. Later, in speaking to the NG minister, I discovered his title of ‘Deacon’ is simply to give him a place in the ‘church structure’. Officially, a deacon is there to deal with financial issues – in particular to distribute to the poor and needy. However, in Shorty’s church, there is no money. There is simply 100% need with ALL the people in the church.
Shorty has no job. He has a few goats and chickens, and lives off the land, hunting, eating berries … as the Bushmen have always done. However, his love for Jesus is evident. The minister says often finds him reading his Afrikaans Bible under the tree when visiting him.
I found Jaffet, the other Bushman (church) elder. At both points, I chatted a little with them, and then proceed to do the Matthias Media ‘Bible Overview’ with them - and their household and local family and friends. It was my first opportunity to hear ‘Bushman’ spoken ‘in the flesh’. What surprised me was, now and then, in the interpretation, I picked up and Oshiwambo word or two. I later learned that there is a fairly complex political history involved – with the people being resettled variously by church and government.
The Bushmen are extremely economically deprived. They live in very deserted parts of Namibia where there are no opportunities for business. You may have been aware of them petitioning Brangelina for assistance during their natal visit of the country. But the NG church is doing a lot to uplift them. Helping them acquire farming stock, sinking boreholes, educating, sustaining preaching points, training elders, and selling curios and artefacts, that otherwise are inaccessible.
Then on to Tsumkwe. Actually this is a Bushman word, with 2 clicks. The ‘Ts’ is the click which you would make when you say ‘Tch, tch’, being disgusted with a child’s behaviour, or having pathos evoked by a small cute animal. The ‘kwe’ is the click you would make (for the horsey ones) in the side of your mouth when are telling a horse to get a move-on. So, try that one for tongue twister.
I got to the lodge after nightfall, and having eaten a grand feast of rice and pilchards, I spent an evening with two American fellow campers, Eric and Sharikay, who are touring the world – see www.border-crossings.com.
Leg 5: SUNDAY Tsumkwe – Ongwediva (650km)
On the final morning I met up with 4 Bushmen elders of the NG church who are all steadily working through the NETS TEE course with their ‘Dominee’ (Pastor) Hendrik van Zyl. We had a great a discussion (in Afrikaans) about some leadership issues – including what they thought was the most important aspect of Christian leadership, how they became leaders and what their vision was for their respective congregations.
The men labour under having to do the course in Afrikaans, which is not their mother tongue. They have no Bible in their language. One of the previous ministers composed an orthography for their language and also translated the Gospel of Mark. More recently, an anthropologist came and composed a new orthography, and now the men have to start at the beginning to learn to read their own language. A sad situation.
I exhorted them to do read their lesson at home before their weekly meeting, and write down in a workbook everything they didn’t understand. But am I on another planet expecting non-literary people to do something like this?
As I prepared to leave and have some good unwind time listen to some CMS Summer School tapes, I was accosted by a couple wanted a ride; 300km to Grootfontein. Suddenly there were them and then 3 Bushmen in the car.
The man, a Kwangali from Rundu, was speaking to me in English initially. Then I realised they understood Afrikaans better. Whilst we drove they got an on-the-fly translation of 2 ways to live in Afrikaans, which the Kwangali lady translated into Bushman (the real name for the Tsumkwe language is !Kun, I think).
But I also discovered they spoke Oshiwambo, so I got a bit of practise in, and learned a few more words. When we arrived last year, CMS graciously bought me a hand-held recorder. I use it to record words and phrases, and use it for practise when I am in the car on my own: a real asset.
After Grootfontein, the journey was quieter until back in Owamboland, where I started picking up hikers again. Unfortunately, you travel through ‘Ndonga’ which is dialect compared to the ‘High Kwanyama’ which I am learning, so communication is tenuous – but fun.
I arrived home by 6pm and greeted by my beloved children and dear wife who, during my absence, fielded the home-schooling and the many people who come to our gate – at all times of the day.
Do you wish you had gone with me? Well, if you pray for us and financially support us through CMS, then you DID! We praise God for you, our Gospel partners!
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