Photo of the Day

Dieter watching the sunset from the

Hobie Cat on the lake at Von Bach Dam.

Liars make more friends

I noticed a girl blatantly lie today telling someone she was in sixth grade when she’s really in fourth. I noticed it because she’s lied to me before for the same reason. She doesn’t feel like she’s adequate or good enough for people to like her so she ‘improves’ on the truth to make herself look better. It got me thinking, how often do we do the same thing to each other? How often do we put our ‘best foot forward’ or pretty ourselves up before we walk out the door in efforts to cover up what we see as inadequacies. I know I’ve been guilty of not sharing ‘the whole story’ when it might make me look bad. So in trying to get to the bottom of this phenomenon I asked myself, ‘how does it feel when this girl lies to me to make herself seem better in my eyes?’ That’s when I realized, what she’s really saying is, ‘I don’t trust you enough to love me just the way I am.’ She feels she somehow needs to embellish her image to make sure I don't decide she's no longer worthy of my love. She’s not protecting her image. She’s doubting my love.

How often do we do the very same thing to God? We put all our best, most noble deeds on the altar as if that would somehow improve our standing in His omniscient eyes. We come to church dressed to impress, showing off how spiritual we’ve become. We convince everyone else by serving in every possible ministry in the church. And all the while we’re lying to ourselves thinking God must be happy with me because I do so much for Him. What we’re really saying is, ‘God, I don’t trust you enough to love me as the wretched sinner I know I really am.’ But He is God, not a man. He is the One who can truly love unconditionally because He defines love. (1 Jn 4:8) It was while we were sinners that Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) He came not to save those who thought they were righteous, but those who knew they were sinners. (Matt 9:13; Luk 19:10) The references abound, shall I continue? His history with Jacob, Moses, the whole nation of Israel, David, Peter, Paul, as well as other less notorious sinners speaks for itself. What is there left to doubt?

Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Snide remarks?

A long walk home

Late yesterday afternoon, I opted for a little cultural experience of my own. After hanging out at the Ark, I had a little grocery shopping to do in town, then I decided rather than catch a taxi I would just walk home. I figured people in Vyf Rand do it all the time and I wanted to see what it was like. It’s probably a good 7-10km or more from the Spar to the plot, but I had the time and the daylight (or so I thought) so I gave it a go. You definitely meet more people by walking, other people walking, or people you pass. Two times people asked me for money or some bread (that’s not unusual, it happens all the time). And I couldn’t help feeling the strange looks as if to say, “Why is a white guy walking?” Afterall, it’s not something they see everyday. I finally strolled up to the gate well after sunset, my grocery bags weighing far more than usual. As educational as it was, I think next time I may stick with the taxi.

I realized the other day how acclimated I’m becoming when a new volunteer walked through the sitting room at the Ark and my first questions after the intros were, “Where are you from, and how long are you here?” Seriously, those are the first questions everybody asks here. I always thought that was just a normal way to start conversation when people used to ask me those questions. Now I realize (at least for me) I want to know if this is a fellow American I may have something in common with, and how much should I bother investing in this relationship if they’re just going to leave. I know it sounds bad, but that’s the reality of it. So many people come and go that if they’re only here for 2 weeks or a month than you only invest enough to get by. Why bother becoming best friends if you know they’re just going to leave? But if someone’s here for 3 months, 6 months, a year, then you’re willing to invest a little more, because you know they’ll be around for a while. It’s really a curious phenomenon, not a conscious thing, just simply a reflection of the reality of the situation. I just didn’t really realize it until I heard the words coming out of my own mouth.

Photo of the Day

Kaptain (Dieter & Joan's dog) joined me on a walk tonight and we stumbled upon this humongous monitor lizard. After I took a few shots Kaptain thought it'd be fun to pick a fight. I'm telling you, he looks calm but this thing sprung up like nobodies business. Unfortunately I had my zoom lens on or I'd have gotten great some shots of the battle before Kaptain chased it up a tree.

What's normal?

With Don & Jackie back in the States and Buddy & Julia back in Namibia, things are starting to settle back into some assemblance of normal. Buddy & Julia were still pretty jet lagged on Thursday morning so I taught Bible study at the woodcarvers market on Romans 11:17-24. As an illustration, I attempted to “graft” a tree branch on to the tree we use for shade. I’m sure it’s long dead by now, but I think they got the point. I also returned to Coffee Bar last night after a 3 week absence and my Dance Praise skills are in sorry shape. But overall it was a good night, connecting up with a few of the Ark kids as well as my Tanzanian friend, Assed, and hanging out with Toivo again.

I’ve had lots of free time around the plot these past few days since Dieter & Joan are in South Africa and I’m again without a car. I’ve used the time to sort through the many photos of the last 3 busy weeks and take a few new ones. I discovered these new insects that Buddy likes to call “armored crickets”. That’s one scary looking Jimeny if you ask me! (And yes, it really is as big as it looks.) I’ve done some gardening around my house, if you could call it that. When it rains, grass sprouts up where there was formerly just dirt. We’ve had so much rain that the grass is taller than my waist. So I’ve been out with a hoe and a rake chopping down the jungle that has overgrown my clothesline. I’m almost there. One or two more afternoons should do the trick.

Coming up this week, we’ll finish up the Firm Foundations book at the high school Bible Study. To celebrate we’re going to have a braai (cookout) and watch Passion of the Christ. It’s perfect timing really with that being Easter weekend. I’ll be spending my Easter morning worshiping at the Grace and Glory Community Church. It won’t quite be a Christ’s Church Easter service, but it’ll be special in its own way. Then afterwards the Ark is hosting a Fun Day by the river and a braai in the evening. Can’t think of a better way to spend my Easter! What’re your Easter plans?

Land of Contrast

Please be praying for Joan Morsbach and her family. Her mother passed away yesterday. They had known it was coming for some time. Joan had made multiple visits down to South Africa to see her, most recently just after New Years. They will be away for the funeral through the weekend.

On a brighter note, Lazarus and Leila, house parents at the Ark, had their baby last week. They had a son, Caleb James, who joins older brother, Praise, and sister, Gloria. Mother and baby are home and doing just fine.

Not Home Yet

I’ve been thinking a lot about home today. Don & Jackie have been talking about what they’re going home to. They said their goodbyes to everyone here, or at least ‘until next times’. I helped Jackie with her last minute shopping to find a few things she can’t get in the States. Then it was off to the airport. I’m always on the other side, saying goodbye to my Namibian friends and heading through customs. But this time was different. It was my turn to wave and watch as they headed down the departures hallway.

But I found I didn’t wish I was going with them. Instead I quite customarily checked the exchange rate before taking out some cash at the ATM. I pulled out onto the left side of the road like it was quite normal. Getting groceries at the Spar seemed quite natural. Namibian bills have become much more familiar than American ones. It’s funny because while they were here I melded right in and enjoyed the bit of ‘American culture’ they brought with them, but when they left and I stayed, everything felt strangely ordinary, like I’ve come to the place where I fit in here. That’s kinda scary in a way, but it kinda makes me smile. :)

To Don & Jackie: It’s been a blast! Thanks for your love, prayers, and encouragement. See you soon my friends, I’m telling you!

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For those that didn’t catch it in the comment section, I’m legal again. The agency I’m working through renewed my tourist visa while they continue working on the work permit. So I’m good for another 90 days. Thanks for your continued prayers!