Last Sunday I brought my guitar along to The Grace and The Glory Community Church. They have no musical accompaniment unless someone feels like drumming that morning, so it was quite refreshing to those who have missed it, not to mention fun for me as it is my only real musical outlet.
On Monday, Buddy had to go pick up some friends from the airport so I led Bible Study at the school all on my own. We went through Mark 10 where Jesus says we need to come with “faith like a child” but the rich young ruler tried to come with what he could do. He ended up loving his riches more than God which breaks the very first commandment, so he really wasn’t as righteous as he thought. That was a good one to start with because I could preach that passage all day. Though I must say, it was interesting teaching about the futility of riches to those that have very little. It’s easy to teach to materialistic Americans because their idolatry is obvious, but even Africans can put the little material possessions they have or desire before God. The best part was on Wednesday when Buddy came back and did some review questions, they remembered it all wonderfully. Even I was impressed.
Thursday morning’s Bible Study is kinda cool. We meet under a tree behind the woodcarvers market. Aside from the loud trucks that drive by, it reminds me of Paul when he went to Philipi. They worshiped on the Sabbath down by the riverbank. We’re actually studying through Paul’s letter to the Romans. This study started with one guy, Tiago, and Buddy just chatting about spiritual things. After a couple weeks of his questions they decided to study verse by verse through the book of John. Soon other people started joining in and they continued from John right into Acts and on into Romans where we are today. Paul’s message of salvation by faith alone and not by works of the law is very potent in a culture where everyone goes to church but very few understand that truth.
It is more blessed to give than receive
Friday Night Lights
Our first Coffee Bar was Friday night. They told me it’d take about 10 minutes to set up if everyone was there, so I showed up 10 minutes late ;) and Buddy & Julia were the only one’s there. We set out some tables with board games, card games, National Geographic mags, and encyclopedias. Yes, encyclopedias. Some kids are really bored.
Dance Praise was exceptional. Contemporary Christian culture at it’s finest. It was totally just DDR with Christian rock songs. The only Crowder song they have is O Praise Him from Sunsets & Sushi, but they also have some Seven Day Jesus and Steven Curtis Chapman’s Live Out Loud, so I guess it’s ok. After a warm-up dance, I just barely beat Mervin in a duel, though I still need a lot of practice before I can beat Buddy. He’s smoking.
Overall it was a slow first night. It was mostly just the teens from the Ark and the high school Bible Study, but that was fine with me because I’m still getting to know everybody. Even though there wasn’t much need for security, Buddy brought along his walkie talkies, ear buds and all. They were phenomenal. I think we were having a little too much fun with them though because his battery wore out in about an hour.
It just so happened that a high-up Herero chief had died this week and his funeral was today. Now in Africa a funeral is a huge deal. They stay up all night before singing and dancing around the fire until they loose their voices. They cook tons and tons of food (more than we bought for our breakfast). The next morning they have a long procession to the cemetery for the burial then go back and eat all the food. Because this was such an important chief, everyone came out. There were cars all up and down the road with tents next to them for people that came from out of town. Even the President of Namibia came out for the occasion.
All that to say, Joan took the kombie out to get the first group of teachers and got caught up in this funeral procession. She finally got back with that group and had to make the second trip, and got caught in the procession again. Finally around 10am everyone had arrived. They ate and socialized and prayed together and by 12:30 we had most everything cleaned up and dishes washed. All that for breakfast. That’s when I went back for a nap. I have much more respect for those that help out with CCA Men’s Breakfasts and I will never work in a hotel.
January showers bring yellow flowers
The good news is we’ve had wonderful rains these past few days. The bad news is the phone lines down the street were blown out by lightning. That’s why I haven’t been able to get online lately. But with the rains everything turns green. The mountains look like rainforests from far off. Out of the dirt sprout these lovely yellow flowers all over the place. And it also brings out all sorts of wonderful insects and critters. :) I’ll get some pics up on my Flickr page next time I’m in Windhoek.
Coffee Bar also starts up this Friday. It sounds quite similar to a Java Jam except without the bands. They’re pretty excited to have another guy to help with security. We’re quite official. Somebody’s bringing us matching security shirts, and Buddy has walkie talkies with ear pieces. Apparently ‘Dance Praise’ is a big hit. It’s basically ‘Dance Dance Revolution’ to upbeat praise music. I’ll have to check that out.
Photo of the Day
Someone donated enough of these pencil cases filled with school supplies for every student at Vyf Rand School. I got to go with Joan to take photos for the donor on the day they were delivered.Photo of the Day
You haven't seen many pictures of me because I'm always
