It seems like a very long time since I last slept. I know in fact that it was actually yesterday (Sunday) morning and even then I woke up very early. Sian and I went to Highfields in the morning and in addition to the blessing of it being Pentecost Sunday and a wonderfully encouraging word, we also happened to sit near a retired pastor of our aquaintance and his wife. At the end of the service we got into conversation and Sian mentioned that we were off to Namibia in the afternoon. It turned out that they had also ministered in Namibia and other parts of Africa and furthermore that the preacher that morning, Phil Jenkins had spent a long time ministering in Namibia. It turned out that Pastor Jenkins had in fact spent many years in the north of Namibia and then at Windhoek the capital. All in all it was a wonderful confirmation to both Sian and myself.
So, after lunch Bex took us to Cardiff Central station and deposited us there. Everything came together with perfect timing to get us on our plane at Gatwick at 8.30 p.m. and we took off on time at 9.30. I have always disliked night flights and in spite of stuffing some herbal pills spent the trip half dozing, mostly awake and the after about 3 a.m. the time seemed to go by more and more slowly. There was some compensation - an absolutely amazing sunrise.
We landed on time and collected our baggage with no difficulty. There was a slight hitch with the car hire - a sort of first tester to see if we could keep cool and adjust to a slightly slower attitude to life. This proved to be the best answer and we set off in our upgraded Toyota Corolla for Rehoboth. Wonderful long, dead straight roads and lots of interesting animals and scenery on the way. Sian decided immediately that it looked just like she always thought Africa should look. The last seven km. to Lakje Oanoob, where we are staying, proved a little tortuous. The road is gravel on rock and the gravel has mostly given way to rock. The effect is like driving a car on a washboard - that is both in terms of sound effects and vibration. I think we should have hired a truck! However, the lake is truly beautiful, teeming with wildlife of all descriptions. The rooms are large and quite comfortably furnished but I think the thing that has surprised us both the most is the coldness of the night and early morning. We were rather concerned that the rooms didn't seem particularly warm but we have some extra bedding etc. so watch this space.
We drove to Rehoboth and couldn't resist Ark spotting. What actually gave it away was the huge mound of stones in the garden project which had been manually picked out by the ladies working on the garden and which Bex had captured on video. Working backwards I easily identified the Ark and we couldn't resist calling in to see whether Anne Marie was there. I hadn't expected George to be there since he was hoping to have travelled to Keetmanshoop for a weekend of prayer and fasting, but I also knew that he hadn't been well. We were met by some of the older girls who told us that George was sleeping and Anne Marie was out so we left a message that we would call tomorrow. But before we could get to the car the girls called us back and there was George. Moments later Anne Marie appeared from the Ark. I have spoken to George so many times that it was almost like meeting someone that I knew, and Anne Marie was exactly like Bex described her and so it was a wonderful meeting.
We didn't stay long, promising to go to the Ark tomorrow (Tuesday) and after picking up some provisions, left for our vibratory trip back to the lake via Washboard Boulevard.
Picture the scene - late afternoon sun on the lake, us on the balcony. Wonderful sunset - what a great end to a long, long day. By any reasonable measure we should have the sleep of doom (as Bex would put it). We shall see! At any rate, we are both extremely tired but happy. There is only one downside. Sunset was around five p.m. and it's only now 6.16 p.m. It;s just too early to go to bed!!
12 hours sleep later. Woke to the most wonderful view. Believe it or not it was actually frosty last night. The little piece of grass in front of our house was covered in frost which rapidly melted in the sun. So after a wonderful hot shower, a shave and breakfast on the verandah we feel like "giants refreshed" and both give great thanks to a great God who has given us the privilege of being here. More news tomorrow God willing. Flash and Madge in Namibia.