News from Rehoboth

Tuesday Evening, Lake Onaob
After breakfast we headed off to the Ark to meet up with George and Anne Marie. We took a wrong turning (my fault) and so got there a little later than planned. They made us very welcome and while we were talking, the horticulturalist Dr. Wilfred Singogo, who has been advising them and been a great source of practical help and encouragement, turned up on a weekly visit bringing sweet potato (yam), sugar cane and a box of oranges from his garden. Just before lunchtime we all walked across to the Reo garden project. We were absolutely amazed and delighted at the progress that has been made. In addition to the original trenches they have now created the same number of new trenches and excavated a whole new piece of ground. This is winter for them but they still have carrots, beetroot, cabbage, spring onions, lettuce and sweet potato growing. The progress on the building is good and the one end is now almost finished where they have tomatoes ripening and potatoes drying. The storage end is well under construction although George decided that the interior height needed to be greater so the roof supports have been temporarily removed so that this can be done.

It was a real encouragement having Dr. Wilfred along as he has been tireless in his advice and practical support. He has nothing but great admiration for the effort that has been put into transforming what was a rubbish dump into a productive garden. He is of the opinion that the ground will get much better as the development progresses and this is borne out by the fact that the soil in the latest trenches is much better – far less stones and more good looking soil. It may well be that eventually it may be possible to plant directly into the ground following digging and fertilising. We were just amazed to see the progress that has been made since last year.

What is desperately needed now is that the project receives a license to make use of the borehole. This will mean that the project will not need to use so much of the mains water supply which is comparatively expensive. So pray with us that this will happen soon.

Today was also an amazing day because we were able to begin to talk to George and Anne Marie directly and it is so humbling to witness the faith of these two children of God. They have been through so much together but still they have absolute confidence that God will enable them to accomplish this work to which they have been called. Rehoboth is a desperately needy place – the poverty is often quite overwhelming – but it is to this place that God has called them to feed and meet the needs of those who have so little and who suffer so much. And so back to the lake to witness another glorious Namibian sunset and to reflect on the day’s experience and to give thanks for God’s provision and keeping for the day. Flash and Madge.