Update at End of First Week

Friday 9th June.

We got up early in order to take the proposal to be printed. George had gone earlier to Windhoek and we went to collect Anne Marie from the Ark before delivering the proposal to the council. However she had a message from George who wanted us to wait before we took the letter. So off to Windhoek where we met up with George and a new Dutch volunteer. George and I discussed the letter and he asked that I go with him to Water Affairs to speak to the officials there. They turned out to be most helpful although unable to understand why the Town Council would not give permission for the use of the borehole. Ultimately they have no power to proceed with the issue of a license without the approval of the council. However they did inform us that the government in general are very supportive of community agricultural schemes in other areas supplying not only free water but also seed, fertilizer and even buying and transporting produce for use in hospitals, prisons and other government institutions. We did have some useful discussion regarding costs etc.

So back to the Ark to update the proposal in the light of our discussions. However my humble floppy disk gave up the ghost at the printers and reluctantly we had to leave everything until Monday.

Suzette and Jennifer at the Ark needed to go to the local hospital to take provisions and blankets for one of the Block E family who had needed to be admitted so we volunteered to take them. It is hard to describe the emotions of the visit. First we found the family all of whom have HIV / AIDS and who are one of the Block E families supported by the Care and Compassion ministry of Christ’s Hope International. Marcellus the father who is currently very sick and his wife who everyone calls (in Afrikaans) “Handful” because she is so small. Jennifer told us that only a couple of weeks ago the little boy was very ill indeed but in answer to prayer he has improved and now is eating well again. It was just amazing to see this poor mother’s amazing smile in spite of their illness and the conditions that they have to live in. Jennifer and Suzette had brought blankets and a cuddly toy for the little boy and some provisions. Marcellus will be discharged from the hospital next Thursday when they must return to Block E. We will try to be around to take them home. We prayed with them there and then went on to the children’s ward where there are so many sick children from tiny babies born with HIV / Aids, some desperately ill, to toddlers and older children. It was a privilege for Sian and I to pray alongside Jennifer and Suzette for some of these sick children.

We were then taken to a ward where some of the most seriously ill AIDS patients are. We prayed with a young woman who the disease has reduced to mere skin and bone and with a young girl who was obviously very ill. It is so heartbreaking to witness the ravages of this terrible disease on young and old alike but it is also encouraging to witness the care and compassion of those who are prepared to go among them and pray for them and with them and provide for their simple needs. We just continue to pray that we might continue to find the means to support these workers who are so full of faith and courage.

It was a lot to take in and very humbling to consider how comparatively well provided for and healthy we are in the light of the poverty and sickness we see about us here.

Finally we took some irrigation pipe and implements to the garden and there we prayed with Anne Marie and George committing this whole project and its future into God’s hands knowing that He will not allow all the hard work and effort that has been put in thus far to fall to the ground. Flash and Madge

Saturday 10th June.

We went for quite a long walk this morning along Lake Oanob and saw lots of different birds and insects. Some of the beetles were huge! George called in briefly en route to Windhoek to let me know that he has seen the deputy mayor of Rehoboth and he hopes that we can meet the mayor and his deputy next week, In the light of this I see God’s hand at work in us not being able to submit the proposal yesterday. I have every confidence that the One who has directed our way thus far will soon resolve all of the outstanding issues.

The remainder of the day was taken up with some deep chillin’ although we did watch a little World Cup. Tomorrow, God willing will be taken up with the same object in mind - little physical activity but much spiritual activity – the best kind.

The wind has picked up during the day – it returns to flat calm at night – but this is all to the good since we managed to dry our wash. Flash and Madge

Monday 12th June

Today has been spent mainly at the Ark. We have arranged a meeting with the mayor and deputy mayor of Rehoboth tomorow (Tues) at 10.30 when we hope that we will be able to get to the bottom of some of the problems. We are both feeling rested after the weekend. We hope that we will be able to visit the horticultural expert Dr. Singogo on Wednesday. Looks like a busy week - we trust that it will be productive. God bless you all who have prayed and supported us. Flash and Madge