There... and Back Again... "a servants tale"

One of the many new things to come to the trip across the Kalahari to Gaborone and Johannesburg and back again, was the new name for Kombi. She is now known as "Annabel Lee Dax". I will share the Poe poem with Elizabeth who named her.

The trip was very enjoyable, not too long, and mostly uneventful. We spent the first night in Okahandja, Namibia. The second was spent in Kang, Botswanna. The third was with Jeff and April Sukup in Gaborone, Botswana. Then we arrived in Benoni, South Africa. On M

onday we traveled to the conference center at Kenjara Lodge Country Retreat on Swartkops Road, Kromdraai, Muldersdrift, South Africa.

On Wednesday 1 September, I made a declaration for Christ, and accepted immersion baptism. It wa

s a bit chilly. I am grateful for Gary Hall being with me. I wish I had a picture, but I didn't have my camera handy.

Thursday 2 September we started the trip home, stopping the night in Gaborone, Botswana at Jeff and April's. Elizabeth got quite a surprise and received a PET (Personal Energy Transport). Which she promptly named Petunia Pet. To say she was excited would be a slight understatement. That night I loaded Petunia onto Annabel Lee, and we were ready to head across the Kalahari in the morning. We spent the next night at East Gate. Good dinner, and off in the morning to Okahandja to drop off Lon.

We were in Arandis by mid-afternoon. All in all a very good voyage.

Traveling Namibia's Highways

No pictures for this one, just thought I would share about a recent trip to Windhoek, with Daniel Bruwer. We went to pick up a young German lady, Josephine. Needing to arrive at around 08H00, we left Arandis at 04H00. While traveling along the B2 between Karibib and Okahandja, Daniel spotted an auto accident. Turning back to the scene, we arrived to find a Diahatsu sedan on it's roof, quite smashed up, both rear wheels broken off, and much of the exterior spread across the side of the road. We also found a young lady, Wony, standing there, quite distraught.

As she could not climb into the Kombi, we had her sit on the floor in the open side door. A quick assessment determined that she had no life threatening cuts or broken bones. She was however quite cold, and we covered her with the available blankets. After cleaning her wounds on her hand, and checking her feet, we placed a call for her to her parents. Several others arrived, including an off-duty policeman, who phoned for the Okahandja ambulance. Another gentleman from the construction company working on the highway phoned for a wrecker.

We phoned ahead to Brenda and appraised her of our situation. She made arrangements for our passenger to have a comfortable place to wait for our arrival.

After about an hour and a half, the ambulance arrived, the driver went to the wreck, discovered Wony's cell phone, and brought it to her. He then proceeded to check the interior of the vehicle, which several construction workers and Daniel had righted. The two "Sisters" nurses, waited patiently, but no one did anything for Wony. After a bit, I escorted her to the ambulance, and with the help of one of the Sisters, assisted her climb into the ambulance and onto the gurney. The ambulance crew allowed Wony to take her personal belonging with her, so we loaded them into the ambulance. During this time, a Traffic Officer arrived and was collecting information for his report.

Apparently as she crested a hill about 300 meters from where we were, Wony was confronted with two autos occupying both her lane and the other lane on this two lane road. (Passing on a hill) She opted to break left, onto the under construction new lane. There was much loose gravel and she lost control of her vehicle. It appeared to have flipped, rolled and otherwise dished out an "E ticket" ride. Those older folks will understand that one. I had to explain it to Daniel. She had her seat belt fastened, and survived the ride without airbags. Here they are an option.

We were released from the scene, and headed on our way to a successful retrieval of Josephine, a volleyball set, delivery of a cell phone, and a visit with Roderick... an old friend... We later heard that Wony was safely delivered to the Hospital and released the following day... Thank you God!!!

Shofar Christian Church Soccer Day

Shofar Christian Church from Stellenbosch University

http://www.shofaronline.org/main/Landing.aspx?Bandwidth=0

A team from the Shofar Christian Church, brought an afternoon of soccer to Arandis. The kids and some parents enjoyed the time, there were games, and fellowship and sharing.

You might notice the lack of turf. These kids play with or without shoes on the granite sand every day. There is a grass covered stadium, but it is behind the fence in the background. Not available except for a cost and special occasion.

In any event, everyone enjoyed the time and fun.

Back in Arandis

I have been here almost one week. It seems at times like I never left. However, I am much refreshed since by my trip to America. I look forward to the challenges in the upcoming weeks. First will be establishing some guidelines for the "Bake Club"... Then there will be checking on the "talents"... On the twenty-third, the "Boca Team" arrives, and Rebekah on the following day... On the Twenty-eighth a young lady from Germany... That will get us into July...

Voyage to Arandis

The trip began innocently enough, starting from Central Florida on a humid Sunday afternoon. By 10:00 PM that evening arrived at the airport in Columbia, SC. Spoke with the rental car agency and was able to return the following afternoon and save one day on the rental.
Picked up the car (Fire Engine Red Impala). At 02:30 AM on the 1st of June, started for Washington, DC. Arrived at car rental hanger at the airport at 11:00 AM. Dropped the rental car and proceeded to Airport Checkin. Arrived at counter 11:30AM two hours before South African Air crew. 1:30 PM SAA Crew on board. Checked in two suitcases (53 lbs + 32 lbs and one Cello 29 lbs)
No charge. TYG... Proceeded to gate... arrived at gate at 2:20 PM... Only fifty minutes through security... TYG again...
Boarded SA 208 for Dakar, Senegal 17:30... Pushed away from gate, rolled into line of 30 or so aircraft awaiting departure... Engines shutdown, Captain comes on and states we will be sitting here for 35 to 40 minutes. Some unforeseen problem... One minute later, he is back on stating we are next in line for takeoff, by passing all ahead... Off we go... at 17:50... TYG again...
Spent flight chatting with young doctor candidate, Rashi from Alabama. (a Hindi with an Alabama accent) It was a most enjoyable flight. Refueled in Dakar, Off to Johannesburg. Got some sleep. Arrived Johannesburg 17:45 2 June 2010... Cleared Immigration, Customs and got to terminal to meet Coralie... No Coralie. Found her cell phone number with Free WiFi at Mug & Beans, nice young man at info counter called her on his cellphone, She was on her way... TYG again...
Coralie takes me to Shirley's B&B, reservation snafu, but got last room available TYG again... Restful night, breakfast, and Coralie takes me to Airport. Get checked in, get to gate, on plane, Arrive in Walvis Bay, at 14:45. Cleared Immigration, get two of three bags, am told to go to SA Express and file claim... While filing claim, bag (Cello) is discovered... TYG yet again... Daniel is there, and we proceed to Arandis... Arrive around 16:30. A long but inspiring flight. He truly watched me all the way... Thank You God!!!

Thanks

My thanks to those who have given that "last full measure" to insure we are able to have the choices we have. May the choices we make honor God and those blessed souls. Blessings and peace to the families of those who have served so well...

Voyage begins...

Left Florida, currently in South Carolina. Unsure if I will have access before return to Namibia...

New Thoughts

This past few months have been a refreshing and uplifting experience. God has shown me that I am still loved by Him. He has opened a part of my heart that I thought was closed. A part that I closed, and sealed up. He has shown me that no matter the circumstances or effects of the choices we make, He will always love and take care of us. Thank you LORD. Thank you for teaching me that I can trust in You, I can with Your help wait on You. Thank you for this peace which is filling my heart...

Through this wonderful child of God, I have renewed my commitment to You LORD.

Commissioning

Having just finished the upgrade from Field Specialist to Field Coordinator, I would have to say that both commissioning services were very uplifting. I am grateful to God that He has placed me in such a wonderful group of people. I have been privileged to experience many facets of Missionary Ventures. MV Latin America, MV Canada, MV USA, and MV International. Having met and fellowshipped with all these wonderful people, I am most humbled to be considered one of them. I pray that I will continue to serve well and with honor. Thank you LORD of these blessings...

Sean and Andrea's Wedding

The weather was warm, but there was a breeze. The reception was well planned, and I believe all had fun. It is good to have a daughter. I pray God blesses their union.

It was also good to get together with the Dunne's...

Beginnings

I am supposed to post something here. Since I am new to this venue, I will just try to dump the wretched refuse of my mind for the moment. Perhaps at some point I will start making sense...