Over But Not Forgotten
Hey all, long time no post, I know. But who's even looking at this site anymore anyway. Well not to be nostalgic or anything (more to clean up disk space on my computer) I've put together the last bits of video footage I have as the final installment to the exciting production of the Namibia 05 Trilogy starring all your favorite Namibia 05 team members. Once again, it's in WMV format so Mac users beware, and feel free to download it and pass it around. All in all I hope you enjoy the happy memories of where our travels have taken us and the hopes of what may lie around the next bend of our journies. Looking forward to your Namibia 06 apps ;)mike
Darin's Journal
Darin's Journal... the day after (and I cannot figure out what time it is)
I remember this feeling so well, the feeling of not being sure what time it is - my heart is still in Namibia time, my body is somewhere between Namibia, Dubai, London and USA time, and my mind is trying to discern how it could possibly be lunch time when I haven't had breakfast yet.
I set out on this journey with two major prayer requests. One was that God would show up. Thank you Lord, you did! As we discussed as a team on those last few days, we would have had to have purposefully covered our eyes to have missed you on this trip. My second prayer was for our team to have a great experience. I am overwhelmed at how thoroughly beyond my expectations this prayer was answered. Not only did the GO29 have a great trip, but our hosts Dieter, Joan and Richard, and our friends Brenda, Sylvia and Toivo all had a great experience with us. I never imagined that the answer to my prayers would also include the numerous family members and friends who supported us so vigorously from home thru the blog site, all who have been brought along to the frontlines of this experience with us. I guess it is no mystery that for much of the team our theme song has become "You're So Good". Father, thank you for blessing your children so thoroughly with this one! Now, would you help us all to put it into perspective? Would you take us all further?
I marvel at this team's performance on the field, top to bottom, young to not as young, dancer to CCA member. It was such a blessing for me to hear no complaints from this team, but to see flexibility embodied over and over. Once again, team leaders stepped up and led with a pliable spirit that has become a signature of our GO efforts. And once again, I went to teach and lead - and came home having learned and grown more myself as a result of my many interactions with team members and our hosts and our God.
As usual, it is my aim to produce a final report of our trip to share. It will take me a few weeks to get it all in focus, but I hope to 'complete' my trip in writing at some point, and I'll offer copies to everyone near and far. Until then I have a few thoughts I put in writing with tears in my eyes...
To Dieter... this whole thing began when we exchanged emails in January. Dieter, you wrote, "What a God-inspired, Him-credible plan. We just love crazy ideas. Let's do it." This trip He used you, Joan and Richard to bring about the God-inspiring, Him-credible results. So, my friend, we have another adventure to put in the books. Until we ride again...
To Mike, G, and Dave... thanks is not sufficient. I love you guys. I owe you, too. Milanos?
To Melissa... I apologize now for the can of "African Fever" we've opened in the hearts of MHDC folks. Thank you for the courage to let this team come together and for allowing the MHDC family and the CCA family to share in such a great experience together.
To our 2005 leaders... You did such a fine job... next time I'll stay home (and you'll all have a lot less stressful of a trip, eh?).
To our team... Sleep - now you're home.
To MHDC/GO parents... Thank you for the courage to send your kids with us. I speak for everyone of the CCA folks when I say that we have fallen in love with your kids. Thank you also for connecting to this group as you have. We were so welcomed into your hearts and homes before the trip, and in each of your blog entries during the trip - you cannot imagine how much of a blessing you have been to us along the way.
And there it is, that phrase - Along the Way. Here at Christ's Church we live that phrase, cherishing each step of the journey rather than only fixing our eyes on destinations. So, my prayer going forth is that each of us, team, extended team, family and friends, recognize that our journey continues still... just in a different time zone. I'll see you, along the way.
Darin's Journal
Darin's Journal - 7-16-05 - 2:00 AM
We just returned from the final debrief. The dancers performed for the biggest audience they have ever performed for and it was their most important performance. It was very emotional for the girls. Many tears flowed, especially as the seniors realized this could be their last dance with Melissa Hoffman Dancers and that it was their last dance with the G.O. Team.
We said goodbye to the kids in Vyf Rand today. It was very difficult as we realized, for many of these kids, this was the last time we would see them. Most of our dancers found the kids they had become close to within the last two weeks. Rebecca Waitt’s young friend, however, did not come today and so Rebecca was especially heart struck, as the child she had become close to wasn’t there for her to say goodbye.
As we prepare to leave, we’re considering what the future looks like. If there are ways we can leave blessings behind for these children or if there are ways we can bless them again in the future. Many of the girls are talking about their next trip to Namibia already.
Some of the team is staying up all night to climb Monkey Mountain to watch the sunrise. I, however, will be going to sleep momentarily. Our flight is schedule to leave 12 hours from right now and my hope is to get everybody packed and ready to go for our journey home by 10 o’clock this morning. So this will be my last journal entry until we are on our way home.
Thank you for your continued prayers. We anticipate seeing all of you about midnight on Sunday night.
Every beginning has an end
Hey all, well we made it back alive and we all got to see some awesome creation. My personal favorite was the leopard, the first I've seen in 4 trips to Etosha. It was such a beautiful creature, even though it was too far away to get a great view. The five who joined my car in the afternoon were also incredibly excited to be the only group to see lions! That's right, two male lions lying in the shade less than 20 yards from our car. Our elephant encounters were quite an exciting highlight as well, but you'll have to wait for the pictures to see how close those were. :)
Well, as promised I stole away for a few hours to work on a new video and I'm sure it won't disappoint. This one's a dance video with footage from a bunch of the shows and other opportunities to teach kids. For all those interested in Mpampo team footage, sorry, I travel with the dance team so that's the video I have. Plus dancing makes for better video footage than wielding chainsaws and cutting down trees. :) Also, again it's a Windows Media File so Mac users, find a PC. Ok, here it is...Enjoy!
Well, this will probably be my last chance to post from Africa. I must say it's been a heck of an adventure and I will be sorry to leave. Fortunately, the relationships built on this trip don't end when we step off the plane in Boston. I've really been coming to see this whole trip as a promising beginning rather than an end. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support on this trip. Thanks, dance parents, for lending us your daughters. It's been incredible experiencing this whole trip with them and watching them grow through it all. I'm excited to see what will come of the impact this trip has made on their lives. Signing off from Africa,
mike
ps. Jaimie wanted me to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her dad. Know that she's thinking of you!
What a long, strange trip it's been...
Well, it's been an exciting journey and I am really sad to see it coming to an end. It appears that Darin will not be leaving me here so I will be traveling back with the team tomorrow. This trip has been a completely different experience from any other and one we will not soon forget (although, the other three trips that I have experienced also will forever be etched in my memory).
I've gone on an actual African safari where we brought home dinner... I learned how to shoot a gun (not that I am very good at it) and actually shot a bird that we intended to eat, but got busy and Richard forgot about it on the brie... Thank God... I didn't really want to eat it... let alone did I ever think I would actually hit it when I shot at it.
With the trip to Swakopmund, I have finally seen (and climbed) the one thing that I have always wanted to... even before I knew where Namibia was or that I would ever actually go there.
I went to the local hospital where I met a man that had just suffered a stroke two days before. If it had happened in the beginning of my trip I would've been back daily in order to give him physical therepy... I told him about my dad's experience with his stoke and tried to give him hope, but I know that it will be difficult for him since the chances of receiving physical therapy are slim.
A few things that I have never experienced before In Etosha included a pack of hyena eating the fresh carion of a mother giraffe. A few hours later I watched as a leopard was eating the same carion as the baby giraffe stood next to it's mother. In the afternoon I saw a baby white rhino that we came pretty close to taking home for Steph L.'s new pet.
I met some spectacular girls and really hope to see them more often, but I know once we arrive back in the states we will again go back to our busy lives... cherishing the times that we spent as a family.
Again I will be leaving another piece of my heart here... too many more trips and I will not have a heart to go home. Especially since the Morsbachs make it harder and harder each time I go...
Goodnight From Etosha
Darin's Journal 7-15-05 - 12:05 AM
The second half of our debrief went very well. Tonight we focused on the coincidences of our circumstances. Our water hole group reconvened, shared a beer, and once again had a deep discussion about our experiences. So now I go to bed tonight, planning what will be the final stage of debrief tomorrow. This one event the dancers will never forget.
I’ve told them nothing about it other than this will be the biggest dance performance of their lives. I can’t wait for them to experience it first hand.
Great connection tonight with Diandre, Stephanie Livsey, Kara and Sam.
Thank you Lord.
Goodnight.
Preparing For Supper
Darin's Journal - 7-14-05 - 5:45 PM
Great day at Etosha with a leopard spotting and many close encounters with zebra, elephants and giraffe. My comvee enjoyed a special connection with a white rhino, thanks in part to Stephanie Livsey’s rhino call ability.
Planning for debrief part two. I’m planning to continue where I left off last night. Last night we talked about the coincidences of relationships, tonight we will talk about the coincidences of our circumstances together.
Etosha Day One
Darin's Journal 7-14-05 - 7:00 AM
Thank you Lord for a good first day of debrief. Our arrival at Etosha came early enough to allow us a short run outside the fences before dark and we had a personal encounter with a number of giraffes. Mike’s comvee was treated to a personal encounter with an elephant. In my comvee, on the way to Etosha, we spent a lot of time talking about Psalm 19 and the way God reveals himself in creation. And then, when we arrived, we were touched by the sights all the more.
The first part of our debrief went well, I think. The song time seemed extra special to me. Everyone really participated and for Dave, Mike, Jason and myself, singing worship music is a real anchor.
My leaders seem to be strong again and the effect across the team is obvious. Tears flowed numerous times during our debrief as we considered the coincidence of our new relationships with one another. Six months ago we didn’t know each other. And now many of us have grown to love one another and trust one another in deeper ways than we could have imagined.
Now, here we go, we are going home. Why would God do this to us?
A couple of the dancers don’t want to go home. It’s not a reflection of life at home but rather the results of their experience, joined close to one another here. Lord, will you ease this transition for us all?
The night ended with many up late at the watering holes. Most at THE watering hole looking for animals while myself, Nate, Dave, Kara and Becca (eighteen is legal in Namibia!) sharing a beer at the other watering hole, talking about how profound our experience has been.
Etosha here we come!!
Hey Everyone, it's been a while since I've been over to the internet cafe but here I am so you can be sure that means more exciting media for you to view. I'm still working on another video so maybe up in Etosha I'll catch some time to finish it up. But we did get some more pics up on in the photo gallery of our time down in Rehoboth so be sure to check that out.
Well we head up to Etosha today. Darin assured me that he had a long talk with God this morning about all the animals He's gonna show us tomorrow. :) We're all pretty excited but at the same time a little disappointed because we know this means our trip is almost over. Dieter was right, the dust mixes with your blood and you just can't stay away. So many of the first timers have just fallen in love with Africa and it will be quite the tear fest during our final debrief this Friday I'm sure. Please continue your prayers while we're in Etosha, that it will be a good time of reflection on all that we've learned and experienced and that God will keep us all safe from charging elephants. ;) We won't be able to make posts from Etosha so don't be surprised if you don't hear from us for a few days. But we will try to get on at least once more before we head to the airport on Saturday morning. Thanks for your faithful prayers. Hope you enjoy the pics.
ps. In case you were wondering, all the late nights and early mornings had finally caught up with me so I just had one of those over-tired, easily irritable days. Fortunately, a little alone time and an afternoon nap yesterday were a welcome cure.
