Namibia G.O. Team 2005

Darin's Journal

Journal Entry 7/07/05 - 6:45am

We carried a strange schedule yesterday. I wasn’t sure what it would look like going in. Looking back, I’m still not sure what to make of it all and its overall effect on our team. Dieter lined up a school performance for the team in Windhoek. This was a very small, private school. The children looked a world removed from the starving and nearly naked children in Vyf Rand. These kids looked more like students you’d expect to find in New Hampshire schools. The stage area was very small so the girls had to go with a scaled back program including only small groups and a solo. When the girls finished there were some tense moments for a few of them as Dieter, without any forewarning, called upon a couple of them to speak. My daughter Amanda was first on the list. I was filled with anxiety for her, but overwhelmed with pride as she did a fine job answering the children’s questions. “Are you rich?” one child asked. Amanda responded, “I am rich in Christ.” Then it was Sandi’s turn. Given the floor to make a few parting comments Sandi was completely at ease. But then, as she finished, again without forewarning, Dieter announced “Sandi is going to pray for us!” I began to pray for Sandi! And, very slowly she began. Her emotions visible to us all, she prayed one of the most eloquent and fitting prayers I could have imagined.

The afternoon involved some down time. We took the team to the Spur restaurant and allowed them to eat anything on the menu. A few ventured the direction of the famous Monkey Gland Burger.

The evening was a tremendous time. The church’s youth service is attended by some 300 young people. The pastor built the entire service around the girl’s dances and they were called upon to include six or so numbers – large and small. Amanda was called upon again. This time with forewarning, to explain why she chose the solo she danced to – Hallelujahs. Once again, I was a proud dad.

The highlight of the evening for me was another opportunity I hadn’t planned on. After the first number I noticed Diandre in pain – appears to be a pulled muscle in her neck. I decided my role for the night was to once again take up prayer during the girls’ dances. About halfway thru the service, while I was praying, Diandre and Steph L came to me and asked me to pray also for Steph’s knee that has been sore for the last few days. I can’t put into words how thankful I was to be asked to pray for them. I prayed fervently for the girls as they danced.

The service was really great. When we returned to our camp the conversations ran long about the service, and the messages and testimonies we heard. As I began, I am still not sure what to make of the days overall effect on us.

posted by mike @ 10:28 AM