My Story Toward Namibia (part 1)

The summer after I graduated from college I went on my first short term mission trip to Namibia through my church in NH. Our team had been invited by Youth For Christ to join an outreach taking the good news of Jesus Christ into every public school in the country. Even though I was an experienced short-termer, I had never yet been to Africa. For the first time I experienced the vast savannas, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and the amazing views of the night sky. I experienced the joy and hospitality of the Namibian people, but also got a taste of the deep pain and brokenness in the country. They say in Africa that once the sand gets in your blood, you can't stay away. That was certainly the case for me after just my first trip.

Over the next 10 years I helped lead short term trips back to Namibia nearly every summer. My church was developing lasting partnerships and learning how to use short term trips to make a long term impact. We went not just to accomplish projects or fulfill an agenda, but to build relationships. It was through relationship that gave us the best avenue to share the love of Christ with each other.

In 2008, I decided to live in Namibia for a whole year to get a fuller picture of what missionary life in Namibia is truly like, how our church could better help our Namibian partners, and if this was something I could do full-time. During that year I helped teach youth and adult Bible studies, was involved with a church youth group, taught a Bible class for a Christian school, participated in outreaches, and so much more. But more than anything I was there as a learner, learning about their culture and traditions and learning to love a people who God loves. As my heart grew for Namibia and it's people I began to realize that God had much bigger plans for me in Namibia, though at the time I had no idea how big. While still unsure exactly what it would look like, I started exploring next steps, which, for me, meant seminary. . . .

(Continued in "My Story Toward Namibia" part 2)

Some people may say...

Some people may say why go to Africa? It's primitive and under-developed. There's war and disease. Here in America you have all the comforts, technology, healthcare and ease of life you could ever ask for. First of all, Jesus constantly condemned a love of wealth and comfort, calling people instead to a life dedicated to God (Mt 19:21, 29). If a desire for comfort prevents us from following Christ, we must seriously reevaluate our priorities. Second, religious statisticians have observed that the center of global Christianity is no longer the West (N. America and Europe; 41% of the world's Christians) but rather the Global South (Latin America, Africa, Asia; 58%). By the year 2025, it is estimated that 1 out of every 4 Christians in the world will live in Africa. There is no doubt that God is moving in Africa, preparing them to be a major player in the world Christian movement. Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that? Third, it's true that some of the greatest social issues in the world today exist in Africa (poverty, malnutrition, orphans, child slavery, racism, HIV/AIDS, etc.). Is that not, then, where God will accomplish some of the greatest feats of love, mercy and justice? The Dark Continent needs the Light of the World (Jn 8:12).

Some people may say why go to Namibia? It's a small, insignificant country which nobody has ever heard of. There are only 2 million people and have little to no influence in today's international world. But God says how many of you were called because you were wise, influential, or noble?? No, rather "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong . . . so that no one can boast before him" (1 Cor 1:27, 29). Jesus himself hailed from the small town of Nazareth and ministered in the backwoods province of Judea rather than the industrious and influential Rome. Perhaps Namibia has far more potential in the economy of God than some people realize.

Some people may say why go to the desert? It's hot and dry and leaves you thirsty, sunburned and miserable. There are sandstorms and droughts, and did I mention it's stinkin hot! But the physical conditions of the desert picture our spiritual condition before Christ. We were dead in our sins, bearing no fruit because we weren't attached to the vine (Eph 2:1; Jn 15:4). We were a barren, desolate wasteland. Such is the spiritual condition of the lost in Namibia. But Jesus is the Water and Bread of Life (Jn 4:14; 6:35). Those who seek him to satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst will be satisfied and blessed (Mt 5:6). He will renew the wasteland, water will spring up in the wilderness and flowers will bloom in desert (Is 35:1-2).