Hanging with some friends on the sand dunes in Swakop,
dune boarding and capturing some epic dune jumping pics.
Queen Sophia Mission Trip 2015
Here's a video from last week's mission trip to Queen Sophia Resettlement Project. This is a community of about 50 families who are learning how to do cattle farming. I went with a group of 8 NETS students for 5 days to share God's love with this small, poor community.
We worked primarily with the school kids, but also had some community-wide outreach opportunities. We were given class periods during the school day to speak to the 5th, 6th, and 7th graders. We discussed abuse and what they could do if it's happening to them and also talked about living in purity and holiness. We led an after-school program with games and lessons on sexual purity. On Saturday we led a sports day for the kids in the morning and a talent show in the evening. We also showed the Jesus Film, led the Sunday service in church, visited people's homes, led group devotions, etc.
Overall it was a great time seeing the students put in to practice the things that they're learning in class, and watching them grow in their role as the Christian leaders of this nation.
Word Alive
Each year NETS hosts a conference to equip local pastors and laypeople to address a relevant topic from a Biblical perspective. This year our topic was confronting Gender-Based Violence. This is a huge issue here in Namibia. One speaker noted, is it any wonder that the only world champion sports figures we have are boxers. Each evening we had big sessions with a main speaker, then broke up for more discussion-based workshops. I co-lead a workshop on the effects of abuse on children and youth, how we can identify it, and ultimately how we can help. Once again, rather than using more words, I'll use pictures to describe the event.
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| One of our main speakers addresses the church's response to GBV |
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| Our MC helps lighten the mood |
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| Enjoying a cup of tea during break time |
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| My co-leader in our workshop addressing effects on children and youth |
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| Small group discussions in our workshop |
Legalism, Lawlessness & the Gospel of Grace
Pastor Conrad Mbewe from Zambia came as our speaker to address the topic of Legalism, Lawlessness & the Gospel of Grace. He went through the Parable of the Prodigal Son and used the three main characters to speak to each area of that theme: the older brother was the legalist, the younger son was the lawless one, and the father taught us about the gospel of grace. After the talks we split up into small groups to discuss what we learned and how to apply it to our lives.
My role was helping lead worship which I thoroughly enjoyed. I recruited my friend Riko from my church to play guitar and sing along with me. Initially it was a challenge to come up with songs that people from multiple churches would be familiar with, but it ended up going well as there was at least something that everyone could connect with. We got lots of good feedback and look forward to putting together a full band for next year!
But as they say a picture speaks a thousand words, and you don't want to read a thousand words, so here's a few more photos for you to enjoy!
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| Our conference theme t-shirts |
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| Hanging out at the conference |
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| One of the church choirs leading us in worship |
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| Discussion groups after the main sessions |
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| Q&A panel with Pastor Mbewe and Pastor Spencer |
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| With Pastor Mbewe and some of my NETS students |
Staff Training Week
"First and second are tight halfway through our 10 laps followed closely by Knight in third. The car in first tries to take a tight corner and...Oh No! He spins out and the car in second broadsides him! Knight opportunely avoids the wreck and jumps into first place!"
That's how the commentary might have gone if we'd had an announcer during our staff outing to the go carting track as part of our staff training week. No it wasn't extreme driving training, but a chance to get out of the office for a little team bonding. We had 3 seeding heats where everyone participated, even those who had never even driven a car before. Then the top 8 drivers advanced to the 10 lap Grand Prix for the ultimate prize and bragging rights. It was a fun outing, and yes I did come in first, but only thanks to a little help from someone in front of me!
Staff training week did also include some work. We met together for sessions about our vision and mission as a school and had some profitable discussions about how we can do what we do better. We also had plenty of planning meetings for the upcoming semester. So after all that hard work you need some time to blow off a little steam on the race track! :)
That's how the commentary might have gone if we'd had an announcer during our staff outing to the go carting track as part of our staff training week. No it wasn't extreme driving training, but a chance to get out of the office for a little team bonding. We had 3 seeding heats where everyone participated, even those who had never even driven a car before. Then the top 8 drivers advanced to the 10 lap Grand Prix for the ultimate prize and bragging rights. It was a fun outing, and yes I did come in first, but only thanks to a little help from someone in front of me!
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| Standings for our go-cart Grand Prix |
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| The victors on the podium |
There and Back Again
Up to now, going to Namibia had always been the visit. Whether for 2 weeks or 12 months, I knew I was coming home afterward. But this was the first time for me that going to the States was the visit.
This summer my mom was throwing my dad a big birthday party and invited a bunch of out-of-town friends and relatives, so she asked if I might be able to come back for it. It happened to land during our winter break in between semesters at NETS. So as soon as we wrapped up our semester I jumped on a plane to head home for 3 weeks.
I spent the first week in beautiful New Hampshire. It's been a looong time since I've experienced a good NH summer. People asked me if it was weird being back, any reverse culture shock, but what surprised me was how normal everything was. I walked into my church and it felt like I could've just been there last week. I visited with many friends and picked up right where we left off. I had no restaurants I needed to rush out to eat at. I wasn't overwhelmed at the incessant overabundance or wealth of America. It was all just . . . normal. Not that nothing's changed over the last year, but I wonder if I've just been back and forth so many times now that I've learned what to expect and to accept each culture for what it is.
In NH, I had opportunities to share with groups from a few churches about what I've been doing this past year. I got to visit my church small group and hit up the youth group pool party (they all grew up so much in the last year!). It was nice to be back helping lead worship and catching up with this community that has been my extended Christian family for so many years.
After a short week in NH, I flew down to North Carolina to spend time with the fam and visit with friends from my seminary days. I stopped in at the B&G Club where I used to work to see how much those kids have grown. I got to share with a few other churches and small groups. I know it's only been a year away, but it was so great to be able to reconnect with so many people who've helped make it possible for me to serve over here in Namibia.
By my last weekend, lots of extended fam had come into town to celebrate my dad. It was the first time in a long time that my whole immediate fam was together so naturally we had to take family photos. The rain held off all afternoon and we had a nice party out at the park, complete with pirate minstrels. That evening we took a little too long to make plans, so after rushing to get there we only caught the end of the fireworks show through some trees. But to make up for it we went for Cook Out milkshakes and saw some fireworks over the Family Dollar parking lot (classy!).
It was a whirlwind tour, but it was still great to see people again, even for such a short time. Hopefully next time when I come back it will be for a bit longer so I can spend more quality time and see more people than 3 weeks would allow.
This summer my mom was throwing my dad a big birthday party and invited a bunch of out-of-town friends and relatives, so she asked if I might be able to come back for it. It happened to land during our winter break in between semesters at NETS. So as soon as we wrapped up our semester I jumped on a plane to head home for 3 weeks.
I spent the first week in beautiful New Hampshire. It's been a looong time since I've experienced a good NH summer. People asked me if it was weird being back, any reverse culture shock, but what surprised me was how normal everything was. I walked into my church and it felt like I could've just been there last week. I visited with many friends and picked up right where we left off. I had no restaurants I needed to rush out to eat at. I wasn't overwhelmed at the incessant overabundance or wealth of America. It was all just . . . normal. Not that nothing's changed over the last year, but I wonder if I've just been back and forth so many times now that I've learned what to expect and to accept each culture for what it is.
In NH, I had opportunities to share with groups from a few churches about what I've been doing this past year. I got to visit my church small group and hit up the youth group pool party (they all grew up so much in the last year!). It was nice to be back helping lead worship and catching up with this community that has been my extended Christian family for so many years.
After a short week in NH, I flew down to North Carolina to spend time with the fam and visit with friends from my seminary days. I stopped in at the B&G Club where I used to work to see how much those kids have grown. I got to share with a few other churches and small groups. I know it's only been a year away, but it was so great to be able to reconnect with so many people who've helped make it possible for me to serve over here in Namibia.
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| Just like old times, except I didn't win | Visiting with friends in NC, who made many Cheerwine desserts! |
By my last weekend, lots of extended fam had come into town to celebrate my dad. It was the first time in a long time that my whole immediate fam was together so naturally we had to take family photos. The rain held off all afternoon and we had a nice party out at the park, complete with pirate minstrels. That evening we took a little too long to make plans, so after rushing to get there we only caught the end of the fireworks show through some trees. But to make up for it we went for Cook Out milkshakes and saw some fireworks over the Family Dollar parking lot (classy!).
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| Helping my youngest nephew learn how to walk | Fun family photos |
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| I wasn't joking about the pirate minstrels! | Family Dollar Fireworks |
It was a whirlwind tour, but it was still great to see people again, even for such a short time. Hopefully next time when I come back it will be for a bit longer so I can spend more quality time and see more people than 3 weeks would allow.
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