(If you missed it, click here to start with part 1.)
I had arrived in country a few days early so I could visit a few other ministries, one of those being the seminary in Jos. They had recently begun a youth ministry major so I was interested in how they put the program together and how it was working out. So I met with Cephas Bahago, a local youth pastor who is also the head of the youth ministry program. He told me about how their denomination had just begun realizing the importance of youth ministry in a nation with over 50% youth and children. He is pioneering as one of the first full-time youth pastors in the denomination. They have their challenges, especially considering they are changing the thinking and denominational practices set in place for over 100 years, but they are certainly taking steps in a good direction.
Later I was invited to an evening youth program. Fortunately I got a little heads up that I would be the one sharing! There were about 65-70ish young people and after a few songs we spent some time talking about spiritual formation. They got into groups to discuss what is spiritual maturity. Then altogether we considered a biblical goal for spiritual maturity and how we often look at only external things, but instead we need to work on our internal spiritual lives so that we are becoming the kind of people who live naturally out a spiritual life on the outside. Everyone was pretty engaged and seemed to enjoy it. Then afterward we tried to fit everyone into a big group pic!
Another ministry I visited was called City Ministries who works with street kids, orphans, and women among others. I visited their private school with 100 or so kids. It was the last day of school so each class shared a special Christmas song or memory verse, then they all got special treats and a soda. Here’s some clips of their songs for you to enjoy.
Then lastly I visited a Muslim-Christian reconciliation ministry called "Building Relationships in City Center" (BRiCC). They say they’re not just reconciling, because building relationships is a step beyond just reconciliation. They have different programs designed to bring Christian and Muslim children and youth together to help build relationships and alleviate fear and suspicion. While I was there they were hosting a soccer clinic during the holiday break. They mixed up the Muslim and Christian kids and put them on teams of 10 to do different skill stations and then play some games.
The green team at the soccer clinic
One of the team building activities at the clinic
After splitting up for skill stations, the teams got to play games.
A year and a half ago, when I first arrived in Namibia, I looked around online for an African youth workers conference to attend to learn a bit more about contextualizing youth ministry in Africa. Through my SIM connections I heard about one in Jos, Nigeria. I inquired of the organizers who said they hadn’t set a date for this year’s conference, but said I was welcome to come and I could be a “resource person” (whatever that meant). When this year’s dates came out it was to be the same week as my NETS intensive so I wouldn’t be able to go. But they later came back and said it had been postponed, and this time I was invited to come as the main speaker. From attendee, to resource person, to main speaker. Yikes!
Many people (including a U.S. Embassy public service announcement) warned me against going to Nigeria because of terrorism and hostilities. But I remained confident that if it was terribly unsafe then SIM wouldn’t allow me to come, and besides, a little hostility never stopped Paul. He said, "For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die...for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
Nigeria from the air.
So after summer camp I packed up my suitcase and flew off to Nigeria. I arrived none the worse for wear, however my suitcase did not. But fortunately I’m an experienced traveller so I packed enough in my carry-on to get by. So everyday I was hand-washing the one set of clothes I wasn’t wearing so that I could have something to wear tomorrow. People were kind and offered to lend me clothes, and I managed to pick up another pair of jeans at a street-side shop. This could be a major frustration to people, but it helped me realize that more than 2 pairs of clothes is really a luxury. I had what I needed, and that’s a lot more than some people have. Fortunately, five days later my suitcase was finally delivered, just before I had to speak at the conference.
Traffic is not quite like what I'm used to in Namibia.
One of the less busy street-side markets
Nigeria's having a fuel crisis, so this was the craziness
of people lining up to fill their gas tanks.
For the first full week of December I joined over 400 youth at Summer Camp hosted by Youth For Christ Namibia. As usual, much fun was had by all, the speakers did a great job, and of course the Bible Quiz was epic! Check out the video to see what it was like.
After 19 months and 99 posts I'm excited to share a grand unveiling in my 100th blog post. I get to show you pics of my new pad! That's right, I've spent much of this past month (as I've had time) transitioning over to a new place. SIM sold their guesthouse, where I had been staying in one of the flats, and downsized to a house with an office space and a rental flat. So some of our team members live in the main house and I rent out the flat. Since this all happened in the middle of the very hectic end-of-semester time, I'm still in the process of getting settled so there's still a few boxes here and there. Also, part of the settling in process involves some very manly home improvement projects. You know, there's just something about using power tools! As with anything new it will take some getting used to, but overall it's a nice little place with enough space to squeeze in our young adult small group. Please pray with me that God would use this place for His glory and many ministry opportunities. Here's a few pics of the new place.
This year the holiday of Thanksgiving coincided with the last week of our semester at NETS, which is quite a hectic time for lecturers trying to get all the final assignments marked and getting grades turned in. Thus I decided against trying to host a Thanksgiving meal this year. Instead some friends of mine who had lived in the States invited me to join them and some Australian friends to celebrate Thanksgiving on Friday night.
One of their daughters had trolled pinterest for some festive decoration ideas. They found both brined and normal turkeys (fresh from North Carolina!) and made up some salad, stuffing, gravy, some delicious crumbed squash kind of dish, and confetti cream corn dip. Then, as if that wasn't enough, pecan pie and chocolate ice cream pie for dessert! Truly a case where self-discipline and taste buds were battling.
After some nice talks about football and Australian rugby and all manner of other topics, we each shared some things that we're thankful for, then wrapped up the evening playing board games. It's great having a good Christian community here that shares things like home, family and holidays. That's one thing I'm very thankful for. :)
Nobody likes being sick, but it happens to everybody. So despite the fever and upset stomach today, I find myself quite thankful for a year and a half without a sick day. It's been a good run for which I'm quite thankful to God and my immune system (and my parents for letting me eat dirt as a kid). This is no small accomplishment when moving halfway across the world to a different land with different foods and different sanitary expectations. So today I'm thanking God for a streak of good health and praying for many more healthy days to come (as soon as I get this day behind me). Plus lying in bed all day affords me the time to do other things I've stopped getting around to, like writing blog posts (No pictures today which I know you're quite thankful for).
Our church has been doing a study through the book of Philippians. I was asked to preach the passage of Philippians 2:12-30, Paul's exhortation that the church at Philippi shine like lights in the world. You can download it here or listen below if you'd like. (Note: It cuts off a little at the beginning and the end, but most of it's here.)
After multiple short-term trips to Namibia, God has called me to return long-term to teach the Bible to the next generation of Namibian pastors and youth workers. Through this blog you can share in my journey and be a part of what God is doing in Namibia. Read more...
Namibia is a country of about 3 million people located along the Atlantic Ocean of south western Africa. It is ranked 5th in the world in HIV/AIDS prevalency, an epidemic that has decimated the working-age population and created a generation of orphans. While 89% of the population claim Christianity, rampant vices like immorality, abuse, and alcoholism reveal that it is religion in title only. The true gospel which frees from the bondage to sin is the only solution. Read more...
Later I was invited to an evening youth program. Fortunately I got a little heads up that I would be the one sharing! There were about 65-70ish young people and after a few songs we spent some time talking about spiritual formation. They got into groups to discuss what is spiritual maturity. Then altogether we considered a biblical goal for spiritual maturity and how we often look at only external things, but instead we need to work on our internal spiritual lives so that we are becoming the kind of people who live naturally out a spiritual life on the outside. Everyone was pretty engaged and seemed to enjoy it. Then afterward we tried to fit everyone into a big group pic!
