Class of 2018

We had a lovely time this past weekend with the NETS (Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary) community celebrating the accomplishments of all our graduates. There were 13 graduates from the Distance Education course and 13 graduates from the residential 1-year Certificate of Theology (green gowns). Many of these students are continuing into the next level of studies at NETS.

We also had 2 graduates with a Diploma in Theology and 7 graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology (purple hoods). Many of these graduates are already serving in leadership positions at their churches. A few are going on to internships while others are fulfilling the requirements for ordination in their denominations.

Then last but not least, we had an outstanding 7 graduates from the Honor's Degree program (teal hoods). Most of these students are already involved in pastoral ministry and have just returned to advance their education. They all had to write a research thesis relevant to the Namibian context to receive this degree.

Congrats to all our graduates! Please be praying for them for guidance in their next steps. More photos from the ceremony below...

NETS student choir performing at Graduation

Pastor Rudi sharing as our keynote speaker at Graduation

Current 4th-year student Willem receiving an award for godly leadership and servanthood.

My former mentee UJ receiving his Bachelor's Degree. 

A NETS lecturer giving the dedicatory prayer for all our graduates.

Kolmanskop

Ever since I first saw photos of the ghost town of Kolmanskop it has been atop my bucket list of places to travel in Namibia. As other places have slowly been checked off the list, it has patiently remained. This year our semester calendar worked in such a way that we got two full weeks off for Easter break, so I knew this would be my opportunity.

I packed up the car early and set off on the road south before the sun even peaked up over the eastern horizon. It would be about 8 hours driving time south to Keetmanshoop, then west across the desert to Luderitz. I'd been forewarned that as you approached the coast the wind may have pushed the sand dunes into the middle of the road. And sure enough, though the road stayed clear, I did see plow trucks pushing the encroaching dunes off the railroad tracks. Beyond the sand dunes were the most barren, rocky hills you've ever seen. If you look up 'wasteland' in the dictionary then this is probably where they get the picture. It made me wonder how anyone could live out here. But at long last, the small coastal town of Luderitz peaked its way through the desert hills, my holiday home for the next few days.

Luderitz is a small colorful town painted across the hillsides which empty into the picturesque bay. Sailboats, schooners, and freighters alike are anchored across the small harbor. Its German architecture and names reveal it's abundant history. While it's a quiet town with plenty of nooks and beaches to explore across the peninsula, my main objective wasn't found at the ocean, but about 10km back into the desert.

Kolmanskop is open to visitors from 8-1 each day, but that wasn't enough for me. I wisely purchased the amateur photographer's pass which allowed me access from sunrise to sunset. So once again I was up before the sun to enter the gates as the first morning rays touched the earth.

Kolmanskop is an old mining town which has long since been abandoned and overtaken by the desert. The buildings range from mansions for the wealthy, to workers homes, an old restaurant or saloon, even the old hospital. These buildings are spotted across an eastern hillside which makes morning light invaluable for photographers.

When I arrived I was literally the only person there, the deafening silence of the desert and these creepy old buildings all to myself. I found the early morning light to be best for exterior shots, especially with no one else around. Then I moved inside as the daylight got brighter and the sun arched higher in the sky. I know faded colors, peeling paint, and dune-filled doorways doesn't sound too exciting, but around every corner was another amazing discovery. This place was a photographer's dreamland! Each room had a unique character of it's own. Sometimes the light cast through the open rafters at just the right time to paint some jaw-dropping designs. But I've exhausted the words it would take to explain, so I'll let the pictures tell the story on their own.

As the sun was finally covered by the approaching evening clouds, my feet were sore and my memory card full. The now eerie black windows watched as I turned my back to descend the dunes to my car, the whistling wind again the only sound left on the solitary slope. Like my footprints in the sand which are quickly covered in the wind, what stories were once made in these halls and homes have gone the way of history and left only the deteriorating walls and doorways to tell their tales. In a desert known for its diamonds, I too had stumbled upon an unexpected jewel.

Touristy Things

The mid-semester break from school allows for a bit of R&R time and also opportunities to travel and see new things. On a recent trip out of town I met a guy who owns a gyrocopter. He offered to take me up one morning to see a whole different view of Namibia's landscape and wildlife. Being the rainy season, everything was so green! However this also means animals can get water anywhere so the waterholes were basically abandoned. But from our birds eye view we were able to spot a few animals in the bush.

Red Hartebeest

Zebra

Big white rhino

Newborn rhino calf

Cape vultures

Photo of the Day

Female Amethyst Sunbird enjoying some Crimson Bottlebrush nectar

After much patience I finally caught her colorful counterpart.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Religion often blinds us to our need for grace. Yet the very religious person and the vilest sinner have this in common…they are both desperately in need of God’s grace. The difference is only one of them realizes it. During our weekly chapel at NETS I preached from Luke 7:36-50 reminding us of our need for grace and the One who offers it freely. You can find the download link here if you'd like to hear it.

Photo of the Day

European Bee-eater visiting our garden

What is Forgiveness?

Imagine that you are a judge, seated high up on your platform, gavel in your hand, ruling over your courtroom. You hold the power of decision, determining whether a person is guilty or innocent and what punishment they deserve according to the severity of their crime.

Slowly the door cracks open and in walks the first defendant. You look up to find someone who has horribly wronged you. Then behind them a whole line of people come streaming in, each one having injured, offended, or defrauded you. And one by one you get to decide what kind of punishment each person deserves. Now’s your chance to get them back for what they did to you! They’ve hurt you and now it’s your job to make sure they get what they deserve.

In this scenario, would you be a fair judge? Probably not. As the memory of pain and anger rises to the surface, you’d probably deal out quite a harsh punishment.

That’s revenge. Revenge means getting someone back for what they’ve done to you.

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Now imagine that you’re the one on trial. You slowly crack open the door and walk down the aisle toward the defendant’s chair. Looking up, the person sitting in the judge’s seat is someone you have wronged. Would you want them as your judge? Don’t you think they would be as unfair to you as you would have been to the people who wronged you? Wouldn’t you say, “Wait, I want a different judge! This person won’t give me justice. They’ll punish me worse than I deserve!” Wouldn’t you try to appeal to someone who is impartial, unbiased and fair?

The truth is the only person who can be an impartial, unbiased and completely fair judge, the only one who knows all our motivations and everybody’s back story, is God. He knows the truth, and He will judge justly.

Forgiveness, then, is giving up your “right” to revenge, releasing all your hurt and all your pain into the hands of the only just Judge, and allowing Him to do what is best.

That’s forgiveness.

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But let’s not stop there. You may still be counting on God to deal out the proper punishment you feel this person deserves. Only then will justice be done.

But would you be ok with God taking all that punishment, all that hurt and vengeful payback they deserve, and pouring it out entirely upon Christ on the cross?

If you can say yes to that question, then you truly understand forgiveness.