Yesterday, several of my African brothers and I went to the Kavango River escorting Mrs. Mukoya who was going in a dug out canoe to Kalai, Angola.
There was a drunk man at the riverside who immediately recognized my white skin and started asking for me.
The conversation went a little like this...
"Babby, bbabbbyy, babby, tell me your name, tell me your name baby."
(First of all my name is not baby so i started to ignore him.)
But he just kept going and going on and on....
"Babby, baby, a kiss; a kiss, baby. Babby, a kiss. Baby, a hug, a hug. A hug baby."
(still ignoring him)
"Bbbaabbbyy, baby, baby i love you; baby i love you;
babbbyyy i looovvveee yoouuu like JJJEEESSSUUUSSS!!!"
* Not totally sure if he really loved me like Jesus!!*
Sunday, May 29, 2011
10 Signs you Live in a Village in Africa
My Roomate Laura wrote this, but I wanted to share for I agree with it 100%!!
10 Signs you Live in a Village in Africa
- Your diet consists of 85% carbs, 10% peanut butter, and 5% chicken.
- Your first thought when it rains is that the sand will be firm for biking, praise the Lord, hallelujah, amen!
- You wake up at 5:30 or 6am regardless of the day because that's when the sun comes up.
- Having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night is quite an ordeal, because not only do you have to get out of your nice warm bed, you also have to go out of the house.
- You trip over mosquito netting on a frequent basis.
- You almost always know exactly what phase the moon is in because it's your main source of light when showering, biking at night, etc.
- You are completely used to the incredulous looks and extended explanations when people ask you where you live.
- You have ever received a marriage proposal within ten minutes of meeting someone.
- The decision of whether or not to wash your hair is entirely dependent on the outdoor temperature.
- Improvised sign language is a language.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Aurola and Paulina
Aurola, Paulina, and I
Several months ago (January) I told to the story of Aurola.
Let me recap some of her story for you if you do not remember.
In 2007, Aurola came to Namibia. Currently, she is taking care of her “adopted” grandmothers (3 widowed women). Aurola is sixteen years old (seventeen on February 2nd) and had attended schooling up to grade 7 in Angola; however, moving to Namibia forced her into a school system that spoke a language she had never spoken before. She started grade 5 this past week. While living with her adopted grandmothers, Aurola has to haul water, pound pap for food, and help care for the grandmothers in return they have given her a place to live. Aurola like a good majority of teenagers struggles intensely with self-confidence, feeling loved, and the temptation to have sex. On last Friday morning when she found out that she was 30 weeks pregnant I can only imagine what she may have been feeling. While she had know for a while she had been pregnant, she wanted to “hide” it from everyone. I know she feels a lot of shame for being “impregnated” (as the locals would say) by a boy similar in age to her. On Friday morning she also found out that she could not get an abortion (her first choice- but it is illegal here). Friday night she tired to hang herself from a beam in her mud hut using a red tie that typically they wear to church. I spent a day of so with her after she attempted to hang herself, then took her back to stay with her family.
Over the next couple of months I would go visit Aurola. I would like to say these visit felt profitable and enjoyable, but to be honest talking to Aurola is like pulling teeth. She is not a very open person nor is she that willing to open up to me. It has been frustrating.
On March 22nd (my nephew and one of my best friend’s birthday) Aurola had a little baby girl. I visited her that afternoon in hospital and the following day. Paulina was a beautiful baby girl and looking into her cute little face I was honored that I was able to her even see her face.
These last two month have been even more difficult to visit her as I live quite a distance from her; but on Saturday Aurola, Paulina, Fayha, Anna and I walked into town and had a picnic lunch. Fayha and Anna had a blast playing in the sprinkler! On the way back people told them they were wearing “wash and wear” clothes!
Please pray that these girls will value themselves and see the value in staying pure. On one visit with Aurola, I sat there wondering how long it may be till she would have another child. It was a sobering thought. Also pray that they Lord will continue to have these girls open up too me. They are quite closed!
Several months ago (January) I told to the story of Aurola.Let me recap some of her story for you if you do not remember.
In 2007, Aurola came to Namibia. Currently, she is taking care of her “adopted” grandmothers (3 widowed women). Aurola is sixteen years old (seventeen on February 2nd) and had attended schooling up to grade 7 in Angola; however, moving to Namibia forced her into a school system that spoke a language she had never spoken before. She started grade 5 this past week. While living with her adopted grandmothers, Aurola has to haul water, pound pap for food, and help care for the grandmothers in return they have given her a place to live. Aurola like a good majority of teenagers struggles intensely with self-confidence, feeling loved, and the temptation to have sex. On last Friday morning when she found out that she was 30 weeks pregnant I can only imagine what she may have been feeling. While she had know for a while she had been pregnant, she wanted to “hide” it from everyone. I know she feels a lot of shame for being “impregnated” (as the locals would say) by a boy similar in age to her. On Friday morning she also found out that she could not get an abortion (her first choice- but it is illegal here). Friday night she tired to hang herself from a beam in her mud hut using a red tie that typically they wear to church. I spent a day of so with her after she attempted to hang herself, then took her back to stay with her family.
Over the next couple of months I would go visit Aurola. I would like to say these visit felt profitable and enjoyable, but to be honest talking to Aurola is like pulling teeth. She is not a very open person nor is she that willing to open up to me. It has been frustrating.
On March 22nd (my nephew and one of my best friend’s birthday) Aurola had a little baby girl. I visited her that afternoon in hospital and the following day. Paulina was a beautiful baby girl and looking into her cute little face I was honored that I was able to her even see her face.
These last two month have been even more difficult to visit her as I live quite a distance from her; but on Saturday Aurola, Paulina, Fayha, Anna and I walked into town and had a picnic lunch. Fayha and Anna had a blast playing in the sprinkler! On the way back people told them they were wearing “wash and wear” clothes!
Please pray that these girls will value themselves and see the value in staying pure. On one visit with Aurola, I sat there wondering how long it may be till she would have another child. It was a sobering thought. Also pray that they Lord will continue to have these girls open up too me. They are quite closed!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
questions...
While living in Africa I must admit to becoming increasing confused at a few basic things.
Much of my confusion has spawned from a differences in cultures, values, language (or lost in translation), and backgrounds etc.
So bare with me on in my desire to grasp a better picture of these questions:
> How do we really know if someone is telling you or living what they say?
> What is true (not what is truth, but ‘what is true?’)?
> How do you really show people love in a God-honoring it without being misinterpreted in both positive and negative ways?
> What does it mean to show respect and adapting to your situation versus being yourself and your own personality?
> What is appropriate an amount of help to give another without depowering them or giving them life on a platter?
Any help on any of these questions would be greatly appreciated!!
Much of my confusion has spawned from a differences in cultures, values, language (or lost in translation), and backgrounds etc.
So bare with me on in my desire to grasp a better picture of these questions:
> How do we really know if someone is telling you or living what they say?
> What is true (not what is truth, but ‘what is true?’)?
> How do you really show people love in a God-honoring it without being misinterpreted in both positive and negative ways?
> What does it mean to show respect and adapting to your situation versus being yourself and your own personality?
> What is appropriate an amount of help to give another without depowering them or giving them life on a platter?
Any help on any of these questions would be greatly appreciated!!
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