Down-pour in Arandis!!

Well, good morning! Things are going tremendously here in Arandis. Life is peaceful. It was a bit cloudy on my way in to school for detention and English class this morning. I was in my class waiting for the kiddos and I began to hear what sounded like rain! It was a down-pour that lasted almost 60 seconds! We all ran out into the street, but it was just a tease.

I never take for granted my time here! I'm learning a lot, I fear that it will be over before I know it. The days are very long, but the months will fly by!

This week was hard, we are still figuring out things with teachers and schedule of classes. I thought after the fifth week, we'd have it! My God is helping me be patient. I'm no longer blaming all the behavior issues on the kids and the sinful state of mankind, although it's prevelent... if the teachers (including myself) don't get their acts together and get organized, than how can we expect children to pull themselves together? It's all new! We need unity among the team. We're all working together for the one goal of helping these young people get to know and love our savior. He loves them so much! As He says to the isrealites, "you shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way and they cry out at all to me, I will surely hear their cry and my wrath will become hot...and your children will be fatherless!" Exodus 22:21-24

In conversations with a few girls, they've said, they like their new teachers this year, but it's not as fun because they don't play sports or go on feild trips! If you've been here before, and have any more ideas for me, please let me know!

Doing things outside of the classroom, can be a blast and much more effective for bringing unity! Yesterday we rid a fence of graffiti and picked up five large trash bags of trash around the school. Some people stopped and laughed I stared, some joined us! The town workers thanked them and handed out trash bags.

When I was talking with Pearl (the pastor's daughter and amazing leader among the Sunday school) about more projects to do, we decided to work together! We will choose families in need in the community. We will work to clean for them and bless them with music or dance. One day a month we will do as many families as we can, we'll have around thirty kids!! It's neat because there were families whose names came up that had needs just the day before, even from our school. We will go to their house and the kids will serve at their own homes.

When I spoke with the youth leader today who also works at the town council about more projects to do, he said, "Well I can get back to you, but for now I want the youth to join you." He said, "We need to get the bigger ones working." My young kids are also an example for the older ones!

When God's people come together, his kingdom is established and his work is accomplished. Im just thankful that he can use us to do it. We heard in church this morning that we can't expect to hear from God and know what to do in our lives if we are not reading the words that he already spoke to us! Please remember that as you're looking for ways to spend your time. There are always needs around you!

With warmth from Arandis, Namibia!
Sen jel lader.
Anna Gdanian