Visa

Greetings from the heat!! 35 degrees (110 Fahrenheit) and 35% humidity today! It's after ten pm and it hasn't cooled down yet!

I just wanted to write and say, I've been denied a work visa three times in the past two months. I have about twenty more days for the news to change! Please pray for the government to change their minds if I'm supposed to stay in arandis and help out for the year!

Things are going really well! We had our third project this weekend, cleaning up the trash along the perimeter of the town (well some of it). I had eight champions this time, who braved the heat and the embarrassment. With minimal complaining we managed to fill about five trash bags as we walked. The mayor drove by once and then again and slowed down. The kids waved. The trash guys gave us a few more bags and said thanks. One lady came over and put her rubbish in our bag, which was preferred to the ground! We landed at the store and shared cookies and a coke!

Though they don't see it, these kids are making an impact on their town. I pray that it will also make an impact on them, that there will be less fighting and arguing and an abundance of kindness. They are reaching out to meet the needs of others, may they make the connections to their own lives as well.

I'm hopping this week will be the beginning of our "career" workshops for the high school kids! We have a few community members from different areas of work lined up to speak to them and answer questions. The owner of "Josephs," the shop in town, a few chef's from "Mommies" restaurant, a member of Town Council, a manager at the Rossling Mine; potentially a doctor and a chiropractor as well, are all people we've asked and would like to see visit our after school program. I dont know if all the children fully understand the benefit but we are working very hard to keep them motivated in their school work so they can pass to the next grade. Failure rate is 50% and unemployment is 70%, we want our kids to achieve thier God-given potential in life so that they can soar to a brighter tomorrow. We are very excited for extra people coming in the next few months to help meet the many needs here. Please pray for men to help influence these young boys, my opinion is that there are too many woman!

Chatting with a few girls today about the farm where their family is from; i realized how most of these children feel torn and are also making tremendous sacrifices now. They reminisce of the beauty of the land and how they enjoy riding horses and being with family, how they love visiting during holidays. They talk about cooking over fires and being able to sit around the fire and speak their language. When they speak of it, it seems like a good life. However; I know that they were put into children of promise because they were in risky situations. Even though their needs are met now, many of these kids are separated from siblings and close family members, they have anxiety and often times guilt from family members about that. The foster families they join don't speak their mother tongue, everyone has to make tremendous adjustments. They will often have to move from home to home. Children of Promise does the best they can to support the children, but there are many living in each house. I asked if these girls wanted to finish school and go back to Windhoek to live because she talked about it very dreamily. "No! I'll get a job so I can help them."

I know the God who created the entire universe, I am so very confident that He knows all and has a perfect plan for this town. He knows exactly what needs to happen with each individual. He was not made by human hands and he doesn't need our help. If you don't know Him yet, He wants to bring peace in your life too. Please open your eyes and see all the amazing things that he has done for you, may he keep you safe as you rest tonight!

Slap leker, leker slap! Nant!

Anna Gdanian