Return to USA

God has a mighty plan for all of our lives. He knows the best. His thoughts are higher than ours. His ways are better, his love is stronger, his power is greater than anything at all that we can imagine.

YES, I feel a burden for the people of Namibia. YES, it takes time, investment and prayer to get to know and build trust relationships with the kids and mommies. YES, I love being a part of the work God's been doing here. YES, I see the value God has placed on my life and on the families lives since the very first time I came in 2010. YES, I'd feel privileged and brimming with joy and gladness, when the Lord decides to bring me back to Namibia.

The families are tight and the children need a lot of love. That's something i'm willing to give. As perfectly mentioned by one of the mommies, she has so much love in her heart for them- if God ever said they wouldn't be apart of her life anymore, it would be hard, but she doesn't know everything that is supposed to happen. In other words, nothing is ours that we should hold onto it so tightly, every thing belongs to God! If their own mother can say that with such confidence, and if GOD, even can give up his only son to be beaten and die, in the hands of rotten sinners, than surely we(I) can trust him with eveything as well! Nothing can separate us from the love that God has for us.

YES, I love being a part of the families here, but I'm also content to be wherever I'm supposed to be.

I'm returning home on Tuesday, because I've been denied a work permit without reason three times. It's the end of the ninety day tourist visa, and I'll wait for a reply on the fourth application, safely back in the USA. If I'm not home by April 5th than I can get into serious trouble. It was a shock at first, but who am I to think I can understand the mind of god!? I know that His word is true and His promises to keep the children safe and healthy will come to fruition. Once again, He doesn't need Miss Anna's help :)

Anna Gdanian

Greetings! Gacienda Nant! (have a blessed night)

Someone asked what "leker slap" means. "sleep well" or "sleep sweet" Today, for the first time since I've been here, a clerk spoke first to me in Afrikaans, not English. Even though my first affrikaans lesson has been cancelled a few times, I was so excited to use what I knew and to be understood. I proceeded to tell her that was all I knew. She was shocked when I started speaking English, she truly thought I was affrikaans!! Ek prat biggie Afrikaans. (I speak a little Afrikaans)

It was 115 in Arandis today. It's about ten and not much cooler. It's independence day! On March 21, 1991, all but one tiny island, of Namibia gained independence from S Africa. The Ganes family invited us over for a BBQ. We had a lot of meat, different salads and grilled bread. It was a true Namibian braai, they love thier meats and sweets. It was pork and variations of sausage, pasta, potato, Cole slaw and green salad. There will be a lot of sleepy children tomorrow, because there were big parties today.

Miss Josephine, a German friend whose been staying with them, is leaving tomorrow. Not only has she helped their family, but she's been a huge support at school. She helped me with grade two reading, i don't know what ill do without her, as well as assisting in all the classrooms. She organized our whole library, and tied up a lot of loose ends. She worked the after school program, she is really good at math!! We wish she could stay, but she also needs to go and finish her studies. She came on her school break, it's a great opportunity for those of you who are in that place. There is plenty of room for volunteers who love children in Arandis!

These children are loved by God! I know he who made them has thier best interest in mind, he will continue the work he has started in their lives. They are really enjoying their writing buddies, for those of you who are apart. They've been journalling about them, and it gives me a chance to have time with each one separately. Each moment I spend here with them is a priveledge, I will never forget that.

Anna Gdanian

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