The Back of Ms Nan's House, where I am living |
View from the edge, the road that encompasses Arandis. |
Where I am is in fact a dessert, but it's not desolate, see picture above. People don't grow crops right here in Arandis, but most people here have families from a farm far away. The trees and plants that they have are desert flowers which are not weak, but they need to be watered several times a week. It's expensive to keep trees or plants in Arandis. The home I live at and many others actually rake and water their "lawns" as well which is no more than sand. The food comes from the one store, Joseph's that's here - or larger groceries in Swakopmund where you can get your fresh fruits, vegetables and yogurt - which is really the only thing you can't get in Arandis. Yesterday morning I remembered it was one of my kids birthday's and I forgotten her gift, so I was running before 7am to the store. I was stopped by one of the girls in the youth group.
"Hi Anna! How are you? Where are you going?" She knew I was going in the wrong direction for school.
"I am headed to the store before work"
"Oh," she said, "They only open at 8!" I sadly turned to go back. She continued, "But if you go around back there are men; they'll help you get what you need!" Haha, I was reluctant, but she sounded confident so I kept rushing.
"Thanks!" I called out to her, she quickly directed me and I was off. Sure enough there was a truck full of men that just pulled up, going in the back to open the store. I walked up, "are you open?"
"No, but we'd like to help you!"
"OK, thanks! I need chocolate, a water bottle and chips." He said something in Afrikaans to a young boy and the next I knew I was walking in the back way through the store. I felt like a true Namibian! What service!
I walk 15 minutes across the desert every morning to school, some mornings home for lunch to let Sammy out before he goes in the house (which happens if I don't come before 3pm) and then back for afternoon classes. It's also a walk across the desert to church, music practice and bible study. Arandis is small, so the walk is never more than 15 minutes, but when the temperatures are extreme, it appears much longer. I'll post pictures of the open dessert in the album you'll find on the right side of the blog.
Last night was an all night prayer service which I wasn't able to attend, but I was praying with them. I am so glad they do these things, it really brings people together. Please pray for Brenda and children here because she is on her way back to the States for a couple weeks. She lost her father last week and thankfully the doctors said she could fly even though she is still recovering from her eye surgery. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Ms Nan in a few weeks. Please pray for continued patience and peace in the classroom as we have many children with a lot of needs that are distracting to learning. May God's words always be on my tongue, so my words are not wasted. I just do not want to ever loose focus and always remember why I am here - to serve them and teach them. The children seem to be getting sick a lot lately, there are some infections going on, pray for healing in the homes and families to be protected. It's been really neat (to say the least) to observe tremendous growth and development in several children. They are really thriving! This morning, I was so excited because I saw a father walking his three little boys to school!
Thanks for listening! I just wanted to remind you that I'm out here and loving each moment of every day that God allows me to be here, in His presence. I hope you can also remember to thank him for each of your precious moments. With Love, from Arandis ~ Anna G