Hello There! (This was posted July 27)

The Back of Ms Nan's House, where I am living

The east wind is strong today. It's not too cold though. Me and 17 grade 5's and 6's just had a stupendous Bible class. I'm so thankful for God's word and children who ask a large variety of thought-provoking questions from the passages we read and discuss. It's causing me to dig deeper and fall more in love with our heavenly father - the creator of heaven and earth. He is the One who can heal, restore, give hope, bring justice and glorify himself. Our secretary, and a good friend of mine has been so encouraging this week. She says that I am passionate, I "teach with love" and that I "make the subject exciting." Because of her words, I've been motivated in the classroom to do these things that she speaks of. She thanked me for coming back. "Ms Anna, do you know that feeling when you have a sweet in your mouth and the taste is so good it's overwhelming? You are just so happy to be enjoying it! That's how I feel that you are here teaching and my sons are in this school." Her son was not reading past 2nd grade level prior to this year and she was impressed with where he's come. I know, it was not me, but it feels great to be appreciated!

View from the edge, the road that encompasses Arandis.

I traveled to Walvis Bay with the church music team last night to join another church at their practice. It was an opportunity to bring inspiration and encouragement to our small, and learning team. I believe that is exactly what happened. It was truly Namibian, for we were greeted at the door by the whole team and offered a brilliant array of Coffee, Tea, scrumptious meat pies, homemade, crispy rusks, and cookies to enjoy before the practice. What a delicious treat! I think every worship practice should start like that :) we are just too rushed in America - we barely even make time for practice, let alone the fellowship and communion together with friends prior to. On the way home, though it was late, we stopped on the side of the road to gaze at the enormous stars and high tide. The moon was just over the water and it sparkled like gold strewn all over the foaming shore. We sang a few songs and prayed together to seal what God had done in the team of young, musicians. I think they will be inspired to practice, get better and come together more as a team. Actually one of the guys from the worship team took us all out for lunch at "Mummies" the one and only restaurant in Arandis. He works there as a sous chef and I know that was a big sacrifice for him to buy lunch for all of us. It was really delicious! It was a blessing to have a break in the middle of they day and I'm thankful to be invited.

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

Hello There!

The east wind is strong today. It's not too cold though. Me and 17 grade 5's and 6's just had a stupendous Bible class. I'm so thankful for God's word and children who ask a large variety of thought-provoking questions from the passages we read and discuss. It's causing me to dig deeper and fall more in love with our heavenly father - the creator of heaven and earth. He is the One who can heal, restore, give hope, bring justice and glorify himself. Our secretary, and a good friend of mine has been so encouraging this week. She says that I am passionate, I "teach with love" and that I "make the subject exciting." Because of her words, I've been motivated in the classroom to do these things that she speaks of. She thanked me for coming back. "Ms Anna, do you know that feeling when you have a sweet in your mouth and the taste is so good it's overwhelming? You are just so happy to be enjoying it! That's how I feel that you are here teaching and my sons are in this school." Her son was not reading past 2nd grade level prior to this year and she was impressed with where he's come. I know, it was not me, but it feels great to be appreciated!

I traveled to Walvis Bay with the church music team last night to join another church at their practice. It was an opportunity to bring inspiration and encouragement to our small, and learning team. I believe that is exactly what happened. It was truly Namibian, for we were greeted at the door by the whole team and offered a brilliant array of Coffee, Tea, scrumptious meat pies, homemade, crispy rusks, and cookies to enjoy before the practice. What a delicious treat! I think every worship practice should start like that :) we are just too rushed in America - we barely even make time for practice, let a lone the fellowship and communion together with friends prior to. On the way home, though it was late, we stopped on the side of the road to gaze at the enormous stars and high tide. The moon was just over the water and it sparkled like gold strewn all over the foaming shore. We sang a few songs and prayed together to seal what God had done in the team of young, musicians. I think they will be inspired to practice, get better and come together more as a team. Actually one of the guys from the worship team took us all out for lunch at "Mummies" the one and only restaurant in Arandis. He works there as a sous chef and I know that was a big sacrifice for him to buy lunch for all of us. It was really delicious! It was a blessing to have a break in the middle of they day and to be invited.

Where I am is in fact a dessert, but it's not desolate. 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.

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

A Little Bit of a Veiw of Swakopmund

Someone asked where I was living...here is a picture of my home in Namibia. Haha, just kidding, that's right on the Atlantic Ocean - nice cheap summer home :) Well, I am staying in a very nice home in Arandis, house and dog-sitting while the principle is away. It's large and a little lonely for one person, but I have my own room and plenty of space. I am very blessed with all that I could ever need - that is for sure. The picture is a nice town called Swakopmund, only about a 60 km (40 minute) taxi ride from the Uranium Mining town of Arandis. This is where I can go grocery shopping and say hello to the south Atlantic. It's also where you see the baptism pictures in the photo album. Since there is a large tourist section of this town, there is a wood market where you can barter and buy. Be careful though, it can become very uncomfortable once they talk you into buying to support thier family and tug at you more than you want. I know to just keep walking and go without money in my pockets :)

I actually took my first taxi to town yesterday afternoon. Although I was hesitant to go alone, it needed to be done, it was very pleasant and I will certainly do it more often. I went with "small boy" I'm not sure of his real name.  

Blessed are the Flexible for they will not be easily broken

I started doing yoga which has been physically making me more flexible while I can mentally prepare for more flexibility. That's the number one character trait we encourage new arrivals in Namibia (or any African nation). If things don't go as planned, just don't worry, it will all work out. My bags arrived somewhere in Arandis a few mornings after me! I spent the weekend setting up a school schedule for myself after consulting the performing principal while ours is away. After a couple days trying to work it out and getting used to the kids I'll be teaching, I was given a new schedule and a couple different classes. It's good for me to remember who I am here to help, and it's CERTAINLY not about me!

We've been so blessed to have many extra hands at school and in community as there was a team from the USA this past week and a half doing anything from painting, plumbing, building, teaching and loving the children. Not only have they helped the community, but I've personally been blessed by many of them. Not only have the two teachers shared a lot of great experience and educational insight, but they both have very much become my friends! They have such a passion for teaching and a love for children, they know how to interact with any child and they are amazing at it. If only they could stay longer. It was also great serving again with Fred Linda and Mike Knight, Namibia experts and Brooke, a girl who was on our team the first time I came in the summer of 2010. Great friends, I'm so thankful the Lord crossed our paths.

Jillian and Elenor are two young girls with AIM, teaching at TKCA who just moved to Arandis a month ago and will be here till the end of the year. The three of us have put our heads together on many tasks already! We seem to make a great team: we share a love for the kids and the families, diligent work ethic, reliability and a desire to please God! There have been many challenges and there will be more, however; "flexibility is next to Godliness" at least here in the USA "United States of Arandis," creatively put by my friend from the youth group who practices stand up and is really quite talented!

The weather is quite chilly now! The last several mornings we've been experiencing the East Winds which are extremely strong and difficult to move around in. These last till late morning and then it's REALLY hot till about 5:30, when the sun goes down.

I'm getting plenty of alone time and much needed time in the word. He fills me daily with living water, the bread of life and the Rock of my salvation, what more could I ever need? I'm staying with Sammy, the needy dog till Ms Nan comes back. There's another teacher in the flat attached to the house. Although I'm not someone who naturally stays alone and stays sane, that also is good for me! My confidence comes from Christ- redeemer, creator of all things and my best friend! 

I invited a few friends over for lunch last Sunday! I had to explain to many people at church where I had disappeared to, "America!"
"Why didn't you say goodbye?" 
"I'm sorry, I would have but they gave me five days to leave the country! I knew I'd be back, I just didn't know when." 
"ok! See you around."

One of my favorite fifth graders (they are all my favorite) greeted me like this the weekend I arrived: "I told them, 'bring me to Ms Anna, where is she? Is she here yet?' They brought me to you! Here you are Ms Anna. Hey, you should come to our shool on Monday! Are you going to?"
"Sure! I'll come, that's a great idea Chriszelda!" hugs, those beautiful and beaty eyes. "I feel like I'm going to break you when I hug you."
"yes! Break me, Ms Anna!" Agh, they are too much! 

I can't believe we've finished our first week and are half way through our second already. The scheule is smoothing over. I'm a resource in special Ed in the mornings for grade 1-4 and I teach English in the afternoon to 5th and 6th. I have been going home for lunch and returning do help with homework in the afternoons. It's really quite manageable. I have time to re-connect with friends in the church and get to know them more! I've been practicing my Italian hospitality (thanks mom) and grateful to have friends come and eat with me:)

There's so many more amazing things to brag about like Cabana, mopane worms, brownies, great people, thirty plus amazing hugs a day, a beautiful sunrise each morning as well as challenges to keep things interesting - but I hope to get some pictures up soon to speak more. I must get some rest now while Sammy is calm. Sin jula lader!

Anna Gdanian