Mission Trip 2006:
 

Rundu Namibia, - submitted by Sharon Malan

"Our Journey began at 3 Quebec Road Camps Bay at 7.30 pm on Sunday 2nd July the Kombi fuelled and ready to go. We met up in Malmesbury with the Vineyard Church crowd in their two vehicles and so began our 25oo km trip. A very weary 30 people arrive at our first stop on Monday 1pm, Gross Barman hot water springs resort; anything but gross in fact we thought we had discovered a little bit of heaven. Nothing like hot water jets to ease away the aches and pains of 16hr travel weary bodies. Tuesday morning and we celebrated Ruth’s birthday, hats, streamers and a lot of silliness. All to quick and we were back in the car. What do we see up ahead, the cycle team, happy meeting and shared news, time of prayer and back on the road again. We finally arrived at our Campsite at approx 6pm. We are greeted with the sad news that Ernesto Michinga, the Pastor of the church in Rundu has died. Some set up camp while others go and pay their respects.
 

Wed Morning and so begins the time of reaching out the people of Rundu, Halili and Indama. Our evening programs of prayer, preaching and sharing has been cancelled due to the weeks mourning period. So we decide to focus on the practical needs, buying of goats, organizing for water to get to the village of Indama and the packing and sorting of clothes into approx 560 parcels. We realise how awesome Gods provision is through the generous donations of people who care.

Our first visit is to Halili where we are greeted with praise songs and a word from the chief. It was both a joy and heartbreaking to hand out the clothes as the desperation of the people was highlighted, and our souls mourned as the realisation that practical needs are important but what these people are in desperate need for is the living water of Gods word, the village have only one bible that belongs to the chief, and our hope is that we will be able to bless each person with their own bible. The children’s ministry team, did an amazing job off biblical stories in dramatic form and delighted the many children eager to participate and learn.

The evening was spent relaxing and again spending time with the family of Pastor Ernesto.

Thursday and we again went in separate directions, some went off to sort out the water while a large group of us went to the crèche in Rundu where we were welcomed by the sweetest little children singing ‘telephone to Jesus everyday’ We spent time playing with the children and performing the story again. We were also able to bless the teacher with Chairs, cups, books, crayons, an alphabet mat and a blackboard for her school that has desperate need for “soo” many teaching aids.
The evening was spent, sharing, fellowshipping and for some to catch up on the soccer world cup and also some spending time with the Michinga family.

Friday was spent packing and resorting clothes for our trip to Indama. We thought we had experienced poverty but were shocked to discover that there were people even more needy. It was an emotional time but thanks to Matthew as after the emotional time spent there, reminded us that we were there to do Gods work and that we had to trust God to move in his time and in his way with the people. Highlighted the dryness of the land there with the dryness of a lot of the peoples lives, what should be our main food is Gods word.

Friday evening was the memorial service for Pastor Ernesto and we were able to share this sad time with the family. All in all it was a very emotional day. Saturday was a day of rest and people went off in various directions to do what they liked.

Sunday and we all got ready to go to church, 9.30 service just like home. Due to the weeks mourning the service was to be short and so as we had experienced last year church ended at 1.30..Short? Not like home! And with our last handing out of clothes, we had more or less developed a reasonably controllable system and by 3pm we were heading back to camp.

Camp had to be sorted as we were leaving for Etosha early the next morning for 3 days of rest, reflection and fellowship. Monday we arrived at Etosha and for the next 3 days we all soaked up Gods amazing creation, the bush and spent more time getting to know people. Some who snore like there’s no tomorrow, some who love tomato soo much they will eat it off the floor, some who massage and belly dance….. hmmmm we leave it to you to figure it out!!!!

Thursday 6am and we are on our way home, God blessed us with amazing people on this trip as had such an incredible time, no personality clashes, not even the girls… Best biltong in many a Namibian town was purchased, sorry vegetarians. Again we need to give thanks and glory to God who had his hand on us protecting us from a blow out, ( is that Pierre on his back under the car?) And another one 400 km further on!! What are the chances? A very tired but relieved crowd arrived at Orange River for a quick meal and into bed.

Friday the 14th July 5.30 am and a very tired motley crew scare the personal at the border post. Springbok 7am, cold and rainy, who ever guessed that a wimpy breakfast and coffee could taste this good? Yummy!!

Cape Town, the mountain in site, and in the words of the one and only donkey from shrek “ Are we there yet?” yes we were and are. Thank you Lord for your love and protection and for the chance to be your servant however small.

BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, TAKE A CHANCE ON JESUS, GO ON A MISSION TRIP, BE LIVING SACRIFICES, GIVE OF YOURSELVES AND YOUR TIME. AND SEE GODS HAN AT WORK IN OTHERS AS WELL AS YOU LIFE. "