|
Namibia
Hello team and friends,
Well, we're "home alone" again after a busy two weeks with a team of 7 doing a Children's Teacher Training and a Holiday Club.
Children's Teacher Training:
Pastor Larry from our church, CHCC, led the team doing the teacher training. First was a pastor's meeting of about 45, then 3 days training 150 children's workers using the Kidzana material. Larry preached at Pastor Stephan's church on Sunday and then had a "practical" that afternoon where the teachers got a chance to use what they learned with a group of children.
All the feedback reports were awesome. The team did a great job of teaching and it was well received. They all gained more passion for children's ministry. They learned many new ways to effectively teach the children using materials and resources easily accessible to those with minimal funds. The teaching was very valuable, interactive, interesting, and fun.
It is much desired by all that Larry and a team will come back again next year. Pastor Mali from Swaziland was here also for the training and the first day of the Holiday Club. God willing, the Kidzana training will come to both Swaziland and Namibia next year.
Holiday Club:
After the teacher training, a Holiday Club was held in a poor suburb of Windhoek called Katutura. Of our team, only Marshall Thompson stayed on after the first day. We were helped by many who had gone through the teacher training. One group of about ten from Bloemfontein helped for the week. Another group led by Desmond helped for the week. And, three from Okahandja where we had the HC the last 2 years also helped. They all did a great job to make this Holiday Club a success.
The attendance started out very low because, to our surprise and disappointment, there was no promotion for the HC. We had to go out in the streets to get some kids to come. It grew the first day to about 190! By the end of the week we had about 350! The kids were separated in two groups. The 5 to 8 year olds were in the big tent, the 9 to 12 year olds were in the church building.
All the younger ones kept responding each day to the alter call to get Jesus in their hearts..... they just want Jesus! The older ones understood that it is a decision you need to make once and then it's a life you need to live. About half of them said yes to Jesus during the week! The others were challenged in their faith to live for Him. They all had a great time enjoying the singing, dancing, skits, puppets, games, prizes, memory verses, and Bible stories.
Personal Stuff:
We are staying in a wonderful furnished 2 bedroom flat in a very nice suburb of Windhoek. Stephan found this flat for us so we could have a lower cost place to stay (for almost 2 months) until the big team of 20 joins us. Then we will all stay together in the town of Mariental for the city wide ministry there. We love it here. We are close to everything and have quiet, safe streets for our daily walks. The weather is terrific....warm with blue skies almost every day! We are using Stephan's car. It seated all 7 of us when Larry's team was here.
Next week we start the preparation work for the Mariental Holiday Club, Women of Value Conference, and evening adult tent meetings. Our friends Jean and Magda (ex CEF workers) will join in with us this year. Also, our good friends Desmond and Isabel will be ministering with us. Of course, Stephan and his family will be with us. Several other trained HC workers may join us also.
Pastor Stephan Stuff:
Stephan has been doing great in his new position at Transformation Namibia. It's been a very busy season for him. He just finished the Global Day of Prayer Sunday. He was responsible for mobilizing the nation for this event. Sunday he led 3000 in a soccer stadium for 4 hours of worship and prayer. What an awesome event! This was carried live on national radio. There were 30 other towns in Namibia who had also gathered together for this event.
Stephan's position with Transformation Namibia affords him great opportunity to impact his nation for Christ! He did a great job organizing the Children's Teacher Training. He is now busy with the Prisoners for Christ preparations as well as the Holiday Club preps. He also preaches often, leads prayer groups, officiates at weddings and funerals, and is active in many other ministry activities. And, if that's not enough, he is interviewed on the radio often!
He's a wonderful man of God doing an awesome job. He's Spirit filled, approachable, compassionate, peaceful, insightful, wise, and strategic. Can you tell? We really love this guy!
Well, that's enough for now, we love you all and thanks for the prayers. And, please keep praying for the effective completion of this mission to the children of Namibia and Swaziland.
Blessings,
Hank and Joyce
|