FAQs of this missionary in Namibia

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I thought it would be a neat idea to have a blog entry filled with "Frequently Asked Questions". When I was home in September, I was asked a number of questions about what life is like for me here in Namibia. I tried to write some of them down with this blog entry in mind. And thanks to others of you on Facebook who answered my request to ask even more questions, I've got a pretty hearty list made up. I know many of you are very familiar with my life here. But some of you have only popped in on the happenings of my time in Namibia sporadically so this will be a good way to play catch-up and fill in any gaps you might have about why I'm here, what I'm doing, what it's like and so on.

There were many questions and I tend to be a bit long-winded (no, I should call it thorough!) in responding, so it's a pretty lengthy entry. It took me a long time to get this one typed up. And honestly, I felt a bit like I was back in school doing a homework assignment! Ha! But I enjoyed answering all your questions and I think it's a fun way to share my life in Namibia with all of you. If you're limited on time, scroll through to the questions that most grab your interest.

Throughout the post you'll see pink colored bits. Those are links to additional information on the web or to previous blog entries I've written about whatever I'm referring to.

Here we go...

Are you in Namibia through the Peace Corps?

I am not in Namibia through the Peace Corps. I came to Namibia through a Christian organization called Africa Inland Mission. They work in many countries throughout Africa. So I came to Namibia through AIM and my assignment here is with FHS. (More on FHS to come...)

Why Namibia?

Good question. :) As AIM sought out the best placement for me, they asked what kind of ministry I was gifted in and interested in doing. I told them that I'd love to work with orphans and vulnerable children. As I told them that I thought to myself, "I'm sure they hear that ALL the time!" But in fact, a small percentage of AIM missionaries are working directly with children. I was a bit more unique than I thought! :) AIM missionaries in Namibia have been focusing a lot on children and youth over the past several years, so AIM suggested this as a good fit. They were right on target!

Where is Namibia?

Namibia is located in Southern Africa. It is below Angola on the West coast, borders South Africa on its southern end, and has Botswana on the eastern border.

How do you raise money?

This is a great question, and I know that there are some of you also considering going to the mission field. This is probably one of the biggest questions hanging over your head as you're sorting everything out. :) It's different depending on your sending agency, etc., but here's what it looked like for me...

In order to come to Namibia I had to be fully supported a couple months before my departure date. Because I came longer than one-year, I needed to get people and churches back home to support me on a monthly basis. I also had to raise some money up front to cover things like plane tickets, medical check-ups, immunizations, etc. My support raising efforts varied. I sent out support letters to anyone I could think of telling them about my calling to Africa and what I planned to do in Namibia. I asked them if they would commit to praying for me, supporting me one-time or monthly, or both. I also spoke at any church that would let me. Since I've been in full-time ministry for several years, a lot of people were already familiar with what I'd been up to and were curious to hear more about my desire to go to Africa. Most churches invited me to come without me even having to ask. I also organized various fundraisers including a night of gospel music, a big craft fair and rummage sale, and sold my jewelry to help raise my outgoing funds. (There some great resources out there for anyone needing some guidance on support raising. This book is one.)

What's it like over there?

This is obviously a very broad question, but it was asked in multiple ways multiple times when I was back home. I'm never exactly sure how to answer it when its asked. Sometimes I don't really know the people who ask (i.e. cashiers, waiters, etc.), so then I don't know their background and what they're really wanting to know. My answer is usually different every time I get a question like this. I always first silently ask myself, "Is this person really interested? Or do they just want a quick answer because they find it strange that I live in Africa?" So I base my answer to them on that answer to myself. So what's it like over here? It's hot. :) It's been an incredible experience. The kids are precious. It's a million and one different things. It's challenging. It's fun. It's super exciting. It's been one big adventure. And hopefully, through my answers to these other questions, you'll begin to get an even better idea of what it's like over here...

Do you have to eat any bugs?

I have not had to eat any bugs. I have been offered mopane worms, which is supposedly a delicacy here, but thankfully I knew the lady well enough to decline without any offense. :)

What do you eat there? You don't eat goat head every day, right?

Windhoek has grocery stores similar to those back home... although the cereal selection is a lot more limited! When I was home in September I about croaked in the middle of Walmart with how long the cereal aisle is. I had to turn around and come back another day! But yeah, I eat a lot of the same foods as back home. My roommates and I cook dinner a few nights a week. We eat a lot of pasta. I buy chicken and beef. We'll make sandwiches, they have chips (though not as many good ones as back home), and they even have ice cream (also not as good as back home). Windhoek has loads of restaurants, most are really yummy ones! So we'll splurge for a meal out occasionally and enjoy Italian or pizza... even sushi (definitely not as good as back home!). So no, I don't have to eat goat head every day. Thankfully! Once was enough!

Is it really hot there?

It does get really hot here. Certain parts of the country can get above 130 in the summer. In some of these places the hot sand can literally melt sandals off your feet! I'm thankful to live in a bit of a breezy city. Without the wind it would feel a lot hotter. The sun seems more powerful here than back home. Everyone seeks shade wherever they can find it. On the hot days here in Windhoek I guess it gets around 100 or a little above. Usually, however, the mornings and evenings are quite pleasant since it's a desert climate.

Does it get cold there? Do you get all four seasons in Namibia?

It does get cold here. We have a short winter where temperatures can drop below freezing. This winter I bought an electric blanket that goes under the bottom sheet because I was so cold I was having trouble sleeping at night. Homes here do not have heat, so that's a big difference from back in the States. And if I'm cold in a proper house, I can't imagine how people in Katutura handle winter living in shack houses with gaps and holes all throughout.

Do you feel safe? Is it considered dangerous to live there or is it just like living in a big city in the states?

I do feel safe the majority of the time. When you come to Windhoek, it's easy to get the illusion that it's a completely safe town. It's very modern and parts of it look similar to back home. But there are those who are out to take advantage of others (just like in many cities throughout the world). There are other places in Africa I would feel a lot less safe, but Namibia is a very stable country compared to others and I feel like it has an average crime rate. The children living in Katutura tell a different tale, however, reporting to us gun shots they've heard during the night or stabbings they've witnessed. It is difficult in any area like Katutura to have so many people living in such close proximity to one another and the not-so-great living conditions probably increase the tension. There have been incidences among our missionaries since I've been here where purses and belongings have been stolen in a "mugging" situation. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. I am also thankful that I have had no such incidences and I'm sure God has protected me more than I even realize. It's important to never put yourself in a situation where you're likely to get in trouble, so using your brain and staying alert help! :)

Do you know anyone there?

Before I arrived, I didn't know anyone here. I had hardly heard of Namibia at all! Since I've been here I've made many friends, some seem like family. There are a lot of missionaries in Namibia from all over the world, so it feels like a very international community at times.

What is FHS exactly? What all do they do? Is it like an orphanage?

Family of Hope Services (FHS) is a local social welfare non-profit organization that ministers to orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers and families. Some of their programs include a feeding program, a remedial program to assist out of school learners in returning to the formal school system, an after school enrichment program which provides a variety of fun learning activities and games, a bike project to help generate income for FHS, and a garden project which grows vegetables for the feeding program.

It's not an orphanage because the children do not live at the center. They come and go from their homes each day. Although it's not an orphanage, the children are referred to as "orphans and vulnerable children". An orphan can be defined as a child who has lost one or both parents. So some still live with both parents. Many others live with an aunt/uncle or grandparent(s). Whether the child has lost a parent or not, all the children at FHS are considered vulnerable children because they face many obstacles for various reasons when it comes to their health, education, and general wellbeing. I'd personally say that all children in Katutura can be defined in this way because of their living conditions and limited resources.

How many children do you teach?

I'm currently teaching one class. There are between 5-15 children in my class depending on how many come each time. There are over 100 kids that come to FHS in the morning for either the enrichment program or the remedial program, and around 40 that come in the afternoons. I help with activities for them sometimes as well.

What all subjects and grades do you teach?

I'm teaching a creative writing class with some photography mixed in from time to time. The children range in age from 10-14 and are in grades 5-8.

What kind of work do you do there? Just teaching or other stuff too?

I only teach the class one day a week, so I do many other things too. At FHS, I've helped with some of the children's psychosocial and behavioral issues. I taught a short workshop for the teachers on positive discipline. I help out with craft time during the enrichment program. I help Ouma and Ester with the feeding program, serving food to the kids and washing and drying dishes. I play, play, and play some more with the kids! I love getting them to smile and laugh. Tickling the little ones is always fun! They get a kick out of it and try to tickle me back. :) I sit and chat with the kids, try to get to know them better, and try to encourage them as they struggle through school and life in general.

What kinds of things do you do there on a daily basis? Tell me about what a typical day might be like.

There are 3 basic options for what my day might be like.

Option 1: I spend most the day at the center doing some of the things I mentioned above, coming back home either to relax, or heading out for the afternoon or evening with friends.

Option 2: I spend half my day at FHS and half my day doing admin* stuff for AIM.

Option 3: I spend most the day doing admin stuff for AIM. (These are my least favorite days if I'm honest...)

*Some of you may remember the transition time I had last November when our Unit Leader and his family left to go back to the States. I ended up moving into the AIM house and taking over the administrative duties for AIM in Namibia. Although I know God had His hands in all of that, it has been a challenge for me both with the admin learning curve, and with having to put so much time towards office work (and standing in ridiculously long lines in town) instead of spending that time with the kids.

What language do the people speak in Namibia?

Although English is the official language, there are 28 languages spoken in Namibia! About half the people speak Oshiwambo as a first language. And Afrikaans is also popular and widely-known as it was the pre-Independence language (prior to 1990, along with German). Other languages include Diriku, Herero, Lozi, Tswana, Kwangali, Mbukushu, and Kwanyama. If you've ever seen "The God's Must Be Crazy" you heard the real "click" language of the San people of Namibia. There are other Namibian languages as well with similar sounds. My friend Nova's language has clicks in it. It's so interesting to hear her speak it. Those languages are extremely difficult to learn.

Is the language a barrier? How do you carry on conversations when they speak another language?

To the first question... yes and no. Since English is the official language, I can get by fairly easily without speaking another language. The younger generation has mastered English pretty well. There are older men and women who do not speak much English, Ouma and Ester are two examples. So carrying on a conversation with them is either through a translator or in a caveman type language--small words, very short and basic phrases (you can't call them full sentences), a lot of head nodding, hand gestures, and smiling. :) I do feel like I miss out on a lot in my relationship with them because they are constantly speaking in Oshiwambo, often cutting up and laughing, so I know they are fun and hilarious women, but humor doesn't carry over well through a translator. Of course I still laugh with them, but it's not the same as knowing exactly what they say when they say it. There are also children in villages I've visited that do not speak English, so it's difficult to fully interact with them. Nova's little cousin Tsaura, for example, talks her head off to me in Damara but I have no idea what she's saying and she obviously can't understand me either. :( I do believe that learning the local language is an important part of ministry and sharing the Gospel. It is a special thing when people who can hear or read about Jesus in their own language. I admit that I could have done more to learn at least one of the languages, but I have learned some greetings and phrases and enjoyed seeing the huge smiles from the locals when I greet them in their language.

How was it like to adjust to the culture?

I found it pretty easy to adjust to the culture here. As you can imagine with all the languages here, there are many cultures represented in Namibia. I've been introduced to some more than others. The ones I'm most familiar with have been wonderful and very hospitable. I lived with a local family for three months near the beginning of my time here. My time with them was so wonderful and wasn't much of a culture shock. They are a middle-class family, so they live similarly to my own family back home. A lot of TV-watching, get-togethers with family members, pretty normal meals, regular church attendance, etc. It would be a greater adjustment living outside the city in a village somewhere. I have spent time in some of these villages and it would be more challenging for me to live there, not only adjusting to the culture but also to living conditions, access to water and variety in my diet. Although Windhoek is the capital city and there are many things here similar to back home, it is still quite a shock heading back to the States with even more choices and distractions around you. Often missionaries experience "reverse culture shock" when they head back home.

What is the number one thing you wish someone had told you before you moved?

I've been pondering this question all day. I can't think of my best answer to this question. I've thought about certain challenges that I've had here, dealing with interpersonal issues with missionaries and locals, learning to be patient in town when I'm standing in long lines and driving behind taxis, observing differences in the way locals do things and the way I do things, coping with difficult things happening back home when I'm so far away, etc. But all of those things I think I did expect before I came. I don't think there's anything in there I really wish someone would have told me to save me some grief or whatever. So as far as any big things, I can't really think of anything. What I do remember wishing when I arrived is that someone would have told me that Namibia has winters! I brought no clothes to prepare myself for that. I didn't even bring a pair of jeans. My mom shipped one over and I bought a pair here. So I felt very unprepared for the cold months and had to build up a winter wardrobe as I went along. I suppose that's my best answer. It is frustrating when you arrive at a place far from home and you wish someone had told you to bring something that you have in abundance back home and now will have to do without or spend money unnecessarily to buy again.

Did you like the lion walk? Did you ever think of what could have happened when you were petting those lions?

I LOVED IT! This was undoubtedly one of my most favorite African experiences! I mean, how many people can say they've walked with lions? So cool!! Did I ever think of what could have happened? Not really. I'm pretty brave when it comes to these things. I figure if they haven't had an incident yet, more than likely nothing bad will happen to me either. Although it was funny because the night before this lion walk and elephant ride, my friend and I had watched some kind of "when animals attack" show on Animal Planet. NOT the best thing to watch the day before your own wild animal encounter! Ha!

What's the national religion, or what do most people you've encountered seem to believe?

80-90% of Namibians identify themselves as Christian. According to Operation World 12.2% of Namibians are Evangelicals. (Click here for a definition of terms). African traditional religions would be second to Christianity, and supposedly Islam is third with 3-5% of the population claiming Muslim beliefs. So most of the people I've encountered call themselves Christians. Most seem to have heard of Christ, though I know that is not the case with everyone, especially in some of the outlying regions and villages.

How easy is it to witness in Namibia?

Witnessing in Namibia can probably be as easy as you make it. People here are generally very friendly, so striking up a conversation with most anyone typically wouldn't be that difficult. People are often curious about me anyway, especially when I'm in places where my skin really stands out because I'm in the vast minority--like... the ONLY white person in sight. And since most people call themselves Christians, having a conversation about Christianity could be very easy. I guess the challenge comes in trying to get people to go deeper with their faith. Many will claim to be a Christian and know everything about it, but I'm not sure many are actually living it out. And a lot of people mix Christianity with their traditional beliefs as well, so that waters everything down and can radically distort the truth.

What's the climate toward Christianity?

Generally open and friendly.

Is teaching the Gospel something FHS is able to do legally there?

Yes! :) Most schools are allowed to use Christian materials as well. That's a wonderful blessing in this country!

What do you enjoy most about your time in Namibia?

Being with the kids and loving on them. I also enjoy spending time with my local friends here. I thank God for bringing each of them to my life and the unique blessings that each of them brings. I have also been blessed with many opportunities to travel around and see various parts of the country. I treasure those times and have lots of great memories--and photos!!

How is your life different there than here?

I find that my life back home is filled with more distractions. Here, I feel quite immersed in ministry. People in need could show up at my door anytime. I'm face to face with children on a regular basis who are desperate for love and attention. Back home my time can easily be spent more selfishly, where here I feel constantly pulled in every direction to help or serve someone. Yes, that can be very tiring, but it's also fulfilling because I came to Namibia to be used by God. And He's definitely using me! I hope that when I go back home I can remain with that attitude and continue to have a desire to constantly serve others.

What are your greatest challenges?

Staying energized for the work before me. It is tiring work in many ways. Some mornings are easier than others to be motivated for the day ahead. Of course I love what I do here and I love the kids, but the work can be draining. And when I stop and consider the issues that are facing these children and families I can become quite overwhelmed! How can I really help them? How can I really change their situations? Continuing your work in a highly overwhelming environment is not easy. I trust God for my strength and I trust Him for wisdom to know how to do whatever He sets before me each new day.

When in December will you return?

I will arrive back in Maryville, TN on December 15th. I'm excited to be home for Christmas and I know those first couple weeks will be busy as I spend time with family and enjoy all the great festivities of Christmastime. I'll actually be leaving again two weeks after I arrive for a 10-day trip to Israel. (That opportunity is a very special blessing I'm looking forward to!) But by mid-January I'll be settled back in Maryville and will have more time to start visiting with everyone! :)

What makes you want to go back again?

The people. The relationships I have built here with people of all ages have become so special to me. I'd love to come back from time to time to see how everyone is doing, how the children are growing, and what's new in their lives. I want to keep those relationships going and it will be hard to communicate much once I get back to the States. Coming back when I can will be the best way to stay in touch. This country is also so beautiful and so unique. It's a wonderful place to come and visit. And I love the ministry here and I know there is such a need among these people, children especially, to be loved and to learn more about the love God has for them.


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2 comments:

Stacy E said...

I loved reading this. Even though I've kept up with your blog regularly, I still had some of these same questions. It's good to get even more insight into what you deal with personally and in your ministry. I can't wait to hear even more about it when I see you next month!

LOVE!

November 5, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Jess :) said...

I *JUST* found this blog - what a blessing! I've been researching different missions that serve in Namibia specifically and most of my searches have been frustratingly fruitless. BUT I'm so glad I found your blog and your post from 2010! :) Keep on serving!!! :)

March 20, 2012 at 11:08 PM

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About Me
In 2005 God asked me to surrender my life to His plans and purpose. Everything changed. From Mexico to New Orleans to Namibia to Haiti it's been one incredible adventure with the Lord after another. This blog is a piece of that journey.

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