24 -17
Twenty-four hours on the plane and 17 great new friends. . . . one by one, many of my fears have been relieved this week. I feel peace and strength and wonder all in one. This place is like Europe and the Bahamas, in one. The tea and curtians of Europe, with tropical plants, bright colors and poverty, like the Bahamas. This is Windhoek.
Last night about 8 of us went out to a neat little place for a couple drinks and to chat about our times. The place was so western and cute with yellowish-tan walls, tile floors and black barstools, with splashes of red around the room. I had my first Namibian beer. This one tasted like one of our domestics but a little more hoppy. We chatted and laughed as we talked of our lives at home and our new lives here, that are about to begin. As we walked back to our rooms the sky was full of a million stars and somehow deep inside, it seemed so familiar, something like home.
The next big step sits waiting right around the corner. It is mysterious and unknown but foreshadowed with glimmers of hope like a year long volunteer to show me around and principal who makes jokes on the phone. My fear of now, is every day life. It is living in a place that is not home, but which must be my home for the next 9 weeks. It is getting up in the freezing cold morning and trying to take a shower. It is living with a family that I don't know. It is finding, or maybe, making home.
Molly our field director, who has been doing all of our orientation has been wonderful. She's probably 28 and went to IU, but is from Oregon. We all decided last night that we like her so much we want to have her children. I don't think I will, but you get the idea.
Jesus is still somewhat of a mystery to me here. I see posters advertising a national day of prayer with T.D. Jakes type figures in blue and purple suits with charisma on their faces. I see banners with cheesy writting that says, "Jesus is my Shepherd." I hear everyone's a Christian, but for most, it is just in word and not deed. Further emersion will tell more. Even still, I cannot know the hearts of all, only mine own will I keep.
Tonight we're going to a traditional Heraro dinner where our feature meat will be a 'smile.' Any guesses? A smile is a goat head served up hot and ready for us to try a cheek or a piece of it's neck. Excited. yeah.
Until next time. . .
Last night about 8 of us went out to a neat little place for a couple drinks and to chat about our times. The place was so western and cute with yellowish-tan walls, tile floors and black barstools, with splashes of red around the room. I had my first Namibian beer. This one tasted like one of our domestics but a little more hoppy. We chatted and laughed as we talked of our lives at home and our new lives here, that are about to begin. As we walked back to our rooms the sky was full of a million stars and somehow deep inside, it seemed so familiar, something like home.
The next big step sits waiting right around the corner. It is mysterious and unknown but foreshadowed with glimmers of hope like a year long volunteer to show me around and principal who makes jokes on the phone. My fear of now, is every day life. It is living in a place that is not home, but which must be my home for the next 9 weeks. It is getting up in the freezing cold morning and trying to take a shower. It is living with a family that I don't know. It is finding, or maybe, making home.
Molly our field director, who has been doing all of our orientation has been wonderful. She's probably 28 and went to IU, but is from Oregon. We all decided last night that we like her so much we want to have her children. I don't think I will, but you get the idea.
Jesus is still somewhat of a mystery to me here. I see posters advertising a national day of prayer with T.D. Jakes type figures in blue and purple suits with charisma on their faces. I see banners with cheesy writting that says, "Jesus is my Shepherd." I hear everyone's a Christian, but for most, it is just in word and not deed. Further emersion will tell more. Even still, I cannot know the hearts of all, only mine own will I keep.
Tonight we're going to a traditional Heraro dinner where our feature meat will be a 'smile.' Any guesses? A smile is a goat head served up hot and ready for us to try a cheek or a piece of it's neck. Excited. yeah.
Until next time. . .
posted by Mandy at 3:27 AM
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