Something of everything

I still cannot get used to what I see happening around me. Still, I am deeply touched by what I see, it keeps me busy, it captures me mind, it keeps me awake, it drives me closer to the Lord, it reinforces my desire to understand His thoughts and will, His ways, it encourages me to make plans and it inspires me to give my best ...

Our time in Namibia is so special to me. I think I realized even more the past month have again how desperately the world’s need is for our Redeemer, everywhere, worldwide.

Rock Lodge

Our work at the lodge is filled with emotions – challenging yet joyful, difficult yet encouraging and frustrating at times yet the perfect place for now. We are grateful to the Lord for the opportunities that we get at the African Leadership Institute (ALI). One of these are that we will begin to train the leaders of the public hospitals in Namibia in August. They are also working to put together a program for the Parliament of Namibia. This poses an extraordinary opportunity for ALI to make a national impact through the parliament leaders. It is impossible that someone go through the ALI training do without your boat being shaken and you come to the realization that you have to change to actually make a difference in the area where you are located ( your sphere of influence). We trust the Lord to continue His beautiful work in the lives of the each person trained at ALI – business, church, student, educational, municipal and political leaders.

Gobabis

Beginning of July we were in Gobabis for 3 days to visit kids who are being sponsored by individuals in the Netherlands through a foundation which Gijsbertha established in 2013. These individuals (from Gijsbertha’s Dutch network primarily) contribute financially towards the basic needs of specific school going children in the underprivileged areas. Every time that I'm in these townships, I will come to realize how the world is fallen and how urgent the people need the Truth, forgiveness of sins and deliverance from every false answer that the world throws at them. What brings me to tears is to see how people grab hold of these (false) answers and at the end only find themselves worst off. Our visit has grabbed my attention to reality…at least here in the poorest of communities in Namibia. Maybe that's because I know so much falsehood taught, especially at churches, and I know there are so many people, of whom many I know personally, are being deceived and on the wrong path. Every time I think about this I get the following flashes in my mind:

• Those girls of 12 with their babies on the arm, walking down the street, without purpose. How do these children grow up???

• The blind man that walks around with a stick and almost seem to fall. His torn clothing, broken shoes where the toes protrude. There is no one to guide him.

• Those seemingly arrogant primary school teachers who do the work only for the money and not thinking of the real needs of the children ... education. The cries of the children still rings in my ears…

• The lack of support for school-age children, the large number of school dropouts ... The backlog is so great!

• The cheeky children, boundless their contact ... a danger to themselves! • The frightened, shy children with broken lips, open wounds on their bodies ... infection and blood poisoning is close.

• The girls with little clothing on their bodies without realizing the message they are sending to all lustful men.

• I see those eyes hungry for love, attention and recognition! That cry for recognition, for purpose!

• Those drunk women with children in their arms aimlessly walking around ... I could cry when I think about it again!

• The devil that is so evident in the lives of the people, those who suffer from ignorance and unwillingness to be taught, but not only them, also their children.

• The eye of him who begs for money, smells of alcohol, that man does not cease to lie.

The cry for truth, the cry for peace, God's peace in the hearts of the people! Father help!

This is a burden that weighs me down, but I know I need to carry it. I have been called for this! This drives me to get funds to address the needs. Funds for youth camps, training and team buildings for children, youth and teachers of the school and church leaders. I'd love to shake them and tell them that it cannot continue like this. That change is possible, but in order to offer it to others they should change! That change is possible!

Opportunities

The training etc. which I want to organize are all being offered at the Rock Lodge…How is God not interested in the smallest details of our lives?! With thankful hearts we already organized a camp for end August and even received the necessary funds. An update on this in our next newsletter.

Personally

As for our personal lives, we are already 11 months happily married. Not a day goes by without us acknowledging our gratefulness. Despite still living in a small guest room on the lodge, we are enjoying our work here at the lodge, the environment and our network in Namibia.

USA

Jac-Louis is currently busy making arrangements for his trip to the USA, which is scheduled for November. He has been invited to attend a Sport Ministry training course, on how one can use sport as a tool to spread the Good News of Jesus. This course is also a “Train the Trainer” program, which entails that Jac-Louis and his team will host a similar trainings in Namibia after the course in the USA. This is a special opportunity for Jac-Louis as he also now, after serving at the Lodge for 2 years, get an opportunity to be more involved with Sport Ministry within Namibia on a daily basis. We still trust the Lord for provision for funds to realize this.

Our car (bakkie)

We are thankful to still borrow a car from Jac-Louis’ mother. It has served us well until now, but since our time in Gobabis we are again more seriously thinking about another, more reliable and suitable car for the work in Gobabis (transporting goods bought for the sponsor kids), Jac-Louis’ sport ministry activities and the Namibian roads. Currently, we’re buying half the stuff in Windhoek and the other half in Gobabis because it does not all fit into our car.

May we ask you to join us to pray for the next?

• The need in Namibia, Gobabis and the sponsor children

• The training of the hospital staff and the Parliament of Namibia through ALI

• Funds for Jac-Louis to attend the training in USA

• Provision for our bakkie Thank you for your prayers, e-mails, what's apps, mail and love!

Much love Jac-Louis and Gijsbertha

(written by Gijsbertha, translated by Jac-Louis :))