July 31, 2009

Moora!  This is a bitter sweet email for me because I’m excited to share with you about our safari we went on but today is our last day here   I’m looking forward to being home but I’m going to miss this place and our family here.

Our safari on Tuesday was a blast!  It’s a 2 hour jeep ride through some of the most beautiful land here.  Our jeeps held 13 people each and had stadium type seating so everyone had a great view.  I’ve attached a few pics of what we saw.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get any of the giraffes on my phone.  They were so beautiful.  We’ll have to share those pictures when we get home.  Besides  the giraffes, we saw warthogs, crocodiles, baboons, rhinos, and many others.  Our driver would feed the rhinos so they came right up to the jeep.  We saw a baby rhino whose mother was very protective.  As we were leaving, the mom rhino took a swipe at our jeep and came very close to getting Tate (but nobody got hurt).  The whole tour was pretty exciting!  It’s so hard to describe with words.  After the tour, we had lunch at the restaurant there.  Good food and a beautiful view.  The boys had fun chasing the warthogs that were just outside the restaurant until they were told to stop.

Later that night,  we took George & Mommy out to dinner at the restaurant at the dam (where we had the baptisms) for Mommy’s birthday.  She was so excited and happy that we would do this for her.  She is an amazing woman with a heart of gold.

Yesterday was Katie’s birthday.  It was so special to be able to celebrate here in Africa.  Mr. Tony made her special cinnamon and sugar pancakes.  They were so good.  I got here a jacket from the high school where she has been ministering for the past 2 weeks.  Kids were singing happy birthday wherever she went.  The A team came to the Catholic Aids Mission in the afternoon and Katie was treated to an African hair do.  Pics attached.   Every night, George & Mommy’s kids join us for dinner and devotions.  It has been so special to get to know these kids and hear their stories.  They will always have a special place in my heart.

I may be able to get in one last update before we leave.  In case I don’t, I can’t thank you all enough for your love, support, and especially your prayers.  We have definitely felt covered by them.  Love you all and will see you soon.  AnnMarie
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July 29, 2009

Hello to all!  The email connection was down for about a day and then I accidentally deleted my last update.  It is now wednesday night here and a lot has happened.  Yesterday, we went on a SAFARI!  It was incredible but I’ll share that with you on the next email.
This week, the “A” team has been back at the high school doing their abstinence program.  They have touched so many lives and have been such a blessing to the kids there sharing the promise of hope.  On Monday the team, including Kevin Kridner, went to the clinic to have an AIDS test taken.  The kids wanted to show the students of the high school how easy it is to be tested.  I went too because you need to have a parent there if you’re under 16, which Katie is.  Of course our kids passed with flying colors!
The Believe (VBS) team is at the Catholic AIDS Mission this week.  This organization feeds soup to the orphaned kids of Block E.  90-150 kids everyday come for soup between 12:30 & 3pm.  There are over 750 kids on their registry.  Our first day there, it seemed more like 250-300 had come for soup!  The ages of these kids are as young as 2 up to about high school.  Either their parents died from AIDS or are too sick to take care of them.  They live with whatever family will take them in.  Our kids are there to help serve soup, play games, sing, and do crafts with the children.  I’ve attached photos of some of the kids with their little red bowls of soup.  It’s heartbreaking to think that this may be the only meal they get all day.  The Catholic Aids Mission also try to provide clothing, blankets, and medicine for those who are ill.  I’ll share more about this organization and how we plan to help them in the future.

We also had a couple more days going out with Mommy doing care & compassion in Block E.  Attached are pics of the team that went out today and also a pic of one of the homes we went to.  The picture of the home is actually 3 homes altogether (if you can imagine it).  It’s humbling and sad to think that some of the people we visit and pray with may not be here next year.  Kevin shared with us that one man he visited on Friday, Pieatrus, was suffering from AIDS and TB (the 2nd highest disease here).  He passed away over the weekend.  There are so many similar stories, too numerous to count.   It’s so overwhelming but I know that God is using us here, even if it feels like we’re barely scratching the surface.  Please continue to keep our team and this beautiful town of Rehoboth in your prayers.  Our God is an awesome God!

Well, it’s late and we have another early, busy day tomorrow.  But it’s a very special day as we will be celebrating my Katie turning 15!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!
Love you all tons, AnnMarie
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July 27, 2009

What an amazing weekend we had!  Saturday, we went to the Town Hall to sit in on a Young Achievers meeting.  This is a group of about 350 high school and college age kids that meet every Saturday in Windhoek to talk about having visions and goals set for yourself and how to achieve them.  The group is looking to start a charter group here in Rehoboth.  They had a good turnout of kids here and I pray it’s a continued success. (photo attached). We had a pretty low-key rest of the day.

Sunday we went to George & Mommy’s church.  It’s a very small church but the people that were there had a very enthusiastic and energetic way of worshiping our Lord.  It was a very long service (2 1/2 hours) but was a joy to be a part of.  The best part of the day was when we all went to the dam/lake (George & Mommy’s kids too) and shared in witnessing some of our kids being baptized.  Lexi, Ryley, Brent, & Maxine were all baptized in the (freezing cold) waters of Africa.  It was the most special time.  Afterwards, the worship team (CJ, Matthew, Katie, & Brooke) led us in a few songs and we ended in a circle of prayer.  It was amazing!  (photos attached).
After the baptisms we invited George, Mommy & kids to an “American Braai”.  We bbq’d hamburgers, and had baked beans, chips, and soda.  It was pretty good but not quite like back home.  After the braai, 2 more of our kids wanted to be baptized;  Stephanie and Liz.  Kevin baptized them in the spa (water was much warmer).  Unfortunately I don’t have any photos to show you because the pictures came out too dark.  There were regular photos taken from many other cameras that will be shared when we return.
It’s now 10pm Monday and I will have to put today’s events in my next update.  We had another amazing day today.  Looking forward to sharing all the good things that God is doing here in Rehoboth.  God bless,  AnnMarie
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During our off time, some of the kids go over to George & Mommy’s bakery to help cut and bag bread.  Their bakery makes over 600 loaves of bread a day and make 3 deliveries to the local markets a day.  The bread is soooooo good too! Attached are a couple of pics with some team members hard at work.
We’re going to a Young Achievers conference at the town hall today.  Will update on that in my next email.
Love and blessings to all,AnnMarie
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July 22, 2009

The “A” Team (abstinence team) have spent the mornings at the high school.  What an incredible blessing they have been to the students there by  sharing their testimonies and giving these kids hope.

The “Believe” team (VBS) have had an amazing impact on the kids at the elem. school.  The first day we had over 260 kids show up.  It was quite overwhelming (this was just 5th-7th graders).  Eric, the vice principal, limited it to only 6th graders the next day (only 98 kids).  Today we will have 5th grade with about 140 kids.

Last night, the team went to the Dam to watch the sunset.  It was the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen!  Matthew and Brooke played worship music on their guitars while the sun was setting (and yes, they hauled their guitars all the way up to the top of the hill).  Couldn’t feel any more in God’s presence than at that moment.

We appreciate your continued prayers!

Update excerpts sent today from Kim Walsh-Sorensen and Kevin Kridner:

This really has been a no frills trip and God is blessing us overwhelmingly. The abstinence program is taking ground back from the enemy in a huge way and the Believe (VBS) program is doing the same at Oanob. The team is unified, prepared and going into battle to take back for God what is rightfully his. Their sense of purpose and mission is unrivaled.
All that to say, our God will supply all our needs according to his riches. We are doing his work and he has promised to take care of his children.The abstinence program seems to be a huge success and the VBS program is going well also. I have been touched by some of the Oanob Primary kids that remember us from last year and give us big hugs!  Some even have come to visit us from Rehoboth High School.

The stomach bug is making its way through the team but everyone has been super supportive of each other. All the team seems to be in great spirits and watching them show Gods love unto their Afrikan family and others is just beautiful to observe.

Sent today from a team member, AnnMarie…

Hello to all,  we just returned from seeing Block E and the school that we will be ministering to in the coming days.  Block E is indescribable.  There were 2 vans of team members that Kevin and mike took to a hill that over-looks block E.   This is an area that houses the poorest of the poor, and ones that have been affected by aids.  The team was overcome with emotion and hearts were breaking for these people.  I’m tearing up as I’m writing this to you.  I’ll share more about block E in the coming days.  

One thing that did happen to us as we were leaving is one of the vans got stuck in the sand.  The people that saw us came over to help.  The men and boys there took a fence down next to their house (and I use that term house loosely) so they can push the van to more solid ground.  They asked us for nothing for helping us!  Mike and Kim went into town to get supplies and we’re making some food to bring back to them.  They’re very hungry.  Pray that we can feed as many as we can.  There are so many of them.    

The children of the school welcomed us with open arms, literally!  I’m a hugger by nature and was in “hug heaven”!  Can’t wait to go back and just love on them.

The team this morning woke up tired from the long trip, but their energy has been renewed after our trip this morning.  Continue prayer for good health and safety and that God uses us all in amazing ways.  

Here are just a couple of sample homes from Block E.  Now imagine over a thousand of these homes covering a small area.  It’s unimaginable that people are living like this.  But they have a joy that we cannot believe and they would give you their last bite of food if you needed it.  

The team is doing great and they love playing with the kids here and singing worship songs together.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Dear friends,

Please pray that God would open doors for us here in Rehoboth and that the fire that is started here would spread until the continent is consumed.  God is getting ready to move powerfully here. I can feel it!  Whatever happens, however God chooses to move please pray that he will open the hearts and minds of the people and remove all obstacles. I will update you on what is happening as it happens. Thank you for your love and support! 

Kevin

He who is in you is greater than he who is in this world!

The remaining team members depart tonight! The Kingdom is on the move!