Greetings once again from Africa. I want to thank you all for your continued support and prayers for me and for the mission team here in Namibia. Here's a little update from the dusty little town of Opuwo...
    Dust. I tell you, here in Opuwo, that word takes on a whole new meaning. For five months there has been no rain. The passing cars churn the dirt roads into clouds of choking dust. For us foreigners who aren't used to the dust, it can become a real trial. For months, I have had a cough whenever I talk for a long time or even take a deep breath. Anything that sits collects dust--not in a matter of weeks but in a matter of days or even hours! The other day I was at the home of Charlie Eklund, one of the career missionaries here. Suddenly I heard a friend calling: "Come quickly! Quickly! Look over there!" 
Continue reading "African Adventures #6"

Cleaning. Cooking. Doing dishes. Commuting to work. Checking e-mail. Running errands. Entertaining guests. Fixing things around the house. Do these tasks sound familiar to anyone? What does this have to do with being a missionary? Aren't missionaries those people who take a Bible and picture roll out to the jungle villages and preach to the natives? Aren't missionaries supposed to have clinics and schools and hold meetings and baptize lots of people? Yes--missionaries do do these things. But they also do other things. Like sweeping the floor, and cooking, and shopping, and just spending time making friends. In fact--most of the day-to-day life of a missionary isn't spent baptizing people or preaching, but in doing the day-to-day tasks that anyone else does, whether in America or in any other part of the world.
Continue reading "African Adventures #5"

When I wrote last week, I actually had more to say about the people here, but while I was writing, I received a call over the radio that I was needed at the clinic as soon as possible because much prayer was needed. Thinking that there was a deathly sick patient there, I hurriedly finished the thought I was typing at the time, shut down the computer, and then hiked the quarter mile back to the clinic as fast as I could in my malarial weakened state. When I got there, I saw a large group of people crowded around the corner of my porch (which is attached to the clinic). I walked up to our clinic nurse, Wendy, and asked her what was going on. She looked tense and said they weren't sure, but it seemed like some kind of satanic harrassment, and tha everyone was gathered around her to pray for her.
Continue reading "The Power of God!"

I'll never forget it as long as I live. Nor will I ever be able to get the sound out of my mind.

I was helping out in the clinic earlier today with the normal flow of patients for a Sunday morning, when around 11:30 am we heard someone coming up the trail wailing. We looked to see Buba carrying his younger sister, our friend, 15 year old Nurgina on his back. She had her eyes closed and was screaming at the top of her lungs, "Meningkag siu ne, meningkag siu ne..." (let's pray, let's pray...)

Continue reading "Nurgina"

The people and culture here are very different from what we know in America.  For the most part, everything opperates at a very slow pace compared to what we're used to.  In general, the locals aren't in a big rush to get things done.  For that matter, they don't have alot of things that need to be done.  Most of their days consist of working in their fields—cleared from the jungle on the side of a mountain slope so steep that if you slip and fall, there's a very good chance that you'll keep rolling until you roll right off the end of the field (or in some cases, right off the mountain)—or gathering food.  Aside from that, some people make various types of crafts which they sell along with any excess food they might have.
Continue reading "People of Palawan"

I was so excited!  I mean i was jazzed!  I was jumping-up-and-down excited!  
why? because it was april 12, and the next day would be the first offical
day of Songkran!  what? don't tell me you don't know what Songkran is!  You
poor deprived people!  Songkran is the annual three day thai waterfight!  
For three days in the middle of april, everything in thailand closes down,
and people spend all day throwing water at eachother!  I'm not making this
up!
Continue reading "Songkran"

    When was the last time you spent a week in a village on a tiny island in
the middle of endless water, grasses, and water lilies? Paddled a dugout
canoe to church? Gave a sermon in a church with dung walls and a dirt floor?
Slept in a thatched-roof home? Or took a bath in a river infested with
crocodiles? When was the last time you stood on the edge of a 300 foot cliff,
and watched one of the major rivers of the world pour into the canyon at your
feet? When was the last time you saw a rainbow so close you could actually
touch it? Or climbed a sand dune? Or walked on the moon?    How many of you have ever thought of becoming a missionary? I tell
you--you can't beat the job description. Well--on most counts that is. I miss
all you folks terribly, but I tell you--life here is great! The past few
weeks, as usual, have been filled with adventure. Actually--I've had more
adventure recently than I think I've had in most of my life. I really feel
guilty keeping all this fun to myself so I figured it was time to write you
all an e-mail and share some of the adventures.

Continue reading "African Adventures #4"

So I'm back, with part 2 of my saga.  But before I launch into this, I must
type a disclaimer:  I am a very blunt, down-to-earth type of person, and I'm
a CNA - nothing grosses me out.  So if you are the squeemish type, you
probably should avoid reading this, though it will be very educational! 


Continue reading "creepy crawlies part 2"

When it comes to creepie crawlies, I consider myself a very tolerant person, especially for a girl.  I don't scream when I see a spider or snake, (in fact I don't scream for practically any reason, and girls that do frankly get on my nerves! no offence anyone!) or run away from a lizard.  I at least tolerate most creepy crawlies.  However, they do have this one annoying problem in common:  they like to pop out at the most annoying times and at least try to scare people.  Thus the reason why I can't stand the one critter I hate: Toads.  and frogs too, but they arn't as bad. I could be walking calmly down a path, enjoying the evening cool, when all of a sudden, HOP!  right in front of me, a "rock" moves.  I mean, how freeky is that!?  (but I still don't scream!)  So that is why, when I found a gargantious granddaddy toad residing in front of my house, I asked him to leave, and not so nicely.  In fact, I even ushered him, with the help of a long stick, from his residence in my gate ditch to a new home across the street.  But this guy was huge!  He was the size of a volley ball!... ok... a grapefruit!... ok fine, just a large orange size.  But that's still way to big for my comfort.

Continue reading "creepy crawlies part 1"

Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die."
 
This was the first lie every told on earth, and yet it still holds countless people deceived.  On Friday, May 5th, Danny, Napthali, and I went to a village called Lep-lep [Lupp-lupp] about 1 hour hike from here.  There's a man who lives there who fell from the top of a coconut tree years ago and was severely wounded.
Continue reading "You will not surely die..."

It was that time again... time to make my monthly trip to Mae Sai to renew my visa.  *sigh*  I wasn't looking forward to it.  All day on a bus... no fun at all, especially by myself. Movies shown it thai, annoying thai music, and no one to talk to. 
Continue reading "Unsuspecting Victims"

"RETREAT!"  was the comand given to all the Asia AFM missionaries last week.  As any good soldier of the cross, they all needed some time to pull back from the battle front and recoup, regroup, refocus, and reorganize for their next crushing blow to the enemy.  Ya lost?  Ok, let me explain in a little more detail.  
Continue reading "Retreat!"

So what is it like, being a student missionary in a strange country, half-way around the world from home? Well, to tell the truth, not that much different from being at home. We have times of laughter and times of sadness, joys and trials just as anyone anywhere in the world. But sometimes, these come with just a little twist...
Continue reading "African Adventures #3"

 Dirt, heat, chickens, dirt, rice, heat, bugs, and did I mention dirt and heat?  But the ten days I spent in the village of Hoi Fai were not all dirt and heat.  It was also fun, bonding, and a great time!  ok, let me back up and tell you the whole story.
Continue reading "10 day trip"

Hello All,

As you all know, I've been waiting a long time for some finality about my Visa to Namibia. With 3 full months of silence (supposedly 2 of those "vacation") I have decided to Move Forward in this my calling. In order to do this, I must seriously consider another country which, through AFM, will have less red tape and get me to my destination more quickly. This extra time has been bitter-sweet, both frustrating and a blessing, but it MUST come to an end.

You might not have calculated the emotional, a few physical, and financial expense on my part and that of my friends, family, and supporters for waiting this long. Living week-to-week in "LIMBO" not knowing when I will leave...Not getting a job since September and at the same time spending for items needed for my trip...My commitment to two years of service AND my fundraising for it stunted because I'm not able to plan week to week.

On the other hand, week to week my faith can't help but be strengthened knowing that I vowed to give my ALL up to the Lord and His will and I know He has some blessing in store that will far outshine what seems like a heavy cost.

I have informed AFM of my desire to begin processing paperwork in order to enter Mali, Africa by the end of Monday, March 6th. The process is said only to take a few weeks. This is the only other position still open for me this term, which is ending in September. That means, if I go there, I will only be staying about six or so months instead of a full year as planned. At that point, another decision will be made for my second commitment depending on openings and persons voted in for the new year. This is all, OF COURSE, if there is a negative or no response from Windhoek by the end of Monday.

I deeply appreciate all the prayers and you, Pam & Gideon working so hard to get a response in Namibia. The Lord knows where He wants me and will get me there as He is Omnipotent. And I can only PRAISE HIM for the innumerable blessings over the past 3 months!

By God's grace, you will hear from me Tuesday or Wednesday (March 7th or 8th) with the news.

I love you all.

With many blessings,
Lisa