I pray this finds you all well and at peace.

Yours in Christ,
Mike

————————-

New paint for the New Year…

This January, I provided a little work for a few of Arandis’ residents. We finally painted the outside of 476 Flycatcher. Bringing the neighborhood a little more class. We have the base color, Biscuit, and the trim color, Stone. I have discovered why the bottom of the house is trimmed in Bitumin. This is because of the high level of salts in the soil. For those who might wonder about the roof and it’s unique look, that is Asbestos It is remarkably good at insulating the house from the effects of the desert climate. Perhaps it is also the orientation of the house, front North and back South which makes good use of the prevailing winds to keep it comfortable year round without any heat or air conditioning. Y’all are invited to come and enjoy.

Click here to read more in Mike’s January 2012 Missive (PDF format).

Yours in Christ,
Mike
——————

A few pictures from TKCA Pre Primary…

Often people post things, and usually I read them and chuckle, cry, or find myself moved. I Found this to be funny in more ways than just the obvious. I decided to share it with you. The year is ending for the Pre-Primary and Primary schoold, and here are the current classes in the Pre-Primary school. Miss Amanda’s class; Miss Meldred’s class; Miss Celeste’s class; and Miss Sophie’s class. On the next page, you will find Grade 1; Grade 3; and Grade 4. We are praying for all these kids to do well on their upcoming exams…

Click here to read more in Mike’s Spring/Fall 2011 Missive (PDF format).

The first term has ended, and we had the opportunity to travel to Otjiwarongo. This brought a visit to the Cheetah Fund to see first hand the work going on to help the local farmers live with the local Cheetah’s. Very interesting and informative. They train a very large sheep dog, a xxxxxxx, which works with the local ranchers to keep their animals safe from the predators. In doing so, it saves this endangered and much misunderstood animal. We also got to travel to Etosha, taking Auntie Likki and the kids on an eleven hour day trip.. That was fun. We also got to go to the Crocadile ranch and see a sight which would be somewhat familiar to folks in Florida…

Click here to read more in Mike’s August 2011 Missive (PDF format).

As the summer moves along, the skys are sometimes brilliant with color. Also at times we are without electricity, and since I cook with gas, we have dinner by candle light. I have rediscovered cribbage, and am seeking a local artisan who might be able to construct a board such as the one pictured, perhaps with an African motif. We are now in the Spring, it is the week before Easter. I have been neglecting this newsletter. So much for not procrastinating. I suppose it is time to move forward and get this finished and off to all of you saints everywhere.

Click here to read more in Mike’s February 2011 Missive (PDF format).

The school year has ended, the Principal and her foster daughter are in America for the Holidays. The Chair of the Board, and her foster children are in America for the Holidays, Soon the last volunteer “mommie” will be off to America. Daniel and I are working to complete all the School Projects before Christmas. The New Year promises to have many new looks here, I am not sure what they will be, but they will be new. I am thankful for this time to relax and maybe go camping with Daniel… We need to get some wilderness time…The weather here in Arandis is being quite comfortable, fans not yet needed to sleep, and a cool breeze during the day, keeps one from getting too warm on the daily walk. All in all, it is a wonderful time of year… Merry Christmas to all, be blessed…

Click here to read more in Mike’s November-December  Missive (PDF format).

Over the past year or so, I have questioned the makeup of teams and individuals coming to this particular place in the desert. At first I wondered about the reasons that many who come here are women. I have discovered through travel to other countries and meeting with fellow mission minded people that there is a fair balance of people committed to missions. In our particular circumstance here in Arandis, Namibia, and with Children of Promise Ministry, they are not an agency which actively recruits short term missions. People who come, come to work with the children, and because of that, they are predominately women who do this. I would ask men who are retired, to consider coming to help with the mentoring of these kids from the male perspective

Click here to read more in Mike’s October Missive (PDF format).

When we visited Johannesburg for the Missionary Ventures South Africa conference, we were blessed, refreshed, and taught humility. “Uhuru gets pap & vleis.” and we were able to visit Soweto. That little quote is from “Team Uhuru’s” battle cry. During our conference we learned the value of teamwork, and watching out for one another. The other pictures are from the outside of Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto. The guide explained much of the history of the township and the Mandela family. Would that there were more in the world like that man. We would be much closer to the ‘Kingdom’ than we are at present.

Click here to read more in Mike’s September Missive (PDF format).

There was a catch, I had to complete the making as it would not fit in my luggage. I found stuffing and was able to sew, my mother would have been proud, to completion the hug. My sewing may be a little crude, but the concept and the enjoyment observed on the faces of those children who have had their hug from an American Teacher was worth my slight discomfort.

Click here to read more in Mike’s August Missive (PDF format).

Sometimes we go to the bank first, and may have several stops along the way. Sometimes it involves getting gas bottles refilled. On a light day we only go to Fruit & Veg; Woerman Brock; Mega Save; Primo Schlacteri; and finish at Shoprite.

We have had days when we started at 08H00 and finished at 17H00. We now have to take a trailer in order to fit all the groceries purchased and the people doing the purchasing. All in all, this makes for a fun and good fellowship day.

I have also increased my knowledge about pricing here in Namibia.

Click here to read more in Mike’s July Missive (PDF format).