I have learnt first-hand to believe the person who once said: “time flies when you’re having fun”. The fact that I have been in Namibia for about as long as I’ll be in Durham each term blows my mind. Is it too cliche to say that Namibia now feels like a home to me? Has that been blatantly clear to you all this whole time anyway..? I suppose I'm pretty transparent!
The long-awaited Cheesman girls reunion was as I expected: dramatic, tearful and totally, totally wonderful. I was waiting at the airport in anticipation on Sunday night as the arrival doors suddenly swung open, Momma walked out, I defied the “please wait behind this red line” stickers, ran to her and, let’s be honest… of course I cried. We both cried bucket loads. Having her in my world is so good. We had scheduled in an official ‘catch-up date’ on Monday but on Sunday night it was too much of a struggle to hold in half the things we were wanting to share. The phrase: “I’ll tell you more tomorrow, but…” was used many times that evening.
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| Reunions are the best! |
Despite a very exciting 'hello', this week is all about goodbyes. Frankly, the 8 weeks of adventure seem to be catching up with me and I feel pretty exhausted (in a good way though).
Saying goodbye to the students in particular has been the epitome of ‘bittersweet’. Lots of us went for a picnic last Thursday in Parliament Gardens (idyllic setting for a goodbye) …although I hadn’t realised that one of the main reasons for this gathering was to say goodbye to me - probably should have cottoned-on a bit faster, really! I can honestly say that the love the students have shown me in just 8 weeks has absolutely astounded me and I am deeply changed as a result. My friend, Tjino had arranged for me to have a book of messages from many of those I’ve met (my heart…) and I was ready to say a little thank-you speech to them all as she gave it me. Little did I know there was so much more planned. Another of my friends, Job stood up to read a poem he had written for me and I wanted to bawl my eyes out - in thankfulness and in laughter at how accurately it depicted my character. How have they come to know me so well in such a short space of time?! My favourite line is: “An accent that spoke so kindly, so polite; Saying “Sorry” and “Thank You”: morning, day and night”. What can I say… I’m a Brit through and through. Eleven others wanted to share something before I could thank them… they told me of their thankfulness for the way I have impacted their lives (do they understand how much they have impacted me?!), joy at the friendships that have blossomed and their hopes for me to return quickly back to Namibia. Sadly I am going to be a poor student for many years to come… perhaps a trip to England is in order for them all. I am so excited for the way I believe these students are going to impact university campuses with their amazing message of God’s love. I hope to hear many stories on WhatsApp.
Tuesday
Tuesday was a very special day for Mum and I. It meant a lot to have her join me in some of the places I’ve been to… to see some of the people and places that have changed me most deeply.
Some kind friends from home had donated some money specifically for the children’s cancer ward that I visited during my second week in Namibia. Mum, Dana and I were able to take some parcels of money, phone credit, socks and a bible verse (classic John 3:16) to the cancer ward, handing them out to each of the mums that were sitting with their sons or daughters. The mums are used to receiving gifts for their children so many of them were taken aback in confusion that these gifts were actually for them to keep themselves. It was a special hour, yet successful in breaking all of our hearts once again: Mum and I will continue to think of a little boy with cancer in his jaw - a visible representation of the evil that exists in this world and brings destruction to so many and so much. I know how difficult Mum found the experience as she went for the first time, but even Dana, someone who comes to the ward regularly, told us that she will never get over the pain of visiting… it is significantly harder for her as she makes deep and personal connections with these children and more often than not must grieve their deaths. This place is painful, but important to be aware of.
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| Momma and Baby Petrus |
Katatura was the next place I wanted to see. The town has really been on my heart since I visited with the team from Texas and I wanted to go there once more. This time I was allowed the privilege of visiting the house of a new friend, Petrus and his wonderful family. From the excruciating sadness of a cancer ward, we were welcomed into a small, dark tin house owned by a very joyful, God-loving family. Their house is simple: no lighting and only one bedroom for Petrus, his wife and their six children. Caz, Mum and I were moved by their love and joy despite the fact that they have so little. Petrus’ 2 year-old son named… Petrus, immediately stole Mum’s heart with his cheeky smile and infectious giggle. Petrus has built a church (a tin building off the side of his home) which about 30 from Katatura attend each week. He has such a passion to speak to his neighbours about Jesus and I am so encouraged by the simple, yet effective way he brings church into poverty-stricken Katatura. Petrus is the definition of humble.
My day was rounded off wonderfully as I sat in a student bible study with girls I’ve truly come to love and who inspire me hugely in the way they live their lives, the way they relate to one another and by how much they truly love Jesus. By the end of Tuesday my heart was full.
On Wednesday I had to say a sad goodbye to my Grade 4 classes and was honestly quite touched by their sadness at my leaving and their kind words in regards to my teaching…there’s another career path to confuse my post-uni decision-making! See pictures below of some of the coolest 10 year-olds in Nam.
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| Grade 4A |
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| Grade 4B |
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| Some very happy girls! |
All that’s left of my Southern Africa adventure is a final weekday to bid farewell to the CCC team and pack my bags, a weekend at Erindi (there’s no better way to finish my time here than camping by a water-hole) and a goodbye coffee with the Shaves before Mum gently nudges me onto a plane.
I can’t tell you how painful this goodbye is going to be on Monday.
But, as for today… it’s Christmas! Time for a Namibian-winter celebration with Christmas dinner, Christmas presents, Christmas music and great friends.*
Lots of love,
Charis
year since December in Namibia is absolutely boiling (not that it’s exactly COLD here right now! Haha.) Really though, Mum and I would celebrate Christmas every month if we could.
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| Petrus' wonderful family in Katatura |
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| Grace and Baby Petrus being totally cute |
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| Some of my good friends in Parliament Gardens |
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