Teaching at Toko Koopman!

Hi!!!!!!!! I have found a small internet cafe so will have a bit more access now! How are you all? Teaching is going well and I am really enjoying getting to know the staff and the children. They are all so friendly and go out of their way to speak English to me.

Something really encouraging happened on Thursday. I was telling my class some Bible stories. At the end a girl came to me and said that she believed everything I was saying. I was surprised because earlier in the week she had told me some other really sad things that had happened to her so out of everyone I thought she may find it hard to accept. I asked her why she believed and she said she couldn't explain it but as she heard the stories something was happening in her heart!

These children have all had to deal with alot of death in their young lives yet there is so much potential and hope for each of them. Please pray that I can help them see a future and draw them closer to God.

My host family are great. I really get on so well with them! Will send a newsletter and photos soon!

Keep in touch

Catherine

PS Have to type v fast as time limit so sorry if spelling is poor!!

Orientation!

I've been back in Windhoek for a week's orientation! It has been so interesting. We've been learning about our aims with AIM, culture, AIDS, mentoring, history and have even been tested for AIDS. This was so that we could experience what it would be like for someone to go and get tested. It was a scary experience! My results were negative but it was still an intimidating time.

A bit like the Philippines - you can go from a Western shopping centre to a shanti- town within minutes. The poverty here is huge. Yesterday we walked through the shanti -town. It really reminded me of Manilla. The small houses made of metal sheets.

I have been teaching in Rehoboth for 2 weeks now. That has been such a whirlwind of experiences. I have felt discouraged somedays with my own lack of understanding as to where these kids are coming from. It wasn't until I took some advice from my Mum and entered their world that things started to change.

I asked them to write directions to the local 'gliding stone'. They did this and then we followed them. On the way they took me to their houses which again were just huts made of metal. They showed me how they eat sap and berries from certain trees. The told me the names of trees and birds and animals. Suddenly I was the ignorant one and they had the knowledge. It was amazing to see their eyes light up when I said 'Wow I didn't know that'.

These children are great - I love them already and am really looking forward to getting to know them more. It's great to think that people at home are praying for them. They would be very moved by that too I know.

Thanks for reading! Keep in touch!

I'm Moving!

Hi! I'm off to Rehoboth on Saturday and I start teaching in the farm school next week. I will be living with a Namibian host family for the first month or so which will help me with my Afrikaans and understanding of the culture. I will pay rent but be involved in their family life.

After that I will be living with a lady who has been here for a year already with AIM and is renting a house in Rehoboth.

Rehoboth is a closeknit community with many social problems. The children I will be teaching will have a variety of backgrounds. I am not totally sure what the situation will be yet.

Am really looking forward to going and getting stuck in but would really value prayer for my relationships within the family and at the school. I think also that I manage the cultural differences well and sensitively.

Dangkee - Thank you in Afrikaans!!

Catherine

:-)

AIM Conference

I'm back from the AIM conference now which was held in Windhoek. Was great as I met all the people working with AIM throughout Namibia. Feel like I've made contacts in lots of places now. The team are great and I really felt a part of it. The conference was a mixture of study/ learning/ testimony time and fun/ games time!

Am back at my host families house for now in Windhoek. I leave for Rehoboth in a few days. It looks as though I may not have internet access there for a few weeks so if my blog is quiet, that's why! If you would like to write to me though you can write to:

P.O. Box 40267, Windhoek Namibia

Hope you are all well - let me know what's going on at home too!!

Catherine

xx

Photos to follow - just have to work out how to do it!!!

Adventures So Far!

Hi people! I am sorry I am being bad at updating this already!! I've been here a week now can you believe? So far I have done a mixture of things, some touristy and some more serious things. I went to visit Rehoboth which is where I'll be teaching which was really interesting. I've also been to the shanti town and visited an orphange there. That was overwhelming as there were little babies and toddlers everywhere.

I've also been clothes shopping as it's actually quite cold here at the moment - it's winter!!! Gets dark at 6pmish and although is still warm gets cold in the evenings. More sleeves were definitely needed!!

Today I have been to visit the famous sand dunes which I attempted to climb. Got to the top in the end but got very sandy in the process!! I think the highlight so far was seeing a giraffe, well 4 actually out in the wild - amazing!!

I am off to the AIM conference tmo and then start teaching after that. This week has been a gentle introduction to Namibia.

Thank you for leaving comments and taking time to read my blog!! PLEASE check it as I will update it every week or so!!

Catherine

xx

Here's a scenic view of Namibia!

Hi peeps! I now know a bit more about what I'm doing when I first arrive on Thursday. I am staying with a family for a week and then go to a conference run by AIM. All the people out in Namibia with AIM will be at the conference! There's a talent show one evening so I'd better think of something quick!! Then I start teaching at the end of August!

Keep the comments coming!! :-)

C
xx

This is the school I will be teaching at. Toko Koopman Primary School based just outside of Rehoboth which is about 80km south of Windhoek.

Nearly Time To Leave!

As you all know I'm off to Namibia on the 13th August with AIM. I can't believe how quickly the time has come round. It would be great to hear from you on here and I will do my best to keep you informed as to what I'm doing!!

Catherine
xx