A Good Start in Katima Mulilo!

It’s always exciting to get started with our first training on any trip, and this trip has been no exception. Pastors Jack and Kaleny welcomed us warmly as they always do, and our class of Namibians and Khwe students went really well. We were also thrilled to hear that Jack and Kaleny’s church, Jesus Kingdom Ministries, has planted a new branch in a nearby village, spearheaded by one of their members, Rosa, who moved there. We love to see the Kingdom multiply like this, and it’s always heartening when our students are involved!

This past week, Doug and Abby taught “Understanding the Bible” and “Foundations for Pastoral Care,” respectively. Our discussions were deep and rich, including an important discussion about the difference between cultural norms and biblical norms, between cultural “sins” and moral “sin,” and the danger of misreading the Bible by ignoring these distinctions.

Little by little, we think that we are making progress with our Khwe students, Pastor Wilson, Jackson, Meresi, and Jenny. The latter two are new young women students with strong English and a great senses of humor. We had previously taught Pastor Wilson and Jackson and it was good to see them again.

One thing has become very clear, and that is is that the Christianity of the Khwe is rudimentary, at best. Although evangelized and converted, they have not, apparently, been effectively discipled over the years. It is our hope to effectively change that to the extent that we can, and their openness and teachable attitude gives us hope for the future. It’s been really great getting to know them.

On Friday, we drove out to the Chetto Primary School and visited once again with Principal Matthew and Life Skills teacher Betty, along with Social Sciences teacher David, and Entrepreneurship teacher Katarina. But, that’s a story for the next blog! We look forward to building our relationship with them so that we can encourage and add value to the teachers and staff who work there daily with the Khwe children. As we’ve told you before, the Khwe culture appears to be in crisis with drunkenness, prostitution, child abuse, early marriage, and out of wedlock pregnancies all very common.

As always, we covet your prayers and are deeply grateful for your support and encouragement. And, remember, where we go you go!