Walking in Okorosave

We woke up to the most amazing sky the last work day in Okorosave. I could tell this day would be a special one from the start. Knowing this would be the last full day spent in the village saddened my heart but I was also excited to share with the children the story and activities I'd prepared.

Doesn't this sky just look like God is shinning His glory down on the town?
Nothing short of stunning.








The "girl work" on the structure (which didn't include welding and climbing up on shaky scaffolding) was already done so the ladies decided to take a walk through the village to see some of these homes up close. The kids came out of their huts to walk with us, and of course pose for a shot or two.





























Check out this termite mound! These things were everywhere and sometimes up to 10 feet tall! Don't mind my less than fashion-ista attire. Comfort and dress code were the priority. The best surprise was it's too dry to sweat!





While we were strolling through the village this little QT was sent out by his mama wrapped in hand made goods for sale. Now that's good marketing!








Not only did I fall in love with these kids but I also gained a bond with every member of our team that went. Sharing something like this is beyond words. These ladies all became my friends, my 2nd and 3rd moms, and my nurse (when I twisted my ankle and got sick.) Not to discount the men, the kind of giving and selfless men that could handle a group of 9 women for 2 weeks! : )

I will cherish each of them and this experience we shared for the rest of my life.







Are you bored with my Africa pics yet? I hope not because I'm only about 1/2 way through the trip. And I love sharing them. Every time I look through the pics for another post I'm taken back and it does my heart good.

Day 2 at the village

Our second day at the village was pure joy. The ice had been broken and we now had a better idea of what we were doing which helped. We had the creation story told by a 72 year old clown, we did a fun craft, more hopscotch, and by the end of the day the village girls started braiding some of our ladies hair. They were fascinated to touch the different textures of hair and were surprised that one of our team mates (who's parents come from Fiji) was American, her darker skin and hair was not what they expected. We all marveled in the beauty of our differences. Please marvel along with me at the beauty in these faces. My heart swells with every one.

Okorosave Day 1

The first day at the village was awesome, no, better than awesome. Mud huts, children shepherds, cooking over a fire, this is how they live and it's amazing. We arrived in the morning and went right to work on the church structure. The tree that sits in the center of the village and has acted as the "church" eventually shaded a few of the Himba women and their children. When the school kids started to filter in in the afternoon those of us assigned to work with them put down our paint brushes and headed to the tree. I love kids, and I was missing mine like crazy so I was overjoyed that I was given this assignment. We had a translator and that helped immensely. We sang a couple songs, taught them hopscotch which was a HUGE hit, then told the story of David and Goliath. It was hard to tell if they really understood the story but even if they didn't fully get it I'm sure they got the love that was oozing out of us. I fell in love with these faces from the moment I laid eyes on them. God's love for them was full and overflowing in us.






























I love looking at these. It makes me smile to remember their expressions, their voices, their giggles and smiles. These photos will warm my heart for years to come. Day 2 was even better! The ice had been broken and they really loved posing for my camera, can't wait to share those.

Hope you've all had a blessed week. I'm still feeling like I need a good solid 12 hours of sleep but a busy weekend planned ahead.

Arriving in Opuwo

After two days of flight and a stay over in Johannesburg we made a 6 hour drive to Tsumeb where we met with the missionaries we would be working with. We got acquainted, unpacked all of the supplies and gifts we'd brought along, ate pizza, and then we were given more details about the days ahead. The first bit of information they shared was that we had a 9 hour drive ahead of us the next day...I nearly broke down right then and there. I was so exhausted. It was in that moment I realized this trip was going to do more than just take me out of my comfort zone but also, perhaps, be straight up painful. I collapsed in the bed at their home that night and as the tears fell to my pillow I prayed a desperate prayer for peace. The restful sleep and God's answer to prayer gave me the strength to endure that last leg of the trip. When we finally arrived in Opuwo I knew immediately that it was worth the journey. It was like traveling back in time. The local women in traditional dress were simply stunning. We snapped pictures from behind the tinted windows inside the van having been warned not to take photos with out asking permission first.





























Yesterday was our team presentation for the church. I put together a slide show for it and we each shared some of our personal experiences from the trip. It was so great to see my "Africa Family" and take a moment to reflect on the amazing moments of our journey. As you can imagine we all grew quite close and as much as you want to share what it's like pictures and stories only scratch the surface.

....Next we travel to the village.