Many comings and goings

We had a new volunteer named Melissa join us a few weeks ago. She’s from Arkansas so she has a pretty fun accent and plans to stay for a year. I’ll admit I was a little worried about what she’d be like but we really hit it off. She and I have joked a lot about how similar we are. Who knew God created two eccentric people with such similar quirks and then would decide to put them in Africa together! She even likes ALIAS and is allergic to almost all the same kinds of perfumey things that I am so I think I’ll keep her. What a relief. She has fit right into our family here and it’s hard to believe it’s only been a few short weeks she’s been here.
On a sad note, my AMAZING friend Nancy, that has been here since December went home two weeks ago. Nancy is one of the most genuine, encouraging and uplifting people I have ever met. Her friendship was such a blessing when I really needed to be cheered up. I was so very sad to see her leave and many times I have felt her absence. (Who will I go to town with to buy fried chicken or who will request El Shaddai at Bible Study, Nance?? )
When they were at the airport dropping Nancy off, they picked up a team of 8 people from PA/MD that were here for 2 weeks. It’s a blessing to have a few extra hands even if only for a little while. They were able to accomplish some tasks we just NEVER have time to get to. They also were able to join me at Mafuta one day and the kids really loved having visitors. They especially liked learning the hokey pokey and receiving sweets! At COZV, they blessed the kids with a campfire and s’mores (or SOME-mores as most of the kids called them). Thanks SO much for all your hard work and what a blessing you were to us!!

Hey Remember me??

I’m sorry I’ve been a bit out of touch lately. I’ve been crazy, crazy busy. You know me. I’ve gotten into the swing of things so I’m always running in different directions helping out wherever I can. Never a dull moment around here. But I like it that way. I’d rather be busy than bored.
So whenever too much time has passed since you’ve heard from me, just imagine me busy wrestling kids (either of the human or goat variety… I’ve been spending a lot of time in the barnyard lately) or helping out in the kitchen or running errands in town or something.
Of course life has its normal ups and downs… some days are just “Alexander” days and all I want to do is move to Australia (read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day). Whenever I’m having one of those days all I have to do is go into the baby room. I just sit on the floor where I am immediately tackled by our 3 toddlers and some of our 3-5 year olds. It’s hard to feel blue with all those cute little faces starring up at you. Not to mention I’m usually so busy just trying to survive them fighting over which one of them gets to sit on my lap that it’s hard to have time to worry about anything else. It puts life back into perspective. All this to say, I know some of you have been worried about me lately for various reasons… PLEASE don’t be. I’m doing really well and having an amazing time. Such a good time in fact that I’m really praying about the future. I’m half way through my initial commitment of 6 months. Please pray with me for to have a clear vision of what comes next.

A visit from the vet

A few weeks ago we were very blessed to have a visit from a veterinarian from Otjiwarango (about 10 hrs away). We spent about 10 ½ hours out in the barnyard assisting him with his various tasks: getting blood samples, extracting teeth from horses, giving injections, minor surgery and whatnot. He was very willing to give our staff a crash course in how to handle many common situations we’ve been facing. He even allowed some of our children who aspire to be doctors or vets help him. He also set up a makeshift lab in one of the horse stalls and gave us all a lesson. He was extremely knowledgeable and it was quite a privilege to have him here with us.
I’m also constantly learning new things in the barnyard… add this to the list of things I never thought I’d learn in my lifetime: how to drain an abscess on a goat or how to test horse stool for parasites.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

A VERY large snake we found in the house under the toilet.

Taking the little ones riding...

I'm not sure why I'm wearing this green shirt in nearly all these pictures because they were different days. I guess I don't have many clothes here.

A Tribute to Grandma Millie

On January 19, 2004, just a few days shy of her 72nd birthday, my Grandma Millie passed away. Last year I wrote this devotional thought on her birthday. I often think of the many things going on in my life I wish I could share with her especially now that I’m here. I can just hear her now bragging to all her church friends that she has a granddaughter who is a missionary in Africa. So thanks for letting me share this tribute to her with you again this year. Happy Birthday Grandma!

The other day a friend asked me what my favorite memory of my grandma was. At the time it was too painful to talk about, but I’ve had a memory that has been ruminating…

May I share it with you?

Most of you didn’t get to meet my Grandma Millie. For the most part, she was the typical grandma. A bit taller than me. A perfect coifed updo. A physique slightly softened by age.

This is my favorite memory…When I would walk through the porch and into my grandparents’ house, I’d always yell, “Hi grandma.” Inevitably, I would hear the shuffle of her slippers as she’d come dashing down the hallway and around the corner into the living room. She’d be so excited to see me. I’d get a big, warm, soft hug. I’d take in the smell of Mary Kay, Aquanet, and a hint of ode d’mothball. Then she’d pull back just a bit, put my big chubby cheeks in her hands, gaze deep into my face with all the love a good grandma can muster and she’s say, “aw, there she is, my beautiful granddaughter.” Now, I’m not saying this to brag; grandma’s often see their own kind of beauty. But there are few other things that make me feel as special, as loved and as invincible; the unconditional love of a grandma.

Now, most of you that know me well, know that I don’t sermonize often. Maybe it’s finally my seminary training kicking in or I’ve eaten one to bran muffins before trying to go to sleep, but I feel a burning need to share my devotional thought on my grandma’s birthday…

I have a Jesus that can put my big chubby cheeks in His hands, gaze as deeply into my face, and say with as much love as any good grandma, “there she is, my beautiful child.”

To this day, when I walk into her house, I still half-expect to hear the slipper-shuffle coming down the hall and see her turn the corner. Some days I could use my grandma to remind me that I’m loveable. I’m sure you could too.

This hasn’t been an easy year for many of us. We’ve lost loved ones, lost direction, had broken relationships, financial strains, struggles with schoolwork and self-esteem… wondering if we’re loveable. And I want to remind you, we have a Jesus that can take our face is His hands and show us His unconditional love; the love that sent Him to Calvary for us.

Windhoek

On January 14th, a group of 10 of us left for Windhoek, the capital, for a week-long whirlwind of various appointments and errands. I went mostly to assist with driving and childcare, but also to get away for a few days.
It’s quite the long drive through some interesting countryside before you arrive in a fairly modern city. We met some infamous African wildlife on the road (see above) but I’m happy to report that we had many traveling mercies. Along the road at various points we saw 2 elephants, a family of ostrich, many warthogs, guinea fowl, baboons, dik dik, roan antelope, gemsbok and a variety of other unidentifiable antelope (there seems like a zillion varieties here).
We got to eat at some interesting places including KFC but my favorite was Joe’s Beerhouse (http://www.joesbeerhouse.com/). I got an impressive African shish kebob which included six different kinds of game meat: ostrich, kudu, crocodile, zebra, oryx and (for the less adventuresome eater) chicken. All of it was quite tasty except the crocodile was a bit rubbery and a tad bit too fishy tasting for my liking but at least now I can say I’ve tried it. I was also on a mission to get my fill of the closest thing I could find to Starbucks iced mochas. Mission accomplished!!
Though it was hectic, it was a blessing to get a way for a few days. But honestly the best part was coming “home.” We arrived back after dinner on the 21st. I went into the children’s home to find the usual post-dinner atmosphere… nicely showered and pajama-clad children getting their last minutes of fun before bedtime. One of my favorite toddlers came charging down the hall like a linebacker yelling “Auntie Jessica” and nearly knocked me over when he jumped into my arms. Quite a feat for a toddler you might say… but he’s quite the bruiser. I call him Bam-bam (I kind of wonder if this was what Ken was like as a toddler.) Anyway, right behind him was one of my favorite little girls who also came running squealing with excitement only the way little girls can. I felt exceedingly loved and it was the perfect end to our trip.

more pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/jessicabreitenbach/RoadTrippinToWindhoek

Cruisin’ the Zambezi

Today we got the most amazing treat… a boat ride on the Zambezi. We own a basic motor boat mostly for emergencies (such as getting flooded in which is a possibility at this time of year – please be praying that doesn’t happen!!)
In the early afternoon, we set out from the shore in front of our property and headed out around the island that separates us from Zambia. It was a beautiful day and it was quite a relaxing ride. We cruised around the tip of the island and headed downstream. We were able to observe some hippos chillin’ in the water in a few locations from a distance. It was really cool to see them pop their heads up and then sink back down under the water.
It started to look like rain so we decided to turn back before the bridge near town that goes between Namibia and Zambia. (Also not to mention on the other side of the bridge there are some pretty strong rapids and none of us were up to white water rafting.) Just before we arrived back at our place, we spotted a huge crocodile sunning himself on the island shore. It’s a little creepy to see one so close to home. I mean we always have in the back of our mind that they are there, but it’s a reality check to see one. All in all it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon admiring God’s beautiful creation.