Adventure in Africa

On Monday afternoon, we took a little ride in the back of an open-air truck to see some paintings on a rock just south of town. This is the landscape as we drove:

The vastness of the desert really is quite breathtaking!

We shared the road with horse drawn carts…

And were careful of the donkeys on the side of the road…

These were some of the incredible rock formations we saw:

I think the ones on top look so cool… like they are perched up there!

More of the rocks – they just ask to be climbed!!

Kristen and I on the rocks :)

Thats all for now...
Much Love,
Mackenzie

Divine Appointments

You know those days and times when you are so aware that God, in his sovereignty, plans out each interaction and conversation you have? I was blessed with a week of just that… divine appointments. Let me elaborate:

On Tuesday, Kristen and I headed over to Rehoboth High School with the hopes of meeting some students there that we would be able to build relationships with. We prayed the whole walk there that God would draw us to the right group of students, and that doors would be open for conversations, and God answered our prayers in huge ways. We had no more than walked in the gate, and a group of three girls were sitting on the sidewalk. We asked if we could sit with them, they graciously agreed, and friendships that I hope will last the duration of our time here were born. It turned out that Malorye, Toniyella, and Rachel were waiting for the Rowell family to return to their flat so they could braid Jaydon and Courtney’s (the 2 younger girls) hair. We got to sit and talk with them while they did so, and even had the privilege of hearing them sing! (I tried to post a short video of this here, although i'm not sure if it will work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_M9LU3q6oU) Absolutely divine.

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit with a young girl in the hospital that was brought to Rehoboth on Tuesday for her safety. She has later staged AIDS, a few infections, and found out upon admittance that she is 4 months pregnant. She was hungry for company and conversation, and we got to talk some about what was coming next and what led her to the situation she is in (the hurts seemed woven into every thread of her life). As I prayed for this girl, her unborn baby, her heart, her worth, and her void only Jesus can fill she wept uncontrollably. I was able to continue to visit her each day and got to share the gospel with her on Friday. Please pray for her and continued healing in her body, mind, and spirit. Absolutely divine.

I could continue… but for now I will leave it at that :)

These pictures really have nothing at all to do with the post, but they’re always fun :)

This is Alli (the other RN) and myself at what we think is the best street in Windhoek :)


This is Mudder, who helps run the 'soup kitchen' on Wednesdays. You pretty much can see all that there is. The table to the left is where we prepare all the meat and vegetables, and the pot on the right is where the cooking happens. Here she is getting ready to 'stir the big pot' :)

Much Love,
Mackenzie

Settling In

Mora…Good morning!

As I sit here, I feel like I’m at a loss for where to begin… everything and nothing comes to mind all at the same time. There are so many feelings and emotions behind stories that seem so unable to be articulated that I feel like attempting it would cheapen the reality. I don’t really know what is considered ‘blog-worthy’, so bare with me as I’ll hopefully get better as time goes on :)

This week looked quite similar to last in terms of how my days were filled. I got to spend time with a few homebound patients, work at the soup kitchen and spend a few days at Lebensschule (LS).

On Thursday I brought a little craft to do with the kids there, and here is a picture of me, Harold, Eldine, and Endonsia working on it:

Like I mentioned last week, doing projects with these kids is so amazing – there is no ‘right way’ to do art, and however it turns out, it’s their creation. I wish I could convey the looks and smiles that overcome the faces of these kids when they are encouraged and affirmed… it really is priceless!

Here are Clinton (L) and Harold with their finished products:

I love those faces!

There is one little girl at LS, in particular, that has been pulling on my heartstrings since I first saw her. Her name is Audrey and she is 4 ½ years old. She had meningitis as an infant, along with TB, and as a result, is still wearing size 3-6 months clothing. She is malnourished, has seizures, a protruding VP shunt, and a myriad of other issues, but her eyes are captivating and I can’t help but hold her close to me whenever possible. Here is a picture of her and I sitting outside in the shade… from what I can tell, she can see (they tell me she’s blind, but she tracks quite well), so I like to show her the world ;)

Personally, I’m doing well, and ready to jump in head first at the hospital on Monday (tune in next week to see if I’m still treading water!). Kristen and I are also hoping to partner with the Rowell family to meet and develop relationships with the high school students who live in the hostel at the school. They have free time from about 4:30-7 every evening, and typically hang out around the courtyard and field behind the school, with no where to go and very little options of things to do. As we spend time there, we are praying that relationships will be quickly established with great depth and opportunities to share the gospel, so please join us in prayer about that!

The team here in Rehoboth is incredible and I have been so blessed by our Sunday afternoon meetings. I can’t remember what I’ve already shared, so I’ll bring you up to speed- here is Rehoboth we currently have:

• the Rowell family, hailing from Coventry, England, including Paul who is teaching at the HS, Ruth, who often works at Lebensschule, and their two wonderful daughters Jaydon (11) and Courtney (9)
• Catherine, from England as well, is teaching at a farm school outside of Rehoboth. She has a few years teaching experience under her belt, is a wonderful source of creative ideas, and is a blast to be around!
• Heidi, from Mannitoba, Canada, who is teaching at a farm school about an hour from Rehoboth (unfortunately, none of our 3 teachers are at the same school!). She has been here a year and will be here for about a year more!
• Steph, also from Canada, has been working at Lebensschule since last October, and has been a wonderful bridge onto that scene. Sadly, she will be heading home shortly.
• Then there’s my smaller team, which I’m sure you’re acquainted with by now ;)

Here is a pic of the group at our meeting last Sunday at the Rowell’s flat at the hostel:

L to R: Cathi, Paul and Ruth Rowell, Steph, Me, Kristen, Catherine, Heidi (on floor), Jaydon and Courtney. This was after a meeting at the Rowell’s flat at the hostel.

Well, for ‘not having much to say’, I’ve certainly written a lot ;) Hope you enjoy the weekend!

Much Love,

Mackenzie

Hoe gaan dit

Hello! Hoe gaan dit? (pronounced ‘Ooh hond it… that means ‘how are you’ in Afrikaans) J ‘Goed’ (said ‘hood’ like you might be clearing your throat) means good, and thats what I hope you are! Another week was successfully completed, and I am excited for some rest this weekend. This week was interesting, as my days were filled with a variety of things, and it is still difficult to grasp what my weekly routine will look like. There is a Doctor (John) and a Nurse (Margaret) who will be plugging Alli and I into the hospital here in Rehoboth, but John is on leave until October 1st, and Margaret is in Windhoek for a conference until October 3rd, so I will not be jumping into that scene until then. In the mean time, we have made a few home visits to patients with TB, HIV, and paralysis. These have been interesting, as I am quickly realizing not as many older people speak English as I had been anticipating. Another issue that I foresee remaining an obstacle throughout my time here is the lack of information about people’s medical status that is available. 2 of the patients I visited were paralyzed (I assume), but no one knows why, or what their prognosis is, which makes it difficult to plan care appropriately. I guess this is what all that ‘critical thinking’ in nursing school was about ;) On Wednesdays I will be working at a ‘soup kitchen’ (involving a small tent, a large pot, and an open field) that the church in Rehoboth sponsors. It was a sobering experience for sure, to see the reality of children and adults alike in this town who are willing to go to great lengths for a hot meal. There are 3 women who work together preparing the meal, and I will continue to work beside them on a weekly basis. Pray that language barriers would be broken so that this time would be spent effectively. The rest of my days have been spent somewhere unexpected: Lebensschule. Lebensschule is a center for children in Rehoboth who are handicapped or disabled. There are about 20 children who come on a daily basis who’s functional and cognitive abilities vary hugely, and they are such special children. My heart is easily captured by their smiles, laughs, and small hands in mine. Below are some pictures of the center and the kids. I’m praying I’ll be able to spend 1-2 days a week here loving on these kids who need attention and interaction desperately. Personally, I am doing better and feeling more adjusted each day. It has been one of the most difficult transitions I’ve ever experienced. For so many reasons, leaving home was something I grieved, and more than once I have felt that I do not have the faith or strength to continue on here, and then I am reminded that this is how faith is built: by stepping out, trusting the Lord, and being dependent on him alone to sustain me. Psalm 121 has been read many a time this past week, and God has allowed me to experience peace through faith in Jesus (Rom 5:1). Well, that’s about all for now. I’m thinking I’ll try to update this once a week, and it will probably be Saturdays :)
Much love Mackenzie
… enjoy a few pictures…




This is Omaanna. She walked over 30 minutes for a hot meal at the ‘soup kitchen’. She said next week she would curl her hair so that people in America could see there are beautiful women in Africa who are 98 years old!!

Here is a picture of some of the kids at Lebensschule. I want to introduce you to all of them individually, but I will do it over time J The little girl in Pink in the top left corner is Tamela, and a precious ray of sunshine!!

Clinton is about 4 and while I think he is developmentally appropriate cognitively, it is hard to get an accurate idea. Clinton is non-verbal because his tongue is fused to the bottom of his mouth. Watching him play is a blast!!

Rodney and I have become quick buddies, and I must admit, I'm quite partial to him :) I love how excited he gets when he is stimulated – this is the face he makes when I wiggle my fingers in front of his face!!

Lulu with her art project. Doing activities with these kids is so much fun because they haven’t had much exposure to it, and often I’m guessing don’t feel successful at much. To watch them beam after completing their pictures was priceless.

Well, thats all for now!

Picture Post!!

Hello All! I wish I had time to write a real update, but the internet is being wacky so for now I will leave you with a few pictures :) Hope you're well, and miss you all dearly!


Katatura, which is just outside of downtown Windhoek.
There are hills upon hills of houses and settlements like these.

This is my team outside the "Whitehouse" of Namibia. Also note that this is pretty much the only grass that exists here in the middle of the desert....

From L to R: Cathi, Alli, MollyBea, Amanda, Kristen, Me

Welcome to Rehoboth... home sweet home?!

One of the fun faces I live with, John Carl, who is 10.

Anbother adorable face I live with, Jemca, she is 5.

I hope to post a real update soon! Much love!

Words from Windhoek

Hello All! I hope this post finds you well and enjoying the beginnings of fall (its spring here!)! I’m sorry that I haven’t written something more substantial sooner… orientation and an overwhelming cultural transition have kept me from processing thoughts to an intelligible level ;)

Our week of orientation here in Windhoek has been nice. The format has been laid back, and has allowed us to spend time with our team, as well as with the 7 other people here orienting from the UK. We have gotten to hear personal stories and testimonies from Namibians, go through the process of HIV testing and counseling, spend an afternoon at an afterschool program.

The cultural differences here in Namibia are stark. The value Namibians put on “event” or relationships, is far greater than the value put on time. This means punctuality, productivity, and the things of such are put on the back burner. I think I’ll actually find it quite refreshing once I’m acclimated :)

Personally, I am doing okay. There are days when it is hard to know what to do with things I’ve seen or heard. Days when it would be easy to shut my mind off and try not to think about these things and situations I feel so unequipped and unprepared to face offering anything of worth. And then, the Lord reminds me of the hope I have in His glory, and by ministries of reconciliation through Christ, I can share that hope I have with people who have none.

Here are a few pics of things I've been up to - enjoy!


eating a dried worm.... i didn't even spit it out!



Aune and Jennifer, the girls I got to spend time with at the after school program


the children at their school before it let out

Much love to each of you and hope to write to you soon from Rehoboth!
Mackenzie

We're Here!

Well, after a long week of traveling, and an orientation in NY, we made it! 6 girls, 12 bags, 3 flights, and one final destination :) Thanks for all the prayers, they were definitely felt!!
We spent last night in Johannesburg, SA, and caught a plane this afternoon up to Windhoek, Namibia. We will be staying here for the next week to do some orientation with the Rineer family, who live here. They seem like a pretty incredible family, and I am excited to learn from them!
Hopefully I can post a longer one later, but for now, I'll leave you with a few pictures:


the plane as we were about to land in Windhoek...
yup, its just as it looks - the desert!



Here I am with all my luggage! :)
... and even better, it all made it!