Our First Week in Rundu!

Hello from Rundu! It has been a very busy week getting adjusted and settling into the lifestyle of Rundu. We arrived in Rundu this past Monday after an 8 hour drive from the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek.

Before we left Windhoek we spent some time with a very humble and inspiring man named Naf. His full name is Ngurimuje-Kahepako-Nangapeningo-Nojandero. Through Naf we learned of Namibia's overwhelmingly sad history from the time it was overtaken by Germany in 1884. From Germany's control Namibians suffered racism, genocide, and concentration camps. When South Africa gained control in 1948 the apartheid was also enforced. Namibia gained its independence in 1994 and much has changed since however, there still are many challenges seen here. Much injustice has occurred over the past 100+ years which expectedly and sadly still remain imprinted in the minds and hearts of most of Namibia.

This past Monday was our big drive day, as our last blog had said we piled into the van and trailer with all our luggage, 7 kids, 6 adults, and a puppy. The drive was great. The scenery was beautiful along the way. After we crossed the “red line” the scenery became much more like the Africa we expected; villages with mostly huts with straw roofs. The “red line” is a check point that has been set up between the northern part and the southern part of Namibia to originally regulate the transportation of cattle, but has also separated the more tribal regions from the more modern regions of Namibia as a result.

Mufasa, the lion at the lodge

Along our travels we saw some wildlife! We saw a group of baboons right along the road on either side just hanging out. A little while later we passed a single warthog digging in the sand not to far from the road and then later there was a giraffe off in the distance eating from a tree. It was a little giraffe but still it was a giraffe in the wild! One of our pit stops was at a lodge that had raised a rescued lion! Day 4 in Namibia and we already saw a lion!!

Mostly this week we have been setting up our home and going through our orientation of Rundu, its culture, and people. We've spent time going to the local food stores, bought our cell phones and home electricity, and even ate dinner at a lodge overlooking the Kavango River that separates Namibia from Angola. Mark has played doubles tennis with Rob, Blair (an awesome Aussie missionary that has been here for 6 weeks spending time with the OVC), & Dr. Yuri (the head of the hospital). Julie has walked into town to see the open market and get a feel for the area – it was a very dusty and hot 3 hour trip!

We've been fortunate to have a tour of the hospital and spend time playing with the children at the Kaisosi Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project (OVC). The children have been so welcoming! We are excited to get to know them better as we spend time there.

Our home in Rundu

A few things we have become accustomed to since arriving are: heat (35-40 C), dust/sand, thunderstorms, lizards, and ants! :) It is a change, but a great one.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We will be beginning our time at the hospital this week and are sure we will have lots to become accustomed to. Mark will be beginning his work on the hospital computers and Julie will be beginning her time as a nurse in Casualty (otherwise known in the States as Emergency).