“There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.”

Today I found out that one of my Namibian students has gone to be with Jesus - “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”(Psalm 116:15) She was in grade five when I taught her, and I know that she loves Jesus, is no longer suffering, is enjoying the glory of Heaven, and for this I am truly thankful. My heart however, aches for her family, friends, and for the FHS community. I have been back in Canada for a year and a half now, but the people of Namibia still dearly hold a piece of my heart.  

Upon return from my short time overseas, many people asked me what I learned from my experience.  This is indeed difficult to sum up in a few sentences, but the most impactful of the numerous things I learned was a new way to love. God grew my heart in Namibia and taught me to love as I had never previously experienced. It is very rare that a day will pass without me thinking about the students of FHS. They were and still are very precious to me. They exemplify strength, determination, joy, and hope in the midst of oppression. They are exceptionally beautiful people.    

As I continue to learn more about what it means to love like Jesus, I’m also learning that loving more deeply leads to hurting more deeply too. With the passing of this young girl, I’m yet again awakened to the injustice of poverty in our world which kept her from the medical care that surely would have been accessible in Canada. The reality of how desensitized we are as a people to the world outside of our comfort zone is heartbreaking (I include myself in this reality). Jesus’ love towards the oppressed was not merely a feeling, but rather, the state of His spirit which lead Him to action.

A while back I read an excerpt from Francis Chan’s book Forgotten God. It can be found at: http://www.charismamag.com/entertainment/572-j15/newsletters/the-buzz/6835-francis-chan-forgotten-god-

The following lines really stood out to me and I’ve continued to reflect on them over the past couple months. “Is it not an emergency that children in Cambodia and Thailand and even the U.S. are being raped every single day of their lives? Why is that not an emergency?... Is an emergency only an emergency if it affects me and my immediate family?”   

So today I write to you with a hurting heart. With tears for those mourning the loss of this precious child. With a stirred brokenness for the injustice and poverty of our world. With a desire for Jesus’ return to bring an end to all this suffering. And also with a question which needs prayer – how is Jesus calling me today, to practically respond to the emergencies of our world, to be His hands and feet, which He has called all followers to be.

Thanks for reading,

~Heather

allAfrica.com: Namibia: Forty-Nine Percent of Citizens Living in Poverty

allAfrica.com: Namibia: Forty-Nine Percent of Citizens Living in Poverty

A glimpse of my Journey in Namibia

Dear Friends, 

So I thought I was long done blogging, but here we go again, one more look for you of my time in Namibia. I put this little video together for the presentations I have been doing, but thought I would put it here for anyone I have been unable to share with in person. I am indebted to my roommates Hannah and Candace who deserve credit for the pictures, beginning video clip and idea. They are much better photographers than I, and so graciously shared their photos with me. Many thanks must also be given to our wonderful Lord who cares even for the small details of our lives. It is truly only through His grace that my technology-challenged self was able to put this together. I hope you enjoy!      

It's Independence Day.

On March 21, 1990, The Namibian flag was raised for the first time at the National Stadium. Independence from South Africa realized. The quest for the separation and autonomy of South West Africa (Namibia) began in 1947 through deliberations with the UN, but liberation did not come easily and the people experienced much suffering in the years that followed. Six years of drought fell upon the region and with this came major economic struggles. Apartheid (separation and racial segregation) was law from 1948 to 1990. Deliberations between UN officials, South West Africa, and South Africa were unsuccessful, resulting in military action.

The resiliency of the people of Namibia is outstanding. The country is only 21 years old (I was not even two when this country declared independence, and certainly had no idea then that I would call it home temporarily twenty years later!). Though the students I taught are to young to have personally experienced the trauma of military action, I remember some telling me of their fears that war would return to their nation. Memories are still very fresh for most Namibians, and even those not directly involved or affected, know someone who was a part of the fight for freedom.

Though much progress has happened in Namibia, remnants of former ways are still present. For example, I just finished reading an article on Allafrica.com which stated: "Namibia promulgated the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act in 1991, but there is no legislation that specifically prohibits the ideology of apartheid". Despite such lingerings from the past, Namibia has come a long way. It is a beautiful country of great diversity in both landscape and culture, with amazing sunsets, incredible animals, and truly inspiring people. Below are a few snapshots from my Namibian journey. Please join me today and pray for this nation, and its people.

Thanks for reading!

What is childhood without Potato sac races?  

Time for a little bit of P.E.Island in Namibia!

 Dancing for Namibians seemed as natural as breathing.

This is a photo of Miss Paulina. Not only did she love to read, but she also loved to practice for spelling tests! Daily she would ask me for help, but for the first month or so, I truly feel that she was more of the teacher as I simply never pronounced the words right.

( Zeeeebra = Zebb-rra /  crocodile = crow - ko - dial / Sister = sissta, etc.)

This last photo is of precious Kaita. I dearly miss this little fellow, along with the many other children and friends I met throughout my time in that great country. Thanks again for following me and encouraging me throughout this journey!


Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/402283/Namibia/44020/Independence
http://allafrica.com/stories/201007191384.html

Eric Ludy - Depraved Indifference

The Journey Without End

The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.  

~Deuteronomy 2:7

My dear friends,

My greetings come to you no longer from Namibia, but rather from the most beautiful P.E.Island. I have been back in Canada just over one week now, and have been enjoying visiting with family and friends. Re-adjusting to the way of life here has been a bit of a challenge; the reverse culture shock as they call it, is more difficult than I expected. But regardless, I am very thankful for such a wonderful place to call home.

As I begin to reflect on my time in Namibia, I am in awe of the truth of the above scripture verse, and of God's faithfulness throughout my time in Africa. The Lord has truly watched over me, been with me, provided for me, and guided me during this journey. I am so very grateful. Thank you for your many prayers. It was very evident that people were praying.

Throughout the entirety of my stay in Namibia, I repeatedly questioned why I was so privileged to have such an experience. I have dreamed of teaching in Africa since I was 5 or 6 years old. I have desired to serve the Lord overseas since I came to know Him and began following Him in my early teens. But despite these dreams and desires, part of me never really expected to live this journey. I continuously asked God why I was being given such a gift. Why would He so generously bless someone like me? I felt so undeserving of my reality, so unworthy of being in Africa. 

One day after school, Candace and I were having one of our many chats about FHS and the amazing kids we had the privilege of teaching. It was nearing the end of November, and so we were reflecting a bit on the different opportunities the students had this past semester. We talked about their incredible joy and appreciation for little things like a good meal or a 'new to them' sweater. These children are so precious, I have grown to love them more than I knew was even possible, and I have been so very broken by the reality of the situations they face. I shared with Candace my desire to give these kids the world, and how I wished I could help them experience so many other opportunities in life. This is when God taught me something about His great love. 

"Heather," Candace said, "You know how you are often questioning why you have the privilege of being in Namibia?" - yes, I certainly do - "You know how you talk about how you want to give your students opportunities and experiences beyond what they can even imagine?" -yuppers - "Well, that is exactly how God feels about you. He wants to give YOU the world. He wants you to have experiences and opportunities you could only dream of."

I was, and still am, really struck by this statement. I find it very easy to understand God's love for others, but accepting it for myself can be a struggle. As she said this, the words of Jesus came to mind when He says: 

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ~Matthew 7:9-11

My being in Namibia had nothing to do with who I am, but everything to do with who He, the Lord is. God's love for us is so very great. He is a loving father, a caring friend, a true comforter. He desires not only to give us the world, and good gifts in this lifetime, but He desires even more so to give us the gift of everlasting life. A never ending journey of living in His presence. 

Which brings me to my Merry Christmas wish for you. As we remember the birth of the Savior this season, the One who died to save us, let us also remember that He is a gift given from a God who loves us more than we can imagine. Yes, God loves YOU. 

Thank you for reading, and for being a part of my journey in Namibia. Your encouragement, your prayers, your emails and letters, all your support has been an overwhelming blessing. Thank you so very much.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas,

~Heather 

Now that I am back home in Canada, if you would like to hear / see more about this Namibian journey, please send me an email at heatherkeefe@hotmail.com   It would be my great privilege and honor to share this experience with you!

The Journey Lens - take seven

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

With only one week of school remaining, I thought I would post some more pictures of the students I work with at FHS. These children have captured my heart, they have taught me so much, and I give many thanks to God for this tremendous gift to work with them. God has used them to open my eyes, to alter my perspectives, to challenge my dependence on Him, to enlarge my heart, and to break it. I have grown to love these children more than I even knew was possible. Despite all the ups and downs, rewarding times and challenging ones, serving the Lord in Namibia is a great privilege.

I hope you enjoy seeing the faces which bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart each day.    

Tangeni is one of my grade 5 students. This is he and I in the classroom.

Charmain and Asser

Charity showing off her artwork.

 For a couple months now, Candace and I have been wanting to show The Jesus Film, a movie on the life of Jesus, to the students at the school. The Namibian sector of Campus Crusade for Christ jumped on board and made this possible. Two Fridays ago we showed the film in both the morning and the afternoon for our different students. When Jesus first appeared on the screen, my heart was so blessed to see and hear the excitement of the students "Teacher, that is Jesus!" "Oh Teacher, look, it is Him!". 

The following Monday, I read from Luke 23 and 24 with my class about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The students talked about what they remembered from the film ( in amazing detail!) and started asking some really great questions such as "Why did God choose Jesus?", "What did God leave behind on the Earth after Jesus died?", "Does God really live in us?". We talked about how Jesus is one with God, that He existed even before He was born as a person on Earth, and that He was perfect, and therefore the only one who could serve as a sacrifice for our wrongdoings. The students learned what the word 'sacrifice' means, and we talked about how, just like God had to give up something very difficult, the life of His Son, we also sometimes have to give up things for God and make sacrifices for Him.We talked about God's promise to leave us a helper here on Earth after Jesus died; that helper being the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is who God left behind, and God lives in us through His Spirit if we ask for forgiveness and make a decision to live our lives for Jesus. It was so encouraging to to have such a wonderful discussion with my students. We had a lovely morning together.   

Watching the Jesus Film

Making soap -  not a clean process, but certainly a lot of fun. 

Lisetha ( one of my grade 4 students) working away.

This little boy desperately wanted his photo taken. He is quite the little fellow.

The rains have arrived!!!  I have never seen the expression "When it rains, it pours" literally fulfilled so accurately.

Kaita doesn't so much like the rain.

This is Miss Emma. She is one of my precious grade 4 girls.

What happens when you give two twelve year old boys a glue stick and some felt?

You get two serious men...

...but only for a moment.

Sharing a laugh.

Making masks with teacher Candace.

Namibian pride.

Performing The Three Little Pigs. My class made the houses. I was most proud of their work!

Tuyenikelao (This is the student whose name I found the hardest to learn), learning the different colours in English, Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, Damara, and because four languages is simply not enough, the students requested French also. 

When I first began telling people I was going to Namibia, the number one question I was always asked was "Where is Namibia?" Well friends, do not feel bad as I also had to share this information with my Nambian students. They were most excited to search to globe and find their country.

Here it is, we found it!

Naemi having a look around the world.

This is Theresia. We always have fun as we learn.

Tangeni - my little friend with the big smile.

Meet Ringo and Riwaldo. Two of the cutest and most mischievous brothers at the centre. 

Sometimes they are very serious.

Sometimes they are quiet.

Sometimes they are quite the opposite! (I have no idea what he is doing).

"Will she find me in here???"

Yes, yes I will. Finally caught the little rascal!

Thank you for taking the time to read. Thank you for taking the time to email words of encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to pray. I wish I could more accurately express the depths of my gratitude, but do know that you are a part of this ministry, of the Lord's work in Namibia, and I am most appreciative.   

Wishing you all a most fantastic day!

~Heather