Tear-Filled, Anxiety-Driven Prayers

The feeling of being alone in a crowded room is a haunting spine chilling phenomena. This daunting feeling was my biggest anxiety preparing to come to Namibia. I was anxious because it would be the first time traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, and I would be alone. It was going to be the first time living in another country, and I would be living alone. (Something I also have never done.) The fear of loneliness was my biggest anxiety without a doubt. I was so anxious of being alone that I did not even know what to pray to combat the loneliness. I simply prayed that I would learn to be dependent on God.

I am not an extrovert by any means, I don’t only enjoy being alone but I thrive off of it, so the fear of loneliness was something completely new to me. Up to this point in my life, it had never worried me to be alone, deep down it excites me. Yet, there I was for months fretting over being alone. The extent of my fear had me in tears the night before leaving, and it started when a family was praying over me, and it didn’t end until I fell asleep. The time was actually here, and I was actually going off alone. The darkness of loneliness was becoming a reality.

I pictured myself wandering through the European airport aimlessly, oblivious to my surroundings because I am a foreigner. I pictured myself spending non-work hours in my apartment flat alone and disconnected. I pictured myself frantically going through the supermarket, surrounded by people who didn’t even notice me.

I could not have been more wrong, and God showed me how wrong I was before even boarding the first plane.

Sitting at the gate in Chicago O’Hare Airport, I realized the woman across from me had almost the same itinerary as me. She would have the same layover, and get on the same flight to South Africa as me. So for 90% of my traveling she would be there. I had not even boarded the plane and I had made a friend that I would be able to navigate the airports with and kill time while waiting. She also is really awesome and inspiring, so that is a bonus. I felt safe and confident to have a companion to travel with. I am convinced that she is Gods answer to my tear-filled & anxiety-driven prayers.

After her and I split ways I had the last leg of my traveling, from Johannesburg to Windhoek. As I exited the Windhoek airport I was greeted by an excited kid and friendly faces. I spent that evening and day with the Echols, and the next day I was taken to my apartment. My housing situation is another confirmation that God cares about my fears and he provides not only materially but he provides emotionally, and socially. My housing arrangement is beyond ideal, the family that I rent from is extremely friendly and warm, as well as the other tenants. I am convinced that my housing situation is God’s answer to my tear-filled & anxiety-driven prayers.

It is almost bizarre how well my personality has meshed with David and Sandy. Within one week I already feel like I have become closely knit with them and the kids. I knew that I would mesh well with them because they are also fans of The Office, but I didn’t realize that they would include me as much as they do. I am invited over for dinner and lunch regularly and spent most of my (waking) free-time on their sofa. The relationship with them has clicked so well, and so fast that I am convinced that our relationship is God’s answer to my tear-filled & anxiety driven prayers.

I have learned that not only does God hear our cries, but he also doesn’t leave us alone. The body of Christ is everywhere. There are Christians and people on every corner of the globe that we can mesh with, and create community. Community doesn’t have to be an established group, but it can be where two or more people are gathered. I find extreme comfort and peace in knowing that I am not alone, because God is with me and his people are, too.

Deficits

I recently spoke about “deficits” at our Thrive Bible study. The series was very interesting as I saw how the Thrive guys were really engaged in the Bible study topic.

 So, what do I mean by “deficits”? I am talking about something or someone that’s missing in your life which can lead to an emotional or physical impairment. For example, one major deficit that affects my community is the lack of father figures. The worst part is that it is just accepted here. I know this personally because I grew up without a father figure. This led me to seek validation from the wrong friends and look up to older men in my community who just did all the wrong things, but this brought me no peace.

 However, the moment I started seeking validation from Jesus Christ everything started to get in place. My point here is once you allow God to walk with you in all your deficits, He will use you in even more life changing experiences. I can think of a few men that God used despite their deficits. One of them would be Moses in Exodus 4:10 “ But Moses said to the Lord “ Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Here we can see how Moses had a deficit of speaking but the man helped thousands of people out of slavery, all of this with the strength of God.

 I believe that God worked through this topic and it really made a huge impact on our lives. I hope this speaks to you in some way, if so, please share with us down in the comments.

Raylin Uirab

INTERNational Living Part 4: Final Thoughts

It is crazy how time flies. Being back in the United States has given me some time to reflect on my internship in Namibia. Oh how dearly I miss the people there. The Lord has done so much in my life. He has inspired me and moved me by the people that have blessed my life and have allowed me into theirs.

David and Sandy are truly impacting many people for Christ. The Thrive group is growing into a community that not only cares for those within, but is beginning to to look outward as well. The retreat we had for them brought a spark of passion for their community. I cannot wait to see what these young adults are going to do. They are world changers. David has done a fantastic job of leading these students and showing them who Christ is. In turn, these students are reaching out to others to impact the Kingdom.

Sandy has inspired me in her leadership. She has led her household with dignity and love. Her two boys reveal who Christ is even at three and one. It truly is a testament to what she is instilling in her children every day. She is a humble servant to her children, the other missionaries and the community. While I was there, Sandy and a few other ladies began a ministry to young pregnant girls. I only got to hear her teach a few times, but you could see Christ in her words and actions. She is a gifted teacher. It was amazing to see Sandy support these girls in a difficult time in their lives.

A huge part of the ministry that I was involved in involved visiting homes. We had the opportunity to go to a little community within Katutura called Sonder Water. It was a wonderful opportunity. We basically went into their community and began to ask about their skills and abilities. It was amazing to see how this simple questions could change the way they viewed themselves. I talked with a group of gentlemen. They started bragging about each other. They began to sit a little taller. It was great to be a part of a community development program, even if only at the beginning.

There were so many things that I experienced and saw the Lord do that it would be hard to write it all down in this blog post. David and Sandy are doing great and inspiring ministry, but they are in need of help.

Matthew 9:37- Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

David and Sandy have their hands in many different ministries that are working with the community to reach those who are in need of Christ. In Namibia there is a great thirst to discover who Jesus truly is. People are willing to hear about the Gospel and are open to have these conversations, but there are just not enough workers for the harvest. This desire is strong. I ask and plead that you would pray that the Lord would send workers.

I am so grateful for these experiences. My hope and prayer is that I would have the opportunity to go back. Namibia will always have a special place in my heart. I have learned and grown so much in Christ. My life has been changed forever.

Jesus, I ask and pray that you would send workers into this country. You are Lord. Thank you for knowing and loving this community and this country. Continue to bring your Kingdom to earth and transform lives for you. I ask that you would raise up leaders in Katutura. Bring your change. Thank you for always being faithful. Bring your hope.

INTERNational Living Part 3: Outreach, Ice Cream Cake & A Powerful Change of Plans

A couple of weekends ago, the 3 Measures team held a retreat for our young adult Thrive community. The retreat focused on reaching out into our community in Katutura and how they can go about that. We started the retreat off with a bonfire and some wonderful fellowship. Sandy gave an excellent devotional about loving your neighbor. Saturday morning we began our day by spending an hour with Jesus. I had the opportunity to put together a packet for each young adult. This packet included many practical ways of spending time with Christ. The passages I picked had to do with knowing how the Lord sees you (Psalms 139) and a passage from Philippians 2 that revealed how the church should follow in Christ’s footsteps.

After that hour, we spent some time discussing how devotional time went. Most stated that an hour seemed intimating at first, but after beginning, some said they needed more time. I was blessed and encouraged by the feedback. After the devotional time, we entered into a time of team building games like the egg drop. In the sessions that remained, we talked about how to reach out to the community. These young adults inspired me with their ideas of how to care for their community. They brought up so many creative and inspiring ideas. That night was filled with fellowship, Nacho Libre, and a delicious ice-cream cake.

On Sunday the Lord changed our plans. A time for outreach planning became a time of sharing about personal lives and opening up to each other. It was exciting to see and hear the Lord move in powerful ways and I was blessed to be a part of it.

Melissa Faraci

INTERNational Living Part 2

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

My experience here so far has encouraged me and my walk with Christ through the many examples I have seen in Namibia. I have met many wonderful people who are seeking the Lord. Last Sunday, during Thrive Bible study, we discussed what it means to reach out to the community. It was neat to be a part of the discussion as they looked back at where the group has come and where they are going. Each story told that night was riddled with themes of community and discipleship. I am blessed to be a part of a group that has built a strong community in and through Christ. Acts 2:42-47 has been the key passage this group has grasped on to and is striving to live out. It was inspirational to hear these students share stories about what the group was two years ago and where they are now. I was encouraged to see the Kingdom of the Lord lived out through these students in their daily lives.

This is how the church is called to live. The Kingdom of God should be consumed with community, discipleship, and reaching out to others in and with Christ. We are all called to love the Lord and to love others. This is affirmed in Mark 12:30-31,“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

 I am personally convicted to live in a way that glorifies the Lord by loving others and I am encouraged to see how these men and women continue to walk in obedience in Christ through their community.

Melissa Faraci

“Aacckk!”

“Aacckk! That’s not a lizard — it’s an alligator!!”

I have had a grand adventure discovering the different types of wildlife found here in Namibia. Being here in this wonderful country I have learned that there are many snakes that can cause death, that giraffes and flamingos roam free and that warthogs gather together to go to the watering hole.

God’s wonderful creation is just one of the many blessings that I have experienced here. The Lord continues to show His faithfulness and how He transcends all cultures, tongues, and people. Jesus has been doing a great work through Three Measures’ Thrive group and through the Echols. He is revealing Himself to these young adults in powerful ways. I have just been with them for about two weeks and I have seen them show the love of Christ to each other and really be a community of believers. They welcomed me in without hesitation and allowed me to become a part of that community.

Tennis has been a huge part of this community. It recently started up again, which has given me the ability to build relationships in a sport that I love. I am excited to see what the Lord will do through us in this season and how He will move to bring transformation.

Melissa Faraci

Selfies with Raylin: Tennis

We took a break for the holidays, but we’re back! Hope you enjoy this week’s selfie…

I took my selfie this week at the tennis court. We have a tennis ministry that takes place every Wednesday afternoon. Last year we even had our first tennis tournament. Tennis has become part of our physical health program in 3measures.

A note from David & Sandy:

This program started sort of unintentionally. We never intended to start a tennis ministry, but another missionary in Windhoek invited us along for his tennis program at the local university. The group we took liked it so much that we had to start our own program.

While it is a physical activity, I am sure that the social benefits for our group have far outweighed the physical. This ministry was key to developing a stronger sense of community among our young adults.

Unexpected Loss: Margret Shikongo

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced you on this blog to the Shikongo family. We have also shared about them in our last two newsletters. Last night we heard the sad news that Margret Shikongo passed away. As is social norm in our community, the funeral services started on Wednesday and will continue on through Saturday.

We have been meeting each week to study the Bible in the home of Margret and her husband, Abraham. We have been so impressed and encouraged by the faith and love that we see in this family. This was especially evident in Margret, who showed a genuine desire to know Christ and for her family to learn to follow Him.

Please pray for comfort for the Shikongo family as she left behind a husband, four daughters and a brother. Also pray that their home will continue to be a light of hope for their community.

Selfies with Raylin: Thrive Bible Study

This week’s selfie finds me at our Thrive Bible study. This Bible study is that part in our name “3 measures” which involves the spiritual aspect of people’s lives. Reaching people spiritually is the most important thing that we aim to achieve in this community. This picture was taken at our Bible study with young adults and meets on Sundays. Every week has its own topic of discussion.

Raylin

A note from the Echols:

This Thrive Bible study has been at the center of most of what we have done so far. This is where community, trust, discipleship and support  begin. It is where people are asking life’s tough questions, searching their souls, coming to repentance and experiencing God. While we’re away we have four of the young men we baptized this year taking turns leading the Bible study. This past Sunday was Raylin’s turn again, he led a biblical discussion about perseverance.

David & Sandy

Selfies with Raylin: Hope Cafe

Hi everyone, I am Raylin Uirab and this is my first selfie!

This is me at Monday night’s Hope Cafe. Community members from our Thrive group meet here to use the provided internet to do college homework, research, assignment and projects. We also just come here to enjoy time together and the refreshments that are sold.

Raylin

Note from the Echols:

Internet is not always as easy to come by in Namibia as it is in other parts of the world. We noticed a need for internet access in Katutura especially among our college and university students. Internet tends to be very expensive and is usually charged on a per mb basis. In most cases the only internet access available to them is free from midnight to 5 AM, leaving our students often having to wait until then to begin their studies. Hope Cafe was our answer to this problem. It has been a big success, allowing students a chance to use internet and providing a safe and fun place for community members to socialize.

If you’re ever in Namibia, feel free to drop by Hope Cafe, so far we’re open every Monday and Thursday evening.