I won’t be writing for the next two weeks as we are leaving soon to visit Community Hope School in Windhoek, Namibia. My first trip to Africa was in 1998 with our son, Taylor. We left on his twelfth birthday and visited my youngest brother Brian and his wife in Benin, West Africa. God taught us so many things that I asked Him to allow my whole family to one day experience his provision and protection in foreign lands. He has answered that prayer in amazing ways since ’98 and I am so grateful. The Body of Christ is the most beautiful organism on earth. To meet brothers and sisters of different languages and nationalities gives a tiny glimpse of Heaven to come.
This will be my tenth trip to Africa, and interestingly all but the first have taken place after I was diagnosed with cancer in 2000. I remember receiving a phone call on one of the darkest days of sickness with an encouraging word I could not bring myself to believe. “Dana,” a dear brother in Christ said, “I have this picture in my mind of you traveling around the world in the Name of Jesus.” I don’t remember my exact reply, but I thought, “Yeah right… you’ve got a flawed mind.” (Oh me of little faith.) During Christmas 2001 our entire family visited Brian and Sondra and their two boys who then lived in Cape Town, South Africa. When we arrived, smiling African brothers and sisters surrounded me praising God that they could see a concrete answer to a year of praying for Brian’s brother.
Brian has lived in Zambia the past five years. After fifteen years in Africa, he, Sondra, Noah, and Bryson will be moving to the States this spring to further their sons’ education. Brian is one of my heroes and I think this move will be difficult for him, but he realizes God has plans for different seasons of life. Isn’t it fun to watch his plans unfold?
The missionaries, teachers, and students at Community Hope School in Namibia are very dear to us. We have seen the older children grow up from preschool age to become beautiful teenagers who want to make a difference in their nation. Our high school students will be able to work with them in their studies, play with them, and serve all with the love of Christ. Please pray for us that the Light of Jesus might shine brightly.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16