dec06
December 2006
Windhoek, 13 December 2006
Christmas time is the hottest time in Namibia. We have finished eating lunch: cold noodle salad and sausages. You can hear the monotonous chirp of the cicadas in the intense noontime heat. Unfortunately there are quite a few other background noises here in town as well - unnatural ones. Windhoek has emptied somewhat but is still quite busy - due to the unpleasantly high temperatures at this time most people flock to the coast to cool off in the cold Benguella current. The malls are still full of people doing their last Christmas shopping.
After a short siesta and while the kids listen to their programme on the German radio station, I (Birgit) would like to start our newsletter. I look into the distance from our dining room table with a cup of cold Karo coffee. Outside the sparrows keep their beaks open and their wings extended while sitting under the neighbour's roof. The thermometer shows 38 degrees. My family in the north of Namibia would say: well, why don't you come to us - here we often have 40 degrees and more. I admire them - when they work outside by day they probably experience more than 60 degrees!
We have been blessed with some good showers in October, so Windhoek looks nice and green, despite the heat. German speaking Namibians are grateful since they are assured of a green Christmas tree - traditionally an acacia with white thorns. The acacia currently blossoms in lush yellow catkin. A few years ago we have exchanged the thorny tree with a cypress - we didn't enjoy the thorns (especially while decorating the tree!) and it looked so scanty and thin. Also the wax candles that always had to be stored in the fridge until just before the gifts were opened (as they would otherwise bend in the heat) were exchanged for a chain of electric lights. This change was not easy for us, since a light chain is kitsch, not so? But what a joy when we switched on our new lights on the beautifully decorated tree. Christmas Eve with small kids was a lot more relaxed, as we didn't have to be concerned about the risk of fire all the time.
Now a few friends of the children have come to swim. The pool is in use all the time at the moment. Even on Christmas Eve it is a welcome distraction until the evening when the gifts are handed out. Occasionally we enjoy a cold melon on the lawn or in the pool.
Besides the assortment of Christmas cookies cold melons are popular refreshments - both in the pool and on the lawn.
The kids were helping with the Christmas cookies - we had quite an assortment, as well as a ginger bread house.
We love being at home during Christmas time. This gives us the opportunity and the joy of decorating, doing handicrafts, writing and reading. We have started establishing our own family traditions around the significant Christian holidays in the year. We feel that it is important to clearly impart the true, original meaning of these festivals to our kids.
Sometimes we have family members joining us for Christmas, and we also want to invite singles, as the opportunity arises. So far I have struggled, however, to really come to rest on the inside. We already have cancelled a few of the usual customs at this time, to avoid unnecessary distractions. Despite the fact that I have prepared weeks in advance, there is still so much to do, and what is most important to me - to find some peace and quiet - is still lacking. I hope this will improve with time.
Andriko (8 years) started school in January 2006. That extra year of preschool was definitely the right decision for him. Now he was emotionally mature to start school. He attends an English medium school, All Nations Christian School (about 1.5 km from our house) that uses the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) methodology. Every child has his own little office, and after they have learned to read and write everybody continues at his/her own pace. The classes are quite small (17 students) and each class has a teacher and an assistant to help individually, as required. This virtually eliminates the usual competitive rivalry in class and makes it possible for children with learning difficulties or disabilities to attend. Kids learn to set written goals every day and work towards them. Taking responsibility for themselves, honesty, character building, laying of good, biblical foundations are aspects that the school focuses on and that we believe are a priority in the primary school age. We feel privileged to be able to send our kids to this school. Andriko has settled in very well. This was confirmed by the teacher and also at the prize giving recently. We are proud of our big boy.
Andriko still enjoys digging in the back yard and climbing on trees and roofs. He loves being outside and physically active. About a year and a half ago an occupational therapist related Andriko's restlessness to a proprioception problem. Proprioception is "knowing where my body is in space". As the proprioception receptors are in the skin, the muscles and the joints, we brush and massage him regularly, as recommended. This has produced remarkable results.
Andriko has started collecting beautiful rocks and semi-precious stones. He'd like to buy the Kristallgallerie in Swakopmund some day... but he'd also like to be a farmer with a lot of horses to ride. He often thinks how he can get some money - it seems that working for it isn't the most popular method. Playmobil-toys also happen to be quite expensive...
Next year he will continue with gymnastics and soccer. We also want to start music lessons.
To conclude with Andriko: When uncle Hellies' car was rediscovered he said excitedly: "Wow, that must have been God!"
Danilo (6 years) enjoys being outside as well, but he also loves to draw, build puzzles and play games. He has been in an English medium Montessori Kindergarten for 2 years and has done really well. He is a well-balanced, cheerful little boy that enjoys life. He will join the bridging class (grade 0) at All Nations Christian School (where Andriko also is), and is very excited about that: "I hope I'll also get some homework now", he said. Danilo will also gym and play soccer and start with music lessons. Sometimes he goes to the piano and tries to play melodies of well-known children's songs. When Tabitha had her fairy-themed birthday party he was the only boy, proudly dressed up as a prince, and thoroughly enjoyed dancing with all the fairies. Although he is a lively little guy, he is a jovial, good-natured fellow. He is very loving and able to recognize pretty things. He often notices what Mutti is wearing. Recently he said: "Mutti, today you look just as pretty as Cinderella in her ball-dress."
For the last 2 years I (Birgit) have experienced Tabitha (4 years) as the cutest little girl ever. How I enjoyed her sweetness, her gentleness, even her moods - just the feminine side in her. At that age I enjoyed the boys tremendously, too. Tabitha was something new, something different, and yet so familiar - probably because I am also a female creature.
A few months ago she said: "Mutti, we are 2 beautiful women, aren't we?" Especially her first little birthday party
this year was a pleasant, almost therapeutic experience for me. The presents that I wrapped for her in pink paper were things that I would have loved to have as a little girl. It was fascinating how our daughter responded full of joy to these things. We invited 7 of her friends that were all dressed like little fairies - what a cute bunch. Hellmut said that I seemed to have enjoyed these days more than Tabitha herself!
Tabitha attended a small German medium Kindergarten 2 or 3 times per week this year. Towards the middle of 2007 we want to enrol her in an English medium Kindergarten. She loves to sing and draw, dress up, and will often play next to or with the boys. She enjoys picking flowers, and butterflies fascinate her. After the good rainy season 2005/06 we had thousands of them at one stage. Tabitha caught a few, stuck them in a glass jar and gave them something to eat and drink. When I asked her whether it had to be so many, she said - with determination: "Yes, because they must be a family, you see?"
One day when Tabitha was dropped off at home after Kindergarten our Golden Retriever, Kiani, was barking wildly (as usual). The lady dropping her off said: "Kiani, don't be silly!" Tabitha responded: "My dog is not silly!" We all love Kiani and our young tomcat, Pauli. We got Pauli from the SPCA in June 2006.
Jana (6) und Lisa (8) Dinkelmann still come to us twice a week for the afternoon. They have almost become like my own children, since for years now they have been here so often. I think this helps to still my desire for more children.
It is 6 years now that we have been in His People Christian Church, internationally part of “Every Nation Ministries“. Despite ample challenges and difficult times we know that this is where God has called us to at this stage. About 2/3 of the congregation is non-white. It is always exciting and rewarding to see how young black men and women are radically changed by the gospel and grow and mature in faith. Our focus is on discipleship and leadership training, especially on university and technicon campuses. Hellmut and I believe that the only hope for our country is well-trained blacks that have been transformed by the gospel (which includes having adopted Christian values) since only they are able to positively impact a politically sensitive environment.
Last year Hellmut was invited by the NBC a few times to join a talk show on national TV, to talk about topics like family, marriage, and finances. We thank God for religious freedom in this country and that we had the opportunity to broadcast Christian values and moral standards.
After our pastor (Franco Siani) was sent to Italy in October 2005 to plant a new church in Milan the Associate Pastors, Richard and Ruth Riley, became Senior Pastors. Unfortunately, in his own words, he made some mistakes that hurt the congregation. In March a new Associate Pastor, Sergé Solomons, and his wife Vivienne joined us. Sergé immediately set about to reverse the downward trend. After a few months the titles were exchanged and a week ago the Rileys returned to the US. Birgit attended the ladies small group with Ruth and was most blessed every week.
Sergé is a medical doctor, 36, has practiced in London for 3 years, is a coloured man and hails from Klerksdorp, South Africa. We are thrilled: a man of integrity, self-less, self disciplined, and clearly called to full time service. We are amazed what the impact of a strong character is. Vivienne is a lawyer and originally from Wales, but grew up in South Africa. She is more introverted, the quiet pillar of support.
I (Hellmut) also got to know Sergé a bit better through our appointments at the gym twice a week . Between the muscle training there is some time to talk. My weight is about 10% higher now and I am amazed how much more energy I have - I also think that it really helped to handle the pressures at work this year. In the first half of the year I was also running regularly. This was in preparation for a relay in July. In 2005 three colleagues and I had won the category "Financial Institutions" without having exercised much. This year we wanted to defend that title and improve our times. We succeeded, despite a dramatic fall... The Bank Windhoek National Business Challenge Relay consists of running, walking and cycling teams. We did the 4 x 5km run, and this time we were well prepared. The aim was 25 minutes per 5km. Birgit was in bed with flu on that day. After running 24.5 minutes I collapsed 100m from the finish line - unconscious. The scars on my hands and knees still tell the story. And then I started with the flu, not having had any symptoms before.
At work the Absa-Transaction soon followed: The South African Absa Group had owned about 35% of our group (Capricorn Investment Holdings Ltd) since the founding of Bank Windhoek about 25 years ago. When the British Barclays Bank bought about 60% of Absa we effectively became competitors in Botswana and Zambia, since Barclays already had subsidiaries there. After extensive talks our Namibian shareholders decided to buy the 35% held by Absa, a transaction of a few hundred million Dollars. Together with Gys Joubert, our Group Legal Advisor, we then were tasked to negotiate and finalise the details: contracts, where to get the funds from, what flows when from where to where, etc. We had to distribute large amounts in dividends from 3 companies and borrow some more. An exciting and interesting time! At the same time the normal work had to continue, and in these months that included the annual audit and the annual report (www.cih.com.na). I was rather stretched... Therefore it is a big relief that I was now allowed to appoint 2 qualified persons to assist me with my duties in the New Year.
In February 2006 we decided that I would have a laser operation done to my eyes, so that I would not have to wear glasses or contact lenses anymore. The "Lasik"-procedure is a mature technology that has been used by a local ophthalmologist, Dr Joffe, for many years. For almost a year I have not been wearing glasses anymore - amazing. But I must admit that I sometimes can't see 100% when working at the computer - that certainly was better with the contact lenses. I can see very well with each eye individually, but both of them together can't seem to focus perfectly. Anyway, I can live and work with it, and in all other areas I can see very well. I trust that my sight will improve with time.
We have now got more involved with the school (All Nations). By now God has blessed us with a German teacher, so the kids also h
ave German classes twice a week. Birgit has joined the prayer group at the school (Schools Prayer Network - Campus Crusade for Christ), and I helped on the School Board to develop a constitution and assisted with the financial management and general administration of the school.
Just like in 2005 we have again taken a group through the Crown Bible Study. Crown Financial Ministries is an international Christian organisation that teaches biblical financial stewardship. In July 2006 we organised a "Catalytic Event“ in Windhoek to teach the concepts and principles to the 100 pastors and spiritual leaders that attended . Next year I will probably train more small group leaders. We don't yet know exactly what our focus will be in the next year - besides Crown we would also like to present "Growing Kids God’s Way" and/or "Marriage on the Rock" again.
Lets tell you about the extended family: my Dad (68) flew to Cape Town in the middle of the year for an eye operation - re-attaching a piece of the retina. The operation was a success and Papa could see perfectly. While he was in Cape Town he decided to have his heart examined. Immediately he had to get 7 stents, as some of the blood vessels around the heart had become almost completely blocked. The operation was quite painful, but the subsequent swelling in the lower abdominal area was worse - it got so bad that he had to spend a night in hospital in Walvis Bay. When he had recovered the retina began to loosen again. Unfortunately the eye specialist was not available for a few days as he attended a conference, and by the time Papa was in Cape Town again the retina had completely detached - night on that eye. The second operation was not as successful: Papa can recognise silhouettes and colours, but he can't focus at all, which obviously has a major impact on his career as a veterinary surgeon as well as his hobby (tour guiding). We trust and hope that Papa's eye will improve with time. Mama is intimately involved with planning and organising each and every tour, although she doesn't join the trip most of the time.
My brother Heiko is happy and doing well at Benthin African Agencies. He is active with the St John's order (Johanniter) and a member of the church leadership of the Stadtmission. Furthermore, Heiko and Ursula participate in various cultural activities like singing in a choir, playing the trumpet/piano, and Ursula presents a regular slot on anthropology on the German radio station.
Reinhard ended his 3-year stint selling rooibos tea in New York at the end of 2005 and moved to Cape Town. He now works for the Deutsche Lufthansa where he calculates and determines the ideal loading configuration for large aircraft all over the world. His aim is to start exporting as a side line again, including rooibos tea.
Birgit's parents also had quite an eventful year: In February Pappa (75) started having chest pain and was flown to Cape Town on an emergency flight. There he received a triple heart bypass. Usually a bypass patient is released from hospital after 5 to 7 days. Pappa suffered from all kinds of complications and spent 5 weeks in intensive care! After 4 weeks he had his doubts about whether he was going to survive this ordeal. It was a tough spiritual battle - a lot of people prayed. By now he is very well.
In August he sold his entire stud of Bonsmara cattle. The most difficult part was to retrench his labourers, some of which had been with him for 35 years. He speaks both Oshiwambo as well as the language of the Bushmen and almost every Sunday he had a church service with them. So they were not just labourers but also disciples in the faith - almost part of the family.
Pappa and Mutti lead a cell group in Tsumeb, and Pappa regularly visits the Tsumeb hospital to pray with the patients. Furthermore, he preaches at various Bushman settlements. At the moment he really enjoys preparing hiking trails on Varianto. Pappa and Mutti often have guests - acquaintances and family, but also scientists busy with research in the area - that certainly keeps Mutti busy! In May we enjoyed a great Basson family get-together on the edge of the Namib Desert with breathtaking views.
Eckart and Sigi had a very good rainy season, but then a large fire destroyed about 75% of the grazing on their farm. It is a great relief that they can now use Varianto as well. Currently they enjoy horse riding very much - the whole family joins the endurance riding events, with Eckies and 2 of the kids participating.
Helmut (Hellies) and Christine expect their second child in March. Marek was born on 30 October 2005 and is a very active, extroverted sunnyboy. Recently they bought a larger house and are busy renovating in order to move in early January.
May you have a blessed year that will bring you closer to Him and see you faithful and fruitful.