Education and a cherished video!

This will be a treasure all my life. When they saw the camera, Todop and Rivaldo started belting our this great little long. I love how Elda and Lisa joined in and how Rivaldo knows Todop is messing up the words but he gives up and just sings his background part.

A very precious memory. I love these kids and will pray for them all my life. We have told each one of them that we will bring them for a trip to America once they graduate with the equivalent of a bachelor's degree (usually 3 years). We have also committed to helping them financially, like Alaska who is so bravely renting a room in the capital city of Windhoek to go to school. After 1 year he gets a certificate. After 2 years another level. After 3 years of successful work, he will get his diploma and degree. We are buying him a critically needed computer today with funds donated just before we left so we just brought them in cash. What an honor to bring the blessings so many others are providing, in Jesus' name! Our Namibia Ministry at Mount of Olives Church sends $400 US monthly for Alaska's tuition, rent, food, and transportation needs. He needs to find a job to buy his books and trips necessary for his major in tourism. He has been mugged for the equivalent of 60 cents so he won't take any cash from us. Monies are transferred into his account so he can pull out just what he needs. He has banded together with some other like-minded students to get by. They pool their money to buy lunch (something like a deep fried ball of dough). We talked about his health and the investment in some fruit and vegies and protein.

I have been looking at the papers and am very surprised at the level of education needed for many of the jobs advertised. Many need a master's degree. So... we are boldly mentoring the kids at the Ark toward college. We are promising support, as long as they are striving and stay on track. It sounds harsh but, should they become sexually active or turn away from the people of CHI, the deal is off. There are just too many needs and we need to hold the vision of breaking the cycle of poverty and HIV/AIDs for them, until they can see it themselves.