Namibia Journal - November 18th
November 18thThere are five residential areas to Okahandja—Nau-Aib, Federstahl(sp?), Victory Camp, 5 Rand, and the town of Okahandja itself.
Nau-Aib is where Mike & Josh from our Apex team live and where a bulk of the black Namibian population in Okahandja lives. Within it are at least 5 sections—Sam Stand(?), Plocky's Door(?), Grys Blok and the “Budget Homes”. The areas range from shanty homes to nicer homes with tile, running water, indoor bathrooms, and electricity. It's also where the Ark Children's home is. Mike & Josh and two German volunteers who stay at the Ark are the only white people in Nau-Aib. We are hoping to be the next two white residents. The rest is entirely black and they are not at all accurately described just as 'black Namibians'. They are affiliated with many different people groups. I will list them when I learn more about them and what they are all called. Nau-Aib seems to be a very dark place spiritually so far.
Federstahl is a part of town we have not been to yet. Supposedly, it is where most of the “Colored” Namibians in Okahandja live. I forget the exact explanation of how specifically the “Coloreds” became their own group a long time ago when they were first mixed half black and half white. It is not a derogatory term though we have found that multiple names for different people groups are derogatory. The Coloreds are not to be confused with the other mixed group called the “Basters” or “Rehobothers” who are not as prevalent in Okahandja. We have been told that while the houses are nicer and more expensive, it only reflects the values of the Colored people that would rather have a nice house to show than put food on the table. I hesitate to repeat that without seeing it for myself so because I have said it I will be sure to clarify and confirm or contradict that in a future entry.
Victory Camp. This is the town dump. A lot of the short-term team members went there but we have not been there yet. Not too many people live here but the number is significant. The long-term team goes out there several times a month with various things. This section is all black and officially it is illegal to live there but it doesn't seem to get a lot of attention from local people.
5 Rand – We haven't been here yet but it is supposed to be a big shanty area like the shanty parts of Nau-Aib. Electricity and running water are available but not prevalent. This is where a lot of where the ongoing Choose to Wait ministry happens.
Okahanjda Town – This is composed of the areas around the town's main road. Almost all of the stores and shops are in this area. There seems to be a lot of banks here. There is a military museum opening up soon. Both of the wood carver's markets are here, etc. It is not all white by any means but it is where 'all' the White Namibians in Okahandja live. It is generally pretty modern and has a good appearance on the outside except for some spots.
I want this place to seem alive to everyone reading this so try to imagine some of these things. I'm continually impressed by the different gardening work and beautiful desert plants that are cultivated here—tall cacti and overgrown bushes like trees with bright purple flowers. Green leaves of crops give stark contrast to desert sands and dust. There are even some green grass lawns that have been grown at some houses. There are animals and children everywhere.
We visited the Multi-Purpose Ministry Center (MPMC) that Apex paid for today and painted some of the walls. I would have really liked to have some Namibians involved helping us so we could talk with them about the things of God but it was just the team for now. The MPMC is a pretty big building, like the biggest one in the immediate area, and is on the outside of Nau-Aib. Victory Camp is also nearby the building.
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