Struggling in Bethanie

Bethanie (like Bethany in the Bible) is a small town in southern Namibia, and is ranked as one of the oldest settlements in the country. It lies on the road between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz. As missionaries started travelling north from South Africa (the Cape Colony) in the early 1800s, they established mission stations on their way. The London Missionary Society founded the town, but, because of a shortage of missionaries and presumably because of the cooperation between the London and Rhenish Missionary Society at the time, they instead sent a German. Reverend Heinrich Schmelen built his Schmelenhaus in 1814, now considered the oldest building in Namibia, and currently a National Monument and memorabilia museum.

I found the following photo and info about the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, Iowa in partnership with Schmelen Lutheran Church in Bethanie who helps feed 78 children at the Hostel run by Schmelen Lutheran Church. Children live at the hostel while attending school in Bethanie. Some of the children are orphans. Other children's families live too far away to transport the children to school everyday. Source http://www.whereissteve.com/zion/zionproj.html also see Karas Regional Council - http://www.karasrc.com/ for more information about the region.

In a debate about a report published by the National Planning Commission (Nov 2008) regarding the people of the South of Namibia it was pointed out that there is a lack of job creation, leading to unemployment. Prime Minister Nahas Angula said "We must understand the social history of the Namas. The challenge we have is to restore the dignity of the Nama people." He further stated that the people of the South need to be provided with means of production, whether it is land or animals. Deputy Prime Minister Libertine Amathila also spoke on the issue. "The poor people are the ones taking their pensions and spending it at shebeens," she said. Amathila singled out shebeens (bars) as one of the major problems. "We can talk and make statements, but it won't help. We are dealing with a difficult situation." she added. Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200811100951.html

Please pray for the many who are in the grip of poverty in Bethanie and the south. Pray for wisdom and creative ways to address the problem of job creation and the abuse of liquor. Pray that the Church will anchor the Nama people in the Word of God and help them to trust in Christ to restore their dignity.