Zambezi highest in 40 years

The Zambezi River rose by three centimetres yesterday and reached an alarming height of 7,82 metres at Katima Mulilo in the afternoon – the second highest level in 40 years.

I was wondering, who is doing what to help these poor and displaced people. It is all happening so far from us in the capitol city, Windhoek. Katima Mulilo is about 1210km (752 miles) from us.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba flew to the Caprivi Region yesterday again to assess the flood damage after an earlier visit a few weeks ago to the region.

My search found only one organization who are reaching out to help. I do believe, on the ground there are many others.

The Namibia Red Cross Society (NCRS), has appealed for donations to help flood victims in northern Namibia, but could not give more details about the humanitarian situation in the Caprivi Region. Governor Mwilima accompanied President Pohamba on a helicopter flight over the flood-stricken Caprivi Region yesterday. They will make the situation known.

The Namibian Red Cross Society however called for help. If you want to contribute funds, goods or volunteer assistance, kindly contact the Namibia Red Cross Society at 2128 Independence Avenue, Katutura, Windhoek, Namibia. Telephone: 264 61 235 226 E-mail: enquiries@redcross.org.na Web http://www.redcross.org.na/

Please remember the people of the north in your prayers. And pray for those who are doing what they can to help. Pray for their safety, their health, and for their well-being. Also, please pray about what God would have you do. Thank God for His Mercy, His Grace, and His Tender and Ever Present and Ever Faithful Love.

Source: News and photo from http://www.namibian.com.na/news-articles/top-stories/

Namibians - Celebrate your freedom!

On 21 March 2009 Namibians celebrated 19 years of independence! Freedom often comes at a high price. We, as children of the Living God are reminded by this day that we are also free, and that our freedom was also bought at a high price. Let's celebrate our freedom! Please spend time with the Lord, as you read and meditate about the following prayer by Mary Fairchild:

Dear Lord, There is no greater feeling of liberation than to experience this freedom from sin and death that you have provided for me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are free to praise you. For this I am very thankful.

On this Independence Day I am reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that my freedom was purchases with a very high price. My freedom cost others their very lives.

Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty meet their needs and watch over their families.

Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.

Amen

Source: http://christianity.about.com/od/4thofjulyprayersverse/qt/prayers4ofjuly.htm

Come, follow me!

One of the greatest needs of Namibia is spiritual leaders. Men and women who follow Christ as they share their lives at home, at work, at the church and in the community. When you follow Christ, you become his apprentice. An apprentice is a person legally bound through a contract to a master craftsman in order to learn a trade. This is a wonderful description of the relationship between Jesus and his followers.

This group of ladies are doing just that. Every week they meet as "a Practical Christian Living group", learning to follow Christ.

Jesus is a leader who truly leads. Please pray for these ladies to be followers who truly follow. Please pray that through their influence, many others will also answer to the call of the Master Craftsman, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

Efundja causing a crisis!

Thousands of children in the north of Namibia are unable to go to school because of the seasonal floodwater (locally known as Efundja) and flooded pans (oshanas). 267 of the 811 schools in the Omusati-, Oshana-, Ohangwena- en Oshikoto- regions had to close.

Mr. André Struwig, of the Oshikoto Education Department painted a sad picture where deep waters made it impossible for children and teachers to safely reach their schools. Many schools will be closed for a "flood-holiday" and only re-open on April 6. Hundreds of homesteads have been flooded and villagers have been cut off from towns. Gravel roads and bridges have been damaged, pensioners are unable to get to pay points and the distribution of food aid has been brought to a halt in some areas.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba flew to the North to see how the heavy rains have affected people.

Sources: http://www.republikein.com.na & http://www.namibian.com.na The photo is from my collection from the 2008 flood.

Please pray for the effected people and areas and for:

• the protection of lives.
• wisdom how to address the challenges of the flood.
• flood aid to reach the victims.
• the necessary finances for the repair of the infrastructure.
• open hearts and hands to send help to the effected areas.