G.O. 2005: Namibia (pt. 14)
This is part 14 of an overall summary of last year's Namibia trip. It is part two of a subsection. The entire document (or as much of it as has been completed) is available in the right hand menu entitled 'The Namibia 2005 Story'. I hope you enjoy reading along.
No Place To Lay My Head (pt. 2)
On a journey that’s just as He planned…
It was in the days leading up to our Namibia 2005 departure that I was afforded a few opportunities to look in on Sandi and the dancers as they prepared for the trip. During these rehearsals, Sandi would carefully watch the girls’ every move, her eyes racing back and forth between the dancers themselves and their image in the studio’s mirrored wall. At times, she appeared to be marking the moves with her hands and upper body, with each of the girls’ leaps and turns. Occasionally she would burst into a count or a clap, or shout an instruction out over the music. Every now and then she would even step into the routine herself for a quick count of eight, as if to demonstrate, ‘do it just like this’.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
On the field in Namibia, Sandi’s work with the girls continued, but now in a different manner. There were very few ‘rehearsal’ moments while we were in Namibia. Sandi’s work shifted. Instruction gave way to encouragement; correction gave way to applause; counting and clapping gave way to hugs and even prayers.
There was the moment when Steph’s music stopped as she danced before more than 1000 students. Over the crowd Sandi’s voice was heard, ‘Yeah Steph!’, cheering her on. There was the performance where Diandre’s neck stiffened just as she was preparing to dance. Sandi stood behind her massaging her neck, and speaking words of reassurance to her between numbers. There were times when she stepped up, even when she was called far beyond her comfort zone. But there were also times when she chose to hold back, to let other members of her team be stretched.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
Then there was that moment, and the words I wish I could call back. Near the end of the trip I had a disagreement with Sandi, in a tone I deeply regret. That experience in itself isn’t really all that surprising. Tense moments and rash remarks are common in the pressure cooker of cross-cultural mission trips. What was surprising – refreshing is actually a better word – was that Sandi came to me soon after and told me that I had hurt her feelings. She allowed me to apologize to her, and she offered forgiveness. She moved on.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
No Place To Lay My Head (pt. 2)
On a journey that’s just as He planned…
It was in the days leading up to our Namibia 2005 departure that I was afforded a few opportunities to look in on Sandi and the dancers as they prepared for the trip. During these rehearsals, Sandi would carefully watch the girls’ every move, her eyes racing back and forth between the dancers themselves and their image in the studio’s mirrored wall. At times, she appeared to be marking the moves with her hands and upper body, with each of the girls’ leaps and turns. Occasionally she would burst into a count or a clap, or shout an instruction out over the music. Every now and then she would even step into the routine herself for a quick count of eight, as if to demonstrate, ‘do it just like this’.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
On the field in Namibia, Sandi’s work with the girls continued, but now in a different manner. There were very few ‘rehearsal’ moments while we were in Namibia. Sandi’s work shifted. Instruction gave way to encouragement; correction gave way to applause; counting and clapping gave way to hugs and even prayers.
There was the moment when Steph’s music stopped as she danced before more than 1000 students. Over the crowd Sandi’s voice was heard, ‘Yeah Steph!’, cheering her on. There was the performance where Diandre’s neck stiffened just as she was preparing to dance. Sandi stood behind her massaging her neck, and speaking words of reassurance to her between numbers. There were times when she stepped up, even when she was called far beyond her comfort zone. But there were also times when she chose to hold back, to let other members of her team be stretched.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
Then there was that moment, and the words I wish I could call back. Near the end of the trip I had a disagreement with Sandi, in a tone I deeply regret. That experience in itself isn’t really all that surprising. Tense moments and rash remarks are common in the pressure cooker of cross-cultural mission trips. What was surprising – refreshing is actually a better word – was that Sandi came to me soon after and told me that I had hurt her feelings. She allowed me to apologize to her, and she offered forgiveness. She moved on.
I learned a lot about ministry watching the dance teacher.
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