Namibia Day 2

Thursday 1st of September

Today was the first day of training in Namibia! I accidentally woke up from sleep reluctantly at 7:30 knowing that orientation started at 8. I woke up Sarah and we both were wondering why Hannah our other roommate was not awake yet? We had assumed since she had been staying two days prior to us getting here she would have set an alarm, but we did not want to leave her here without making sure she was up. I went into her room and tried to whisper her awake, “pisssh…Hannah…pisssh…. HANNAH! She heard me after a minute or so, took her ear plugs out and then said its not time yet its only 6:50! Since Hannah is from England and didn’t have a time change I had to assume she was only correct and that I had kept my watch set in Johannesburg time from where we last caught a flight. After apologizing profusely to Sarah, her and I both had a little laugh and then slept another hour until we had to get up at the “real 7:55”.
Upon arrival into Rob and Alisa’s they greeted us with hot coffee brewing, which I could not seem to say no to this morning! After a quick catch up on our sleep we opened up the discussion of the morning with our personal stories. We each explained how we got to where we are now and what the Lord did to make sure it happened this way. It is always so encouraging to hear one another’s stories and how the Lord led them to the place where they are today. After introductions we dug into some scripture, Philippians 2:1-7. Taking from this piece we were reminded of several things my favorites were “Being one in purpose and in spirit” “Becoming obedient to death, even in the harshest of circumstances” and “make yourself nothing. Take nature to that of a servant.” I think all of these points of view will be vital during my time in Namibia to really grasp the idea that I am here to serve him and him alone. I am not doing this for my own merit, but for him who sent me. Galatians 6:14 “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent in relaxing and learning about some of the cultural differences and safety precautions while staying in Namibia. The session was really informative and made me excited about starting “work” in this new place. Later this evening we had the opportunity to go into Minnie’s home where I may be staying with her and Jennifer and her daughter Tahava. We had so much fun enjoying time with them and laughing with Tahava I really enjoyed their company.
Prayer requests for me would entail giving God an open hand, not comfortable and half closed. I feel like I often look back at conversations with friends where I decided to stay quiet and not vocal about Christ and I want to make sure I am seeking his Kingdom and fully giving him his glory in every opportunity possible.

Namibia Day 1

Wednesday 31st of August

Definitely feeling the repercussions of jetlag it is currently 9:15 and I am heading off to bed. After 2 nights of “sleeping” on the plane I am finally ready to have a real bed to sleep in! These last couple days have been a whirlwind flying from Philadelphia to London to Johannesburg to Namibia. A lot of flying into different time zones, not what I am used to. I thought I would have time to explore London a little during my layover, but the time and money was not worth my while… its ok I will save London for another day. The nice part about travelling was meeting up with Sarah and David (both apart of AIM as well) in London and going through the rest of my journey with them. I do not know how I would have gotten through customs coming into Namibia without them considering it was a difficult task to do with the three of us entering into the country without a working Visa.

Rob came to pick the three of us up at the airport and we were on our way back to the Greidanus’ (the missionaries and their family) where we will be staying for orientation until Sunday where we will be parting our separate ways with living arrangements. Right now the options for me is living with Jennifer (who I have been communicating with from Charleston) and the woman she lives with Minnie or a Jamaican woman who will be working the enrichment program (FHS) with me.

Please pray for just confirmation to where the Lord wants me to live, where I will best be serving him and for the energy to consume what information Rob is trying to give us in the next couple of days.

Who Am I?

Who: My name is Tiffany Lynn Garber


What: This blog is being established to record a mission trip I am going with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) http://www.aimint.org/usa/ to Windhoek, Namibia
When: Tentatively the very end of August until the week before Thanksgiving (Approx 3 months)

Where: Windhoek, Namibia (Namibia is the very south western part of Africa next to South Africa and Botswana)
Why: The Lord has placed on my heart while I was in high school to minister to his people overseas, specifically Africa. After reading Ecclesiastes and David Platt's Radical this past semester in a bible study it was even more apparent to me that this trip was definitely part of his calling for me at this time of my life.
People may think I am crazy for going to a completely different continent during such a pivotal time of my life (just graduating and in the middle of planning a wedding to the love of my life, Joe Burnett!) But I feel that even more so the Lord will be leading and protecting me while giving me the boldness to speak his truth to so many who have never even heard his name!

Thank you everyone for your financial support, support with my spiritual growth, prayers and just kind thoughts and words I truly appreciate it!

Philippians 1:3-6

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus