We have recently sought to encourage every member of our church to think not only of our own church and its many physical and spiritual needs, but to also think of other churches, particularly in our own country, who have much greater needs.
A Reformed Baptist Church was planted a few years ago by Pastor Laban Mwashekele in the port town of Luderitz in southern Namibia. Luderitz was born out of a diamond rush in the early 1900s. This town has one of the harshest climates imaginable: It is very dry and very windy! Currently, fishing, diamond mining, and tourism are its chief economic resources. The fishing industry has not done well of late. This means that many people in this town are suffering economic hardships. My family and I have sought to set an example by visiting and encouraging this little congregation in this remote corner of our country. We spent five days in Luderitz and took literature and some clothing we had collected for the very poor.
On the Lord’s Day (4 December), and every day thereafter, we met with the congregation and worked through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I sometimes felt like the apostle Paul “rambling on” about many and diverse subjects, such as the greatness of our salvation, the importance of unity, the credibility of our Christian profession, and the nature of the battle in which we all are engaged. The preaching had to be translated by one of the elders, Justus Hamutenya, as the members of the congregation are all Oshivambo speakers, and only a few are conversant in English. There is a great need for English literacy classes in our country.
We believe that the church was encouraged by our visit. Such visits can do much good and help believers in isolated areas to be spiritually strengthened (Romans 1:11–12). Not only were they encouraged, but we were also encouraged by their faith. These are dear people who love the gospel, and saw the evidence of God’s grace in the love which they had towards one another.
Thank you for praying for us! We covered 2,400 kilometres (Windhoek, Luderitz, Swakopmund, Windhoek), mostly on dirt roads. Namibia’s dirt roads are well maintained and take us through some of the most beautiful landscapes and isolated areas in the world. We didn’t have a single tyre blow-out. Only in Swakopmund did we have a flat tyre, but only when the vehicle was stationary. God is faithful.
We trust that this will help and encourage you to plan for your missionary trip to another congregation. You can make a difference!
Joachim, Marcelle, Jonathan, Martin, and Kezia Rieck