Editor’s note: Jessica Witer, of Anna, left May 21 to spend the summer in Namibia, Africa, on a mission trip.
The 22-year-old, self-employed massage therapist is traveling with Experience Mission, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. As she is able and has access to the Internet, she will send tales of her experiences, which the Sidney Daily News will publish weekly.
OKAHANDJA, Nambia — Our second home: Here at Joy and Hardis’s, we have electricity, running hot water, a yard, real couches rather than plastic chairs and amazing food. It’s so nice to be here, and I’m so grateful for their hospitality, but I miss the farm.
We had hardly anything, but Paulis and Maria were home all day, whereas Hardis and Joy have to work. At the farm, we all slept together in one big room, whereas here, we have our own bedrooms. I miss having us all together, even if we’re asleep for it.
The amenities are nice, but I feel so spoiled. How do you go from doing dishes in a bucket to the home employees doing them for you and not feel guilty?
All that aside, we’re still having the time of our lives. We eat wonderful dinners together “as a family” because Joy and Hardis insist that we’re their children for our time together. We sit at the dinner table long after we finish eating and laugh so hard that sometimes I cry.
When I started this trip, I was counting down the days till it’s over and I could see my family again. Now, I hate the ticking clock because I’m so in love with my new friends, my new families, my new communities and the beautiful church services.
Yesterday, we attended a youth group at a church and enjoyed our time with them so much. We’d divided into pairs the next day, so each pair could attend one of five Sunday services. James and I were together to attend that same church, so at the end of the youth group, they pulled the two of us into their choir and had us practice their songs with them. Today, we performed them, and it was insane. I felt so out of place among such talent, but I’m so proud to have been a part of it.
The congregation was so excited to have the two of us there with them and welcomed us so enthusiastically. A 4-year-old girl walked up to me where I sat, stared at me for a few seconds, then hugged me tightly and insisted on sitting on my lap the entire hour. Soon, her 9-year-old sister joined us, and soon after that, the older one was begging me to stay until Aug. 15 for her birthday, and the younger one was on my back and refused to let go. How did I even manage to form those bonds so quickly?
