Greetings from Gobadis

I am sitting in a combination of Internet cafe/print shop/pawn shop (and who knows what else) in the town of Gobadis, Namibia. The population is about 30,000, and is located about 200 km east of the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. I arrived a week ago today, with the unique experience (to me) of landing in the airport of the capital city of a nation and NEVER seeing the city - or even one building other than the airport! I assume there is a city somewhere (perhaps behind some nearby mountains?), but I never saw it. Weird. Our arrival swelled the population of airplanes at the airport to one. In a little while another one arrived, causing overcrowding.

We drove off toward Gobadis, stopping just before arrival to pull in behind a police vehicle with flashing lights, after which other vehicles (including pickups [bakkies] full of people) pulled in behind us. This constituted a motorcade, which entered town driving slowly with much blowing of horns and shouting. We drove all over town, including around the community center where a wedding was underway. Children standing outside saw us and called out to me - by name. This was VERY weird. Posters (resembling WANTED posters) of my visit to Gobadis are posted all over town. The pastor has an enlargement of said poster taped to the hood of his car. This town has VERY little excitement, is all I can deduce.

We then went to church for a special service of welcome for me. I didn't have to say anything, which was good, because I certainly didn't know how to react to all this. The next day I preached both services, then again on Monday evening, then on Tuesday we did the Inner Healing seminar. I woke up Wednesday morning with a sinus headache and my voice was gone (well, nearly). Most of it came back by Wednesday evening, which was good because I started the End Times seminar that night, which proceeded until last night. After the Inner Healing seminar the pastor (Pastor Katuuo) made me available for individual counseling, and so far there have been five session. But other than that there has been almost nothing to do - oh, except sleep and eat. This afternoon I'm giving the Leadership Training Seminar, then tomorrow the Inner Healing one again in a nearby town. Monday night is the Science & Scripture seminar. On Tuesday I'm thinking of lapsing into a coma. I'll let you al! l know, after I return to consciousness.

It will have to be a brief coma, because on Wednesday we are gong to yet another town to do something or other. I can't keep track, I just do what I'm told until my voice gives out. Many Christians pray to be USED, and I now know just what to suggest. Come here. But be sure to have a return ticket booked and in hand. I suggest that it be somewhat less than two weeks after arrival, as mine is, so that when you get back on the plane to leave you retain the ability to sit up. I may have to be propped up.

I'm actually being very blessed by being here. I suppose it is something like sky diving - it is very thrilling for a while, but you can't do it all the time. Eventually you come back to earth.

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but the facilities just don't allow for it from here. I'll send some the week after next. In the mean time, those of you so inclined are more than welcome to pray for my voice, health, strength and wisdom. And anything else good that comes to mind, because I probably need that as well. I don't really need more meat to eat though (this is ranching country, with many stores here in town named 'Texas . . . ' whatever they are - also weird). There is an abundance of dirt, but not much green. Just east of here is the Kalahari dessert, with even more dirt and even less green.

By the way, the weather here is wonderful. Just a little cool at night, and quite warm in the day. There were some clouds yesterday, but otherwise it is all blue sky and sunshine.