Namibia!!! Dedicated to my parents, the former "Elder & Sister Owen"

Ever since we found out we were going to be serving in South Africa, my parents have hoped we would one day be able to visit their beloved country of Namibia. Well, our dear friends, Elder & Sister Humpherys, will be leaving their mission soon & so we were able to accompany them to Windhoek, Namibia for a "hand-over", as we assume oversight of this beautiful country for Public Affairs. 

From the minute we arrived in Windhoek (about an hour drive from the airport), we were amazed by the city & it's beauty. It is so clean, with gorgeous historic buildings, modern shopping malls, & very sweet people. We left in the morning to drive to Swakopmund, a beach community on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, about 4-5 hours west of Windhoek. To say it was breathtaking was an understatement. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

Driving in to Swakopmund, we were delayed by this massive dump truck bed being delivered to one of the many Uranium mines in the area.

Yep, you're seeing it right...missionaries eating dinner at the
local's favorite dig "Joe's Beer House" in Windhoek.

The miles & miles of sand dunes surrounding the city, come right up to the ocean's edge.

Dear friends, Elder & Sister Humpherys

Sister & Elder Humpherys were our traveling companions for the weekend.
We love them so much & are REALLY going to miss them when they return home May 1st!

This was a great little sidewalk cafe (beer garden...) in the middle of Swakopmund's business district. The city has a lot of German influence.

Some of the ocean life we saw when we visited the Aquarium,
just yards from the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

Walking through the tunnel at the Aquarium.
So cool!!! It made us both want to go scuba diving!!!

Cool stingray!!!

This is the front of the beautiful meetinghouse for the Swakopmund Branch.

Swakopmund Branch was just created the first part of March.
This is the nice chapel they have to meet in.

We were so blessed to meet Branch President, Marcell Noble.
When my parents served in Namibia, they got to know him.
He has had such a tremendous influence on building the Church in Swakopmund.

The view from our hotel balcony...paradise!!!

Sister Humpherys & I had fun playing on the beach!

We took a "Living Desert Tour" sightseeing all over the impressive sand dunes around Swakopmund. Tourists come from all of the world to see this immense desert & enjoy its beauty. We were amazed by how huge these dunes were. Mountains & mountains of sand! Here are some of the fun things we experienced in this desert paradise:

Camels in Africa? Hmmm...

Our guide spotted signs of one of the "Little Five" (not to be confused with the "Big Five")
& started digging to find it. 

#1 of the "Little Five": Sand-diving lizard. They move soooo fast!

#2 of the "Little Five": Pastel-colored gecko! I'd love one of these for a pet :)

This is the coolest gecko I've ever seen. Love the colors!!

This plant is called a "Dollar Plant". It grows all over the dunes & is a source of water. Our guide showed us how you pull the dollar-sized leaves off & squeeze the liquid out.

#3 of the "Little Five": Sidewinder snake

#4 of the "Little Five": Chameleon!!! It changed from this black color
to a light sand-color, almost immediately after crawling out onto the sand!

See...the same chameleon, only he's changed color!

Finally found #5 of the "Little Five": Dancing spider

Yep, that's us waaaaaaay out in the distance :)

Last week's "Amazing Race" was filmed here on the dunes of Namibia. So cool!

People are sandboarding down the dunes. Now that would be intense!!

We had a great time going to dinner with Marcell Noble & his wife
at a great restaurant by the pier.

Saturday morning, we drove over to Walvis Bay, another community along the Atlantic Coast. There is one bay that has thousands of flamingos! It was awesome! 

See how beautiful! I loved this sea of pink!!!

Haha...we couldn't resist taking a picture of Bob next to this sign! And the funny thing is...this really IS a bench reserved ONLY for the elderly. The shop owner said she gets a kick out of all the tourists stopping by to take pictures LOL!

Some of the town's wonderful historic architecture

Driving up the "Skeleton Coast", Bob was thrilled to see this shipwreck. Very cool!

These two former military men were really in their
element checking out this shipwreck, haha!

Trimming up the palm trees. We were so impressed with how
well-kept everything was throughout the cities in Namibia.

Sunday was the climax of our trip, as we returned to Windhoek & attended the Branch where my parents, Elder & Sister Owen, served 15 years ago. It was very surreal for me, because they have told me so many touching stories of the loving people there. Immediately, we could see why they fell in love with Windhoek...

Some of the flowing plants that my Dad so lovingly planted while
he was here 15 years ago. They look beautiful, Dad!!!

Hello, Elder & Sister Owen...Windhoek Branch LOVES & MISSES you!!!

Sister Inge & her daughter & friend

Missionaries serving in Windhoek

Devoted missionaries serving throughout the African continent from Windhoek.
Hastening the Work of the Lord!!!

Dear friend, Womba, & her two darling boys

My parents sent pictures from their mission in Namibia, in hopes that I could connect with some of the people they grew to love. These two pictures are of Womba & her sister, Kutemba, riding horses. She got quite a kick out of seeing them again!

Darling Kutemba & Womba Makuwa

This sweet sister approached Bob following Fast & Testimony Meeting, saying, "When I was baptized 15 years ago, Elder Owen was the first one to come up & give me a hug. That meant so much to me!" 

This beautiful sister grabbed my hand after the meeting & said, "Can I please take a picture with you?" She said she loved my parents very much. During the time they were serving, this sister was a strong, dynamic woman, serving as the Stake RS President & later as the first Public Affairs Director for Namibia. A few years ago, she suffered a stroke & is now confined to a wheelchair. It was a very touching & emotional moment, as we embraced & I felt her spirit touch my heart.

The Army of Helaman in Namibia!

Windhoek District President (& dear friend of my parents), Demus Makuwa

Womba & her husband & cute little boys, with her sister Kutemba.
Womba's husband is now a counselor in the Branch Presidency.

We finally got to meet the "famous" Demus Makuwa! When I came around the corner & met him for the first time, he gave me a big hug, smiled & said, "You have your father's same glitter in your eyes!" Ahhhh, President Makuwa...I can see why my parents love you so much!!!

Another on the "list" of people my parents were hoping I would be able to meet:
Benjamin was a missionary who my parents helped get ready for his mission to Congo.
They became very close & were so overjoyed to hear that he was just called
as a counselor in the new Branch Presidency.

With the help of President Makuwa, we were able to find
this apartment building, where my parents lived when
they served in Windhoek...memories!!!

Scenes around downtown Windhoek...

Sunday afternoon, we were blessed to attend the Namibia National Public Affairs Council meeting. Womba Nashiwaya is our National Director & her council is fabulous! We were so impressed with how organized they were & with their enthusiasm & dedication to the work of the Lord. Namibia is truly blessed in having all of these wonderful people serving the people there. The Church is so strong in this part of the Lord's vineyard!!!

"Papa Bob" enjoyed being an adoptive Grandpa for a few minutes with this cute little guy :)

Precious!!!

Demus & Rosa Makuwa...these are two VERY special people!!!

It was a blessing to finally meet the Makuwa's & feel of their spirit & testimony. Sister Makuwa curtsied to me when we met, a tradition in her native culture. I thought it was so cute!

The Makuwa family invited us to their beautiful home, before we left. Both Bob & I felt an instant connection to them. We look forward to being able to visit with them again sometime before we leave our mission.

After reliving my parents' mission experience in visiting the incredible country of Namibia, I have learned two things:

1. Sometimes missionaries come home wondering, "Did I make a difference?". Mom & Dad...you definitely DID make a difference. We could see it in the eyes of every person we met who knew & loved you during your missionary service.

2. Bob & I have both come away from this trip with a renewed dedication to, in the words of our beloved leader, Elder Mkhabela: "making sure we leave the area better than we found it."

My parents have always been examples of loving service to family, community & to the Lord. We pray that we can use that example as we continue our mission...loving & serving those we work with in the very best way we can, & being led by the inspiration of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

As we have watched our adopted country of South Africa struggle lately with so many trials of faith & of survival, we pray that this nation will turn to the Lord for comfort; that the leaders will turn to Him for inspiration & guidance as they take positive actions to resolve the conflict that has arisen here. We pray for the people of South Africa, & all of the African nations; that peace will abide in their hearts & in this land and that the work of the Lord will continue to roll forward & bless this continent.

Love to all!

Elder & Sister Berg