This was the first team trip. The main purpose of the trip was that leaders in the cape would be part of a team to be of specific help to Bishop Kalangula. Quinton van Rooyen led the team. The trip was low key and spent much time getting to know the people and the churches.

Chicken Kanime, ??, Hertha Kanime, Rev Wilhelm Jeramias, Petrus Albino, Bish Kalangula, Colin Banfield, Denys Nande, Elifas Kanime

In October of this year George van der Westhuizen and Colin Banfield attended the Grace Conference in Windhoek.

First Missionary trip – 2003

At this time the GO Outreach (a short term mission to Franschhoek and surrounds) was functioning well but there was a need for something beyond our borders. Colin Banfield and Mike Emslie thought of extending this mission to reach out to churches in Ovamboland – based on Colin’s knowledge gleaned during the trip of 2000.

An exploration team was put together of Colin Banfield, Lisa Harvey (now Craye), Tony Pitt and Jason (Colin’s son). Much of the trip was preparing the way ahead for the first main missionary trip which would take place midyear 2004. At this time Trevor Wecke and his wife were planning on going to Ovamboland as a missionary, so a meeting was held between Colin and the exploration team and the SIM leadership to discuss the needs of Ovamboland in terms of a full time missionary. The idea was that Trevor would be a curate to Bishop Kalangula under SIM. The plan for the Weckes to go to Namibia. This didn’t materialise due to a number of reasons.

The exploration trip went very well, with the petrol and camping stops planned as well as a deal made with what has since become the team campsite near Ondangwa. Many contacts were made among churches and leaders in Ovamboland, with doors opened for ministry within the Anglican and Lutheran churches as well as the CESA churches.

The steering committee – Colin Banfield (Chairman), Lisa Harvey (Personal Assistant) & Johan Dreyer – planned and organized this trip with help from some of the team. Johan Dreyer was not able to accompany us due to a prior engagement.

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP?

The main purpose of the trip was to get alongside key people in our Churches in the North Central Region of Namibia and to offer them fellowship and training in a few specific ministries. We asked the leadership in Namibia to tell us which particular ministry skills they wanted us to concentrate on and also to try and identify potential folk who we could train.

Making Connections in Ovamboland

I went to Namibia to be a blessing and walked away being blessed out of my socks by the people there. We all came back feeling full and having our lives transformed with a different outlook on ministry back at home..

"Churches for Namibia" 2009 Report

This year marked the sixth annual visit from CE5A churches in South Africa to the Church of England in Namibia (CEN) congregations. Our aim as churches from South Africa is to draw alongside those in Namibia, hence the name, "Churches for Namibia". It was different to previous visits this year in that the acting church leader, Dennis Nandi, who is temporarily replacing the leadership role that the late Bishop Peter Kalangula held, initiated an itinerary for the team. Denis requested that as many of the team members as possible visit the various CESA churches scattered in the different areas of Owamboland, Northern Namibia.