TIA Tuesday - Another Update from Namibia

If This Is America, then we would have probably finished building a one-room school building by now. That is, unless we caved into our American ways of laziness and procrastination.

But This Is Africa, where many other wants & needs get in the way of building a new classroom. When your family struggles to work and eat every day, you may not have the energy to volunteer your labor. When you doubt the project being finished, you may lose enthusiasm and drive to help out. When you desperately need money, you may demand payment for your labor even if you're being asked to volunteer. When you're weary from the great needs in all other areas of your life, you may not be a supportive community member.

There are a lot of challenges to Amy's classroom-building project at her school. This week, she's challenged by a contractor that's decided to take another job instead of finishing his work on the new building. She's challenged by parents and learners who are demanding money. She's challenged by people from all sides blaming her for the inefficiency of the project, when they are responsible as well. From a community development standpoint, it's imperative to actively involve the community in your efforts...but when the community refuses to help after enthusiastically asking for this to be done, what do you do?

Be praying for Amy and her community as they strive to finish this building so grade 4 finally has a place in which they can learn!

Amy by the front door to her new building - the walls are complete!