Degnos

Liewe vriende van DEGNOS,
*Dit is volbring, die prys is betaal en ons Here het die dood oorwin. Halleluja, Prys sy naam.*
Al vier die Paaskampe het baie goed afgeloop en hier is ’n klomp moeë mense vandag wat nou wens vir ’n naweek om te gaan rus.

*Omega*
Die span van Ligpunt, saam met ons broer Richard, uit Lusaka, het die naweek die hele Kruis verhaal vertel en Vrydagaand is die Jesus film gewys aan die klomp Kampgangers. Saterdag is dit opgevolg met die kort film reeks “Walking with Jesus”
Daar was ongeveer 80 mense by die kamp.
Die span besoekers het hulle goed van hulle taak gekwyt en vriendskaps bande is gesmee. Ons hoop om ons Pretoria gaste van nou af elke jaar in die Caprivi te sien.

*Tsintsabis*
±600 km Suidwes van Omega het die Tsintsabis Paaskamp plaasgevind. Ds. Regina se siektetoestand het versleg en sy kon glad nie by die Paaskamp wees nie. Ds. Poppie moes inval. Sy vertel vanoggend sy was so bang om sonder Regina te werk, maar toe sy daar kom en begin het die Here haar verstand oopgemaak en al die bang weggevat. Dit was ’n baie geseënde kamp met meer as 60 lidmate wat teenwoordig was. “Ons was die heel naweek net uit die Bybel besig gewees en dit was so lekker”, vertel Poppie.

*Omatako*
230km Suidoos van Tsintsabis het die AGS, ELCIN en NG Gemeentes saam Paasfees gevier op Omatako. Die geleentheid is sommer gebruik om kinders en bekeerlinge te doop, ander het belydenis van geloof af gelê en almal het saam nagmaal gebruik. Dit was ’n groot geleentheid. Meer as 170 mense uit verskillende denominasies het saam voor die Here Jesus gebuig en bely dat Hy is die enigste redder. Ons sê dankie aan die staat skool wat hul koshuis beskikbaar gestel het vir 90 gaste om in te slaap. Natuurlik was daar ook geleentheid vir die kore van die verskillende groepe om die liggaam te bedien met pragtige sang.

*Tsumkwe*
Nog 200km verder Oos vanaf Omatako het die Tsumkwe gemeente feesgevier. Die uitreik span van Tennessee in die VSA het hulle uitstekend van hul taak gekwyt. Daar is ’n bees geslag en potte tee opgedrink. Daar was iets vir elke een van die kleinste tot die oudste om doen en saam-saam is daar geleer van Jesus wat ons kom vrymaak het aan die ruis.

*Dank saam met ons die Here vir sy wonderlike voorsiening en beskerming gedurende hierdie naweek.*

*Toerusting op Omega begin vandag*
Ds. Johannes Aucamp van Topia en sy familie het gister op Omega aangekom. Hy begin vandag om 16 leiers uit die Wes Caprivi te onderrig in die hantering van praktiese vraagstukke soos Leierskap in die kerk, Rentmeesterskap, Geestelike groei. Daar sal ook spesifiek gefokus word op ‘’n noukeurige studie van die Bybel op die temas van Sabatsonderhouding en Voorvader aanbidding. Die Aucamp familie en die studente word gehuisves by die Rooms-Katolieke sendingstasie op Omega wat gedeeltes van die stasie aan ons verhuur.

*Bid asseblief vir Johannes, sy familie en die span studente*

*Wildevy Kerkraadsvergadering*
Eerskomende Sondag word daar beplan om ‘’n kerkraadsvergadering te hou op Tsintsabis. Bo-aan die agenda sal die kwessie wees aangaande die aankoop van die kerkgrond waarop die Wildevy gemeente se huidige kerkgeboue staan. Dit is ’n moeilike saak, want die grond is kommunale grond en daar is maar baie vrae oor eienaarskap, toestemming om te gebruik ens.

*TOVS en Taakspan regte vergadering in Windhoek*
Andries sal Woensdag en Donderdag in Windhoek wees om deel te neem aan die besprekings aangaande die toekoms van Teologiese Opleiding in Namibia. Hierdie is ‘n baie komplekse situasie weens die diverse aard van die Samestelling van die Namibiese Kerk waar ons in een familie sit met enorme groot verskille aangaande finansiële vermoë, kulturele agtergrond, samestelling, geografie, toegang tot kommunikasie hulpmiddels, akademiese standaarde, geletterdheid en nog baie meer. Om een uitkoms te kry wat Bybels gefundeerd en aanvaarbaar is vir almal is nie maklik nie.

*Bid asseblief vir hierdie vergadering dat elke deelnemer fyn sal luister en die Here se stem sal hoor*

DEGNOS Groete
DEGNOS Span

Dear friends of DEGNOS,

It is finished—the price has been paid, and our Lord has conquered death. Hallelujah, praise His Name!

All four Easter camps went very well, and today there are many tired people wishing for a weekend to rest after the Easter activities.

*Omega*
The Ligpunt team, together with our brother Richard from Lusaka, shared the full story of the Cross over the weekend. On Friday evening, the Jesus Film was shown to the campers, followed on Saturday by the short series “Walking with Jesus.”
Around 80 people attended the camp.
The visiting team fulfilled their role excellently, and strong friendships were formed. We hope to welcome our Pretoria guests to the Caprivi every year from now on.

*Tsintsabis*
About 600 km southwest of Omega, the Tsintsabis Easter camp took place. Rev. Regina’s health worsened, and she could not attend at all. Rev. Poppie stepped in. She shared this morning that she was very afraid to work without Regina, but when she arrived and began, the Lord opened her mind and took away all fear.
It was a very blessed camp, with more than 60 members present.
“We spent the entire weekend in the Word, and it was wonderful,” Poppie said.

*Omatako*
230 km southeast of Tsintsabis, the AGS, ELCIN, and NG congregations celebrated Easter together at Omatako. The occasion was also used to baptize children and new believers, others made profession of faith, and everyone shared in Holy Communion.
It was a major event, with more than 170 people from different denominations bowing together before the Lord Jesus and confessing Him as the only Savior.
We thank the state school for making their hostel available to accommodate 90 guests. There was also opportunity for the various choirs to minister through beautiful singing.

*Tsumkwe*
Another 200 km further east from Omatako, the Tsumkwe congregation celebrated as well. The outreach team from Tennessee (USA) served faithfully. A cow was slaughtered, and many pots of tea were enjoyed.
There was something for everyone—from the youngest to the oldest—and together they learned about Jesus who came to set us free at the cross.

Give thanks with us to the Lord for His wonderful provision and protection over this weekend.

*Training at Omega begins today*
Rev. Johannes Aucamp from Topia and his family arrived at Omega yesterday. He begins today to train 16 leaders from the West Caprivi in practical matters such as church leadership, stewardship, and spiritual growth.
There will also be focused Bible study on topics such as Sabbath observance and ancestor worship.
The Aucamp family and students are being accommodated at the Roman Catholic mission station at Omega, which has made part of the station available to us.

*Please pray for Johannes, his family, and the group of students.*

*Wildevy Church Council Meeting*
This coming Sunday, a church council meeting is planned in Tsintsabis. At the top of the agenda is the matter of purchasing the land on which the Wildevy congregation’s church buildings currently stand.
This is a challenging issue, as the land is communal, and there are many questions around ownership and usage rights.

*TOVS and Task Team Meeting in Windhoek*
Andries will be in Windhoek on Wednesday and Thursday to take part in discussions about the future of theological training in Namibia.
This is a complex situation due to the diverse nature of the Namibian Church, where we sit together as one family despite significant differences in financial capacity, cultural background, structure, geography, access to communication, academic standards, literacy, and more.
Reaching an outcome that is Biblically grounded and acceptable to all is not easy.

*Please pray for this meeting—that every participant will listen carefully and hear the Lord’s voice.*

Warm greetings,
DEGNOS Team

Paaskamp onder die Bome op Omega in die Caprivi Strook

Liewe vriende van DEGNOS,

*Teologiese Opleiding*
Ons het verlede week Groep 1 Studente vir Blok 2 by ons gehad van Sondag tot Saterdag. Elke een van die studente het teruggekom vir hul tweede week se opleidings blok, en die opleiding was ’n fees. Ds. Dirk het die Vaste Fondamente gedeelte behandel met die groep van die Sondeval tot en met die geskiedenis van Jakob en sy seuns en Andries het die groep in die Namiddae gevat deur ons inleiding tot Rentmeesterskap module.
Dit was kosbaar om te hoor hoe elk een van die studente vertel van die resultate toe hul teruggegaan het na blok 1 se opleiding en dit wat hulle geleer het gaan vertel het aan hul gemeenskappe.
*Gemeente Ontwikkeling*
Ds. Isak Chameia en sy span gaan voort met die ontwikkeling van die Luhebu Noord gemeente. Hy vertel met groot opgewondenheid van die besoeke aan Swarttak, Saagmeule en Ruskamp waar daar ‘’n opbloei in die gemeentes is.
*Luhebu*
Broer Josef Kambinda vertel dat daar nuwe lewe in die kerk op Luhebu gekom het sedert daar 5 studente is wat by die Teologiese opleiding ingeskryf het. In y woorde – “Die mense se koppe gaan nou oop vir die werk van die Here*
*Uitreik groep uit Tennessee vir Tsumkwe Paaskamp*
Vier broers in Christus, het Saterdag gearriveer van Tennessee Valey Community Church in die VSA om te kom help met die Tsumkwe Paaskamp. Alex het saam met hulle Sondag vertrek vir die week se uitreik daar.
*Uitreik groep van Ligpunt Gemeente in Pretoria*
Sewe lede van die Pretoria gemeente het gister (Sondag) vertrek uit Pretoria en behoort na beplanning môremiddag in Omega aan te kom waar hulle die Paaskamp saam met die Wes Caprivi gemeente sal behartig. Andries en Tracey vertrek ook DV Dinsdag na die Caprivi vir die kamp daar.
*Omatako Paaskamp*
Ds. Jafet Moyo en Ds. Isak Chameia van Omatako en sy span is hard aan die reël vir die Paaskamp van die Luhebu Noord gemeente wat hierdie jaar op Omatako sal plaasvind. Christiaan sal van Donderdagoggend vroeg af die mense begin aanry met die Groot Bus.
*Tsintsabis Paaskamp*
Coenie het saam met die gemeente op Tsintsabis hard gewerk om die fasiliteite op Tsintsabis op te gradeer op Tsintsabis vir die Wildevy Gemeente se Paaskamp wat Donderdag daar begin. Isak Zare sal met ons klein bussie verantwoordelik wees om die mense daarheen aan te y. Hulle het alreeds vandag begin om te gaan hout maak vir die naweek se kokery.
Ds. Poppie sal leiding neem by die kamp. Ds. Regina sukkel met haar gesondheid wat maar net nie wil regkom nie.
*Kos aankope en Logistieke reëlings*
Low Bothma wat ons die twee laaste en half maande uitgehelp het, se kort termyn werkspermit het uitgeloop en hy moes laas Vrydag ongelukkig terugkeer na die Kaap.
Ons is bevoorreg om vir Riana te hê, wat behalwe dat sy ’n begaafde ECD koördineerder is ook oor die gawe beskik om goed te logistiek reël. Tesame met Tracey Sonja, Sharon en Ivan word daar gereël om potte, tente, kos, vuurmaakhout, matrasse en wat nog alles betyds afgelewer te kry vir al vier kampe. Hier by DEGNOS voor Paasfees lyk dit voorwaar soos ’n miernes. Elkeen vat raak en doen sy deel.
*Lidmaat bemagtiging Opleiding op Omega*
Maandag 6 April begin Johannes Aucamp met die opleiding van 16 Geestelike leiers by die Katolieke sendingstasie op Omega. Die opleiding is geskeduleer vir twee weke. Johannes en sy familie sal vir die volgende drie maande ons kom help met opleiding op Omega, Mangetti Duin en Tsumkwe.
*Incontex International*
Pieter Potgieter en sy dogter Anja sal ook van Dinsdag af in die Tsumkwe omgewing wees om saam met die Omatako span en Tsumkwe span Paasfees te vier en terselfdertyd sal hulle ook ’n video maak van die werk van DEGNOS en die twee gemeentes.
*Gebeds Versoeke*
Bid asseblief vir Sharon (huishoudster by die sentrum) en Ivan. Sharon se suster, Erica, wat gelei het aan dementia is, het sowat twee weke gelede weggeraak hier in Grootfontein. Haar liggaam is Vrydag ontdek in die veld deur ’n beeswagter. Bid asseblief vir hierdie twee getroue medewerkers van ons en hul familie in hierdie tyd.
Bid asseblief vir Ds. Regina wat gesondheids uitdagings belewe.
Bid asseblief vir elk een van ons drywers wat die groot verantwoordelikheid het om die mense te besorg by die verskillende Paaskampe.
Bid asseblief vir die Paaskampe dat elke bywoner weer herinner sal word aan ons Here se vrymakende offer.

DEGNOS Groete
DEGNOS span

Dear friends of DEGNOS,

*Theological Training*

Last week we had Group 1 students with us for Block 2, from Sunday to Saturday. Each student returned for their second week of training, and the training was a celebration. Rev. Dirk covered the “Firm Foundations” section with the group, from the Fall of Man through to the history of Jacob and his sons, and Andries led the group in the afternoons through our introductory Stewardship module.

It was precious to hear how each of the students shared the results after returning from Block 1 training and telling their communities what they had learned.

*Church Development*

Rev. Isak Chameia and his team continue with the development of the Luhebu North congregation. He speaks with great excitement about visits to Swarttak, Saagmeule, and Ruskamp, where there is growth in the congregations.

*Luhebu*

Brother Josef Kambinda reports that new life has come into the church at Luhebu since five students enrolled in the theological training. In his words:
“The people’s minds are now opening to the work of the Lord.”

*Outreach Team from Tennessee for Tsumkwe Easter Camp*

Four brothers in Christ arrived on Saturday from Tennessee Valley Community Church in the USA to help with the Tsumkwe Easter Camp. Alex left with them on Sunday for the week’s outreach there.

*Outreach Team from Ligpunt Church in Pretoria*

Seven members from the Pretoria congregation departed yesterday (Sunday) and are expected, according to plan, to arrive in Omega tomorrow afternoon, where they will help lead the Easter camp together with the West Caprivi congregation. Andries and Tracey will also, God willing, depart on Tuesday for the Caprivi for the camp there.

*Omatako Easter Camp*

Rev. Jafet Moyo and Rev. Isak Chameia from Omatako and their team are working hard to organize the Easter camp for the Luhebu North congregation, which will take place at Omatako this year. Christiaan will begin transporting people early Thursday morning with the big bus.

*Tsintsabis Easter Camp*

Coenie has worked hard with the Tsintsabis congregation to upgrade the facilities there for the Wildevy congregation’s Easter camp, which starts on Thursday. Isak Xare will be responsible for transporting people there with our small bus. They already started today to gather firewood for the weekend’s cooking.

Rev. Poppie will lead the camp. Rev. Regina is struggling with her health, which unfortunately is not improving.

*Food Purchases and Logistical Arrangements*

Low Bothma, who helped us over the past two and a half months, his short-term work permit expire and unfortunately had to return to the Cape last Friday.

We are privileged to have Riana, who, in addition to being a gifted ECD coordinator, also has the ability to organize logistics effectively. Together with Tracey, Sonja, Sharon, and Ivan, arrangements are being made to ensure that pots, tents, food, firewood, mattresses, and everything else are delivered on time for all four camps. Here at DEGNOS before Easter, it truly looks like an anthill—everyone is pitching in and doing their part.

*Member Empowerment Training at Omega*

On Monday, 6 April, Johannes Aucamp will begin training 16 spiritual leaders at the Catholic mission station in Omega. The training is scheduled for two weeks. Johannes and his family will assist us for the next three months with training in Omega, Mangetti Dune, and Tsumkwe.

*Incontext International*

Pieter Potgieter and his daughter Anja will also be in the Tsumkwe area from Tuesday to celebrate Easter with the Omatako and Tsumkwe teams. At the same time, they will also be making a video about the work of DEGNOS and the two congregations.

*Prayer Requests*

Please pray for Sharon (housekeeper at the center) and Ivan. Sharon’s sister, Erica, who suffered from dementia, went missing about two weeks ago here in Grootfontein. Her body was discovered on Friday in the field by a cattle herder. Please pray for these two faithful coworkers and their family during this time.

Please pray for Rev. Regina, who is experiencing health challenges.
Please pray for each of our drivers who carry the great responsibility of transporting people to the various Easter camps.
Please pray for the Easter camps, that every attendee will once again be reminded of our Lord’s redeeming sacrifice.

DEGNOS Greetings
DEGNOS Team

The team from TVCC in the USA with Alex at Tsumkwe

The team from Pretoria on their way to Omega

Students hard at work

Church elders must help to get the vehicle unstuck

Wet roads makes visiting the Wildevy congregation a challenge

📢 DEGNOS NUUS – WEEKLIKSE OPDATE

Liewe Vriende van DEGNOS

Ons gewone Maandag-nuusbrief is hierdie week bietjie laat – ons vra verskoning daarvoor.

🌿*Wildevy Gemeente*
Ds. Regina en die gemeente se drywer, Isak, het plaasbesoeke begin doen nadat besluit is om al die lidmate te besoek. Die Wildevy gemeente bedien hoofsaaklik die Hai//om mense en strek oor ’n enorme area van ongeveer 1,8 miljoen hektaar (18 000 km²) met 63 klein wyksgemeentes.

Gesondheidsuitdagings en swaar reën het die reise bemoeilik, met nat paaie en voertuie wat vasgesit het. Die besoekprogram word dus tydelik aangepas totdat die reënseisoen verby is.

⛳ *Windhoek besoek*
Andries en Tracey was in Windhoek vir die Windhoek-Oos gemeente se jaarlikse gholfdag ten bate van DEGNOS. ’n Groot hoeveelheid donasies is ook by Suiderhof gemeente opgetel.

Daar was ook ’n vergadering saam met:
• Dr. Wynand Fourie (TOVS)
• Predikante van die Gereformeerde Kerk in Namibië
• Dr. Brian de Vries & Dr. Japie Malan (Mukhanyo Teologiese Kollege)

Daar is gesels oor moontlike samewerking om teologiese opleiding meer toeganklik in Namibië te maak.

Andries het ook Sondag by Windhoek-Oos gepreek voordat hulle teruggehaas het na Grootfontein (450 km) om die volgende studente te ontvang.

🙏 Ons dank die Here vir gemeentes wat getrou saamstaan in die bediening van DEGNOS.

📚 *Blok 1 – Groep 3 Studente*
Die laaste groep vir Blok 1 het aangekom:

• Isak het 1500 km gery om 12 Khwê-studente uit Wes-Caprivi te gaan haal.
• Studente het ook aangekom vanaf:

Tsumkwe (600 km) ; Mangetti Duin (400 km)

Hierdie Blok word in Engels aangebied

Dankie aan Ds. Dirk, Ds. Amon en Br. Smith wat help met die opleiding.

🙏 Bid asseblief vir die dosente en studente – die uitdagings om hierdie opleiding moontlik te maak is baie.

🔥 Tsumkwe Jeugkamp
Van Donderdag tot Sondag vind die eerste van ses jeugkampe vir die jaar plaas.

Riana, Mishe en hul span bedien ongeveer 60 laerskoolkinders van:
• Tsumkwe
• //Goaguru
• Aasvoëlnes

🙏 Bid asseblief dat die Here die kamp sal seën met ontvanklike harte en dat Hy elkeen veilig sal hou.

🙏 Bid asseblief vir die werk van DEGNOS.
Baie dinge gebeur elke week wat ons nie altyd alles in die nuusbrief kan insluit nie.

Groete
Die DEGNOS-span

📢 DEGNOS NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATE

Dear Friends of DEGNOS

Our usual Monday newsletter is a little late this week – we apologise for the delay.

🌿 Wildevy Congregation
Ds. Regina and the congregation’s driver, Isak, started visiting farms after it was decided earlier this year that all members of the congregation should be visited.

The Wildevy congregation mainly serves the Hai//om people and is spread over a huge area of about 1.8 million hectares (18,000 km²) with 63 small ward congregations.

Health challenges and heavy rains made travelling difficult. For three days they struggled with wet roads and vehicles getting stuck. The visitation program will therefore be adjusted temporarily until the rainy season is over.

⛳ Visit to Windhoek
Andries and Tracey travelled to Windhoek where the Windhoek East congregation held their annual golf day in support of DEGNOS.

At the same time, a large number of donations were collected from the Suiderhof congregation.

Andries also attended a meeting with:
• Dr. Wynand Fourie (Chairperson of TOVS)
• Ministers of the Reformed Church in Namibia
• Dr. Brian de Vries & Dr. Japie Malan from Mukhanyo Theological College

They discussed possible cooperation between DEGNOS and Mukhanyo to make theological training more accessible in Namibia.

Andries also preached at Windhoek East on Sunday before rushing back to Grootfontein (450 km north) to receive the third group of students for Block 1.

🙏 We thank the Lord for congregations who faithfully support the ministry of DEGNOS.

📚 Block 1 – Group 3 - Students
The final group of students for Block 1 has now arrived.

• Isak drove 1500 km from Grootfontein to the West Caprivi congregation to fetch 12 Khwê students.
• Additional students arrived from:

Tsumkwe (600 km)

Mangetti Dune (400 km)

This group consists of students who are not Afrikaans-speaking, therefore the modules will be presented in English.

Many thanks to Ds. Dirk, Ds. Amon and Br. Smith for assisting with the training.

🙏 Please pray for the lecturers and students, as there are many challenges in making this training possible.

🔥 Tsumkwe Youth Camp
From Thursday to Sunday the first of our six youth camps for the year will take place.

Riana, Mishe and their team will be ministering to about 60 primary school children from:
• Tsumkwe
• //Goaguru
• Aasvoëlnes

🙏 Please pray that the Lord will bless the camp with open hearts, and for the safety of everyone attending.

🙏 Please continue to pray for the work of DEGNOS.
Many other things take place during the week that we cannot always include in the newsletter as we try to keep it short and manageable.

Greetings
The DEGNOS Team