We've arrived!

Last evening we arrived at our site. We were greeted by one of the members of the executive board & our neighbor, a young woman from the Philipines who teaches here. We are located on the grounds of the school. Our flat has exceeded our expectations. It is very spacious. We have running cold water (although late yesterday we had none & thought maybe they shut it off during certain hours, but there was a break in the main). We have electricity, although very few outlets. The ‘frig & gas stove/oven are small, but appear new, same w/ microwave. To our surprise, there was a box w/ wash machine waiting for us. It is a dual-tub: wash on one side & spin on the other. Still have to hang clothes outside, but I am very excited to have this convenience. And we were told that the is an air-conditioner on its way!!! Can you believe it?? We came here to experience the life of the poor African & we will be living like royalty! But I am okay with it…there are enough other challenges. There is a coffee table & futon which has its middle leg missing, so Jim fixed it w/ bricks that were laying around the yard. We don‘t have our shower bag set up yet--the back yard needs mowing & we were warned about the snakes, so Jim wasn‘t excited about going out there last night. We have a small armoire which does not hold all of our clothes. There are no shelves or cabinets, the microwave is now sitting on the table. This weekend we hope to go the next town where there is a Target-like store and settle in--still have unpacked baggage sitting around & can’t find things.
Went to school this a.m. Met the staff & sat around waiting for someone to tell us what to do. One teacher brought us a proposal of subjects that included ART--we both said there was no way we could do that. Ended up w/ each of us teaching 15-40min class/week. Jim has Grade 5 & 7 English, and Grades 8, 9, 10 RME ( religion & morals education). He is also on the Sports committee. I have Grade 6 & 8 English + Grade 6 Social Studies & I am on the Organization committee (no, I have no idea what that is.) Classes run from 8:00 to 1:50, but we have to stay ‘til 3. Some learners stay for extra study hall & we will have to supervise that periodically. There is no lunch time, but there is a 30 min. break mid-morning & in the afternoon when some of the learners leave for the day.
Our principal drove us around town--it is full of shebeens (bars) and bottle stores (mostly liquor). We had gotten a cel phone, but it wasn’t working (we failed to load the minutes onto it). Got that straightened out at the cel phone store, then went to the bank to open an account. We’ve been running around w/ all the cash we brought-p--needed an original statement from principal that we are indeed working & at what rate. We want to give them our money & they want proof that we have income!! Jim has left to get the letter from Principal & hopefully get a ride back in to the bank.
To back up...Mass was such a thrill...it was in German! When we arrived, we found the posted songs in an English book, but then they changed the message board & they passed out these foreign worship aides. It is wonderful that we still knew what was going on, but had our hearts set on English. Nuns we talked to there said that there is a Catholic church in Ondangwa--I don't think so. Another hurdle to jump.
Our trip here was interesting. We witnessed the rather sudden change from metropolitan Windhoek to more of the norm. The homesteads are what you picture when you think of Africa: large sticks pushed into the ground for a fence around the complex. One main structure w/ several round thatched places, either open, enclosed w/ sticks, or maybe mud walls. We only saw poverty. I think all of the wealth is in the few cities.
This is more than enough.
Not sure what you may want to know, but if you have questions please ask.
Love to you all.
J & S