Winter... will it ever end?

Hey everyone,

It’s February and the snow is falling from the sky. I’ve never been a big fan of winter, but this is really getting depressing. I wonder why everyone wanted to leave the comforts of Europe to settle in a land of endless winter? I guess for some it wasn’t much of a change when you consider that a lot of Europe indeed does experience WINTER as well. The hope of a new world, a fresh start must have been what fuelled the desire to set out on a journey that would see many lose their lives. What dedication they had. Many of them had a strong and unwavering faith in God as well which I’m sure would have sustained them through the dark times.

This brings to me my life. Here I am on the East Coast of Canada longing to set off again into the world of the unknown, to get a fresh start. It’s not that life is SO bad back here that I have to move on, but the appeal for change and experiencing some adventure drives me to move west again into a world of colour and variety. There is an element that I greatly miss living here and that is cultural variance. It’s difficult to walk around town and only see white faces, it may not be that way for some, but it sure is for me. I need a splash of colour in my life… variety! Variety IS indeed the spice of life!!!

So as I search numerous websites trying to find a place to live, a possible job, a church, a good school for the boys, a town with a Costco and someone who gives ART (Active Release Technique)… I am filled with hope that soon I will have my fresh start and even though it may not be easy I will be delighted to have a piece of me fulfilled that has been neglected for 2 1/2 years now. I am looking at Medicine Hat at the moment, sure that could change, but for now that is where I am concentrating my efforts on. So as summer arrives here on the East Coast… the thought of summer in a new place will be what brings joy to my heart. Currently buried under 5 feet of snow I am having difficulty fanning the spark of hope… but it’s there… it’s coming… there is anticipation and it’s growing!

These are my thoughts for today… I have no idea if anyone even reads them, but that’s fine… it’s my journal of life as it ticks by!

Blessings,

Charlene

Update 2011

Dear Friends,

After leaving Namibia in 2008 we had been thinking that we would return after a year. When we arrived back in Canada our children were all put back a year in school (much to our disappointment) and so it meant that it would be 2 years before Meagan would graduate rather than 1. In that 2 years it was decided that we would just remain in Canada until the boys finished school as well.

Over the course of this (almost) three years, Pete has worked west, back here at home for a bit and then returning to the west. Sadly this is not ideal. Sure housing is WAY cheaper back east but having the family all over Canada is not ideal. So we are hoping and praying that we will be moving the family WEST this summer.

Meagan graduated in June and she left a week later to go live and work in Ft. McMurray Alberta. Talitha was also working there at the time. Talitha has since moved to Kamloops where she was married in December to Dennis Murengi. The boys are in grades 10 and 9. I have been working hard at making crafts to sell to hopefully help Meagan reach her goal of attending a midwifery school in The Philippines.

In the 3 years I have been through a lot of illnesses and pain. I was diagnosed with 2 bulged discs in my back that made is very difficult for me to get around... I was in a LOT of pain. Thankfully after my MRI and CT Scan I went to visit Jason Driscoll at Somatic Therapy in town... he does Active Release Technique (ART) and he fixed me up better than I've ever been! A real miracle! :) Aside from all the other infections and 'woman' issues I had in October I was struck with Mono! :( Not the best thing when you are trying to help your daughter prepare for her wedding from 5000km away! :/ However, we made it through and the day was a success!

What does 2011 bring us? Well... we can never be sure... but we hope it brings us moving west! We also hope that we will sell our house quickly and for a bit of a profit! I also hope that this year bring spiritual renewal for our family... and a heap of JOY! :)

We thank all those of you who have been following our progress and keeping in touch.

Blessings!
Charlene

Talitha Got Married!!!

This has been a busy year, but the ending was the best. Talitha got married to Dennis Murengi. After a small but beautiful wedding and reception Talitha became Talitha Murengi! We are so happy for her and pleased that she and Dennis have done all they could to prepare and ready themselves for marriage. They make us proud! I'll post some pictures when I get them :)

Love

Charlene

New Blog Address

This blog is full... so I had to start another one... you can continue to follow our life journey if you like at this web address! ;)

http://knightlyfamilyjourney.blogspot.com/

Love,
Charlene

Surgery Date Set

My surgery date has been set. June 8 is the date of my ablation. Looking forward to some resolve to my 'womanhood' issues! Anyway, I will keep you posted as to how it goes. This is the second time I have tried to post... so it is getting shorter.

Quick Update... more to come!

Love,

Charlene

Ndemufayo comes to Canada!

We are excited to announce the safe arrival of our good friend Ndemufayo Angula! She came all the way from Okahandja Namibia Africa to visit with us for 6 whole months! She had never travelled outside of Namibia so this was a whole new experience for her. She spent part of the day in London with our friend Dave and his friend Mary! What an experience... she got to see Parliament, the changing of the guard, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and London Bridge is Falling Down (hehe)! That is more than I have seen, as we only got to see it from the air before landing in London! Dave then got Ndemufayo safely to Heathrow airport where she continued her journey to Montreal. In Montreal they took her aside and called me... wondering why anyone would host someone on a visit for 6 months... we are just weird people I guess! After a few friendly questions from a very nice Immigration officer she was stamped and on her way! She arrived an hour late into Moncton airport with her baggage and we were off to the Miramichi about 1AM... for our 2 hour drive home! It was a long day for all of us!

She has relaxed and it will probably take her a little while to fit into a routine but for now she is helping me a lot around the house, checking out the kids homework, beading and watching movies! Right now she is cooking Fat Cooks (I don't know how that is spelled but that is what it sounds like... it's kinda like Bannock!). She has enjoyed sledding with the kids as well... she was more of a trooper than me as she stayed out in the cold a LOT longer than I did! She did however hit a tree on one of her sledding trips with the boys... and we hope that doesn't happen again (even if we bought travel insurance!!!).

Pete comes home next week on the 17th, he is really hoping to find a job here... so if anyone knows of a trucking job in the Atlantic region let us know! I have my doctor's appointment at the OB/GYN on the 19th and I hope that things will get moving after that in regards to solutions to my health problems!

Winter almost looked like it was being conquered... but alas yesterday there was snow again, today the wind is howling outside and it is chilly. I look forward to spring (not the mud part... but the budding trees and growing grass GREENING up part!!!). Cold is for the birds... oh wait... never mind most of them have the sense to GO SOUTH for the winter! :) I am pleased to say that we are beginning to finally adjust to life here in North America, although we still have some kinks to work through. However, we long to return to Africa as well... we just need to get Meagan through to graduation first! Trevor was talking last night about 'when' we go back, I knew it would happen eventually, it just took a little time.

For those of you who continue to pray for the ministry in Namibia, please pray for Lazarus and Leila as they are in the northern part of Namibia now at Ark Oshikuku. There has been a LOT of rain this year and as a result a great deal of flooding. Please pray as they try to minister to the people with very little funding for the ministries and personally as well! Pray as well for the ministry in general with CHI in Namibia for godly wisdom and principles to prevail! May we set aside the wisdom of this world for the rich wisdom of God in the face of trying circumstances. GOD is in control and he is sees the end as well as the beginning and when we fully trust in him for all things we will be more encouraged to wait on him as HE works it out! It is faith and hope that will get us through, not the remedies that the world provides. So please pray for the leadership as they struggle to balance things.

In closing I would like to thank all of your for your prayers for our family. This has not been an easy time for us. The huge adjustments are overwhelming, except that GOD is in control and he has a plan for the trials he gives us. It is building strength, character and endurance... perhaps for the next task he has for us. So thank you to all of you! I am still hoping and praying that I will return to Namibia and Angola in September so if you can pray concerning that I would appreciate it. I will need to get these health issues taken care of as well as raise the money to do so... so please pray!

Blessings,
Charlene

Quick Update

God has a way of working things out in His perfect timing.  

In the months since returning home we have gone for blood tests, stool samples, and a couple of weeks ago I went for my ultrasound.  I went to see the doctor last week on Thursday and I have several cysts in my uterus, ovaries and cervix.  I also have all of the symptoms of cervical cancer, so I have been referred to an GYN/OB.  On Saturday evening the doctor called and asked me to come in this week for more tests, but I have had to postpone them until next week.  

Now why do I say perfect timing?  Well, we have been hoping and praying to be able to bring a good friend over here from Africa, and God has worked it out that she will arrive now on March 4 and stay for 6 months (at which time I hope to travel back with her).  Her name is Ndemufayo and she has never traveled outside of Namibia, so please be in prayer for her as she ventures out of her comfort zone... she is excited and scared at the same time.  I am sure she will be a great help to me if I need to go for an operation... or whatever other treatment I might need.  So although this was not our purpose for bringing her over, it happens to come together at this time when I would need her most!  I am so thankful that God knows ahead of time and that he knows best.  

Pete is still working out in Ft. St. John, BC.  Talitha is back in NB with the rest of us, she is looking into TESL courses, and has her new camera (Canon Rebel XSi, SLR digital) and is ready to get creative!!  Meagan has just finished up exams (and seems to really love biology), she is looking into taking a midwifery program in the Philippines when she graduates.  Trevor and Tavis expect their report cards in a day or two and are HOPING and PRAYING to be moved up a grade (to where they belong).  

To all of our friends, near and far, we would like to say thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray for us.  It has not been an easy year, but GOD is faithful in sustaining us, loving us and encouraging us.  Please pray for a quick resolve to my medical issues, and pray for Ndemufayo's safety in traveling.  Thank you for praying!

Blessings!

Charlene

Here's what we are up to...

Greetings!

I thought I would write a bit of an update letting everyone know what we have been up to the last couple of months.

Pete left for Ft. St. John to work with a trucking company that moves oil rig equipment. He is hoping to get his class one driving license. He hasn't been as busy as he would like but has made good use of his time by listening to some really awesome sermons.

Meagan, Trevor and Tavis started school in September. Meagan is now in grade 11, Trevor in grade 8 (and hopefully will be put up to grade 9 in the second semester), and Tavis is in grade 7. They have been adjusting. It hasn't been easy but they are learning to adjust once again to NEW and UNFAMILIAR surroundings. I have been a full time stay at home mother! It has been good for me to be here, resting! September I had the flu for a few weeks, then Pete came home for a one week visit, then I had a terrible back spasm and now my hip is acting up... so good thing I am home. I also have been enjoying spending the days listening to sermons, cleaning the house, making meals, and running to town for groceries. I think we have settled on a church to attend, it is called Sovereign Community Church and it is a little lively Presbyterian church 40 minutes from here (like driving to Windhoek on Sundays, except in the winter when there is SNOW).

We are tossing around several ideas as to how this home assignment is going to look. We are not setting ANY plan in stone because we know that God is the one in control and not us. So here are our ideas at the 'moment'! We are thinking we will at least stick around until Meagan is finished school... that is in 2 years... however we would like to go back and forth (the 2 of us) to Africa for a month to three at a time. If the Lord wills I will go back in September next year for a month. I would like to take a couple of my sister-in-laws with me... we'll see how that all works out! We have a friend that we would like to have join us for six months, from Africa... so when she returns I would go with (that's the idea). Depending on how much work Pete gets this year and how much money we can save up, we will work on getting a project started in Northern Namibia. That is why we would like to keep personal contact with Africa during the 2 years...! Now... the other idea that we are playing with, is that we will base out of here until the BOYS are finished school... traveling back and forth for those years, continuing to work with the projects we are looking at starting!

So that's it in a nutshell. We are unsure of timelines in returning 'permanently'... we will return to live one day (if the LORD wills it)... but for now we are going to try to work from here! Once we have something started we will be in touch with those of you who have followed our journey, and see if you would also like to get involved!

WE WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED!

Thank you all for your prayers... especially those who prayed me across Canada with the 3 kids (it was a LONG drive by myself)! We also appreciate your prayers on this continuing journey... the unknowns, missing DAD, finances, purpose, ministry, etc!

We love you all and desire to keep in touch!
Love,
Charlene