HI everyone...
I have been thinking we haven't really connected with as many people as we would LIKE to have!!! So as a way to help make that happen we are going to go to Riverside Park on Saturday from Noon until 6PM (if the weather is nice of course, and that means as long as it is not raining... and if it does rain and then stops we will also head down there).
SATURDAY... RIVERSIDE PARK... NOON to SIX PM!
How does that sound? We look forward to connecting with those whom we haven't had the chance to visit with and see face to face.
I am going to leave for NB on the 5th or 6th of August... that is next week... time is rushing by quickly and we are sorry that we have not been able to see everyone, and if you cannot make it to the park we will have to connect next year (if we make it out here in the summer :o))!
See you Saturday!
Charlene
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
In Kamloops BC
Hello everyone…
We just wanted to let you know that we are now in Kamloops.
We are staying at friends EMAIL FOR THE PHONE AND ADDRESS!
So here’s the plan… we will hang at the house most of the time because we are a bit sick of the vehicle, so if you would like to connect with us we would be more than happy if you would come and see us. If you call first you can know for sure that we are here… because if we get in the van to go anywhere I think it will be the lake… and you are welcome to join us… just call and let us know!
We are just thinking that after driving over 5000km’s across Canada most of you won’t mind travelling a few km’s to see us! We’ll keep you posted on how long we are staying but it will be 2 weeks for sure!
We love you all and hope to see you soon! For those of you who aren’t in the Loops… you can call us here if you would like to chat. We look forward to connecting with you all over the next year and a half!
Blessings!
Charlene and the gang!!!
We just wanted to let you know that we are now in Kamloops.
We are staying at friends EMAIL FOR THE PHONE AND ADDRESS!
So here’s the plan… we will hang at the house most of the time because we are a bit sick of the vehicle, so if you would like to connect with us we would be more than happy if you would come and see us. If you call first you can know for sure that we are here… because if we get in the van to go anywhere I think it will be the lake… and you are welcome to join us… just call and let us know!
We are just thinking that after driving over 5000km’s across Canada most of you won’t mind travelling a few km’s to see us! We’ll keep you posted on how long we are staying but it will be 2 weeks for sure!
We love you all and hope to see you soon! For those of you who aren’t in the Loops… you can call us here if you would like to chat. We look forward to connecting with you all over the next year and a half!
Blessings!
Charlene and the gang!!!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
TENTATIVE Itinerary
Hi there everyone. We have made it safe and sound to Ft. Steele (near Cranbrook) where Pete's parents are living. We had a safe and fairly uneventful trip across Canada (and a little of the USA)... of course traveling with 6 people in a van for hours on end is not the MOST enjoyable time, but we all survived!
As I sit here and look over my calendar I have decided that we must make some sort of decision as to when and where we will be places. We are having a difficult time focusing (still tired and adjusting from Africa)... but here is our tentative schedule for our travels out here in BC and then as we head back to the east coast to reside for the year (and maybe a bit) that we are home.
July 13 to 19... Ron and Marge Knightly's... Ft. Steele (near Cranbrook) BC.
July 20... Vernon, BC
July 21... Kamloops (25 to 27 Pete's brother and family from the Island will join us) BC
August 3... Ft. St. John, BC
August 4... Spirit River, Alberta
August 6... Three Hills, Alberta
August 8... Calgary, Alberta
August 10... Caronport, SK
August 11... Regina, SK
August 12... Winnipeg, MN
August 13... Ontario (somewhere....)
August 14... Ontario (somewhere...)
August 15... Quebec (somewhere...)
August 16... Sussex (back with my parents)
August 22... Proposed possession date of the house we are in the process of buying.
Talitha will probably remain west (perhaps Kamloops or NWT). Pete is also hoping to stay in the west for a period of time for some work! I will travel back to NB with the 3 kids. It's a long drive... so I am not driving at all now! :)
We appreciate your prayers as we travel, and if we are coming through or close to where you live and would like to meet up with us just send an email. We look forward to connecting with our family, friends, and supporters. Our next trip west will be longer and we will have an itinerary prior to coming, we would like to be able to speak in churches and small groups as much as possible before we head back to Africa, as we have some pretty exciting ideas of what we would like to do when we return!!! That is another reason Pete would like to work as much as possible out here in the west... the more finances we can take back with us, the more projects and things can be accomplished! After traveling through Calgary and Lethbridge we are convinced that having a container or two shipped to Namibia with things that people are just throwing outside the dumpster's would be an awesome idea. It was frustrating and downright saddened us to see what people throw away! There are so many people (even in Canada) who would appreciate a mattress to sleep on... a couch to cuddle up on... a coffee table to rest their feet on... all of these things we saw tossed along side the dumpster's.
Please continue to pray for us during this year of furlough, especially for the kids as they will try to settle into another "new" environment and hopefully construct a better foundation of knowledge before heading back to Africa, January 2010 (if the Lord is willing). We will keep you posted on our vision for the return to Namibia.
Looking forward to the weeks ahead!
Blessings,
Charlene for the Knightly gang!
As I sit here and look over my calendar I have decided that we must make some sort of decision as to when and where we will be places. We are having a difficult time focusing (still tired and adjusting from Africa)... but here is our tentative schedule for our travels out here in BC and then as we head back to the east coast to reside for the year (and maybe a bit) that we are home.
July 13 to 19... Ron and Marge Knightly's... Ft. Steele (near Cranbrook) BC.
July 20... Vernon, BC
July 21... Kamloops (25 to 27 Pete's brother and family from the Island will join us) BC
August 3... Ft. St. John, BC
August 4... Spirit River, Alberta
August 6... Three Hills, Alberta
August 8... Calgary, Alberta
August 10... Caronport, SK
August 11... Regina, SK
August 12... Winnipeg, MN
August 13... Ontario (somewhere....)
August 14... Ontario (somewhere...)
August 15... Quebec (somewhere...)
August 16... Sussex (back with my parents)
August 22... Proposed possession date of the house we are in the process of buying.
Talitha will probably remain west (perhaps Kamloops or NWT). Pete is also hoping to stay in the west for a period of time for some work! I will travel back to NB with the 3 kids. It's a long drive... so I am not driving at all now! :)
We appreciate your prayers as we travel, and if we are coming through or close to where you live and would like to meet up with us just send an email. We look forward to connecting with our family, friends, and supporters. Our next trip west will be longer and we will have an itinerary prior to coming, we would like to be able to speak in churches and small groups as much as possible before we head back to Africa, as we have some pretty exciting ideas of what we would like to do when we return!!! That is another reason Pete would like to work as much as possible out here in the west... the more finances we can take back with us, the more projects and things can be accomplished! After traveling through Calgary and Lethbridge we are convinced that having a container or two shipped to Namibia with things that people are just throwing outside the dumpster's would be an awesome idea. It was frustrating and downright saddened us to see what people throw away! There are so many people (even in Canada) who would appreciate a mattress to sleep on... a couch to cuddle up on... a coffee table to rest their feet on... all of these things we saw tossed along side the dumpster's.
Please continue to pray for us during this year of furlough, especially for the kids as they will try to settle into another "new" environment and hopefully construct a better foundation of knowledge before heading back to Africa, January 2010 (if the Lord is willing). We will keep you posted on our vision for the return to Namibia.
Looking forward to the weeks ahead!
Blessings,
Charlene for the Knightly gang!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Long Drive...
Here we are on our LONG drive across to British Columbia. Saturday night we stayed with one of Talitha's friends (Brenda Geneau) in Northwestern NB... we hit the road at 7AM and drove through Quebec to North Bay Ontario... LONG drive! We spent the night with long time friends Bill and Lorna Powell. We had a good visit and a great breakfast this morning before we headed on our way. In Sault St. Marie we dipped in the USA... we are now in Newberry Michigan at a hotel with wireless internet and a pool. The boys are swimming and we are having some down time in the room.
It is a LONG drive in a van with 4 teenagers and 2 parents (YIKES), but we are all still alive... some of us are happier than others :o)! We appreciate your prayers as we travel... for safety and some level of 'enjoyment' as well as the finances to cover the costs along the way. Thank you to those of you who have helped so far, and for those of you who have been praying! We are so thankful for the friends and family who have partnered with us in our ministry.
We'll keep in touch as we have an internet connection!
Blessings!
Charlene
It is a LONG drive in a van with 4 teenagers and 2 parents (YIKES), but we are all still alive... some of us are happier than others :o)! We appreciate your prayers as we travel... for safety and some level of 'enjoyment' as well as the finances to cover the costs along the way. Thank you to those of you who have helped so far, and for those of you who have been praying! We are so thankful for the friends and family who have partnered with us in our ministry.
We'll keep in touch as we have an internet connection!
Blessings!
Charlene
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Canada Day...
It is now almost 1AM on Canada day... I can't sleep, my stomach seems to be having some issues with Canadian food... hopefully this will pass soon. My time clock has also not adjusted yet, and I seem to not be able to fall asleep before 2AM, doesn't really make sense since that is 6AM in Namibia. Perhaps it is because I have flipped upside down (or upside right) from one side of the equator to another. Either way, it has not been easy.
We spoke at Cumberland Bay Baptist Church on Sunday. Pastor Mitchell gave us the whole Sunday morning service. What a blessing it was to be able to share with this little church that has given both prayer and financial support! Although no one at the church knows us 'personally' very well (since they have only spent a few Sunday mornings with us in the last 3 years)... they seemed to know a LOT about us...! They had raised funds to buy us a cow if we had stayed in Angola, but because that didn't work out they decided we could put a roof and a door on Rosa's house (our househelp in Angola). They also raised money by beading bracelets with the letters S.O.N on them... Sharing Others Needs... the money they raised from that was to go to the beading ministry but because we were coming home they told us to put it toward our plane tickets! They are also supporting as a church on a monthly basis. THANK YOU Cumberland Bay Baptist for your love and support! I shared about the beading ministry and I had the jewelery on display that I brought home from the project in Namibia... I now have just over $200 Canadian (about N$1500) to send back to Okahandja for the ladies, Care & Compassion, and to restock the beading ministry.
This week the boys have gone to Arrowhead Native Bible Camp for a week of teen camp with their Grandma and Grandpa. I am sure they will have a great time! That is also located at Cumberland Bay. Talitha, Meagan, Pete and I are spending the week together... trying to think about packing and getting ready to leave for the west!
Here are some things to pray about:
1. Talitha is seriously considering living out west with our good friend Kelly... you can be in prayer about that... pray for work and for God to show her what she ought to do with her life.
2. We are very seriously considering the house we looked at on the Miramichi. If they accept our offer we will try to get things settled before heading west, and then be back in time to settle in before school starts. I am very excited about the possibility of having a place to come back to every 3 or 4 years... it has been very stressful for me (for whatever reason) to keep wondering where we will end up this year. Please continue to pray for wisdom.
3. Pete is seriously considering working out west this year (off and on)... there are many out east that go back and forth... we would like to have some financial resources in which to go back to Namibia with to help with the project we are considering upon our return! Generally a furlough is spent resting and running around to churches raising support and sharing the vision... it is not that we have lost faith in God to supply our needs, rather Pete needs to keep busy.
4. We will be contacting a mission here in Canada that we would like to partner with when we return to Namibia, you can pray that the details will be worked out in that area, as we would really like to be able to give tax receipts to those who are supporting us financially.
5. We would also like to ask that if God has put it on your heart to support us financially during this time of limbo that you get in touch with us for our banking details (unless you already have them). To be honest very little has been put into our account since we returned to Canadian soil. If you have questions about furlough (home assignment) and what it means please contact us and ask! We would be happy to explain how it all works.
6. We need to make a trip west, and as you know fuel prices are high. Please pray for the finances to cover the trip. My parents have ever so graciously loaned us their old van for the year... it has over 300,000km's on it, but we are trusting God to keep it on the road for the year that we are home (or supply us with something else) :o)
7. We would just like to Praise God for HIS faithfulness to us... HE has been SO gracious and merciful to us throughout this whole journey, and I know that HE will continue to be with us as we seek to serve HIM with our lives. One day I will sit down and write a whole blog dedicated to the ways that we have seen HIM work in our lives and tell how much HE has blessed us!!! We are humbled and honoured to have a God who loves us so much and will never leave us nor forsake us! What a MIGHTY God we serve! ALL the praise and honour and glory goes to HIM!!!
Thank you all for your love, prayer and support! We are thankful for the part you play in our ministry, and we pray God's blessing upon each and every one of you!
Love,
Charlene (and the rest of the Knightly's)
We spoke at Cumberland Bay Baptist Church on Sunday. Pastor Mitchell gave us the whole Sunday morning service. What a blessing it was to be able to share with this little church that has given both prayer and financial support! Although no one at the church knows us 'personally' very well (since they have only spent a few Sunday mornings with us in the last 3 years)... they seemed to know a LOT about us...! They had raised funds to buy us a cow if we had stayed in Angola, but because that didn't work out they decided we could put a roof and a door on Rosa's house (our househelp in Angola). They also raised money by beading bracelets with the letters S.O.N on them... Sharing Others Needs... the money they raised from that was to go to the beading ministry but because we were coming home they told us to put it toward our plane tickets! They are also supporting as a church on a monthly basis. THANK YOU Cumberland Bay Baptist for your love and support! I shared about the beading ministry and I had the jewelery on display that I brought home from the project in Namibia... I now have just over $200 Canadian (about N$1500) to send back to Okahandja for the ladies, Care & Compassion, and to restock the beading ministry.
This week the boys have gone to Arrowhead Native Bible Camp for a week of teen camp with their Grandma and Grandpa. I am sure they will have a great time! That is also located at Cumberland Bay. Talitha, Meagan, Pete and I are spending the week together... trying to think about packing and getting ready to leave for the west!
Here are some things to pray about:
1. Talitha is seriously considering living out west with our good friend Kelly... you can be in prayer about that... pray for work and for God to show her what she ought to do with her life.
2. We are very seriously considering the house we looked at on the Miramichi. If they accept our offer we will try to get things settled before heading west, and then be back in time to settle in before school starts. I am very excited about the possibility of having a place to come back to every 3 or 4 years... it has been very stressful for me (for whatever reason) to keep wondering where we will end up this year. Please continue to pray for wisdom.
3. Pete is seriously considering working out west this year (off and on)... there are many out east that go back and forth... we would like to have some financial resources in which to go back to Namibia with to help with the project we are considering upon our return! Generally a furlough is spent resting and running around to churches raising support and sharing the vision... it is not that we have lost faith in God to supply our needs, rather Pete needs to keep busy.
4. We will be contacting a mission here in Canada that we would like to partner with when we return to Namibia, you can pray that the details will be worked out in that area, as we would really like to be able to give tax receipts to those who are supporting us financially.
5. We would also like to ask that if God has put it on your heart to support us financially during this time of limbo that you get in touch with us for our banking details (unless you already have them). To be honest very little has been put into our account since we returned to Canadian soil. If you have questions about furlough (home assignment) and what it means please contact us and ask! We would be happy to explain how it all works.
6. We need to make a trip west, and as you know fuel prices are high. Please pray for the finances to cover the trip. My parents have ever so graciously loaned us their old van for the year... it has over 300,000km's on it, but we are trusting God to keep it on the road for the year that we are home (or supply us with something else) :o)
7. We would just like to Praise God for HIS faithfulness to us... HE has been SO gracious and merciful to us throughout this whole journey, and I know that HE will continue to be with us as we seek to serve HIM with our lives. One day I will sit down and write a whole blog dedicated to the ways that we have seen HIM work in our lives and tell how much HE has blessed us!!! We are humbled and honoured to have a God who loves us so much and will never leave us nor forsake us! What a MIGHTY God we serve! ALL the praise and honour and glory goes to HIM!!!
Thank you all for your love, prayer and support! We are thankful for the part you play in our ministry, and we pray God's blessing upon each and every one of you!
Love,
Charlene (and the rest of the Knightly's)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
News from New Brunswick
We have been house hunting. We have to live somewhere for a year, and since house prices and rent are so high in the west we began to consider living in the East or in Saskatchewan. We did some house searching online while in Africa and seriously considered Saskatchewan. However, before returning our search was led to NB. Not by my family (who lives out here)... in fact, my mother didn't seem convinced that we would feel comfortable living back here... but we explained that we don't need to feel comfortable (too comfortable) since our desire is to return to Africa!!! That being said... we would just like to have something to come back to (somewhere to touch base) and not have to worry every single time about where we are going to live. We won't always have our parents to lean on... praise God we have them now (as they understand furlough's and how it all works and that it is not that easy)... however this would relieve some pressure having something to come back to that we can have organized and be ready to move in when we return. Currently we are looking in an area where my mother grew up. In fact, this house is VERY close to where she grew up. We have gone to look at the house, gone through it, and talked with the lady who owns it. I grew up with her daughter-in-law. Anyway, all that being said, we have asked them to get together and discuss what it is that they want for the house (they are asking $70,000) and what they are willing to leave with the house (i.e. beds, fridge, stove, etc)... they will get back to us on Sunday or Monday and then we can make a counter offer... or just say YES or NO. WE would ask for your PRAYERS! Please pray this weekend that God will sort out all of the details and we will know one way or another... whether or not it is the right thing or the wrong thing. We don't want to be hasty, yet we have to settle on something before we head out west, as when we return we will need to get our kids into school. So PRAYER... that is what we need... and lots of it! Discernment, wisdom, guidance, etc...! Once we have figured out this whole house thing we will pack our bags and head out on a road trip to the West! We are looking forward to visiting with many of you... of course we will not be able to connect with ALL of you... but we will do our best. Once we know what our plans our we will publish and itinerary and if we are in your area then you can contact us and let us know if you would like us to visit. Quebec and Ontario are the only places we don't know a great deal of people... so if you know someone who would like to host a family of SIX... we would love to hear about it! The area between Sault St. Marie and the Manitoba border is the most boring and longest part of the trip (or so it seems)... so if you know anyone between there (Thunder Bay, etc) man we would love to have someone to drop in on. We are hoping that Pete can find a job in Alberta on a rotation (month on month off or something like that) for while we are back... first of all to help make a large dent in the mortgage... secondly to put food on the table... thirdly to keep him busy... and fourthly to try and get some finances together to enable us to go back to Namibia with some of the necessary funds to be able to carry out the projects God has laid on our hearts. That is a lot to think about...! We are very dependant on God and his people to continue to help supply our needs here in Canada. We are also going to be in touch with a mission or two that we would like to have umbrella us upon our return to Namibia (so people can get receipts). We have a lot to accomplish, and we are tired and feeling a little burnt out. Also our bodies are not adjusting as quickly to the humidity, elevation, food, time change, etc as we would have hoped. But... that is a part of the adjustment period. We would ask you to continue to pray concerning our finances...! God knows our needs... so you can ask him to reveal them to you... or feel free to send us an email. The trip west will be expensive with fuel, food and lodging (if we have to take hotels)... but we know it is a necessary journey that we must make... not only for the sake of our supporters but for the sake of our family.We look forward to sharing with each of your personally concerning our vision and passion for Africa, and to answer any questions you may have! We thank you for your financial and prayer support over the last 3 years, and we look forward to seeing how God will work out the details for the road ahead!
Blessings...
The Knightly's
Blessings...
The Knightly's
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Our TRIP!!
Here I am sitting at the computer (true high speed internet) and with the sun shining in the window and everyone is sitting in the living room behind me chatting about all kinds of things! It sounds nice… comforting.
June 9, 2008 we were up early in the morning tying up loose ends! Finished moving our mattresses and blankets, signed our papers for the selling our vehicle, piled in the Bakkie (truck) and Condor and headed to the airport with… Lazarus, Leila, Ndemufayo, Anna, Larnelle, and our family (and all of our luggage). We stopped on the way to pick up Fenguito and Vivas (a couple of Angolans who wanted to say goodbye at the airport). At the airport we weighed our bags (and were given grace on our weight!), had our bags plastic wrapped and checked in! Then we spent the time spending our bucket of change on drinks for everyone, and sitting at the restaurant visiting. Then it was time to say goodbye...! We then went through immigration (with our properly stamped passports… Praise the Lord) boarded the plane for Johannesburg and were on our way. In the Jo’burg airport we wandered around and waited for our connecting flight and after a 3 hour wait we boarded the flight for Frankfurt Germany. We flew Luftansa (not a very nice plane at all… cramped and no personal TV sets to entertain people, and in Pete’s row of seats none of the controls worked so they couldn’t even listen to the movies or music!). Behind the boys was an extremely drunk man (who managed to drink more alcohol on the Luftansa flight) and he began to sexually harass the stewardess and said some very nasty things to Tavis and punched Trevor’s seat when he tried to lean back to sleep. Finally the stewardess came to me and asked about whether or not the man was bothering us… and so when we told her what he had been up to they took him to the back of the plane somewhere and had the police waiting for him when we arrived. I didn’t get any sleep through the night, so I felt pretty yucky when we arrived in Germany!
June 10, 2008… 5 AM we arrived in Germany, it took a while to find our gate and we waited in a long line up to clear the inspection counter (xray and all)… once we were settled the kids laid on the seats and got some sleep (well except for Tavis)… I happened to have 10 Euros in my purse so I went to McDonalds and bought 5 cheeseburgers and 5 small soft drinks. We were a bit worried about what our Air Canada flight was going to be (especially after expecting that the Luftansa flight would be better than the Air Canada)… however we were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful brand new plane… lots of leg room, individual TV’s, and excellent service! Very impressed! After a long and pleasant flight to Toronto we collected our luggage (ALL of it arrived safely and still plastic wrapped) and without any issues cleared customs (they didn’t even look at anything or ask any questions)… we then exited the secure area and found my brother Roger ready and waiting to spend the 7 hours of waiting time with us in Toronto… what a great blessing! He took us out to a Greek restaurant and got us out of the airport for a few hours! Then we visited at Starbucks in the airport until we needed to go through security again. While waiting to board the plane to Moncton, Meagan’s Science teacher showed up… we were wondering if he didn’t make it, but he was flying in from Saskatchewan and managed to be in on time to visit with us for about 10 minutes before we had to board our plane! He is a money collector and Meagan had gotten him Namibian and Angolan money… which was very exciting and I made placemats for his wife! It was nice to meet him… Meagan and him spend a great deal of time online laughing and carrying on, so it was good for her to meet him face to face!!! After a couple of hours we touched down in NB… tired and dizzy from all the flying we headed out to the baggage claim area and around the corner I could hear all these people yelling and carrying on… rounded the corner and there was Talitha JUMPING… UP and DOWN…. UP and DOWN!! My mom and dad, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Randy and Talitha came to greet us!!! Again all of our bags arrived safe and sound… we packed into the two vans they brought to pick us up in, and headed for home (in Sussex)… I drove one of the vans, on the right side of the road and under 140km/hr!!!!! We arrived sometime around midnight; I had a shower and then crashed until 11AM the next morning!!!
So here we are… tired, burnt out, and taking the time to relax (sort of). I am going to get my hair done today by a REAL hairdresser… that’s exciting! I better go and get ready… just wanted to let you know how our trip went!
Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and greetings!! We appreciate you all!
Love,
Charlene (for the Knightly’s)
June 9, 2008 we were up early in the morning tying up loose ends! Finished moving our mattresses and blankets, signed our papers for the selling our vehicle, piled in the Bakkie (truck) and Condor and headed to the airport with… Lazarus, Leila, Ndemufayo, Anna, Larnelle, and our family (and all of our luggage). We stopped on the way to pick up Fenguito and Vivas (a couple of Angolans who wanted to say goodbye at the airport). At the airport we weighed our bags (and were given grace on our weight!), had our bags plastic wrapped and checked in! Then we spent the time spending our bucket of change on drinks for everyone, and sitting at the restaurant visiting. Then it was time to say goodbye...! We then went through immigration (with our properly stamped passports… Praise the Lord) boarded the plane for Johannesburg and were on our way. In the Jo’burg airport we wandered around and waited for our connecting flight and after a 3 hour wait we boarded the flight for Frankfurt Germany. We flew Luftansa (not a very nice plane at all… cramped and no personal TV sets to entertain people, and in Pete’s row of seats none of the controls worked so they couldn’t even listen to the movies or music!). Behind the boys was an extremely drunk man (who managed to drink more alcohol on the Luftansa flight) and he began to sexually harass the stewardess and said some very nasty things to Tavis and punched Trevor’s seat when he tried to lean back to sleep. Finally the stewardess came to me and asked about whether or not the man was bothering us… and so when we told her what he had been up to they took him to the back of the plane somewhere and had the police waiting for him when we arrived. I didn’t get any sleep through the night, so I felt pretty yucky when we arrived in Germany!
June 10, 2008… 5 AM we arrived in Germany, it took a while to find our gate and we waited in a long line up to clear the inspection counter (xray and all)… once we were settled the kids laid on the seats and got some sleep (well except for Tavis)… I happened to have 10 Euros in my purse so I went to McDonalds and bought 5 cheeseburgers and 5 small soft drinks. We were a bit worried about what our Air Canada flight was going to be (especially after expecting that the Luftansa flight would be better than the Air Canada)… however we were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful brand new plane… lots of leg room, individual TV’s, and excellent service! Very impressed! After a long and pleasant flight to Toronto we collected our luggage (ALL of it arrived safely and still plastic wrapped) and without any issues cleared customs (they didn’t even look at anything or ask any questions)… we then exited the secure area and found my brother Roger ready and waiting to spend the 7 hours of waiting time with us in Toronto… what a great blessing! He took us out to a Greek restaurant and got us out of the airport for a few hours! Then we visited at Starbucks in the airport until we needed to go through security again. While waiting to board the plane to Moncton, Meagan’s Science teacher showed up… we were wondering if he didn’t make it, but he was flying in from Saskatchewan and managed to be in on time to visit with us for about 10 minutes before we had to board our plane! He is a money collector and Meagan had gotten him Namibian and Angolan money… which was very exciting and I made placemats for his wife! It was nice to meet him… Meagan and him spend a great deal of time online laughing and carrying on, so it was good for her to meet him face to face!!! After a couple of hours we touched down in NB… tired and dizzy from all the flying we headed out to the baggage claim area and around the corner I could hear all these people yelling and carrying on… rounded the corner and there was Talitha JUMPING… UP and DOWN…. UP and DOWN!! My mom and dad, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Randy and Talitha came to greet us!!! Again all of our bags arrived safe and sound… we packed into the two vans they brought to pick us up in, and headed for home (in Sussex)… I drove one of the vans, on the right side of the road and under 140km/hr!!!!! We arrived sometime around midnight; I had a shower and then crashed until 11AM the next morning!!!
So here we are… tired, burnt out, and taking the time to relax (sort of). I am going to get my hair done today by a REAL hairdresser… that’s exciting! I better go and get ready… just wanted to let you know how our trip went!
Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and greetings!! We appreciate you all!
Love,
Charlene (for the Knightly’s)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Back in Canada
Here we are back in Canada. I am VERY tired, and can't really think straight, so I won't bother to write a detailed blog, but when I get my thoughts together I will fill you in! Just wanted you all to know that we are safe and sound in New Brunswick at my mom and dad's.
Charlene
Charlene
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Tomorrow is the BIG day...
Tomorrow morning we get up, get ready and get on a plane at 12:50PM heading to Jo'burg South Africa (3 hour wait) and then on to Frankfurt Germany (5 hour wait) then on to Toronto Ontario Canada (7 hour wait) and then to Moncton NB Canada (almost 2 hour drive to my parents....). That is a total of 38 hours in airplanes and terminals! YIKES.
Please pray for sanity... patience... etc! Also pray that our bags will all get on the plane without having to pay any weight penalties, and that they arrive safe and sound in NB!
I am tired just thinking about it... so I think I will go to bed!
Love,
Charlene
Please pray for sanity... patience... etc! Also pray that our bags will all get on the plane without having to pay any weight penalties, and that they arrive safe and sound in NB!
I am tired just thinking about it... so I think I will go to bed!
Love,
Charlene
Friday, June 06, 2008
THREE days to go...
3 Days to go…
Here we are and 3 more days to go before we fly from Namibia to New Brunswick, Canada! Up to now we have had so many things that just seemed to fall apart… so many unknowns… and so many discouragements. Today was the last possible day to get things worked out with our visas, and Pete went into Home Affairs and the lady graciously and very quickly granted an exit (or re-entry) Visa so when we get to the airport there will be no problem in leaving! What a load off of the mind, heart, body, stomach……….! Also some wonderful, gracious American missionaries offered to clear out a space in their garage that we can store our things in for while we are gone. So tomorrow and Sunday we will spend time carting things over there. Continue to pray for Elfie as she is still looking for a place to rent. We know that God will work it out in His time, but pray for Elfie as she is waiting!!
Let’s see what is left to do… we have to get our bags packed with 50lbs of stuff and no more, we have to get our stuff ‘moved’, I am picking up my friend Tammy at the airport on Saturday, we have church on Sunday (saying goodbye) and driving Tammy to the airport so she can catch her flight to Angola, Monday morning we get up early and head to the airport at 9:00 AM.
Now once we arrive in NB… Meagan and Talitha both have exams, Talitha has grad ceremonies etc, we have to decide where we will live (and we are leaning toward living in NB), we need to make a trip west, and Pete is anxious about finding a job, we will have to get the kids registered in a school somewhere, registered for medical, etc… etc… etc…! There are a lot of things to do and the task seems overwhelming, but we trust that God has a plan and he will work it through for GOOD!
We appreciate all of your prayers and we are extremely thankful to those who have given toward our tickets and general living expenses. We appreciate your giving to the Lord! We look forward to the year ahead; it will be interesting to see how God works everything out for GOOD once again! I do hope it will be a restful year, and that we will be renewed and ready for another term on the field.
Keeping you posted!
Blessings,
Charlene
Here we are and 3 more days to go before we fly from Namibia to New Brunswick, Canada! Up to now we have had so many things that just seemed to fall apart… so many unknowns… and so many discouragements. Today was the last possible day to get things worked out with our visas, and Pete went into Home Affairs and the lady graciously and very quickly granted an exit (or re-entry) Visa so when we get to the airport there will be no problem in leaving! What a load off of the mind, heart, body, stomach……….! Also some wonderful, gracious American missionaries offered to clear out a space in their garage that we can store our things in for while we are gone. So tomorrow and Sunday we will spend time carting things over there. Continue to pray for Elfie as she is still looking for a place to rent. We know that God will work it out in His time, but pray for Elfie as she is waiting!!
Let’s see what is left to do… we have to get our bags packed with 50lbs of stuff and no more, we have to get our stuff ‘moved’, I am picking up my friend Tammy at the airport on Saturday, we have church on Sunday (saying goodbye) and driving Tammy to the airport so she can catch her flight to Angola, Monday morning we get up early and head to the airport at 9:00 AM.
Now once we arrive in NB… Meagan and Talitha both have exams, Talitha has grad ceremonies etc, we have to decide where we will live (and we are leaning toward living in NB), we need to make a trip west, and Pete is anxious about finding a job, we will have to get the kids registered in a school somewhere, registered for medical, etc… etc… etc…! There are a lot of things to do and the task seems overwhelming, but we trust that God has a plan and he will work it through for GOOD!
We appreciate all of your prayers and we are extremely thankful to those who have given toward our tickets and general living expenses. We appreciate your giving to the Lord! We look forward to the year ahead; it will be interesting to see how God works everything out for GOOD once again! I do hope it will be a restful year, and that we will be renewed and ready for another term on the field.
Keeping you posted!
Blessings,
Charlene
Monday, June 02, 2008
ONE WEEK to go...
Here we are at one more week. Saturday we found out that on Wednesday the church decided to sell the house and not rent it to Elfie. That was a BLOW! We are all floundering now... her with all the plans to move in (just formalities, shouldn't be a problem, blah blah blah)... and now no where to go but back to the center. Us with all of our stuff that was going to be stored in the garage. Great! Well... we have one week to figure something out or leave the stuff in the street. Sounds depressing but I am sure that God has better plans! Since all things will work together for good... :0) There is much to think about now... oh and we still have NOTHING settled regarding our visas either. So here we are... one more week... I am sure it will be a great story to tell in the years to come of God's faithfulness, but going through it and waiting (and knowing there isn't much time to wait) is not easy!
We appreciate your prayers... a LOT!
Charlene
We appreciate your prayers... a LOT!
Charlene
Saturday, May 31, 2008
NINE more days to go...
Here we are with 9 more days to go. I have never felt more complacent about packing and getting ready to leave! Maybe I have become totally African... hehe! Although I wouldn't say I am relaxed... I feel tense everyday, but not enough to PACK!
We still do not have our VISA issue settled, which is causing me a great deal of anxiety... but I know that GOD has it all under his control!
So here are the prayer requests for the days ahead...
1. VISAS so we can actually get out of the country without a problem!
2. Motivation to pack and get ready to leave.
3. Peace in saying our goodbye's (or rather... see you later's).
4. Remainder of money for airline tickets.
5. Safety in travel.
6. Finances for getting settled upon our return and our trip across Canada!
7. Wisdom in where to stay for the year.
8. Adjustments (RE-Entry) upon return.
9. Both Meagan and Talitha have exams the first week we are in Canada.
10. Wisdom in ALL decisions to be made!
We thank you all for your prayers! We could not make it here without them. It is so wonderful knowing that there are those who are daily/weekly/monthly holding us up to the Father! You have been a blessing to us. We look forward to visiting with each one of you IF THE LORD WILLS! We would love to share face to face our experiences and how we have seen the Lord working here in Africa over the last 3 years!
Keep in touch,
Blessings,
Charlene
We still do not have our VISA issue settled, which is causing me a great deal of anxiety... but I know that GOD has it all under his control!
So here are the prayer requests for the days ahead...
1. VISAS so we can actually get out of the country without a problem!
2. Motivation to pack and get ready to leave.
3. Peace in saying our goodbye's (or rather... see you later's).
4. Remainder of money for airline tickets.
5. Safety in travel.
6. Finances for getting settled upon our return and our trip across Canada!
7. Wisdom in where to stay for the year.
8. Adjustments (RE-Entry) upon return.
9. Both Meagan and Talitha have exams the first week we are in Canada.
10. Wisdom in ALL decisions to be made!
We thank you all for your prayers! We could not make it here without them. It is so wonderful knowing that there are those who are daily/weekly/monthly holding us up to the Father! You have been a blessing to us. We look forward to visiting with each one of you IF THE LORD WILLS! We would love to share face to face our experiences and how we have seen the Lord working here in Africa over the last 3 years!
Keep in touch,
Blessings,
Charlene
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sateco
Here is Sateco... he is the one that some have helped toward getting registered in University. He is studying now at UNAM. Next month however, they are due to write exams, he will need to have all of the finances to complete his registration ($) or he will be unable to do his exams. As we are leaving there is no way (unless done in the next 'less than' two weeks) that we can get finances to him if done through our account. If you are interested or feel God leading you to give toward Sateco's education, please email him at stelytodd@gmail.com and he can give you his Namibian banking information. We do pray that he will continue on with his engineering program, as it is not easy for these guys to get an education. We thank those of you who made it possible for him to get registered this year, and we believe that God will continue to work in Sateco's life regarding his future!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Well, I found out yesterday that we are going to have to apply for a work visa (our work permit has been into Home Affairs since October) in order to get out of the country. We are going to call Home Affairs and try to set up an appointment ourselves so that we can communicate our situation and the urgency (since it is only 20 days til departure now) of the matter... because obviously we would like to be able to get back into Namibia! We would ask that you PRAY... please PRAY... and add us to whatever prayer chains that you know of. We would like to see things sorted out properly and quickly!
I must say that yesterday I was feeling extremely overwhelmed with the whole situation and I had a migraine as well (which didn't help). There are so many things racing through our minds and we are feeling very much on our own at the moment, I know that we are not... we have GOD beside us, with us and in us! One thing I have very acutely discovered since coming to Africa is that we can "KNOW" things... but to "EXPERIENCE" is a very different thing. It is a whole new ballgame when you are in a new culture, new climate, new everything and everyone around you wants YOU to adjust to them! I have a whole new impression and love for immigrants to Canada! I have EXPERIENCED what they go through! AND... without GOD I cannot imagine what it would be like! Those are my thoughts for today... we DO appreciate your PRAYERS!Charlene
May 20, 2008
God blessed us with another $1200'ish... that puts us at $4791 towards our tickets and $2409 more to go! I think that helps my mind with the pressure a little, plus tonight we had company over for a visit and had some good laughs which helped again to get me relaxed. I also received several encouraging emails and comments on the blog which helped me to remember to put things into perspective. We all get down sometimes, we are all human, we all have emotions and things that we feel we cannot handle, but I think that sometimes God does things to help us SEE and EXPERIENCE HIS faithfulness by using our 'family' to come around us and lift us up. And for that I am truly thankful! God is GOOD... ALL the time... and I am thankful for the friends and family He has given to encourage us and lift us up when we feel we are sinking! Blessings to those of you who have given what God has called you to give, whether that is prayer, finances, or an encouraging word... WE are THANKFUL!
God Bless,
Charlene
May 14
I must say that yesterday I was feeling extremely overwhelmed with the whole situation and I had a migraine as well (which didn't help). There are so many things racing through our minds and we are feeling very much on our own at the moment, I know that we are not... we have GOD beside us, with us and in us! One thing I have very acutely discovered since coming to Africa is that we can "KNOW" things... but to "EXPERIENCE" is a very different thing. It is a whole new ballgame when you are in a new culture, new climate, new everything and everyone around you wants YOU to adjust to them! I have a whole new impression and love for immigrants to Canada! I have EXPERIENCED what they go through! AND... without GOD I cannot imagine what it would be like! Those are my thoughts for today... we DO appreciate your PRAYERS!Charlene
May 20, 2008
God blessed us with another $1200'ish... that puts us at $4791 towards our tickets and $2409 more to go! I think that helps my mind with the pressure a little, plus tonight we had company over for a visit and had some good laughs which helped again to get me relaxed. I also received several encouraging emails and comments on the blog which helped me to remember to put things into perspective. We all get down sometimes, we are all human, we all have emotions and things that we feel we cannot handle, but I think that sometimes God does things to help us SEE and EXPERIENCE HIS faithfulness by using our 'family' to come around us and lift us up. And for that I am truly thankful! God is GOOD... ALL the time... and I am thankful for the friends and family He has given to encourage us and lift us up when we feel we are sinking! Blessings to those of you who have given what God has called you to give, whether that is prayer, finances, or an encouraging word... WE are THANKFUL!
God Bless,
Charlene
May 14
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Airfare Progress
To date we have $3591 in the account for our plane tickets, so we have $3609 more to go. At this point it seems a bit overwhelming with all the other expenses that we will face once we return, so please pray for peace of mind and trust in the GOD of the universe who has all things in his control! We have found someone to take our house, Internet and dog, so that is a burden that has been lifted.
Here are some of the random thoughts and feelings that pass through my mind and heart on any given day:
I still have lots of packing and planning to do. I am feeling a bit nervous about the unknowns. I am not completely sure everyone knows what a Home Assignment is, and I am burdened with the feeling that we have to somehow justify it, I know that we NEED it and yet I have a hard time having to explain it. I am realizing there are so many who do not understand the world of 'missionary' and I am praying that we will have those who will surround us and support us when we arrive back in Canada. We still have no idea where we will live. I am nervous about returning to Canada. I am overwhelmed with the task ahead, and yet I want to enjoy my last few weeks here in Africa (where's the balance?)! I am looking forward to seeing our family and friends. I am looking forward to attending Talitha's Graduation! I am looking forward to the quiet and peaceful place where my parents live in Sussex! I am wondering how we will manage a vehicle. Sometimes I wish we could purchase a small home that we could come back to every 3 or 4 years for the refreshment and relaxation that we need. I never realized how much is involved in planning a home assignment and all the unknowns that you just have to sit back and watch God work through! Some days I wake up and think... 'this is all TOO much', but then I remember that God doesn't give us more than what we can handle. Some days I think... where is everybody when we need help... but that is just me being selfish. This is who I am, I am sharing honestly, some may be offended, but others will pray more for me, and some will even write me and let me know that I am not alone!
There are some of my random thoughts! They rush through my mind and make me tired. I am a weak and broken vessel who needs the Lord and His filling more than ever. He reminds me that ALL things work together for GOOD for those who LOVE Him and are CALLED according to His purpose! God is good... all the time!
Trusting...
Charlene
Here are some of the random thoughts and feelings that pass through my mind and heart on any given day:
I still have lots of packing and planning to do. I am feeling a bit nervous about the unknowns. I am not completely sure everyone knows what a Home Assignment is, and I am burdened with the feeling that we have to somehow justify it, I know that we NEED it and yet I have a hard time having to explain it. I am realizing there are so many who do not understand the world of 'missionary' and I am praying that we will have those who will surround us and support us when we arrive back in Canada. We still have no idea where we will live. I am nervous about returning to Canada. I am overwhelmed with the task ahead, and yet I want to enjoy my last few weeks here in Africa (where's the balance?)! I am looking forward to seeing our family and friends. I am looking forward to attending Talitha's Graduation! I am looking forward to the quiet and peaceful place where my parents live in Sussex! I am wondering how we will manage a vehicle. Sometimes I wish we could purchase a small home that we could come back to every 3 or 4 years for the refreshment and relaxation that we need. I never realized how much is involved in planning a home assignment and all the unknowns that you just have to sit back and watch God work through! Some days I wake up and think... 'this is all TOO much', but then I remember that God doesn't give us more than what we can handle. Some days I think... where is everybody when we need help... but that is just me being selfish. This is who I am, I am sharing honestly, some may be offended, but others will pray more for me, and some will even write me and let me know that I am not alone!
There are some of my random thoughts! They rush through my mind and make me tired. I am a weak and broken vessel who needs the Lord and His filling more than ever. He reminds me that ALL things work together for GOOD for those who LOVE Him and are CALLED according to His purpose! God is good... all the time!
Trusting...
Charlene
Friday, May 09, 2008
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