God Does It..

This morning during devotions with the staff at the Ark (Okahandja) our walk with Nehemiah lead us to look at the topic of PLANNING.. I reminded our staff that devotions are the time to become stimulated spiritually and mentally rather than do full exhaustive study of a topic. There were three things that we looked at this morning.. The staff were also encouraged to make time later to thnk about what we touch on during our devotions.



WHY PLAN ?

1. Because God does ! Jer 29:11; 1 Cor 14:33

2. God Commands it ! 1 Cor 14:40; Prov 4:26; Prov 16:9

3. It's good stewardship ! Eph 5:15-17

I reminded them that wise leaders MAKE TIME FOR THINK TIME !



We all agreed that whilst we see Planning as Biblically mandated we were unanimous in our agreement that our planning must NEVER seek to remove God's involvement and that all we do hinges on God actually guiding us in the planning process and ultimately endorsing our plans by anointing them to succeed.


Tomorrow (Thursday) we will complete our cursory look into this topic and deal with with the practical aspects of planning..

Tomrrow is a significant day in that it marks the beginning of the meeting of the International Board of Christ's Hope. With an extremely full agenda, please would you pray that our board members would remain focused, they enjoy good health and that God would give wisdom to them all as they debate and make decisions for the continued growth and strengthening of Christ's Hope. The Meeting starts tomorrow in the UK at 8:00am (U.K. time) and will end on the 4th November..

Thanks for joining and supporting us in this way...

Okahandja Mini Fair

This past weekend saw the sleepy town of Okahandja come alive with activity as the Annual Mini Fair got underway. While at the fair Faye took some pictures of the girls enjoying the water slide. Faye also took a short video (no Sound) which we have uploaded for you to have a look at. In her haste to help Sydney off the slide, Faye forgot to switch of the camera so you will see some footage of the lawn..

I was part of our church volleyball team and had a great time until the final game when after making an amazing block on the net I sprained my ankle. I came down to ground and my foot landed on top of that of an opposition player resulting in the twisting of my right ankle.. Thankfully I am able to walk on it, so I guess the damage is not too bad.

This week I will be leading the staff of the Ark in Okahandja in their devotions. I will be looking into some Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah.. I'll post more on that at the end of the week..

Herewith some pictures of our day at the Mini Fair

Eric's Sprained Ankle...

46 - Can You Believe It ??

Today I celebrate the forty sixth anniversary of my birth.. Yes I am 46yrs old today. I have read that men go through something called a mid life crisis during the 40-45 yr period, which I guess means that I have just been through mine. Not sure what was supposed to happen and if it did I have no idea what it was..

I am deeply grateful to Almighty God for the 46yrs I have been granted and am looking forward to the next 50yrs in His service.

New addition:- I have been in touch with our webnmaster and am hoping to make it possible to host our newsletters on the web and have them available for you to read. Once this is done I'll notify you..

That Time Of The Year !

Just yesterday Faye and I submitted our applications to have our work permits renewed. As always this time of the year brings with it a measure of unrest and uncertainty. Aside from the firm belief that this is where God has called us to serve, we are also concerned about Larnelle's schooling. Next year will be her final year in primary school and she will start high school in 2009. We feel that moving her in this final year of Primary Schooling would have a significant negative effect on her. Larnell has settled down very well since moving to Namibia in 2006. She has made good friends, has learned Afrikaans and generally adapted to life in Okahandja. We are so proud of the fact that she has been made a prefect at school for the remainder of this year and for all of next year.

Our work in Christ's Hope is not done and when I ponder on all that must still be done I am overwhelmed and realise that this work will fail if I attempt it in my own strength. The prophet Zechariah says :-

Zech 4:6

6 Then he answered and said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. (NAS)

Please uphold us in prayer that our permits will be renewed, that we will remain in His perfect peace as we wait for the decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs. We value your prayers would love to hear from you.

Joshua has a slight cold at the moment and it is quite painful to hear him coughing. In spite of this he remains cheerful and contented.. This is the face we are so blessed to see daily..

To all who partner with us prayerfully and financially we again express our deep appreciation. THANK YOU !

It's Done - Thanks Everyone..

The sitting room (Open Plan)
The Dining Area (Open Plan)
Faye and Sydney preparing dinner..

We are blessed to live in this comfortable flat and are deeply grateful to all who gave of their time, resources and skill to complete what Sydney calls 'Our new house'..

2 Cor 9:10-15

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!(NIV)

Many Hands Make light Work

These two guys came at just the right time to give skilled input. Michael (front) is from USA and Jonathan from Canada..
Macho guys - who needs a crane ?
A birdseye view of the place that would be our bedrooms and bathrooms..
Jonathan.. Master stair builder..

The "House" We Built !

It's been said that a picture can say a 1000 words.. Well I don't have a thousand words but I do have a few pictures to show the progress of the four bedroomed flat that Faye and I are now very blessed to call 'home'

The work gets started..

An empty space ready to be shaped into the sitting room, dining area and Kitchen.
Laying floor rafters..
I look quite skilled ?

You can expect more pictures in the next post..

Moved to Respond

She is over 60 years old and is a missionary here in Okahandja Namibia. This past Sunday she attended the service at which I was preaching on the topic "Attempting Great Things For God"

I drew attention to the following three things as one steps forward to attempt great things for God.
1. Rely Totally on the holy Spirit.
2. Don't be afraid of failure or success.
3. Don't be afraid of weakness.

At the close of the service this dear lady asked to speak to the congregation. She confessed to hiding behind the fact that she is 'old' and has not used her voice to really sing for the Lord. She then went on to sing the first stanza of Amazing Grace.. The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable and eveybody was visibly moved at this lady's spontaneous and genuine response to God's propmpting.

It is awesome to see God at work through us.. I am humbled and so blessed.

MC'ing at Berdian & Juliet's fund raiser

Saturday Night - 6th October 2007, I welcome guests to the fundraiser organised for Berdian and Juliet Beukes' deputation visit to the USA and Europe. Berdian is the Country Director for Christ's Hope Namibia.

11th October 2007

It's been quite a busy week for us here at the Training Centre in Okahandja. Faye has been working with audtiors to get our annual audit completed in time for the International Board Meeting to be held in the UK in early November.. Looks like it will be ready in time for that.

I (Eric) have been working on the details for our leadership programme that we are planning to launch in February 2008, as well as supervising the staff at the Training Centre.

Larnelle has become quite enamored with softball and was yesterday selected to the team. We are very proud of the fact that on the day set aside as the Namibian Child day she was selected to read a speech at the special assembly at school. I was actually very impressed that the class teacher asked Faye and I if that was okay before speaking to Larnelle. Needless to say that both Faye and I spent time coaching Larnelle on how to read her speech, which I am told went very well.

Our Sydney is doing great at her pre-school and is learning more and more Afrikaans. Just yesterday as we walked together she informed me that she had "Baie Geld" in her bag. (Lots of money). She has a slight cold at the moment but will be up and about in the next day or so.

This Sunday I will have the opportunity to preach at the local church we have been attending - Manna New Covenant Church. Faye and I are planning to speak to the Pastor (Derek Moore) about running a Bible Study during the week, and if all goes well we see this starting within the next three weeks.



Below is a photo of Faye and the children with Faye's dad (papa).. Taken during his visit with us in August. Joshua was about one week old at the time. We enjoyed having dad visit and are looking forward to the day when others of our family and friends will be able to visit us.

The Garnie Family In Namibia

THANK YOU for visiting our site..

We want this site to be another way of keeping in touch with you and trust that it will prove an updated means of knowing how we are getting along as missionaries here in Namibia and the rest of the World.

To get started there is some basic information about us. As time progresses we will be posting more news and information.

Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Eric was educated at Founders High School followed by three years at the Bulawayo Techinical College where he graduated with a National Higher Diploma (with Honours) in Environmental Health. This lead to a career as an Environmental Health Officer with the Bulawayo City Council. After seven years of service, during which time he rose to the position of Senior Health Inspector, Eric resigned and travelled to the USA for a one year attachment to a Christian Music Ministry called the Carpenter's Tools International. Following this one year attachment he returned to Zimbabwe to take up a position with Youth For Christ Zimbabwe. After one year as a Ministry Co-ordinator he was appointed to the position of Centre Director for Bulawayo and then to the position of National Director of YFC Zimbabwe. In 1993, while still in the employ of YFC Eric attended the Haggai Institutes facility in Singapore for a one month intensive leadership development course.

On the 11th December 1993 we were married at St Francis Anglican Church in Barham Green, Bulawayo.

1996 - After 8 years of ministry with YFC Zimbabwe Eric accepted a call to serve as the Senior Pastor of Revival Centre Ministries, where he served faithfully until 2005 when again a call to a new assignment was accepted. This call lead Eric and Faye to move from Zimbabwe to Okahandja - Namibia.

Faye was born in Bulawayo, the only daughter of Chappie and Hilary Bent.

Faye completed her High Schooling at Montrose High School and then began her working career. Faye worked at a bank and then for a transport company.. Following breaks after the birth of the two girls (Larnelle and Sydney), Faye accepted a post as warehouse manageress for a textile firm.

Faye now serves in Christ's Hope International as the Office Manageress/Administrator.

Our Children:

LARNELLE (on her 11th birthday)

SYDNEY (on her 3rd birthday)

JOSHUA ERIC. (One day old)

For more about our Missionary work visit the Christ's Hope International Website