Christmas 2007

It's Monday morning, Christmas Eve 2007.. The year has passed swiftly and is hurrying to a close..

As a family we had really hoped to travel home (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) for Christmas and New Year.. But it just seems it was not meant to be. Despite submitting our work permit renewals a few months ago, they have unfortunately not been finalised and this has meant we could not leave Namibia and travel home.. How do we feel about it? Pretty disappointed and saddened.. However I have to confess that in the midst of the sadness and disappointment I can see how God is at work to care for us.. I was asked to conduct a wedding on Saturday 22nd December and because we were still in Namibia I was able to do so.. At the evening reception a lady came over to me and asked if I was from Zimbabwe... on finding out that indeed I was she immediately told me she had a message for me from some friends in Johannesburg.. my dear friends Mark Pendy, his wife Cassandra and her brother Mark Bismark.. Now here's the interesting thing.. She saw my friends in January 2007 and somehow was unable to get hold of me and find me- until Saturday.. My heart was so filled with joy that at a time when depression was like a rain-filled cloud hanging over our heads we get this message which brightened up our day/night.

Some friends from Okahandja came to see us the other day and asked if we would keep an eye on their house and make sure to feed their dog (Odie).. They also gave us permission to use the swimming pool and to make use of the DSTV, essentially be at home and make use of the house. Once again the Lord reminds me that He will seek to bless us... If that was not enough, a farmer friend called us and asked if we would stay at his house for about a week whilst he and his family are away on vacation.. We said yes and now will be able to take some time away from the centre and relax and as a family just enjoy some down time...

Finally, we received an email advising that one of our ministry partners in the USA had sent us a significant financial gift - just before Christmas.. In all of these things we have seen the blessings of God. We have also acknowledged that whilst we are saddened at not being able to go home for Christmas there are many whom God would have us minister to right here in Namibia this Christmas..

My family wishes all of you a blessed Christmas and may 2008 bring you much joy and success.

ps Please do continue to pray for Zimbabwe.. The time is nigh for change and I am praying that God will set the ball rolling soon and we will see Zimbabwe rise from it current state and its people experience peace and freedom in 2008.

Eric K. Garnie

Leadership is Being There to Care !

The first day of December is set aside on the World calendar as " World Aids Day".. All across the globe on a variety of stages there are messages declared concerning various aspects of this Global Pandemic. Movie stars, Media Icons, Presidents and Prime Ministers alike all take to the stage to make a plethora of calls to bring about a halt to the Aids pandemic.

Many are the ways that each espouses and one can be critical of each.. One thing however is very clear and common to all is the reality that Aids is a global reality that requires a multiplicity of responses to bring about a reduction in new infections, care for Orphans and vulnerable children, reduction of stigmatisation toward those living with Aids, prevention of transmission from mother to child, provision of appropriate counselling and care for those who become aware of their positive status etc etc.. The list is seemingly endless.

This years theme placed the focus exactly where I believe it should be.. LEADERSHIP !!

The theme for the day was: Leadership is Being There to Care..

When leaders lead well, even the most serious of situations or most troubling of conditions have a greater chance of being taken care of.

It was my privilege to travel with Berdian Beukes (Country Director- Namibia), to the Southern town of Keetmanshoop. The Governor of the region visited our children's home - The Ark and spoke to our staff and children. After being presented with a John Maxwell Leadership Bible

the Governor joined the children outside to plant a tree.

Our children helped make the speech time more bearable by providing entertainment for the the guests, in the form of some very enjoyable and wonderful dance presentations..

All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon meeting and we are thankful for the opportunity to have brought our home to the attention of the Governor. Governor Boois pledged a financial gift to the home and also gave a special gift towards a Christmas party for the children..

Larnelle and Sydney are both very pleased that it is now school holidays and Larnelle is particularly please because it means she can spend lots of time with her friends.. Sydney of course spends a lot of time with us and presents us with quite a challenge as to maintaining a balance with work and ensuring she does not feel neglected or left out.

The weather at the moment is extremely hot and we are very hopeful for the rains to begin within the next week or so. We need a healthy rainy season this year..

So let's be there to care, not only for those with HIV BUT also for our families and our friends. After all we all need to know we are loved and to have the experiential reality of that fact..