Facing 2009..

The prophet Isaiah says..

Isa 43:18-20

18 "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.

19 "Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

20 "The beasts of the field will glorify me; the jackals and the ostriches; because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.  (NAS)

What a call from this Old Testament Prophet -- A major DO NOT..

Do Not Live in the Past..

Trying to move forward with eyes fixed on what is behind is an exercise in futility.. God reminds us here not to allow the past to so fill our thinking and our vision that all we do is repeat the past..  The past has happened and there's nothing we can do in the present to change it, the best we can do is to learn from the past..   The past teaches us some important things - i) What we ought not to do  ii) What we ought to do..  iii) What we can and cannot do  I am sure there are many more important lessons the past can teach us.. 

The past is however a seemingly attractive place to remain.. perhaps because it is so familiar..

The future however carries with it a significant degree of uncertainty and unpredictability..

To help us and motivate us to embrace the future - after all, that is where the rest of our life will be spent, God gives Isaiah a Word for us ..

> I am doing something NEW

> I will make a way in the wilderness, a place where no roads exist

> I will create rivers in the desert

> I will do these things so that MY people will have drink (provision)..

The one certain reality that we have as we face 2009 is the character and nature of God.. There can be no greater security..

In 2008 some had hope in an election process - It failed

There was hope in a negotiation process - it has failed

There was hope in an economic system - It has failed

Those who placed there hope and trust in the living God have learned one GREAT thing - HE HAS NOT FAILED and HE NEVER WILL.. 

So I am facing 2009 with the confidence that the Lord Jesus, who never changes and who promises to be with me every day will sustain my family and I.  I am looking forward to the NEW things HE is doing, for the means of provision in the face of a global recession, rising inflation and shortages of food.. for his roadway through a year where nothing seems set.. He will make a way for His people and they Will have drink (Provision)..

Faye and I are saying goodbye to a year that has been very challenging, and at times overwhelming YET our God has sustained us.. Now we face 2009 with even greater confidence in Him, in His Call to us and His Committment to us.. Our committment to HIM is stronger today than yesterday..

my Motto for this year: 

His Promises and Provision are Mine in 2009 !

It's Christmas Time..

What a year it has been and how time appears to have flown by at the speed of light ! 

Sadly we will not be celebrating Christmas with our family and friends in Zimbabwe but rather with our new friends and colleagues right 

here in Okahandja Namibia..   We of course have sent greetings and messages of our love to many of our family and friends (really not the same as face to face interaction)..

Regardless of where we are physically located at Christmas time does not take away from the wonderful GOOD NEWS that we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.. Now that is Good news..

We are thankful to God for His providential care through this past year, for the excellent health we have enjoyed, for the many trials we have faced (these have made us stronger and increased our faith), for the new friends we have made here in Namibia and also for the privilege of playing an active role in the local fellowship we attend here in Okahandja..

As always we really do look forward to mail and news from our friends and loved ones and if you are ever in Namibia please do give us a call - at a minimum it would be wonderful to see you and hear your voice..

The Prophet Isaiah declared Jesus would be called :  IMMANUEL

Isa 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (NAS)

The Angel told a confused Joseph:

Matt 1:23

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." (NAS)

My family and I joyfully proclaim HALLELUJAH as we also acknowledge that JESUS is IMMANUEL - GOD WITH US !  

May you enjoy and experience God with YOU this Christmas !

All our love and best wishes for 2009 !

Eric & Faye

Garnie

Larnelle,

Sydney 

&

Joshua

The Adventure of I DO continues - 15years later.

Today is a very special day for Faye and I.  YES we remember today the anniversary of our wedding which took place at St Francis Anglican Church in 1993..  Fifteen years have passed since we declared our vows to each other in the company of God, our family and dear friends.. 

We have been blessed with three wonderful children - Larnelle (12) Sydney(5) and Joshua (17mths).  

As we celebrate this day we have a mix of emotions from great joy, to deep concern for our beloved Zimbabwe, especially for our family and friends and of course we are saddened that we are not able to celebrate this joyful and significant day with our family who are now spread across in various countries..

To all of those who sent us congratulatory messages - THANK YOU !!

With God before us we look forward to the next 15years with eager anticipation and excitement.