It has been 2.5 months since we left our country of Belize to venture for a 6 month furlough. Originally intending for our entire family to go to Trinidad first to spend some time with John's family, we were forced to change our plans. Flights were completely booked enroute to Trinidad making it almost impossible to get in. Disappointed we were missing a family reunion with John's family, we altered our route to go to Canada, 2 weeks early! With nobody at the Calgary airport and 2 days in the airport, we arrived very tired and exhausted! The kids did amazing, probably better than most adults would do! Some God-sent angels rescued us from the airport and allowed us to stay in their home for 3 days. Brad and Lisa, we are so grateful for you! You are amazing! We loved our time with you. Thanks sooo much!
We spent a week with my sister in Kindersly, Saskatchewan, in the middle of a "heat wave", which turned out to be quite the treat for us! Felt like perfect weather to us, minus those crazy mosquitos!
My dad and mom then came to pick us up with their huge RV in Kindersley and we made our trek back to BC where we would be staying for the next 6 months! Our trip, however, was not without adventure, (it seems to follow us!) We were stuck behind a rock slide through the Rocky Mountains until 2am! We were very thankful for the RV though, the kids went to bed just like normal and woke up the next day ready to roll, the rest of us.. not so much! lol.
BC is so beautiful, I am reminded everytime I return of the blessing it was to be able to grow up in such an amazing place.
We made one more long adventure out to Victoria to spend some time with a friend of our's, Carolyn Saindon's family. Her grandmother was having her 90th birthday party and we got to go be a part of this incredible woman's celebration. It was a wonderful time. We then ventured back out to Salmon Arm and then onward to Saskatchewan (yes again!) for some friend's wedding, speaking in churches, and more time with the family! A total of 40 hours in a car for the month of August! I think we've reached our driving with 3 kids quota for a few years! The girls surprised us with their flexibility and good attitudes during this time. Of course movies like "Milo and Otis", lots of snacks and family sing alongs sure helped! Great family memories were made!
We are now in Salmon Arm, BC. Patti is keeping busy with the girls. Evangeline has officially started homeschooling K/Gr.1, Naomi is the ever present SMART side kick who knows a LOT of the answers, (is she really only 3?) and Charlotte is our energizer bunny crawling and standing up on anything she can get her hands on! John has been keeping busy spending time helping out in Living Waters Church, running a youth group from our home! He has also been connecting with one of the schools who came to Belize last year from Belize. He also will be flying out to YFC in Saskatchewan to assist in the fundraising efforts for another team coming to Belize. Amongst this all, we have felt rested and so good to spend time with loved ones and meet new loved ones along the way.
I know this has been lengthly but we wanted to be able to get everybody up to speed on what we have been up to! We plan on staying in Canada until January when we will return to Belize. We have loved sharing what God is doing in Belize in a few churches. If you would like us to come to your church or organization, please feel free to contact or email us. The need in Belize is great and there are MANY ways to get involved, (stay tuned for that).
Blessings on you all.
Thanks for the update! Though I've been following you on Facebook, it's good to get more details. Blessings! Shirley Knapp
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