Download Brenda’s Newsletter as PDF
Download Brenda’s Calendar as PDF

Personal Greeting

I can hardly believe it is September already.  The past two years have flown by!!  There are only 14 more Mondays before the children and I will board a plane to JFK.  Yes, the decision is that at the very least,  Hailey, Janis, Stefanus and I will travel.  Trusting God,  our trip is booked and we will be in the states for two months.  After 11 years of trusting God to provide through a myriad of partners,  I am ecstatic that I can just rest in the fact that He has a plan!  Thank you for your continued prayers, love and financial support! 

What’s Next

• We can move forward with a first phase of building on our school property!  We received a donation to prepare the land, build a fence, sports field, and a small building for housing donated sports equipment.  The same company has encouraged us to put in another proposal for our first classroom building in 2011!  Praise God! 
• The Ministry of Education in August tells us that our application submitted in February should have been done differently.  Once again we are going in circles.  God alone can bring this nonsense to a full stop! 
• The trip to Germany I mentioned in my last newsletter has been canceled.  If the  trip is to be made it will not be until 2011. 
• Ms. Candace has completed her two month commitment that stretched into five and returned to her home.  Ms. Jackie will join us shortly to retake the reins of this household that she had in March while here.  Though it is still a short term solution we are convinced it is best to bring in someone the children know.
• Ms. Josephine, an incredible asset to us since June, will leave Arandis the beginning of September. 
• Two senior experts from Germany will join us at the same time. 
• Lea is teaching at TKCA for the entire month of September.  She has come with a fresh spirit and training in special need children!
• We must make a plan for Revival and we are investigating a deaf school in Windhoek.  Revival is different than all our other children as she is with us unofficially through the mother who needed help.  We are researching what we have as options. Read the rest of this entry

Download Brenda’s Newsletter as PDF
Download Brenda’s Calendar as PDF

Personal Greeting

During a recent Sunday message I heard,  “When God asks you to do something, He moves people, places and things to provide for that request.”  Those words made me reflect on my own journey.  Certainly God has done just that.  God clearly asked me to do something in September 1999 and He has ever since then been providing for me and my ever growing family in miraculous ways.  Psalm 77.11 tells us, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes, I will remember your miracles.”  God is ever faithful.  Each month I receive short notes from different folks who I think have long ago forgotten me.  These notes of love are such an encouragement to me!  Thank you for remembering me and my family for touching bases from time to time to let us know you are still there following our journey and praying for us.  I am so grateful to God for you! 

What’s Next

• After meeting with the social worker, Jonathan was placed in his father’s temporary custody and they have returned to the fathers’ family. 
• Hope’s Promise has finally begun the process of officially changing our name to Children of Promise Ministries.  As we assist the government with writing minimum standards for foster care., we are asked to be a Foster Care Provider in three regions. As a key stakeholder working in foster care we will probably take on this responsibility. 
• The Graham family’s move to Otjiwarango is materializing.  We will most likely also move one of our families with them who come from that area.  
• A team from the USA will arrive the beginning of August for 12 days with us. 
• We also will be welcoming a year long volunteer from Germany on August 1. 
• Kinder und Familienhilfe Namibia will hold their annual meeting in October.  Sylvia and I will both travel to Germany as ambassadors from CoPMN, God providing!
• Uncle Mike has started his program for the boys on a weekly basis.  May his efforts be blessed.

Read the rest of this entry

Download Brenda’s Newsletter as PDF
Download Brenda’s Calendar as PDF

Personal Greeting

As someone told me a miraculous story of God pertaining to a spina bifida child (like Elizabeth), I was moved to consider had I ever witnessed a miracle of healing.  As I was contemplating this thought the Spirit quickly reminded me that I am a witness to miraculous healing every day – emotional, spiritual and physical.  I was most reminded of my own family and how God is working a miracle daily in the life of Daniel and Vuola and thus in all my family.  Psalm 77 tells us “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among your people.” Verse 14.  God is working miracles daily in my life, in the life of my family, in the life of the ministry and on it goes.  Getting caught up in the challenges of day to day living I almost forgot to take note of what God is busy with in my midst.  Giving every day a chance it is my hearts desire to take inventory and to praise God for his love, faithfulness, and involvement in my life.  As you look at your own life may God manifest Himself in grace giving you a glimpse of what He does daily on your behalf.  I certainly never forget the miracle of 10.5 years in ministry that has been girded in prayer and finances from you.  A thank you is not enough but all I have.

What’s Next

• Changes are brewing as we consider how to best educate our high school children.  The Graham family visited a town about 4 hours from Arandis to consider overseeing a project that would include a boarding situation for 12 of our high school students in 2011.  Without education a cycle of poverty and all that goes with that will continue.  Before making a major decision like this we await clear direction from the Lord.
• Toivo’s future is still a big unknown.
• Jonathan has been placed in my official care the last weekend in June.  His future is unclear as we await a meeting with a social worker as well as an investigation into his home environment.  Turning three in just a few weeks he is the size of a 12 month old!
• Josephine arrived the 28^th of June for three months.  Her task will be to live and breath alongside of  Zuelery and Anna with a goal of making a positive mark on their lives. Read the rest of this entry

Download Brenda’s Newsletter as PDF

Personal Greeting

Today is the day the  Lord has made.  I shall rejoice and be glad in it!!  I was given a book in May called, ‘Every Day deserves a Chance’ by Max Lucado.  By design or by default it, of course, was just the book I needed to read.  I have been taking a personal, spiritual inventory of attitudes such as gratitude, forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, hope and faith.  Reminded once again that this life is not about me but about the purpose for which I am on this earth!  Too many of my days have been about me!  Yesterday is gone, tomorrow not yet here and today is where I must live!  Being grateful for the blessings rather than grumbling about the short falls I am asking God for patience as I work on a new tune!  Over ten years I have been in Namibia and you have been a faithful and consistent partner in this ministry.  I can never express my gratitude sufficiently for your love, support and prayers over the years.  As summer approaches may God bless your activities and fellowship, one day at a time!

What’s Next

• School has restarted after a month long break and all students and teachers have returned. 
• Steve and Karrie returned so Irene and Mcshal are back with their family. 
• A new mommy has joined us…..someone we have known for a while. 
• Candace has decided to remain with us for a few more months.  She has done a very positive job with the children in her care. 
• Finding a way to adequately educate our public school children has become a priority. 
• Talks of recruiting more Namibians for key roles in our ministry have surfaced. 
• Sylvia has been requested to be part of another possible special task force dealing with the foster care possibilities in Namibia.
• Toivo is looking at an unsure future as he graduated from Windhoek International School’s IB program at the end of May.  He has not received a final word from two universities he is interested in so he is researching different options.  
• One of our long standing German sponsors is about to send their daughter to us for three months.  She will arrive at the end of June to assist us in the school while living with Likkie and her family. 
• God is pressing on Sylvia’s heart that He wants her to focus on healing, counseling, and uplifting of His children (of all ages).
• Change again is upon us as we look at our current positions as compared to what God has called us to be.

Read the rest of this entry

Download Brenda’s Newsletter as a PDF

Personal Greeting

“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”Hebrews 3.7-8a As happens from time to time as I live in a foreign land, I become disheartened and question God’s desire for my life.  These words from Hebrews spoke volumes to me this month as I struggled with my own desires and selfishness.  Yes, there are days that I think of a life in America similar to what I had “before”.  May the God of grace allow me to be a light for His kingdom in my daily living even when I “think” I should be somewhere else. Obedient to Him and His word is the ultimate goal of this journey called life!  Many blessings to you!

What’s Next

Three full weeks of school holiday are ahead of us!!  That means that Mommies have lots of time to help their children fill!  All of the children completed first term and have done well.  We are challenged to assist our children who are in the public school to achieve their best.  In the long run it would be in their best interest to get into private school or for us to be able to expand TKCA to include middle school and high school.  Our children that had to leave TKCA for public middle school are struggling on many levels.  Some of our children have been invited for the holiday and will travel to visit with family or extended family. Read the rest of this entry

Personal Greeting

With a warm heart I send you greetings from Namibia.  God continues to honor our commitment to His children!  Thank you for another month of support in prayer and finances.  May you experience the joy of a risen Lord!

What’s Next

March was full of challenges and blessings.  Top on our priority list is to find parents for Ismael, Smithly, Riaan, Memory, Queen and Angela.  Due to unfortunate and sad circumstances these children were left without a Mommie on Friday, March 5th. Now the good news is this was the day that our friends Jackie and Don arrived in Arandis.  Within hours of being in Arandis they became the temporary parents of these children.  As Don and Jackie return to the US on April 2^nd, we are still challenged with who God has in mind for this blessing! Read the rest of this entry

Personal Greeting

How is one reminded you are in Africa?

When a spider is in your salad, and you calmly kill it with your knife, throw it out the window, and keep eating!!!  Yes, a true story at my dinner table a few nights ago.  From time to time the realization that I really am in Africa hits me straight on.  Right now,  as I listen to all the end of the month sounds outside my window I even realize that I live in a Location (sometimes referred to as township) Houses on top of houses, music blaring, people talking, dancing and drinking.

Difficult at best, to try and have a private life…life in the Location is for all to see and participate in!!  Holler out the name of anyone of us if you need something….we come to see what’s up.  I chuckle to myself as God has brought it to my attention that my life is far from what I left back in 2000.

I have started my 11^th year of ministry and my family, friends, and passion are where I am in this “foreign land”.  I remain grateful that God gave me a heart of courage to embark on this adventure.  There are not words enough to express my thankfulness to God for you! Humbled by my ability to remain in service, I thank God daily for your passion and faithfulness in supporting me and my ever growing family.  Thank you!  May God bless you in ways you cannot imagine.

What’s Next

We are on the path to registration yet again for TKCA.  This time we are applying for grades 1-4 only.  We have expanded our current, temporary building so that the four grades can be under one roof.  This allows us a chance to expand the preprimary as well as we have a long waitlist for this school. Read the rest of this entry