Hello everyone…

We just wanted to let you know that we are now in Kamloops.

We are staying at friends EMAIL FOR PHONE AND ADDRESS!!!

So here’s the plan… we will hang at the house most of the time because we are a bit sick of the vehicle, so if you would like to connect with us we would be more than happy if you would come and see us. If you call first you can know for sure that we are here… because if we get in the van to go anywhere I think it will be the lake… and you are welcome to join us… just call and let us know!

We are just thinking that after driving over 5000km’s across Canada most of you won’t mind travelling a few km’s to see us! We’ll keep you posted on how long we are staying but it will be 2 weeks for sure!

We love you all and hope to see you soon! For those of you who aren’t in the Loops… you can call us here if you would like to chat. We look forward to connecting with you all over the next year and a half!

Blessings!

Charlene and the gang!!!

Hi there everyone.  We have made it safe and sound to Ft. Steele (near Cranbrook) where Pete's parents are living.  We had a safe and fairly uneventful trip across Canada (and a little of the USA)... of course traveling with 6 people in a van for hours on end is not the MOST enjoyable time, but we all survived!

As I sit here and look over my calendar I have decided that we must make some sort of decision as to when and where we will be places.  We are having a difficult time focusing (still tired and adjusting from Africa)... but here is our tentative schedule for our travels out here in BC and then as we head back to the east coast to reside for the year (and maybe a bit) that we are home.

July 13 to 19... Ron and Marge Knightly's... Ft. Steele (near Cranbrook) BC.

July 20... Vernon, BC

July 21... Kamloops (25 to 27 Pete's brother and family from the Island will join us) BC

August 3... Ft. St. John, BC

August 4... Spirit River, Alberta

August 6... Three Hills, Alberta

August 8... Calgary, Alberta

August 10... Caronport, SK

August 11... Regina, SK

August 12... Winnipeg, MN

August 13... Ontario (somewhere....)

August 14... Ontario (somewhere...)

August 15... Quebec (somewhere...)

August 16... Sussex (back with my parents)

August 22... Proposed possession date of the house we are in the process of buying.

Talitha will probably remain west (perhaps Kamloops or NWT).  Pete is also hoping to stay in the west for a period of time for some work!  I will travel back to NB with the 3 kids.  It's a long drive... so I am not driving at all now! :)

We appreciate your prayers as we travel, and if we are coming through or close to where you live and would like to meet up with us just send an email.  We look forward to connecting with our family, friends, and supporters.  Our next trip west will be longer and we will have an itinerary prior to coming, we would like to be able to speak in churches and small groups as much as possible before we head back to Africa, as we have some pretty exciting ideas of what we would like to do when we return!!!  That is another reason Pete would like to work as much as possible out here in the west... the more finances we can take back with us, the more projects and things can be accomplished!  After traveling through Calgary and Lethbridge we are convinced that having a container or two shipped to Namibia with things that people are just throwing outside the dumpster's would be an awesome idea.  It was frustrating and downright saddened us to see what people throw away!  There are so many people (even in Canada) who would appreciate a mattress to sleep on... a couch to cuddle up on... a coffee table to rest their feet on... all of these things we saw tossed along side the dumpster's. 

Please continue to pray for us during this year of furlough, especially for the kids as they will try to settle into another "new" environment and hopefully construct a better foundation of knowledge before heading back to Africa, January 2010 (if the Lord is willing).  We will keep you posted on our vision for the return to Namibia.

Looking forward to the weeks ahead!

Blessings,

Charlene for the Knightly gang!

Here we are on our LONG drive across to British Columbia.

Saturday night we stayed with one of Talitha's friends (Brenda Geneau) in Northwestern NB... we hit the road at 7AM and drove through Quebec to North Bay Ontario... LONG drive!

We spent the night with long time friends Bill and Lorna Powell. We had a good visit and a great breakfast this morning before we headed on our way.

In Sault St. Marie we dipped in the USA... we are now in Newberry Michigan at a hotel with wireless Internet and a pool. The boys are swimming and we are having some down time in the room.
It is a LONG drive in a van with 4 teenagers and 2 parents (YIKES), but we are all still alive... some of us are happier than others :o)!

We appreciate your prayers as we travel... for safety and some level of 'enjoyment' as well as the finances to cover the costs along the way. Thank you to those of you who have helped so far, and for those of you who have been praying! We are so thankful for the friends and family who have partnered with us in our ministry.

We'll keep in touch as we have an Internet connection!
Blessings!
Charlene

Our Trip North...

I just realized that I have not updated on our trip north to Ovamboland.
Meagan went to Walvis Bay on the Intercape to visit the Strauss family... the rest of us set out to the north to visit Lazarus and Leila.
It is a long drive north... we stopped to eat at a rest stop, stopped at Ndemufayo's farm to deliver some goodies to her sisters and mother, and stopped at the Ark Oshikuku to say hello!
We arrived at Lazarus' farm late afternoon and were met with some disbelief that we had actually come... :0)! Lazarus has built a house on his family's land, next to his sisters who he does his best to care for from far away in Okahandja. They grow millet (omahangu) and sorghum (iilyaalyaka), the store it in big baskets and when they need it they pound it into flour for porridge. In the summer they collect mopani worms, which they dry. He has some goats on his farm, however some of them died during the rainy season as there was a lot of flooding in the north... they got too wet and died. Lazarus has a passion for his community in the north, he would like to see some community development take place. Many of the people are uneducated, and there are many suffering with HIV/AIDS in the villages who do not have access to the med's and are often ostracized by the community and left to die. There are also orphans and vulnerable children (OVC's) in the community who need to be supported within the extended family. There is lots to be done in Ovamboland.
During our time there the boys wandered free in the fields... catching fish, turtles and frogs and chasing snakes. Tavis said that this was the best holiday he has ever had! They were made for village life :0) I enjoyed spending the days with Leila and the children, and looking around the area. Leila and I had plenty of time to chat and REALLY get to know each other... I feel our relationship has reached a whole new level. Pete enjoyed wandering around the property and visiting with Lazarus and finding out more about his life. We went into town to visit Danny and Frieda (they used to work in Okahandja and Keetmanshoop with CHI).
On the Saturday we took a drive to Ruacana. It was a fantastic day... we saw the falls, the Angolan border crossing, the Angolan countryside :0( felt lonely for Angola... went to a park and the kids ran wild, swam near the croc's, played with the Himba boys, rode their donkey, caught fish, and just had a lot of fun! The ladies sat with the little ones and did beading, and the guys took a long hike up the river almost to the falls! In the evening we had a goat braai... we talked and laughed until we cried. It was awesome!
On Monday morning we drove back to Okahandja, stopping in Oshikuku, and at Ndemufayo's place again. We stopped in Otjiwarango and bought PIZZA... the world's best.
Of course this is just a basic summary of our trip... there are so many details that I would love to share, maybe when we are together for coffee we can talk about how God has worked in and through us! It's always better face to face!
Charlene

Progress Report...

Well, here we are with 31 days left to go... where are we at? Well, to date we have found someone to take the house, store our stuff, take our dog, take over our Internet contract, and we have packed several boxes! There is still much to do, but I am feeling a little better with the progress that has been made!
Just over half our our airline tickets are paid up, but we are trusting that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory, through His cheerful givers... for whom we are very thankful!
The points of prayer that are needed for what is yet to be sorted out are:
* That the rest of the money for tickets will come in.
* That we will be able to sell our car (as when we return we need a 4x4 pickup, makes more sense)
* That we will be able to finish sorting out the transition for the ministry here in Okahandja for both Pete and myself!
* That we will be able to purchase a vehicle in Canada that will be sufficient for our family and for the year at home.
* That the details for a place to live will get sorted out ASAP... it is a nagging concern which I am trying to give up to God! I know He knows... but it is hard for me to not think about it!
* For safety with all the traveling ahead in 2008/09!
* For softened hearts to the needs in Namibia/Angola as we go and share what God has placed on our hearts.
We praise God for all of the answers to prayer thus far and we are looking forward to how He will sort out the rest of the details, on our behalf! We thank you for your prayers, and we will continue to keep you posted on the progress!
Love,
Charlene and family...

I am excited that when I get back to Canada I will be able to upload new pictures onto our site and not have to pay PER megabite.  So... just wait another month and you should see some great shots of Africa posted on our site!

Charlene

PS... if you want to see some pictures you can check out http://knightlyfamily.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Airfare Progress

To date we have $3591 in the account for our plane tickets, so we have $3609 more to go. At this point it seems a bit overwhelming with all the other expenses that we will face once we return, so please pray for peace of mind and trust in the GOD of the universe who has all things in his control! We have found someone to take our house, Internet and dog, so that is a burden that has been lifted.
Here are some of the random thoughts and feelings that pass through my mind and heart on any given day:
I still have lots of packing and planning to do. I am feeling a bit nervous about the unknowns. I am not completely sure everyone knows what a Home Assignment is, and I am burdened with the feeling that we have to somehow justify it, I know that we NEED it and yet I have a hard time having to explain it. I am realizing there are so many who do not understand the world of 'missionary' and I am praying that we will have those who will surround us and support us when we arrive back in Canada. We still have no idea where we will live. I am nervous about returning to Canada. I am overwhelmed with the task ahead, and yet I want to enjoy my last few weeks here in Africa (where's the balance?)! I am looking forward to seeing our family and friends. I am looking forward to attending Talitha's Graduation! I am looking forward to the quiet and peaceful place where my parents live in Sussex! I am wondering how we will manage a vehicle. Sometimes I wish we could purchase a small home that we could come back to every 3 or 4 years for the refreshment and relaxation that we need. I never realized how much is involved in planning a home assignment and all the unknowns that you just have to sit back and watch God work through! Some days I wake up and think... 'this is all TOO much', but then I remember that God doesn't give us more than what we can handle. Some days I think... where is everybody when we need help... but that is just me being selfish. This is who I am, I am sharing honestly, some may be offended, but others will pray more for me, and some will even write me and let me know that I am not alone!
There are some of my random thoughts! They rush through my mind and make me tired. I am a weak and broken vessel who needs the Lord and His filling more than ever. He reminds me that ALL things work together for GOOD for those who LOVE Him and are CALLED according to His purpose! God is good... all the time!
Trusting...
Charlene

Ark Okahandja

This month at Ark Okahandja the children wrote exams, collected report cards and were given a break from school for almost 4 weeks.

The staff has enjoyed some down time as many of the children have gone back to visit family. Currently there are only 5 left at the Ark.

Ndemufayo, the volunteers and the 5 children took a trip to the ocean (Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) last weekend. They had a fantastic time at the beach, and the children especially enjoyed playing in the ocean and on the dunes. However the trip ended with some bad news, as they were climbing a dune between Walvis and Swakopmund the Condor was broken into and Ndemufayo’s purse was stolen with her passport, keys to the Ark, bank card (which the people ended up taking most of her savings before she could cancel her card… a very discouraging moment for her) her cell phone as well as many other personal items. Please pray for her as she is feeling very discouraged (especially about the money she has worked so hard to save).

Lazarus and Leila went north for the holidays to spend time in their village with family. We joined them (but I will tell you more about that on page 3) for 4 days.

Care and Compassion has continued throughout the holidays (thanks to the volunteers, Ndemufayo and Kapango).

Choose to Wait Discipleship club has continued!

Kids Club is taking a break for the holiday, as well as Choose to Wait in the schools.

Home Assignment

Preparations are going well for returning to Canada. The tickets have been purchased and almost 2 tickets have been paid for. We are currently at almost $2500 toward the 5 one way tickets, which means we have $4700 more to go.

We say THANK YOU to those of you who have given.

If the Lord wills, we will stay in NB for almost 2 months, and then travel across Canada to BC where we will take up residence for the school year, and then we will travel back across Canada to NB where we will make preparations to return to Namibia. Remember OUR plans are often not GOD’S plans… so we are of course flexible to his leading and guidance in our lives!

We are looking forward to a chance to refocus, refresh and rejuvenate and discover what God has planned for our second term on the field. We have learned SO much during our first 3 years and we are so thankful for the journey thus far, even though it has not always been easy!

Pete's Work

Pete continues to spend a lot of time at the Ark. He is trying to get things settled for him leaving. It will not be an easy day when it comes time to say goodbye. The kids love having him there, the staff really appreciates him and he enjoys spending time with them.

The ladies at C&C are sad that he is leaving and have enjoyed all that they have learned this past couple of years as he has spent time trying to disciple them and show them the truth in the Bible. It is not easy because they are lied to in their own churches. Most of the churches manipulate and twist things for power and money. It is very sad.

He has also enjoyed spending time with the Choose to Wait Discipleship group. They are now meeting in 5 Rand and they do a lesson and then kick the soccer ball around for a while.

Pete also manages the MPMC which has now been handed over to the Ark Okahandja (financially and for maintaining). It is pretty much a sitting duck at the moment and we get calls on a regular basis in the middle of the night from the security company, informing us that the place has been vandalized , broken into, and things stolen! The building really needs a wall around it to protect it, so please pray that the funds will come in and it can be built soon, as we don’t want to see this building as a burden, rather than a blessing!

Knightly Kids

Meagan went to Walvis Bay to spend time with her friend Mardi (the Strauss family). She had a great time kayaking in the ocean, swimming, and watching TV (wow… we don’t have one). She took the Intercape Bus there and back on her own. Her birthday is on the 7th of May… she will be 17!!!

Trevor and Tavis came to Owamboland with us. Tavis commented on the second day that THIS was the best holiday he has ever had! They had the time of their lives catching fish, turtles and chasing snakes. They ate Pap (maize meal porridge), tried Mopani worms, ate soup made from the juice from intestines of a goat, and many other things!!! They were made for village life! When we went to the Ruacana Falls they spent the time catching fish, swimming with the Himba boys and riding the donkey up the river bed! Some of the Himba boys spoke a little English, but who needs spoken language when you are BOYS? HA!

http://www.on-the-matrix.com/africa/himba.asp for more info on the Himba!

Learning on the Journey

This last 3 years has been an Incredible Journey for the Knightly family! Selling almost everything we owned, shipping the little that was left, settling into life in Angola, having to move to Namibia, not getting our belongings for 2 years (and still not getting them all), adjusting, readjusting, building relationships, saying goodbye, and coming to learn more about ourselves and others… its has been a lot to learn in 3 short years! Some would say that we have not held to our vision for coming to the mission field or that it has been a waste of time, but I would say that God is in control and has used these 3 years to prepare and teach us for what is to come in the years ahead! This has been an amazing learning and growing period for our family and we have come to see more clearly what we feel called to do in Africa and we pray that those who have stood behind us will continue to do so and that more will join us in this Incredible Journey that God has called us to! We appreciate your thoughts and prayers! You have been an amazing group of people who have come behind us and shared in our struggles, trials and joys during our time away. We look forward to reconnecting with you while on Home Assignment! GOD’S BLESSING ON YOU ALL!!!

Charlene's Work

This month I have been busy with rounding things up! Packing, preparing and trying to find ways to enable the beading ministry to continue and doing LOTS of sewing!!!!

I have decided that the best way to do things with the C&C ladies who are beading is to have them purchase the beads, make the jewellery and have the option of selling it themselves or returning it to the Ark to have them sell to volunteers and mobilization nations. It is a struggle to explain to the ladies that we are leaving and that there is no one to replace me to continue with the ministry. Please pray that they will understand and be willing and able to continue to work with their hands to help support their families.

While in the north I taught one of Leila’s nieces and Lazarus’ sister how to do beading. I left them with a few supplies so that they could continue to learn with Leila while she is there on holidays. They were so excited about learning how to do something new and something so beautiful!

A large amount of boxes came down from Angola (thanks to Goertzen’s and Holden’s efforts) and so I took the time to clean things up and repack. Lord willing the rest will come this month.

There is a lot more to do to prepare for Home Assignment, it is giving me a headache (Literally)! I appreciate your prayers!

Trip to Owamboland

On April 24 we packed up the car and hit the road for the North. It was time to go and visit Lazarus and Leila in the village that Lazarus grew up in. We stopped at Ndemufayo’s homestead on the way and at the Ark Oshikuku and arrived at the village late afternoon! Leila was shocked to see us, although she knew we ‘said’ we were coming, I don’t think she truly believed that we would. On the 25th we spent the day wandering around the land, checking out where Lazarus gets his water, watching the boys fish, meeting his family, and driving all over to find a goat to Braai (no luck). On the 26th we set out for Ruacana for the day. On the way we stopped at a banana plantation and then continued on to the falls, saw the Angolan border, and spent some time at Hippo park (didn’t see any Hippo’s though). Can’t get too close to the water as there are a lot of crocodiles in it. However, the boys found a safe place to swim with the Himba boys. Leila, her niece (Tuuliki) and I sat with the children and did beading while Pete and Lazarus took a hike up the river to the falls. When we returned home we had a Braai with a goat that the family rounded up while we were gone and had slaughtered. Leila also cooked up the innards and made Pap and rice. On the 27th we spent a relaxing day at the house again. The boys took off for a drive to a bigger puddle where they could fish for bigger fish! However they didn’t catch any BIG ones, but it was fun for them anyway! While the boys were gone Leila and I had a great chance to really talk. Although I would have considered her my friend before I didn’t realize how little we had a connection. In talking with her I found out just how hard it is for the black people to let the white people into their lives (to have a ‘relationship’). The separation during the time of apartheid caused a lot of damage to the country and the people! Although I was open to being her friend she was afraid to become my friend (not trusting that it was real). Having us going to the north to spend time with them made a HUGE difference in our relationship, and I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to go. It was a big milestone not only for us (learning and growing) but also for the Stephanus family! The evening of the 27th we sat around listening to how they had tried to prepare for our visit… we laughed until we cried! On the 28th we traveled back to Okahandja, stopping again for a quick visit at Ark Oshikuku and some time with Ndemufayo’s family. It was a GREAT trip!

Praise and Prayer

Praise:

We are thankful for a wonderful and enriching experience in the North! For true friendship in the body of Christ!

We praise God for the finances that have come in already for our plane tickets home, as well as the continued finances for our living expenses! God is good!

We praise God for safety in travels, and we are thankful for the provision to be able to travel!

We are thankful for those who have been praying for our family. The downhill slope on the rollercoaster has seemed to even out and we are coasting now! God has given peace in the storm!

Prayer:

Please continue to pray for those who we will leave behind, especially the staff, children at the Ark and Jenny. Pray for strength and wisdom to continue to press on in the ministry.

Pray for wisdom in the preparations to return, both on this end and in North America.

Pray for the finances to cover all the needs that we will have both on this end and in Canada. God has been amazing in supplying our every need and we are truly thankful for His provision in our lives and for those whom He uses to accomplish His work!

Pray that broken relationships would be mended and that we will have grace and mercy toward those who have hurt or offended us. May God’s love overcome our human desires and weaknesses.

Pray that things will work out soon concerning the house we are renting (we would like someone we know and trust to move in, and use our stuff so we don’t have to store it anywhere), also we would like to sell our car (upon return we would like to purchase a pickup truck as a car is not practical for the ministry we do).

Pray for the finances to purchase a vehicle upon our return. We have had an offer to purchase from dealership and he will buy it back when we leave, but we will need the money up front.

May God’s name be glorified in all that we do and may we find joy in the journey!

Financial Info

We are in the transition phase with our finances and would appreciate your prayers during this time. Currently we are unable to receipt those who live in Canada (CHI has just been approved as a charitable organization in Canada… it will take some time to work things out… but we hope that things will be ironed out soon! We thank you for your patience).

For those who desire to support our ministry financially you can do so by

DIRECT DEPOSIT (either through Internet Banking or at the Royal Bank) into our

account or sending cheques to Ron and Marge (Pete’s parents).

Ron and Marge Knightly

Box 4, Ft. Steele BC V0B 1N0

Phone:250 426 4782

If you live in the USA you can mail your donation to CH-USA and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

The address is Christ’s Hope USA, Inc. Regional Office PO Box 2238 Traverse City, MI 49685… Phone Inquiries: Phone: (877) 544-0914 Fax: (877) 698-0692,

please include a ‘separate’ paper indicating that your donation is for the

“Knightly Family-Namibia”!

Thank you for your support! We are continually overwhelmed by God’s provision for not only our daily needs but for the ability to help meet the needs of others through the generosity of those who give financially to our ministry here in Namibia. May God richly bless you!

We now have $1621 in the account for our plane tickets.  They are booked and we are set to return June 9 arriving in New Brunswick June 10.  We will all go back in time for Talitha's graduation... very exciting! 

You are not going to believe this... but 2 months before we are set to leave Namibia for our home assignment and after 2 years of waiting... 1/2 of our stuff has made it down!  The last part of it should arrive by the end of the week (if the Lord is willing)!  Imagine...! 

Anyway, I will have to spend the week going through everything, cleaning it up, throwing away the things that the rats have peed on (although Tammy caught most of the stuff, there was still some, they chewed right through the rubbermaid tubs), and repacking everything in fresh boxes!  So lots to do... as well as trying to get things organized to pack to go home and to leave behind!  FUN! NOT!

We'll keep you posted on our progress here!

Blessings!

Charlene

Well, $366.28 has been given toward our flights, and we now have another $9633.72 left to go toward out flights home.  Slow and steady wins the race! :) Thank you to those who have given!

God Bless,

Charlene

The first $100 is in the account for our tickets... we are on our way.  $9900 more to go! :0)  Seems overwhelming... but GOD is in control!  He knows!  WE just need to trust and obey!  I will continue to keep everyone posted!  Step by step, day by day...

Charlene

Well it is that time for us to return to Canada for a year of home assignment.  Here are some of the postings that I placed on my Facebook Group called "Knightly's on Home Assignment".

What is a home assignment anyway?
Well, it is a time that missionaries take to go back to their country of origin and travel around seeing their supporters, friends, and family sharing what they have been doing in a foreign land for the past few years! They bore people with their pictures, dress up, show native trinkets, sings songs in a foreign language, and share stories! Ok it is more than that... but when I was a missionary kid that is what I thought furlough (the oldfashion word for Home Assignment) was! I did enjoy meeting people and telling them wild tales about eating raw meat and stuff though!
It is also a time of rest (not that you feel very rested when you return to your work, but it is a change of scenery which helps you put things back into perspective) regrouping and ministering to those who have been faithfully supporting us through the years of preparation as well as our time on the field.
We appreciate all of those who have prayed, written letters, sent packages, and financially helped us to meet our needs and the needs of others!! We look forward to seeing you all and spending some quality time with you!
If you have any questions about HOME ASSIGNMENT... please ask! There are no stupid questions! We will do our best to keep you up-to-date with our progress on THE RETURN OF THE KNIGHTLY'S!

Progress Report

I updated the blog a week ago with the information concerning Home Assignment. Since then I have had a couple of people email for our bank details, and last night friends of ours transferred 90 Euros. That translates into about $150... so we have $9850 more to go and our tickets will be paid for! :-) As the finances come, we will continue to update. We want you to know that we are trusting God for our return and we are excited to share how HE is doing it!!!
So here is where we are at:
1. We project that the Return One Year Opened Ended Tickets will cost $10,000 for the 5 of us!
2. We will need to lease or purchase a vehicle upon return (we have a contact in NB who has offered to sell us a vehicle and buy it back when we leave... so that is a blessing and a great option).
3. We are looking at staying in Cranbrook for the school year (as Pete's parents own a house that we may be able to stay in).
4. We hope that Pete can go the middle of June for Talitha's graduation.
5. We hope that the rest of us will follow in July (that way the children can have one FULL school year in Canada).
6. We hope to travel across Canada visiting friends and supporters between July and August, and we would like to attend Pete's niece's wedding the end of August in Alberta.
7. Meagan is registered with on-line schooling now and we hope to have her brain stimulated enough to re-enter school without any problem :0)
8. The boys will have to leave half way through the school year here (Jan to Nov is the school year on this side of the equator), and we would like to have some Afrikaans resources to take back with us when we go, so they don't lose the language!
9. We have a lot of planning to do in regards to filling a calendar with speaking engagements and visiting!
10. We hope and pray that on the way 'home' (to Namibia) we will be able to visit some of our friends and supporters in Europe (UK, Holland, and Germany).
There... that is probably enough information for now! We will let you know how things go as we find out! I am not sure when to book the tickets... that is always the scary thing... book before the money comes in... or wait and risk having the tickets cost more? Oh the difficulties and excitement of planning a Home Assignment!

Preparation for Leaving Namibia

There are many things that we need to do before leaving Namibia for one year! Here are some of the things that I can think of at the moment, and I will continue to update as we realize the things we have forgotten!
1. Pete is the Ministry Coordinator in Okahandja. There will need to be a replacement before we leave, or at least someone within the ministry already who can take over the responsibilities that he has. He also manages The Rock (the Multi Purpose Ministry Center), where several ministries (CHI and Apex) function during the week. We get the security calls, he is responsible when things break or stop working, organizing and scheduling events, etc! He also does a lot of the driving for events during the week, like Care and Compassion.
2. I have the beading ministry and some people (mainly from the Ark) are just learning to sew! I need to find someone to replace the administrative end of things, financial issues as well as training, restocking and supervising!
3. We have to consider what to do with the house (we are hoping we can find someone who will rent it for the year, as finding a place here is not an easy task... unless we could consider purchasing when we return) and the 'stuff'!
4. We also have a contract for our Internet, and we will need to find someone to take that over while we are gone.
5. We are considering renting out our vehicle to missionaries who come down from Angola, or people who come to Namibia with CHI on short term missions. We'll see how that works itself out... but it would be nice if it got used for the year that we are gone. We also need to consider perhaps replacing it with a 4x4 upon return, especially if Pete returns and starts doing village evangelism (we'll see what happens).
6. We will need to say good-bye... and that is NOT something that I look forward to! A lot can happen in a year and good-bye's are not an easy task!
7. We would like to make one more trip up into Angola before we hit the road for Canada!
8. We need to help Jenny get fully established without needing the money she gets from cleaning here each month, or find her another job.
Well, that's all that I can think of for now.

Preparation for Re-entry to Canada

This is something that may sound funny to you, but it is scarier than coming to Africa for the first time! Lots of things have changed in 3 years (I know because I returned after a year and a half and a lot had already changed). There are a lot of things to think about...
1. Should Pete get a job? If so, how does that work when we need to go visiting churches and people?!?!
2. How much of a budget do we need to project? It will be more than living here, and fuel will be a big part of it.
3. Getting the kids registered for school in a new place (completely unfamiliar).
4. Getting used to hormones in the meat, preservatives, fast food, etc!!
5. Seeing a tropical specialist and getting all our digestive problems worked out! :0) And of course the money to pay for that.
6. Finding a dentist who can work on our teeth and not unload our pocketbook!
7. The kids will have to learn to wear shoes to the shopping mall again!
8. We can't carry things on our heads anymore.
9. Learn to drive on the right side of the road again, and to enter the vehicle on the 'drivers side' not the passenger side (looking like an idiot... did that when I went back in Dec 06). Watching for traffic when walking... looking BOTH ways and remembering which way the traffic is COMING from!
10. Finding a church to get involved in and help serve while we are home! It will be important for us to find a body of believers who is going to stand behind us and support us physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially when we return! High priority!
Oh I can think of a ton of things... you may think they are funny, but seriously... some of those little things are what makes life difficult to adjust upon return!
Well, enough for now! We'll keep you posted!

How Can YOU Help?

Here are some quick suggestions, if you can think of others please feel free to leave your ideas too... These are just some suggestions of how you can have fun raising some money for our One Year Home Assignment! Let us know if you have done something fun to raise money for the 'cause'! We look forward to hearing from you!!!
1. Have a yard sale
2. Have a dinner party... host some friends, share what the Knightly's do in Namibia, give them each an information sheet on how to contact us directly or include our banking details
3. Put some of your 'stuff' in the Buy and Sell
4. Have a spaghetti dinner at your church, youth group, or any other group you belong to
5. Have a challenge with your friends
6. Do a penny drive
7. Save ALL of 'your' change in a bucket
8. Collect bottles
9. Spring clean for people
10. Do a service auction... house cleaning, car repair, house painting, etc
11. Sponsor an African night with your friends (you can think of ideas, things you could do)
12. Cancel your cable for 3 months
13. Drive past the restaurant, go home and make sandwiches
14. Walk or take the bus for one month
15. Stay home and watch a movie

Questions????

Ask us questions if you don't understand, or want some clarification.  We will be happy to answer as best as we can!

Hope you have found this to be helpful! 

We'll keep you posted!

God Bless,

Charlene

Home Assignment

It is time for our family to return to Canada for one year home assignment. We are asking our family and friends to consider helping us financially with the tickets to return. The cost is going to be a whopping $10,000. It seems unreachable… but with God all things are possible! We would like to fly home by July… and if possible send Pete for Talitha’s graduation (which is June 15). There are a LOT of details to work out, but for now we would like to see if we can get commitments and pledges toward the airfare. If 100 people pledged $100 they would be paid for… 200 pledged $50 again… paid for! We will keep you posted on the progress in the weeks ahead!! If you want to deposit directly into our account please do so into our savings account, as opposed to our general running account!

Please email for bank details… knightvision6@gmail.com

Pete’s Work

This has been a busy month. The usual Ark, Care and Compassion and Choose to Wait responsibilities as well as looking after The Rock (MPMC).

With the help of Sylvia they started a Choose to Wait discipleship club on Fridays. The young people who have gone through Choose to Wait have been invited to come and get involved in a continuing program where they can continue to build on the foundations they have already learned.

On the 17th Pete headed north to Oshikuku to help with installing the solar panels that were shipped in the Dutch container. He stayed there until February 22nd. They are installed and functioning well. They power the appliances that were also sent in the container.

There were some stressful times with Come and See volunteers. They came to Namibia to save the world, and didn’t want to follow the chain of command… which created a lot of difficulty and stress in Pete’s life!

At the end of the month he traveled to Rehoboth for training and our monthly Prayer and Fasting.

Jenny

This month has been extremely stressful for Jenny. The list of difficulties is long and I don't know how she survives! When someone is determined, successful and hard working like Jenny they get so much opposition on this continent! Here are some of the things she has had to deal with… her older brother beat her up, he stole a bunch of her stuff from the market, her mother beat her little brother until he was unconscious, she is paying for her 3 little brothers and younger sister to go to school (fees, supplies and uniforms), she works here at the house for me and at the carver market and for another beading ministry in town, she had a couple of men try to break into her house one night (threatening to rape her and her sister), she has not been sleeping at night, and her children have been sick. She needs help! We would like to purchase a piece of land for her so she can get off the property that she shares with her mother and the man who tried to break in. The cost is roughly $700 CN for the land, and then we would like to put a fence around so probably another $150 CN. If you have a desire to help please contact us.

Visitors From Canada

Adrianna and Rachel from Vernon were planning to go to Kenya, however, with the unrest the airline cancelled their tickets. Several years ago (something like 18 years) I was a bridesmaid in Adrianna’s Aunt Linda’s wedding, and so they contacted me to see if coming to Namibia would be an option! The girls arrived on February 24 for a 2 week stay! They blessed us with treats like chocolate, Starbucks, socks and underwear, etc! They shadowed us the first week, checking out the different ministries here in Okahandja. The second week the girls and I took a road trip with a couple of Dutch ladies included! More on that NEXT issue! It was nice to meet new people and share our lives with them! We hope they enjoyed their time with us!

Charlene’s Work

This month has been very busy. I did a presentation for the Country Directors on the beading ministry, as well as drew up and presented a proposal for an embroidery machine… which would enable us to make our own t-shirts, hats, etc for CHI International.

I traveled to Keetmanshoop (6 hour drive) alone to do some training. Pete was gone for almost a week to Oshikuku.

I made SEVERAL trips to the airport and Windhoek. Booked airline tickets for people, planned a Namibia tour, etc…!

I also managed to help Ndemufayo get caught up with her Bank Reconciliations for most of last year. I also figured out the Vat Refund (tax) for CHI Namibia, hopefully I did it right :-)! Juliet said that if you want something done give it to a BUSY person… I think I will go into hiding next month :-)!

I also emailed an update with a personal note to 500 on our mailing list! I could barely move my arms afterward. It was very nice to hear back from almost 100 people!!! What a blessing!

I also did some enquiring as to airline tickets for our family to return to Canada for a home assignment.

Also hosted several visitors during the month.

Can’t believe the month went so fast… it’s all a blur! Better busy than bored I guess!

Training in Keetmanshoop and Rehoboth

February 10 to 14 I went on a road trip to Keetmanshoop in the south of Namibia. It was nice to see the Care and Compassion ladies again and to spend ALL day with them on the 12th, teaching them new beading techniques and sharing more on colour coordination. It was a success! I taught 6 ladies 3 new stitches. On the way home on the 14th I stopped in Rehoboth to teach 2 Care & Compassion leaders, the Ministry Coordinator and 4 volunteers how to bead. They did a great job! We are hoping to have a kit sponsored so that they can get started with something at Ark Rehoboth. Currently the C&C program is not yet running (due to lack of finances), so hopefully they can get to work on generating their own funds with this program!

Knightly Kids

We have done all we can for Meagan, but she is still not in school! I am trying to keep her busy by helping with the beading ministry. We are going to have to find things for her to do that will help her with Life Skills until we can get her back to Canada and enrolled!

Trevor is really starting to enjoy High School. He wrote a really nice little report on how he has adjusted to High School. It is good to see, as school has been such a struggle for both of the boys. Most of the time they feel like they are not learning anything!

Tavis is struggling… often the teachers don’t show up to the class and the peer ‘leaders’ are in charge of the classroom, which is incredibly stupid. It causes a great deal of frustration and rowdiness in the classroom. Tavis needs structure and he has not been getting that at all this year.

Financial Information

We are in the transition phase with our finances and would appreciate your prayers during this time. Currently we are unable to receipt those who live in Canada (CHI has just been approved as a charitable organization in Canada… it will take some time to work things out… but we hope that things will be ironed out soon! We thank you for your patience.)

For those who desire to support our ministry financially you can do so by

DIRECT DEPOSIT (either through Internet Banking or at the Royal Bank) into our

account or sending cheques to Ron and Marge (Pete’s parents).

Email for Bank Details…. knightvision6@gmail.com

Ron and Marge Knightly

Box 4, Ft. Steele BC V0B 1N0

Phone:250 426 4782

If you live in the USA you can mail your donation to CH-USA and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. The address is PO Box 52038, Longwood FL, 32752-0328, please include a ‘separate’ paper indicating that your donation is for the

“Knightly Family-Namibia”!

Thank you for your support! We are continually overwhelmed by God’s provision for not only our daily needs but for the ability to help meet the needs of others through the generosity of those who give financially to our ministry here in Namibia. May God richly bless you!

Praise and Prayer

Praise:

We are thankful for a busy month!

We are thankful for visitors!

We are thankful for finances to cover our expenses!

We are thankful for good health!

We are thankful for safety on the road (many miles have been traveled)!

We are thankful for the many blessings that God has given us!

We are very thankful for our supporters who are giving sacrificially to the Lord and HIS work through us!

We are thankful for the prayers and communication which helps to keep us encouraged throughout our journey here in Africa! Thank you!

Prayer:

Please pray for Trevor’s friend, Darryl, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour!

Please pray for Jenny!

Please pray for our prospective Home Assignment and the necessary preparations that need to be made ASAP… and the finances that need to be raised!

Please pray for our work here in Namibia, especially that we can train those who will take over the ministries that we are currently in charge of!

Please pray for strength and wisdom in trying and difficult times!

Please pray for the kids… especially in returning to Canada and the adjustments that they will need to make!

Please pray wisdom in knowing how best to help the people that God places in our path!

Well yesterday Jenny went home from the woodcarver market to find that her 13 year old brother was at the hospital with her mom and older brother.  She arrived at the hospital to find that he had been beaten UNCONSCIOUS by his mother (with her bare hands).  Of course, the story they told at the hospital was that it was an accident!  Jenny is stressed to the max!  She can't take too much more of the family dynamics.... she looks tired and worn out... and is very emotional!  We need to pray that Jenny's mom goes back to Rundu and leaves the kids here.  It is time for her to leave.... and let these kids have a chance!  Very frustrating!

Charlene

Last Sunday morning I went to the airport and picked up two young ladies from Vernon BC!!  They brought lots of cool treats (Starbucks and chocolate.... among other things!).  What a blessing!  This week we dragged them around to some of our work... beading, Kid's Club, the Ark... as well as the boys took them on a big hike up the mountain, and to the river.  Meagan went with them to the river (which is RUNNING).  Next week we go on a road trip to Etosha Game Reserve and Swakopmund/Walvis Bay!  We are also going to have 2 Dutch ladies join us on the trip to the wild!  Should be fun!  Tonight the girls (Adrianna, Rachel and Meagan) go to the Coffee Bar at the Rock!  Pete has gone to Rehoboth, and Trevor is sleeping over at a friend's... so it's just Tavis and myself for the evening!  I think we will watch HOUSE M.D. Another gift from the girls :)

Just thought I would let everyone know what we are up to these days!  It's been busy... lots of bookkeeping and computer stuff again this month!  As well as beading and sewing!  Meagan is still not in school... I highly doubt that it will happen again for this year... I guess it will have to be Canada for her!

Talk to you all again soon.

Charlene

Today I spoke with Jenny, my house-help, and she having a very difficult time in her life.  I would appreciate your prayers for her and her family.  Also, if you feel so inclined we would appreciate it if you would consider giving a monetary gift toward the purchase of a piece of land for Jenny and her children.  She is experiencing a lot of difficulty with her family and a little separation from them would be extremely helpful for her emotional and mental well-being.  Please contact us at knightvision6@gmail.com if you are interested in helping financially!

God Bless,

Charlene