October 29
Hi Everybody,

I know I have been fairly out of touch with most of you over the past few
months, but know that you have not been out of my thoughts! Internet time has
been hard to come by here in Johannesburg, but I feel like it's definitely time to
say hello again!

Those gorgeous kids are only a few of the 14 that Mariko and I work with every
week at Oasis of Love, a home for HIV/AIDS and/or abandoned children. All the
kids are under 5, and of the 14 at the home now, 10 are under 1!! You can
imagine how many diapers we're changing and how many feedings we're giving!
Imagine me feeding the baby in my left arm a bottle (using my chin), rocking
another baby in a car seat with my left foot, a toddler untying my right shoe and
with my right hand - prying a plastic bag from another child's mouth. The phone
rings. "Chrrrreees! It's for you!" Yes, another average day with the kids!

Lately we've had them all 'swimming' in the little kiddie pool in the backyard.
What fun!

Our latest project, using funds from an anonymous donation given to us here,
is to make each of the kids a little photo album that they will be able to take with
them when they are (hopefully) adopted. So, I've been extra busy with my
camera. Which, as you'll all know, is pure joy for me!
I can't wait to show you pictures from this trip. There are many! :D

Spring has been beautiful here. Warm days of sunshine, a few thunderstorms, purple blooming trees, a trip to Durban! and good friends to share it with. Mariko and I have been so happy to be at Rosebank Union Church. We have jumped right into the young adults group and love our Bible study. We have made a few good friends already and that makes being here even more fulfilling. Knowing that I'm able to give some love to the kids, knowing that there is great purpose in my life, knowing that there are people here that care about me and people at home who love me and pray for me... it all adds up to one thing: I know I am in the right place at the right time for the right reasons. And God is smiling. And so am I!

In light of all of this, I have decided to postpone my return to Canada until early
April. Although it means missing Christmas at home, I have the incredible privilege
of meeting my Dad, 3 sisters and maybe even my Mom, to visit Indonesia in
November. It has been 12 years since we left and it's time for the sequel! We are
all thrilled! Knowing I'll see my family soon makes the decision to lengthen my time
here in South Africa all the easier. God has been so good in weaving this whole trip
together this year and bringing things along that I never could have foreseen. And
I am so glad that I have the chance to stay here even longer to continue to see
God's provision like I have in the past few months. We need a place to live -
granted. Need a car - granted. Nicer car - granted! Need $$ - granted. I wouldn't
stay if it wasn't so obvious to me that God has carved out a spot for me here.
And that means he'll provide for all my needs.

Thank you all for your prayers. Please pray for our safety here. We hear horror
stories all the time and don't ever want to be in one! Please pray for our financial
situation. Things are very tight. Please pray for the children's health. Some of them
have full blown AIDS and need continual prayer to make it. Some are getting past
the ideal adoption age. Pray for parents to adopt them despite their age and
disease. Pray that each of these kids will learn to find their strength in God and
know that this life is not the end.

Mariko and I are driving to Cape Town with a friend on Nov. 8 and then flying to
Singapore to meet my family on Nov. 15. We will be back in Johannesburg on Dec.
15 and will both be here until early April.

If you'd like to mail anything, please send it to
Rosebank Union Church,
PO Box 413356,
Craighall, 2024, South Africa.

I wish I could chat to each of you and know how you're all doing. Alas, email will have to do. Stay close. God's peace to you all.
Love always,
Chris