News

You have no idea how many times I have started this update and then deleted it because it wasn't up to the journalistic standards that you have all come to expect. In fact the other day I had finally written a little blogging masterpiece only to have it disappear into the blogasphere never to return. It was truly a triumph of humour, emotion and information all packed into one easily readable paragraph and it was gone, snatched away in it's prime. Can you tell I'm still a little bitter?

Anyways, what we really want to share is not about us or my petty little blogging problems. It is something much more important and miraculous! Something that is beyond the pale, something that will stupefy and amaze you! Something that is making you say, "Get on with it man, spit it out, enough with the monumental amounts of hyperbole!" Fine I say, I will succumb to your pestering and bullying and announce that we have an announcement! We, being Tammy and myself, are entering a new phase of life. We are going to be grandparents. There, I said it! Our daughter Kait and her husband Richard have informed us that we will be entering the world of grandparenthood next year, sometime around the end of April. Is that amazing or what!? Sometimes I think this is even nuttier then when we had our own kids. I mean, I didn't have a clue at all about what I was getting into then and now I'm sure I have absolutely no idea! Although we have been able to spend a significant amount of time amusing ourselves with what the little gaffer is going to call Tammy. I mean there are some really great possibilities, none of which I am allowed to share.

Tammy and Matthew will be heading back to Canada in mid-April to welcome this little bundle into the world. At this point we are not sure when I will return, but we are hoping no later then the beginning of June. We are excited about this new addition and look forward to making sure it gets properly enculturated into all things Goertzen!

On the road again...

We asked Josh what he wanted to do for a last family holiday with us. That could be considered a mistake because we ended up making a trip that covered almost 7000km in our little Toyota pick up. It was amazing, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the memories will be with us forever! Thanks Josh!

The first of five flat tires. This one outside of Okahandja, Namibia.

I hope this one doesn't need an explanation.
We crossed it just south of Windhoek, Namibia.
Yes, it was cold.
You think the roads are straight and flat in Saskatchewan, eh!?
This is somewhere between Keetmanshoop, Namibia and Upington, South Africa.

The Indian Ocean at Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Errr...yes it was cold...

Matthew feeling big and powerful.

The whole reason we came to South Africa.
To wear funny belts and have a picture taken with a complete stranger.

Actually, it was to fling ourselves off the world's highest bungy jump.
216m or 710feet
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO.........

Another 2000km of mind numbingly straight, flat road on the way back home.

This is a section of the main highway in Angola between Xangongo and Cahama. The camera is eye level with the top of the road. The "potholes" are even with the top of the tires and the entire truck fits inside.

It was a great idea Josh and I would do it again in a minute. Anyone want to join us?

The last two days of the drive home were without Josh, we left him in Windhoek with our good friend Brent Mudde, who was also flying back to Canada for his holidays. After drying up my tears and the 18 hugs later, we drove off, heading for home and Josh heading to the airport. A few hours into the drive I was thinking about the year ahead, planning it out in my mind - if you know me, then you know that I thrive on making plans....and changing them...I started thinking about the preparations that we needed to start making for our trip back to Canada next year. Then it hit me, Matt will have his 18th birthday while we are in Canada, that he might not want to return to Angola with us after the six month furlough is over. The tears started rolling down my cheeks again, thinking about life without any kids in the house. I got a terrible paniky feeling in my heart, I have very rarely been alone in my 44 years and I really really don't like it - at all. This coming week will be my first real test, Matt is out at the farm and Gary will be flying around the countryside for the next 10 days. I know that this is part of life, to have and to let go. I praise God that our kids are healthy and happy and have a passionate heart for the Lord. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life, to see how God is going to fill my time.
oh, and for the record, at this point and time in life, Matt promises that he has no plans to ever leave Angola....