As we as a family prepare to start the next phase of our lives, we’ve decided to send out a regular newsletter to keep everyone who’s been part of our lives and praying for us, our future, and our ministry, up to date. 

This past year in Portugal has been a year of trials and blessings.  Through it all, though, we have been able to see God’s blessings and feel His peace.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

the year in highlights

We started the year refreshed from a quiet Christmas and a mini-holiday to Spain after finally selling Wim’s business in December.

Ronda, Andalucía, Spain

The project that Sorina was working on was emotionally and physically challenging.  She had to endure the stress and strain of xenophobia towards her, living and working as a foreigner in Portugal and long working hours. 

In April, we toured through the northern and central parts of Italy.  Marica loved the beautiful masks and glass in Venice, while Pieter’s favorite was the Ferrari museum in Maranello.  We got to see such historical sites as the Colosseum and Pompei, enjoy the beauty of Tuscany and visit one of the World War II cemeteries.

Venice, Ferrari Museum (Maranello), Colloseum (Rome) and Florence

In May, Sorina’s work ended abruptly when the project decided to change out all senior leadership.  Even though we now needed to determine our next steps much sooner than expected, this was such a blessing as the xenophobia had been getting worse throughout the year.  We decided to let the kids finish their school year in Portugal and homeschool them thereafter until we got clarity on our next steps.  Throughout the year, we felt God is calling us to South Africa, and in July, Wim went on a trip to explore some opportunities. 

We had the privilege of spending the rest of the summer together as a family.  In August, Wim’s parents came to visit us for 2 weeks, and shortly after, we toured western Europe on a more educational trip covering a lot of the World War I and II museums and memorials.  We got to visit both the Vimy Ridge and the South African war memorials in France, celebrating our multi-cultural heritage and the contribution both of our countries made to protect our rights and freedoms.  The kids were so proud to tell the tour guide at Vimy Ridge that they are also Canadian.  The trip was not all educational, with a hike up and toboggan ride on mount Pilatusberg (a favorite of all), a day enjoying the rides at Parc d’Asterix and attending the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa providing some diversion.  We also fulfilled Pieter’s lifelong dream of going up the Eifel Tower.

Some fun in Switzerland, Parc d’Asterix, Paris and Vimy Ridge

Frankfurt, Birkenkopf (Stuttgart), Pilatesberg (Switzerland) and Spa Grand Prix

Mid-August, we got word that Sorina’s mom had to be hospitalized with a high fever.  Due to her ongoing battle with Leukemia, this has always been a concern for us.  As her mom’s condition worsened, we started to make plans for Sorina to fly to South Africa to go help where she can.  A day before her scheduled flight, we were informed that her mom was being moved to ICU.  We made the quick call to all fly out that same evening, but while in transit, she passed away during the night. 

Though this was an especially hard time for us, we could also see how God is in this.  Because we weren’t tied down with work or school, we were able to spend an extended period in South Africa helping with funeral arrangements and helping Sorina’s dad settle into his new reality.  This trip was also a blessing because it helped bring clarity on what our next steps should be.

the next steps

For a few years now, we have felt God preparing and calling us to move into ministry.  We strongly feel that God wants to use us in our native country and have decided to relocate back to South Africa.  Although we don’t know yet exactly what God wants us to do, we feel that we will better be able to determine this once we’re on the ground.  Sorina will continue to run her Canadian business, and we expect that she will regularly travel to Canada for work.

Two weeks ago, we purchased a house and are in the process of finalizing our move.  We have packed up all our personal belongings in Portugal, and these are already en-route to South Africa.  We fly to Canada on November 30^th to prepare our main shipment and dog, Skottie’s move to South Africa.  We will miss our church family and new friends that we’ve made here in Portugal.  On December 11^th we will say goodbye to our friends and adopted country Canada to start a new adventure in South Africa. 

We don’t have everything figured out yet, but God does, and we put our trust in Him.  We are excited to see where God leads us next and what wonderful things he will be doing in and through us.  For now, we will get involved in a local church and explore opportunities further.  As our Arrow family would say – being led more by Jesus, to lead more like Jesus, to lead more to Jesus.

prayer requests

As we move into where we believe God is calling us to, we would like to request your support in prayer for the following:

• The final arrangements for the move
• Safe and uneventful travel to Canada and South Africa
• That we would continue to draw closer to God and that he will reveal the next steps he has planned for us.
• That Sorina will be able to continue her work and that new work will become available.
• That we will find a local church where Wim especially can get involved and use his gifts and talents
• The children’s mental and physical well-being during and after the move.