We apologize that over a month has past since our last post! We have been very busy! The weekend of September 24-25, we drove north several hours to purchase a car (2003 VW Passat wagon) that Greg had found on the internet. Not having driven more than a few kilometers, Traci was forced to drive the car home--nothing like being thrown in the driver's seat! God was so good to allow no nervousness or tension, even though Traci had a cold and it was raining. Driving on the right side of the car on the left side of the road didn't feel near as foreign as she had imagined.
The next two weeks, Micah was on school break. The first week, we traveled about three hours south to the quarantine facility to pick up Sydney. To help her adjust, we made lots of trips to local parks, where she thoroughly enjoyed being able to run on grass again.
And, after several weeks of house hunting, the Lord has lead us to the right one! It is a gorgeous country spot, running right alongside the Tukituki River and has views of Te Mata Peak. After spending several weeks looking for a home to purchase, we came to the conclusion that it would be wiser to rent for a year or so. Most rentals don't allow pets, but we knew the Lord would use that to steer us to the right home. The home is about fifteen minutes from Havelock North, down a beautiful country road lined with sheep farms and dotted with cattle on rolling hills. And, just in case you were wondering...we will have a guest room, so do come visit! The home is available November 5th, so we are staying with the Hohneck's (after a month away for house sitting). Our container is delayed, but we will move in and borrow bits and pieces to get by until our container arrives. Please pray for that process.
Since we'd be out in the country, we decided we would need a second car. Greg searched online and found a 1999 VW Polo which we purchased in short order.
Greg continues to enjoy the development of the programme at The Shepherd's Bible College. He now has his own office, since Donald is back from Africa and needed his office back. Traci continues to develop relationships with the women and is praying about starting a group for the wives of TSBC students. She is also counseling one of the ladies from Riverbend. Micah continues to enjoy his school days at Hastings Christian School. Recently, Greg took Micah and two friends (brothers) to a local rugby match. Micah also got to go eel fishing, catching two eels.
Finally, we are in the midst of a four day weekend...Friday having been Hawke's Bay anniversary and today being Labour Day. Friday we went the the Hawke's Bay Show (similar to a county fair). Micah enjoyed some carnival rides and we enjoyed walking around the exhibits of sheep shearing, farm equipment and such, even though it was cold, windy and a bit wet.
