Family Update
Bang. Pause. Bang. Pause. Bang. Gwenyth wondered in and out, the many doors slamming behind her, all day long on our first day at her grandparents' house in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada. The cooler air felt amazing on her often itchy skin. Our kids haven't experienced temperatures below 24 degrees C in four years. Being more familiar with trains and escalators than black flies and dirt roads, our first few weeks in Haliburton county brought the rejuvenation only God's beautiful nature and valued family connections can bring - not to mention the joy from an exhilarating tube ride behind a boat.
Our six weeks in North America was filled with family vacations, VBS and summer camp, after dinner baseball, a Blue Jays game, wiener roasts in the back yard as well as connecting with many cherished friends and ministry partners. We saw God's hand woven into timing of Russ getting COVID-19, falling ill at 'home' and not on a work trip overseas. Also, God graciously allowed us to see Russ' 99.5 year old grandma before she passed away. Celebrating her life is now a rich memory for all five of us.
Our kids are third culture kids - they carry a Canadian passport but have grown up in countries they don't fully identify with. The third culture is the space of not quite belonging anywhere. Having memorable connections this summer with cousins, adult church members and kids of family friends is a gift that I trust God will use in their lives to provide a sense of grounding.
We are back in Singapore and our upcoming season will include more hosting and connecting deeply in community as the restrictions for doing so have lifted.
We've moved to a more central to an apartment that can better accommodate having others in our home.
We will be involved in a church plant launching in September.
Meredith will serve as part of the women's leadership while continuing to spend time creating artwork and caring for the home.
Our kids will start some new sports programs and deepen friendships at church and school.
Russ has continued leading his two global teams amongst all the travel. Two weeks ago, just hours after arriving in Singapore (after a 36 hour flight delay) he hosted his core Indigitous team and then colleagues from Lausanne the next week.
WBC Friends, thank you for your continued prayer and support of our family as we lead the next generation of missions from a base in Singapore. I (Meredith) would love to connect with you, so please reply if you have a few minutes to update me on your life.
Our new address:
30 Sturdee Road
05-01 Kerrisdale
Singapore 207852
Photos below:
A. Last visit with GG Frede
B. Tea time at GG Martin's farm house. Gwen stayed outside with the dogs.
C. Beach week with cousins.
