Nick Vandenbogerd | January 2024
Our new Afghan family (pictured above) lived 40 kms from Fernie so there was a lot of driving back and forth. Very thankful for a couple close by who adopted the family and drove them everywhere, and another friend who taught [the mother] to drive.
I installed a new kitchen with the help of a lifelong friend in the basement of the Afghan home in lieu of rent, which then created a separate rental suite for the owner. I also cleaned the acreage which included some landscaping.
I marketed everything I could for our charitable fund which totaled $7k. The Afghan family helped some. Three loads of salvaged metal went to Lethbridge AB and Kimberley BC.
Early in the year, my mother’s physical and emotional health required that someone stay with her for several months in Swan River MB. So 3 family members each took our turn for several weeks. She adjusted and ended up having a good summer with friends and family.
I did several residential and commercial renovations and framed a washroom for a new RV park. First time in my life that I was replaced with a younger, stronger, and faster worker. So like they say, ‘humility is good for the soul’'. But it didn’t feel like that at the time.
Also did my last re-roofing job, I hope.
In June, I hitchhiked to Nipawin SK for a Nipawin Bible College reunion. Then we buried my dad’s ashes in Mafeking MB near where he had farmed and where my younger brother was buried. I then visited my mom in Swan River for a few days and hiked back to BC. I waited 7 hours for a ride around Wakaw SK on the way there – I finally held up a $20 bill in one hand, and a young guy from Thompson MB turned around and came back for me; we had some deep conversation.
Several summers ago, I bought a motorcycle but failed my parking lot test after spending a lot of money on tuning it up. This summer, I failed the test again and sold the bike, breaking even. Hallelujah, I could sleep again! At least I know how to ride in town and on the highway ... just not in the parking lot. :)
All our daughters (pictured above) were here for our 50th wedding anniversary.
Our grandkids are becoming independent; driving to visit cousins, flying to other parts of the world and stopping in to say hi to Grandma and Opa (me). Judy is always on the tablet trying to keep up with them.
In August, we moved the Afghan family to Calgary where there is more opportunity for specialized schooling and work. Now I am looking to sponsor another refugee family.
I joined the fraternity of those who have had kidney stones, so can now relate to childbirth. I was also very physically tired and depressed for several months so can also relate to those who suffer from emotional upheaval. Thankfully, a comforting phrase in Bible was fulfilled: ‘And it came to pass’. The hospital staff laughed when I did a stress test. They keep you talking during the test and I didn’t miss a beat.
In October, my furniture store friend Joe offered to help me have a yard sale for the charity fund. I did all the advertising he suggested and we were ready. No-one came for hour and a half, so I sent the two church ladies home. Then it picked up; by mid afternoon, we sold close to $3k. He has been bragging about that ever since but I can’t convince him that it is God in control.
Next morning, we delivered the $1200 king size bed in his company truck to another town 60 kms away. He kept saying, "$100 is not enough to do this, I’m going to ask for another $50 dollars". After unloading, I sat waiting in the truck, embarrassed, and then he shows up with just some small bills and a handful of change. I said, "You robbed them of everything they could find." We still laugh about it. So I totaled $18k for the fund this year, mostly from online sales.
In November, we gathered around my mom again because her longtime triple A aneurism (abdominal aorta aneurism) started to leak. I stayed with her in the hospital; she stabilized some while we emptied her apartment. After 2 weeks in the hospital, she was happy to be transferred to a care home and then passed 2 weeks later. I hitchhiked there a few days before the funeral and then came back with the family. She wanted to die, so friends and family celebrated and sang the Christian hymns she loved.
I like her Bible because it has large print.
It was a challenging year worldwide; first with the Turkiye earthquake, and the expanding war in the Middle East. Thankfully I was able to connect with a ministry that is building mini homes for the displaced in Turkiye. Also continued helping with the refugee crisis, with Christian Afghans being resettled to other parts of the world. This now includes Afghans who were refugees in Pakistan.
Two major financial emphases were: supporting a ministry bringing renewal into the lives of former prostitutes in India, and freeing bonded laborers in Pakistan.
My PSR Abundant fund held within Canadian National Christian Foundation (CNCF) reached $80k of donations. You can now follow and see the good works we are involved with and also donate at www.psrabundant.org, thanks to my IT friends.
The one good book I read consistently this year was the Bible, which sent me in a positive direction each day.
So ends another year, for better or for worse. My favorite saying in regards to upheavals is: ‘t’s all temporary, and for the Christian, the best is yet to come’.
Nick V.
1701 Dicken Rd
Fernie, BC V0B 1M5
CANADA
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