Hammond Family News 2020

DESIGNING with DANIELA
—
Warm greetings to all and blessed wishes for the Christmas season! I’m
sure we can all agree that it has been a year unlike any other. It started
out very well with the Biblical Worldview Summit followed by the
Great Commission Course which is always the best way to start the year!
I especially enjoy exploring my city with friends, learning more about
God, going on outreaches and hiking.
The year was going very well until the unexpected happened! We heard
about the virus spreading overseas, but we didn’t think it would come and
affect us in Cape Town, at least not so quickly and drastically. Art and
design jobs were suddenly getting cancelled, events that I was adverting,
doing art for and marketing were cancelled. Coaching at the ice rink was
put on hold. I lost my part-time job. Freelance work was cancelled. Things
weren’t looking so good. The future seemed uncertain. I was discouraged.
Knowing pretty much everyone in the world was experiencing a similar kind of Lockdown made it a bit
easier, because we were all in this together. It was a really good time to slow down and catch up on all those
things you never take the time for. It also brought my family closer together. We were able to slow down
and enjoy each other’s company. We created some new traditions and learnt some new skills. It helped me
remember what’s important and to be more grateful for all of our freedoms. It created a whole new respect
for those who fought for our freedoms and to never take those freedoms forgranted.
When things started to open up again, I got more and more freelance design work coming my way – more
than I had had before! A great blessing this year was applying for and being chosen for a full-time position
from the UK that I can do from home! It really was a gift from God. It is wonderful to be able to still design
and create art as well as be close to my family and have the flexibility to still be involved at the Mission. I
am also a part of a wonderful Marketing team for the upcoming Biblical Worldview Summit.
In asmuch as it was a year of unfortunate, unexpected events, it was also a year of great change for the
better! I greatly look forward to next year and all we must do to fight the good fight of Faith. May God bless
you all richly. Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support to our family!
— DANIELA
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