Will and Tanya Brooks and their two young boys Jono and Hugo have joined our Lifestreams/ Ngā Puna Waiora whānau. Rev Jenny Wilkens interviewed them recently.

Tell us a little about yourselves…where you’re from, where you met and your journey together so far?

Will is from Richmond, Virginia (United States) and Tanya is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. Tanya moved to NZ when she was 12 and grew up in Christchurch.

We met in Dodoma, Tanzania. After finishing university, we both went to Africa to volunteer and do charity work. Will worked for the Anglican Church and Tanya worked in an international school.

Tanya was enroute to London and Will followed. We lived in London for 6 years and got married during that time. After 6 years in London we moved to the Pacific Northwest of the States. Our first son, Jono, was born in 2019.

Mid 2020 we decided to move to Christchurch for a number of personal reasons. Our second son, Hugo, was born in 2021.

What brought you to St Barnabas, and what’s led you to become part of our lifestreams community?

Internet search.

What do you enjoy doing when you have some family time? Hiking. Traveling. Building Duplo.

How has Covid-19 impacted on your lives and your family? Very much. Will's family have not met Hugo, our second son, and have not seen Jono in nearly two years. We miss them a lot and hope to be reunited soon.

How do you see God working in your lives at present? We constantly give thanks for our boys who are very joyful and bring so much light to our lives.

How can we pray for you as a family? Likely a common prayer request of families with two small children - we pray for sleep!

Thanks, Tanya and Will, and welcome to the St Barnabas family!