Go get your morning coffee and let me introduce yet another amazing couple and their kids!
One of the best parts of being around Westwood as long as God has let us be, is seeing the progressive work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives and the truth of God’s power and might be displayed in the lives of His children.
Don and Sarah Ostrinski Christensen, while it has been hard to pray alongside you guys as you faced life’s challenges, we have been so encouraged as you have continued to turn your faces towards God, relentlessly pursued Him and allowed Him to use the pain to forge a strength of faith and endurance that is incredibly inspiring.
Let’s start with you telling us about yourselves.
WW: Where did you grow up?
Don was born in Vanderhoof and grew up inTerrace and Sarah was born and raised in PG.
We: How did you meet and how long have you been married?
We met through the College and Career group at the Evangelical Free Church in 1992. We have been married for 25 years!
We: How long have you been in Prince George?
Don moved to PG in 1991 for work. Sarah has lived here her whole life except for her time at TWU in Langley.
WW: Tell us a bit about your family:
We are the parents of 3 unique kids! Mariah is 22 and has taught us to treasure the simple things in life! She fought for her life as a baby/toddler. We had many trips to BCCH for her kidney’s and bowel’s. She was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the age of 3, the day before her sister was born!
Later, she was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and Epilepsy. She is a happy young lady who loves to help with the toddlers at Church.
Mishayla is 19 years old and just finished her first year at Brock University studying Kinesiology and playing varsity hockey. She is happy and healthy and a great support to her parents and her siblings!
Carter is 13 years old and finishing up grade 8. He, too, fights for his life everyday. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 8. He faces this disease with courage and determination and has only once said ‘why me’.
Don works for Northern Health in the maintenance department, taking care of all the seniors facilities in PG and Sarah also works for Northern Health as a Recreation Therapist in Community Mental Health and Addictions.
WW: What do you do for fun together?
We love watching each other play hockey, baseball and soccer. The best thing we ever did as a family was attend Sunnybrae Bible Camp’s Family Camp.
We have gone for the last 13 years! I highly recommend family camp!
WW: How long have you been at Westwood Church?
We have been at Westwood for the last 24 years!
WW: How have you volunteered and served at Westwood?
We have helped serve in numerous children’s ministry events and Sunday School, women’s ministry, youth group and the Mennonite Fall Fair.
WW: I really enjoyed serving with you together in Children’s and Women’s Ministry Sarah! Craig loved having Don as a Youth Leader!! What has life been like for you the last few years?
Life has been full of many challenges and blessings! Mishayla was blessed with an opportunity to attend Shawnigan Lake School and play hockey for their inaugural female team but this meant her moving away from home at the age of 15. Many people thought we were crazy to let her do this but she loved each and every minute of her time there. Our challenges are around our immediate family’s and extended family’s health. We are so thankful for our medical coverage and the excellent doctors who have helped us along the way!
WW: What are you appreciating about the changes in life due to the impact of the Pandemic?
We are appreciating more time together at home! Mishayla was able to come home from university 5 weeks early, so this will be the longest she’s lived at home in 4 years. Her and Don have been baking up a storm!
WW: What do you miss about life before social distancing and the Pandemic situation? How has your relationship with God impacted this?
We miss attending Church and having Sunday Coffee with Sarah’s mom and her husband.
We are so thankful for our faith in God as we know that he is in control of everything! Being able to ‘attend church’ via the livestream has been a blessing too!