Adaptation, animals and glory - 28 April 2009 (Chrisna)

The joyful singing of birds outside of our room in Palm Springs, California, made me think about the wonder of adaptation and the diversity of animals and the question of giving glory to God. How on earth (you may ask) does bird singing trigger these thoughts to be thought in one breath?

Well, it was 2h00 in the morning, that is birds singing in the middle of the night AND I heard them! I usually sleep at 2... (Perhaps I must say that it was the 2^nd night in a row that I heard the birds). So I thought of these birds and how we don't have birds like that in Namibia. That made me think of all the other different than in Namibia animals we have seen so far. That made me think of how animals, by just being and doing what they were created for, glorify God. That made me think of how the whole of nature glorifies God and how mankind is the only creation who does NOT naturally glorify God! Why not? Because God gave us freedom of choice, choice on how we live, whether we live out our purpose, choice on whether we follow His guidance, choice on whether we love Him... With that I made the shocking realization that, should I call myself a child of God and I do not obey Him and live His purpose for my life, then I not only NOT glorify Him, but actually pull His Name through the mud!!! Oh Lord, please help me to live for your Glory!

So many thoughts, and that at 2h00 in the morning. That triggered the thinking on adaptation. I made a few calculations and found that my body and mind are still on New Zealand time, and this 5 days after being on American soil! For the first time in the 4 months of travelling around the world, my body's clock is slow to adapt. Most probably because this time we did not "loose" hours like before, but "gained" hours. In fact, we departed from New Zealand at 21h30 on 22 April and arrived in Los Angeles at 14h30 on 22 April!! How's that for receiving back that which we have lost! (and for getting a 2^nd chance to live the same day)

Thinking back on where we've been and how many adaptations we had to go through, I once again agreed with Ps 139: Man was indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. A human can indeed adapt to many different circumstances. And also that, whether and how we adapt, must give glory to God.

So, how did we adapt? (and on every occation the time frame of adaptation was a matter of hours) Our bodies had to adapt from a very hot (above 30 degrees) Namibia, to below freezing temperatures in Europe. Then right back to steaming hot, this time with high humidity, in the East ( just about 150km north of the equator). The next day, sitting foot on Australian shore, we had cool temperatures and in New Zealand it was already winter, a wet one may I add. LA on the other side of the earth greeted us with freezing winds, and now in Palm Springs, we are almost back in Namibian temperatures. Our bodies are still well and healthy, wonderfully adapting every time – FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.

Another thing that kept on changing, was altitudes: from the high heights in the Alps to sea level in Phuket. Strange enough though, no matter what our height above sea level, we always had a few hills/mountains to climb. (that's because we walk so much). Luckily every uphill is followed by a downhill. Some times it just feel as if the difficult upward road never ends, but they all do. These hills are obviously physical and emotional. The test of glorifying God is especially written during those times.

Continuously adapting to different languages and cultures are all part of the excitement of travelling. Even the ways of transport (train, bus, car) , which side of the road to travel and the speed limits keep on changing. I quite often end up at the wrong side of the car... Another challenge is the food and the currencies. Luckily I have Dawie and Tinus to tell me "multiply the price with 12 or 6 or 7 or 10, etc to know what it is in Namibian $(thank you for Phuket where we could divide by 3). I know people say that the first secret of enjoying your travels is to never work the cost back to Nam$, but if you travel for 9 months, and you have a Namibian budget, believe me, that is something you need to do to make sure your money last for 9 months.

So back to the consistent change of food and prices. There is a few secrets for adapting:

• Buying food in a new country is not "work",it's an exciting challenge ,almost a mini treasure hunt.
  
• Secondly you always ask where you will find the best prices. The locals will tell you which supermarket has the best prices.
  
• Then you keep an eye on the locals (while you hunt down the specials.) If many of them within a few minutes, take the same item from the shelve, you know: this is a bargain.
  
• Because you are not stocking up your cupboards, and you may leave again in 5 days time, you must have an idea of your menu for the next few days ,before buying. Buy just enough for that time.
  
• Menus also need to be adapted. In some places, like Singapore, you learn to get along without cheese, and if the stay is shorter than 10 days, no tomato sauce are bought. You don't buy according to what you want, but according to the specials on the day.
  
• The children get an OK to buy 1 packet of biscuits or ice cream, which must be value for money. This keeps them part of the experience and assure that they will not get "no,it does not fit in the budget" all the time.
  
• To work with such a tight budget and very high prices, is a challenge ( and a reminder to appreciate the low living cost in Namibia).
  
• To have company in the shop and not have to run to be in on schedule as mom's taxi, is a big bonus for me. Remember, I have 4 men in my house : I ALWAYS shop alone and always on the run.
  

One adaptation we only had to make once,(when we left Windhoek) is: we always eat very little meat, and then usually it is chicken...

Thinking about changes, adapting, growing and learning every 2-3 weeks now for the past 4 months, I've discovered an amazing number of different things:

• To start with, no Ouma next door to help feed the boys and to be a "safetynet"
  
• Then 2 whole months without Charlie (and then there were 4...) Praise God that he is coming back!!!
  
• Changing of routine (actually, the only constant thing on this trip, is the fact that the routine ALWAYS changes) This can be big fun for a "high I" and quite a challenge for a "high C"
  
• No one to help with household chores. We always have to do the cleaning, vacuuming, clothes washing, dish washing etc ourselves, also when we leave one place to go to the next. (Good opportunity to practice teamwork)
  
• Making all our decisions (or 90% of them) together
  
• A different bed and pillow
  
• A different Bathroom (shower or bath , good or weak water flow, enough hot water or not)
  
• A different house size (sometimes 2 bedrooms, sometimes we all sleep in 1 room)
  
• A different kitchen and equipment (sometimes only stove top and microwave, or only roaster and rice steamer, or oven and stovetop – quite a challenge for a previously disabled cook, sometimes a sharp knife, sometimes not, sometimes a big pot, sometimes not, sometimes a coffee perculator, sometimes not, etc, etc, etc – you get the drift)
  
• Different electrical plugs
  
• Television and internet (sometimes you have, sometimes not)
  
• Office space (sometimes we have separate work areas, sometimes we all use the one table, the same one we will eat on later)
  
• Constantly changing churches (praise God that we all are one family, although we are only visiting)
  

I said initially that man was made to adapt, and all of the above are only a few practice fields. The main thing I found to assure successful adaptation, adaptation that can glorify God, is attitude. With the right attitude, adaptation is easy and fun!

As I go back on memory lane of where we've been and how we had to adapt, I realize, yet again, how blessed we are. Thank you God for this world trip, for this privilege to experience so much diversity in such a short time. Thank you that we have this opportunity to adapt. May our attitude always be that of wanting to adapt , wanting to have the best for the other and being thankful. May we never be selfish or negative or moaning, but with a joyful heart give thanks in everything. Thank you Lord that all of this is actually so easy if I just stay close to your heart.

May my choices, what I think and say and do give glory to you. May I give so much glory to you as the bird doing what a bird should do , even if it means singing in the middle of the night.

The good news is that my body has adapted to this new time zone and so we will keep on adapting on this wonderful journey...

What the Tour has Taught Me (Tinus - 28 April)

On our way over to California from Auckland (which I shall remember for the people we had the privilege of spending time with), we officially crossed the geographic halfway mark on our journey around the world.

I thus thought it propper to share what I have learned hitherto. You will agree, however, that the amount of information this ought to amass to will be to vast to remember and apply. And since revelation without application is utterly incompetent, this would render the exposure this journey has brought futile.

I have consequently made the decision (even before we left Namibia – by God's grace) to remember one life changing truth from each country we visit. This reminded me to keep learning. The spinoff, which I did not even expect, is that this provided a very efficient mental filing system: as I learned more on a topic, be it in a different country even, I could "file" it with the corresponding country.

Before I can share what each country symbolizes to me, I must state that I am still learning. By no means do I wish to tell anyone to "do this and that," but rather share what the Lord has showed me. If therefore anyone has more insights into a specific topic, I would welcome a comment. What I wish to pen are nevertheless truths that, when applied, can and will have an immense impact on every life, as it has had on mine in the short time I have had to practice them.

So, Here goes…

London

Don't file a suit, retaliate in love

This is the topic I have the most trouble with. I am a C D if you know the DISC analysis. 

A quick recap:    

D - "One way and it's my way"

I - "Anyway is okay"

S - "Anyway that pleases everyone else"

  C - "One way and it's the right way"

Therefore a C D (which I am) is someone who believes "One way and it's the right way," as well as "One way and it's my way." This translates into the belief that "My way is the right way!"

Like I said, I struggle with this topic, so please forgive me if it is poorly formulated, communicated and understood. I have given it much thought, though…

In an unpleasant argument, it is only when the second person responds negatively that things grow truly ugly. Proverbs 15:1 (the first verse I ever truly read) states that "a gentle word turns away wrath."

I'm sure everyone agrees with me on this point. But, the problem is applying this in the heat of an erupting argument. I believe that is why God told me in London to "be wrong more." 

The fact is that a lot of the times we differ over meaningless issues. Most often it is perfectly OK to lose a dispute. It is, after all, better to lose a battle than lose the war! Don't win a quarrel and lose a relationship!

My recommendation is therefore that whenever an overheated argument erupts: lose! Did you get that? The next time you have an opinion about something and someone else opposes it in a way that matters turn unpleasant…back down. Take a beating.

But, what if the opinion I have is better? The fact is, driving your opinion at the moment (especially if your emotions are flaming up and voices are raised) will probably yield little results and you will probably say something you regret. After you have backed out of the argument (which might mean declaring defeat) and have cooled down, reflect on the other persons opinion. If you still believe your opinion is best and that the matter does at all need further discussion (make sure that you are not selfish), influence the other person. Apply your mind, know how the other party is swayed easiest and kindly influence. 

So, when faced with an unpleasant argument:

Back out

Cool down

Reflect on

Influence

This same principle can be applied to defending yourself when you are wronged. It is simple: don't! So what if something is said of you that is untrue or you have to do more dishes than your brother (a purely hypothetical example)?! Jesus was accused of being a gluten and drunkard and warned that we would be falsely accused also. Eat it up and retaliate in love! "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult you and persecute you" (Mat 5:44) 

When you are wronged or your demands are not met or your opinion not accepted, don't take anyone to court…don't file a suit!

What do you think?

Please stay tuned (I've always wanted to say that). The other countries on our track and their corresponding truth will follow eventually…

New Zealand – 22 April 2009 (Chrisna)

We are, once again, sitting on an Airport – waiting to depart to yet another country. What a privilege! We've been in Auckland, New Zealand now for the past 10 days (after once again lengthening our stay with 2 days. Auckland, the city of sails, where every 3^rd person owns a boat of some kind, is built on 2 sides of the north island, with the Harbour Bridge the only connection between the 2 sides!

I want to try to describe New Zealand in a few paragraphs – not an easy job. What a beautiful and unique country (and we've only been on the north island!) NZ is green hills, with lots of water. It's almost like the Western Cape at places, but with much more water. It's also a winter rainfall region, and we had lots of it.

We went, with a ferry, to an island called Rangitoto. This island is an erupted volcano and ONLY 600 years old. To put it in perspective: When the church in Trier in Germany was already 1000 years old, this island did not exist! Creation is awesome and still continuing. We walked up to the summit, from where you have a spectacular view of Auckland and the sea. The walk took us 1 hour up the volcano and another 1.5 hours down, because of a detour to the lava caves. The island has "all-black" rocks and rainforest type vegetation in between. Where did this come from?? Remember, there was nothing, then a volcano erupted from under the sea and the lava settled as a piece of land! It was a unique day, with the extra bonus of a good workout!

We also went to the beaches on the east and west coast. (It takes you 1 hrs drive from east to west!) The unique thing here is: the western beaches are black! (I mean the sand) Its sand formed from the black volcano rock. This is also the place where the garnet bird breeds, before it takes its long and challenging journey to Australia, coming back to the very same rock some years later. Nature is amazing and we know so little!

Tinus and Dawie accompanied Laura, our hosts' lovely daughter, to visit the Auckland Zoo. They saw lots of animals, but the unique thing was a Kiwi bird. You will find the kiwi ONLY in NZ.

Another place we went was Rotorua. It was a 3 hours drive through the most beautiful, puzzle picture beautiful, scenery. Lots of sheep and cattle on hills covered with green grass. Rotorua is built on a boiling pot of water, or so it seems. There is hot water springs, boiling mud or simply smoke coming from the earth, almost everywhere. And this is not "High I" creativity. It's amazing: you walk in a park, with areas fenced off because of hot water or boiling mud coming from underneath. But the next moment, in the path (which is safe area) you see smoke coming up, yet another pot is boiling over! Rotorua is a tourist paradise, with multiple walks, hot water resorts, spas, Maori villages and adrenaline driven activities. Obviously almost everything cost a lot of NZ $. Because of previous experience in different places, we opted for the "locals" swimming pool, which is equal fun (also with hot water), but MUCH cheaper. We confirmed for ourselves: you can have fun, without it costing you an arm and a leg.

Once again, the people we met played a big role into making New Zealand as memorable and special as all the other places we've been. People in New Zealand also love rugby, but not half as much as in South Africa or Namibia, but more than in Australia. They also braai (or BBQ), but on gas. NZ has many New Zealanders, but almost as much ex-South Africans! Most places we went, we were not the only people speaking Afrikaans.

We went to the City Impact Church, where we not only received a good message on healthy living and healing, but also met special people, true brothers and sisters in Christ. We spent a few hours at church on Sunday, just fellowshipping with new friends: Jaco and Mari, former South Africans with a ministry specifically to shepherd "new ex-SA immigrants" and Gregg, the youth pastor. Jaco and his wife are doing a great job and will be an asset to any church. Gregg gave Dawie J a prophetic word about God using him in future in a healing ministry. May Dawie be faithful… Gregg is a humble and true servant of City Impact Church. He is a man who is ready to be powerfully used by God. Hopefully we will see him in Namibia in years to come. The unique thing at church was that we were greeted in Afrikaans and spoke a lot of it too!

"A feast" will be the correct description for what we had at the Van Wyk's. We had a wonderful Namibian meal and New Zealand ice cream. We talked and talked, asked and answered a lot of each other's questions. The boys played rugby. We shared Communion and prayed together. We each received a gift from NZ! It was such a blessed day. Enid, Vernon and the boys are well, adapting very good and get the balance between "trusting God" and "doing their part" in job, house and church search. We have peace in our hearts about them.

Yet another BIG blessing and unique ingredient in NZ, was the Harper family: Peter, Dawn and their daughter Laura as well as Dawn's parents: Ralph and Margaret. We stayed in the barn-house on their farm and used Ralph's car. This was simply as a gift, an act of mercy: talk about blessings!! Dawn is Lynn's, (our travel agent at Trip Travel in Windhoek), sister. We enjoyed a "potjiekos" as well as a BBQ with them. The unique thing of the braai was that Peter used Etosha Brickets to BBQ the meat on!! We attended their eldest daughter, Jacqueline's wedding in the DR Church, Moedergemeente Windhoek (that's via Skype!) on Saturday 18 April 2009.What a privilege to share it with them. Hopefully we will be able to bless the Harpers also one day… May God shower them daily with His blessings.

In a brochure of a Maori traditional village is an old Maori quote, which translated to English says: "If you ask me what the greatest thing in the world is, the answer will be: It is people, it is people". I couldn't agree more.

The last unique experience was that we had to nail my suitcase close, to enable us to fly to America. Closing all the bags when the packing was finished, I discovered that the 1 clasp on my case was broken! There was no time (and also no money) to go buy a new one, so we had to improvise. The saying goes: " n Boer maak n plan". We hammered the bag together and closed with 2 nails. You see, where there is a will, there is a way!!

New Zealand surely has been a unique and special experience. I am so glad that it was part of our world tour. If I was the deciding one on the tour plan, we would not have gone there. It would have been a mistake… Another proof that " teamwork makes the dream work."

Psa 8:1-9 CEV

(A psalm by David for the music leader.) Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. ⁽²⁾ With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. ⁽³⁾ I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. ⁽⁴⁾ Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" ⁽⁵⁾ You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. ⁽⁶⁾ You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power-- ⁽⁷⁾ the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, ⁽⁸⁾ the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. ⁽⁹⁾ Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!

The world is beautiful! – 17 April 2009 (Chrisna)

Jesus is alive! That is what we celebrated during Easter and every day thereafter. He not only died on the Cross for my sins, but also arose from the dead! During our time of celebration at Hillsong Church, we sang: "The same power that conquered death, lives in me. The same love that rescued the world, lives in me." That is such an awesome fact…we simply have to live it in obedience!

We departed for New Zealand on Monday, 13 April. We live in a barn (we are not horses, but very blessed people) . We are fortunate to stay on the small farm of the Harpers, outside of Auckland, in a barn which was changed into a house. It is cosy and peaceful.

New Zealand is a very beautiful country. Where ever you look, there is water or green hills. In the begining it almost felt as if more and different beauty would be just too much, that I cannot absorb more, but God gives capacity to be able to continue to enjoy and appreciate. It is as if God gives fresh hunger to see and experience and learn in each new country. We know that our tour is definitely not over, that we still need to see and learn more. The wonder is that the learning goes together with pure enjoyment.

We've been in London, France, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and now New Zealand. The beauty and diversity of the world, of creation, continues to amaze me.The fact that creation is still continuing, is awesome .God surely is creative! The wonderful thing is that when we start to know the people of each country better, one surely sees that man is the crown of God's creation! What a blessing to spend time with the people that cross our path, it's so precious…

As we travel, we see that it will be easy to live in many different places. There are so many places in this world where a family will have a wonderful life. I meditated about this the past 2 weeks and wondered how one (if you can choose) determines where you live. The obvious things to go by are: "Where is my family?" "What is my culture?" "What and where is my job?" Another question that I've realized is an important one to answer, is: "where will my family be save(as far as I can control it)" If you've sorted that out, it still leaves a vast amount of places to choose from. I came to the point where I've realized that knowing where to live boils down to 2 things:

1. Do you understand the Great Exchange? Jesus gave His life for me, my reaction is: "how and where can I serve Him?"
   
2. Do you know your purpose in life? What is it that you were made to do?(your calling)
   

You see, if you can answer those 2 questions, you know that you can ask God where it is that you must be salt, to help bring out the real taste of life and to be light, to bring out the true colours of this life! Then you live there, you live life to the full, you are content and you know: "I am at the right place for a time such as this." That brings Peace (not the place where you are).

I realized that patriotism has very little to do with your choice, that is if you come to a point where you feel that you must make such a choice. Another thing I've come to realize is that one may never judge any person/family, should they make the choice to move. One can rather help them to make sure that they know they are in God's Will. And the last realization concerning this issue was that, even if you've made your choice on your own, you can still turn back to God and ask Him, in your new country, "where and how do you want me to make a difference?"

As we traveled through many different continents, countries and cities, I surely know: there is nothing like the local church, if the local church is working right AND that a person should belong to a church, a family. That is the starting point of living out your purpose(doesn't matter in which continent you are.)

We are scheduled to leave NZ in 5 days time. We've seen the white beaches and the black beaches, we've seen the green hills and the sea with scattered islands, surrounding us. We trust we will still see much more and the van Wyks (Enid and Vernon) We look forward to it.

We know: for now, we are at the right place. We have Peace and Joy and lots of it!

Thank you Jesus.

Thank you to our heroes back home – 19/04/09 (Dawie)

To travel the world for close to a year, you need a few heroes in your life. It's the same with everything in life. Like a good sports team (or business, government or church) more than just the players on the field are important. The support team is crucial and it is often these people who really make the difference.

That is why I would like to dedicate this blog post to those heroes back home…those who really make the difference!

Those who know me will be familiar with my view of Jesus' relationships. He had the crowds, the 72, the 12, the 3 and the Father.

Thank you to the crowds:

Thank you to each and everyone who pray for us, who carry extra responsibility because we are away and who support in whichever way - including the teams within our family, our church, in transformation ("T"), in Turn the Tide("TTT"), in Rock Lodge & Rock Ministries("RL"), in Trip, in African Leadership Institute ("ALI"), at WHS, etc. - but who are not separately mentioned in this blog.

Thank you to the 72 and the 12:

Iain Erasmus for his leadership and spirit filled management of ALI

Herbert Burmeister for faithfully and successfully managing the RL

Piet du Plooy for his exceptional dedication towards Trip, myself and our family

Tinie Johr for her loyalty in managing TTT as an effective unit

Paul Smit in the professional manner he chairs ALI's board (and the responsibilities attached to it)

Andre & Hanria Fourie for lovingly looking after our family "business"

Luitha von Gericke for her unmatchable servanthood and love

Renata Solomons for professionally running the ALI office (and our personal affairs) in Whk

Gideon & Louise Potgieter for their unique demonstration of support and love

Bertus Gous for his commitment towards the training of principals and inspectors through ALI

Louis en Rinette van der Riet for making the difference where it is most needed

Albert Strydom for carrying us and our dreams very deep in his heart

Ilsje du Plooy for (amongst many other things) providing financial management info of all ministries so timely

Serge Solomons for his support to Iain and Herbert (but also as lecturer and board member)

Immanuel Dumeni for filling my shoes at board level and as lecturer

Dr Goody and Stephan Nell for carrying extra loads as lecturers

Esmarie Nel for her most effective administrative support to ALI at the RL

Petrus Anton for taking on more responsibilities on RL

Gerson, Katrina, Nerine, and Altino for their support to Anton/Herbert/Iain and loyalty towards me

Neeltjie van Vuuren for the difference she makes in STEP, marketing activities, youth ministry, RL

Melanie Julius for sorting out all the TTT coffee shop challenges

Nangula & Lazarus Uaandja for their friendship and valuable contributions (financially and at board level)

Schalk Walters, Theo Claassen, Stefan Hugo for their friendship & financial support

Fritz Weinrebe for website and software support

Pierre Joubert for IT and so many other practical acts of service that make a difference

Louis & Theresé Conradie for being the "extentions of our arms"

Roland & Denise Engel for building the church and serving there where God is working already

Stephan & Caryn Feldmann for their support to Roland

Chris & Elna de Jager for love and acts of servanthood

Ronel & Japie van Vuuren for their prayers and prophetic hands and voice

Nangula Kathindi, Patric Brits, Sackey Aipengi, Sakkie Kaulinge, Zack Pienaar, Lee Helling for their wisdom at board level

Renier, Liart, Gideon, Willem for their prayer support

Lynn Nederloff for all the travel arrangements and caring

Rodrick Engelbrecht for his exceptional support to Piet and Trip

Gert Burmeister for his true friendship and being a special partner in RL

Martin, Betsie and Herbie for being such unique partners for Chrisna

Martin de Man, Cathy Reyneke and Marina Diedericks for looking after Chrisna's patients (344 Ind Ave rooms)

Luitha's support team (Hetta, Urtha, Christine, Lina, Suzette)

Johan Swanepoel and Eric Knouwds for providing long-term "tentmaking income"

Basie Buitendag and Christo Davids for being so much more than financial advisors

Tony Edmunds (Pointbreak) and Ockert Zeelie (Bank Whk) for looking after our investments and banking activities

Faffa Knoetze, Dirkie van der Spuy, Cassie Carstens, Claude Moller, Johan Deysel for wisdom and adding value to my live

Piet Coetzee, Jaco Venter and Ernst Coetzee for looking after the development of my 36 sons (WHS u/15 rugby team)

Frans van Sittert, Wikkie Hough and Suzette van Vuuren at WHS for building the Nation and their support to Charlie

Thank you to the 3:

To those closest to us, the 3 (they were mentioned above and they will know who they are), a special word of appreciation, thanks and love: "Your reward is in heaven!"

In conclusion:

For we, as the players on the world tour, the experience is beyond the expression of words. We honour our Heavenly Father, who through you all made it possible for us to experience such a blessing on this side of the grave.

Ps 16:5-7 (NIV)
⁵ Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. ⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. ⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

WONDERFUL Australia 13 April (Dawie J)

Australia was wonderful. It was one of the best. With a great home next to the river .It was just wonderful.

A few times we went to canoe on the river (I was the best off course). We went upstream and downstream.

I even went to an Australian School and they loved my accent.

The first week we went to Culburra beach. It was wonderful to swim and boogybord. One day we went to Featherdale wildlife park. There were all sorts of animals.

They were all Australia animals Koalas, Kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils and Dingoes you name it. It was wonderful seeing all the new animals.

And the Koala that you could get close up with, name is Charlie. We went to watch rugby. We watched the Stomers vs Warathas. It was nice to see the game but the Stomers lost but stil it was wonderful. We watched the Bulls vs Warathas.

This time the Bulls won. Hilsong church was wonderful we even saw a few Bulls rugby

Players at church Friday and Sunday. Maybe that is why they are doing so well in the

Super 14. We took two fairies. It was wonderful to ride on the water. So for me Australia was just amazing. I feel that we must comeback. Because we did not stay long. But it was still wonderful. You might not believe it but I wrote this blog all on my own (did I say wonderful to much? But believe me it really was wonderful)

Being Downunder was great, Mate! (Tinus)

May I beg your patience at offset? I have just finished my second cup of coffee and breakfast burger at the Sydney International Airport and am, I confess, only now waking up. Those that know me might be aware that I am an absolute expert at being fast asleep with my eyes open. It is now almost 7 am local time and we got up at 4, after hitting the hay at 12:30.

...YYYAAAWWWNNN…

Good morning all!

Has anyone ever realized that at times in one's live, after a specifically enjoyable experience, for example, everything seems to assume a greater radiance than before? The sky is bluer, music seems better, memories are sweet, but my father still can't sing. Well, this is one of those times for me.

We are about to bid the land of Aus farewell.

…

If you did not appreciate that sentimental moment, please turn off the music, tell the kids to keep quiet (hopefully none of my school mates have this problem yet – who knows what happens in my absence) and reread.

We are about to leave Australia…

Well, I know not of you, but to me, that is almost tragic. I loved Switzerland and I absolutely prized our time in Singapore, but when we left those places it felt right – like it was time to go. This is not, however, the case at present. I simply enjoyed Australia and Sydney the most thus far!

Not only was the natural beauty of the South wonderful and the animals so strange, they crawl into your heart, but the City is postcard beautiful! (Sorry Windhoek, but you're not my favorite city anymore. Don't worry Namibia, I only need to glimpse at the sun rising over the desert plastered on my desktop to know that I will never love another like I love you.) To be completely honest, though, it was not any of these that made the time here so brilliant. It was church…

If you think of music when I say "Hillsong", you're perception is so limited! Hillsong is a church!

To try and explain why it meant so much to me would be futile. You need to experience it. The good news is, though, that you do not need to travel to Australia to do. Just go to church! (Namibian churches, please don't disappoint me.)

I was confronted with GREATNESS while here.

I sat in a GREAT church known around the world. Sang GREAT well-known songs performed by some of their original artists and songs so fast and new, I struggled to keep up. I Saw GREAT people in person: Lisa Bevere, the wife of my favorite author, John Bevere, for example. I was amidst GREAT pieces of engineering. I just came from the GREAT Singapore, a country that elevated itself to one of the cleanest, most efficient, highest literate, safest and GREATEST places on earth in one generation. I saw GREAT gatherings of 15 000 plus believers. I met GREAT leaders that have impacted the lives of millions.

And I do not mean GREAT as in wonderful or fantastic, I mean GREAT as in noteworthy, significant and leaving a legacy. GREAT like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther and Jesus Christ are GREAT. GREAT that changes the world. GREAT…

So, what is GREAT? Have you met anyone GREAT? Have you ever been to a GREAT church? Am I the only one that struggled with GREATNESS and wanting to be GREAT as these things I see are GREAT?

This is my conclusion, that GREATNESS is simply this: To be told "GREAT" by the King! Does He think my life is GREAT? Do I obey Him? Does the GREATEST Entity ever to exist live in and through me? If so, then I am GREAT!!! Catch my drift?

So, Namibia, you are GREAT!

Would it not be wonderful if I could stop this post here, simply having encouraged you (I hope)?

Instead, I wish to share with you (church leaders please listen, this is our conclusion as a family) a few points that make the churches we have visited work:

1. Salvation is a priority and it is actually achieved and not just talked about. Members continually bring unbelieving friends to church and an altar call is made after EVERY SINGLE service. I encourage this practice. These churches grow by the day!
   
2. The church functions as a body. Each one has his or her task to fulfill. A massive number of volunteers keep the ship sailing. Some give time, doing something as simple as making coffee (cafe grade filter coffee and cappuccino) and others give skill, making sure the church is still legal.
   
3. No one does something they are not good at. Those who talk or teach on stage do so because they are gifted to do so and not just because they are on the leadership team and it is their turn.
   
4. The church rests on the work of a great many people and volunteers, each operating from his or her gifting and availability, not on one pastor, leader or leadership team. (This was worth a second mention.)
   
5. Everything that is done, is done with tremendous energy, passion, commitment AND EXCELENCE. Everyone does it because the really want to (who wouldn't want to serve if you understand Christ's sacrifice for us)
   
6. Leadership is central! (P.S. My father was not the only one who mentioned this point)
   
7. Services are relevant. If that means you need load music, so be it, if you require a somber attitude, make sure you got it, but be relevant to the culture and context you're called to shepherd!
   
8. Messages are Bible based, relevant and true!
   
9. Small groups (cell groups, etc) are central.
   
10. Discipleship training is held throughout the week.
    
11. Saturday night services are wonderful and part of my father's dream.
    
12. It is all about Jesus, His life, death and resurrection and the reality that He lives in us and seeks a real relationship with us. (Religion, religious practices and theology is something I last saw in the lifeless church buildings of Europe).
    

So, in conclusion: Namibia (and thus everyone there who thinks I am speaking to them. Yes, I mean you.) You are GREAT. I miss you. You are honestly number one. The best country in the world! (OK, so I'm madly in love with Africa and am thus biased.) But you've still got a long way to go. So start doing what needs be done!

Blessings

P.S. I am awake now and plan to enjoy watching movies on the way to NZ