Cruise Alaska – 16-23 May (Dawie J)

Finely: school vacation and off on the boat!

We came on the boat and immediately went to eat. And repeated that lots of times thereafter.

There were so much to do: there were games, restaurants, lounges, card rooms, a cinema, it was just great.

We played Table Tennis. You think I would win my mom, well I did not, but it was still fun. We also played shuffleboard on the deck – there I was the champion!

We cruised along the Inside Passage of Alaska. The scenery was wonderful! We went right up to a glacier and saw icebergs around the boat. When we went ashore, we hiked for miles and miles.

That was the only thing that was free, but it was very nice. We walked over mountains and saw waterfalls, snow, pine trees and rivers.

Unfortunately I got sick the last 2 days on the boat. I think the lots of sugary food was a shock on my stomach, but my mom said it was a bug (and the fact that I don't like fruit). I am 100% healthy now.

The boat trip was very nice, I enjoyed it a lot! But I am also glad to have my 2 feet back on solid ground. I am ready for the next adventure and for school that will start after this 1 glorious week of holiday.

Flashback: two months in my Mother land- 25 May 2009 (Charlie)

First of all ,it's great being back on tour! I realised that I was a bit behind on blog writing so here goes. Although I miss my beautiful Namibia and its people already, being with my family again is amazing. The moment I landed at LAX and saw their faces, I truly realised what they mean to me. I truly thank God for all my wonderful privileges, but I thank Him the most for the wonderful foundation of love, peace, trust, forgiveness and grace He has given me through my family!

Coming back to my time in Namibia, I want to tell you about the most significant events, but also give it an evaluation based upon expectancy and responsibility. Our lives hang on a thread. Only God knows when and where we will die! Because we can't plan the date of our death or choose at what age we want to stop living on earth, it is essential to give it your all, live your purpose and prioritise the things that are dear to you. One thing we can also control is where we will go when we die because of the gift God gave us in sacrificing His Son on the cross, the question still remains:" How many people will we take with us?"

This was my fuel for going back in these two months, I wanted to serve others to the best of my ability, encourage and enlighten. Yes, in earthly terms I went back to play rugby, but God saw an opportunity for so much more! Thus these two months in Namibia were not going to be a piece of cake or like my dad likes to say, "It won't be Mickey Mouse, son."

I came in Namibia with the expectation and warmth of seeing my friends and eating red meat! Luckily the first few days I stayed with the Du Plooys, so both of my instinctive expectations got realised in the first two days! I had a Steak dinner and got to see my friends at a surprise party the next day! This was a wonderful beginning to my time at home. To add to that beginning, we had rugby practises on the Friday and Saturday just after my arrival. It was great to see my team mates again, but unfortunately the bad jet lag I got made it tough on the body, little did I know that this was the start of a tough physical battle. After a lovely weekend with A.J. and family I headed to my grandma's and started an amazing and blessed time with her!

The next Monday morning it was time for school! Yes, I loved being back in the whole school environment, but from the word go I had to adapt to the new conditions. I did work hard on my own overseas but the teachings were in many cases based on notes and although I had the basic knowledge of the syllabi, I did not know all the new kinks and format, thus I had to do everything from the beginning with only a month to the exams! This put me through a little bit of stress but I soon developed an action plan to approach this hurdle: Hard work. I put in a lot of extra hours and although this was tough I knew it was a preparation for things to come in my life.

Moving past the school, we practised rugby a lot and I enjoyed it with all my heart and battered body. Our first games as an u/15 side came the next weekend at the H.T.S. tournament. We were suffering from a few injured players, but we still managed to bring home the trophy. Although we won, we didn't play good rugby thus we had a lot to work on before the AFFIES tour.

In between the rugby and School I enjoyed a lovely time with my grandmother. I ate a lot of red meat and Namibian "braaivleis" and listened to a lot of very interesting old folk stories that I never heard before. We also went to restaurants, a luxury I didn't have overseas.

The training for the Affies tour went well and before I could take hold of the time we were on the bus. Now the interesting thing about this tour was not only the high quality of rugby we were up against but also the fact that we had to write exams on the tour! I pre prepared pretty well but we all know that the studying done on tour was not going to be much and when studying it is not going to be effective. Besides the Rugby and the exams an even greater challenge laid before. I had to pick up the spirits of the team and deal with tension. Yes, in our closely knit set up there was a brewing of tension between certain parties like in any relationship around the globe. We had unhappiness and conflict and unfortunately this cost us dearly. The first game we played was against Pretoria Boys High. This was a gruelling encounter like we expected it to be. Many points were walking around like they say but neither of the teams could capitalise on them. Before we knew it, we were 10 points down at half time. The second half needed a change of mind and of heart. It happened but we were still three points behind when the siren sounded- the last play of the match was in our hands... We went left and right on the field just retaining the ball on numerous occasions and then after two minutes of play after time was up we dived over for the try! It was a memorable and blessed win. Unfortunately it was the last highlight of that tour. We lost the next game badly which was our first loss as a team. The next game we should have won but lost it at the end creating a losing streak of two.

It was tough on the team but strangely that was just what the doctor ordered! Everyone was humbled and forced to put their differences aside so that we could come back stronger. That for me outlined the fact that God makes everything work out for the good for those whom he loves!

On this tour I also had the opportunity to enjoy a day with my Family that lives in Rustenburg, the Potgieters. This was excellent and very, very special.

Before I knew it we were back in Windhoek and finishing with our exams. My last two weeks there flew by and I utilised it to the full. The last few days with my grandmother was great and very enjoyable. Our relationship got even better like most of my relationships. I focused on building and not breaking anything down

Time flies and I said goodbye to Namibia again and went on the Jnr. Sport tour. Like all tours with WHS this was amazing. Here I picked up on my social life and got to spend not only fun time with the people around me but also very serious talks that the Lord used to change my life and theirs.

The spirit in the camp was also a lot better. We were eager to come back from the losses and were eager to do the Lord's will and play for him! Naturally with that mission we did well and had great wins in our first two games but lost a tight one in our third game. All in all I had a great tour and I know now that the team is ready for a great season.

I want to end off with a special thank you to everyone who made my time in Namibia special and who really showed me love to make it very enjoyable!

As for now, we are in Whitefish, Montana, U.S.A. We just came from an amazing Alaskan Cruise and one of my other family members will write more about that.

God Bless

California, USA - 15/5/2009 (Dawie J)

We landed on American soil! Everything is bigger. There are much more big, and I mean BIG , cars, than small cars.

The home was very nice, but we definitely could not play ball inside!

We stayed in Palm Springs for 5 days. Me and my dad played golf once. 

I lost the first 9 holes, but we draw on the next 9. I hit the ball 100 metres over water with a 5 iron. My dad said:"Now I'll have to buy you a cool drink". While people were looking, I hit a very good shot. The people applauded me and one guy said:"He's gonna be called "The White Tiger" one day!!!"

From Palm Springs, we hit the long road to the Grand Canyon. 

It was a 7hours non-stop drive, BUT , it was all worth it! It is amazing that this big hole in the ground, clever people don't really know 100% how it was formed. So, it must have been God! You see a little bit of the greatness of God here, but still not all of it. God is so Great!

Then we drove past Hoover dam. 

It is a magnificent structure. It was built in 1932-1937, but still is in the Top 10 greatest inventions of the 20^th century.

Back in Los Angeles, we walked along the beach every day. 

Different aeroplanes flew over our heads as they were departing from LAX – it seemed 1 every 30 seconds! Tinus and I went to Disneyland. It was a glorious day: lots of different themes and drives.

Then Charlie came back! 

While driving into the airport, we saw his plane (an Air New Zealand plane) flying in just over our heads! With planes landing every 2 minutes, that was a real miracle to see his plane. We were so excited. I took Charlie to Disney California the next day. We went on the California Screaming Rollercoaster.

 I was SOOO scared, I almost wet my pants! At the end, I enjoyed it so much that we went 3 times – and my pants were still dry...!

That's all from me. Dawie J signing off from LA, on the way to Seattle... Everything is wonderful!

Something real grand – 17 May 2009 (Chrisna)

I have been in LA for some time now, but first I must write of what is filling my heart and thoughts. It is something that gave Tinus a "happy face" that even a bystander will recognize as "really happy". (He is a "high C" on DISC analysis and normally his happy and sad face looks very much alike.) 

Now you can understand that it is something really special that result in a beaming face. I don't really know what my face looked like, but I know how my heart felt. It was beating very fast and then stopped periodically, it felt as if something has pressed all air from my lungs and then blow it burstingly full again, it made me feel like laughing and crying at the same time. It was almost unreal, but it was oh so real!

The reason for all of the above feelings was the Grand Canyon. 

Boy oh boy, it is so... it is so ... grand. It is just so completely impossible to imagine or describe, and no picture can capture the beauty...the majestic beauty. The Grand Canyon is wider than you think, it's longer than you think and it's deeper than you think. It definitely has more dimensions than you think, it has more colours than you think and the colours keep on changing!! You see the big and deep and wide with your eyes and you feel it in your stomach. You look left and right and up and down and straight forward and it overwhelms you. The greatness of it all, shouts out: HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! Yes, how great is our God. The canyon pulls you down into it, it engulfs you and it lifts you up at the same time. And it definitely urges you to also whisper continuously: "How great is our God"

There is not a word to describe it – not one word can capture it all. I think the best anyone can do, is to call it..."grand".

 

This is how Webster dictionary explain the word "grand":

"In general, we apply the epithet grand to that which is great and elevated, or which elevates and expands our ideas. The ocean, the sky, a lofty tower are grand objects. But to constitute a thing grand, it seems necessary that it should be distinguished by some degree of beauty."

So, it is the Grand Canyon, because it is grand, it's just so much more.

Although a picture has no chance to portray the grandness, I, like millions and millions of tourist continued to take pictures to try to make a memory on paper. I know however, that the memory is in the heart and spirit.

And to think that I was not supporting Tinus in the motivation to visit the Canyons! It's far, 7hrs drive from Palm Springs, which is 2,5 hrs from LA. But, it was so worth it! I'm so, so grateful that we did listen to Tinus.

If my life glorifies God even a touch of what the Canyon does, it is big. But I know that my life must reveal God's Greatness as much as the canyon and furthermore I know it is possible, if I only allow Jesus to live through me and not try it all on my own.

Travelling the world and seeing all of His wonderful, awesome creations, one can only say: "How Great is our God" and then keep on repeating it...

Thank you God for eyes and ears and feelings and health and opportunities. Let me always give you the Glory for my multiple blessings!

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What the tour has taught me...France (Tinus)

I am content…

I'm sitting at the dining room table on a leather chair in our temporary home in Palm Springs, California. It is very hot and the air-conditioner is not all that effective, but hey, I'm still Namibian…who's afraid of 35 ºC! And what's more, you've guessed it, my steaming cup of strong, bitter, white coffee is close at hand.

So, I'm content and would love to continue sharing what the tour has taught me. If you have not read my post on what London taught me, please do so first.

 

France

All is not as it seems, so use the right sense

 

Have you ever felt that God is far? Ever felt alone and dry? Has God ever been silent in your life? Have you ever felt that nobody loves you or that you are being taken advantage of?

Have you ever thought what the disciples might have felt like on the Saturday after Good Friday? Remember that to them it was NOT Good Friday! Their Rabbi had just been murdered! Treated as a criminal! He said he would build his church and that the gates of Hell will shatter and then … and then He died!

Come on! They spent the last 3 years of their life with Him and now He is dead!

Remember that that Saturday was a Sabbath. In other words they may not have done work. All they could do is sit at home and wonder. get lost in the lightless void that had engulfed and crammed their very being! Remember also that they did not know that He would be alive the next day.

That was a horrible day. A Silent Saturday.

Have you ever experienced a Silent Saturday?

I did in France and this is what God finally told me:

Look at the snow. By looking at it and seeing it is white you might deduce that it is cold. Agree? You may even remember your past experiences with snow or what someone has told you about it and so gather that it must be cold. Correct? But isn’t touching it the best way to know whether it is cold or not?

Is anyone reading that and going "huh"?

Well, the idea is that to know a specific thing, specific senses must be used. You cannot know the color of something by feeling it. Nor listen to music with your tongue. A scientist cannot measure temperature with only a ruler. (By the way, Palm Springs isn’t getting cooler!)

The bottom line is that you have to use the correct sense in a situation.

So what then is the correct sense in regard to spiritual things? Well, I believe it is faith!

Before anyone simply dismisses this reality with something like: "Oh yeah, faith, that makes sense. I believe in Jesus so I must be sorted. Next!" like I did for so many years when I heard that commonly referred to word…allow me to share my simple view on faith. (And the more I learn about it, the cooler it gets and the more I realize I can still learn about it!)

In William Young's "The Shack" (you really must read it if you haven't), the Holy Spirit says that God created things as living verbs. He calls himself "I Am," which is a form of the most basic and profound verb "To Be" or just "Be". (More on this in a while…)

We humans have taken those living verbs and turned them into lifeless nouns. (Read more on this in The Shack)

I thus thought about faith in this matter. What verb best describes faith?

To know the truth and be absolutely sure about it!

To believe God and to trust Him.

These are some undeniable truths:

The Father, Jesus and the Spirit Loves you

They all like you

Nothing you do or do not do can make Them love you more or less

They want to spend eternity with you

You are going to live forever (where you live forever is up to you)

They know what's best for you

They are Good and want what is best for you (They want you to be happy in the long run!)

They created heaven and earth

Jesus was born as a little human baby in Bethlehem

He died on a cross on Calvary in Jerusalem

His death can cleanse all your past sins (if you confess them)

His death can furthermore give you the ability to not sin again (if you let Him live through you)

The Bible is true

God promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you!

What else do you believe? I encourage you to make a list with scripture references if you can.

If it seems that God is far. Or that you are not loved. If you find that you are in a Silent Saturday. Use the sense of Faith.

There is so much more to say on both faith and the concept of a Silent Saturday, but more wil follow in another post. (The Silent Saturday was one of the topics covered at Hillsong during Easter)

Allow me to conclude this post with a story also told at Hillsong over Easter. Remember that God planted this seed about a "Silent Saturday" in my heart in France.

Well, the story happens in France, many years ago. It was the final battle of the Napoleonic war between England and the French at Waterloo. Those that know the history will know that Wellington, commander of the English army, overthrew Napoleon. After the battle, the English soldiers wanted to send word to England. They sent the message "Wellington defeated Napoleon!"

That is not what reached those anxiously awaiting word in Great Britain, however. All they could make out was "Wellington defeated"

Imagine the utter devastation and disappointment that gripped the hearts of all who heard the news. Their loved ones are dead. They themselves will soon be captured. All is lost…

But, all was not as it seemed, was it? The truth, whether they knew it or not was that they were the victors! Wellington defeated Napoleon!!!

All is not as it seems, so use the right sense.

Peaceful New Zealand 30 April (Dawie J)

NZ almost had the same feeling as Switzerland, because of the peace and quietness on the farm. We did have more activities in NZ.

One day we went to the zoo. It was wonderful to see a live Kiwi. What shocked me, was the poster saying how many kiwis die and that they are almost extinct. 

People must look better after God's creation. We must not mess with it and each should do his part in conservation.

We went with a ferry to Rangitoto. It is amazing that there are towns and buildings older than this island. It is an erupted volcano, full of lawa rocks. It was very tiring to climb, but the view in the end was worth it. We went into lawa caves and my dad (who easily feels closterphobic), also made it. We heard on the radio that there are a lot of lawa caves underneath Auckland, as well as unerrupted volcanoes. That is scary!

The many steam and boiling mud in Rotorua was strange. 

It is everywhere you look. We played a game of minigolf (my dad won) and swam in hot water.

Seeing Michael and Gerald van Wyk again and playing some rugby, was really nice. 

They will always be special friends.

New Zealand was absolutely amazing and once again on my wish list of a place I would like to go back to in future. I am so glad that we could include it in our tour.