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…

Experience of a lifetime! (Charlie)

30/12 – This was d-day. I thought about a lot of things in the few hours before the flight. I thought about my friends, my house, my school, my family, the food, my country and it’s wonderful people, all the things I was going to leave behind. Namibia and its surroundings are my comfort zone. Here I can be me and I can live to my full potential. Realising this I knew that this tour was important for me at this moment in time because I will be making new ground and breaking out of my comfort zone. I will make sacrifices and learn the ways of other countries in God’s beautiful Creation. Now the excitement was too much to bear.

We boarded the plane and I kissed my country goodbye. Now it was time to broaden my horizons.

31/12 - Although the flight was a bit shabby the thought of landing in London made the cramps better. That day we gave it our all. Firstly we left the father of the house with the luggage while the rest of us went to Buckingham palace. Immediately London’s history hit me like a pan on the head. It was amazing to gaze at buildings older than many countries. This made me realise that many people admire works of excellence. That is why we should be Excellent in everything we do to fight for the Kingdom of God.

That night we were very tired and slept straight into the new year.

01/01-02/01 – These two days we went flat out at London again. We travelled the subway with great ease and enjoyment. On the first of Jan we went to Greenwich by boat on the Thames. Here we visited the royal naval academy, the National Maritime Museum and the Observatory at Greenwich were we stood in the western and eastern hemisphere at the same time. To be on the Greenwich Meridian was amazing. Now for the first time in my life my watch is exactly right… Then we rushed to the Queen’s theatre(stopping halfway for 30 min to buy a fridge magnet souvenir for my mother) because that night we saw a London musical, Les Miserables, the longest running, most widely shown musical of all time!! This was amazing!

On the second day of the year we got even more astonished by flying in the London Eye and by seeing the Big ben and Westminister Abbey from close by! We also treated my future engineer brother with a visit to the tower bridge and tower of London. To top the day off we went to a local market and tasted the most wonderful British and Irish Cheese…

03/01 – This day we almost missed our flight to Paris, bringing a bit of adrenalin in! We gave Paris our all visiting the Notre Damn and the Eifel. That night we caught a train to Gap entering a new phase of the tour.

I felt I had to give my own account of the first few days but now my mother stopped me to start with school! I will chat again.
Signing out from Switzerland.
Charlie (14/01/09)

London 31 Dec 08 (Dawie)

We have landed at Gatwick Airport in London and took a train into the city. I stayed with our luggage at a coffee shop while Chrisna took the boys to see Buckingham Palace.

I pray: Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for a country like Namibia, for her special people for Your soldiers in Namibia. Please bless them oh Lord that they will remain faithful in 2009.You have blessed us so much over the past 21 years(that’s how long we have been married) We give you all honour and glory! God, to have an impact in our government, our country’s history , in Africa and the world, we need more fully devoted soldiers. Please raise them!

As 100s and 1000s of people rushed past me in London, I also pray for them. They all look so busy, may they all know you for who you really are. In the Name of Jesus.

On the plane to London, evening of 30 December 2008 (Chrisna)

“You’re gonna do what?!” We’re going on a tour around the world for 9 months.
“How are you’re going to do that?” We have an around the world air ticket.
“But where will you go?” We don’t go to a place, we go around the world.
“WOW!”
That wow means: you’re lucky, you’re mad, what?!, you must love each other, you’ve got guts, you’re blessed. And yes: the wow for us is all of the above.

This conversation took place quite a few times during the past 6 months, that was when we started talking about our trip. I want to assure you that we know we are blessed and we are thankful that we can do this. (during the past 2 months I often thought that we are a little bit crazy as well.) What I do know is: we are in God’s Will , in His Hands and that is the best place to be….

Let me start at the beginning(I’m writing this on the plane to London because there were no time before this, we were focussing on leaving things behind in good hands and planning ahead and packing etc)

The dream started with Dawie about 3 years ago, even before my Dad got sick.” Lets go away for 1 year and that way have 1 extra year with Tinus still with us. It will be a sabbatical(but obviously it will be a working sabbatical) We cannot go if every person does not have a project.” We talked, we prayed, we dreamt – and it went on like that until Dec’07. We had to make a decision. After lots of prayer and talk we decided that we will go, and the wheels were put into action.

Why do we do this? Lots of reasons:
1. God released us and showed that a year away from Namibia is what He has in mind for us.
2. We wanted to thank Tinus for the son he was for the past 18 years. Always serving us, always giving his best and being an excellent example for his 2 brothers. The cherry on the cake was when he was the best grade 12 student in Namibia with 7 distinctions. We give all glory to God.
3. It will give us 1 more year with Tinus in the house without him wasting it.(he asked for it.)
4. We want to show our 3 sons the bigger picture, the world that is their competition. Everything doesn’t stop in Namibia(although it is the best place to be!)
5. We want our sons to see that what ever culture you’re part of, Jesus Christ is the answer.

That’s a few of our reasons. Here is also a few that God showed us along the way what is on His Heart:
6. We had to physically give our dreams(our ministries) back to Him and hand it over to other (very capable) people. We trust God to equip them to drive the vision even better than we can.
7. We need distance (for a while) to see better.
8. God wants to work IN us now more that what He wants to work THROUGH us.
9. He wants to learn us a new and different type of dependency upon Him.
10. He wants to help us to be better servants.(by serving one another for 24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, 9 months of the year.) That’s almost scary, but lets rather say: it’s gonna be challenging.

What I realized in October 2008 was that 2009 will not be a year of Feasts and mountain top experiences and big events, but it will be a year of being faithful in the ordinary things of life! I realized that it will be important to come back to Namibia having an even closer relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

At one stage I was worried that our year will be too busy: moving, packing, new places, always on the run – when God showed me in Is 28 about “Menucha”: resting place, to rest in Him, Peace. I realized that I must make sure that amongst the excitement of it all, to always make time for rest and quietness. God is ready to give me “Menucha”

So yes, it might be a little extra ordinary what we’re doing, but we follow God. We trust Him and will listen to the voice that will speak(Isaiah 30:21). We want to go with His plans. So here we are: GOING!!

We greeted loved ones, friends, soldiers of God’s Kingdom and Namibia. We trust God to come back stronger, wiser, energized and seeing far and clear.

We also trust God to be with my mom. That He will comfort Ouma Himself and through special people who will hug her for us. Thanks Mamma for who you are, what you do and how you love us. We really love you!

May God bless you all as you go into 2009 – for you a new adventure just as much as it is for us. Stay close to Him, listen well and then do whatever He asks. We will do the same.

Remember to live well, love much and laugh often!
Thank you Jesus.