The Moment (What the Tour has taught me: Switzerland) Tinus

Finally, the next post on what this tour has taught me. Now is the time for Switzerland:

Allow me to start this post, which was written in stages at various locations, over numerous gallons of coffee and at a host of separate times, by stating my dilemma: I am on a world tour and realize how special it is. Therefore, I want to make each and every moment count. Often though, I catch myself focusing so much on ensuring the moment carries value in the future that I forget to enjoy it in the present. Or, I feel bad about time that has past that seems to have been wasted and therefore spend a lot of time trying to attach worth to it: trying to prove to myself that it was not a waste. In the process, the current moment is wasted. Or, so desperately do I try to learn from the past and plan for the future…that I miss the now.

And, alas, this problem is not new to me. Long before the start of this tour I have been having trouble in making each moment count: both now and for eternity.

I know, this seems incredibly stupid and I might be the only person with this problem. But, allow me still to share what I have learned regarding this point, even if it is just for my own benefit…

In 1 Corinthians 15:52 Paul writes the word moment; or the Greek word atomos, to be more precise. Atomos literally means an indivisible slice of time…a moment! I quote Paul, starting midway verse 51 as he is referring to the day at the end of the ages when heaven comes in all its fullness and glory: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Now, I do encourage all to go and read the entire 1 Corinthians 15. The chapter escalates in suspense (if suspense is the right word) from the beginning up to this point and with this verse just explodes. It's kind o' like a piece of classical music (and I must admit, if it hasn't been deduced already, that I am no authority on such music…I probably even muffed the name. But, stick with me.) You know, when the music start slow and gradually it increases in speed and impact and at some point you realize you are no longer just being soothed. Something is busy happening. And then suddenly, nearly every instrument in the orchestra breaks loose in a glorious anthem. I was told that a Russian composer (please forgive me for not being able to quote either the name of the composer or of his work…I would appreciate it if someone could tell me) once reached this stage in one of his works and no instrument could be found to accurately portray the height of joy, exuberance and total victory he wished convey. His final solution was to fire a multitude of military canons at this point!

Anyway, this is the idea I get when Paul speaks of the resurrection (and transformation into the incorruptible) at the end of the age, dealing with several misconceptions and false beliefs and then suddenly when he mentions the actual moment of it happening, he looses composure and burst forth in song! Oh, how wonderful will that resurrection and the eternity thereafter be!!!

Back to the moment Paul referred to. Here God, in a moment, transforms every human being, living and already dead that belongs to Him, into beings fit to enter eternity. If you ask me, that is a pretty mighty work to accomplish in but a single moment!

Five truths do I wish to highlight concerning the moment and eventually come to one simple, apply-able conclusion.

Firstly, it is of worth to note that this is the only place in Scripture where the word atomos is used. I believe this indicates that God and God alone is capable of fully utilizing every single moment. For me to ponder the correct usage of each and every moment for a human is thus utterly upsurd!

This realization, bears tremendous liberation. No longer do I have to strive to make each moment count. No longer have I to ensure I am enjoying each moment to the full (a concept which, in itself is dull, since in no way can the full measure of joy available to a mortal man be reached this side of The Moment, the one Paul referred to).

Can I therefore abandon all attempts to make my moments carry value, if any such attempt seems Biblically futile? By all means no!

I continue with truth number two: the fact that God does use moments. In fact, the entire fabric of time is woven with atomos. By raising up one person here or dropping a single truth there, He changes the entire course of History. You see, He simultaneously exists yesterday, today and forever. He knows exactly what was, is and will be. By introducing small, seemingly insignificant pebbles at the exact precise points, He can change the course of flow of the river of time. By drilling tiny holes at the correct places in a solid concrete wall, the wall can be brought down. (And yes, both these illustrations do come from television.) A wonderful example of His use of moments can be seen in a video created for Hillsong's Easter Film and Art festival (which we had the privilege of attending!!!) Check it out at http://vimeo.com/4353484. I'll get back to this point when I write on what I learned on the Alaskan Cruise.

Truth number three I already alluded to: all of History and all our lives are composed of moments. Our timeline is built with atomos. Now, some of these moments are better that others. Some you wish will never end and some just don't want to end. I know my life thus far has had high- and low-lights and everything in between. And, I know that is how it will be in the future.

Before I continue, a quick story: On Saturday the 11th of July my brothers and I undertook the pilgrimage to the AMC Imax a fair distance south of our home in Atlanta. The entire family (including our sponsor, my grandmother) squeezed into the car and we headed off. Our goal: Transformers...the Imax experience. The outcome: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Words exist not to describe it!

It was that morning, before we hit the road, that I started working on this post. By then, I must admit, I had little to write. After the movie (which, have I mentioned, was absolutely awesome!?) we cooled down in the Barnes and Noble Bookstore closeby. Walking through the millions of books, I was just struck by the immensity of human knowledge and history. I wanted to matter in the greater scheme of it all and realised there was only one way to be sure of that. I simply needed to be obedient to the One that knows every single story of every single human being and every single other creature that roamed this planet in every single moment of its existence! The Lord really blessed me in that bookstore and spoke to me in clarity unmatched for a long time in my life. That was a highlight in my life.

In the store's Starbucks coffee shop, a number of coffee mugs were for sale. Being a fan of coffee (I don't know if you have noticed) I went to check it out. One series of mugs each was adorned with some welknown quotes. One of them struck me: "A life is not measured by the number of breaths it contains, but by the number of moments that take your breath away!"

Right then and there my perspective on the whole concept of the moment changed.

Which brings me to truth number three. The value of my life –both the degree to which I enjoy it and the eternal value it carries- is determined by the sum of the moments it contains. A greater amount of Great moments, or moments that take your breath away, will elevate the overall value of my life.

Truth number four expands on this idea. Not only does a Great Moment increase the overall value of a life, but also the value of the lesser moments around it. The opposite is also true: the lesser moments affect the magnitude of the Great Moments.

Thinking about life in this way has helped me. For now, increasing the value of my life is simplified. I can either increase the average value of the sea of lesser moments, or increase the frequency of the Great moments. According to truth number one (and the personal experience from which it was partially derived) I cannot ensure that every single moment is of Great value, but I can to some degree increase the number of Great Moments. I know, for example that sitting on the lakeshore gazing at the Chicago skyline with a bible in my hand and the Lord by my side is more likely to be a Great moment than watching television. But, even this I cannot really control. In my life, a large number of moments in front of movies that ripped my heart have been far Greater than many other moment with Bible in hand and the best scenery imaginable abounding. And besides, by merely trying to increase the frequency of Great Moments, I'm doing nothing to increase the average value of lesser moments.

Truth number five and my conclusion: Though I can to some degree control the occurrence of Great moments, they very often happen at times when I did not expect. There are, however, certain paths of life that hold a greater number of Great moments. The path on which I find myself, will also affect the average magnitude of all my lesser moments. Bottom line: Instead of concentrating on the current moment and making it count, make sure that you are on the right path and the moment will take care of itself!

Since this realisation hit me, I have applied this concept and have enjoyed the fruit. To me this has been liberating. Thank you Jesus!

Now, concerning the correct path to take several things can be said, but say it now I shan't.The topic of another post it might be.

This then...to make the moment count by ensuring you are on the right path is what this tour had begun teaching me in Switzerland.

From freezing to steaming 23/2/09 (Charlie)

I am now writing from a very hot Phuket, thinking about the interesting physical exercise scenarios thus far, happy to share them with you! Before I do that, I just want to talk about a few things that's going on in my mind and in my heart.

The last few days have been like a rally: of emotions, time, traveling and finally relaxation. Some of those emotions were laughter and happiness inside while at other times they were regrettably exhaustion, impatience and worry. My mother already shared all our travel frenzies with you and thus you can understand the above emotions. I felt unsure inside with all that was going on around me but then, during one of my silent times with the Lord last week, I felt in my spirit that the Lord said to me He knows my thoughts and feelings and He will be there to comfort me. It was then that He gave me Acts 2:25 "Nothing and no one will let you stumble"! It was then that Jesus' teachings hit me, "You of little faith". I realised then that I just have to have more faith in Him and trust Him to guide me and to protect me. From there on , after asking the Lord's forgiveness, I began to enjoy everything to the full again, not stressing or worrying about future road blocks, but giving it to the Lord and deciding to praise Him no matter what.I was stealing my own joy, because I was thinking about myself and not about the people around me who were also having a tough time traveling. God came through for us thus far and I believe that He always will!

Having talked about that I decided to write about all our perspiration and exhaustion. It began in Switzerland... My father (previously manager of my WHS rugby side) did not want to send back an unfit son to Namibia, especially because the reason for going back to Namibia was to play very tough rugby. Thus me and Tinus started jogging and running in the mountains. Those first few jogs were devastating. Not only because I was unfit at the time but also because of the high altitude and because everything was up hill. The icy cold weather didn't help either. I didn't know my fingers and ears could burn that way without heat, sometimes after a jog I couldn't even stretch my frozen face enough to smile... At the end I enjoyed all the mountain running a lot not only because I knew it was great exercise but because I had a breathtaking view every time.

When we arrived in Germany about two weeks ago, it was a whole new experience again. Being in the woods with a slight drizzle and no snow(not for long) me and Tinus decided to go and jog in these woods. Except for still being very cold, everything was different. We had no view, just trees. When it snowed the following few days there it made all the jogging in the woods even more interesting and more tiring. Leaving Germany with all it's traveling and driving to Frankfurt and back I knew that my exercise routine was going to go up a notch, in toughness and degrees Celsius.

Arriving in Singapore with all the humidity and searing heat I knew this was going to be a mental battle, but I was determined to win... "Traveling is amazing" I thought when standing without a shirt on the beach in Phuket after our first jog. I was sweating all over after a steaming hot, blazing fast run. No more cool mountain jogging. This was extreme! What made it more exciting and tough was that my Father got a whistle and wanted to see sprints... A lot of them... Although this wasn't easy I tried to slow time and think about God's grace and goodness to give me a healthy body to use all energy and to move most of my body on full capability. This made running exciting and gave me the feeling of freedom.

I am glad to inform you that my father is going to another gear with me and that it is going to get a lot worse. I Praise God and trust in Him.

Till next time I write, be faithful with your time with the Lord and trust in Him because He is There for you as well(Psalm 11 - 13)! Sorry That is all for today, I have to go and run sprints now! God bless!

Charlie

P.S. "Come on Charlie you can do it!

My Last 1 from the Swiss Alps-4/2/09 (Chrisna)

Almost unbelievable, but we've been here already for more than 3 weeks!!What a wonderful, special, blessed and peaceful time this has been. Definitely the longest period in my life in which I've "done" the least. But what happened in me, was great. Some times tougher than what I wanted, but still great. My pace is slower. That's a first and it is good. Even my heartrate is slower than normal!!

A summary of our time here would be: to practice to "be", to fellowship with each other(that is our crowd of 5), to do schoolwork and office work and mail work, to have quiettime alone and together, to read, to laugh, to walk, to cook, to wash, to clean. We went down to Sion 3x to buy food and experience Sion. This city they say, is 2000 years old. To see the churches,castles and cobblestone streets,knowing it's dating back to the time of Jesus and Paul is humbling.



We went to Leukerbad to swim in the hot water while the snow is lying next to the pool and the steam is all around you. (Tinus and Dawie J decided that Leukerbad is the place where they will come for honeymoon!!) We drove through the whole of Val de Herens, the valley in which Mase,our town is also situated. The children went 2x to toboggan down the ski slopes near our house. And that is about it! The rest of the time, we were in our wonderful chalet.

There are 3 reasons why we did not drive around a lot: 1. It snowed often, either covering the roads with snow or a day or 2 later with ice. Not our normal driving conditions! 2. The road from Sion to our house above the town of Mase, is a STEEP ,narrow, winding road. Imagine that you climb the hight from Swakop to Windhoek, not over 400 km, but over 15km! Also a challenge. 3. We chose to stay home, because we loved it so much.

A big miracle that happened, is that I actually made food! A balanced, cooked, dollar stretching meal every day AND my men said the food was good. Charlie actually said today that my food was one of the highlites of Switzerland- can you believe? He surely knows his mother's love language! I'm on cloud 9!!

We will miss Switzerland. We've come to get used to the mountains - their height and impressiveness and feeling of smallness in the midst of all of this majestic surroundings. Also the colours are familiar on our eyes now. Where ever you look, you see White with some shade of brown. It is almost as if you are looking at a photo of years gone by: white and brown, every where, non stop, but more white than brown.




I wonder when in our lives will we see this again, if ever? I am so greatful that we had this oppurtunity now. We all are and know that we are blessed.

Sunday, during our homechurch, we talked about time . The importance of every moment, the choices you make and the nurturing of the moments. We decided to remind each other about the following:1. God is in every moment,He will be with us always. He will take care of us and guide us. 2. We must experience every moment to the full, not get used to this peacefull pace, but always remember it as a blessing. 3. We must remember that choices need to be made every moment. The best is if you make right choices all the time. 4. We must learn from the past, plan for the future, but live to the full in the present. 5. We must continue to create memories.

(1 Sam 17:41-45, Luke 12: 22-28 , Ps 90:12 , Job 14:5 to name a few places in Scripture)

Tomorrow is our last day here. It will be a busy day, but we are prepared and ready. Dawie and Charlie will still fit in a day of school in the morning, while I'll pack. That's packing every thing we have with us(that's now for 9 months of living) ,in 5 suitcases. In the afternoon we will clean. It will be a practical experience of "Teamwork makes the dream work". Our plan is to leave Friday morning with 1st light, still trusting that God will keep the snow away until after we have left the mountain.

I don't know when the next blog will be posted, as we don't know if we will have Internet in Germany at our next "home". I'm in any case not so clever with all the connections and things we are supposed to have. Tinus is absolutely convinced that I do not have a Clue about Internet and will most probably never really understand how it works. He is correct, but why must I know if I have him!? He is reminding me that he will not be there next year -- hard reality -- that's why he must teach his brothers.

May God bless you and may you use every second of your day and every day of your life to the full and to the Glory of God. I'll do the same...

Swiss Alps - 02/02/09 (Dawie J)

I like the snow. It is a nice change to the heat and green grass. But I will choose the heat before the cold. A few days ago, we went to swish down the mountain with Tboghins, a bit up from our home. We fell alot and laughed at each other. When we waited for Mom and Dad, I built my own little snowman. His name was Pat. Tinus and Charlie also built one - a big one.

A day after that we went swimming in hot water.It is freaky: you are in the water and snow is lying less than a metre from you. Most of the pools are outside, in the open air. The waterslides were great fun. It was my favourite part.

Today I played BOBSLEIGH with my shoe and one of my army men in the snow.

I enjoy the school. It's different than normal school and I work much harder, but I don't have homework.

I make tea for the family more than any one else.

The first month of our world tour - 30 Jan '09 (Dawie)

It is difficult to believe that one month has passed since the start of our journey. What a month!! It may well be the best of my life!

Highlights..? It is not easy to choose: London, Paris, a ski-resort in France and the Swiss Alps... Our accommodation was superb. The family's attitudes were great. Church services were refreshing. I spent quiet time with the Lord more than ever before. Read three good books and more than 200 pages in the Bible. Charlie's accounting periods were very enjoyable. Revision and translation of my book "Who is stealing my joy" is on schedule. The liaison with the African Leadership Institute ("ALI") office in Windhoek and the Rock Lodge in Okahandja is smooth and the planning of the rest of our trip is coming on nicely.

Let me just mention a few highlights:

1. The slower pace, lots of time with the Lord and family

2. Visit to a small church in a village where I have prayed for hours for God's soldiers in Namibia
3. The commitment and level of ownership of ALI and Rock Lodge teams back home

4. One whole day in warm waterresort in the snow and our first humble braai in the snow

5. Meditation and walk with the Lord on the future ( for the new season on our return)

6.Visiting of towns that exits for 2000 years and impressive church buidings built in 1150

7. The constant thought that our trip is not going to end tomorrow or next week.

The more I walk with the Lord the more I realise that we should do everything we can to know Jesus better and to trust Him more ( in other words, our faith should grow and whatever we are or do, should be in complete love.) Read Gen 18:14, Num 11:23 and Jer 32:27... if you meditate on those verses it will strengthen your faith.

To our Lord Jesus Christ be all honour and glory. He alone is worthy. I also feel deeply thankful towards the "3 , the 12 and the 72" (boardmembers, friends, family, staff, management, fellow workers, supporters, etc.) who made it possible for us to do this trip. I will make a few comments on them in Feb .

My our Lord Jesus Christ' peace and presence be with you.

Where is the car? Swiss Alps

This is how our car looked on Thursday, after lunch. We thought it quite funny, took pictures...

...and then started to clean it. The 4 men did a good job. Then we drove to town to buy food.

We did not come out of our house on Friday or Saturday,as it was snowing. When we cam out Sunday afternoon,we saw this picture!!
Bottom line: never think that this is the ultimate, something more spectacular might just happen the next day. God is always full of surprizes!!

Question: What do you do if you cannot find your car?
Answer: When in Namibia - - phone the police, it's most probably stolen!
When in Switzerland - - start digging where you last saw it , it is there.

Swooshing in Suiss. 27 January 2009 (Charlie)

What is the climax of happiness? Some might say giving away money,some like spending it, others may say that traveling is the ultimate. A Russian would say it is when the KGB come to your home looking for Ivan Ivanovich and you say Ivan Ivanovich lives next door. A family man would say that there's nothing like being with your family and all of us are born to like spending time with our Father in heaven.

Everything said, what is the ultimate for me? I like to have a bit of everything. Traveling to a different destination, Spending every hour of every day with my family and most of all spending hours in my Heavenly Father's arms. You might say it sounds unfair that I have all of this, but isn't grace always a bit of unfair happiness on earth!

Looking towards the future where everything isn't always going to be this way ,I know that having the right attitude and reacting out of the Spirit will always fend off a burning arrow heading your way, even if it is a stray arrow. That's where I am now. I'm working hard at the relationships with the people around me, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but at the same time reacting out of love and a soft heart and not out of self righteousness and revenge. It is not easy and I still fail a lot but I know I can accomplish everything through Christ who strengthens me.

The hard part over with," what have I been doing here in the Swiss Alps?" Other than working hard at my school work in the mornings, the afternoons are filled with laughter and excitement. The most fun of all: two bobsleigh like plastic snow sleds that is not only fun because of the amount of snow but also because we have an immense amount of slopes to go down.

I don't know how fast we go, but it is a bit fast for comfort. One wrong turn and you are sent flying through the air into the soft snow. That's probably why we enjoy it so much. Me and Dawie race often and he always ends up winning me while he is accidentally going backwards. I guess that's because he actually fits in the thing...


Other than swooshing, me and Tinus go on daily up hill jogs with spectacular scenery and immense fresh air(It is not as wonderful as I am trying to convince myself).



We also drive down the mountain to go shopping for food once we have sunlight. These drives are amazing, not just because of the shear hugeness of the mountains but because of sights like seeing vineyards covered with snow and castles and churches on every small hill top.

I have to work now, so enjoy everything you do, even though you are running uphill!

House meeting

We had a house meeting on 22 Jan. The agenda was to evaluate the trip so far.3 Topics were discussed with a summary of it below:

1. What works/ what must we continue to do:

-The scheduled 1 hr individual quiet time first thing every morning,with breakfast there after.
- Technology and the input of Tinus
- Chrisna's "saving attitude" in all areas
- 3 meals/day
- The fact that each have a "work place"
- Home church on Sundays
- Charlie's rusks
- The program: 8h15 - 10h30 Session 1
10h30 - 11h00 Break
11h00 - 13h00 Session 2
13h00 Lunch
14h00-16:00 Home work/session 3
16h00 Excersize time
- The slower pace

2. What does not work/ what must we change

- Not enough computers, must plan better and give everyone opportunities
- Charlie's summaries: some on paper and some on computer(should be shortened)
- One extra session Bible study together: mid-week service on Tu/Wed/Thursday evening
- Clean up/pick up after yourself

3. What did we learn so far?

- The slower pace/peacefulness helps to practice the presence of the Lord, to walk intimately with Him.
- Confirmation of God's Greatness and Goodness!!
- You have to constantly remind yourself why and for Who you do, what you are doing.
- Attitude is a choice, whether +/-, whether you moan or are content. You choose what "new song" you sing - every time

Dawie J is satisfied with every thing

We will do such an evaluation on a regular basis.

Swiss Alps , 23 January 2009 (Chrisna)

It is SNOWING. I don't mean snowing like the past few days where snowflakes slowly drift to the ground, I mean snowing shorr-shorr like rain in Namibia really coming down. It's big flakes and coming down Fast! And it is falling like this ever since we woke up this morning and it is now 15h00, definitely not slowing down. We can see the trees directly in front of our house, but everything else is just pure white.
One can almost see the "cold" outside, but inside it is nice and cozy and warm and safe.

My description is NOT that of a typical high "I", but a true wordpicture of what's happening here.I trust you get the picture that we are all snowed in. I guess that you can also say: "trapped inside of our house". The wonderful thing is just that we do not feel threatened or sad or trapped, but rather safe. What we have here is exactly what God showed me yesterday about our time here.

The picture I got was that the period here in the Swiss Alps,is like a worm in a cocoon. The worm needs to be inside for a purpose, namely,for change and growth to take place. This worm needs to be transformed into a butterfly. The butterfly can only come out if it is 100% formed, ready to do what it is supposed to do. This is what God showed me that we all need this time as individuals, but also as a family, to be transformed more and more into His image. The SELF must die, so that "Jesus in me " can live through me in ALL circumstances.

This picture was confirmed when last night,during our "mid-week service" Charlie prayed that God will transform each one of us , so that we will not be the same as always, but more and more like Him.

We were snowed in, but this happening today, the shorring down of snow, is as if God is framing my picture, hitting the nails in real deep. We must not wonder about this, we must know and remain content inside and "grow". God means business if we ask Him to teach us and mould us. (I know He uses different places and circumstances for different people, but this is most probably the BEST for the Fouries!)

I've come to the shocking realization, that I was so busy the past ?21 years - always doing some thing, working on a to-do list, performing , still more things to do, that I forgot how to "just be". Yes, I could do it for an hour or two, but not for days. I had to get used to this so much slower pace, less things to do, NO television to act as a filler of time, no magazines or newspapers, no friends to phone or drink coffee with, no ...you get the drift. Here in our snowed in refuge, it's me, my 4 family members, the Bible, a book or 2, music and God. This is where my attention, time and energy much be spend on. It took some time,looking in God's mirror and honesty to realize that it's difficult for me. Now that I'm through that and understand our "cocoon situation" , I am actually excited. I know that for me,it's almost a birth process to take place. A Chrisna is being born who can also go slow, wait(really wait) upon the Lord, serve (my family) with out getting tired, listening better , get their opinions and I am sure that God will still show me a few other things in the next few days.(we won't get out of here quickly!)

I am sure that this cocoon period will mean something different for each one of the 5 Fouries, because God works with each individual individually. I have shared my heart now as to how He is busy with me(perhaps I have shared too much, but I need to be honest and need to write down what is happening inside of me in order for me to grow,and this blog is our journal. If you don't understand all I wrote, just ignore the detail and pray that I will hear what God is teaching me)

It is still snowing. Still plenty of time for a butterfly to be formed...
Thank you God for loving me so much.

Our trip's finances: 20 January 2009 (Dawie)

Since the first day we started speaking about the around the world trip, the finances were a huge challenge.(Especially as I no longer earn a salary and Chrisna only works for half-day.)

As my dear friend, Bruce Wilkinson, teaches in the course "Vision of a leader":..resources will never be a validation for a vision...only a test.

I want to give God all the honor and glory for providing everything that is necessary.

Here are a few points of information on the finances of our trip:

Planning:
We started saving years ago(and through God's grace we saved in Euro).
We were always satisfied with the essential (no brand names).
We compiled a budget, discussed it among the family and took ownership thereof.
Our budget was detailed and specific(separate for air tickets, accommodation, transport, food, vacations, electronic equipment, special events, etc.)

Accommodation:
We were heavily dependent on home exchanges so that our accommodation costs are kept to a minimum. Chrisna put in tremendous effort to secure a place to stay via home exchange in nearly every country. The gaps here and there we filled with our RCI points or internet specials. Tinus plays a huge role in the latter.

Air tickets:
We bought, after extensive research (and lots of help from Trip Travel) an around-the-world-ticket (more than 50% discount). Trip Travel also sponsored our tickets from Windhoek to Europe (return).

Transport:
We make use of the cheapest possible transport, starting with car exchanges (same principle as home exchanges), public transport, internet specials or car rentals (luckily I am still an Avis President's club member which gives us discounted options).
As a family we need to be flexible and need to travel "light" (not with plenty of luggage).

Food:
We try to stay away from restaurants as far as possible. Once arriving in a new area we request from the locals where the cheapest food stores are. We then buy more of the stuff which are locally produced and which are locally the cheapest. In the morning we will have a bowl of cereal or "beskuit" (which Charlie baked), for lunch Chrisna will cook and in the evening something light. Portions food are allocated to each one – it’s no open buffet. We have to drink lots of water with a local fruit per day between meals. We also drink no cooldrink with our meals.

Special events:
We have separately budgeted for special events.(A musical in London, 5 days of skiing, hopefully Hong Kong sevens, a super 14 match, a baseball match, a play, Disney-land (LA), the Global Leadership Summit in Chicago and a world athletics championship in Greece, to mention a few.) As this is extremely expensive we just felt that if we don't plan this thoroughly then we will just do nothing. Special friends like Faffa Knoetze, amongst others, even contributed towards the building of these special memories.

In conclusion:
A good plan will only have a good ending if it is managed well. Actuals therefore needs to be compared to the budgets on a regular basis. Tough decision need to be made weekly.

I am proud of the whole team. Chrisna is a natural excellent steward and tries to save where she can. Tinus plays a tremendous supporting role and is saving thousands through the internet specials. Charlie and Dawie J's attitude towards the budget and the accepting of sacrifices, deserves a round of applause.

Lastly, I once again wish to honor our Lord Jesus Christ, for His love, grace and provision. His Name is above all names - there is none like Him.

Matt 6:33 Pro 3:5-6

Mase, Switzerland - 20 Jan (Tinus-finally!)

Some, it appears have noted my absence on this blog thus far. I am therefore compelled to open my account as far as recording our experiences are concerned. Currently I have just finished a wonderful lunch, am staring at a white outdoors and ,I think, I am ready. So here goes:

Situated in the Swiss Alps, at about the same altitude as Windhoek and south of the city of Sion, our chalet looks out over the Val 'd Herans valley. The view is truly breathtaking, framed by two peaceful trees and a fluffy-cloudy sky! Each morning, at about the time our daily devotion comes to a close, the sun appears from behind the peek that dominates this view. Slowly the entire valley comes alive. Light gradually infiltrates every nook and cranny and the snow, rock and wood start resounding the praise of their Creator. A peace – a cool, still, yet lively kind of peace – radiates from everything in view and accompanies us throughout the day.

At about 10 in the morning, I guess things in our house start getting interesting (or about as interesting as school- and office-work can get), for at about that time the sun’s rays (Mr Hot and his sister, Bright) pay us a visit. They probably mean well (and my mother likes them a lot), but usually wind up chasing Charlie from his desk. The warmth they bring are unanimously accepted as welcome, though, and for that reason we choose not to chase them out. They usually leave just before lunch anyway, for although we eat enough, we won’t be able to feed them as well.

Our afternoons follow a no real routine. Some read, some work, some rest and some have the ability to keep themselves busy for hours with just a few miniature soldiers and prestic. At about six, we enjoy our supper and afterwards mostly end up around the Siedler board or the small laptop screen. Exactly what course of action to take, or what movie to watch takes a while to determine by democratic vote, but whatever is chosen, everyone takes pleasure in it.

In summary, we go to bed happy and satisfied.

And on that bombshell… (TopGear joke. Sorry, I had to do It at least once.)

I believe this then accounts for my first post. As to when the next one will be, however, we are all but left to speculate.

Swiss Alps , 20 January 2009 (Chrisna)

After days of sunshine, it snowed for 2 days. It is still an absolute blessing here in Switzerland, here in this wonderful chalet. It’s not only well equipped, well situated with the view(if it’s not snowing) but also cosy and warm and nice.(that’s a good Namibian word for just right, lekker) We really appreciate all that our host family provided for us and we look forward to bless them as well when they visit Namibia in 2010.

Another work week started yesterday, this time a 5 day week!! Dawie J and Charlie is working hard and disciplined. I’m proud of them. I still make food, trying a different menu each time. I know of many ways already to make potatoes and carrots.(that’s our main ingredients) Any recipes are welcome.(please remember my abilities and keep it simple?)

We had a wonderful weekend. Went to explore a bit on Saturday and bought enough food to last us more than a week, in case the weather stays bad.( God is faithfull to have warned us, now we are all fixed and prepared.) We also went for a walk to a mountain peak. What we did most , was to idle around the house, read, play Siedler von Catan and: Build a Puzzle.

The puzzle building was more than doing something together which we NEVER get time for back home, it was also a life lesson. We’ve built a 1000 piece puzzle and found that the only way to build and complete this puzzle, was to refer to the picture on the puzzle- box often. To know what piece you are looking for next and to know where a certain piece will fit, you have to look at the picture. We realized that a 30 piece puzzle can still be built without a picture, but a 1000 pieces not. If we did not have the picture, we would still be struggling, or more likely, have given up. With the picture at hand, it took us 1,5 days to finish the puzzle. The LESSON?: Life is a lot like building a puzzle. We seldom see the big picture, only a “piece of the puzzle” at a time. The most effective way to know what to do next, what is the right thing to do or what to do under certain circumstances( what to do with the puzzle piece) is to look at the picture on the box. In life ,that picture is the Bible. We have to look there often to know what to do, where to go and keep the big picture in mind. Building the puzzle of life without the picture to refer to, will be hard, frustrating and perhaps cause you to give up, or look at other pictures to try to figure out what to do!! Looking at a wrong picture, will not help you finish the puzzle victoriously.

So after our exercise, we have decided and recommitted and agreed: the BEST way to build the “life puzzle” is to look at the picture of “life” , the picture we find in the Bible. We must do that often, as individuals, also as a family and we will get the guidelines. God will continue to show the way. (Is 30:21 confirms that)

When you have time again, go build a 1000 piece or bigger puzzle as a family, and see if you can do it with out the picture. We sure couldn’t and wouldn’t.

That’s enough from me, Perhaps if I leave the computer open, Tinus just might put his fingers to the keyboard. Perhaps…

Holiday is over, Switzerland 16 Jan 2009 (Chrisna)

The experiences in London,Paris and Orciere were wonderful, but all play and no work willl not work.
On 14 Jan, the same day school started in Namibia, our work year also started. I calculated approximately how many working days we will have and we worked out what Dawie J and Charlie must do daily to make sure they stay on schedule. Tinus studied Charlie,s syllabus and appointed an accounting teacher for him. Mr DJ Fourie will have time with Charlie every 3rd day. "Not too shabby" is the expression we would all say now. (When we say this, it means we are very satisfied. Come to think of it, we say it often, very often.)

Dawie, that's old Dawie ,reads a lot of Bible and teach us every now and then. He is also quite busy with emails and keeping The Rock Lodge, ALI and the Turn The Tide Coffeeshop on the road with the help of very capable people back home.

And me, I am teacher to Dawie J, schoolprincipal to Charlie and his teacher Tinus and cook. Yes, you heard me right: I put food on the table 3x a day and no, they don't just get soup. God is realy helping me to make food as well! I must also be clever and creative, because EVERYTHING is VERY expensive(and we have a limited budget)Also, the amount and variety as well as spices,etc we have is limited. My 4 men are not hungry, but not full either. When they see a cow, they want to slaughter it. You will see on the photo how they get ALL out of a plate of food. (They most definitely miss the visits at Ouma and all she always has on offer.)I even made them bananaloaf, but true to my gifting, it wouldn't have made a cake sale.(the "poudre a lever" is either not baking powder or I did not use enough) We called it rubberbananacake. The good news is: it tasted very good. Today Dawie was the cook, MUCH better than my banana rubber...

We have the wonderful priviledge to be in contact with Ouma almost daily, as we bought a SKYPE phone for her for Christmas. Thank you to every one who give her so much special attention, and Ilsje who took her some photos of the boys on the ski slopes. May God bless you.

Although we work on special projects, have school daily from 8 till 13h00, work on emails and the offices back home , it is not busy. There is peace and quietness and a relaxed feeling. I often think that this is part of MENUCHA that God has promised. The rest in Him. I praise His name and is so greatful for this blessing.We start each morning with 1hr individual quiettime, whereafter we start the day. Tinus plays Julius Magan singing either "Good morning God" or the Afrikaans version of it to get us all up to start with our personal devotions. How wonderful to know" God, this is your day" and then to live the day that way.

We also exercise in the afternoon. 2 Go for a jog and the other 3 walk. Being high up in the Alps with outside temperatures of -9 makes this quite a challenge.

All in all, we are blessed. Not food in abundance, but satisfied and blessed. We thank God for this and may our lives give Glory to Him

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)