Landy's Home!

Some people may say so what!

Well... the "So what" is all about Landy having been away from home for quite some time to get prepared for painting, and also to get his first decent coat of paint in a long time.

I was really chuffed to be able to get him painted in what turns out to be an original Land Rover colour - that being a sand-beige. Quite a light colour, but I really like it.

Now it's a matter of getting everything built up again onto him, and then finally get him through the roadworthy test. Sounds simple doesn't it?
Not quite... especially as I have to recheck a number of items which have taken some punishment during the prepping and painting processes.
And to top it all off - the clutch master cylinder decided that it also wanted some attention. And that attention I gave it today - with the help of my 2 faithful assistants (Hanno & Chris). Having them working with me has been seriously enjoyable over the last 2 weekends. Chris keeps saying that he's not worth much when it comes to helping, but the additional hands, along with his willingness to learn, are great.

When the Family moves on...

It's amazing how you can see how life moves into new phases just by watching what's happening within your family.

I took my spice (my spouse / wife) away for a weekend recently. Had a great time!
Over this weekend our children moved on to new things in their lives. Our daughter got her driver's license, and our son got engaged! Wow!

This just helped again to realize how they're growing up, but also served as another reason to bring praise and honour to God Almighty. He's helped us to raise them, and He's helped them in these decisions and trials which are part of their lives. We both are so proud of them - and so thankful to God.

I suppose what some people may (and probably do) see as the flip side of these happenings, is that we are getting old, and that the kids don't need us any more. My take on this is that I can praise God that we seem to have done a fairly good job of raising them. I mean... they are able to stand on their own feet... to make decisions, and do things which we can be proud of, whilst we aren't around. Some may think "So what's the big deal?". I say that it is a big deal, especially within today's society.

So. In any case... think what you want... I'm still proud of my kids, and I'm still thankful to a mighty, wonderful God.

It's me Again!

It's been ages since I got around to typing anything here.
I've been rather busy both at home - and sort-of at work. I say sort-of 'cause we're busy, but we still have enough time to be able to stop and chat.

Life on the home-front is moving along well. Landy was collected yesterday from the school that was busy preparing him for painting. Their part was completed after they applied a coat of grey primer. I was quite surprised as to how good he looks in grey! Not that I want to keep him that colour though.
After collecting him, we took him down to the Body repair shop where he is to get his colour coat. Had a chat to one of the guys there about the colour - 'cause he said "I believe you want to spray him beige... come have a look here, and tell me if this is the colour you're thinking of."
Well, the truth is that I had actually... finally... decided that I wanted him beige. So I got to making up my mind!
What he showed me was exactly what I had in mind. I'm so glad I don't have to still try to get them to understand what I want. Makes things so much easier.

After work I popped around there again, 'cause I'd completely forgotten to get a pic or two of Landy at this atage of the process. This worked out great, as I got to meet the boss of the place - the son of the guy who had said he'd arrange the painting of Landy. We had a good chat, got to understand one another a bit better, and now I'm waiting for him to contact me so that we can discuss the actual work in some more detail.

Since I got the news that Landy was finished at the school I've been feeling strangely nervous. Almost as though I wasn't really expecting to get this far. LORD, I thank you for all the arrangements you have made in the preparation of Landy. You're awesome!

That's what the latter portion of last week focussed on. Today was on doing re-repairs to a friend's car. Last weekend was spent replacing the water pump. Today was spent figuring and addressing the cause of constant water loss. Turned out that one "blerry" bolt was a little too long, and when fastened, it pressed an indentation into the water pump casing alongside the thermostat. This upset the whole sealing ability of the thermostat cover.
But, thanks again to the Lord, that's sorted now. Took the car for a drive, and all's well.

So... what does tomorrow hold?

No idea right now.

BUT! I do know who hold tomorrow!!

Journalling my way through Moz

I tried to keep a daily journal whilst on outreach in Mozambique during June/July.
For those who would like to read through such a journal, I've included it below.

================== / ====================

Fri 26th - after work.
Continued packing at home - mainly own stuff. 1st, overnight bag for 2 nights. Things changed suddenly, resulting in Al & I having to sleep over in Maputo.
Finished that, then finished remainder of my packing - after having supper with the family. Bought KFC.
21h00
Went to Neil's to start packing vehicles.
What a process! So much to be packed in.
Got it right, but had to leave 5 bags of clothes etc. Shame... but shall use it elsewhere - even if it has to go to Zim with Marius.

Departed just after midnight.

Sat 27th
On way after filling up in Uth.
Made very good time. Got to Kei, had breakfast, with devotions, and on road again by 05h30!
Great trip, very good running from vehicles, and very good fuel consumption.
Stopped over at my folks'.....

Got to Hluhluwe. Guys all showered and in bed by 20h38. All tired.
Want to get going early tomorrow.

Collected Nelson today too, at Pavillion in Durban. Great to see him again - everyone excited, including himself.

Now only myself and Nelson still awake. Me writing, he learning?- busy in books.
I'm waiting for Walmer to arrive, 'cause they've still to give us the money for the Bibles. I think I hear their vehicles arriving!
One of theirs had to stay behind in EL due to problems.

Shall see how they're going to work this.

Sun 28th
Slept very well at Hluhluwe. Enjoyed an interesting devotional time.
Left around an hour later than planned for the border, but not too concerned, as the time was well used during devotions.
Very pleasant trip to Manguze. Filled vehicles, as well as ourselves, and got under way for final couple of kms for border post.
What a pleasant experience at the post. Got through very quickly, with virtually no questions being asked. Seems the costs for crossing have gone down. Also a boon, as this leaves funds for other things.
Deflated Steven's bakkie's tyres to make the trip through the sand easier.
Had a lekker time in the sand. Twice got "stuck", but not once did we need to take out a spade. Team bonding nicely!

Arrived at Salamanga to find an empty house. Found the Evangelist's kids, then went in to town. Found the evangelist there, only to discover that he was aware that we were coming, but had no idea what date! Made a team decision to continue on through to Maputo to tie up with Afonso.

Picked up Afonso, only to find out that his wife is sick with malaria. Spent time there, and prayed over her. We're trusting God to heal her.
Proceeded to the Mathe's Church/manse at Quartel. We were received with open arms. They cleared a room to provide us space to sleep. When I asked Henrique if we could set up our tents in his yard, he replied "no!". He said, "Our house is big enough, you can sleep in the house."

Mon 29th
Planned meeting with Bishop to further discuss our work plans.
Film show - to show "Faith like potatoes" at Eliote Mabone. On way discovered strange, disturbing noises coming from Marius' vehicle. Discovered that the rear axle was shifting. Drove back to Quartel very carefully after film.
Film not very successful - at least in our eyes - as the people were talking and joking all the way thru, with the numbers dwindling drastically as the film went on.

Martin discovered that he'd somehow lost his hip bag, which contained his passport, driver's license, ID, bank cards and money. Allan, Chris & I searched the area thoroughly, but came up with nothing. Martin went to bed very dejected. We prayed, and I believed that God could do great things even in such a situation.

Tues 30th
Repair work started on bakkie by Allan.
Steven, Henrique & I went to Bishop's office. Met up with Walmer guys (Bennett & Kelly), who had already had an hour's meeting with the Bishop. They'd discussed the "missing funds" with him, and had given him all the available info. He promised to investigate and feed back.
Meeting went well, and Bishop agreed to us spending 1st week in Maputo with Henrique. 2nd week to be spent based in Salamanga, working with Rev Juvencio Chongo. Juvencio agreed.
We'll thus move back to Salamanga on Saturday morning.
On the way we'll go around to Catembe to speak with Juvencio.

Spent part of the afternoon working further on Marius' bakkie.

Showed the Jesus film at Magoanine. Went back to handling the film in the "old" manner - stopped the film 3 times, basically where the reel changes would have taken place. Marius & Martin did talks, with Nelson translating.

At the end of the film, Marius counted 20 hands for those who had prayed the prayer of 1st time or recommittment to the Lord.
We prayed for the people for healing. I got in the way, taking over (without meaning to - or realising it), and so upset Marius. I apologised later when he & I spoke. I'm so glad he's honest with me. Thank you Father.

I had the privelege to lead 3 people in dedicating their lives to the Lord, 2 of them young boys, one a lady in her (est) 20's.

Wed 1st
The day started late, with me not getting up as early as I'd prefered - but that's what happens when you don't set an alarm!
Had a shower/bath, then wanted to dive straight into working on Marius' bakkie. BUT... Kristina had already made breakfast.

Got to the bakkie after breakfast - along with Allan, Chris & Marius. The others went to town to sort out spares as well as getting Martin's passport situation sorted out.

Found that the Diff-lock's diaphragm had a hole in, and that parts of it were corroded. No wonder it didn't work.
Couldn't get the guys to go get the parts, 'cause Maputo goes on lunch between 12h30 & 14h30! So we had lunch, & spoke some. Some of the guys had a nap.
Repaired some wiring in the manse, then sent both Hanno & Sandy sms's.

Allan & I took Afonso & his wife to the doc again. As we were leaving, the others arrived back, with the wonderful news that the spares had been acquired.

We came out Mavota to show the Jesus film. Started off vey few people, but Allan has just let me know that we have around 40 people spread around watching. It's your film, your message Father, have your way. Be glorified, whichever way you prefer.
Thank you Father for the miracle of healing you used tonight to bring glory to your name. (deaf lady prayed for, and thereafter heard)

Thurs 2nd

Teaching to Women's Manyano at Quartel...Steven...

{was this the day that Steven & I ministered to the kiddies and their teachers at the Creche? This is what happens when you don't make notes while it's still fresh in the mind?
The time of ministry to the little ones was great. We had fun, they had fun, and the teachers genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves too. They thanked us profusely afterward. We had used baloons, and the colours on them to talk to the littles ones about Jesus' love for them. Ended up blowing up 3 and a half packets of baloons to dish out at least one baloon per child. I say at least one, because, as is the nature of baloons, they tend to burst before you've finished with them all.
Thank you Abba Father that we - as "old" men can minister even here.}

Film show at Mahlanguene...

Fri 3rd

Leadership group at Quartel...Marius... I did not get detail as to how it went, but Marius seemed happy.

Leadership group at Marracuene...Marius. Gave them the teaching on the 4 pillars of the church. Was well received. We also handed over Bibles and seed. A challenge had been made by Marius to the Church to grow, and they took it up and said we must come back next year to see how much they've grown.

Film show at Marracuene. Passion of the Christ.
Quite a bit of ministry afterwards. The leader of the society even came forward and admitted to needing help with some problems in his life. Henrique was able to spend some time with him, and to begin planning spending the time with him which he needs. We prayed with him & his wife.

Sat 4th

Return to Salamanga...
Left Mathe's early, after getting up at 04h30. Realised cannot get everything we need to take into only 2 vehicles and trailer (even though we removed the trailer's dish-rack, stove and other brackets. Would thus have to have one vehicle return to Maputo for remainder of items once off-loaded in Salamanga.
Moved down to ferry, only to be pulled over by cops about 2km short of ferry. Alan wasn't wearing his seatbelt! They initially wanted to charge us for both him and me without belts, but quickly accepted that I had been wearing mine. Wanted to charge him MT600 for offence. When I requested receipt then said we'd have to go to station to do that. Began asking how much we had on us we replied definitely not MT600. I eventually told him I had maybe MT200 on me. He asked me to show him; upon which I opened my wallet & produced MT240 as discreetly yet carelessly as I could. He took it from my hand and said that they would let us off with that.
We proceeded, and just as we got to the ferry I told Al he'd have to make a U-turn somewhere further down the road. He turned into a roadway which is marked for government vehicles only - and ended up being pulled off by the next batch of cops! They wanted to take him to the station straight away. He had a bit of an argument with one over his license - he wouldn't let go of it! I don't blame him. They eventually ducked after they got MT420 from him. A MT680 (approx R200) mistake morning!

Prayer and devotions held on wall alongside ferry ramp. Nelson took devotions.
Ferry trip went well, without hitches. Drizzle settled in as we were getting ready to board, so everyone stayed in the cars.
Drove straight up to Catembe - to meet Rev Juvencio Chongo & WMC crowd. Caught them having breakfast.
I had my meeting with Juvencio - very fruitful. He requested that we please take a close look at the churches we visit, re the state of the buildings - and see if we can make a project of assisting with repairs etc.

Had coffee & egg on toast with WMC - with plenty garlic! Felt somewhat better.
Got under way. Road in fairly good condition - made travel easier and quicker.

We got some feedback from Afonso. His wife is getting much better, and he's on his way to meet up with Theunis and their group.
Thank you Father for healing her.

While we waited for Al & Tupperware to return from Maputo I took a long needed nap. Marius & Neil covered me with a blanket & let me sleep. Thanks guys! Neil even got some tablet out for me - no idea what it was. Slept about 4 hours. Felt much better after that, but decided not to go out the evening. Stayed in & prepared supper for team for when they returned.
Team went to see Thomas MabiCa church (Salamanga main society). Also showed Passion on soccer field in Salamanga.

Sun 5th

Attended Sunday service at Thomas MabiCa. Check photos to see condition of building! Really needs urgent attention! Could collapse any moment. Lovely service - Tupperware preached). 18 people responded to altar call.
Service lasted from 09h30 till around 12h30.

Went to Mfuti. Check GPS for distance. First time there that I remember.
Showed Indescribable and Passion. What a night - Nelson was worn out - maybe even shell-shocked. The combination of films had an immense effect on him. God - so absolutely enormous - and yet came to give himself for us, through such suffering! Struggled to handle / comprehend it.
Check detail on sms sent to Sandy tonight. Gonna sleep now - 12h50!
Thank you Father for a wonderful day!

Mon 6th

Al, Nelson & I going to Zitundo with Samuel (evangelist).

We met with the local leaders (8), and gave them a teaching. I used Marius' "4 Pillars of the church". They really took it in, and thanked us for bringing it to them.
They then gave us lunch - sitting on Zitundo's high ground overlooking the lake. Make's one feel you're on holiday!

We then went to the local primary school, and asked that they show us how they go about teaching the kids. After the teacher had taught them a couple of minutes I addressed the kids especially, to tell them how important it is to learn hard at school, and to encourage the teachers.

"Os animais domesticos (domestic animals)... check the pics taken for the words... Which I proceeded to say, standing at the board as one of the youngsters had (Al joined in without any prompting - great!).
They all seemed to love the idea. And the teacher said I had done very well.

Al, Nelson, Samuel & I went down to the lake, to have a look at it while there was still some daylight. Awesome sights! Check pics.

Showed the Passion on the soccer field. Nelson did very well. At the end, I then pushed him & Samuel to lead the people in prayer themselves. Good training for them! They did an excellent job!

Tues 7th

Left earlier than planned, to go to Xia & Matxia. arrived at Xia to find that the people were waiting for us the previous day. Messages had not gotten through to them, as there is no signal out there. We went to see the church anyway, took photos and spent time there in prayer and discussion with the steward.

On the way I managed to bog Steven's bakkie down a bit in the sand, but got going with only a push - no shovels used!
Alan had been travelling too close behind, and ended stopping in the soft stuff - bogging himself down too. Needed to be pushed out backwards so that he could get a proper run-up. On way back to Matxia neither of us got stuck.I drove the Landy (WHAT FUN!), and Steven drove his bakkie (what a struggle to get the smile off his face!).
Both vehicles really perform way above our expectations. Thank you again Lord for providing just what we needed.

Showed the Passion at Matxia. Large crowd, with some uneasiness, but still well behaved, even when handing out follow-up materials. Thank you Father for this mercy too.

Wed 8th

Must be back in Maputo early - to be able to pick up Martin's temp passport!
Woke up early, packed and said a rather lengthy good bye to Samuel & his family & the helpers at Salamanga. They've been really good to us. We prayed with & over them, then got under way.

My laptop's getting tested in all sorts of ways. I'm busy using it in the vehicle while Alan's driving. It's amazing where one can type (use a laptop). Again, Father, I can just say thank you for enabling me to get this tool.

We popped into Mica (big store) to check for some things, and to have a break. Then got back to the church in time for lunch.

After lunch Nelson, Marius & I went to visit Bishop Mahlalela. Was good to see him and Quiteria again. He's really gotten old since I last saw him, but still wants to be involved with the work once he's regained his strength. I promised to keep him posted via Afonso.

We're now out in Maputo (near Matola), once again showing the Passion - Nelson is doing an amazing job of talking the people thru it and translating the subtitles at the same time! Lord, please continue to empower and encourage him please.

Thurs 9th

Got up 5am, to leave 6am. Hard saying goodbye to Henrique & family - they've treated us so well!
Donata quite upset that we're leaving... not crying, but finding difficulty to smile. She gets so attached to us. She takes a liking to us so easily - not that we do much for her... but she's basically known us most of her life! She gets so excited - as do the boys (twins) - when we arrive. We promised her that we'd make sure Michelle (Paddy) gets the letter she's written, and that we'll make sure Michelle also writes back.
We must actually make sure that we as a team write to her regularly - for encouragement.

Fri 10th

Richards Bay caravan park. No alarms or roosters to wake us! What a pleasure to wake at our leasure. Had a calm breakfast, followed by devotions led by Alan.
I was busy downloading photos, and at the same time getting photos bluetoothed to me from Nelson - only way we could transfer his photos at this point.

Around 11h30 I decided that I needed to also take it easy today. So shut pc down & got ready to go to beach.
Nelson, Chris, Steven & Al came along. Al spent his time on the dunes checking all sorts out via his binocs. The other 4 of us went down onto the sand and had a whale of a time! Started by skipping stones across the waves - only to find that neither Chris nor Nelson had ever done this before.
We ended up spending a large amount of time playing all sorts of variations of a game which we dubbed Wom. Played with a derelict tennis ball and any club or stick which could be found on the beach.
Eventually went over to the swimming area (quite a walk) - and had a great time in the waves. Again a first for Nelson!

I really enjoyed the time with the guys! What a nice way to get to know a bit more about them.
We've been teasing Nelson that we're not going to drop him off in Durban, but that we're taking him home with us. I'd really like for the rest of the Church (especially our ladies) to meet him - what a jewel!

Had a good shower, and the team spent a good bit of time packing all things as best as could be for the trip home. Lots of optimising of space was done - and it's surprising just how little needed to go home with Marius - for later delivery to Uth.
Great job guys! Now to bed - 'cause we get up early tomorrow.

Sat 11th

Got up 2am, and were on the road just short of 3am!

Stopped off by Mom & Dad for breakfast. They really went out of their way. It was good to have a good meal in the tummy for the long trip ahead. Steven & the guys in his bakkie went via Maritzburg to drop Nelson off, and then headed directly across to Kokstad. One way of checking the road out for possible future use.

All had been going well, but Marius informed me that he had a warning light for his handbrake come on. At Port Shepstone we checked the brake fluid level, finding that it was low. Topped it up, and moved off. Had to top it up at least another 3 times up to Kokstad.
Arrived there, and Al & I checked under the bakkie, only to find that the brake cross-over pipe had chaffed against the diff, and was leaking. I cut the pipe, and attempted to crimp it, but ended up with another leak. Al & I shot into town, and found a generic pipe which I then fitted. Topped up the fluid, did a basic bleed of the brakes - and we were on our way again. No further problems all the way home! Thank you Father!

The rest of the trip went well. We made good time. Steven though, was adamant that he was going to drive his own vehicle, and ended up slowing down every now and then. Ticked me off a mite - but with hindsight, I can't hold anything against him - he cares very well for his vehicle, and had some concerns about the manner in which Neil drives.

I was great to get home again, after having said goodbye to Marius in Alexandria.

Father God, to you goes all the Praise, Thanks and Honour. You took us in, took care of us there, and brought us safely back. You pointed us in directions which we weren't really wanting to go (especially myself). I'm convinced that you achieved your purposes with this trip. Thank you again for the privelege of being part of your work. Please let your blessing rest on each one of the people who came to know you and who made recommittments to you. For those who did not respond, I know they're in your hands, and that you are the one who makes the seed grow - it's your Word anyway, and you have said that it will not go out without achieving that which you want it to.

Help us all to move back into this part of our culture and lifestyle again please - and help us to keep your heart in mind. Guide and strengthen each of us please. In Jesus' Name I ask this Dadda. Thank you. I love you. Thank you also for the confirmation which you gave me this morning about your love and forgiveness. I love you!

I'm back again

As you can see, I'm back on line again!

I hadn't blogged anything since before leaving for Mozambique (Moz for short), and then put the journal on my page.

Well... I'm back, and there's much to be said. I have an idea that a couple of people have been waiting to see what I'm going to put up here.

The main thing I can say is this...

Praise Almighty God!
He is just SOOOO awesome! He is good and gracious - even though we don't always recognise it.

I'm referring to one of the things which happened whilst we were away. The breakdown of one of our vehicles.
You see, I'm one of the team's mechanicals guys. I get my thinking cap on tightly, my hands dirty when things don't want to work anymore. And 2 of us had some serious thinking and working to do, in what would not normally be the most desirable conditions.
One of our bakkies (Pick-up) sheared a locating pin off on the rear axle, causing the axle to move out of position. This caused the bakkie to pull to one side whilst driving, and also resulted in a very unpleasant knock when traversing potholes and the like.
Whilst undertaking emergency repairs, in an attempt to get the bakkie fully mobile again, we also discovered that the differential lock's actuating diaphragm was damaged. This was the culprit that caused one of the rear axle side shafts to shear clean off during the week prior to our departure. Additionally - just to round things off nicely, we found that the leaf spring link shackle bushes were also worn through - just making for more noise and hassles.

And what was good about this lot? Well, just simply that our plans had been to work way south of Maputo City, in the rough, soft terrain of the Maputo Elephant Reserve. This would've left us with serious problems if we had encountered the vehicle's breakdown while out there. As it happened, the Lord had other plans, and certain events caused us to end up in the city of Maputo for the first week. This then allowed us the opportunity to actually get to dealerships and other spares shops for the bits & pieces which were required to repair the bakkie. At the same time, we got the opportunity to visit a number of Churches in the City which we would not have had reason to visit.

This just reminded me of the passage of scripture which says "all things work out to the good of those that love Him".

It's good to trust Him for all things, and also in all things!

Setting precedents

It's Father's day again, and my kids have blessed me with a wonderful gift just ahead of our Mission team's departure to minister in Mozambique.

I received an insulated, heated, spill-proof mug!

Maybe this isn't much of a present for some dads, but this will mean that I can effectively (if I so desire) keep a mug of coffee steaming hot all the way from Uitenhage to Mozambique! Wow!
{don't think the coffee will be able to last that long, but that's beside the point...}

So, what's that got to do with setting precedents?

Simply that I seem to have kicked off a few precedents... such as...

1 - first to take along a head-mounted torch - to free up my hands for twice as much work; this while the rest of the team took along standard hand-held torches.
2 - first to take, and use thin leather gloves for use whilst setting up the Jesus Film screen & equipment. This kept my hands cleaner (and also warmer), thus enabling me to go straight from working into munching a snack without the need of washing of hands - The screen's support poles are made of aluminium, which quickly discolours one's hands.
3 - now probably first to take a heated mug along for the long drive. Who knows what this may start!
Are we going to have enough points in which to plug these things into on future outreaches?

New Addition to my Blog!

Hey there to you who read my blog.

I'm trying a new facet to my pages - namely,
crosswords.

I'll be posting a new crossword every so often for you to have some fun with.
Be warned! These are created on my own PC, and the clues may sometimes be simple, sometimes crazy. You'll probably have to recall what you've learnt about the Bible on a number of them.

So have fun anyway!

The 1st sample crossword can be found at the bottom of this page.
Do drop me a note to let me know what you think of this.

It goes on...

And so the saga continues!

The old guy is still getting his hair done, still having a manicure, and having his skin prepared for the final layer of makeup.

Sounds more like a woman preparing herself for a date... doesn't it?

Well... seems that the guys working on him misjudged the amount of work to be done in preparing Landy for painting. So; the result is that he'll be staying in the shop for a while longer.
We'll have to see just how long it takes to get all the work completed.
But - in the end it'll all be worthwhile - especially once the painting is done. It's really going to be worth the while, and the time, to make sure that the job is done properly.

In any event... there's not much I can do right now with him at home; especially with the preparations being done to get things ready for the trip to Moz.

Making progress

Hey, I went to check out the old guy again, to see how his preparation is going.
Man - he's dirty!

I'm going to have to do some serious cleaning before I can finally reassemble him. But, then I suppose if one does all that sanding you can't really help but get him dirty.
I want to go check again this week, 'cause I'm sure the progress rate is picking up quite some. Last week the doors were probably 98% complete, and the Tropical roof had already received a light primer coating. The body was making some good progress. So it shouldn't be too long now.

I still need to make a final decision about what colour I want to paint him. White is the easiest choice - just keeping things the way they were. Other options / possible choices are: light yellow, light brown (beige), light blue, silver-grey, light green, and?

Perhaps I need to get hold of one of those programs where you can change colours on a screen to preview the possibilities?

Blessings continue to flow

After quite some time of quiet I'm back.

God has been "taking His time", but is still so "on time" that it's amazing. I can only give Him the praise, because the way it's all put together, all coming together, cannot happen by accident or coincident.

One of the team members purchased an Isuzu 4x4 on an auction - with the express reasoning of using it for his mission work on the farm-resort he runs, and for taking it along as one of our vehicles for the trip. It's in a beautiful condition - BUT, one problem... before it ended up at the auctioneers someone had removed both front side-shafts. Effect? It's been relegated to a 4x2 with diff lock and low range. There's a first time for anything - even for the type of vehicle we'll be taking to Moz.

We're looking forward to the trip. Even with the semi-4x4... because it's going to be an adventure with the Lord. He'll be there with us, and if we get stuck, then we'll take some time to get to know one another a bit better. I'm not scared of that!

We've just been blessed in so many ways, that we can't dare to complain.

Is God good or what!

And the planning goes on...

The UMC Missions team has been busy with the planning of our mission outreach trip to Mozambique for 2009. It's been a lot of work, as well as some long nights of typing e-mails and other documents.

We've been wondering just how many people the Lord wants on the trip, how many vehicles He wants us to take along, and so many other details.

We had 2 vehicles in mind, but had some questions about them, especially since the area in which we are to be working has some major soft sand. One of the vehicles was only a 4x2. For the uninformed, that means that it only drives on 2 wheels - basically just like any normal, run of the mill road-going car or bakkie. In other words... in soft sand, the chance of getting stuck is dramatically increased! We need 4x4s here!
The Lord provided in an amazing way for another of our team members to purchase a 4x4, in a very good condition, at a dream price. This is being serviced & prepped for the trip right now, and will provide a lot less fuss and more movement. (although I must add that I always maintain that getting stuck is good for team-building!)

This is just the beginning of it.

Watch here for more details to follow.

Longing for action - part 2

Well, here I go again!
I posted the previous blog 'cause I've been longing to get 'me ole Landy' onto the road. I wanna see & feel just how he's gonna handle the rough stuff. Especially since I've put in quite some amount of time and money into getting him into a state of decency & completness.

What I can say at the moment is...
Yay! He's gone in for the next step. He's at Bergsig school, getting all scrubbed up, scrubbed down, sanded and prepared - all in anticipation of getting his first decent coat of paint in many a year. I wonder if he's as excited about that as I am!

What colour's he gonna be painted?
Another one of those questions which has many possibilities. But I suppose at the moment my ideas range around, white, off-white (towards yellow or beige), light yellow, beige, light blue. Anything but a dark colour!

It's a matter of waiting to see how long it's still going to be before the school will be finished.

So the waiting game continues...

Longing for action!

I wonder how long before this oke is on the road again? I'm really looking forward to that.

Chatting with my family

Just sitting here with my family around me - talking nonsense most of the time.

I really need to practice my blogging more - the only way I'm going to really get into it.
But, thanks to God's awesome provision, I've been able to buy a laptop at long last! Now I can sit with my loved ones while I'm busy working on the PC - what a new and interesting concept for me.

Strange to have wifey watching over my keyboard (not over the shoulder, seeing as she's sitting next to me!), while I type. It's actually lekker!
I love to be able to spend time with them. We're just commenting about how regular it's becoming for us to sit and chat until after midnight. Part of the comments went along the line of ... "it seems to be the only time we all sit still, in the same place."
What a truth about our family - all busy with so much, and on the go all day long.

Right now Wifey found some steel puzzles - the type that are made from nails, wire and the such like. She's been trying to get one sorted, and my son, Steve, told her to 'throw it over' so that he could show her how it's done.
She promptly launched it across the room! A rather dangerous act - seeing as it's made of rather hefty steel nails!

One of our cats is showing an interest in what I'm doing. "No space up here for you right now Pebbles!"

Wow! Now we've gotten into an argument (or rather an animated, excited discussion), about what various animals are called. Like bears, bunnys, woofies and so on.

The discussion's getting to the point now where I think it'll be better for us all to go sleep now.

Till another time... be blessed, and keep focussing on Jesus.

Things to do

I've been reading my buddy's blog - great fun, and great learning too!

He reminded me of how busy one can get, without sometimes getting to the tings which need to be done.
I'm a busy guy! Sometimes I'm so busy that I don't have time for myself - time for everyone and everything else - but for myself ...? Which reminds me, I have to...

Hold that thought!

That's exactly how it goes. My mind's so busy with so much, that I have to somehow get some order in that lot. I like keeping busy - it keeps me out of trouble!

It's this sort of thing that keeps me from blogging more often. Just get busy with this, then got to do that, then at the sametime that other crops up. D... it's frustrating!

Anyways... got some mails that haveto go out today still, then it's off to friends for coffee and a swim, then ... who knows?

Chat later again!

After dark blog

Just standing around chatting about the 'music evening' we've just attended. Interesting is one way of describing it. Way different to what was expected.

Round n round we go!

Speaking from a foot's perspective, while attached to the bottom end of a human being's lower extremity, being taken out to enjoy some fresh, healthy air - notably on a gadget endowed with at least one, but usually two, and sometimes three circular, rubber-cloth draped forms - this is about the sum total of what is experienced!

Cycling is enjoyable! I have always (or at least 90% of the time), enjoyed cycling. It's good, healthy exercise. And although I have always considered it a sport wherein there is generally not much conversation going on between the members, I have been proven thoroughly wrong. I have been trying to get into some serious exercise on my bike for a number of years now, but mostly riding alone. Never found anyone who would get up at 04h30 to go out at 05h00, even on chilly mornings. Maybe I'm nuts, but it just so nice & peaceful, and there's so few cars about at that time too!
Fact of the matter is, there are some people out there who don't seem to mind me being a little... weird... shall we say? It's just so great to go out as a group. Not only could I find out how much some people have to say while riding, but I can also get the same distance covered, at very much the same average speed, but with less awareness of how hard we're pushing ourselves.

Just goes to show that doing things with friends is better than doing them alone.

What a Birthday!

Well, as time has a habit of doing, it brought along another birthday.

I've long ago learnt to do a number of things with them, including enjoing the fact that they have to come along, as well as contemplating the meaning around them.

At one time I thought I didn't want to age - not get old! That I don't want to do. Aging on the other hand is something quite different. It can actually be enjoyable! Sometimes I think I'm crazy saying something like that, but I find it to be true.
When one gets old, then life ahead looks gloomy, and doesn't hold promise.
Aging holds the promise of new challenges, new horizons... what else? Well, that's part of it. As one ages, one has to go out there and find what life holds. And life's meant to be a journey, and it's meant to be exciting.

It's been interesting for me to begin seeing that there are still many things that can be done, even on the other side of 40 - on the other side of 45 even in my case.

I'm looking forward to the future.

And what with the family and friends I have - it promises to hold many adventures.

Thanks to them all for making my birthday so wonderful!!!!

Changes to be made

I've been having a good look at my main page, and am slowly trying to upgrade it - especially the photo at the top. Man! That's just not working the way I'd imagined.

Anyway. The old saying "Aanhouer wen!" is as true today as the day it was birthed.
I'll carry on trying, changing settings, and even modifying the photo till I get it right.
If someone out there wants to share some info as to how to sort it out fairly painlessly, you'll not find me ungrateful. There are other people out there ... aren't there?

I don't like complaining, BUT...

Generally I don't like to complain. There's so many more useful things to do in life. And in any case, especially when it comes to people, I've come to notice that the less you complain about others; the more you enjoy life - probably 'cause while you're omitting to look at the faults of others, you're taking more time to focus on their good points. And that just helps to build one's own enjoyment of all that's going on around you.

BUT! there are times - and people - about which & whom it becomes intensely difficult to keep quiet, or to look the other way (or in a more Biblical sense, to turn the other cheek). Unfortunately, I have one of those types of people in my family - I'm just so grateful that she's not direct family... nor does she live too close! She just has certain effects on all sorts of parts of my anatomy, which can be described in very graphical terms... But, which I won't be boring (or interesting you with)!

The one thing which I'd like to just bring across right now, is that, as in my case (which I am sure is not entirely unique), it takes certain things for us to get through these things. One of these is family love & acceptance (best if practiced in the home!), another is venting - which is best not done directly at the person - too damaging! Even just venting on a piece of paper, or a blog page, and then letting it go, is worth while. The letting it go is soooo important. This is part of the forgiving your enemy which Jesus Christ spoke of. Or at least, that's how I've experienced it. It's when I/we hold on to the subject of the venting, brooding on it, that it grows and begins to eat at us.
You know; that's always been one of the strangest things - it eats at us & not a mite at the one who caused it!

So... what was I talking about? Oh, yeah. The lady who offended me, and my wife, and my ...
SO? Old stuff. Water under the bridge as they say. Water under the bridge of forgiveness.
She's OK actually - just different from me, different from so many others in our family.
But, she's still part of God's creation - actually part of His family too.
So who's perfect in any case?
Me? No way!
You? I doubt it.

Complaints over and gone. Time to go out there and enjoy another day (after a night's good sleep).

Enjoy your today! It's the only one you can really do anything about.

My first posting

Welcome to my blog!

As this is my first post, it could be both boring and interesting - depending upon your viewpoint.

Then again... I could be both boring and interesting - depending upon your viewpoint.

BUT - seeing as it's MY blog,... and seeing as it's about me,... are you starting to get my drift?

It's going to be interesting!
Why?

'Cause I'm one of a kind!

To everyone who reads along here, ... all I can say is Enjoy!!!