Fly then Drive??

We are a day away from our flight to America!  Myles has been talking non-stop for the past week about it, waking up each morning and grabbing his suitcase ready to head to the airport.  Finally Kristy had to make a calendar that he could mark off each day until Sat, when we fly. 

Well that day is tomorrow!
Fly we will, but when in the USA we are short one little thing.  A Car.
You got a spare?  We would love to hear from you if you do!  We need it from 31 May - 16 Aug or any days you got to spare within those dates.  And as nice as an Audi TT or Ferrari would be, we do have to fit in 2 car seats, just for your info!

Thanks for reading, praying and maybe even your car!

Friends with Neo

Life in the Evergreen City

Our friends have this amazing waterfall/rock pool/jungle going on at there new house.  It was dry up until the city water pipe burst above there house on the street.  Our ingenious friend Adi diverted the water down a pipe into his waterfall and filled all his little rock pools.  Myles and his buddy Connor loved it.  It was the only day we have been thankful about our cities slow response to anything.

It's our life in the Evergreen City. 

Transform Ya (Nav Camp 2010)

Thursday night, I couldn't believe it, another cancellation by a student who wasn't going to make it to TOMORROWS camp!  I had been praying that God would bring those who "needed to come," but that was the 10th (yes 10th) cancellation.

You ever have one of those days where you wonder why you do what you do?  If your reading this you probably don't think that a (gasp) full time Christian worker with The Navigators could feel that way.  Well I did.  And wasn't feeling great about all the time I had poured into the coming get-away with our group of students.

Friday came and my blues blew away as the adrenaline of going away with a group of students took hold.  I had billed a dynamic international speaker (me) for the weekend's four talks and so I had conscripted the help of a couple past students (Cyril and Marcia) to help with the running of the weekend.

Our theme was transformation. We used John 11, Lazarus' trip to death and back, as the central story for the talks and group discussions we had after every session.  With Linkin Park's theme song from the first Transformer movie as the intro to each talk and enlisting the help of a worship team from our local church, Hope, we set the tone for the weekend as fun as well as one where we were open to hear from God.

I'm not sure if it was the talks I gave, the worship, the mud filled obstacle course or the late night games and chats around the fire, but God did show up.  14 students were moved and made a commitment to hear Christ's call and let Him start the transformation process in their life.  I hope to put onto the blog a few of the 14 stories of transformation.
Each student we love.
Every one has a unique story to tell.

Praying with many of them personally and hearing what God had been doing in their hearts leading up to the weekend camp confirmed exactly what I prayed.  "God bring those who need to be at the camp."

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5.24

He did it.

check out more photos of the camp here.

In the Q at home affairs

Almost to the front of the line to get Neo's visa!

Snow nice

Myles and friends Joe, Jessie, & Amahle are tucking into snow cones
yesterday at a family fun fair. The trio of boys were spiderman (hero
of choice for all 3 year olds) while Myles opted for a daddy pleasing
dangerous dragon. And all girls on the day seemed to lean toward being
beautifull butterflies.
If only ice and sugar-syrup could solve all our problems.

The weekend ends. Mothers day was... Here(better leave that for
Kristy). Tomorrow, home affairs for Neo's visa!
Pray. And if you don't hear from us in a day or two assume the worse.

What's happening around South Africa in the Nav ministry?

Thanks to Chere we have a great overview of what is happening all around the country in and through The Navigators.  Take a look!

Back from Nav Camp!

We're back from our retreat/camp with a group of fun students and graduates.  The theme of the camp was "Transform Ya."  The reality was... transformation!  

Have you ever been a part of something that you know God was a part of?  Seeing Him moving, softening hearts, and speaking to individuals?  It happened this weekend.

Look back again later for dynamic, happy, beautiful and muddy pictures and stories! (as soon as we get Kristy's computer sorted!)

Thanks to all who prayed for the weekend.  You helped make it a success.

Zen

Some of our great friends Thabisa and Sizwe met Kristy at the Botanic Gardens for a photo shoot.  I love this Photo Kristy caught of Zen.

Powers out in Durban

Don't judge our meager words in scrabble! Powers out. Thought Jeep was
dead (it's not). Boys in bed.

Working hard?

Couldn't help but take a photo of the action outside our house. 7
municipal workers watching one guy dig. I love to see our tax Rands
at work.

Book Club

Once a month Kristy gathers together a group of around 10 women to eat, laugh, talk, and imbibe all in the name of "book club."  Lilies book club is made up of past students, Dr.s, counselors, moms, wives, and so much more.  They have all become deep friends and this time together has been one of great fun and encouragement.  It is life as a ministry to each other.  It falls outside the box of anything traditional for those trying to figure out if it is a Nav/church thing and it enters into a great builder of the soul for each woman involved.

And it gets some of us guys together to play Basketball (this week) or just try to reign in 3 year olds other weeks!

Grandma Sue left a pie in the freezer for us.  Fit perfect for the ladies theme this month: Cook books and cultural food.

Burundi in Minneapolis

Dunn Brothers is having an event on Direct Trade coffee that if I were in Minneapolis I would be sure not to miss!  Check it out and go if you can.

Burundi Coffee Event April 19, 2010

Monday, April 19th, 1 - 2:30pm
Depot Hotel in Minneapolis, MN

On Monday April 19th we will have the rare opportunity to hear from two special guests who will be stopping in Minneapolis for a brief visit following the SCAA in Anaheim, CA - April 15th – 18th.

Emile Kamwenubusa and Adrien Sibomana are two key players in the coffee industry in Burundi. Emile is intimately involved in working with the USAID on a number of agronomic projects that the USAID has implemented at several washing stations and Adrien is the Executive Director of Intercafe Burundi, a key exporter that we deal with to secure our Burundi coffees.

We have arranged for these two special guests to provide a presentation that will cover various topics explaining the washing station projects in Burundi and the processes of quality differentiation that go into satisfying the different market segments for specialty coffee, as well as the benefits of direct trade in ensuring coffee supply and quality.

The presentation will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19 at theDepot Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis, MN. We hope you all will be able to join us for this rare educational opportunity.

Register Now

What they like in South Africa

Some people this may not appeal to, but in South Africa one of the favorite treats is biltong.  Biltong is essentially meat hung to dry out after they soaked it in vinegar (i think) for a bit.  Not sure about the vinegar bit, but really it's just raw, dried meat.

As I was buying Myles a cool drink one day at a little shop in our neighborhood I heard this guy asking about the "wet and fatty one."  I took note because he said that one was a lot "wetter" then the other and that it was wetter then most other shops had.

I decided that I didn't want any "Wet and Fatty."

 

Going to church

Ever since Myles saw one of the baristas (at the national Barista
Championship that I MCed) do his hair like this, he's had to copy it.
Thanks Wayne.