Here is a little something to help you understand what people are talking about in SA today:

Oct 20, 2010

liff

Dear Government by Gareth Cliff

This is the letter that started it all. Gareth Cliff wrote this letter to Government on his personal website:

Dear Government

OK, I get it, the President isn’t the only one in charge. The ANC believes in “collective responsibility” (So that nobody has to get blamed when things get screwed up), so I address this to everyone in government – the whole lot of you – good, bad and ugly (That’s you, Blade).

We were all so pleased with your renewed promises to deliver services (we’ll forgive the fact that in some places people are worse off than in 1994); to root out corruption (so far your record is worse than under Mbeki, Mandela or the Apartheid regime – what with family members becoming overnight millionaires); and build infrastructure (State tenders going disgustingly awry and pretty stadia standing empty notwithstanding) – and with the good job you did when FIFA were telling you what to do for a few months this year. Give yourselves half a pat on the back. Since President Sepp went off with his billions I’m afraid we have less to be proud of – Public Servants Strikes, more Presidential bastard children, increasing unemployment and a lack of leadership that allowed the Unions to make the elected government it’s bitch. You should be more than a little worried – but you’re not. Hence my letter. Here are some things that might have passed you by:

1. You have to stop corruption. Don’t stop it because rich people moan about it and because it makes poor

The finished tree

The quiver tree and the boy who's energy sends you shivers!

Murder

I write, just to think out-loud today.

My neighbor (the pastor) road up on his bike today. Stopped to have a chat.  Topic: police being on our road Saturday night.   What happened: murder.
A murder on our street.

Not sure how I feel about that.  Not because it isn't horrendous, scary or just will make the grandparents want to convince us to fly back to USA immediately.  Rather it's because of the circumstances behind the murder.  Would we still call it a horrendous crime if you found out that it was a high school Matric student (Senior) who stabbed his dad?  Probably makes it worse.  Until you find out that he was an abusive father. And that father's wife was trying to divorce him which enraged him, making him more abusive.  Thus the son's act of violence.

One boy had enough.  Took matters into his own hands.  And sent his life down and irreparable journey.  He is forever changed and I can't blame him.  Yet how did it get to that point?

I didn't know the family.  I had met and talked with the boy.  In-fact I gave a talk one friday night at his youth group last year.
But no one could help him (he assumed).

Maybe no one would.

Professional Coffee people

Check some of the people that I interact with when judging or being an
MC for a coffee event.

My office

I'm on my way to a Nav Core team Bible study in Pietermaritzburg.
Thought I would give you a snapshot of my office.
Working out of a bag since 2001. Though beverages do change and I'm
on my 3rd bag.

Love being back in Durban.

Macchiato, Ben's favorite.

I received an SMS from Cyril (Dr/past student with Navs) that said that he wanted me to bring a coffee with for him when he picked me up.  I discipled Cyril for years and never got him to take a sip of God's gift to man.  A follow up SMS clarified that the the drink would be to drop off for his wife who was on call that night at the hospital.

oh well, we can't win them all. 

African Trees

 

So a little creativity and some leftover paint is all it takes.
Doing projects together is what we can do, but do we do them?  Not much.  what stops us?  well... us.  Lazy? Ambition? Creative energy after the end of a day with a 4 year old Wild Thing, an 8 month old explorer, campus ministry and a list of "urgent to do" a mile long?  I think the last one is it.

Any way, a tree was born in Neo's room.

2 Core is better than 1

The joy of being back home.  Seeing students again.  Starting the Core group.  Starting another Core group in Pietermaritzburg (another campus about an hour away).  Drinking my coffee again.  Friends.  

Good to be home.

Chickenpox

No photos please!

The chickenpox are here.

After returning from the USA a couple weeks ago we had a great night with our pastor and his family.  We have come to love our church and our pastor and his family.  We love them so much that we took the chickenpox from them, or rather, we are now sharing it with them or them with us:) 

Neo's pox were minor.  Resilient little immune system.  Myles on the other hand, while tough, has just got the pox (2 weeks after exposure).  We got back from Cape Town (look at next blog for why) and found Myles with a fever, the next morning... the pox.  He is now covered with the pox!  

Myles is sure that a healthy dose of TV and glasses of water should cure him.  Pray for...err, him.

Braai Today

What a better way to reconnect with the students and launch into the 2nd semester at UKZN then with a braai!  Meat, meat, and a little bread and maize pop to go with it.

We will be launching into Experiencing God's Attributes by Warrne and Ruth Myers and catching up on the last few months of life with the Core team.

Now who wouldn't want to partake of that!?

Want to Receive a Snail Mail Letter?

A pretty picture by Kristy.

So I'm thinking of sending out a paper letter.  Kill some trees and contact everyone.  Seeing as I have no real idea who or how many of our partners read this!

Any feedback you can give would be great!

The letter would be all focused on our coming transition and maybe include a new family photo.  What do you think?  email me.

Back Home

It was a long trip home to Durban.  We left Minneapolis at 5 on Mon. got home 2 on Wed. and haven't slept well since!

Meet the Carlsons

Kristy is an amazing photographer.  This is one of hers.  Setting up the greater Carlson clan and running back and forth to set the timer.  Had to happen though as we are only all together only once every 2 years or so.  Add to that a 40th wedding anniversary! and it's a recipe for a family photo.  

From Left to Right: Ben, Myles, Lara, Neo, Zoe, Sue, Keziah, Eldon, Kristy, David, Joe, Jen, Andrew, adn Kyle.

Our Great DA.

What is a DA?  We're not sure, but we sure like ours!  Bruce and Marg Van Wyk the DA's for all American Navs in Africa have shepherded and guided us for about 9 years now.

On our last trip to Colorado Springs we got to stay in their "honeymoon suite" (with our boys.... making it the not so honeymoon suite or something!?).  What an encouragement and good guidance they have been as we process through where God is taking us.

Bwana Bruce... "Pastor/Father Bruce" in Swahili.

What we do while in America

Just a little update on our summer in America.

While we are here to update our partners, meet with family and friends and do a Navigator conference, I can't help but also find some good coffee too.  Here are a few highlights so far.

Visiting the bold and encouraging church plant Epic Life Church in Seattle along with the ever talented and great friends Jason n Shannon.

Cousin time with Austin.

Newest cousin Evelyn.

Fun in the land of 10,000 lakes.