EN2010

Started at the airport and the excitement was tangible as many South Africans and their Vuvuzelas made their way to the Philippines. On Arriving at the SMX centre in Manila the nations were everyone. During the practice for the parade of nations we were already in tears!!! Just seeing the Lord affirming nations and loving them was powerful. The whole way thru the conference this continued and there were moving moments of testimonies and prayer for nations particularly those in persecuted lands. To hear real people with faces get up and share about their sufferings but with such joy and resolute dedication to Jesus was amazing. The speakers represented the Every Nation concept and were brilliant in their own ways. The heart of God to transform lives, both of individuals and nations was evident and gave such hope and expectation for things to come. We left praising God for who He is and that He is indeed Lord of Every Nation. Rice challenged us to stay on track with campus focus, Jim to build safely and not at the expense of family, and Steve thru his new book and words to keep doing the same ole thing! DISCIPLESHIP! If we can engage the world and disciple new believers then the church will continue to grow and at EN2013 we will be with more than the 60 nations!!!!

Taare Zameen Par

No that's not just some made up words but the name of a Indian movie produced in 2007 by Aamir Khan of Bollywood fame. Last year I had caught the second half of it on SABC and managed this week to track it down from my Hindu friend. Our family sat down yesterday and were glued for three hours to the story of Ishaan, a boy with dyslexia. We cried... and were challenged... I don't want to give away the story line but just to say that every person working with children should be forced to watch this. It shows so beautifully and harshly the difference that we can make if we care, love and discover the truth of what is going on in children's lives. PLEASE watch it and cry with us! I will be hunting down my own copy from the oriental plaza.

Multigenerational ministry rulz OK?

Letty and Jesse both young ladies join us for an hour of prayer and our own kids nestle onto the mat and worship with us. Then kids rock up for the first prophetic art session, and the official meeting hasn't even started yet! More kids and teens roll in and we hand over to a teen to play a game, then move to looking at our faith journey with a powerpoint controlled by an 11 year old on the desk. After making prayer wheels we head to the Encounter Zone where 30 or more kids sit, kneel and lie all over the floor interceeding and you can feel the power turn up. Even some youth have joined us and then two 13 year old girls lead us in praise and worship of the King- Jesus- the focus of all we do. The meeting ends with a group of under 13's sharing prophetic words with their art and we all merrily vacate the building, whilst some head upstairs for the Youth meeting. Where are the adults,,, gladly a little in the background!

40 and looking better???

Very cool to be 40 and look better than I did at 20! There are many factors for sure. God's favour and blessing being tops. Living a Godly lifestyle, being happily married, and not drinking or smoking. Then there is doing what excites you rather than just working for bread and rent. There is balance and rhythm of working and relaxing. Then there is looking after your diet. I have not been good here, but in the last three or four years have made great strides. Staying away from fat and salts, keeping sugar down, and more importantly taking in fresh fruit and vegetables. Three years ago I started running and get out on the road 3 times a week. In November I joined Virgin Activ and go 3 times a week. It is awesome and builds muscles. The regular check ups of weight and blood pressure help you to monitor your health and I just find that you want to live healthy when you have been there. We also do it as a family, so it is a healthy pattern and legacy I want to leave my family. My parents ate badly and did very little exercise, and this is what they handed to us. My sisters suffer for it. BUT we can make a change, can't we? So to all you 40 year olds or close to it, take stock and do what you need to. Jo and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary this week and watched our wedding DVD. Many of the people have died, many are much fatter and look old when they actually aren't. So the challenge is out OK. This Tuesday I start a connect group for kids with a healty twist to it, a run and a chat... trying to pass on some new habits, I wish I had done in my youth.

City faces some fade some just don't

Amidst the many things kids could do in Jozi there is a holiday Club going on at Parkhurst Primary. Here a gang of crazy Jesus loving peeps are spending their week with a small group of kids, singing, playing soccer and laughing... but more importantly bringing ten or so of them to Jesus today!!! So aware that God is working to reach individuals one by one. Driving through the squalid city centre teeming with faces, we pick up three familiar ones. A young mom and her two beautiful twin girls. Trying to find them safe accomodation when HIV and unemployment has dealt them a heavy blow, they are individuals amidst the crowd. But we can't help everyone of the kids walking the pimp filled streets of Hillbrow... no but maybe we can just help these familiar faces. I still can see the beggar kid banging on my taxi window as i drove into Manila three years ago. I didn't help her. I can see the gang of street kids on Durban beach who we shared our fish and chips with, only to be mugged at knife point by them minutes later. Faces that stand out of the crowd in cities. Faces that we pray for and try to serve cos Jesus died for them and the Father loves them.

A world class African city... no lies... Ayoba!

left early with the boys and our food to get to Wits park and ride. Greeted with the utmost politeness and helpfulness, and ushered to the bus. The bus pulled off and seemingly ran out of petrol at the first traffic light but within minutes we were transferred to another. A steward explained where we should meet to return. The busses were spotless and friendly. On arrival at Soccer City we proceeded past organised informal hawkers and good SA food cooking. The police check was careful but again very cheerful. On arriving at the Stadium gates the security went out of their way to send us the best way to the right section. How awesome! Apart from the great match and the tragic ending, we were so proud of the whole event. The crowd was sober and well behaved and the walk back to the busses after midnight was fun. Plenty of kids and again the marshalls had us on the busses and back as fast as possible. Was a thrill to see white people walking in the city centre at 1 am! Thank you Jesus for answering prayers and long may we sustain this kind of service delivery to our public.
Home to a beautiful and still awake wife... and after a few hours of sleep 4 of us hit the road for a 10km run, again thru the beautiful scenery of Jozi- a worldclass african city!!!

Miracles continue for Manila

Amazing how God provides when He is behind something, and how He does it and the timing too. For three years we have trusted for our trip to Manila but He only needed to provide for the air tickets a month ago. Then we got an increase out of the blue to cover the hotels we needed, then today a family member who we seldomly have contact with decides to send us some money! People are the agents but God knows and provides for what He wants!

Time out to put time in

So important to take time out to a place where you have uninterupted time with God. Today was such a morning... off to the Botanical Gardens, one of my favourite places. Just walked around stopped and walked more.. enjoying the Lord and His creation. Read some awesome verses in Psalms and Acts and then ended up relooking at my week and that of Letty who works with us. Also preparing for Jesse joining us next year, so refining structures and always trying to make improvements for the ministry and those of us who serve in it. Management isn't easy but can be a lot of fun too. Also saw that I could fit in a discipleship connect every second Tuesday afternoon, and going to do it around fitness and invite kids for a 3 km run and then chat. Have to utelize the times we have to do God's work and it shifts from time to time. Can't handle people who have loads of time and do little...