(Seeing that the comments and interaction has dried up on this blog since writing in Afrikaans, I'll go back to writing in English. No fun in writing for yourself, you know.)
Next week, Lizl and I are moving to Johannesburg. I will be working at a church called Mosaiek (www.mosaiek.com) and Lizl will be working at Sasol Bryanston. So this weekend we say goodbye to the friends we have made in the 4 1/2 years staying in Secunda..... :(
We are in the process of packing, negotiating with the removal company & security company, showing potential renters our house....and dealing with the emotions through the process...
Any good advice from anyone from what to expect (and not to expect) once we are in the big old city?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
Hoe ons God aanspreek....
Ek was laasweek deel van 'n Learning Community wat deur MissioNet en Ekerk aangebied is, onder leiding van Stephan Joubert. Stephan het op 'n stadium genoem dat wanneer 'n prediker die gehoor aanspreek as "u" dit dikwels afstand skep. Ons sal nooit ons vriende/eggenoot aanspreek as "u" nie!
Hy het ook vertel hoe in die duitse kultuur mense aanspreek as "u", tot albei partye voel hulle het op 'n plek gekom waar hulle die verhouding na 'n volgende vlak wil neem. Dan drink hulle saam n Scnapps en 'n bier, en begin mekaar op hulle name noem....
Ek het gewonder of die feit dat ek in my gebede God aanspreek as "U" nie dalk ook afstand tussen my en Hom bring nie. Die Bybel leer ons dat ons vriende van God is. En ja, ek weet ons spreek God aan as "U" uit respek. Maar se dit dat ek nie respek het vir my vriende as ek met hulle praat as "jy" en "jou"?
Probeer bietjie om in jou gesprekke met Jesus met Hom te praat as jou leier, jou vriend en in persoonlike terme. Maak dit 'n verskil? Hoe voel jy?
Ek was laasweek deel van 'n Learning Community wat deur MissioNet en Ekerk aangebied is, onder leiding van Stephan Joubert. Stephan het op 'n stadium genoem dat wanneer 'n prediker die gehoor aanspreek as "u" dit dikwels afstand skep. Ons sal nooit ons vriende/eggenoot aanspreek as "u" nie!
Hy het ook vertel hoe in die duitse kultuur mense aanspreek as "u", tot albei partye voel hulle het op 'n plek gekom waar hulle die verhouding na 'n volgende vlak wil neem. Dan drink hulle saam n Scnapps en 'n bier, en begin mekaar op hulle name noem....
Ek het gewonder of die feit dat ek in my gebede God aanspreek as "U" nie dalk ook afstand tussen my en Hom bring nie. Die Bybel leer ons dat ons vriende van God is. En ja, ek weet ons spreek God aan as "U" uit respek. Maar se dit dat ek nie respek het vir my vriende as ek met hulle praat as "jy" en "jou"?
Probeer bietjie om in jou gesprekke met Jesus met Hom te praat as jou leier, jou vriend en in persoonlike terme. Maak dit 'n verskil? Hoe voel jy?
Friday, February 08, 2008
EERSTE inskrywing vir 2008!
Ek pleit skuldig - lanklaas kans (of lus) gehad om iets hier op die blog te sit! En dit terwyl die hele land wag en kyk wat gebeur op hierdie website (grappie!). Kan nie glo die eerste maand van 2008 is al iets van die verlede nie!
Hierdie jaar is die laaste jaar wat dieUniversiteit van Johannesburg my gun vir die voltooing van my Meesterstudies! Ek weet dit gaan baie inspanning, opofferring en werk kos - maar einde van hierdie moet (en wil) ek klaar wees! Die eerste hoofstuk is uiters moeilik - ek moet verduidelik presies wat ek wil bestudeer, hoe ek dit wil navors, hoekom ek dit wil navors ens ens. Dit is moeilik omdat ek nie in my voorgraadse studies enige blootstelling aan veld gekry het nie! Enige een van julle wat ook so voel? Enige iemand hier?
Soms wonder ek hoekom hierdie blog nog ooit bestaan - dink ek skryf meer vir myself as vir ander. Gee my maar n geleentheid om bietji uiting te gee aan my eie gedagtes ens. Wil nie die site toemaak nie, want dit sal wees soos om 'n vriend uit my lewe te sny...
Ek pleit skuldig - lanklaas kans (of lus) gehad om iets hier op die blog te sit! En dit terwyl die hele land wag en kyk wat gebeur op hierdie website (grappie!). Kan nie glo die eerste maand van 2008 is al iets van die verlede nie!
Hierdie jaar is die laaste jaar wat dieUniversiteit van Johannesburg my gun vir die voltooing van my Meesterstudies! Ek weet dit gaan baie inspanning, opofferring en werk kos - maar einde van hierdie moet (en wil) ek klaar wees! Die eerste hoofstuk is uiters moeilik - ek moet verduidelik presies wat ek wil bestudeer, hoe ek dit wil navors, hoekom ek dit wil navors ens ens. Dit is moeilik omdat ek nie in my voorgraadse studies enige blootstelling aan veld gekry het nie! Enige een van julle wat ook so voel? Enige iemand hier?
Soms wonder ek hoekom hierdie blog nog ooit bestaan - dink ek skryf meer vir myself as vir ander. Gee my maar n geleentheid om bietji uiting te gee aan my eie gedagtes ens. Wil nie die site toemaak nie, want dit sal wees soos om 'n vriend uit my lewe te sny...
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Bybeljourney afskop!
Die eerste November het met 'n bang afgeskop! Ek kan nie glo die jaar is so ver gevorderd nie - soveel dinge om nog te doen en af te handel voor ons bietjie kan vakansie hou!
Vandag skop ons 6 maande Bybeljourney af....ek het vanoggend alreeds Genesis 1 deurgelees en dit het my bygeval dat dit blyk of die Here iewers voor die skeppingsverhaal al die aarde geskep het, en toe daarna (toe die verhaal begin) toe begin Hy eers met die skepping. Ek dink wat ek probeer se is dat die skeppings verhaal nie noodwendig vir ons n wetenskaplike verduideliking van die skepping wil gee nie, maar eerder God se involvement met die skepping wil vertel. En dit is dan seker ook moontlik dat die aarde ouer is as wat die skeppingsverhaal is....
Anyway,
Hoekom het jy besluit om hierdie journey saam met ons aan te pak?
My rede is dat dit iets is wat ek nogal altyd wou gedoen het, en ek glo dat om dit saam met ander te doen sal my motiveer om die journey end uit te loop (half soos om 'n gim partner te he!) Ek dink ook dat die Bybel geskryf is vir groepe mense, en dat wanneer ons groep dit saamlees ons kan leer bymekaar se vrae, insigte en journey....
Ek hoor graag van almal! Hierdie blog sal vir die volgende 6 maande n gereelde deurloop vir ons wees!...
Die eerste November het met 'n bang afgeskop! Ek kan nie glo die jaar is so ver gevorderd nie - soveel dinge om nog te doen en af te handel voor ons bietjie kan vakansie hou!
Vandag skop ons 6 maande Bybeljourney af....ek het vanoggend alreeds Genesis 1 deurgelees en dit het my bygeval dat dit blyk of die Here iewers voor die skeppingsverhaal al die aarde geskep het, en toe daarna (toe die verhaal begin) toe begin Hy eers met die skepping. Ek dink wat ek probeer se is dat die skeppings verhaal nie noodwendig vir ons n wetenskaplike verduideliking van die skepping wil gee nie, maar eerder God se involvement met die skepping wil vertel. En dit is dan seker ook moontlik dat die aarde ouer is as wat die skeppingsverhaal is....
Anyway,
Hoekom het jy besluit om hierdie journey saam met ons aan te pak?
My rede is dat dit iets is wat ek nogal altyd wou gedoen het, en ek glo dat om dit saam met ander te doen sal my motiveer om die journey end uit te loop (half soos om 'n gim partner te he!) Ek dink ook dat die Bybel geskryf is vir groepe mense, en dat wanneer ons groep dit saamlees ons kan leer bymekaar se vrae, insigte en journey....
Ek hoor graag van almal! Hierdie blog sal vir die volgende 6 maande n gereelde deurloop vir ons wees!...
Monday, October 29, 2007
BYBEL 6 MAANDE JOURNEY...
Ek het bietjie op die WWW gaan rondsoek na 'n paar programme hoe ons deur die Bybel kan deurlees....Ek het die volgende een gekry en dink dit kan nogal werk! Wat dink jy?
THROUGH THE BIBLE
6-MONTH READING PROGRAM
Read the Whole Bible in 6 Months (26 weeks, 180 days)
The Bible contains 1,189 chapters (Old Testament, 929 chapters; New Testament, 260 chapters).
Reading eight chapters per day, and repeating Proverbs and the End Times books of Daniel and Revelation, a
person can read every chapter in the entire Bible in six months (26 weeks, 182 days).
ONE CHAPTER FROM EIGHT SECTIONS OF THE BIBLE EVERY DAY2
Pentateuch. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
History. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther. (1 and 2 Chronicles are read at the end of the Epistles.)
Poetry. Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon. (Ecclesiastes is read at the end of the Prophets.)
Wisdom. Proverbs (repeated monthly).
Prophets. Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah,
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. (Isaiah is read after the
Gospels and Acts.)
Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Followed by Acts and Isaiah.
Epistles. Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. Followed by 1 and 2
Chronicles.
End Times. Daniel, Revelation (repeated throughout the six months).
Ek kan vir jou n volledige dokument deurstuur as jy so belangstel om dit saam met ons te doen!
Ek het bietjie op die WWW gaan rondsoek na 'n paar programme hoe ons deur die Bybel kan deurlees....Ek het die volgende een gekry en dink dit kan nogal werk! Wat dink jy?
THROUGH THE BIBLE
6-MONTH READING PROGRAM
Read the Whole Bible in 6 Months (26 weeks, 180 days)
The Bible contains 1,189 chapters (Old Testament, 929 chapters; New Testament, 260 chapters).
Reading eight chapters per day, and repeating Proverbs and the End Times books of Daniel and Revelation, a
person can read every chapter in the entire Bible in six months (26 weeks, 182 days).
ONE CHAPTER FROM EIGHT SECTIONS OF THE BIBLE EVERY DAY2
Pentateuch. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
History. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther. (1 and 2 Chronicles are read at the end of the Epistles.)
Poetry. Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon. (Ecclesiastes is read at the end of the Prophets.)
Wisdom. Proverbs (repeated monthly).
Prophets. Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah,
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. (Isaiah is read after the
Gospels and Acts.)
Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Followed by Acts and Isaiah.
Epistles. Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. Followed by 1 and 2
Chronicles.
End Times. Daniel, Revelation (repeated throughout the six months).
Ek kan vir jou n volledige dokument deurstuur as jy so belangstel om dit saam met ons te doen!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
ONS LEES DIE BYBEL DEUR....is jy in?
So dis hoe dit gebeur het...
Jacques en Peet praat vandag so bietjie op Google Talk oor watter boeke hulle besig is om te lees.Peet daag my uit om The Secret van Rhonda Byrne - want hy meen "lees die ding ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het." Ek spot sommer terug en vra of hy die Bybel lees want "ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het"....
Nou ja...
Ons besluit toe saam dis n goeie idee om die Bybel deur te lees - om n beter geheelprentjie oor alles te kry. Maar in plaas daarvan om dit alleen probeer reg kry gaan ons dit saam doen - saam gesels oor wat ons laat dink, watse vrae ons het, en dit wat ons ervaar terwyl ons lees. Ons poog om dit te doen oor die volgende 6 maande - en wil 1 November afskop.
Is jy game?
Laat weet ons!
Sien uit daarna om die journey saam te stap!
So dis hoe dit gebeur het...
Jacques en Peet praat vandag so bietjie op Google Talk oor watter boeke hulle besig is om te lees.Peet daag my uit om The Secret van Rhonda Byrne - want hy meen "lees die ding ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het." Ek spot sommer terug en vra of hy die Bybel lees want "ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het"....
Nou ja...
Ons besluit toe saam dis n goeie idee om die Bybel deur te lees - om n beter geheelprentjie oor alles te kry. Maar in plaas daarvan om dit alleen probeer reg kry gaan ons dit saam doen - saam gesels oor wat ons laat dink, watse vrae ons het, en dit wat ons ervaar terwyl ons lees. Ons poog om dit te doen oor die volgende 6 maande - en wil 1 November afskop.
Is jy game?
Laat weet ons!
Sien uit daarna om die journey saam te stap!
Friday, October 05, 2007
CHANGING OUR WORLD...one wheelbarrow at a time
Mozambique. For many affluent South Africans the new hotspot for vacations. A country where you Rands can actually buy something. A country of immense beauty.
But this was not to be the Mozambique we would be paying a visit. On Saturday morning, a group of 12 white South Africans, started their voyage to the village of Panda, via Swaziland. The Mozambique we would see, would be reminiscent of a country impoverished by civil wars. A place where the average daily wage is about R15 (about $2). A country plagued by poverty and HIV.
The reason for our trip was to help a local church with their building project. Kruik Gemeente (congregation), Secunda is linked with a local church in Panda through Mozaic Upliftment Trust (www.mozaic-ut.co.za) . Mozaic, with Gerhard Erasmus as its leader, is a network that assists Mozambican church leaders in discipling their communities, and equip congregations to raise the standard of of living in their social environment.
The leader of the local church, Eduardo, has lost the use of both his legs - but this hasn't stopped him from planting over 6 congregations in the last few months! The facility that we would help build, would serve as a community centre where other church leaders would be trained, and agricultural and health programs be launched.
As part of the trip, i had the privilege to have a conversation with some of the medical staff in the village. One of the nurses explained that many Mozambican men work in South Africa, and it is common for them to attract HIV here. Back home it is not unusual for the wife to have a boyfriend - more as a way of getting food than anything else. Of course, this all leads to the rapid spread of the disease. It goes without saying that Mozambique and South Africa is linked in more ways that we can imagine.
It is rare to find men in Mozambican churches. They either work away from home in bigger towns or South African. When they are home, they usually fall victim to alcohol abuse. During our time in Mozambique, the few men that helped us with the project - really made a big difference (you can just imagine how equipped a guy from South Africa,used to spend behind blaring laptop screens, can be with a shovel!) Through a local translator, I spoke with one of the Mozambican men - Carlos. Now you should see this guy in action! No job was too hard for him. I thanked him for his valuable contribution. He told me that he enjoys helping other people. He added that would unfortunately have to leave about 4pm, to get 3 hours sleep so that he could be in time for his work at the local bakery for a shift of 12hours!
The next morning Carlos came back from work and gave me two Portugese rolls - to show what he makes, and a token of his friendship. I was struck by his generosity - here was a guy who has so little, but did not find it too big a things to give away. I told Gerhard that I would like to give Carlos and his family something - not as a reward for his hard work, but as a token of my friendship. Gerhard discussed this with the local pastor, and agreed to it. I told Carlos that I would love to give him something that I have made with my own hands - but that I am not very handy. What happened next will stay with me forever....
On receiving the gift, Carlos started to run towards his chickens - picking up anything he can to try and strike one. Eventually, with the help of Gerhard, a chicken was caught and given to me as a gift (which I couldn't refuse.)
There is so many things I can tell you about our time in Mozambique - of women singing all the time while working on the hardest job in the world - mixing cement; about playing soccer with local schoolboys; about worshiping together as one - as brother and sister.
I am still processing through all I have experienced. One things I do realize is that I have received so much - and that with it comes a responsibility ! As a follower of Jesus, I am invited to live in the Kingdom of God - bringing GOOD NEWS.....
Mozambique. For many affluent South Africans the new hotspot for vacations. A country where you Rands can actually buy something. A country of immense beauty.
But this was not to be the Mozambique we would be paying a visit. On Saturday morning, a group of 12 white South Africans, started their voyage to the village of Panda, via Swaziland. The Mozambique we would see, would be reminiscent of a country impoverished by civil wars. A place where the average daily wage is about R15 (about $2). A country plagued by poverty and HIV.
The reason for our trip was to help a local church with their building project. Kruik Gemeente (congregation), Secunda is linked with a local church in Panda through Mozaic Upliftment Trust (www.mozaic-ut.co.za) . Mozaic, with Gerhard Erasmus as its leader, is a network that assists Mozambican church leaders in discipling their communities, and equip congregations to raise the standard of of living in their social environment.
The leader of the local church, Eduardo, has lost the use of both his legs - but this hasn't stopped him from planting over 6 congregations in the last few months! The facility that we would help build, would serve as a community centre where other church leaders would be trained, and agricultural and health programs be launched.
As part of the trip, i had the privilege to have a conversation with some of the medical staff in the village. One of the nurses explained that many Mozambican men work in South Africa, and it is common for them to attract HIV here. Back home it is not unusual for the wife to have a boyfriend - more as a way of getting food than anything else. Of course, this all leads to the rapid spread of the disease. It goes without saying that Mozambique and South Africa is linked in more ways that we can imagine.
It is rare to find men in Mozambican churches. They either work away from home in bigger towns or South African. When they are home, they usually fall victim to alcohol abuse. During our time in Mozambique, the few men that helped us with the project - really made a big difference (you can just imagine how equipped a guy from South Africa,used to spend behind blaring laptop screens, can be with a shovel!) Through a local translator, I spoke with one of the Mozambican men - Carlos. Now you should see this guy in action! No job was too hard for him. I thanked him for his valuable contribution. He told me that he enjoys helping other people. He added that would unfortunately have to leave about 4pm, to get 3 hours sleep so that he could be in time for his work at the local bakery for a shift of 12hours!
The next morning Carlos came back from work and gave me two Portugese rolls - to show what he makes, and a token of his friendship. I was struck by his generosity - here was a guy who has so little, but did not find it too big a things to give away. I told Gerhard that I would like to give Carlos and his family something - not as a reward for his hard work, but as a token of my friendship. Gerhard discussed this with the local pastor, and agreed to it. I told Carlos that I would love to give him something that I have made with my own hands - but that I am not very handy. What happened next will stay with me forever....
On receiving the gift, Carlos started to run towards his chickens - picking up anything he can to try and strike one. Eventually, with the help of Gerhard, a chicken was caught and given to me as a gift (which I couldn't refuse.)
There is so many things I can tell you about our time in Mozambique - of women singing all the time while working on the hardest job in the world - mixing cement; about playing soccer with local schoolboys; about worshiping together as one - as brother and sister.
I am still processing through all I have experienced. One things I do realize is that I have received so much - and that with it comes a responsibility ! As a follower of Jesus, I am invited to live in the Kingdom of God - bringing GOOD NEWS.....
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