Doing a new thing - tearing off the old

It is now 2017 and it's all about the New. New Beginnings, new ways and yes even a new camera. I do miss my Nikon D750 which was left behind somewhere in Mozambique and have been researching new prospects, even contemplating jumping ship and going mirrorless. New can so easy become novelty and as I stare at my photographic cupboard I see numerous cameras of yesteryear that haven't seen the light of day or in fact any light through their shutters for some time. New obviously means the previous will become old - words from Isaiah 43;19  "forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland..."

Lily of the valley - spotted by my daughter Kelly on a recent hike in Golden Gate

The transition from 2016 to 2017 on a personal level was not exactly easy. After soaking for ten weeks in a greenhouse of Love, watered daily and feeding on fresh manna I was now confronted by some things of old. It was as if there was this enveloping, claustrophobic oppressive cloud trying to force me back into my old identity and old ways. It was Old Year's eve and I just felt God highlighting the teaching of Surprise Sithole in Nelspruit about the familiar spirit. It was late and I eventually found the part in my notes and still wondered why I had chosen to write in pencil as I struggled to read.

Surprise Sithole who is a man so full of God's Joy and Wisdom (Voice in the Night - an inspiring read about his life story) shared about the familiar spirit which was new to me. I was aware of familiar spirits as those whom mediums consult to communicate with dead relatives - mentioned and forbidden in the bible. When he spoke of the familiar spirit it was in the same vein as for example a critical spirit or even an orphan spirit - a particular way of thinking or attitude. Pastor Surprise said that wherever you go to avoid the familiar spirit as it leads to barrenness. He gave an example of where King David danced with all his might and with very little clothing which offended his wife Michal who despised him for what she regarded as a lack of dignity. Subsequently she then was left with barrenness. She never recognised his act of worship but instead through familiarity she perceived it as a disgrace.

The familiar lenses of the people of Nazareth viewed Jesus as merely a boy next door or as the son of a carpenter. He was not honoured in his hometown and Jesus himself could only perform a few miracles there. Surprise spoke of returning home (this was in the third week of HS25) and he warned of not drawing the familiar spirit when things are different. One could say the proverb "familiarity breeds contempt" holds a similar truth.

A familiar farmhouse but this time with a whole herd of Afrikaner cattle running past as on cue

The same abandoned familiar farmhouse with this newly discovered kitchen 

Both Andrea and I felt as if old ways were trying to force their way back on us and on New Year's day we set aside a time of prayer whilst refusing to partner with that familiar spirit. Pastor Surprise was speaking more of looking at others with an attitude of familiarity however we knew that recognising this particular stifling outlook and resisting it in our own lives was so liberating. We embraced the promise of God doing a new thing and thanked Him for the new robes we had received at Harvest School. During that time I just saw a picture of Clark Kent ripping off his old office suit with the Big S showing beneath. A few days later while travelling with our daughter Kelly I shared the Clark Kent picture and my awkwardness about Superman delusions of grandeur. Kelly said that if God gave you that picture then just receive it and she said the S stands for Supernatural man - well that settled it.

Ripping off the old restraining and familiar suit to reveal the true supernatural man living inside 

Love the Message translation of Romans 13;14 "Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!" What an encouraging word and that it is about Christ as opposed to putting on one's own suit of self-confidence but rather being clothed in Him! Looking forward to 2017 and walking in a spirit of expectancy and wonder, shaking off the familiar, same ol' story, just another day in paradise thinking and just being mesmerised by His Greatness - All dressed up with somewhere to go!

Pressing On - towards the Mark

Looking back at 2016 and especially the last three months of an unforgettable Harvest School my heart is just filled with gratitude. As I reminisce about Harvest School there are things I fondly remember and miss such as the beautiful faces, the beautiful smiles and those sparkling eyes. I think of the morning gong, the ubiquitous pao, all two of them and the promise of a brand new day with high expectations. I remember the sounds, the children's laughter and their high pitched "Salama" greeting and the chirping of the sparrow family that nested right above our room door.

How could I forget the morning walk to class with the whiteboard surprise, the hop, skip and jump announcements of Papa T with those jokes as dry as a four day old pao followed by the wild appreciation of his nation of the day. I hold dear the memory of the worship - the spontaneity, the obliviousness, the hunger, the adoration, the intimacy and the sweetness. I miss the predictable unpredictability of class. hearing a seemingly familiar verse/teaching/theology like never before, going from Yes and then to No and then to does this all really matter - when it is ALL really about Him - the one and only - the whole point of our affection - Jesus. There is so much more I do appreciate - the crazy testimonies and stories, the discussions, the skits, the prayers....

The Retrospectoscope - kindly drawn by Katie Barth

I remember an intimate moment during worship where the word disappointment came up - not disappointment in God but more in myself, some of my choices and why I waited until fifty-something ... when I heard God say "that is why I saved you" and I saw this arm saving me from drowning - an event which happened when I was two and a half years old. I was under the water in the deep end of the Freddies Mine swimming pool in Odendaalsrus when my father spotted me and pulled me up from the deep. I did not hear God audibly but in one moment He erased all the issues of disappointment. Later on in Harvest School I thought of the word "retrospectoscope" - a word doctors sometimes use when a challenging patient's diagnosis becomes so glaringly obvious when one examines the situation with hindsight. The retrospectoscope I imagined was a combination of a submarine's periscope but pointing backwards with a microscope attached and the lost navigator was stuck in the past oblivious of the bright future with a rainbow of Hope.

Pressing On by Bob Dylan - vinyl version

Pressing On as sung by Bob Dylan has always been a favourite sealed with a particular moment - it was the end of 1982 and I was driving my white Golf in Kotze street above the Old Fort towards Medical school in Hillbrow, Johannesburg to write the make or break final Anatomy exam after an all nighter of spotting - despite the gravity of the situation the song took me to another place - far away. The moment was made even sweeter when I heard I passed this massive exam. Thirty Five years later this song still speaks to me - I even found my original vinyl record and listened to Bob Dylan singing the message of Philippians 3:14 with accompanying scratches. As I read the verse again the message of "Pressing On" is so profound but much more than "grin and bare it" or "hang in there".

A personal and incomplete study of a portion Philippians 3

There is so much Truth in these few verses and though I am not a biblical scholar I just stand amazed - Highlighted words - Loss, Garbage, To Know Christ, I Press On, One Thing, Forgetting, I Press On Toward. The contrasts of Loss versus Gain, forgetting the past and embracing the future and so much more. I know I will be chewing on these verses for some time - even the difficult ones of "participation in his sufferings..." It is the last day of 2016 and as incredible as it was I focus now on 2017 with my periscope fixed firmly on the Joy that is before me laying to rest the things of the past.  I have the Prize firmly in my sights - His name is Jesus and nothing compares to Him for it truly is ALL about Him.

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Harvest School 25 is now finished and I have the certificate with some impressive signatures and of course I got the T shirt too - a bright yellow XXXL with the inspiring words "Love looks like Something". What was the bloody point some might ask - taking nearly ten weeks off work and going off to a place to live on rice and beans and take a few photos. How can one begin to describe such a personal life event - these words blood, sweat and tears came to mind.

Blood as in when you finally kill that annoying mosquito in your room and then it occurs to you that the very blood on your hands is probably yours. Blood as in the realisation that that what happened at the Cross is, was and always will be the whole bloody point - it may sound crass and crude but it is the inescapable Truth of the whole Redemption Story - The Most Beautiful Love Story. I saw the Jesus film a few times in Mozambique and this time noticed how tame the crucifixion scene is portrayed - in reality His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness.

Sweat as in Pemba, Mozambique was hot and humid with some rain and often a stiff breeze but most of the time we all had this glowing new countenance. There were sticky situations of the clammy kind and then there were those of enduring kind although we had it good with minimal interruptions of electricity and water. The tough times included those inner struggles - those recurring ones and then the shocking Truth that strips away the layered veneer of lies exposing your new vulnerable identity - the real you. It was difficult to comprehend the poverty and lack with the subsequent redistribution battle amidst huge cultural differences. Then there were those hard times when your erroneous ways come to the Light - when you see your real motives and when He corrects you and shows you His way. 

A Mozambican great grandmama

Tears as in those of Joy and those of Brokenness. Those times when you come undone, when He wrecks your heart and that word that Bishop Garlington refers to as "mucous", flows freely - yet you don't care a hoot. Up until three weeks before the end of school I was doing okay - there were tender times but nothing like the one Sunday church service where the floodgates opened - what exactly happened I don't know - yet it did feel like open heart surgery had taken place with some anaesthesia I suspect. In all of this there were tears of sheer gratitude and I think of that precious hymn that is a favourite of mine since childhood - Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

The Mieze Tree

Village Visit, Three Barbers & Van Persie and a lesson in cultural differences

It was our turn to do village immersion which involves a group of four or five students going with a mama into the village and spending time with her and her family. We walked out of the Iris base and then into the village market where we bought some rice, oil, mangoes, tinned tomatoes and a frozen chicken. The mama was a widow and had seven children and after quite some walking we arrived at her home. She kindly made us feel at ease as we sat under the shade of a large tree and ate some delicious mangoes. We met some of her children and we listened to her story though it was difficult because of the language barrier, fortunately a young man Salemo had joined us with permission and he translated for us. Brian and Cathy from Hawaii were playing games with the kids and Brian even made a swing whilst I took plenty of photos of the beautiful children and they enjoyed seeing their funny expressions. Andrea and Kelly chatted to the mama and older girls while the process of preparing lunch had begun.

The beautiful eyes of the children

Village Mama portrait and family

We heard intermittent loud music from a small bamboo stall which we could see not too far away and Kelly said that it was a barber shop. I went over to have a look, asked to take a photo of Joam who was the barber and as I was in need of a haircut asked how much it would cost. There was a considerable delay with the issue of language and at one stage I heard the word from his friend Ibrahim "complicado" - I should have known. The bamboo stall was rather tiny and many children had by now gathered but after a reasonable price of 100 meticas I agreed and was seated down. On the walls were several haircut styles with numbers and I chose number 11 which was shortish on the side with plenty of hair on top, not unlike Joam and Ibrahim. Before me was a massive Manchester United Poster with all of the famous football players above the golden mirror and loud music coming from a speaker box at my feet and soon a clean looking white sheet was draped around me - what can possibly go wrong. 

My Three Barbers Joam,  young Salemo and Ibrahim 

Before I knew it young Salemo had the clippers and quite literally let rip and a large chunk of hair seemed to be missing from the left hand side of my head. Joam stepped in, took over and it felt like hair was flying in all directions and I could hear Brian standing outside chuckling. Totally at the mercy of the barbers I tried to make a bit of small talk and obviously started talking about Manchester United and spotted Wayne Rooney then Salemo said they would make me look like Van Persie - well he was just above the mirror on the right hand side and I felt rather honoured - I am a Van Persie fan and still sad that Holland lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

Salemo with the opening shave with Van Persie on the top right of the mirror and an photo inset too. Joam taking over and lastly a photo taken by Salemo of the transformation

There was some brushing of my head and I was now aware that the clippers were very close to my scalp although I couldn't quite picture the Van Persie interpretation. Now the third barber Ibrahim stepped in and he was vigorously tracking the outline of my head and I was wondering if I was finally going to become a monk. They switched to another clippers and the shaving was getting even closer now and rather uncomfortable. I was asked about my stubble and eyebrows and politely refused - I think Van Persie still had his eyebrows. They kindly warned me about some solution they were about to apply to my scalp and neck and my goodness did it burn - the haircut was also now finally finished. I thanked my barbers and plucked up the courage to face the world outside knowing that somehow everything hadn't exactly gone to plan - probably much like the Dutch team's 2010 world cup final.

The finished look and a selfie with young Salemo who probably performed his first haircut

In all of the chaos the mama had actually stormed into the barber stall and took my camera away out of concern that the children would steal it - we later heard that some of these children often ridicule her as she is a widow. A little while later we all had a delicious chicken lunch together and realised that a lot more was going on that we were unaware of. Not only is our hair physically different but our ways too and something that seems so obviously appropriate to us is not in another culture. There were some other events during the day that made us realise how similar we are and yet how diverse we are too. I do believe we all have an inherent sense of what is good and what is evil however culture displays itself in it's own unique way in each people's group and how wonderful it is when one starts to celebrate and value the beauty of the nations. I lost plenty of hair that day but gained so many nuggets regarding the sheer beauty of the human race - there is indeed so much more going on.

Rope skipping fun - a common joy

Work in Progress

The time here in Pemba, Mozambique has been intense on so many levels and we have done five weeks of Harvest School 25 already. The other evening I almost had to pinch myself thinking I was on a movie set (not that I have been on one before) with all these amazing "actors" around me. I just see the most beautiful people whose eyes quite literally sparkle and every week I wonder whether this Love bubble is going to burst. Far from it as these fellow students and staff display such a genuine affection and sincerity that runs so deep.  What an inspiring picture of hope to see a community living in an atmosphere of preferring one another and celebrating the gift or favour on the one sitting beside you. We have heard the word "relationship" and "family" quite often in our school - how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! Psalm 133

Worship under the Bread Tree

One evening we had a combined colour group meeting which is our Harvest School students of 15 people with a similar number of Mozambican bible school students and we had a chicken feast under the bread tree ( a baobab tree in the student village where two owls have their home). Then we worshipped together and we sang the joyful Macua songs with plenty of dancing. It was already evening and I tried to capture the moment on my little Fuji X70 - somehow in my attempts I accidentally moved the camera in a vertical direction and because of the low light and subsequent slow shutter speed I ended up with the above image. I would normally discard such a blurry photograph but after some processing I saw something which for me describes worship - the uplifting of our gratitude to our Father who is so Good and so worthy of worship. Later that evening under the same Bread Tree, as we were preparing to practice a skit for our upcoming outreach we as a group had such an encounter with God that was so profound and unexpected.

God about to create Adam and Eve - our skit on outreach - with Bart Simpson shadow! 

We did get to practice our skit on a later day which was the story of creation, the fall, the Cross and the Redemption - The Good News of the Gospel. Simon played God and he did a sterling job on outreach as did the whole team. Our two night outreach entailed sleeping in a village in our little tents and visiting houses praying for people with each evening consisting of doing our drama, testimonies, preaching and the showing of the Jesus film. There are so many children who just love to hang out, play and have fun.

Kids having fun

The afternoon of our outreach we ended up at a beautiful beach where we swam in the warm water with kids splashing all around us. For a while I just floated relishing the moment, thinking of how little one needs to be really content - some kids had basically nothing swimming stark naked. Later on I took my Nikon camera with a polarising filter and managed to capture some stunning shots of the blue blue sea and kids frolicking in the waves. After an enjoyable afternoon we returned by truck back to the base. On arriving back at the base as I climbed off I realised my Lowepro camera sling bag was gone - such a sinking feeling. My Nikon D750 camera and my wallet and the precious moments of the afternoon. The driver very kindly drove back on the very bumpy track and we even went back to the sea but alas there was nothing. I subsequently checked some images on my other small Fuji camera and the Camera bag was still on my shoulder before I climbed onto the truck. A later picture in the truck of Andrea and myself showed no bag over my shoulder. There were several really bumpy sections and I even joked to myself as the group sang a chorus in Portuguese "eh bon" they were singing "airborne"! The sides of the truck are covered in plastic tarpaulin but there is a gap where the bag can easily fall through.

My whittled camera kit

People rallied around me in prayer and a fellow student Virginia was so encouraging - she had lost her passport and wallet the night prior to leaving Johannesburg when they suddenly had to evacuate the room they were staying in due to unexpected flooding. Against all odds and an impossible situation she was issued a new passport and visa and able to attend the school in Mozambique. I previously wrote a blog about the word "Whittle" and how my camera kit and life were about to be trimmed down - little did I know this was going to happen! There have been many questions, what were you thinking, what were you not thinking, etc,etc,etc - all I know is that I hold onto the word that He has declared - "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. Accidents do happen - is there a lesson - Life isn't always One Big Lesson but One Incredible Journey and who else better to experience it with than my Saviour and Best Friend, Jesus! I still trust for an amazing testimony from this "accident" - Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Thank You South Africa

We have arrived in Pemba, Mozambique where it is hot and humid but the air is thick with expectancy and anticipation! Our time in South Africa was life changing in so many ways and I write this just as a small tribute to our beautiful country with it’s beautiful people. I confess that when I first heard the school was going to be divided into two parts with the first part to be held in Nelspruit, I did feel a bit short changed as I really did want to get to Pemba. The two and a half weeks in Nelspruit turned out to be such a blessing on so many levels and I am so grateful for that time.

The camping ground we stayed at was perfect for meeting new people and the hospitality shown by the South Africans catering was so welcoming and generous. We even had traditional Bobotie (with raisins!) and a tasty braai with our host Cecil modifying the braai on the fly by drilling larger ventilation holes - classic South African resourcefulness! 

Lekker Braai and Mission Ventilation 

From the campground the students from over thirty nations were taken to the Riverside Mall and it was a surprise to hear how impressed the foreigners were with "our" mall - the variety, quality and generous food portions! Then of course it was safari time and the glee on the students' faces as the safari game viewing vehicles arrived and all the subsequent stories of lions and amazing sightings from the Kruger National Park. These all made me feel "Proudly South African" however it was my experience with the local people that touched my heart.

Just driving in a taxi to different churches and locations was an experience alone especially after having my own altercations with them on the roads. A term I heard here at Pemba was "isolation chambers" which describes cars and how they do insulate you from the culture. Then it was the actual visiting of the churches - some with incredibly loud music and some with just the voices but all were filled with such joyous and spontaneous worship.

Riding in the back seat of a taxi

The highlight of our time in South Africa was our two night outreach in Hlau Hlau. We arrived at dusk to attend a revival tent meeting where worshippers were singing and dancing up a storm and then at one stage the pastor asked us to introduce ourselves. As each student announced their name and where they were from their was a great applause. Then a young South African student said where she was from and the crowd clapped louder than ever and when it came to Andrea and my turn they also responded with such a warm welcome. Plenty has happened since 1994 and it was such a symbol of reconciliation for us. After a beautiful evening and while waiting under the stars, Andrea recognised the pastor as the man in the film "Finger of God" who was raised from the dead. He looked remarkably similar and after a while I just asked him and he said it was him - little did we know we would be staying two nights in his home.

Introductions of the Harvest School team in the tent meeting

We arrived at Pastor Shongwe's home later that night where his wife and family served us a delicious chicken dinner for at least fifty people. Their hospitality and way of honouring was so humbling and we had the privilege of being in their company for the next two days. After so many continued to ask Pastor Shongwe about his testimony of being raised from the dead he agreed to share it at his church the Saturday morning. We listened attentively as this humble man of God spoke about that day he was beaten to death in an area not too far away but his story was not about the details. He then described that suddenly he was in heaven and spoke of the throne room of God after which he was overcome with such a reverence that he started worshipping God. We all joined in and it was a moment to cherish as we had a tiny inkling of his heavenly experience.

Pastor Francis Shongwe in front of his church

After some fun with the kids in the church we went out into the community where we would walk and people would stop and ask us for prayer. Some asked for healing, some asked for prayer for lost family members and some just asked for a blessing. In one tiny hot shack a woman had asked for healing and during prayer somebody in our small group started worshipping - all I can say is the presence of God was in that tiny place and I saw a desperate woman overcome with the Love of God. Further on three large men - a father and his two sons were relaxing in the shade and the father asked for prayer for his knees and lower back. We asked him to sit down and we prayed for him asking him if he felt better - he stood up and started touching his toes! There was no way to "verify" he was healed but the smile on his face and his mobility was unforgettable.

That evening in church as we were worshipping our group leaders asked Andrea and I to preach! Good Lord I have never preached before and I started laughing but strangely for some time I have had "sermons" going through my mind. As this was called Harvest School what better place to learn - so in we jumped. My opening line was "who are we?!" with nobody realising it was more a question and declaration to myself asking what right do we have to be standing there! I spoke on the faithfulness of God and that "He will never ever give up". Our first sermon wasn't very long and Andrea ended by saying "we love you" - so few words but with such power when full of sincerity. Shortly afterwards an ex gangster from Cape Town preached revival but we were so grateful for the way God took us by the hand into new terrain.

Walking home from church that night I was chatting to a super bright twelve year old who wants to be a lawyer. Somehow we spoke about learning languages and how after a few months of attempting to study Sotho ( from a grammar book) I made no progress. He turned to me and said "father, as you said - Never ever give up"! The time in Hlau Hlau was so precious and travelling back in the taxi I realised what a priceless experience I just had - no safari, exotic getaway or even photographic trip could match this. It is all about the people and I was so grateful that God had connected me to fellow South Africans right here in my own backyard. The journey from seeing Black & White to seeing His full spectrum of rainbow colours has begun. God bless South Africa and all who dwell in this beautiful land.

Tussle

This word came up the other evening when Andrea and I helped to serve supper for the students. I was to dish up the rice and was shown to give one spoon of rice to each student. As Jeremy Clarkson would ask "How hard can it be?!" - well it was a tussle. Tussle as in a struggle, wrestling, going back and forth - I don't want to mess this up and run out of rice but surely a huge hungry missionary can't only have one normal spoon of rice. I started out by the book and then got a bit braver sneaking in a quick little extra, then I made the one spoon bigger and bigger. My supply of rice was disappearing rapidly and the thought of please explaining seemed so embarrassing. Then suddenly more hot rice appeared and now there was no holding back. With new confidence the portions were now substantially more generous and with the seconds policy in place I could redeem my meager servings to those first in the queue!

The rice drama was just a tiny storm in a teacup and other more significant tussles are going on down deep inside. So much internal shifting and rearranging has already taken place at this school. Hearing the stories of students, couples and families around us is so humbling and inspiring. Some have given up jobs, careers and even studies. A number including myself are waiting for the next step and the tussle rages concerning the choice of the seemingly wise (or more correctly "safe" option) or that outrageously insane one that burns inside of you. As we heard "Plan A is the only way, Plan B is not for me"

The tussle of humility continues - lowering yourself and preferring others - giving up your rights, your reputation, your accolades - basically dying to yourself. This going lower process is a work in progress and took an unusual metaphorical twist whilst sitting in class on my camp chair. The chair was rated for 80kg and I obviously had an under-inflated opinion of myself ( which could be called false humility) and needless to say my chair couldn't carry my weight. After two hours of sitting, my backside finally reached the floor - no crash, boom, bang but it was this gradual descent to hitting rock bottom as the plastic hinge slowly gave way. Here at Iris they say "Go Low and Go Slow" and it was if He graciously allowed me to slowly sink lower reaching ground level without exposing me to a humiliating comedown. He is ever so gentle, kind and faithful.

The collapse of my chair - going low slowly selfie