On the road 2: From Cape Town to the land of Royalty

So I left Cape Town on an important mission: "Mission Royal". I would have a great opportunity to "knight" three girls who played a great part in helping our Orphan program in Mozambique.

Daisy, Lilly and Poppy are just the three most adorable girls you can lay your eyes on. They have had one special thing in common though: They decided at the age of 7 to tackle, on their own - the orphan problem in Africa. To do that they started selling cake at their schools to raise funds for orphan Christmas parties. The money came to Africa and we sure did have great orphan parties. They even purchased blankets and toys which was received by the orphans with huge smiles and laughter.

I had the privilege of meeting these girls in London, Godalming and "knight" them at their local Sunday School with a certificate. The girls even made it possible (through their great mom and dad - David and Kate) so that I could preach in their amazing church - St John the Baptist, Church of England (see their work at http://www.busbridgechurch.org/)

I came to England to talk about Mozambique and its wonderful and courageous people - but what found in England was just as astonishing. We met the most amazing people here. I remember talking to a group of Sunday school 10-12 year olds. I though of an ice-breaker. Maybe I could start teaching a little Portuguese. Well - to my astonishment 80 % of the class could either speak Spanish, Mandarin, Greek, French and Arabic. I never knew England had such a diverse community!

Follow us as we travel through the UK - and really it's about the people you meet .............

Shopping in Godalming, London.

Daisy Phillips teaching us how to shop in the UK.

The local street band did impress me!
And the flowers in spring time ..............

We were privileged to stay at Bryan and Ruth Phillips as we arrived in the UK. Bryan is heading up the youth at their local church in Gilford, London. I should maybe add that Bryan is a youth like no other and at the young age of 75 knows everything there is to know about PlayStation and interacting with young people.

Bryan and Ruth with Alta. They got up early to get us at the airports on time. We shared some great times together. Ruth helped us by selling birthday cards for Mozambique and its kids.

Watch our next post and meet real heroes of the faith!

On the road 1: Cape Town happiness

I always associate Cape Town with laughter, die Kaapse Klopse (a local Malayan band with fresh, lively cultural Cape Town music - very unique) and off course Table Mountain and a pristine coast line. Good food, good people and a very laid back atmosphere.

Photo: Dr. Theo Geyser from In Via

I had a great opportunity to preach at a new groundbreaking church (In Via). Follow them if you dare on http://www.invia.org.za/ Their approach to changing our world is fresh and dynamic. The group of young people were inspiring to say the least .... and oh yes ...... if they do invite you to speak in Cape Town be prepared that they might just stop you in the middle of your message to ask you a few questions on your content.

Photo: Table Mountain from Blouberg Beach

I did spend a few days in Cape Town though and caught some of the scenery I can never get enough off. If you have never been in Cape Town make sure to mark it on your agenda as one of the places you just have to see before you ...... well ...... travel again!

Photo: Typical sounds from the Kaapse KlopsePhoto: A visit to the Waterfront is a given.

Photo: Chapmans Peak is a great drive around Table Mountain. It is usually

closed due to rock falls but this time around it was open so we took the

opportunity to see the beauty it beholds.

Photo: Stellenbosch where I also had the opportunity to share. Also a place

where I studied many moons ago. Stellenbosch was founded in the 1700

by Simon van der Stel and is well known for its immaculate wines.

Keep following my route ............

TOURING: The most amazing people .........

Yesterday was election day in Mozambique. There was a spirit of expectancy in the air. There were so many people on the road waving and shouting messages of hope that it was actually contagious. Tell you what ...... I met people that was quite contagious in what they are doing currently in the Kingdom:

MEET THE VLAEBERG COMMUNITY

One of the groups I had the privilege to share about "being missionally present" in the world was a community of people in Stellenbosch. It is run by a "Koi San" pastor, Johannes. He is an amazing passionate man that works with very poor people in his community. He runs several schools for under privileged kids. He is a truly transformational agent who is not easily scared when it comes to challenges. The church also raised money to sponsor 3 Bibles in the process.

LEGACY CENTRE IN STELLENBOSCH, CAPE TOWN FOR AIDS PATIENTS

I had the privilege to buildt this centre in Cape Town some years ago with Stellenbosch Congregation and some wonderful people. It started of as a community centre with the dream of creating a caring community which would look after the 1 000's of aids patients who no one wants to take care off. Some fantastic people were involved throughout the years and I think back of a HIV positive transformational agent, Charlie from LA, San Francisco.

Well I visited the project to see what was happening and to my astonishment it grew fantastically under the management of Louise Fourie and Stellenbosch Congregation where I worked for a few years.

Join me as I travel through Cape Town and meet more awesome people changing the lives of others.

Around the world in 80 days!

Nobody really cares if I would try to explain why the blog has been soooooooooo quiet. I have been all over the last 2 months of which England, Belgium and Germany were on the cards.

Back to Cape Town - speaking at many very interesting communities - back to Johannesburg - back again to Cape Town and wola ....... home at last (but first had to survive Zimbabwe again).

GOOD PEOPLE

I am now very convinced that God has very awesome people all around the globe. And not just people ...... transformational agents ........ reconstructing new communities as they go along. During the next few days I will introduce some of them to you ............

Hope all of you are doing just fine!