Simple

Something is wrong with me... I am almost convinced of that.
The truth is everything that I am feeling is normal. It is however rather difficult processing as I walk through this.
I feel a lot like a nomad or a gypsy. No fixed place of abode... just a series of stops of varying length.
I could quote all sorts of biblical things which may imply that I should find my grounding in God. However the reality is, even though my foundation is in Him, I am still human.
Aren't we all human? How many times do we convince ourselves that we can be more than human because we call ourselves Christian?
Nonesense I say! Live! Be real! Find people who understand and accept us with our faults and short comings.
Breathe!
At the end of the day... God is still on the throne, Jesus is still risen and I am still His! (even with all my weirdness).
Thank God for Jesus!
When all is said and done, I am His and He is mine... and nothing is going to change that!
luv you JC!

October was a strange month in Barbados.
A few days after I arrived in the island, some kind of tropical system caused unusual flooding across the country.
Sam Lorde's Castle (an historical site as well as a former hotel) was mysteriously destroyed by fire. (It was in disrepair prior to this as well)
Our Prime Minister succumbs to his 7 month long battle with pancreatic cancer. Our youngest PM dies after only a short 100 days in office.
During the time of mourning for our PM a tropical depression which quickly became a tropical storm then a hurricane. It seemingly came out of nowhere... or maybe we were still reeling from the loss of the PM. No one was prepared for it, it seems. Some places have taken more than a week to have water and electricity restored.

As for me, I'm making every effort to rest while visiting people as often as I can. Also visiting cell groups.
Nov 20th @ Living Room Church
Nov 27th @ Living Room Church Youth
Dec    5th @ Barbados Grace Fellowship church
Other possibilities exist as well. I really want to use this time at home well and wisely!

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.

Johannes 3:16

Så älskade Gud världen att han gav den sin ende don, för att de som tror på honal inte skall gå under utan ha evigt liv. 

In any language this verse sounds cool. Finding the reference on the side of a boat in the Gränna Harbour was a surprise but a pleasant one. May Sweden come to know this to be true!

En Månad i Sverige

I know that this is a bit late in coming together and means that things on the blog will be a little bit backwards... but let us take a look at the month of September which I spent in Sweden.

September 3^rd Arrived in Sweden

September 4^th Råslätt's dagen (a community day of sorts in Råslätt. Met quite a few people who live there and work with OM and or the church)

Sept 6^th Welcomed to the office. Met the office staff.

Sept 8^th Attend Spåk Cafe (speech cafe) Hosted by the Red Cross to help non swedes speak swedish with each other.

Sept 10^th Attended the Living Room (hehehe) which is the youth meeting of the church that OM works with. The youth meet in the OM apartment where I happened to be staying.

Sept 11^th Church's birthday celebration. The members made cakes and gave them away to the people in the community.

Sept 11^th to 12^th Visited a church in a place called Rimforsa. We led a youth meeting on the Saturday and a church meeting on Sunday morning. The word for 'church' in swedish is Kyrka. The church that we visited is called 'Brokyrkan' which means 'The Bridge Church'.

Sept 11^th Dinner and birthday party with some of the other singles.

Sept 13^th Attended the Spåk Cafe

Sept 15^th Attended a house group (cell group) at the home of a lebanese family.

Sept 16^th to 18^th Travelled to Stockholm with Isak, David and Magdalena for a meeting about an upcoming activity with Luis i Öster (Light for the People) and Folk och Spåk (People and Speech, the name of Wycliffe Bible Translators in Sweden).

Sept 18^th Attended 'The Underground'. This is a youth centre run by the city during the week. Omers and members of the church run it on Saturday nights.

Sept 19^th Mushroom hunting :); Church at Råslätts församlingsgemenskap Kyrkan (The Parish Community Church of Råslätt). This is the church that most of the Omers in Råslätt attend. Many in the congregation are former OM ers including the pastor; Dinner with some of the singles plus a student from the university.

Sept 20^th Josephine Tan from 'Touch Nature'in Nepal visits and gives us an update on what is happening there.

Sept 21^st. Leena arrives to check out the ministry in Råslätt. We share the apartment.

Sept 22^nd Visited a house group. One family and a bunch of young people attend this one.

Sept 24^th Attended the Living Room Youth Group.

Sept 25^th Attended a meeting for the 'Vision Team' going to the Logos Hope in October. Gave a 5 minute presentation on adapting to a different culture based on personal experience.

Sept 26^th Church; dinner at Field Leader's house with Leena (from OM Ireland) and Sharaz (from OM Pakistan).

Sept 28^th Attended the Världens Chans (A world of opportunity). A missions expo at various bible schools. Done in cooperation with Luis i Öster and Folk och Spåk. I attended on this day only at one Bible School.

Sept 29^th Spent the day cleaning and doing Laundry and saying good bye to people.

Sept 30^th Last minute goodbyes and departed Sweden.

Vi Ses Sverige (See you later Sweden)

Ok so I did not keep up with the updates as much as I thought that i would have in the last few weeks.
Finland was an awesome time of resting, and thinking and praying and connecting with people.
The last 4 weeks in Sweden were filled with so many different things.
From church visits, to attending the local church; from mushroom hunting to moving in Fika; from speaking english to speaking swenglish; from meeting new friends to meeting old ones; from eating candy to eating beef; from the polka dancing pig to Willy's.
So much has happened and I have learnt so much... and while some moments have been difficult... I have enjoyed my time here... and would not trade it for anything.
Did I mention meeting people...
Vi ses sverige!

So today I have two sleeps left before I leave Sweden.
Today we went to a bible school... or maybe a bible school class to talk about missions. How cool is that. I was knew what was basically being presented but didn't understand that much. However I was able to talk a little bit about some things.
It is always encouraging to see young people taking time to follow God with there all.
Ok so on the way home we stopped at a candy shop... ok so I bought some!
It has been incredible seeing so much of Sweden and swedish culture... a bit overwhelming at times but I like it.

Rimforsas Brokyrkan (The Bridge Church of Rimforsa)

So this weekend myself, Martin, Isak, David, Abel and Anton drove two hours to a place called Rimforsa. We arrive Saturday afternoon and left on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday evening we led a programme for the church's youth. It took the form of a TV programme with Martin as the host. The rest of us were guest that Martin interviewed about the various topics that were highlighted that night.

The programme was bases on, The Call, Friendship with Jesus and Sending out.
Each one of us had various experiences that we could draw on to compliment each topic. Abel also did a Rap song that he composed himself. Abel and Anton are both teenagers in the Råslätt youth group. Then we had a short break for FIKA (a swedish traditional breaktime filled with goodies to eat). After the FIKA there was a time of prayer and worship. The evening went quite well and the youth responded positively to it. I didn't understand that much as most of it was in swedish but it was still cool. When Martin interviewed me, Isak acted as my translator. We also did a short skit, that I was able to participate in... it was a short part and I was able to speak English.

We stayed with a local family... they took all six of us in... and spoiled us that night and the next morning.

At church the next morning the people were very welcoming. The service went well. This time Martin interviewed me from the front with Isak translating again. Isak and David also spoke about various things that OM is doing. Martin gave the message. The lady that we stayed with chose to sit next to me to translate a little for me even though she is not that confident with English. It is amazing how many people here speak good english but are shy to speak it.

For me another cool things was meeting a young swedish lady who grew in Thailand where her parents were missionaries. She attended an international school so she was relieved to hear english spoken again.
God really is doing something in Sweden!

V-A-C-A-TION

August 19th I arrived in Finland for the start of two weeks of R+R (rest + relaxation).
It was such a good time of catching up on sleep... of reading; spending time with God and pouring out my heart to Him; of reconnecting with old friends; of meeting new people and connecting with them; of rethinking vision and processing many things; of late night discussions; of long walks in nature.

I stayed in the city of Tampere (Tammerfores for the Swedes) with a friend. We were able to visit her family’s summer house a couple of times. I was able to have the traditional finnish sauna and lake experience.
A friend invited us to visit her church which is an international church in a place called Espoo near Helsinki. http://ucclife.fi/

We were also able to go to a free concert by an international (but started in Finland) Christian orchestra called ‘Halo’. http://www.haloensemble.org/

What was especially cool during this time in Finland was the pure JOY that God filled my heart with during this time. It was overflowing. He has been teaching me so much about PEACE and LOVE and JOY in the last few months. The kind of PEACE, LOVE and JOY that stays with you even in terrible situations. The kind of PEACE, LOVE and JOY that only comes from being in a relationship with Him that is living and active.
While in Finland I found myself smiling for NO REAL REASON. Just smiling! I thank you God for this fresh air that you have breathed on and into me. Help me to share it with others!
Yes... I did visit the OM Finland office and spent some time with a few people there. It was good to reconnect with them and see what is happening in another OM Field.

When many people think of Finland, they think of a cold, dark country with a funny language... but there is more to Finland than that... such beauty... such history.
The church in general isn’t the most alive, but I was encouraged to meet followers of Jesus who were desperate for His Kingdom and Glory to come to their city, their friends and family, to this world. These people were so desperate that they were looking for ways to get involved themselves. What a blessing to meet them!

Goodbye Bafana!

On august 18th I left South Africa... the place where I have lived for the last 3 years. I was blessed to have many people come to say goodbye at my house... especially after so many of my friends and other collegues were not around. It was funny... all of my previous housemates had already left... some of my close friends weren’t there because they were on holiday. It was still good to have friends around who cared. I spent my last few days packing and spending time with people and trying to tie up loose ends. On my last night, we had a little gathering for dinner and a fun night.

It is so good when moving on from a significant chapter in life to be able to have such good closure on it. I must admit that much of my time in SA was tough for different reasons. However leaving was peaceful and I appreciate all the people that invested into my life during the 3 years that I spent there. Thank you to all who also made leaving a pleasant experience.

We went to Capetown not knowing what to expect. Everything seemed to be up in air… God was good as usual.
The Friday night before the tour began we were able to meet with the youth leadership and lead the youth meeting from that church.
The youth leaders of the church surprised me when they said that they were looking forward to the training because they felt like they had a lot to learn. This is a big church with lots of good programmes etc in place and the youth leaders were expecting to learn from us. It humbled me immensely… because God uses anyone… including the less qualified to do His work.

During the youth meeting we focused on a few of the countries coming to the world cup. This meeting ended with a persecution exercise. The most amazing thing about the persecution exercise took place at the end of the exercise. (We arrested about 12 of the youth and made them kneel facing the wall in different little prayer groups until their friends released them by praying for the country in question). We were getting feedback from the young people about the exercise and I asked a young man of about 12 years of age, if he enjoyed being on his knees all that time. I expected him to say that he did not because he was uncomfortable. His response was, “Yes, I love praying!” I nearly fell over. The response of the youth to pray for their friends was also astonishing.
The catering, which was like a monkey on my back, worked out surprisingly well. A man that none of us had met before decided to help us by donating 7 whole chickens and some loaves of bread. That was a blessing that helped us stay well below our food budget for the event.
The youth never complained about the kind of food… I think only one person wanted more food. The entire group of young people was very positive and attentive even when they were feeling very tired.
Another huge blessing was seeing how well the younger members of the events team did during the entire time; in their teaching, in their interactions with the youth, in the lessons that they learnt.
The team of 8 people who went to Capetown returned to Pretoria transformed, and even more convinced about the greatness of God.
Two years before this I had spent Christmas in Capetown and was astonished and upset by the number of youth on "Tik'(methamphetamine)... and the number of hopeless people around. This trip was so encouraging.
God is doing something in Capetown!

It is interesting how being away from home and one's comfort zone causes one to grow. We see it all the time in our own lives and in the lives of others. I like it!

Anyways, the 2010 Soccer World cup is coming up and I've been thinking alot about how this could be a pivotal time in history for lots of reason.
It seems like so many things are conspiring against it happening... from flights being rediculous to trouble brewing in SA politically and racially... even the trouble that we have experienced as an organization planning outreach during this time.
I believe that God is up to something... I don't know what other people think... but we shouldn't miss this opportunity... if you ever have a chance... look up nicolo polo and Khublai Khan... very interesting stuff.

It has been a while since I have written anything here... prolly because I have been quite busy... not because of a lack of things to write.
I spend most of my days preparing for this upcoming world cup outreach... It has been quite a wild ride. I have learnt so much as well.
What has been a blessing is seeing things happening for God's kingdom here.
I have been to Capetown twice in the last few months for different reasons and was so encouraged to see how people are stepping up and taking a stand for their city. Two Christmases ago I was heartbroken to see all the young people hooked on Tik (pronounced took), and to hear of abandoned babies and young lives going to waste. It has been encouraging to see that there are ministries dedicated to getting kids off drugs, to getting youth out of gangs and helping young women to stop selling their bodies on the streets. I have a friend who has been so blessed as he works with others to help these young women. We were able to attend a church service of one of these ministries and it was a blessing to see someone bring their muslim friend/relative forward for prayer... the man prayed to accept Jesus and asked Jesus to heal his body (he was in a wheelchair). Healing is a controversal topic for most people... but what a blessing to see the saving power of Christ at work.
God bless South africa!

SO my first two weeks at work have been hectic at best. Adjusting to a new home which I share with 4 other women... ask me about that sometime! Adjusting to a new job in which I am trying to catch up to everything that I am doing... so I am putting more time in than I normally would at a desk job. We have decided on out theme and most people are happy... and so now we are moving forward with lots of planning.
I have quite a bit to do... and that is ok but I really want to do it well for Greater Glory.
It is less than 100 days now until the world cup and we have had less than twenty applications come in so far... still a long road to travel.
This weekend will be spent doing laundry and visiting the people who invited us for dinner... then next week will be a fresh start into the programme and schedule. Next weekend will be my first TeenStreet Tour (training for youth leaders)... I will mostly be watching what happens so that I can have a sense of what is going on. I will be teaching at the next two tours. We are praying that the Kimberly and Capetown tours will happen... what Greater GLory that will bring Him hey!
J

I arrived in SA mid February to a series of things that were less than fun... at least the people were in the process of fixing the leaking roof when I arrived. I now share a house with 3 other ladies... 2 more are still to come...
We all work together and so far it has been ok... grace, grace... we like to think that it will continue that way.

It seems like I have a tonne of work to do... and I am finding my way... but am constantly fighting off little annoyances. *sigh*

This Events Team is good at what they do and a joy to work with... but there are days that I wonder why I am here... I do believe that this is where I am meant to be for the time being however...

Character building is not always fun.
J

Visiting the new PST I came across some familiar faces :)

Painting Pictures of Egypt

"But the places that used to fit me,
Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me
While my back was turned!" Taken from Painting Pictures of Egypt by Sara Groves

Have you ever left a place for a long time and then returned to it... and it feels so familiar but... NOT! ?
I travel a fair amount on this 'wonderful' missions experience and recently returned home on furlough. Although I am staying in a house that wasn't one that I grew up in it was still familiar to me. The trouble is the country that I once called home, no longer feels like home. I guess that I knew somewhere in my heart that it would not feel like home again, but the experience of it was quite strange.
In general this is how I feel... as if there is nowhere that feels like home at the moment. Returning to SA will be nice... nice to get back to work... nice to see others that I know again... but I am fairly sure that it won't feel like home... not really.
It's as if the things that were comfortable before now are familiar but hold no real joy or peace. This leaves me feeling a little like, what really brings me joy or peace?

"It's not about losing faith, It's not about trust, It's all about comfortable, When you move so much. And the place I was wasn't perfect, But I had found a way to live, And it wasn't milk or honey, But then neither is this"

We like to stay were we are in life, in our hearts, and physically. It is safe and comfortable. Once we move, the discomfort of not being in control and not knowing tends to make us long for the past that we knew... rather like the Israelites in Egypt. We look back at it and decide it was better because we at least knew how to deal with it, we knew what to expect. We realise that it wasn't that great but hey where we are now isn't great either. Somewhere inside we need to decide to move onto whatever God wants/has for us... no matter the cost to our comfort.

When I look back at who circumstances should have made me to be, and who I was, then I compare it to who I now am... I know that discomfort for a short time is worth it... but often I forget.

A part of me wants to go back to Egypt... but having visited it... I never will!

On January 25th I arrived on MV Logos Hope as a rep of OM RSA... my task was to meet with the South Africans onboard to see how they were doing and to convey the best wishes of OM RSA.
I was able to meet with most of them... The ship was in the midst of a PSSC test for most of the week... this meant that people were running around like crazy and that there were constantly alarms going off.
It was good to see how people have grown... it was good to see the new ship... it was good to meet new people...
I was also able to meet the new PST that were on their training in some remote part of Jamaica.
I was good to chat to a few of them and to my 4 friends that were there.
Tomorrow morning early I fly back home for a few more weeks before journeying again to Africa.

The Journey Continues

So, trying to write emails to update folks on all that has and is happening can be difficult... and people often don't read long emails... so this blog will hopefully help to solve the dilema...
Welcome and enjoy!