Friday, July 30
Soccer Season Sure to Cease Soon
Second full season of playing soccer this year, the last time I was in grade 5. I've been winded twice, strained ligaments in my right ankle when I sprained it during warm up, and got a corked thigh from a team mate's knee most recently two weeks ago. And I love it and will be sad when the season finishes for us in a couple of weeks. The AL2 Reserves will not be going to the finals. Hopefully there will be a second season with the Belrose/Terry Hills Raiders - which coincidentally has the same abbreviation for my course at Morling. BTH.
Thursday, July 22
Do a little dance
Back at college this week and I am already looking forward to the rest of the year. There's one reason for that - his name is Andrew Sloane and I love having him as a lecturer. An intense and brilliant man who is so easy to listen to. Lectures will not be boring whenever he's there. To illustrate, he was making a point about how a writer of the bible need not jump up and down on the spot to communicate to the reader that someone killing thousands of people is a bad thing. To clearly teach this point he proceeded to jump up and down on the spot. I got the message and am looking forward to more lectures with him.
On another matter we began looking at predestination at home group last night. I talked too much while trying to lead some discussion on the matter because we were short for time. So I'm looking forward to next week when everyone can really get their teeth stuck into and have their say it having had an introduction to the topic last night. Such discussions are important, we cannot be satisfied with half-baked ideas of various theologies - we need to pursue understanding of the God we (Christians) have faith in and the faith which we have in God.
Still unemployed - praying for a job. Having no money sucks. So I shall continue to perouse the newspaper and websites looking for one. I feel for those that have much more financial responsibility that I and cannot find work. That kind of situation is much worse than my plight at the moment.
And after a few years now of being examined in no other way than by essay writing (except for 2 semesters of Greek) much to my frustration I am improving in my ability to write them evident in the 3 distinctions for 3 subjects last semester. I write about this not to boast (mainly) but to express the incredulity which I had when I found out. I was puzzled that I was capable of such a thing. It's not the most astounding achievement ever - not by a long shot - but I wonder why I should be so surprised - do I really think so little of myself that I'm amazing that I can get three distinctions when I work hard? Why is it so hard to come to terms with good things happening in my life? I'm reminded of the need for us to pursue true and sober judgement of ourselves, to see truth and not pass off self-deprecating attitudes and talk about ourselves as humility and modesty. To see the love that God has for us, to take our value and worth from that while remembering our small and fallen nature.
On another matter we began looking at predestination at home group last night. I talked too much while trying to lead some discussion on the matter because we were short for time. So I'm looking forward to next week when everyone can really get their teeth stuck into and have their say it having had an introduction to the topic last night. Such discussions are important, we cannot be satisfied with half-baked ideas of various theologies - we need to pursue understanding of the God we (Christians) have faith in and the faith which we have in God.
Still unemployed - praying for a job. Having no money sucks. So I shall continue to perouse the newspaper and websites looking for one. I feel for those that have much more financial responsibility that I and cannot find work. That kind of situation is much worse than my plight at the moment.
And after a few years now of being examined in no other way than by essay writing (except for 2 semesters of Greek) much to my frustration I am improving in my ability to write them evident in the 3 distinctions for 3 subjects last semester. I write about this not to boast (mainly) but to express the incredulity which I had when I found out. I was puzzled that I was capable of such a thing. It's not the most astounding achievement ever - not by a long shot - but I wonder why I should be so surprised - do I really think so little of myself that I'm amazing that I can get three distinctions when I work hard? Why is it so hard to come to terms with good things happening in my life? I'm reminded of the need for us to pursue true and sober judgement of ourselves, to see truth and not pass off self-deprecating attitudes and talk about ourselves as humility and modesty. To see the love that God has for us, to take our value and worth from that while remembering our small and fallen nature.
Wednesday, April 29
Sitting in the library at College listening to Mark Driscoll about to get into some Greek translation and exegesis.
Had a great night with the guys from church at the belrose hotel last night. Just sat back and got to chat with guys my own age and guys at least three times my age. Great stuff. Preaching, journeying, suffering, loving, caring, teaching... all this stuff talked about as men with other men. It was a great night. Really edifying, but also really challenging. I know I came away from it knowing there were attitudes and beliefs that I need to change. Like giving people answers to questions. This is something that I have been learning for a while now, but last night was a great reminder that I am not there yet, and that I still talk too much, or more accurately talk when I shouldn't. There are times and occasions that I need to learn about, and learn the appropriate response. To just journey with people, and not give them an answer to their suffering - they don't want it, any answer you give someone as to why they are suffering and what God's response to suffering is will be trite and glib. It is never what that person needs. That person needs someone to be with them. That person needs someone to love them and care for them. That person does not need answers. That person does not need people like Job's friends trying to calculate an answer as to why he is suffering. He needed people to stand with him and for him loving him and caring for him in the midst of his suffering and time of trial. Us Christians are lousy at timing. And people like me who know they have some Bible knowledge are far too often prepared to give their answers to life's big questions and we never learn to just be with people because we think that those answers alleviate suffering and give hope. No, Jesus gives hope. And we need to be Jesus, because those people need Jesus, and when we stand with people in their suffering they experience the love of Jesus because they have a friend who enters into their suffering with them out of love and compassion and in that place that person is given hope and love and care and they meet with Jesus because in that place Jesus is present. We don't even need to ask Him to be, He just is. Christians need to be more like Jesus.
The book which has been really helpful for me learning about this stuff of less talk and more being present in people's suffering is Revisting Relational Youth Ministry by Andrew Root. Very worthwhile.
Had a great night with the guys from church at the belrose hotel last night. Just sat back and got to chat with guys my own age and guys at least three times my age. Great stuff. Preaching, journeying, suffering, loving, caring, teaching... all this stuff talked about as men with other men. It was a great night. Really edifying, but also really challenging. I know I came away from it knowing there were attitudes and beliefs that I need to change. Like giving people answers to questions. This is something that I have been learning for a while now, but last night was a great reminder that I am not there yet, and that I still talk too much, or more accurately talk when I shouldn't. There are times and occasions that I need to learn about, and learn the appropriate response. To just journey with people, and not give them an answer to their suffering - they don't want it, any answer you give someone as to why they are suffering and what God's response to suffering is will be trite and glib. It is never what that person needs. That person needs someone to be with them. That person needs someone to love them and care for them. That person does not need answers. That person does not need people like Job's friends trying to calculate an answer as to why he is suffering. He needed people to stand with him and for him loving him and caring for him in the midst of his suffering and time of trial. Us Christians are lousy at timing. And people like me who know they have some Bible knowledge are far too often prepared to give their answers to life's big questions and we never learn to just be with people because we think that those answers alleviate suffering and give hope. No, Jesus gives hope. And we need to be Jesus, because those people need Jesus, and when we stand with people in their suffering they experience the love of Jesus because they have a friend who enters into their suffering with them out of love and compassion and in that place that person is given hope and love and care and they meet with Jesus because in that place Jesus is present. We don't even need to ask Him to be, He just is. Christians need to be more like Jesus.
The book which has been really helpful for me learning about this stuff of less talk and more being present in people's suffering is Revisting Relational Youth Ministry by Andrew Root. Very worthwhile.
Tuesday, April 21
Busy Busy Busy
I'm busy at the moment. I've got about seven assignments to complete in the next month. Got stuff to organise for school. Preaching this coming Sunday. Helping Courtney and Nathan paint their new place on Wednesday. But this is all helping increase my capacity to work and do stuff; this is an answer to prayer. So that's good.
Got a real coffee buzz today. Had a strong coffee this morning... Too strong... the buzz has now lasted about 6 hours. I wonder if I'll get to sleep tonight...
Got a real coffee buzz today. Had a strong coffee this morning... Too strong... the buzz has now lasted about 6 hours. I wonder if I'll get to sleep tonight...
Friday, March 27
Recent Happenings
Been busy lately.
Organising Scripture Seminars at the high school, meetings, sermon, paper and presentation for college. LAst week was pretty stressful. The response of a few people has been, 'welcome to ministry'. But even though it has been stressful it has been an answer to prayer because I have asked God to extend and stretch my capacity to do work. So it's been a learning experience. It's been good.
Scripture seminars at school were exciting because of the response of the students. 11 contact cards back from students who are interested in coming to youth group or want to know more about JEsus. That's fantastic. And these ones were only supposed to be stepping stones for other topics later in the year. God is clearly doing things and we are getting on board with His plan and His workings in the lives of the youth there.
Preaching on Sunday for the fourth time at church. First times for the 8am and 10am services. This is exciting. Preaching on a dynamite passage: John 19:16b-27 where Jesus is crucified, the Chief Priests bicker over the sign that Pilate has put above JEsus and the soldier rolle dice for his tunic. Meanwhile John and four woman stand by the cross. Devoted to the end. It's great and really challenging.
Demoed the sermon for the preaching workshop and God some really positive feedback but also some really valuable contructive critisicm. I'm excited. Looking forward to it.
That and everything else that's in store for the year. Ministry continues on and things are developing and changing. We grew for the lunchtime group on Monday, some new faces and some familiar ones. Hopefully the social Saturday week will be better attended too. I'm hopeful. For all of it.
Organising Scripture Seminars at the high school, meetings, sermon, paper and presentation for college. LAst week was pretty stressful. The response of a few people has been, 'welcome to ministry'. But even though it has been stressful it has been an answer to prayer because I have asked God to extend and stretch my capacity to do work. So it's been a learning experience. It's been good.
Scripture seminars at school were exciting because of the response of the students. 11 contact cards back from students who are interested in coming to youth group or want to know more about JEsus. That's fantastic. And these ones were only supposed to be stepping stones for other topics later in the year. God is clearly doing things and we are getting on board with His plan and His workings in the lives of the youth there.
Preaching on Sunday for the fourth time at church. First times for the 8am and 10am services. This is exciting. Preaching on a dynamite passage: John 19:16b-27 where Jesus is crucified, the Chief Priests bicker over the sign that Pilate has put above JEsus and the soldier rolle dice for his tunic. Meanwhile John and four woman stand by the cross. Devoted to the end. It's great and really challenging.
Demoed the sermon for the preaching workshop and God some really positive feedback but also some really valuable contructive critisicm. I'm excited. Looking forward to it.
That and everything else that's in store for the year. Ministry continues on and things are developing and changing. We grew for the lunchtime group on Monday, some new faces and some familiar ones. Hopefully the social Saturday week will be better attended too. I'm hopeful. For all of it.
Monday, February 2
The Job
I'm sitting in a small room.
I'm very tired.
I think I've torn a muscle in my foot from playing rockband or running around playing cricket in thongs.
And I am doing Kingdom work. Preparing things for that classic Christian lunchtime group that I was once a part of. It's not glamorous. It's not the most dynamic ministry since Billy Grahame's Crusades. But it's the ministry that will affect the lives of young people at Davidson HS. So it's definitely worthwhile. So I have many more Monday mornings to look forward to. So I'm very content doing this work. It's good.
I'm very tired.
I think I've torn a muscle in my foot from playing rockband or running around playing cricket in thongs.
And I am doing Kingdom work. Preparing things for that classic Christian lunchtime group that I was once a part of. It's not glamorous. It's not the most dynamic ministry since Billy Grahame's Crusades. But it's the ministry that will affect the lives of young people at Davidson HS. So it's definitely worthwhile. So I have many more Monday mornings to look forward to. So I'm very content doing this work. It's good.
Saturday, December 13
Holidays cont...
Well still on holidays. Cept at the moment I'm in Wingham with Meg and her family. Having a jolly good ol' time. Going to her work Christmans party tonight. Should be fun.
Still listening to Driscoll sermons and playing freecell but also enjoying Winterbirth and Romans. Read through the first half of the book and now reading a chapter at a time and then going through it more slowly and taking notes. Tis worthwhile because I'm now understanding what Paul is getting at. It also means that I am remembering what I am reading and it has a greater impact on me. So Romans up to chapter 4 can be summarised as follows (keep in mind this is my amateurish attempt) God shows no favoritism and so all people will be judged according to their deeds, First the Jew then the Gentile, the promises will be inherited by those who have faith in God for it will be credited to them as righteousness with Abraham as our example First the Jew then also for the Gentile. Faith in Jesus Christ alone saves, He is our Good News.
Oh and it's hot and humid here. Still haven't seen Australia but pleased that Mr. Jackman is hosting the Oscars and that Heath got nominated for Best Supporting Actor in The Dark Night. Go Heath.
Still listening to Driscoll sermons and playing freecell but also enjoying Winterbirth and Romans. Read through the first half of the book and now reading a chapter at a time and then going through it more slowly and taking notes. Tis worthwhile because I'm now understanding what Paul is getting at. It also means that I am remembering what I am reading and it has a greater impact on me. So Romans up to chapter 4 can be summarised as follows (keep in mind this is my amateurish attempt) God shows no favoritism and so all people will be judged according to their deeds, First the Jew then the Gentile, the promises will be inherited by those who have faith in God for it will be credited to them as righteousness with Abraham as our example First the Jew then also for the Gentile. Faith in Jesus Christ alone saves, He is our Good News.
Oh and it's hot and humid here. Still haven't seen Australia but pleased that Mr. Jackman is hosting the Oscars and that Heath got nominated for Best Supporting Actor in The Dark Night. Go Heath.
Tuesday, December 2
Shift in Lifestyle
Well I've been on holidays for over a week now.
Last week involved writing material for Ernie's Big Night for a talk that went well. Only positive feedback so far and will debrief with Tom later this week about it. As for the night itself it was a good night. Fun was had, Jesus was preached, and people were encouraged as a result. The way the talk worked exactly was me and Tom doing a tag-team with me essentially giving my testimony in my first three segments while Tom assumed the role of Zaccheus and spoke about who Zaccheus was to develop the character and then bring him to the point where he meets Jesus. From that point we spoke about their encounter - me narrating inc. talking about Jesus and what happened in their encounter and what this means for the audience.
As for this week. Well I have managed to land myself to a couple of jobs. The first one is holiday work. Just working for my old boss at another cafe he owns in the area. Good people to work with. Thoroughly enjoyed their company, and this place is better than the last cafe for a place to be working at at least because of the aesthetics of the place. Simply an easier working space. But also me being me I get excited about the prospect of being amongst non-Christians and getting to preach Jesus. I have to place a serious leash on myself so I don't go hammer-n-tong and try to convert everyone there. Managed that yesterday. Had a great time just chatting to one of the girls there and got to make coffee all day. It was a good day. And helpful money made too.
The other job is the Student Minister position I now have at my church of the past 7 years where I will be working at the high school I attended for six years. It'll be good. I am excited about it and I thoroughly look forward to working with many good and godly and talented people next year as I step into paid ministry for the first time. Evangelism. Hmmm... Lord make me a better evangelist.
Been listening to Mark Driscoll lately. He's got some fantastic material. Such a talented speaker and uncompromisingly honest. I listened to his sermon on Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Man that was hard. Went for an hour and fifteen minutes and was just heavy as can be for the whole time. It was tough. But good. God does not get you around problems, He gets you through them. Punctuate all prayers and requests with "Your will be done".
Last night was brilliant. Went from work stinking of coffee at 5:45 to the leaders meeting at 6 for ernie, and didn't get home till 11. It was fantastic. Had the leaders meeting that went till 8 I think. Washed up in which time I managed to get Nathan a couple time with the t-towel tied with the special knot I learned in Canada. We then sat down in the comfy chairs again some of us epuipped with cups of tea where I did I very cheeky thing by drinking tea out of Stephen's Fuller Seminary mug. Bad form really. But then again I've always been a pot stirrer. Sometimes paid the price. Got beat up once for calling Jack Johnson crap. Then after this we all gathered around Tom's computer and went through 41 pages of the fail blog. www.failblog.org
Looking forward to community lunch tomorrow, the debrief and more work.
Last week involved writing material for Ernie's Big Night for a talk that went well. Only positive feedback so far and will debrief with Tom later this week about it. As for the night itself it was a good night. Fun was had, Jesus was preached, and people were encouraged as a result. The way the talk worked exactly was me and Tom doing a tag-team with me essentially giving my testimony in my first three segments while Tom assumed the role of Zaccheus and spoke about who Zaccheus was to develop the character and then bring him to the point where he meets Jesus. From that point we spoke about their encounter - me narrating inc. talking about Jesus and what happened in their encounter and what this means for the audience.
As for this week. Well I have managed to land myself to a couple of jobs. The first one is holiday work. Just working for my old boss at another cafe he owns in the area. Good people to work with. Thoroughly enjoyed their company, and this place is better than the last cafe for a place to be working at at least because of the aesthetics of the place. Simply an easier working space. But also me being me I get excited about the prospect of being amongst non-Christians and getting to preach Jesus. I have to place a serious leash on myself so I don't go hammer-n-tong and try to convert everyone there. Managed that yesterday. Had a great time just chatting to one of the girls there and got to make coffee all day. It was a good day. And helpful money made too.
The other job is the Student Minister position I now have at my church of the past 7 years where I will be working at the high school I attended for six years. It'll be good. I am excited about it and I thoroughly look forward to working with many good and godly and talented people next year as I step into paid ministry for the first time. Evangelism. Hmmm... Lord make me a better evangelist.
Been listening to Mark Driscoll lately. He's got some fantastic material. Such a talented speaker and uncompromisingly honest. I listened to his sermon on Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Man that was hard. Went for an hour and fifteen minutes and was just heavy as can be for the whole time. It was tough. But good. God does not get you around problems, He gets you through them. Punctuate all prayers and requests with "Your will be done".
Last night was brilliant. Went from work stinking of coffee at 5:45 to the leaders meeting at 6 for ernie, and didn't get home till 11. It was fantastic. Had the leaders meeting that went till 8 I think. Washed up in which time I managed to get Nathan a couple time with the t-towel tied with the special knot I learned in Canada. We then sat down in the comfy chairs again some of us epuipped with cups of tea where I did I very cheeky thing by drinking tea out of Stephen's Fuller Seminary mug. Bad form really. But then again I've always been a pot stirrer. Sometimes paid the price. Got beat up once for calling Jack Johnson crap. Then after this we all gathered around Tom's computer and went through 41 pages of the fail blog. www.failblog.org
Looking forward to community lunch tomorrow, the debrief and more work.
Wednesday, November 19
More Greek
I think the world has stopped spinning. At least that's what I perceive at the moment being stuck in mountains of Greek that I am trying to sort through. Not much else seems to exist at the moment. Having said that I am making progress. Have translated practice sentences and parsed words all for practice. Hell I was even parsing words like πεπιστευκαμεν which is derived from the word πιστευω and is in the prefect tense, 1st person, is plural, in the active voice and indicative mood. And I understand it. These are all good signs for Friday morning. None-the-less it remains Greek and as a result I'm not confident and stressing out because I would really like to finish the year on a good note, especially in Greek because it has been a year of a lot of hard work and so far I've managed HD's. To bomb out in the final exam of the year would be very disappointing. I'm about to move onto the subjunctive mood. Urgh.
Monday, November 17
The end is near
Well I'm coming to the end of my time at College. I have one exam to go after having done three already. OT, NT, and Evangelism Principles. Just Greek to go.
At the end of this week I also move all of my stuff out of my little shoebox here and I move back home because I simply don't have the money to continue live here. Sigh. It shall be a shame. The guys here are all top blokes and have been so much fun to hang out with and live with all year. I shall miss the rounds of Urban Terror - I was just getting good... Most of the guys including myself from Top Floor will be moving off anyway - so even if I stayed it wouldn't be the same. In any case moving home will be good, and necessary for various reasons like work and church involvement.
In other things 2009 is shaping up to be a good year. I thoroughly look forward to the more intense theological subjects and implementing all the things that I have learnt this year including exegeting John and 1 Corinthians from the original Greek. I think it is fantastic that God continues to transform me into the man he wants me to be. And that includes the raging nerd that continues to come alive. Fortunately I have Meg to keep me from becoming too much of a pretentious git. I also look forward to everything else that happens next year as things really begin to develop and grow from thing that have happened this year. Things were new this year and last year, but as I have really put roots down by the grace of God things now are growing and developing.
I also look forward to the family holiday in January which will now be attended by 4 McClouds, 2 Bennetts and 1 Smith. Quite the change from last year which had 5 McClouds, and 1 Bennett. Yay Holidays! I'm almost there!
At the end of this week I also move all of my stuff out of my little shoebox here and I move back home because I simply don't have the money to continue live here. Sigh. It shall be a shame. The guys here are all top blokes and have been so much fun to hang out with and live with all year. I shall miss the rounds of Urban Terror - I was just getting good... Most of the guys including myself from Top Floor will be moving off anyway - so even if I stayed it wouldn't be the same. In any case moving home will be good, and necessary for various reasons like work and church involvement.
In other things 2009 is shaping up to be a good year. I thoroughly look forward to the more intense theological subjects and implementing all the things that I have learnt this year including exegeting John and 1 Corinthians from the original Greek. I think it is fantastic that God continues to transform me into the man he wants me to be. And that includes the raging nerd that continues to come alive. Fortunately I have Meg to keep me from becoming too much of a pretentious git. I also look forward to everything else that happens next year as things really begin to develop and grow from thing that have happened this year. Things were new this year and last year, but as I have really put roots down by the grace of God things now are growing and developing.
I also look forward to the family holiday in January which will now be attended by 4 McClouds, 2 Bennetts and 1 Smith. Quite the change from last year which had 5 McClouds, and 1 Bennett. Yay Holidays! I'm almost there!
Wednesday, November 12
First one for a while
It's good to look back on the blog posts of old which concerned the Soul Edge trip. Good times and good memories there.
At the moment two exams have been completed. OT & NT. I passed them. I know that much. So that's a positive. When I started I was aiming very high. I wanted to do an honors year, and get a distinction average and be really smart. My aspirations are no longer that high. Although the HD average I have for Greek at the moment is nothing to sulk about. I just wish I was better at English.... *sigh*
Well I have an exam Friday morning that I am not yet prepared for so I have got to get back to the study and stop procrastinating.
At the moment two exams have been completed. OT & NT. I passed them. I know that much. So that's a positive. When I started I was aiming very high. I wanted to do an honors year, and get a distinction average and be really smart. My aspirations are no longer that high. Although the HD average I have for Greek at the moment is nothing to sulk about. I just wish I was better at English.... *sigh*
Well I have an exam Friday morning that I am not yet prepared for so I have got to get back to the study and stop procrastinating.
Monday, June 18
Side Note and some photos
Well I am opening a facebook account so I can display the many amazing photos from the Soul Edge course including a particular one including a certain cow. Oh and here are some photos for those that are interested.
One of the first projects that Soul Edge undertook. The fence. And what a mighty fence it was.
Goat anyone?
"You want fighting?"
Oh fort, how we adore thee...
Awwwwww.....
One of the first projects that Soul Edge undertook. The fence. And what a mighty fence it was.
Goat anyone?
"You want fighting?"
Oh fort, how we adore thee...
Awwwwww.....
Tuesday, June 5
Once again in Australia
I once again find myself sitting at the family computer at home blogging, listening to U2, and giving the odd glance out the window as I think about life. So much is as it was 5 months ago, but it only serves to contrast and make me realise how things are so much different to 5 months ago.
Things at home are mixed. For some things are great. For others not so great. But I am none-the-less so glad to be home while at the same time missing what is going on in other corners of the world that i dont get to be apart of. But I am excited about what God has for me in the coming weeks and months.
So in the coming time ahead of me I shall be getting a job and looking what there is at church to do and be involved in.
In the mean time I'll be waiting for everyone to go on uni holidays before I get to talk to anyone seriously.
So in the mean time I'll tie up some loose ends such as photos, get a job organised, do some study to keep my brain ticking over and finish reading the Bible.
Things at home are mixed. For some things are great. For others not so great. But I am none-the-less so glad to be home while at the same time missing what is going on in other corners of the world that i dont get to be apart of. But I am excited about what God has for me in the coming weeks and months.
So in the coming time ahead of me I shall be getting a job and looking what there is at church to do and be involved in.
In the mean time I'll be waiting for everyone to go on uni holidays before I get to talk to anyone seriously.
So in the mean time I'll tie up some loose ends such as photos, get a job organised, do some study to keep my brain ticking over and finish reading the Bible.
Tuesday, May 22
Latest Update
Well guys mt Kenya was a lot of fun, and a real challenge. We got to 16 500 feet when we reached the summit. The first day was easy. Just a 3 hour walk up a road of sorts and then set up camp in the dark (yeah we started the climb on the first day kinda late.) The second day we had an all day hike up to the second base camp. But we offloaded a lot of stuff so our packs were a lot lighter. About half way a long (or a little further) we had lunch for an hour which due to an ill feeling which I couldn't explain at the time I just spent it all sleeping. In the sun. With the same side of my face being exposed the entire time. It wasn;t even that hot. I would regret this a little later on. Anyway when we headed off again I didn;t last very long till I deteriorated quite badly with the illness and found myself completely knocked off my feet by altitude sickness. Fortunately it passed quitckly and I was back on my feet. So we eventually made it to the next base camp passing some breathtaking scenery along the way. We headed off to bed and got up at 2 the next morning for the dawn attack. Here we would cmlib to the summit before the sun came up.
This was the most difficult part yet. Cold and windy - the /worst conditions that the guide (who has climbed mt kenya quite a few times) has ever experienced. Both my hands went numb except for three fingers on my right hand (which would save me from a very nasty fall when climbing an ice covered rock when we were nearing the top). I did manage to make it as did 7 other guys form the group . The other two died along the way. Kidding of course. JJ and Dan D had to stay at base camp number two due to altitude sickness. But JJ suspects that his was exposure more so than altitude sickness.
After that we had a co;uple rest days. First was at the base of the mountain, where they had what are called Bandas. Simply put the are really nice little houses. We got two for the ten of us and we spent the afternoon after getting back from the first base camp which we stayed at overnight after getting back from base camp number two that same day we did the dawn attack. But the descent is always easier than the ascent. Sooooo much easier. The afternoon after coming down was a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time reading and we spent some time hanging out wihtbsome baboons. The next day though would be more exciting as we would encounter a lone elephant that trampeted at us as well as stampeding water bucks and quite a few zebra. Very eventful day.
So we spent an afternoon, then an entire day then we headed off in the morning on a 6 hour drive to a place called lake nevasha. Google earth that and you'll be able to find it. We went on a little walk through a little national park on the whole day we were there seeing giraffes, zebra, warthogs. We then ehaded over to a nice spot on the lake and saw some hippos mind you they weren';t very excit8ing, and some flamingos before heading over to a hotel for lunch. That was really nice food. All the guys enjoyed that. The next day though when we headed off back to Nairobi I would soend being ill. I would be feeling the effects of that illness even after the immediate recovery after 3 days with a huge loss of apetite even when in Turkana. We were in Nairobi for just the night at church army again before easy coaching it to Kitale.
We spent a little less than a week there doing part time work and doing a lot of resting before heading over to Turkana to a place called Kakuma near a UN refugee camp. This place is in the middle of the desert and starts to get near the borders of somalia and uganda. So we spent Monday to Sunday there building a church for the church called Jesus Christ's joint. They needed a new buol;ding because their current one was far too small. And because God wants to expand their congregation. So that was really hard work due to the heat and the amount of manual labour. We turned 3 weeks work into a little over four days getting most of the structure up. Really basic. Just wooden posts cemented into the ground, and then a-frames, and then tin roofing and walls.
We headed back to Kitale on the sunday which was a relief for me at least for I had had enough of 40+ degree waether. Since then we have been working on the new church building that Youth Apart are renting for their new church. When initially bought it was really run down So since Tuesday we have been painting and sanding the new buolding making it look absolutely smashing. It really has come together and when the wooden floor finally gets varnished the place will be amazing. The floor by the way we have been hand sanding for since Friday with a break on Sunday when we had church. Actually JJ did the sermon on Sunday on John 14 which was really good. Everyone loves the message he gives and what he has to say. Church was amazing for another reason on Sunday. Right adjacent to the theatre - like literally attached to the same building - there is this amazing space with a bar and a fire place and a little area which might be turned into a kitchen which the Soul Edge guys utilised on Sunday and turned the entire area into a cafe for all the people that were at church on Sunday. Fruit Salad and drinks and tea and coffee - it was great. Everyone had a great time.
The coming days behold more work on the church, such as the fence out front and fnishing off the sanding on the stage which is all that is left to go. We'll spend a day in a nice little secluded spot at a river taking a break form all the owrk and jsut spending the day with God and talking to Him and listening to Him. So everyone looks forward to that. Actually really looking forward to tonight. Finishing off the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. that'll be fantastic. Been watching the fils every secong night for the past few nights which has beeen a lot of fun.
Well got to go they're closing up shop and I've yet to go home and have a shower. So I'll say goodbye and see you all soon!
This was the most difficult part yet. Cold and windy - the /worst conditions that the guide (who has climbed mt kenya quite a few times) has ever experienced. Both my hands went numb except for three fingers on my right hand (which would save me from a very nasty fall when climbing an ice covered rock when we were nearing the top). I did manage to make it as did 7 other guys form the group . The other two died along the way. Kidding of course. JJ and Dan D had to stay at base camp number two due to altitude sickness. But JJ suspects that his was exposure more so than altitude sickness.
After that we had a co;uple rest days. First was at the base of the mountain, where they had what are called Bandas. Simply put the are really nice little houses. We got two for the ten of us and we spent the afternoon after getting back from the first base camp which we stayed at overnight after getting back from base camp number two that same day we did the dawn attack. But the descent is always easier than the ascent. Sooooo much easier. The afternoon after coming down was a lot of fun. We spent a lot of time reading and we spent some time hanging out wihtbsome baboons. The next day though would be more exciting as we would encounter a lone elephant that trampeted at us as well as stampeding water bucks and quite a few zebra. Very eventful day.
So we spent an afternoon, then an entire day then we headed off in the morning on a 6 hour drive to a place called lake nevasha. Google earth that and you'll be able to find it. We went on a little walk through a little national park on the whole day we were there seeing giraffes, zebra, warthogs. We then ehaded over to a nice spot on the lake and saw some hippos mind you they weren';t very excit8ing, and some flamingos before heading over to a hotel for lunch. That was really nice food. All the guys enjoyed that. The next day though when we headed off back to Nairobi I would soend being ill. I would be feeling the effects of that illness even after the immediate recovery after 3 days with a huge loss of apetite even when in Turkana. We were in Nairobi for just the night at church army again before easy coaching it to Kitale.
We spent a little less than a week there doing part time work and doing a lot of resting before heading over to Turkana to a place called Kakuma near a UN refugee camp. This place is in the middle of the desert and starts to get near the borders of somalia and uganda. So we spent Monday to Sunday there building a church for the church called Jesus Christ's joint. They needed a new buol;ding because their current one was far too small. And because God wants to expand their congregation. So that was really hard work due to the heat and the amount of manual labour. We turned 3 weeks work into a little over four days getting most of the structure up. Really basic. Just wooden posts cemented into the ground, and then a-frames, and then tin roofing and walls.
We headed back to Kitale on the sunday which was a relief for me at least for I had had enough of 40+ degree waether. Since then we have been working on the new church building that Youth Apart are renting for their new church. When initially bought it was really run down So since Tuesday we have been painting and sanding the new buolding making it look absolutely smashing. It really has come together and when the wooden floor finally gets varnished the place will be amazing. The floor by the way we have been hand sanding for since Friday with a break on Sunday when we had church. Actually JJ did the sermon on Sunday on John 14 which was really good. Everyone loves the message he gives and what he has to say. Church was amazing for another reason on Sunday. Right adjacent to the theatre - like literally attached to the same building - there is this amazing space with a bar and a fire place and a little area which might be turned into a kitchen which the Soul Edge guys utilised on Sunday and turned the entire area into a cafe for all the people that were at church on Sunday. Fruit Salad and drinks and tea and coffee - it was great. Everyone had a great time.
The coming days behold more work on the church, such as the fence out front and fnishing off the sanding on the stage which is all that is left to go. We'll spend a day in a nice little secluded spot at a river taking a break form all the owrk and jsut spending the day with God and talking to Him and listening to Him. So everyone looks forward to that. Actually really looking forward to tonight. Finishing off the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. that'll be fantastic. Been watching the fils every secong night for the past few nights which has beeen a lot of fun.
Well got to go they're closing up shop and I've yet to go home and have a shower. So I'll say goodbye and see you all soon!
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